Thinking in Progress | Jason Salamun » 2008

04.30.08Suppose There Is A God…

A great video featuring words from the brilliant theologian, Dr. R.C. Sproul.

Filed under: Christianity, Jesus | Post a comment

04.30.08Jesus Made Me Puke

I read a story titled, “Jesus Made Me Puke” on RollingStone.com that disturbs me on so many levels.

The premise of the story is the reporter, Matt Taibbi, wanted to get an inside look at the “Christian right.” Rather than going to a mainline church, he decides to go to the fringe by attending a hyper-charismatic “weekend encounter” in Texas. This retreat was designed to “set people free” in some sort of tongues-a-thon where supposedly demons are cast out and people are healed from whatever is ailing them. The reporter masquerades as Matt Collins, a guy who’s dad was a drunken, abusive circus clown (chuckle) and plays the role all weekend. He then recounted his adventure in this Rolling Stone piece.

I will say that this “weekend encounter” sounds like a bunch of malarkey and it does not represent the majority of Christians. But to pass it off as representative is just cheap reporting. I’ve been known to poke fun at the yo-yo’s on TBN who slap foreheads, sit on thrones, and constantly ask for money. But Taiabbi clearly has an agenda and he found the right target to support it.

The story is not surprising. It is, however, embarrassing and reinforces the perceptions many people have about Christians. That we’re politically-driven, anti-everything, unintelligent nut jobs that barely resemble Christ. Regardless of whether it’s true for you and I- it’s a real perception that we need to acknowledge.

If we are truly following Jesus, then we should be known for love. And there are many great Christ Followers who bring a little bit of heaven on earth that never get reported in Rolling Stone. Which is too bad because that would be a great story and would, if nothing else, represent who we’re trying to be like- Jesus.

In the midst of this slanted piece, there was some humorous, outrageous, and some sad-but-true observations.

Here are a handful:

“The more you shout out praising the Lord, singing along to those awful acoustic tunes, telling people how blessed you feel and so on, the more a sort of mechanical Christian skin starts to grow all over your real self.”

“When most Americans think of the Christian right, they think of scenes from television — great halls full of perfectly groomed people in pale suits and light-colored dresses, smiling and happy and full of the Holy Spirit, robotically singing hymns at the behest of some squeaky-clean pastor with a baritone voice and impossible hair.”

“Fortenberry [the preacher] then started in on a rant against science and against scientific explanations for cycles of sin. ‘Take homosexuals,’ he said. ‘Every single homosexual is a sexual-abuse victim. They are not born. They are created — by pedophiles.’ The crowd swallowed that one whole. One thing about this world: Once a preacher says it, it’s true.”

“I told my nephew to look around the house,” Fortenberry continued. “I said, ‘Do you have a copy of Harry Potter?’ And he said yes. And I said, ‘That’s your problem.’ So I told him to go get that copy of that book, tear it in half and throw it out the window. So he does it, and guess what? Both of those kids stood up completely recovered, just like that.”

“In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, I cast out the demon of the intellect!” Fortenberry continued. “In the name of Jesus, I cast out the demon of anal fissures!”

“The whole thing — the demonic expulsions, the trading of miraculous wives’ tales, the crazy End Times theology based on dire predictions that come and go uneventfully once a year or so — it’s all a con that is done with the consent of the conned. Which is what gives it strength. If everybody agrees to believe, it is real.”

Read the story and let me know what you think.

I also recommend the book “unChristian” which deals with these perceptions and how we can go about changing them.

Filed under: Christianity, Current Events, Jesus, church | 2 Comments

04.29.0825 Recent Keywords Used To Get To My Site

Every once in a while I like to look at what keywords people are typing in Google, Yahoo!, etc. that land on my blog. These are interesting things people have recently typed to reach Thinking in Progress. Some are funny. Some are sad. Some are just plain odd.

