Floating Axhead

A documentary from Bill Maher and the makers of Borat and Fahrenheit 911, so you know this is going to be good. Okay…maybe not.

We’re predicting that this one will soon be available on DVD.

Before you discount the impact though. Checkout the website - Disbeliefnet.com. This is a well-organized organization that uses humor and “rationalism” (their term, not ours) to attack all faiths.

For some good laughs, click on some of the links on their “Blasphemy Box” page. You’ve got to admit, some of that stuff is a little outrageous.

I’m reading through Acts currently and had to read through this in chapter 8 a few times Monday morning. I’m not sure how you process this in conjunction with Romans 10:9-10 but it implies belief and baptism don’t quite get you there…

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

He believed…he was baptized…he turned from his sorcery but his heart was not right before God. Why? …no repentance. And Peter…what was he doing telling that guy the truth…Peter’s a sinner too, what right does he have?

People are the same today…they want the magic of belief and baptism but renouncing and repenting from sin is something we want to ignore..God doesn’t.

This is more than a Christ crescendo…more than jumping into the pool.

Brand Autopsy wrote a review of Pete Blackshaw’s book Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000.

One section of the book deals with credibility. Pete says:

I would argue that today companies don’t just need to tell good stories; they also need to tell credible ones.

Credibility rules the day, and if a company’s story doesn’t foster trust, if it doesn’t convey transparency and authenticity, if it isn’t informed by listening and responding to customers, and it isn’t positively affirmed by what consumers are saying to one another, then it’s just another phony story. And consumers will see right through it.”

Here’s our rewrite:

I would argue that today churches don’t just need to tell good stories; they also need to tell credible ones.

Credibility rules the day, and if our message doesn’t foster trust, if it doesn’t convey transparency and authenticity, if it isn’t informed by listening and responding to God, and it isn’t positively affirmed by what believers are saying, then it’s just another phony story. And non-believers will see right through it.”

Okay, so maybe its not perfect, but credibility, transparency and authenticity are missing from large parts of our society - including some churches - and people see right through it.

Fancy marketing, donuts and coffee and other gimmicks might get people in the door, but more credibility, transparency, and authenticity just might turn into Non-Believers Tell Three Friends, Believers Tell 3,000.

Is Todd Bentley for real…can I say his Gospel is off…he’s full of crap…or do I have to hug him and just say we’re all sinners, it’s okay.

Despite reports to the contrary, all is right with the world - depending what world you live in.

Three new polls show that evangelicals overwhelmingly support John McCain for President.

80% of Southern Baptist pastors plan to vote for McCain and only 1% for Obama, according to a poll by LifeWay Research. 15% were undecided.

We know what you’re thinking….”That’s only 86%.” Apparently they were using Al Gore’s fuzzy math methods.

78% of likely evangelical voters say they’ll vote for McCain, according to a survey by The Barna Group.

Wow…that is about the only statistic in this campaign higher than McCain’s age.

57% of evangelical Protestants say they’ll vote for McCain and 25 % for Obama, according to a poll of by the Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics.

“Evangelical Protestants?” Is that a new splinter group?

Additionally, 54 percent of evangelical Protestants identify themselves as Republicans — down only 2 percent from a similar poll in 2004.

That can’t be right. Only 54% of evangelicals identify themselves as Republicans? It’s true…the squeaky wheel gets the oil - especially if a Dick Cheney is involved.

So now you’re confused. Who do these guys support? They started off mocking Gore, but then the McCain age joke and the Cheney / Big Oil reference.

Consider us equal opportunity political/religious satirist here at the Axhead.

John McCain said this week…

“I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption,”

Then…

“He recognizes that there are many abandoned children who have yet to find homes. John McCain believes that in those situations that caring parental figures are better for the child than the alternative.”

So you have one choice…parentless children can be raised by homosexuals…I would say loved but since God is love and they don’t know God then we’ll call it caring and affection. Now the sin-huggers that hang out here may disagree and affirm gay Christianity, but I’ll abstain.

Or…they can remain in the custody of the state or whatever impoverished nation that houses these children in orphanages…forgotten by the “C”hurch…never to understand or experience the comfort of the human touch of a parent. And perhaps never to know God…

One choice…will your faith concentrate on the godlessness of the sin or the humanity of the situation…and we’re not talking about November.

Recently Michael posted on the appropriateness of judging others and I posted on a recent survey that found that more and more people want a relationship with God, but don’t want to be part of the church.

Perhaps this excerpt from When Necessary Use Words by Mike Pilavachi provides some insight:

Whereas Jesus hated the sin and loved the sinner, I think that one of the things that must break Jesus’ heart is the fact that the last place some people feel that he or she can feel accepted and loved is the church. We’ve brought a message of judgment and condemnation rather than the message of hope and love Jesus brings.

One of the favorite verses is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“

But we often forget verse 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

That’s why even the “tax collectors and sinners” gathered to hear him speak (Luke 15:1). Jesus didn’t come to condemn us, to point the finger and go through a list of our sins, but to save the world He loves.

When we look outside of the Church, we must remember that God loves “them” just as much as He loves us and that we too are sinners.

The difference is that our sins have been paid for through the blood of Jesus, and we have accepted - not earned - God’s love for us.

I listened to her sing this recently…there is great theology in some music. Here’s to praying for trust instead of clarity.

I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn’t not ask for more than what you’ve already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me
May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of human insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they’d be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you’d learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true
I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could eever speak
As the way wanders on I’ll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me

How has the American Dream changed? The Barna Group conducted a recent study to find out.

There were six specific conditions that at least three-quarters of all adults identified as being very important elements in their ideal life:

• Good physical health (85%)
• Living with a high degree of integrity ( 85%)
• Having one marriage partner for life (80%)
• Having a clear purpose for living (77%)
• Having a close relationship with God (75%)
• Having close, personal friendships (74%).

The survey uncovered seven conditions that only a minority of Americans deemed worthy of including in their vision of their desired future life:

• Having a college degree (46%)
• Being personally active in a church (45%)
• Traveling throughout the world for pleasure (28%)
• Working in a high-paying job (28%)
• Owning a large home (18%)
• Owning the latest household technology/electronics (11%)
• Achieving fame or public recognition (7%).

NOTE the distinction… 75% of those surveyed want a close relationship with God, but only 45% want to be personally active in a church.

Is it church in general - the same one that Jesus built? Maybe its the modern church. Or is it the corporate elements of church that people don’t like. Maybe its more organized religion rather than the church. Some  people might like having an entire Sunday to do anything they want. 

Regardless, what it is that turns people off to church? And…is it possible to have a close relationship with God without being active in his Church?

I love Matthew 7…so much so I memorized it in 2000.

I like when people quote it…the golden rule, and then always Jesus’ warning of examining others. People love to quote it and I usually think it is because they are protecting themselves or others. But given God tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 to judge those inside the church then perhaps Matthew 7 means something more…

The reason Matthew 7 is one my favorite chapters and I memorized it was for one reason…I thought God wanted me to remember that those I (He) put close to me…those to who I am accountable…are sinners…they are weak sometimes…and that is not to keep me from being open to their wisdom and rebuke when they see potential sin or poor habits in my life.

I think Jesus is saying not to judge others so that you feel outside their reach…don’t let what you think you see in their life keep them from speaking truth in your life.

Just a thought…