Around the Web–8/3/12
Tragedy in Indiana: The USA Today account of the fall of Jack Schaap. Jack Schaap has long been a controversial figure in our circles, publishing troubling material in his books and promoting a troubling philosophy of ministry. Still, there is no joy in our hearts in reporting this sad story.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
This story ‘has legs’ as the cliché says. It is being picked up all over the place, including liberal religious news agencies and at least one British tabloid. We would urge Christians to avoid the internet feeding frenzy that inevitably comes after incidents like this.
Had enough chiken? The Washington Post has a more thoughtful article than some: With Chick-fil-A fight, progressive mayors get their ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ moment
This principled position [anti Chick-fil-A position of various mayors] sends a not-so-subtle signal to America’s largest and fastest growing faith groups, which overwhelmingly oppose gay marriage: you’re not welcome here, either. That’s bad news not only for religious freedom, but also for legions of new immigrants, single mothers and homeless people who depend on religious outreach to help them meet basic needs.
Evangelicals and Mormons – Richard Mouw on Why Evangelicals Need to Be Quick to Listen to Mormons
A quote:
Why do you not classify Mormonism as a cult?
Cult often connotes secrecy, duplicity, and a rigid “one true church” mentality. None of that really fits present-day Mormonism, which scholars instead call a “new religious movement.” Ordinary Mormons love Billy Graham. They read Christianity Today as a helpful resource for their own growth in faith. Many Mormon scholars enjoy attending evangelical-sponsored theology conferences. None of this is true of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, or Hare Krishna, which are typically described as “cults.”
Wow. Incredible. Words fail me.
With our eyes on London, a mark of human pride: London’s Shard building, Olympics come at high cost – I saw this building while in London recently. A very impressive site, but note this:
The 310-metre Shard is now the tallest building in the EU. Funding shortfalls for the structure, designed in 2000, delayed its completion, and the tower ended up costing £500 million ($790 million) to build, much of it backed by Qatari investors. Despite its striking shell, however, the building is empty, having not yet attracted a single office tenant.
Some hope for dark days:
Psalm 130:
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.