What You're Saying by Ted Slater on 09/30/2006 at 12:05 AM

The Global Warming Debate

I think you will find that a review of the scientific literature -- not a review of ISI v ECI -- will show that there is an overwhelming consensus about the causes of global warming. Of course scientists don't agree 100% but science overwhelmingly favours the ECI, why do you try and deny this? What Christian goal does it achieve not to recognise man's role in global warming? The Scriptures call us to be accountable for our actions, why not here? Why not now?

Geoff

* * *

Assume for the sake of argument that the earth is slowly getting warmer; there is a reasonable explanation Christians can provide that doesn't include the end of the world. After the flood of Noah, we had the world's ice age. It never ended. The same glaciers that cover the poles once covered my home state of MN, and helped carve the great lakes. They have since receded, but never completely melted. So, it would make sense that as those caps (which weren't always here, archaeologists have uncovered tropical plants buried in arctic permafrost) continue to melt, it will get warmer. This is born out by the fact that the supposed temperature increases are apparently happening faster at the poles than anywhere else. But, since it wasn't a problem before (as evidenced by those palm trees flourishing in the arctic circle) it won't be a problem now. It will stop getting warmer once the ice is gone, then the temperature will stabilize. We have the promise of Genesis 8:22 to rest on:

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease."

Robert

Marriage a Barrier to Wholeness

I read your recent blog post, "Marriage a Barrier to Wholeness?," and had a comment:

Suzanne Hadley writes, "... some singles have set up this human standard of spiritual achievement we believe is necessary for marriage."

Can I suggest something? I think it's often married people who set this standard up in the minds of singles. I often read and hear comments from already-marrieds to marriage-minded-but-still-single singles like, "You need to be whole in Christ before you marry."

Tami

Quality Christian Artistry

Although the state of Christian artistry is in pretty sad shape, I don't think the time for despair has yet come, for three reasons:

1) It is not necessarily a question of secular art being better than Christian. Most of the non-Christian stuff is awful too. That would sound like a step closer to despair, but:

2) This is merely evidence for the fact that most art is generally bad. Sure, 90 percent of all praise and worship choruses are vapid romanticized repetitiveness, but so were 90 percent of the hymns written ca. 1900, and probably ca. 1800 as well. We don't notice because the intervening century has allowed hymnal-compilers to weed out most of the worst work, and discover a lot of the best. The same is true of literature (can anyone say "Victorian novels"? — some were great literature, but most have been properly relegated to the dust-bin of history).

3) In spite of the vast majority of awful art, there is some good stuff being created, and some of it by Christians. Although Sixpence None the Richer has sadly broken up, I (non-music-expert that I am) thought their album "Divine Discontent" more than earned the best-of-the-year award it received from Christianity Today. It was lyrically interesting and musically excellent. Or in literature (more my area), consider Walter Wangerin Jr. His St. Julian is marvelous, and The Book of the Dun Cow won accolades from Christians and non-Christians alike — and deserved them. Madeleine L'Engle won the Newberry for A Wrinkle in Time, which was clearly Christian. I'm certain other good work is happening that I simply don't know about.

There may well be more awful art being created now than ever before — more people have the leisure to try their hand, and it's easier. Anyone can post an angsty emo poem on the Internet. But in a century, when the dust settles and we've burned or deleted as many copies as we can find of most of this stuff, I do believe there will be some gold left among the dross; and I believe some of it will have been created by Christians.

Take hope. :)

Jonathan

The Distracted Worshiper

As I read The Distracted Worshiper piece by Motte Brown, I saw myself! I often am going through my day and will come across a great truth. But instead of praying over it and applying it to my life, I consider how I might present it on my blog.

Truth is still truth, and I'm sure people would benefit from hearing it, but I should first be sure that my mind and heart are on God — knowing and loving Him first.

Thank you for this blog! Keep up the good work!

Cherise

Young, Restless and Reformed

Reformed theology. Seriously?

I personally find this "turn to doctrine" young people are supposedly taking odd because our generation seems to dislike and run from rules/guidelines of any kind. (Thanks, Post-modernists. Thanks.) Further, I'm 26 and know NO ONE who is heading that direction with their Christianity. *shrugs* Perhaps this movement hasn't hit my church and social group yet. I too would like to find comfort in the idea people of my generation are seeking Truth. Outside of the folks I know from church and work (and they're not turning towards Calvinism in their search for God's Truth, btw), I just don't see that.

I won't get into my personal views on Calvinism and election. If I did, you'd probably just trash this e-mail from the get-go. I will say, however, that I'm seeking Truth every day, but I highly doubt I'll be turning in the direction of Calvin.

P.S. — Thanks for the blog! Even if I don't always agree with what's posted, you guys always get my mind working. I suppose that's a good thing. :o)

Samantha

* * *

I just read "Young, Restless and Reformed" by Suzanne Hadley on the Boundless blog. I definitely agree that doctrine is essential in the Christian Church, and that doctrine can provide a means for stronger faith in God's Word and Christ Himself. I am Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and our church body has always been strong in doctrine. Doctrine seekers should not only focus on the Calvin/Arminian debate. For a different view of Scripture than either of those offerings, people should check out what the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod believes.

