Criticism and Affirmation

If you've read any number of the somewhat substantive posts on this blog I'm sure you've picked up on the fact I lean more toward the criticism side of the fence. To be honest it is a little more than a lean. You could probably describe it as a full fledged encampment on the critical side of the fence only ever so often glancing over in the direction of the affirmation side.

Why?

That's a very good question and one that I've been asking myself lately. Am I critical because I love truth and hate error? Or maybe it is because there are too many weak and cowardly men that refuse to stand for what is right and call error error? I wish I could answer so righteously and courageously to say yes without reservation. But I cannot.

I do love truth and hate error, and I do think there too many weak and cowardly men. But I am one of the cowards. I am overly critical because it is easier to take a stand against something than it is to take a stand for something.

So I cower because of my ignorance and lack of faith. To all the men who may read this I pray that we will not just stand against something but that we'll also fight and affirm what is right and holy and good.

Ignorance or Apathy?

The recent post over at Contend Earnestly has encouraged me to post again. Seth admits to having a bit of a dry spell physically and spiritually. I can definitely relate to that.

The biggest problems for me are the two things in the title of this post. And the funny thing is that God used a sports radio show to point that out to me. The radio show has several intros and outros with the famous voice over movie guy or at least it sounds like him. Anyway, the one that got my attention went like this...

"Which is worse ignorance or apathy? Here at the Finebaum radio network we don't know and we don't care..."

I laughed at first because I thought it was pretty clever. But then the ole conviction started kicking in. I realized that described me better than it did a sports talk show. I just wanted to confess that and say that the Spirit is working in me and changing me slowly but surely for His glory and my good.

A Phil Collins song...

never seemed so cool. And yes I'm aware of the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony collaboration. Enjoy.

Truth & Presentation

At Between Two Worlds Abraham Piper of 22Words and the Desiring God Blog writes a guest post dealing with ways in which to improve your blog. It is very helpful, and I'm glad God has gifted such men as Abraham to have the kind of voice and talent he has and use it for God's glory. I wish I had that type of gift. But I don't use the gifts God has given me now so...I digress.

Anyway, he makes an interesting statement very early in that post noted below. A statement I totally disagree with as I'm sure you have already guessed.

"Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well...Falsehood well said, doesn’t serve readers. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile because it’s, well, false. Truth poorly said is similarly unhelpful. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile, because it’s unclear or boring.""Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well"

Keep in mind that I know the context of the quote is about improving your blog and that I'm not interested in nitpicking every sentence. I just want to point out something I feel is dangerous in the Church which is clearly seen in the quote above. It is that presentation tends to take precedence over truth.

So where do we draw the line between our blogs and our lives? That sounds a little dramatic I know. But in all seriousness do we draw a line or not? Specifically I have in mind the Gospel when I ask this question as it relates to the way we do church and evangelism. I guess what I'm getting at is that if we concern ourselves more with presentation then will we give enough time, attention, and prayer to the truth? At the heart of the matter I guess is the importance of truth. And not just 2+2=4. I'm talking about universal, absolute, all eternity hangs in the balance kind of truth. I've already admitted to being dramatic so I might as well keep it going right?

Take for example this article. Basically this is a critique and suggestion article on how christians can better witness to atheists. He has some very interesting thoughts such as the technique some christians use to witness is similar to email spam. He also points out that the techniques used by christians to sell their product are also very similar to the very annoying techniques the cult-like business Amway uses. One of his examples you see below.

This=Human Spam

Now I think that example is actually pretty funny. There is definitely some truth to that as there is also with what Abraham suggested. I guess the whole reason for this post is that I have been thinking for a long time and probably will for a long time about how to have a balanced approach to Truth & Presentation.

