Tony Jones and Gay Marriage, Video Blog

I have started to read Tony Jones Blog. If you are unaware of whom Tony Jones is, I would suggest you google the man, but as a short description it would follow (from Zondervan) -

Tony Jones is the National Coordinator of Emergent Village (www.emergentvillage.org), a network of innovative, missional Christians. He's also a doctoral fellow and senior research fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. Tony has written several books on philosophy, theology, ministry, and prayer, including Postmodern Youth Ministry and The Sacred Way. He's a sought-after speaker on the topics of theology and the emerging church. Tony lives in Minnesota with his wife, Julie, and their three young children.

Now Tony describes his stance on the issue of homosexuality as follows -

I now believe that GLBTQ can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (at least as much as any of us can!) and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state.

So what we have is yet another 'christian leader' who believes that Scripture does not condemn homosexual activity as unnatural, improper or unrighteous. Now I say this with the understanding, that I am assuming that Tony believes and subscribes to Sola Scriptura. However, I do not dismiss the idea that Tony could reject Sola Scriptura, Consider the conclusion of an article from Emergent Village titled So Long Sola?, "We should welcome challenges to the doctrine of Sola scriptura. What was a pillar of truth half a millennium ago, has become an untenable deadweight (one is tempted to say, an idol) in the life of the church." It is possible, given the content given to us from other emergents, that Tony subscribes to an emergent form of finding truth, which would involve Scripture, reason, tradition, experience, creation, intuition, and imagination.


Now that there is a bit of introduction about Tony Jones. I would like to respond to a challenge that Tony Issued on his blog about homosexuality and gay marriage, with the first ever video blog from Thoughts of a Christian.

ACLU says Jail for School Prayer

Grabbing title I know. You would think that in the USA that we would have the Freedom from prosecution for religious practice. This is not what the ACLU says however. I am asking that you call your state Senator, or Congressmen and ask them to act in this case. This is frankly, Immoral. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/14/criminal-prayer-case-stirs-protests/?feat=home_headlines&

We Must Act now, Protect Freedom. Prayer is not a Criminal offense. This is not Communist China.

Demon Flower Mantis

I just wanted to throw this up here because I thought it looked so Cool. I mean, God is an amazingly creative Creator. Let us Praise him.

Islam: The Religion of Peace

I have stayed away from posting much about Islam to date mainly because I am not overly knowledgeable about the topic. However, it seems that the Religion of Peace, has struck again. I am a bit confused by all of this, but it seems that the hate for Christians runs very deep. The story of which I am speaking of describes the beheading of four Christian aid workers in Somalia, for refusing to renounce there faith in Christ Jesus the Lord. My response is this, mostly to the families of those who were Martyred by members of the Religion of Peace: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
(John 15:18-23 ESV). To Christ be the Glory, our Fellow Brothers have had there blood shed on account of the savior, what a glorious blessing they have received. Weep not, for they are with the Lord, and are blessed richly by him.

Family Friendly Radio

I am so tired of 'Christian' Radio, there are several reasons, however, the one that I would like to discuss briefly is not the music per se, but rather how they "sell" themselves. It seems to be an almost universal reference by these stations that they are "Family Friendly." First, I am not completely sure what this means... I imagine it means that they are saying that they don't play music that could be found problematic for children. However, the reality of that statement is that the Classical music station is also "Family Friendly." Second, It seems to me that these 'Christian' radio stations so often speak very little about Christ in any meaningful way, but rather simply take the questionable materials out of the programming. I admit, it is good to remove these things, but is it really enough? I mean are they really working to Glorify Christ, are they preaching the Gospel? It seems that the talk portion of these programs are often difficult to distinguish from any secular radio. This is not to say that I condemn these radio stations, just that personally, I think that they sell themselves as less then Christian, and are not forward enough with Jesus and the Gospel.

The Watchtower throwback

I need to preface this blog with some basic information.

1. The watchtower is the publication of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society... Members of this Society are known as Jehovah's Witness'. These members/society will further be addressed as "JW."

2. The JW's have several specific doctrinal beliefs which include, but are not limited to the following: Christ is God's Son and is inferior to Him; Christ was first of God's creations; Christ died on a stake, not a cross.

3. The cross is something that is heatedly denied, rejected and disdained by every JW i have ever have the pleasure to have conversed.

So all that said - I would like this explained...

Please note the Top Left hand Corner and the Tower itself.

Not a lot of meat here... just an old scan.

Consider it Pure Joy

Recently, a friend of mine who is a Pastor in New York state, was attacked by an unknown person on a blog. This is over a Series of Sermons he has posted on the Internet. I wanted not to write a defense of Pastor T. Bartolucci, as none is needed, but I instead wanted to write a message of encouragement for him, and all the brothers who are also being attacked.

I would say to you in the words of our gracious Savior, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
(John 15:18-19)" I would ask you to consider it nothing but Joy that you are counted worthy in some what to suffer for the name of Christ. Bartolucci, I think that you are really striking at the heart of the people, and there natural response is Ad Hom. attack on you (in this case), because they have nothing better to go after you with. Somehow, they believe that if they call you a bigot, and say you don't know what you are talking about, they are excused from listening and ligitamantly respond to you.

This is Very similar to the attack of Dr. White, on the issue of there being Lutherans and Catholics in the body of the Nazi concentration camp forces ( if you are unclear about this, I would suggest the July 2nd Dividing Line). He wasn't making even an argument yet, it is for this, not his true arguments he is attacked. Why? I think that the conclusion must be that there is nothing else to go after, as the real arguments can not be addressed.

My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let us rejoice when we are slandered, mocked, hated, mistreated, maligned, abused, cursed and disdained for the sake of Christ. Let us Remember the attitude of the Sister described in Tortured for Christ when she was arrested on her wedding day; "She looked toward her beloved, then kissed the chains and said, 'I thank my heavenly Bridegroom for this jewel He has presented to me on my marriage day. I thank Him that I am worthy to suffer for Him.'"

It is my prayer that this would be our attitude. That we may look at this evil as a blessing.