Becky

* * *

I quite agree that craving for the doctrine and truth is a positive step, but that's also the problem. For myself, I greatly desire to crave the doctrine, however, I struggle to do so. I find it quite difficult to read my Bible, pray and other such endeavors that grow my faith. Just recently we were discussing this very topic at Bible study, and I found, somewhat to my surprise, that I was not the only one that struggled to enjoy and therefore to crave doctrine and truth.

So, while I heartily agree that there is a hunger for an active God, and that craving doctrine and truth is a positive step, I think that it is almost a gift for some people. Because for others, I think it is something they have to work at, make into a habit, and persevere with. I'm sure that eventually they see the rewards of it, but it isn't easy.

Ruthie

Avoiding Mixed Signals

A common response we hear single women say is, "Why aren't any guys asking me out?" However, they may fail to realize that often they are the ones who are responsible for this situation. Let me explain. When a girl is interested in a guy she probably will behave differently around him than other guys. She may smile more, ask about his life, give words of affirmation, etc. However, if she is neutral towards another guy she may just act cordially but as Suzanne wrote, give the impression she is "off the market". Of course this can go both ways. A woman may send wrong positive signals because that is her temperament.

So, if girls want more guys to express interest in her, it's in her best interest to not act so jubilant just in front of guys she's interested in.

FYI, when observing singles interact, here is what I've found make for the most "popular" type of people (those that people want to hang around with)

1. Attractive females (bar none)

2. People (men and women) who are naturally extroverted cheerful (the "social butterflies")

3. Tall people (We have a genetic disposition towards those that stand higher)

"If you like him, it's flirting. If he gives you the creeps, it's sexual harassment" — Anon female worker.

Michael

Marriage in the Media

I just read the blog by Suzanne Hadley regarding the issue of media in marriage and I could not agree more. I was even convicted of some of my own misguided views. I think one of the reasons the church at large accepts these view is that we have taken a worldly idea and disguised it with "spiritual" meaning. We use Paul's words to a couple of churches to try an make excuses or even make ourselves appear more godly for neglecting the call to marry and have a family. I want to thank Suzanne, Candice and the whole Boundless team for tackling this and other tough issues. As a single woman in her mid-20s who desperately desires a godly marriage and family, but feels like she has no support, it is nice to know I have people on my team. May God bless you and your endeavors.

Blair

What You're Saying by Ted Slater on 09/30/2006 at 12:05 AM

The Global Warming Debate

I think you will find that a review of the scientific literature -- not a review of ISI v ECI -- will show that there is an overwhelming consensus about the causes of global warming. Of course scientists don't agree 100% but science overwhelmingly favours the ECI, why do you try and deny this? What Christian goal does it achieve not to recognise man's role in global warming? The Scriptures call us to be accountable for our actions, why not here? Why not now?

Geoff

* * *

Assume for the sake of argument that the earth is slowly getting warmer; there is a reasonable explanation Christians can provide that doesn't include the end of the world. After the flood of Noah, we had the world's ice age. It never ended. The same glaciers that cover the poles once covered my home state of MN, and helped carve the great lakes. They have since receded, but never completely melted. So, it would make sense that as those caps (which weren't always here, archaeologists have uncovered tropical plants buried in arctic permafrost) continue to melt, it will get warmer. This is born out by the fact that the supposed temperature increases are apparently happening faster at the poles than anywhere else. But, since it wasn't a problem before (as evidenced by those palm trees flourishing in the arctic circle) it won't be a problem now. It will stop getting warmer once the ice is gone, then the temperature will stabilize. We have the promise of Genesis 8:22 to rest on:

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease."

Robert

Marriage a Barrier to Wholeness

I read your recent blog post, "Marriage a Barrier to Wholeness?," and had a comment:

Suzanne Hadley writes, "... some singles have set up this human standard of spiritual achievement we believe is necessary for marriage."

Can I suggest something? I think it's often married people who set this standard up in the minds of singles. I often read and hear comments from already-marrieds to marriage-minded-but-still-single singles like, "You need to be whole in Christ before you marry."

Tami

Quality Christian Artistry

Although the state of Christian artistry is in pretty sad shape, I don't think the time for despair has yet come, for three reasons:

1) It is not necessarily a question of secular art being better than Christian. Most of the non-Christian stuff is awful too. That would sound like a step closer to despair, but:

2) This is merely evidence for the fact that most art is generally bad. Sure, 90 percent of all praise and worship choruses are vapid romanticized repetitiveness, but so were 90 percent of the hymns written ca. 1900, and probably ca. 1800 as well. We don't notice because the intervening century has allowed hymnal-compilers to weed out most of the worst work, and discover a lot of the best. The same is true of literature (can anyone say "Victorian novels"? — some were great literature, but most have been properly relegated to the dust-bin of history).

