Barna Group: New Research Explores How Different Generations View and Use the Bible

Barna Group has written some results from their research on a nationwide study of how different generations of American adults view and use the Bible.  This is concerning stuff that we really need to pay attention to and work towards some solutions.

source: http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/317-new-research-explores-how-different-generations-view-and-use-the-bible

The younger generation considers the Bible as:

• Less Sacred

• Less Accurate
• The Same as other sacred texts or truths

• Skeptical of the Bible’s Origins

• Less Likely to Engage In / Read

• For Some Reason They Do Respond with a Greater Desire to Gain Knowledge of and in the Bible

This last point is where I see the most effective point of contact.  I believe that the younger generation just has an appetite for any and all information – AKA the internet.  Let’s work in this area and satisfy their need in the biblical area of knowledge.  We must do it with compassion and respect, knowing that God is the One working in their true understanding.

Back To Church Sunday

Back To Church Sunday

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Impact Baptist Church - Richardson, Texas

www.impactbaptist.org

9:30 AM – Bible Study
10:30 AM – Worship
noon – Free Lunch

Embracing Your Role as Your Teen’s Spiritual Mentor

The “Shema” – Hear oh Israel.  Why?

This is a great article by Paul Turner (find it here) titled “Embracing Your Role as Your Teen’s Spiritual Mentor.”  Great points – maybe because they are all from the Bible!  I love the way he brings Luke 2:52 into the article as well.  Great job Paul and I strongly recommend this read to the parents out there.

Ramadan — a Christian’s perspective

FIRST-PERSON: Ramadan — a Christian’s perspective

By Anne Fortenberry

Aug 21, 2009

GARLAND, Texas (BP)–Having lived in the Middle East for the past 10 years, my husband and I experienced many interesting and even inconsistent behaviors with our Muslim friends during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan lasts for 30 days and occurs approximately two weeks earlier each year with the exact dates determined by the sighting of the moon. This year Ramadan begins around Aug. 22.

This is a special month for our Muslim friends because they believe they can become closer to Allah (God) only during this time. They further believe they have a better chance of God hearing and answering their prayers. Everything must be observed according to the Koran and the teachings of their prophet, Muhammad. As you might imagine, Muslims are highly legalistic about observing Ramadan.

No one is allowed to eat or drink anything from one hour before sunrise until about 30 minutes after sunset. Foreigners like us also must not be seen eating or drinking during that time or, in some countries, we may be brought before the authorities and temporarily imprisoned. Even though we often carry water hidden in a bag or purse, we usually don’t drink in front of our Muslim friends because we realize how thirsty these folks must be. All restaurants are closed except for a few located in hotels. In the afternoon, food can be ordered, but it must be taken home to eat behind closed doors.

During Ramadan many of our Muslim friends will not even swallow their saliva. While it’s daylight, no one is allowed to go to a dentist or to receive injections. One of our neighbors was receiving B12 injections; her sheik (a holy man) would allow her to receive them only after sunset and the evening meal. The only exception to this rule involves a person with a chronic disease who must be on medication to survive. However, even then the person must receive permission from the sheik.

The evening meal, or “breaking the fast,” is called Iftar. In one of our countries a cannon was shot to indicate the beginning time for the evening meal. We often sat in a circle on the floor with the food placed in front of us as we waited to hear the cannon.

In another country, Iftar was announced on television and from the mosque. The meal began with ritualistic foods such as dried dates and figs followed by special salads, rice dishes and either lamb or chicken. Usually the same thing is eaten every day. Since our Muslim friends are required to be generous during Ramadan, they feel inclined to invite foreigners to break the fast. One family even brought us food every three to four days, which we actually looked forward to because the food was delicious.

However, we also experienced challenges. Some of the nicest people often experienced a complete personality change when they drove an automobile. They would become aggressive and angry. During Ramadan we knew to stay off the road between 2:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon because people were getting off from work, visiting the supermarket and rushing home to prepare the evening meal. These once-precious people became so hungry at this point that irritability and grumpiness seem to become the norm. We also saw numerous motor vehicle accidents during this time of day.

