Interesting Photo Essay -- Empty Mega-Churches

Here's a very interesting photo essay found on one of CT's blogs. The theme is empty "worship centers." Click here: Christianity Today Imago Fidei: Off-Duty Megachurches

As you look through the photos on the CT blog, be sure to go to the original photo gallery from which these photos are representative.  Once you follow the link to "Joe Johnson Photography," find the "projects" section at the top of the website, then click on the "mega churches" link.  Click here: http://www.joejohnsonphoto.com/

Mr. Johnson's photography is compelling, but sadly indicative of so much of evangelical worship--grounded in fascination with the latest technology, while completely void of any emphasis on word and sacrament.

Osteen Packs Out Yankee Stadium

If you follow baseball, you probably know that one of this season's continuing plot lines is all the empty seats in the high-priced sections of Yankee Stadium.  These seats are bought and paid for by the so-called "Grey Poupon" crowd, people who don't come to games anymore because they don't want to be seen on camera "flaunting" their wealth and influence in an economic downturn.  So, instead of going to the games, these folks are selling their tickets on Stubhub.  But nobody's buying, and many of the high-priced seats are empty and highly visible on camera.  The Yanks are embarrassed and will attempt to do something about putting fannies in those seats once again.

Joel Osteen sure didn't have that problem.  Last Saturday, Joel and Victoria (along with their children) put over 50,000 into the stadium @ $15.00 a pop.  Osteen joins two popes and Billy Graham as those who have led religious services in Yankee Stadium.

The news coverage of Joel's visit is fascinating.  The reporters don't know what to do with this guy.  He shoots baskets in his driveway, and then packs out the stadium when the Yankees can't.  Aw shucks.  http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=355857

While Osteen preached in the New Yankee Stadium on Saturday, the Yanks were getting walloped up in Fenway.  I think there's a connection--although I can't prove it.  If the Yankees go into a prolonged funk, its the curse of Joel and Victoria!

"Jesus Is My Friend"

This video is making the rounds (h.t. Jene James). You must see it to believe it!  A perfect marriage of pop rock and Pelagianism!

There are metal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FfzvJmWln8) and chipmunk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAG-JVDJPd0) parodies as well--although its hard to parody a parody.

Here's yet another reason why I don't miss the evangelical subculture of my youth.

Join "Rick's Church" and Duplicate Pentecost

Here's the latest from Orange County's own Rick Warren.  Click here: Pastor Rick's News & Views

Warren never ceases to amaze me.  There's always some gimmick and the personal hubris is off the chart.  If I am reading this announcement correctly (see below), to get all the perks that are mentioned, all you need to do is be available this past Saturday (March 28), be willing to "open your heart to Jesus," and be thirty years of age (Warren will explain).    

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Two thousand years ago - the Day of Pentecost was the first day of the Christian Church. Acts 2:41 tells us, "About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the church that day." If you'll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback! Want to make history?

Which of these requirements do you need to complete this Saturday?

1. Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Click here to learn more.
2. Attend Class 101: Discovering Your Church Family. Sign up.
3. Sign our membership covenant (explained in class).
4. Be baptized the way Jesus commanded and modeled for us.
(Many of us were baptized as kids on our parent's faith. Jesus modeled believer's baptism at age 30 when he was baptized in the Jordan River) It would be my privilege to baptize you after Class 101.

YOU CAN FINISH ALL 4 REQUIREMENTS IN ONE DAY - THIS SATURDAY!

EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE:

1. I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.

2. I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.

3. You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)

4. You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.

5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)

6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.

7. You'll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!

8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.

I was asked, "Rick, If you could wish for anything to celebrate your 30 years of service at Saddleback, what would you dream of?" I said, "To experience a repeat of Pentecost - and see 3,000 people affirm their faith and join our church family on a single day." Will you be a part of making this a reality?

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I simply can't imagine a church where the members don't know their own pastor (and where its a big deal to actually meet him).  I also cannot envision a "church" which goes to this length (with all the give-aways and gimmicks), solely for the sake of matching the number of conversions at Pentecost.  And then there is this re-baptism business (ugh). 

But then I have been out of the evangelical subculture for a long time . . .   I really don't miss it.

"This Is My Bible . . ."

Speaking of the marriage of entertainment and theology (see the discussion below regarding the A-Rod picture), Joel and Victoria Osteen are releasing their "Hope for Today Bible." (Click here: Joel Osteen Ministries)

Here's the promo text on their website

"Featuring notes and encouragement from Joel and Victoria Osteen

`This is my Bible, I am what it says I am, I have what it says I have, I can do what it says I can do.'

These are the words of promise and hope that we have been declaring over the lives of people all over the world since the beginning of our ministry. We invite you to explore this special Hope for Today Edition of the New Living Translation Bible. It is our desire that you would be inspired every day by the life-giving, supernatural, God-breathed Scriptures.  $25.00"

_______________________________

I didn't know there were any verses about how to find a parking place, win a court battle with an angry flight attendant, or cry at will.  I'm glad the Osteens are willing to enlighten us.

Now I know what to get Mike, Rod, and Ken for Christmas.  I might even buy Shane a copy!  Wait, I take that back.  Shane will get one for free at the National Religious Broadcasters convention.

