Pub Church
Well, it had to happen and now it has. It would seem that American gimmicks-style Christianity has now well and truly reached Australian shores. An Australian Anglican Church in Stroud (with a rich history) has begun to hold services in the local pub ~ not that the building itself is the wrong place to hold church services. However, an argument could be made about the ‘appearance of evil’ I suppose. In this case however, the patrons of the pub (or church) will be able to have their beer while attending church.
All of this is meant to get more people along to church – to get people who wouldn’t normally attend to start coming. It all sounds typical of the ‘church growth movement’ type approach to church doesn’t it? Make sure you give unchurched Sally or whoever it might be, what they want and they will come to church.
Clearly their are many dangers with this type of approach, including the obvious of letting the world infiltrate the church and the church become ‘polluted’ by the world and its practices. Fairly soon you will be unable to differentiate between ‘Christians’ and those at church who are unsaved. No longer are Christians interested (so it seems anyhow) in being ‘apart from the world,’ ‘from being different to the world,’ etc. Now we must appeal to the world in order to be accepted by the world and to increase our numbers – yet the irony of all this is that no matter how many people still of the world begin coming to church or even attach themselves to the church, the church will still be no bigger than it was.
True salvation includes separation from the world and its values, and no attendance of church services without true conversion is worth anything to anyone in the light of what really matters.
Paganism Recognised in Australia
While reading the paper in the last week I came across an article dealing with ‘Paganism’ in Australia. The story was about a 10 year old boy who had to write down on a hospital form that he had no religion because ‘Paganism’ wasn’t a valid choice on the particular form that was being filled out. In short, his father sought a change so that ‘Paganism was recognised as a valid religion (the father was a priest or something in the particular form of ‘Paganism’ he represented) and he had succeeded in doing so. So the article was reporting on how now ‘Paganism’ had become a recognised religion in Australia and how that had come about as a result of this particular case.
Apparently there are some 50 various forms of ‘Paganism’ religions in Australia, with about 3 000 members and all of these groups sit under the loose title of ‘Paganism.’
Of course I recognise freedom of choice in the selection of personal religious viewpoints, yet how sad it is that there are some 3 000 people who are happy to name their religion as ‘Paganism.’ Of course, these groups are not the only groups that Evangelical Christianity recognises as being without hope, as all those outside of a right relationship with Jesus Christ have no hope in the Biblical sense. Still, it is sad that a newspaper in Australia would seem to celebrate such recognition as though it was something really fantastic to be known as a ‘Pagan.’
Roman Catholic Foolishness
I never thought that I would be astonished by Roman Catholic foolishness in Australia, but I was today. Why? Well, icon madness came to these shores over the last few days. A lump of timber and a fairly ugly picture became the center of Roman Catholic idolatry in this neck of the woods today. Actually, it was this huge crucifix thing and a picture of Mary and what was probably supposed to be the baby Jesus.
In one scene on the news, this small boat with this massive cross strapped to the front of it was moved across the lake (Lake Macquarie) to a place where a group of Catholic school kids were waiting for it. It was then passed across the group and later taken to a religious service. There was of course some type of parade in which the cross and picture were the center of focus – they were literally treated as objects of worship. It was completely sickening from a Protestant point of view. In reality, it was just incredibly stupid, that a picture and a lump of timber were treated in such a way as these two items were.
So what was the point – it was like the Olympic flame being spread all over the place in anticipation of the Olympic Games later in that particular year, etc. Well, these icons were being paraded in anticipation of the Pope making his way to Australia for World Youth Day, which I think is next year. I’m sure it will be a big thing when it happens – sadly.
Follow the Christ Convention - JWs
It has been so long since I have been ambushed at my front door by the Jehovah’s Witnesses – in fact, they haven’t been at my place in the entire time I have lived here. I did get them when I lived a couple of suburbs away and then quite regularly. However, this didn’t continue when it became apparent to them that I was a ‘recalcitrant Reformed Baptist.’ They of course tried many tricks to get me to listen to them then, including trying to get a glass of water for the little girl with them – I can only imagine how much water this poor little girl got throughout the round of door knocking that day.
So today they have arrived and departed in quick time – it being really cold out today and blowing quite strongly as well. Anyhow, it was long enough for a leaflet to be pressed into my hand before I knew what had happened ~ and then she was gone.