3) In spite of the vast majority of awful art, there is some good stuff being created, and some of it by Christians. Although Sixpence None the Richer has sadly broken up, I (non-music-expert that I am) thought their album "Divine Discontent" more than earned the best-of-the-year award it received from Christianity Today. It was lyrically interesting and musically excellent. Or in literature (more my area), consider Walter Wangerin Jr. His St. Julian is marvelous, and The Book of the Dun Cow won accolades from Christians and non-Christians alike — and deserved them. Madeleine L'Engle won the Newberry for A Wrinkle in Time, which was clearly Christian. I'm certain other good work is happening that I simply don't know about.

There may well be more awful art being created now than ever before — more people have the leisure to try their hand, and it's easier. Anyone can post an angsty emo poem on the Internet. But in a century, when the dust settles and we've burned or deleted as many copies as we can find of most of this stuff, I do believe there will be some gold left among the dross; and I believe some of it will have been created by Christians.

Take hope. :)

Jonathan

The Distracted Worshiper

As I read The Distracted Worshiper piece by Motte Brown, I saw myself! I often am going through my day and will come across a great truth. But instead of praying over it and applying it to my life, I consider how I might present it on my blog.

Truth is still truth, and I'm sure people would benefit from hearing it, but I should first be sure that my mind and heart are on God — knowing and loving Him first.

Thank you for this blog! Keep up the good work!

Cherise

Young, Restless and Reformed

Reformed theology. Seriously?

I personally find this "turn to doctrine" young people are supposedly taking odd because our generation seems to dislike and run from rules/guidelines of any kind. (Thanks, Post-modernists. Thanks.) Further, I'm 26 and know NO ONE who is heading that direction with their Christianity. *shrugs* Perhaps this movement hasn't hit my church and social group yet. I too would like to find comfort in the idea people of my generation are seeking Truth. Outside of the folks I know from church and work (and they're not turning towards Calvinism in their search for God's Truth, btw), I just don't see that.

I won't get into my personal views on Calvinism and election. If I did, you'd probably just trash this e-mail from the get-go. I will say, however, that I'm seeking Truth every day, but I highly doubt I'll be turning in the direction of Calvin.

P.S. — Thanks for the blog! Even if I don't always agree with what's posted, you guys always get my mind working. I suppose that's a good thing. :o)

Samantha

* * *

I just read "Young, Restless and Reformed" by Suzanne Hadley on the Boundless blog. I definitely agree that doctrine is essential in the Christian Church, and that doctrine can provide a means for stronger faith in God's Word and Christ Himself. I am Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and our church body has always been strong in doctrine. Doctrine seekers should not only focus on the Calvin/Arminian debate. For a different view of Scripture than either of those offerings, people should check out what the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod believes.

Becky

* * *

I quite agree that craving for the doctrine and truth is a positive step, but that's also the problem. For myself, I greatly desire to crave the doctrine, however, I struggle to do so. I find it quite difficult to read my Bible, pray and other such endeavors that grow my faith. Just recently we were discussing this very topic at Bible study, and I found, somewhat to my surprise, that I was not the only one that struggled to enjoy and therefore to crave doctrine and truth.

So, while I heartily agree that there is a hunger for an active God, and that craving doctrine and truth is a positive step, I think that it is almost a gift for some people. Because for others, I think it is something they have to work at, make into a habit, and persevere with. I'm sure that eventually they see the rewards of it, but it isn't easy.

Ruthie

Avoiding Mixed Signals

A common response we hear single women say is, "Why aren't any guys asking me out?" However, they may fail to realize that often they are the ones who are responsible for this situation. Let me explain. When a girl is interested in a guy she probably will behave differently around him than other guys. She may smile more, ask about his life, give words of affirmation, etc. However, if she is neutral towards another guy she may just act cordially but as Suzanne wrote, give the impression she is "off the market". Of course this can go both ways. A woman may send wrong positive signals because that is her temperament.

So, if girls want more guys to express interest in her, it's in her best interest to not act so jubilant just in front of guys she's interested in.

FYI, when observing singles interact, here is what I've found make for the most "popular" type of people (those that people want to hang around with)

1. Attractive females (bar none)

2. People (men and women) who are naturally extroverted cheerful (the "social butterflies")

3. Tall people (We have a genetic disposition towards those that stand higher)

"If you like him, it's flirting. If he gives you the creeps, it's sexual harassment" — Anon female worker.

Michael

Marriage in the Media

I just read the blog by Suzanne Hadley regarding the issue of media in marriage and I could not agree more. I was even convicted of some of my own misguided views. I think one of the reasons the church at large accepts these view is that we have taken a worldly idea and disguised it with "spiritual" meaning. We use Paul's words to a couple of churches to try an make excuses or even make ourselves appear more godly for neglecting the call to marry and have a family. I want to thank Suzanne, Candice and the whole Boundless team for tackling this and other tough issues. As a single woman in her mid-20s who desperately desires a godly marriage and family, but feels like she has no support, it is nice to know I have people on my team. May God bless you and your endeavors.

Blair