The Therapeutic Culture of American Christianity
I caught up this morning on my buddy Richard’s blog. Don’t miss these pieces that share the common theme of modern, Western Christianity’s “neediness.”
One reviews Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture
The other looks at the writings of Joel Osteen.
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It’s that time. Some of you will be visiting at Highland Sunday because you’re bringing a son or daughter to ACU. If so, please come down and say “hello.”
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If you get a chance, listen to the Aug. 2 podcast of Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion.” He talks about a Lutheran bishop who sustained a head injury and became a Church of Christ preacher with a daily 15-minute radio program in Tupelo focusing on some obscure verse in Hosea that proves without a doubt that God wants the capital gains tax removed. It’s hilarious.
Mike -
I just listened to Garrison Keillor’s Aug. 2 story about the Lutheran bishop who became a cofC preacher on my computer here and it WAS really funny. Living in south Mississippi, I understand that thinking entirely, I’m afraid . . ..
Except, around here it’s mostly ministers on the radio (AM, of course) from some obscure branch of the Baptist church. It doesn’t really matter which church group you’re talking about around here, though. They are ALL pretty much of the same line of thinking. Unfortunately.
Cheers & Blessings to you all today!
Dee
It’s very rare that I can contribute on these days when the subject is deep theology. I think if you copy/paste this link, you’ll find and interesting article on the search for the next C.S. Lewis. I thought I had already found him in our friend Mike, but alas, this guy suggests some others.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121876295887943037.html
Mike,
Great post.
I think all who proclaim the good news of Jesus should be praised and respected even Joel Osteen. His sermons inspire. I remember when I was in ICU he gave me the encouragment I needed to move forward.
By the way you can get daily e-mail that are encouraging from Joel Osteen, Max Lucado and Out of Ur. All three of them are a great way to start your day.
One year ago we were about to bring our first born to ACU for her freshman year. She was just getting out of a wheelchair after 11 weeks and had been greiving the loss of her 13 year old brother…to say the least she did not want to go. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done…leaving her there…but we were convinced it was for the best. Fast forward one year and Bailey can’t wait to get back to Abilene. Thank you Mike for being part of her healing through Highland and your Bible class and thank you ACU for being a place where she was loved and cared for so much that she can’t wait to get back. God is good. Have a great year with those freshmen Mike…you are a blessing.
I also had heard that Garrison Keillor show and wondered if he got any angry letters from some of the good ‘sound’ brethren about how ‘Churches of Christ don’t do prophecy anymore (1 Cor. 13:8)!’
We should be careful though about laughing about our foibles too much, though…we’ll be accused of hating the church. Some people have no sense of humor whatsoever.
I am reading a great book about this topic now for the Doctor of Ministry program.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
I also heard that PHC broadcast and I’m afraid there’s more truth there than most of us want to admit!!