My concern is that too many christians are focused more on presentation than on truth. It is not that I think presentation isn't important. It is that truth is the most important. And it is the foundation for presentation. The truth is what gives your presentation value, not the other way around. Or at least that is the idea I get when I read Paul's words to the Corinthians in chapter 2. I love the Piper's and their gifts that the Lord has blessed the Church with for His glory. And I also realize that Piper's suggestion is in the context of blogging, but I wanted to point out that if we take that suggestion into evangelism then we end up trying to raise the dead with techniques and programs rather than the life giving truth of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Bear Bryant vs Chuck Norris

Ok ok ok. I will chill out on the videos for a while. I thought I should at least put this one up since it is Saturday. Roll Tide!

The Robert Schuller Special

How about another? Enjoy

GodCo

I'm not sure what the last minute is so just forget that part.

You know what they say...

Once you go Mac, you never go back!

A couple of days ago we got new computers at work. Guess what we got. They are terrific. My wife has threatened divorce if I don't stop talking about it. I guess I shouldn't tell her I almost kissed the sleek shiny 20" screen this morning. I had mentioned we take our Bush money and go get one. But she thought a trip to a tropical paradise would be a better use of that money. I know, I can't believe it either.

prosperity gospel

Comments??

Baptist Joke

During these serious times, people of all faiths should remember these four religious truths:
1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's chosen people. 2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 3. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian world. 4. Baptists do not recognize each other at Hooters.

Mac Users/Calvinists

First let me add a little caveat to the title of this post lest one of the Mac users I offend hunts me down and shoves their Macbook Air up somewhere it doesn't belong. Yeah its small but not that small. If I could have or knew how to use an approximate sign in the title I would have. I'm not saying that every single person can be grouped in these two categories or that these groups are characteristic of all people that could be classified in them. I'm writing in general terms. I think it is true in a general sense at least from my experience, and I thought it was somewhat humorous so I decided to share.

If you have ever talked to any number of Mac users you will ultimately find out very quickly they're a Mac user. This title is boldly worn as a badge of honor.

The same can be said of some Calvinists. If you have ever had a conversation with one of these guys then you will no doubt learn fairly quickly they are 5 pointers, also a badge of honor.

Mac users/Calvinists give the infamous "look down" after they realize you're not one of them. You know the way someone looks at you like you're 2 foot tall. They look at your feet then look up quickly most of the time with their eyebrows narrowed and eyes crossed. Sometimes you will even be lucky enough to induce a teeth suck. I love that one. It makes me feel like I've hit a chord with my brothers and sisters.

Undoubtedly the conversation moves from condescension to conversion mode. The Mac user/Calvinist tries to convert the pagans to the straight and narrow or the thin and portable.

Mac users/Calvinists unleash a vigorous barrage of indisputable artillery to defeat the enemy and win the day for their respective ideas. Then after the smoke and dust have settled, excel spreadsheets torched to a crisp are trampled under feet, and hymns like "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" are changed to "I Never Wanted to Follow Jesus" we should all embrace in a loving hug and laugh at each other.

Moment of Truth

Why the name?

I'm sure that anyone who will visit this site will wonder why I named my site this. Well I will be honest and admit that this was not my first choice. I would liked to have had sackclothandashes, but would you believe this is already taken in .com and .net? Nevertheless, earthonmyhead is the name, and it is growing on me every time I say it. Go ahead, try it. It rolls off the tongue with surprising ease. I bet it even brings a smile to your face!

Reference

This phrase is a biblical reference from Nehemiah 9:1. You may need to read the ESV to get the full effect. Here is a great outline of Nehemiah chapter nine by Dr. Ralph Davis. I didn't pick the name because this is my favorite passage or phrase from the Bible. I wanted something that would serve as a reminder, not just for me but for anyone who may visit, about the need for repentance and the need for reformation. I think this phrase will be just that.

As the outline from Dr. Davis points out, the preparation for reformation starts with repentance. Regardless of whether you hold to the doctrinal distinctives of the Reformation, I would hope and pray that we can all call ourselves reforming. Prayerfully, we will all have a little earth on our heads before our time here ends.