Shopping also became more difficult because of shortened work hours during Ramadan. Many times we could only shop late in the afternoon or at night because most of the stores were closed during the day.

This illustrates the basic reversal of days and nights during Ramadan. After the evening meal, our friends would go shopping, run errands, eat again around midnight, stay up and talk until 3 or 4 am, eat breakfast before sunrise, and then go to bed. In a couple of hours they would awake to get the children off to school. Some would then go to work; others would go back to bed. This lack of sleep also added to the additional irritability.

Even with all of these challenges, Muslims believe Ramadan truly is a beautiful time. For us, the only beautiful result of Ramadan was the fellowship with different families, the delicious meals and the view of our friends in their new clothes, which was part of the Eid celebration that lasts for about four days after Ramadan.

Despite the parts that we enjoyed, we, as Christians, know that this holy month is basically a “chasing after the wind.” Especially during Ramadan, please pray for our Muslim friends. We love them and want them to know Jesus, our One and Only, so they will know the real Truth and be discipled.

–30–

Anne Fortenberry has served as a Southern Baptist missionary, a university lecturer and division chair, and a health care consultant. She and her husband Archie are now back in the United States after nearly a decade serving in Muslim countries. She recently has released “Faith that Works: A Topical Study on the Book of James” (Hannibal Books, 2009).

Copyright (c) 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press

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Fax: 615.782.8736

email: bpress@sbc.netPlease

I read the article below about Ramadan and it reminded me of my Muslim friends during this time of the year.  I have one dear friend who has moved away from the area, but when he was here we would always take one another out to lunch for our birthdays.  My birthday was during Ramadan for the last several years.  He would still take me and sit there while I ate.  I told him that I would prefer we wait until after Ramadan, but he always insisted we go.  You know what, it gave us some great opportunities to talk about faith.  What I discovered, my Muslim friends did things from tradition more than from a personal faith.

FIRST-PERSON: Ramadan — a Christian’s perspective

By Anne Fortenberry

Aug 21, 2009

GARLAND, Texas (Baptist Press)–Having lived in the Middle East for the past 10 years, my husband and I experienced many interesting and even inconsistent behaviors with our Muslim friends during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan lasts for 30 days and occurs approximately two weeks earlier each year with the exact dates determined by the sighting of the moon. This year Ramadan begins around Aug. 22.

This is a special month for our Muslim friends because they believe they can become closer to Allah (God) only during this time. They further believe they have a better chance of God hearing and answering their prayers. Everything must be observed according to the Koran and the teachings of their prophet, Muhammad. As you might imagine, Muslims are highly legalistic about observing Ramadan.

No one is allowed to eat or drink anything from one hour before sunrise until about 30 minutes after sunset. Foreigners like us also must not be seen eating or drinking during that time or, in some countries, we may be brought before the authorities and temporarily imprisoned. Even though we often carry water hidden in a bag or purse, we usually don’t drink in front of our Muslim friends because we realize how thirsty these folks must be. All restaurants are closed except for a few located in hotels. In the afternoon, food can be ordered, but it must be taken home to eat behind closed doors.

During Ramadan many of our Muslim friends will not even swallow their saliva. While it’s daylight, no one is allowed to go to a dentist or to receive injections. One of our neighbors was receiving B12 injections; her sheik (a holy man) would allow her to receive them only after sunset and the evening meal. The only exception to this rule involves a person with a chronic disease who must be on medication to survive. However, even then the person must receive permission from the sheik.

The evening meal, or “breaking the fast,” is called Iftar. In one of our countries a cannon was shot to indicate the beginning time for the evening meal. We often sat in a circle on the floor with the food placed in front of us as we waited to hear the cannon.

In another country, Iftar was announced on television and from the mosque. The meal began with ritualistic foods such as dried dates and figs followed by special salads, rice dishes and either lamb or chicken. Usually the same thing is eaten every day. Since our Muslim friends are required to be generous during Ramadan, they feel inclined to invite foreigners to break the fast. One family even brought us food every three to four days, which we actually looked forward to because the food was delicious.

