casual theology

The way of the cross began with cheers and acclamations. The crowds yelling “Glory!” and “Hosanna!” also cried out “Crucify!” How fickle people can be, and how quickly friends can turn. As I ponder the start of Holy Week I’m drawn to consider how often I concern myself with the opinions of others. How have I compromised at times out of fear of man? I’m also struck by how many Christians mare caught up with winning the approval of the world. Think of the compromises so many denominations have made in the area of morals just to keep up with the times. How many so called “Catholics” continuously call for major changes in doctrine? God has a plan, and that plan does not depend upon the cheers or jeers of others. It’s easy to be a disciple when the crowds are cheering for Jesus, but what do we do when they come with their pitchforks and torches? 

I’ve always wondered how the reality of this: Ended up becoming this: Thanks to Darren Aronofsky’s movie the story of Noah has been getting a good bit of attention lately. Unfortunately, most of that attention has been focused on debating the merits of the movie and how it compares to the details of the biblical text. In fact, bible websites like BibleGateway.com and others have seen 200% - 300% increases in traffic to their sites, and specifically to Genesis 6-8, since the movie premiered. What does the story of Noah teach us, and what does it mean today? Sin is a serious thing. When you read the Genesis account, you see that the sinfulness of mankind was such an offense to God that he decides to wipe out creation altogether. Think about the reality of that event compared to the nursery themed cartoon we've made it into. We live in a culture that has lost its sense of sin. In fact, it ...