Gospel.com Blog

A couple noteworthy new items at the InterVarsity Press site:

First, Craig Evans’ new book Fabricating Jesus is out, and examines the strange allure today of scholarly “reinterpretations” of Jesus. In a short interview with the author, Evans discusses the problem and offers some ideas that might explain why scholars seem to be so drawn to revisionism of Jesus. The interview and a few other items are available on the book’s website.

Secondly, a new Online Pulpit column is up: New Kids on the Block, with some practical suggestions for making your church a friendly and welcoming place for newcomers and visitors.

The new edition of Middle East Christian Outreach’s Crossroads magazine is out and available online. This issue tackles a number of complicated questions and problems about the Middle East, including perhaps the most-asked question of all: why is there so much conflict and division there?

Highlights of this issue include a review of a new Niall Ferguson book about the roots of international conflict; and a look at the current status and future of the Kurdish people. The articles are available online in PDF format; stop over and give them a read!

How well do you know the Bible? Do you know it from cover to cover, or just well enough to avoid embarassment at church? Many Christians wish they had a better knowledge of the Bible, but are intimidated by the prospect of diving into such a long and complex book–for a lot of people it just seems too lengthy or boring a task.

Into Thy Word Ministries has a very thorough new articles this month about how to get to know the Bible better. The article lays out several strategies for learning more about the Bible, and all of them are easily do-able by anybody with a simple desire to learn a bit more about God’s Word. Read through the article, and remember–it’s not too late to make a resolution to spend more time in the Bible this year!

In a recent post at his ministry blog, media expert Al Menconi notes the revealing results of a poll conducted at a popular website devoted to computer and video games. Asked about their parents’ involvement and knowledge of their gaming habits, gamers responded overwhelmingly that their parents just didn’t pay much attention to the games their kids played. Al comments:

With over 30,000 votes, 64% said their parents that haven’t a clue what their children play, and over 70% are in the dark about the “more violent” games their kids play. Thirty thousand respondents can give a good indication of what is going on in the home. What is happening in your home? Do you know what kind of games your children are playing? No? Why not? May I suggest that you get involved in their lives and help them maneuver through the entertainment mind-fields?

Parents are justifiably concerned about the violent and sexual content in many video games today–but Al suggests that tackling that problem must begin first with parents demonstrating that they care about the entertainment and activities their kids are investing time into.

Its Friday, which means that a new batch of films is hitting the silver screen! Here’s what the film critics at Past the Popcorn have to say about this week’s releases:

It’s a tough week for new releases. The best option is an Argentinian foreign-language film that went into limited release in December, and opens this month in a few arthouses scattered across the country. If you like Woody Allen’s style without his amorality, and you don’t mind subtitles, Past the Popcorn’s Mike Smith says you might give this Guy Flick one or two thumbs up.

And now for the dregs. Seraphim Falls, a make-it-up-as-you-go Western with Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan, just fell flat for Jenn Wright. Mike Smith says don’t bother with Catch and Release–just leave your rod at home, and stay there with it. Mike Brunk likes Smokin’ Aces for what it is; but one-upping Tarantino might not be your idea of a cup of tea. And finally, Greg Wright gives Blood and Chocolate high marks for effort; but still, how hopeful and redemptive can vampire tales really be?

Here’s something interesting from the Sammy Tippit Ministries website: a collection of newspaper accounts of Christian revivals in early 19th-century communities! Eight different newspaper clippings describe scenes of prayer and conversion in different Welsh towns at the turn of the century. We tend to think of evangelism and revival as modern concepts ushered in by Billy Graham and other big-name evangelists–but American and British history are full of examples of revival happening on both the local and national scale.

If the topic interests you, the Christian History Institute has quite a bit more on historical Christian revivals. You might start with Jonathan Edwards’ words on revival in 1736, the unusual events at Cane Ridge, Kentucky in 1801, or CHI’s overview of the Welsh Revival referred to in the Sammy Tippit link above.

According to a recent New York Times article, for the first time, 51% of American women now live without a husband. That might not sound like a terribly interesting statistic, but as Jim Dahlman of The Culture Beat points out, it holds a great deal of significance for church congregations:

What’s clear is that congregations will be affected along with everyone else. Religious communities, after all, focus keenly on the home: premarital counseling, children’s programs, care for the elderly and more. Many even organize their schedules around the family. So what happens when the shape or even the definition of “family” changes?

How will churches evolve in response to changing American family demographics? Jim’s piece looks at how one church is responding, and offers some thoughts on the challenges that more and more churches will face as families change.

The newest wave of missionaries to embark on the task of global evangelism might not be what you think. If, when you think of the term “missionary,” you picture a young family fresh out of seminary, you may need to revise that mental image–as it turns out, retired “baby boomers” are hitting the mission field in increasing numbers. An article at Christianity Today looks at ministries which focus on connecting retirees with mission opportunities. One of the ministries featured is none other than The Finishers Project, a member of the Gospelcom Alliance since 1998. From the article:

Nelson Malwitz, founder of Finishers Project, said many Christians hit 50 at the peak of their careers but desire more than workplace success.

“The Lord didn’t design us to coast out on flowery beds of ease, but to make some sort of difference,” Malwitz said. “There is a full spectrum of mission opportunities, both at home and abroad, both short-term and long-term.”

Finishers Project works with 100 organizations, matching retirees with volunteer mission projects. Finishers Project has placed 1,000 volunteers in full-time mission since 1998, has another 1,000 in process, and has an additional 1,200 saying they will make the transition in the next two years.

If you’re looking for something meaningful to do after you retire, visit the Finishers Project and see what opportunities await.

Christians often talk about the need to “transform” culture. But what does that actually look like? Do Christians transform culture by being a part of, by participating in it, or by commenting on it? In an interview at InterVarsity’s StudentSoul site, Andy Crouch (of Christianity Today International) talks about the need for Christians to become “culture creators”–to not just condemn or blindly participate in culture, but to actively create superior pieces of culture. Crouch notes:

…unfortunately right now Christians are kind of known for being critical and uptight, right? But we are not known as people who are creative. That’s too bad because I’m around so many creative, joyful, culturally-engaged believers. So the perception is not totally accurate, but there is some truth to it. The problem is that critique just doesn’t get you anywhere unless you create something that improves on what is already there.

Crouch offers some specific suggestions, especially for students who are looking to impact the culture of their school campuses.

Blaine Smith has a new column up this week about a challenge that most of us run into at some point in life: moving on with life after a disappointment or letdown. Blaine writes:

During our own lifetime, we each experience a multitude of disappointments and setbacks. They range from minor aggravations (a friend forgets a lunch date, your favorite restaurant closes) to major unwelcome turns of fate (the breakup of a cherished relationship, the death of a loved one). The experience of loss is universal–none of us escapes it. Yet the way we respond to it varies greatly among us, and radically affects our quality of life.

How should we respond to grief and disappointment? Blaine looks at the model provided for us by Biblical characters who had to move on after letdowns, and offers some thoughts on how we can do the same.