A couple good links I’ve come across lately. Some of these probably deserve full posts, but I’ll spare you the verbose versions and just list ‘em out:
- First Things has a lengthy post up about the “Quiverfull Christians” that Kim talked about here last month.
- “In a culture where work can be a religion, burnout is its crisis of faith”—a close look at the phenomenon of burnout; what it means and how our attitude toward it has changed over the decades. (Via Godspy.)
- The upcoming Rocky movie is being specially marketed at the “faith-based” crowd—see this piece about the themes of redemption that allegedly lurk behind all that pugilism.
- James noted earlier today that he liked the portrayal of Joseph in The Nativity Story. Cher of The Culture Beat recommends Anne Rice’s Out of Egypt for a particularly good exploration of Joseph’s character.
- This seems important: it turns out that major Christian leaders like James Dobson, TD Jakes, and Tim LaHaye are not widely known, even in the Christian community. I’ve actually wondered if I were the only one who hasn’t even heard of half the people who are supposedly out there representing Christianity to the media and government. (I’d never heard of Ted Haggard until the scandal broke.) [Hat tip: DJ Chuang.]
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December 6, 2006 at 11:27
Regarding “major Christian leaders” ... there is no such thing. Why should ANY Christians be familiar with Bishop T.D. Jakes, James Dobson, Ted Haggard, or anyone else, except for… any individual Christian who is a member of that “leader” ’s church, has read their book, or listens to their music. Nothing wrong with lots of Christians knowing all about any or all of these persons, or not. None of them are essential to understanding Jesus. Any of them may be helpful to some, even several, Christians.
As for the movies, and the novels, we must remember that they are ALL fiction. Some may try to be faithful to the Gospels, some may not bother. (Ann Rice’s Out of Egypt necessarily conflicts with Luke, but not necessarily Matthew). But the wealth of details that makes an entertaining story is made up by the writer. In the details, they are no more authoritative than The DaVinci Code. Most do, of course, refrain from making up such wildly outlandish improvisation of the essentials.
December 6, 2006 at 18:45
I think you’d have to try really hard to not know who Dobson, TD Jakes, Ted Haggard, Joel Osteen or Tim Lahaye is.
How many months (or years) were Tim Lahaye’s books on the national best seller’s list? How many millions of books has Dobson sold, how much coverage has he gotten lately in the press (confidant of G. Bush and favorite whipping boy of liberals)? Ted Haggard has been a cover story staple of most major Christian journals for the last several years BEFORE the scandal (Christianity Today, Charisma, etc). Joel Osteen’s books are prominently displayed on racks in most grocery stores in Oregon, and for TV watchers he’s appeared several times on Larry King. TD Jakes books are best sellers, converted into movies. If you are white and don’t pay attention to black leaders I suppose you’d never know.
I think the sad fact is that most people (Christians included) don’t read. Of course we should know about these people, just as a 4th century Christian should know about Augustine, Tertullian, Pelagius or Chrysostom. We should be familiar with authors we agree with and disagree with. Paul quoted secular greek poets several times. Jesus used the news of the day (the tower of Siloam incident) to teach. The book of Acts is bursting with information about names of first century thinkers and leaders. But, I guess if you don’t read, are not concerned about your culture and national affairs, and you’re proud that you don’t read, you’d never know.
December 7, 2006 at 09:15
Wide ranging topics in this post – interesting that so far the issue of media has been addressed. First – we read, most people we know read and yes we do prefer to read Christian authors simply because we have some assurance they will meet the biblical admonition to think on things worthy of thought. We don’t go to the movies – an issue of finances and timing. We do rent videos of the few movies that appeal to us. We have televisions – but recently discontinued the satellite dish service (again – money and the issue of quality) accepting the limitations of antenna reception. We do keep up with news-national and international – through internet sources and television. We don’t live in a cave – we are in the world and working to be not OF the world. It would be presumptuous of us to believe that OUR circumstance should dictate what everyone else does – particularly in regards to unbelievers. We firmly believe there are basic standards of decency – I find it amazing that anyone feels they have the right to villify the Quiverfull Movement – it was normal (until recent years) for people to have children until they were no longer fertile. If parents choose to prepare their children to be warriors for Christ – beats raising kids who don’t have a clue about absolute right and wrong. As to the personalities people recognize/approve or disapprove—wow – overall it is like the Jay Leno segment asking questions of random “man in the street” – perhaps better named Man in the Dark (IMHO). Love the fact that on ThinkChristian we can find a real smorgasbord of topics, ideas and sharing and that we can all post our thoughts respectfully and with good humor. Bless y’all – BTW – liked very much the Anne Rice book and agree with most of the reviews. Looking forward to the next books planned in her series. Have the Tim LaHaye book on John next on the bedside table.
December 8, 2006 at 20:59
Let’s see… Andy started out by noting that certain major Christian leaders are not well known, even in the Christian community. Then, Rick D. says you would have to try really hard not to know who they are… I guess a lot of Christians must be trying really hard. Or, a lot of Christians are not in the COMMERCIAL circles where these vaunted leaders are on display.
I never heard of Haggard until the scandal broke, on this web site. I heard of LaHaye, briefly, and never bothered to read his B-grade science fiction, which has a barely scriptural foundation but no Christian substance. I heard of T.D. Jakes because some friends were listening to his music, but I haven’t read his books. I heard of Dobson because he makes noises in the press about his favorite candidates, which usually are not mine, and because his very good advice on raising children is inserted in the bulletin of a church I visit sometimes. I know of Joel Osteen ONLY because he is the butt of such frequent satire at The Wittenburg Door magazine. I know a LITTLE more about Augustine and Pelagius, both of whom I really should study more. (They are NOT just for 4th century Christians, and the modern crop may have little to say to even the next generation from now). I guess I don’t get my faith from Larry King Live or from the bestseller’s list. I pick up my books at second hand shops and library book sales, but only if there is some real content to catch my attention. I picked up a fascinating 1940s book called Saints and Strangers about the Pilgrims—and I was glad to learn about a great Christian leader named John Robinson…