However, we also experienced challenges. Some of the nicest people often experienced a complete personality change when they drove an automobile. They would become aggressive and angry. During Ramadan we knew to stay off the road between 2:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon because people were getting off from work, visiting the supermarket and rushing home to prepare the evening meal. These once-precious people became so hungry at this point that irritability and grumpiness seem to become the norm. We also saw numerous motor vehicle accidents during this time of day.

Shopping also became more difficult because of shortened work hours during Ramadan. Many times we could only shop late in the afternoon or at night because most of the stores were closed during the day.

This illustrates the basic reversal of days and nights during Ramadan. After the evening meal, our friends would go shopping, run errands, eat again around midnight, stay up and talk until 3 or 4 am, eat breakfast before sunrise, and then go to bed. In a couple of hours they would awake to get the children off to school. Some would then go to work; others would go back to bed. This lack of sleep also added to the additional irritability.

Even with all of these challenges, Muslims believe Ramadan truly is a beautiful time. For us, the only beautiful result of Ramadan was the fellowship with different families, the delicious meals and the view of our friends in their new clothes, which was part of the Eid celebration that lasts for about four days after Ramadan.

Despite the parts that we enjoyed, we, as Christians, know that this holy month is basically a “chasing after the wind.” Especially during Ramadan, please pray for our Muslim friends. We love them and want them to know Jesus, our One and Only, so they will know the real Truth and be discipled.

–30–

Anne Fortenberry has served as a Southern Baptist missionary, a university lecturer and division chair, and a health care consultant. She and her husband Archie are now back in the United States after nearly a decade serving in Muslim countries. She recently has released “Faith that Works: A Topical Study on the Book of James” (Hannibal Books, 2009).

Copyright (c) 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press

JW’s came by this morning

A new set of Jehovah’s Witnesses came by this morning. If I have the time, I am thinking about reading some of the chapters in their “What Does The Bible Teach? booklet and responding here.

Pastor does more than just preach

Pastor does more than just preach

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Great article on cultural relevance with biblically conservatism

I thought this was an excellent article discussing an matter I struggle with as a pastor – being culturally relevant while never straying from a conservative understand and interpretation of the Bible.  The article can be found at: http://bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=30903 and I have reprinted it below:

