Fact Can Be Stranger than Fiction

If you look closely, you might see more than a slight resemblance between King Solomon and John Travolta.  That is because there is.

A "Bible Wax Museum" in Mansfield, Ohio, has been cutting costs by purchasing wax figures of celebrities from a now defunct Madame Tussaud’s Museum in Arkansas.  Among the wax figures transformed into "Biblical Heros" include Steve McQueen, Tom Cruise (who is the wax "Jesus" about to be baptized by John--see the article for the image), Elizabeth Taylor, Ringo Starr, and Prince Phillip.

Like I say, you cannot make this stuff up.  Click Here

(h.t. Larry Johnson)

A "Liver-Shiver" from a Pilgrimage to Charles Finney's Grave

Revialist Dutch Sheets recounts a "liver-shiver" upon visiting the grave of America's leading Pelagian, Charles Grandison Finney (h.t. Gary Johnson).

Sheets writes,

Perhaps it was to honor the memory of Finney, a faithful son; or, since awakening and harvest is what Finney so powerfully represents, maybe it was a confirmation that God is, indeed, going to give us another great awakening; and it could have been to remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves—that the great cloud of witnesses is watching and cheering us on, knowing fully that we're the continuation of their efforts (Heb. 11:39-12:2). Whatever His reason for choosing this time and place, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon me. I was re-mantled and re-anointed.

Swell, just what America needs, another "re-mantled" and "re-anointed" follower of Charles Finney leading a revival of Pelgianism.  Part of me is very glad that John Calvin is buried in an unmarked grave.

I Miss the Good Ole Days at TBN

Heaven, Hell & the Theology of Rob Bell

Here are a couple of things related to the release of Rob Bell's controversial new book Love Wins which might be of interest.

Recently, the White Horse Inn hosts interviewed Kevin DeYoung, who has just written a lengthy review of Bell's new book.  The White Horse Inn is making the audio of that interview available as a free bonus track.  You can find it here.  White Horse Inn Bonus Track

Mike Horton has also weighed in on Bell's book.  Here's the link:  Horton's Take on Rob Bell

Bell's book is not out yet--Kevin DeYoung did read key sections of it to us during our interview with him.  As many have already noted, Bell's book (with its reformulation of Hell and eternal punishment) is a faux evangelical-hipster version of German liberalism (Ritschl and Harnack come to mind), or even the American liberal preacher, Harry Emerson Fosdick.

Although there is not much new here--"warmed over liberalism" as Horton aptly puts it--sadly, Bell's book will sell quite well, generate much media interest, stir-up needless controversy, and do nothing but give those who are embarassed by a holy God with wrath against sin, a lame excuse to reject the biblical and orthodox Christian doctrine of eternal punishment.

Why Make Predictions for 2011? God Has Already Told Pat Robertson What Will Happen

Pat's been up on the mountain again . . .

The word is to pay off your debts, invest in CBN and Regent, plan to witness more extraordinary miracles (I am assuming Pat is referring to the 700 Club), and be sure to watch out for great upheaval in 2012. 

Oh, and the person elected president in 2012 is going to be very sorry they won.

Nothing about the AL East?

Dude . . . You Got the Cheetos?

Pat Robertson is now in favor of decriminalizing Marijuana (in small amounts).

Just say "maybe" to drugs.

Antichrist . . . He's Not Nice . . .

You should all be thankful that the only musical training I had was three years of playing trumpet in junior high school!  Just imagine for a moment what I could do if I knew how to play the keyboard and sing.

We'd have an Amillennial song to compete with "Doom and Gloom!"

Hey Pat, Put a Sock in It!

Pat Robertson on Haiti Disaster
by burghnews

I'm not quite sure how remaining a French colony or making a deal with the Devil doesn't get you to the same place in the end (on a practical level).  But I digress . . .

For Pete's sake Pat, just send them the aid they need (a wonderful thing) without all the pious pretense about knowing the mysterious will of God.  Enough.

Swell . . .

I shouldn't be surprised by this.  Joel's preaching actually fits pretty well with shows like "Pitchmen," "Cash Cab," and "A Haunting."  Not so much with "Shark Week" or "Man vs. Wild."

Not Gonna Happen

Here's the latest trend making its way into church growth circles.  According to the "Cuddle Party" website,

"a Cuddle Party Is:  A structured, safe workshop on boundaries, communication, intimacy and affection. A drug and alcohol-free way to meet fascinating people in a relaxing environment. A laboratory where you can experiment with what makes you feel safe and feel good. This playful, fun workshop has been a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection, a space to reframe assumptions about men and women, and a great networking event to meet new friends, roommates, business partners and significant others" (http://www.cuddleparty.com/).

Will Reformed or Presbyterian churches be tempted to try this?  Somehow, I can't see this having any attraction for German or Dutch churches.  Someone would break wind almost immediately and ruin the whole mood before the "cuddle party" even got going.  The Young Reformed won't go for this either--too weird, too lame.  Not enough good order (and certainly not enough decency) for Presbyterians.  Besides, the whole thing is just plain creepy . . . 

But then I'm a German and am certain that when Paul says greet one another with a kiss, he really means a handshake.