The Great Comic-Book Scare
Superman, Batman, Plastic Man and Wonder Woman scared the U.S. government during the early culture wars of 1950!
“The panic over comic books falls somewhere between the Red Scare and the frenzy over UFO sightings among the pathologies of postwar America,” says author David Hajdu, who also has written books about Bob Dylan (Positively 4th Street) and Duke Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn (Lush Life). Ten-Cent Plague, an angry, detailed inquiry into early culture wars, covers the early ’50s, a superficially placid, distant time some view as a golden age.
Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before Caliph Mahdi
Have you ever read the “Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before Caliph Mahdi?” If not, prepare thyself for some incredible if not mind-numbing dialogue!
Scene: In 780 the missionary-minded bishop Timothy joined the King of Baghdad (the new Islamic capital) in a two-day interreligious dialogue. The topic, of course, was Trinity. The following is an especially exciting excerpt from this discourse: Read More »
Finding a Civil Gathering Place in Aspects of Universal Human Nature
Any debate regarding the nature and worth of human beings that is based entirely upon immediate social structures and/or states, presupposed ethnic and/or socio-cultural prejudices, and historical/cultural relative aspects of cultural belief should be avoided by any whom wish to ethically address the deep questions raised by an incurably social humanity. Political platformers, social activists, literary geniuses, religious visionaries, philosophers, artists and theologians have argued, agreed, pushed, pulled, and, on more than a few occasions, loosed flashes of brilliance in addresses, books, debates, and rallies regarding the topic of civility and humanity. It seems, however, that a resolution regarding a universally complementary society remains unattainable. Read More »
William Lloyd Garrison’s Declaration of Sentiments
A timely, relevant, and inspired word for today lifted from the Declaration of Sentiments Adopted by the Peace Convention (composed by William Lloyd Garrison, September 28, 1838): Read More »
On Being and Living Like Generic Christians
Our first five months of church planting in Lancaster City have been incredible. The Spirit has brought together a group of people who are like-minded but staunchly individual. No, individualism is not a bad thing! In fact, I think it is often reduced to a sad position somewhere close to the receiving end of a desperate reaction resulting from a failure in authentic inter-personal community. Yes, community still works in settings wherein different ideas, concepts, and beliefs exist. In other words, community and diversity play well together, if leaders choose to celebrate the larger aspects of life that unite. We are doing this in the city. Why? Because the Kingdom Jesus pointed towards is a community of individuals. The individual aspect of this radical way of being community should never be sacrificed for the sake of “being community.” In fact, when this happens, the community becomes something other than the one pointed to by Jesus.
We also have boundaries. The aforementioned community characteristic (individual diversity + dedicated like-mindedness = community) is only as viable as the ethos of the community itself. This communal ethos is a direct byproduct of a diverse group of individuals working together to find that place that represents something much larger than themselves around which they can authentically unite. This ethos requires conversation and development. It also requires care once it is located and agreed upon by individuals. All of this requires real boundaries. An ethos lacking boundaries is not an ethos at all! Identity is immutably rooted in ethos and vice-versa. Things like this require conversation, development, nurture, care, and time. Read More »
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in 1st Person Narrative
My pastor, friend, colleague, and mentor, John Hawbaker sent me a fantastic 1st person narrative presentation based upon the life of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. This narrative was performed dramatically during Sunday morning services at Manor Brethren in Christ Church. Soon, John will have his own blog where you will be able to find more of his personal musings, writings, and sermon excerpts. He will be a most welcome addition to the BIC wing of the Christian blogosphere. His knowledge of the BIC’s heritage (Anabaptism, Wesleyanism, and Pietism) is profound and his 25+ years of faithful Christian service as pastor and bishop are laden with practical experiences that will undoubtedly edify leaders for generations to come. So, Brother John is preparing to start a blog and begin recording. The socially networked and information affable time in which we all are living is incredible! Read More »
BIC Statement of 1961 on Sanctification
The following is the 1961 Brethren in Christ Statement on Sanctification, with a few very slight modifications to reflect the gender egalitarianism that all believers today should be striving towards. These very slight modifications appear in italics. The 1961 Statement on Sanctification is solid. I actually prefer it to all other statements. We all would do well to strive faithfully and honestly towards full consecration to God. Holiness is not an option in the Kingdom of God as preached and pointed towards by Jesus of Nazareth. God be with us … Read More »
Balthasar Hübmaier: A Form for Christ’s Supper
We do not believe because we have been baptized in water, but we are baptized in water because we first believe. So David says: “I have believed, therefore I have spoken,” Ps. 116:10; Matt. 16:16; Acts 8:30. So every Christian speaks equally: “I have believed, therefore I have publicly confessed that Jesus is Christ, Son of the living God, and have thereafter had myself baptized according to the order of Christ, the high priest who lives in eternity.” - Excerpt Balthasar Hübmaier: A Form for Christ’s Supper
Empire Tools & the Subjugation of Christianity 1
Early medieval Christianization mimicked the methodology and philosophy of empire expansion more than the evangelistic processes of the early or primitive church.
Christianity had been thoroughly absorbed into Rome and mirrored almost all of its ethnocentric prejudices by 500 C.E. The 600’s saw an almost complete superimposition of a curiously familiar sociopolitical philosophy and procedure over religious ideology, duty, and mission. The result was a systemic sort of Christianization, rather than compassion driven evangelization. Approved belief and creedal perfection replaced the original movement toward diverse unification and care for the needs and souls of neighbors. The Church became a new kingdom cut from a fading empire’s cloth. Read More »
Empire Tools & the Subjugation of Christianity 2
Some of the most vivid examples of religion perpetuating empire can be found in the historic documentation concerning the Christian emperor Charlemagne and the conquest of the Saxons. Christian conversion - if the following documents are accurate representations of historic events - was not encouraged during the early medieval period, but rather forced upon a subjugated people. Read More »