FIRST-PERSON: What can we learn from Mark Driscoll? By Page Brooks Jul 16, 2009

Page Brooks NEW ORLEANS (BP)–Recently Seattle-area pastor Mark Driscoll has come under a great deal of scrutiny for his foul language and controversial sermon series on sex. I need not repeat here some of the phrases and words he has used as they are readily accessible in scripts on the Internet. Likewise, anyone can download his sermon series on the Song of Solomon from the Mars Hill Church website. Let me say the following at the outset: I believe our speech and behavior should be above reproach. Several motions were made at the most recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting that revolved around Driscoll’s words and actions. To be fair to him, Driscoll has repented and asked forgiveness for his cussing. Some of Driscoll’s apologies were actually encouraged by Lifeway Christian Resource’s own Ed Stetzer. Driscoll has apologized for other similar incidents on various occasions. I think the question vexing many evangelical Christians about the figure of Mark Driscoll is the paradox we find in people like him: He claims to be “culturally relevant” while at the same time claiming to be “biblically conservative.” While such labels from Driscoll may be controversial to some people, I believe that many Christians have an affinity with those labels because we want to be exactly that: reaching and being relevant to the world while holding to unchanging, biblical truths. I by no means intend to defend him, but I believe we have to ask this question: What can we learn from people like Mark Driscoll? I think we do need to pay attention not because of the answers he is providing but because of the questions he has identified in the culture. I believe Driscoll, in trying to be “culturally relevant,” is merely trying to answer the questions he heard coming from the culture. Perhaps we need not necessarily listen to Driscoll but rather listen to the culture that Driscoll is trying to address. What does this culture that he is addressing look like? It is a culture that has little biblical worldview. It is a culture that does not feel confined by the “church culture” of which most Christians are a part. It is a culture that is still asking the same questions as generations before: Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? How can I have happiness? In asking such questions, the culture crosses into such controversial subjects as sex, alcohol, relationships, career and family. The questions Driscoll tries to answer are real-life questions. With no church background or biblical worldview, the world really is asking questions about such topics as sex, but not perhaps in the way we would ask in a more reserved way in the “church culture.” For example, I serve as a National Guard chaplain and just spent three weeks on annual training with several hundred young men and women. As I was going about my ministry of presence with these fine young men and women in the military, they would often pull me to the side and ask me very direct questions — questions that Driscoll is trying to answer. Admittedly there is a great difference between my private conversations with these young soldiers and the way Driscoll has decided to answer such questions publicly. Nevertheless, my point is that the questions are being asked, but is the church willing to answer them? We live in a culture that is no longer a predominantly Christian culture. The culture is not the same as the one in which my godly grandmother grew up. Neither will the answers from my godly grandmother’s Sunday School class answer their questions. In other words, today’s generation is not as reserved as previous generations with regards to topics like sexuality. They talk about it as openly as any other topic during an average day. So, how can we answer the questions the culture is asking while still maintaining our biblical witness without compromising our speech or actions? First of all, the church needs to listen. Many of our programmatic and felt-needs sermons are actually not answering the questions of the culture. The culture does not want to just know answers — they want to know biblical answers to those tough questions. And yes, some of those questions may make some of our church people blush when they are asked. Second, I believe the church needs seriously to examine the language it uses to communicate the Gospel. On the one hand, we do not need to compromise our own language, just as Paul commanded for all of our language to be above reproach (Ephesians 5:4). Nevertheless, we do not have to violate this principle when we try to be culturally relevant. For example, I had a great, godly man who taught the youth Sunday School class at my home church where I grew up. But, every time he would get up to pray, he would start out by saying, “Our dearly beloved heavenly Father, we thank thee for this day that thou hast given to us thy children.” While I understand his deep respect for God, his words did not communicate to those who were new Christians because they were seen as archaic. We need to be willing to examine our own language to make sure we are speaking in ways that can allow someone from today’s culture — not yesterday’s society — to understand. Last, we must be willing to move out of our comfort zone in order to reach today’s generation. We have developed too much of a “church culture” which has become culturally irrelevant. We have developed so much of our own ways of speaking and acting that we have become disconnected from the world. In other words, we have become so accustomed to our own church culture that we are not only shocked but also embarrassed when the culture asks questions, such as those dealing with sex. Yes, the Bible has plenty to say on hard topics, as well as the hardest topic of all: the eternal destiny of our souls. The hard question for the church at this time is if we are willing to do what it takes to answer them in a way that is relevant but also above reproach. –30– Page Brooks is assistant professor of theology and Islamic studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a church planter, pastor and Army chaplain. © Copyright 2009 Baptist PressOriginal copy of this story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=30903

American Inventor

As I was watching American Inventor tonight and started following along on the show’s website. I rememebred last week seeing one of the couples owned a psychic store. With a little more searching I found their website. I just had to blog about what I found there. Many of the psychics were ordained in some “church” or “temple,” but I had to include Victor on this post:

Psychic Advisor Born in the Caribbean, Victor is Ordained as a Christian Minister and is a Feng Shui expert. Author of “Tao of Happiness” available in Spanish, book address Taoism and energy use in ordinary life. Victor is also a talented practitioner in the use of Aromatherapy Oils. His gifts include: Tarot; Palmistry; Feng Shui; Aromatherapy Oils; and Connecting with Loved Ones who have passed away. [taken from the psychic store's website]

If anyone thinks you can be Christian and teach the things above, I would like to talk to you – I need to talk to you.

But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,for he will receive me. Selah
(Psalms 49:15) <– That is where your energy comes from!

