Comments on: A Theology of Everything

By: Mike Poush

Mike Poush — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

As I read this, I was reminded of a rant my brother wrote once. His problem with the “Christian Culture” was that Christians are made to feel obligated to support inferior products (CDs, movies, ect) simply because they’re Christian. http://ieatpaint.com/index.php?entry=35

“It’s crap, and I’m sick of it. I am a Christian, and I hope no man could ever say I was anything but proud of it. I am, however, ashamed of the fact that from a merchandising standpoint, “Christianity” is seen as an acceptable handicap. Annoyed at the saccharine taste of a Christian film? Too bad. It’s a Christian film, and therefore it is our duty to like it, even if it means ignoring poor production, poor writing, and poor acting.”

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

If anyone wants a righteously pure society where the name of God is constantly on everyone’s lips and the entire society is centered around the holy book and continuously praising God without any secular contamination, he can always grow the correct length of beard, move to an Islamic Republic like the Taliban’s, and spend the rest of his life on his face in the mosque screaming the appropriate praise-phrase.

And if all you can say about this is “But the Koran isn’t really God’s Word!” you are showing the same kind of holy book tunnel-vision as the Taliban.

Mike Poush:

I’ve been almost 30 years in SF fandom. The rep of Christian SF in there was “It’s gotta be Christian. Look how shoddy it is.” for a reason.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

What a great post!

By: salguod

salguod — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

This is good. Very VERY good. Christianity is who we ARE, not what we do or say. If we are God’s, then He will be revealed in all that we do and say, regardless of how often we mention Him explicitly.

Thank you.

By: Vengeful Cynic

Vengeful Cynic — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

When it common knowledge that affixing the word “Christian” to the beginning of a genre apologizes poor-quality offerings, we should be upset as Christians. Excellent writing.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Actually, SF fans tend to be a pretty contrary lot; every first-generation fan I’ve known came out of a dysfunctional-to-abusive family and/or a high-school hellhole. (I referred to it as “Growing up Martian”, i.e. an outsider, or “Growing up Weird”, and you know how much tolerance most Christians have for us weird ones…)

A corollary to my above statement (which I have also heard on occasion) was “It’s gotta be good; the Christians are denouncing it!”

Seems that the only time you ever hear from Christians on a subject, any subject, is when they’re denouncing it, usually with red faces, bulging eyes, and popping neck veins. (Related aside: who died and made God-Hates-Fags Phelps THE spokesman for all America’s Christians? And when did “We Hate Evolution!” and Darwin-bashing displace Christ as the core of the faith?)

By: Ben Bartlett

Ben Bartlett — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

One thought, though.

Often times God is glorified in our single-minded commitment to Him. Consider Eric Liddell, who refused to run on Sunday (Chariots of Fire). Today, as then, that would be considered ludicrous. But let’s say he HAD run on Sunday… would any of us remember who he was? Would we as clearly see the God he honored in the life he lived?

It certainly seems reasonable for a school to have a service honoring the basketball team. However, couldn’t that be an extra service rather than the chapel service? Isn’t it more important that the school solidify the notion that their first goal is to worship God? How many students will now feel justified in setting opportunities to worship God aside “just this once” so that they can pursue other goals?

Maybe we need more Eric Liddells in this world.

Thanks for the postings, they’re very interesting and well-thought.

By: imonk

imonk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I appreciate your thought, Ben. With 160+ chapel services, and easily over 120 of them devoted to worship directly and exclusively, I don’t really see the problem.

We don’t have extra convocations because it would mean taking class time away from teachers, who deserve to be supported.

By: Larry Gritton

Larry Gritton — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

As a former OBI staff member and boys basketball coach I have a couple of guesses at to who made the melting jewelry comment. I was thrilled to hear of Coach Travis and the boys defeating the often times undefeatable Clay Co. Tigers. OBI chapel is not church, but a lot of things go on in nearly every church across America that don’t glorify God. Celebrating this victory and giving God the glory was most definitely appropriate.

By: imonk

imonk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Amen. Wish you could have been there. It was so different from the close games of the past. Our guys were just so far above the “normal” that you didn’t want it to end.

And for Harvey T it had to be a wonderful high point. His words in chapel were wonderful, as he gave each boy- including those who didn’t play- credit for their work and contribution.

And we miss you. My son is in AP American History….and he REALLY misses you.