A "Green" Bible and Other Interesting Stuff from Around the Web

Even as Crossway releases the ESV Study Bible (see the previous post), Zondervan is countering with a "Green Bible."  According to a press release, the text "highlights more than 1,000 verses about the earth in soy-based green ink.  Essays by religious leaders and other resources on eco-justice are bound within the its 100 percent cotton/linen cover."  Oh boy, I can't wait for this one.  I'll bet it rots faster than a ripe banana, and will probably fall apart in no time.  I realize that ecological stewardship is important, but something tells me a thousand "green" verses and comment from religious leaders on "eco-justice" will amount to major distraction from Jesus Christ.  Click here: RNS Feature: "This is not your grandfather’s Bible"

Believe it or not, here's an apologetic of sorts for "on-line" worship.  Yes, I know what you are thinking.  What about Hebrews 10:25?  Here's the answer.  "The Bible talks about `not forsaking our own assembling together' (Hebrews 10:23-25).  Is this really possible when you’re worshiping online? `Absolutely! I am sure there are people out there who use Web worship as a way to avoid having to interact with people—just like there are people who physically come to church, sit in a pew and never actually get involved.  The important thing is that they showed up, and that is a great place to start.'"  If your worship doesn't center around the preached word and the sacraments, this makes sense.  Click here: Here @ Northland » Blog Archive » Signs and Wanders: Finding God on the Interstate and the Information Superhighway

You gotta love theological liberals.  Now the left-wingers in the Anglican church are arguing that the Bishops and priests should give up their clerical attire because "the cassock and surplice are a form of `power dressing' which reinforce class divisions and prevent the wearer getting the Lord's message across."  Oh, for the days when people called for a ban upon priestly clerical attire because these people are not priests, but ministers.  Click here: Forcing priests to wear robes 'absurd', says theologian - Telegraph

Christians complain about the biased "liberal" news. The fact of the matter is that fewer and fewer Christians still work in the various news organizations, because they are leaving to report "Christian news."  Click here: The Associated Press: Evangelicals are in the news, but not in newsrooms

Comments

[John Yeazel]

Reg,

Now I think we are getting somewhere in these discussions. These are difficult issues to face. You will probably disagree with me but in my opinion it is probably best to keep your Christian beliefs to yourself in your vocations unless someone asks you about them. We need our jobs and our purpose in our vocations is to serve our neighbors with excellence and competence. It probably will take awhile to rise to influential levels of competence in our vocations but that is what we should strive for.

A lot of time politics and power games are played in our vocational settings and it becomes a catch-22 in how to respond and react- especially when their are difficult people to deal with. Unbelievers will know there is something different about you and they will give you a hard time and harass you. But is this not what Christ told us what would happen? We will also fail a lot in how we respond- your humanity and admitting your failure will go a long way in forming trust with those who do not share your beliefs. After a while those who God is working on will start asking you how you do it, etc. Perhaps not and nothing will ever come of all the garbage we had to put up with. Life as a Christian among unbelievers is difficult- look at what happened to Paul. My God, I cannot imagine getting the snot knocked out of me like he did. And on several occasions too. At least we can resort to the law nowadays to protect us. We never are told what became of those who stoned and lashed Paul. I think he was able to handle it because he did it to others when he was a Pharisee himself. God allowed it to happen to him.

The world hates Christianity and true doctrine and will do everything in its power to suppress it. Now Paul was not in a vocational setting when those rose up against him- he was speaking in the public square. Granted none of us are Apostle Paul's either. I hope this was helpful.

Anybody else want to pipe up and give their two cents worth? I may be off base in what I said. I want to hear what others have to say.

[Mike]

I think a genevan gown is sufficient doing two things
Telling the congregation He is not entering the pulpit in his own authority and person, and two that he is a servant and student under the word of God. Genevan gowns are great and avoid the priestly associations with alb, surplice, chausibles,etc

[matty]

There has never been a "Christian" presence in network newsroooms. Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, Chet Huntley, Edward R. Murrow. . .none of these broadcasters were "Christian" in their news delivery. Neither were they conservative. There is no entry in mainstream media for conservative Christians or conservative political views. This has been the case since I was young in the '60's. The conservative viewpoint was always drowned out by the liberal, "progressive" view -- the Christian media began in the late '60's to offer a CONSEVATIVE view.

[Char]

If I recall one of the biggest sticking points for many puritans was that they felt they should not be obligated to wear vestments. Presbyterianism does come out of that and I imagine that is why they don't wear them.