REFLECTION PAPER ON SBC 2007

Any discussion on the Southern Baptist convention 2007 would have to begin with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary class that I took in association with this year’s convention. I had never been able to attend an SBC due to mission work overseas occurring during the same time period as the convention. My wife had been blessed to attend some previous conventions as part of worship teams. I had also watched parts of the convention online. This had prepared me somewhat for what to expect.

I appreciated the reading assignments associated with the class work. The titles by Brand and Hankins, One Sacred Effort, and Ammerman’s Baptist Battles were good reads and great support. They provided an interesting and complete history of the Southern Baptist Convention as well as helping the reader see the current structure of the convention. While Ammerman’s text did display some bias, the work as a whole reported the facts without being masked by that predisposition.

The opportunity to hear the heart of Dr. Paige Patterson as he told of the conservative resurgence was the highlight of the course. The design of this class to include the above mentioned readings along with a guest lecture by Dr. Patterson provided such a well-rounded look at the history of the Southern Baptist Convention with a welcomed emphasis on the conservative resurgence.

I have been critical of Dr. Patterson’s approach to items in the past. While I have understood, and often agreed with his conclusion to matters, I did not always care as much for his approach in addressing these matters. Having the opportunity to hear his heart on so many past battles really impacted me. The Lord opened my eyes to Dr. Patterson’s great desire to stand strong in the power of His Word. When he humbly answered a student’s question concerning the personal hurt his stand for the Bible has caused his family, it revealed the depth of the struggle he faced for his belief. Then, when he apologized to the class because he knows that his leadership of the seminary has caused us issues as well, I saw God’s example of humility so plainly in the man before me.

The opportunity to attend this year’s SBC was also a time to spend with family. My two boys were able to travel with my wife and I to San Antonio. We arrived on Saturday and began some wonderful time as a family. We were blessed for our boys to see such a large body of believers coming together for fellowship, encouragement, and support of godly values.

On Sunday morning, my family was able to attend Shavano Baptist Church in San Antonio. This was a small SBC church pastured by Dave Gauthier. There were others in the morning worship service that had come to SBC. Pastor Gauthier used the opportunity to invite Aletha Thomas, an IMB missionary, to speak to the congregation. I was very blessed by the entire worship experience at Shavano Baptist Church and pray that one day we shall be able to return and worship with them. This was an SBC church that was supporting the Cooperative Program through their time and resource.

Sunday evening began the Pastor’s Conference. I was excited to hear how God spoke through these men. I was a little tired from our day’s busy schedule as the first message began and maybe this was the reason Dr. Spradlin’s message was average on my reaction. Dr. Paterson’s testimony and then Dr. Vine’s message revived me fully. God really used Dr. Vine’s sermon to lift my spirit. I felt his message was the best sermon of this convention.

The Monday morning break-out sessions were also a high spot of the conference for me. I choose to attend Dr. Tom Elliff’s Equipped for Divine Intimacy and Dr. Tim Kimmel’s Equipped for Effective Parenting. I wish that the schedule would have allowed me to attend all of these break-out sessions. What a powerful time we had listening to Dr. Elliff speak of how God has moved within his life to become more intimate with Him. I also found myself trying to practice grace-base parenting after Dr. Kimmel’s presentation.

My wife attended the Pastor’s Wives Conference on Monday morning while our boys were in the Children’s Conference. They were all blessed by these opportunities. It was an added gift for me to reflect on the day’s events with my wife.

In the last evening of the Pastor’s Conference, I was excited to hear God through a fresh, young heart as J.D. Greear preached. Dr. Greear has his doctorate in systematic theology and at the conclusion of his message I did not doubt that a bit. He had his facts in order but the emotion of what he had to say was not there for me.

Tuesday morning began the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention. I was excited to be there, but also must say that I was disappointed in the number of messengers that were present when I first arrived. This was a disappointment I felt throughout the conference as I will relate in other events later. I was also surprised that only three motions were made at the first introduction of motions. Once again, my later realization of certain agendas made this understandable as well. The SBC bulletin revealed to me that other motions had been submitted before the meeting.