“Are you realizing that i have had diarrhea since Easter?” —- (Bummer. Must have been the Peeps)
“How to overcome evil thoughts” —– (pray and talk to a friend)
“pictures of Jesus flexing” —– (Either a pastor looking for an illustration or a sick freak)
“things a leader should never do” —– (be a pansy)
“thinking about thinking for Christians” —– (you over-analyze things…I think)
“what are men thinking when they watch porn” —– (tulips and butterflies)
“i like the way i’m living and i’ve got my reasons why” —– (You’ve got a beer commercial stuck in your head)
“rethinking thinking” —– (That’s like a dog chasing its tail)
“I cannot wear slacks in my religion” —– (Another reason why religion sucks)
“i know that god uniquely created me. what areas of my personality background and physical appearance am i struggling to accept” —– (You are uniquely and wonderfully made)
“everyone poops” —– (indeed)
“why are so many Christians fat?” -—– (potlucks)
“a leader cannot be all things to everyone” —– (then why do so many try?)
“Trailer Park Destiny” —– (At least you believe in destiny)
“build a bear policy on facial piercings” —– (I’d like a bear with a nose ring created by an employee with a nose ring)
“current celebrities from Massachusetts” —– (get a job)
“do dress codes affect productivity” —– (I’ve never been big on strict dress codes)
“What religion is Jason on American Idol?” —– (dunno)
“mark driscoll views on oprah” —– (I’m sure Mark wears an “I heart Oprah” shirt)
“speaking in tongues crazy weird” —– (I’m gonna bite my tongue on this one)
“Proper etiquette when talking to a married man” —– (For starters, don’t sleep with him)
“speech for 4th grade student council treasurer” —– (Oh, elementary politics. Gotta love it)
“why do i think something bad might happen to my son” —– (A parent’s greatest fear- but don’t park your mind there)
“shoppers value paper plates” —– (recycle by washing and hanging them on clothesline to dry)
“i hate Perry noble Jesus” —– (I happen to know that Perry Noble loves Jesus)

Filed under: Blogs | Post a comment

04.28.08What Drives Me To Plant a Church

Planting a church is like a yo-yo. In the same day I can be greatly encouraged and terribly discouraged. In the same day I’m told, “You can” and later told by someone else, “You can’t.” Ups and downs abound.

But I’ll tell you what drives me: The call.

The call to help people live the lives they are meant to live.
The call to see thousands come to believe and love Jesus.
The call to ignite a movement that will turn a city upside-down.
The call to shake the tree of complacency.
The call to ensure that no child or adult in our reach goes hungry.
The call to see others discover their calling- and answer it.
The call to see young men be the most likely to go to church rather than the least likely.
The call to see people be married and stay married.
The call to help parents love and train their kids the right way.
The call to help people discover that their talents are God-given and to actually use them.
The call to show people that it’s never too late to become what they might have been.
The call to see people freed from addiction, pain, shame, and religion.
The call to change the way people think about church.
The call to plead for no wasted lives.
The call to see a generation arise from this city that will authentically and passionately follow Jesus.
The call to love God and people recklessly.
The call to multiply- Christ followers, leaders, and churches.
The call to see dad’s become the pastor of their families.
The call to be a church where no one stands alone.
The call to do whatever it takes to see this happen.

I don’t know why God called me to this. There are many people who are far more impressive than I am. But the call is what drives me. This is why we’re planting a church. Not because I woke up on morning with a great idea- but because God said so. And I know this- I can’t do this alone. It’s going to take people who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

If you pray, please pray for Project Church to become what God wants us to be. If you don’t pray, now is a good time to begin.

We’ve only just begun…

Filed under: Church Planting, Rapid City, church, project church | 4 Comments

04.27.08My Favorite Childrens Book

And also a great reminder to all of us.

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04.25.08With the First Pick of the 2008 NFL Draft

Some buddies and I have an annual tradition of watching the NFL draft together, eating a bunch of junk food, and competing to see who most accurately predicts round one of the draft.

I never win- but thought I’d post my predictions here for all to see. This year I shall rule supreme.

Download: NFL Draft (.doc)

Filed under: Sports | 1 Comment

04.25.08Smile

“I never smile if I can help it. Showing your teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.”