Rick Warren to the Rescue

Someone sent me the latest press release from Rick Warren's purpose-driven empire.  Warren's sure not one to let the current economic downturn be anything but a marketing opportunity for his "purpose-driven" materials.

The press release reads in part "with the collapse of our economy, the tools, resources and experiences we’ve bundled into the Purpose Driven Connection are arriving at the exact moment when Americans need them most."

It goes on to say, “The hollow hope of materialism has left us disappointed, empty and worried, and the economic collapse has created a hunger for a deeper spiritual connection to God and to each other."  Of course, Warren would never do anything to contribute to the hollow hope of materialism like recommend that we all buy his stuff to see us through the difficult times.

“We certainly didn’t anticipate our national crisis when we began designing these tools, but we can now see how the Purpose Driven Connection is going to provide urgent and essential spiritual support and encouragement for millions of people in the difficult days ahead. . . . God’s timing is always perfect.”

Pretty shameless.

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Well, if Rick Warren can hawk his wares, so can I.

Here's my very own Riddleblog blogosphere release.

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Anaheim, CA, January 27, 2009

"In these days of economic uncertainty, a proper view of the end-times is a must.  To help you navigate these perilous times the Riddleblog reminds you of the two books written by its proprietor.  If these uncertain times have you worrying about your job, retirement savings, and 401K, you need to buy both my books (multiple copies to give to all your friends and family) which will help you know what is going on, and will also ensure that I don't have to worry about these things.  That will leave me free to warn people about the proper view of end times (Reformed amillennialism, of course).  

What is God's purpose in all of this?  Is this economic distress setting the stage for the rise of the Antichrist?  What is the secret purpose behind the election of Obama?  Was John McCain's purpose in rushing through the economic stimulus package to prepare the way for the real Man of Sin?  Some dispensationalists might even think the author fills the bill.

Whatever end times view you hold, Kim Riddlebarger's Man of Sin is must reading.  Collect all three editions, each one tailor-made to fit your own end-times predictions!

And don't forget A Case for Amillennialism, which is your sure guide to living above the fear and uncertainty of the end times.  If you want to know God's purpose for the last days and how this impacts you, you need to read this book!  In fact, might we suggest buying a case of A Case for Amillennialism (that is, a case of 30 of them).  That will certainly help me prevent any future personal economic crisis. 

Isn't that the true Purpose behind these "press releases" in the first place?

The Church of Me -- Redux

I have posted this before (several years ago, in fact, right after I started the Riddleblog), but Rod Rosenbladt recently sent it to the White Horse Inn crew.  So, I'll post it again.  If you haven't seen this, it is very funny.

God, UFOs and Darwin

A new Harris Poll reinforces what we knew all along. When it comes to religion, Americans profess to believe orthodox Christian doctrine--but only to a point.  Upon closer inspection, many of those polled are as superstitious and ill-informed as we feared. (Click here: Washington Times - Beliefs in God, UFOs prevail).

Here are some of the results:

"Overall, more people believe in the devil, hell and angels than believe in Darwin´s theory of evolution."

"80 percent say they believe in God; among those who attend church weekly, the number is 98 percent."  Makes you wonder about the 2% who don't believe in God but go to church anyway!

"Three-quarters believe in miracles, 73 percent believe in heaven, 71 percent say Jesus is the Son of God and 71 percent believe in angels."

Seven out of 10 say Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that the Bible is, all or in part, the "Word of God."  That's higher than I would have guessed.

"More than two-thirds - 68 percent - believe in the `survival of the soul after death' and would describe themselves as religious.  About 62 percent think that hell exists, 61 percent believe in the Virgin Birth and 59 percent say the devil exists."

"Fewer than half - 47 percent - said they believe in Darwin's theory of evolution; a third said they did not believe in it while 22 percent were not sure what they thought.  A full 40 percent said they believe in creationism, though the question did not elaborate on exactly what that term meant."  Again, I am a bit surprised by the fact that fewer than half of those polled believe in evolution.

"44 percent of the respondents said they believe in ghosts, 36 percent say UFOs are real while 31 percent believe in both witches and astrology.  About a quarter believe in reincarnation, or `that you were once another person.'"  This gives me pause when you consider that a whole bunch of people who profess to believe in the deity of Christ and his resurrection, also believe in ghosts and UFOs.

America is a very weird place when it comes to religion.

Two Kingdom Confusion? I'll Say!

Here's a classic case of what we mean when we speak of confusing the two kingdoms (the kingdom of Christ, and the civil kingdom).

Sermon Illustrations in Detroit

I'm sure many of you have seen this picture in today's news.  Detroit pastor Charles Ellis positioned 3 SUVs (one each from Ford, Chrysler and GM) on the stage in his church (Greater Grace Temple) to remind his congregation to pray and fast until congress gives the big three a bailout. 

This puts a new spin on the prosperity gospel!  Name it, claim it, and congress will provide it--using your tax dollars, of course!

Makes me wonder . . .   What if Disney goes bust and wants a bailout?  Christ Reformed is in Anaheim, not far from the house of the mouse. . .