The morning session moved along so rapidly that Secretary on the Order of Business made a motion to move the schedule ahead by 15 minutes. One of the messengers seated next to me voted against this motion and complained that they should stick to the printed order of business. This messenger also showed up about an hour late to the proceedings.

I have served as a missionary in Eastern Europe and understand the conditions in this area of the world, both physical and spiritual. As I have traveled, I have also seen the differences in Western Europe as well. The physical hardships are not present as they are in the eastern portion of the continent, but the spiritual darkness is greatly magnified. When Heinrich Derksen, president of Bibelseminar in Bonn, Germany, spoke to the SBC I was so excited to hear of the movement of God in this region. Hearing that such a dark area was not only receiving the Light of Jesus Christ, but that this light was also very conservative in theology was stimulating. Derksen spoke of the many ministries in Germany and also the former Soviet Union that have left the Baptist World Alliance and desire association with the SBC. I pray that this convention will help take up this task of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in a land where our beliefs had such strong root.

Tuesday afternoon started the most interesting debate of the convention. A motion was made to affirm the Baptist Faith and Message as the SBC’s “only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs.” What followed was a pretty confusing discussion, unless you were privy to what the supporters were trying to accomplish in this motion. It became even more confusing when the item came up for voting by the messengers. I felt that many messengers did not understand what they were voting on and they certainly did not understand the agenda behind the motion. The seminary reports for Southwestern and Southern Seminary would raise these important points of this motion again.

On Wednesday I was monitoring microphone six. First thing in the morning a pastor approached me and indicated that he wished to ask a question of Dr. Al Mohler when the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary report was presented. That was another hour and a half away. Some I figured out that a group had planned a strategy to control all of the microphones during this report. Through cell phone conversations and several small business meeting this group was conducting behind me, this plan became very obvious. I agreed with the points they wanted to make concerning the BF&M use as a guide. However, I do not think their agenda in any way mimicked Jesus Christ. My Bible never says that Jesus hinder His opposition from speaking. In fact, He invited them to speak and then He taught them often using their own words.

I believe that the highest messenger count approached 8521 seated on Tuesday afternoon. A concerning matter was that the highest number of ballots every reported was around 3700. So where were the other messengers? This really bothered me throughout the convention. As I worshipped during the conference on Wednesday, I reflected back on that morning’s strategy planning going on behind me that prevented me from fully praising my Lord and Savior. I also thought about these missing 5000 messengers. Absolutely broke my heart over why people some people are attending. Are we a people concerned with praise or politics?

I was overwhelmed with the neutrality of the messengers. What I mean is that a message would be preached warning of the dangers of commingling with the Emergent / Emerging Church movement and the messengers went wild with applause. Later, a message was preached that we must be more like the Emerging Church Movement and the messengers “amens” loudly arouse. It was amazing to watch, but truly is the beauty of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Hearing the stories of the missionaries, the successes of the seminaries, and the great plans God is providing for the future was the highlight of this convention. I pray that the Holy Spirit will place a desire in future leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention to study as we had the opportunity to do this semester the history and structure of this convention. Most importantly, I pray that we should be a people who always use His Word to light our path.

Emphasis Shifts for New Breed of Evangelicals

The other morning while waiting on my daily brew at Starbucks, I began to read the front page of the NY Times that was sitting before me. There was a shocking picture of a dead Lebeanese soilder on the cover. I thought to myself that it is very sad that the publishers would choose to print this picture. While the reality of war is bruttle, it just seems wrong to me that a dead soilder’s body would be printed on the cover like this.

Soon another article caught my attention. It is entitled “Emphasis Shifts for New Breed of Evangelicals” and was written by Michael Lup and Laurie Goodstein. With many beginning to talk with me about politics and the upcoming election, I thought I would take a look. Here is a link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/us/21evangelical.html?_r=1&oref=slogin.

the article states that, “But the conservative legacy of the religious right persists, and abortion continues to be a defining issue, even a litmus test…” As a “fundamentalist” conservative, abortion is not the issue – it is God’s Word that is the issue. Why do we have a problem with killing the unborn? Becuase we understand that God is the Creator.