Anyhow, it was an invite to attend the ‘Follow the Christ!’ Convention in Sydney from the 3-5 August 2007. It promises to have a ‘sound drama’ based on Mark chapters 4 and 5, whatever that is, as well as a ‘full-costume Bible drama’ based on Colossians 3:12 (it would be interesting to see what they would do with that). There will also be a ‘six-part, fast moving symposium’ on the Sermon on the Mount, whatever that means.
I did of course screw the thing up before thinking I could have a look at it and make a Blog entry about it – I am quite content to have as little to do with the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement as possible. Should I have more of an open mind? No, I don’t think so at all – if I had that, it would surely indicate that I wasn’t convinced about my current position (which I am). I have no need to entertain cultic groups and their teaching, not even for a moment.
Some may think that that approach is somewhat arrogant; however, when you are convinced of what God is teaching through His Word, it is both somewhat foolish and arrogant to go against what He has set down. Indeed it would be arrogant rebellion against Him to adopt that or to entertain that which the Lord God has not taught. What He has made plain it is my duty to cling to and hold dear.
This narrow-minded approach is surely the way of the Christian, for there are not many ways but only one way, according to the God of the Bible. It is because of this that we do not pursue a myriad of varying (and oftentimes contradicting) approaches to religion, for the true religion of the Bible knows but one way – God’s. There is no other.
The Hollywood Faithful
An interesting piece appeared in one of our newspapers over the weekend – it dealt with what it termed ‘Tinseltown’s famously faithful.’ It briefly made mention of various celebs and their religious viewpoints, including the likes of John Travolta and Tom Cruise (Scientology), Madonna and Britney Spears (Kabbalah), Mel Gibson (Roman Catholicism) and some others of the Buddhist clan (Richard Gere, etc). It also made mention of those who would call themselves Christians, such as Mandy Moore, Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. Of course, Mel Gibson would claim to be Christian as well – being Roman Catholic.
The article has an interesting take on faithfulness, measuring faithfulness merely in the terms of being in some way associated with a religion. There are those in the list who are certainly passionate followers of their religious views, such as Mel Gibson who went out of his way to film ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ and Tom Cruise and John Travolta who seem to be on some form of scientology crusade. No-one can deny Richard Gere’s commitment to Buddhism, being a very outspoken advocate of both the Dalai Lama and Tibet. Cat Stevens is so taken with Islam that he now calls himself Yusuf Islam, having abandoned his music career in order to pursue the Islamic Faith.
But then of course there are those like Brittany Spears, Jessica Simpson and of late, Paris Hilton. These celebs claim to be true followers of God, yet their lives are anything but truly representative of the Bible’s take on faithfulness and Christianity. Of course, there are many who are in no way perfect (including myself), with their lives falling far short of the Bible’s call to holiness of life, etc. Thank God for salvation in Christ or none would be saved.
Though not the entire essence of true Christianity, faithfulness does include the desire and commitment to holiness of life, and a walking after the ways of God as outlined in the Bible. This sadly was not even part of the article’s take on faithfulness and sadly it would seem no part of the faithfulness adopted by many of those in the article that would claim to be Christians. Certainly it is early days in the ‘new life’ of Paris Hilton post jail and her prison-found faith. Wouldn’t it be great if her example proved to be different and proved to be the genuine thing – may it be so.
Though not all would agree with everything about our (Australia’s) own Guy Sebastian, there does appear to be something that is genuine about him and for that I am very thankful and glad. There does appear to be something real about him. Having said that though, he is involved with the Roman Catholic World Youth Day next year from what I understand ~ which is certainly a concern.
Our world has lost a true understanding of what real Christianity is and the very public devotees of Christianity, who fail to come close to what it is, only give the world more ammunition to poor scorn on Christians and the church of God. It remains for those that are truly united to Christ by faith to live lives worthy of their calling and to thereby show the world what true faithfulness is all about. Only then will those who continue to heap scorn upon Christianity have a reason to consider the claims of Christianity – not that they are without excuse, as the Bible clearly shows.
Hot & Bothered - Cold & Shivering
I came home from work early today – just after 9.00 a.m. actually. Why? Because I’m not too well just at the minute. I’ve had a flu shot earlier in the year, so I’m hoping it is just a cold. Having said that though, my back is really sore ~ one minute I’m hot and bothered ~ the next I’m cold and shivering. I also have a really sore throat and runny snoz ... Sounds like a flu-like thing doesn’t it? 
So I’m trying to keep rugged up and trying not to get too sick – if that is possible. The problem is, if I do get really sick it may cause me to relapse into the illness I’m forever suffering from – just as I’ve got over it. So that’s the real worry I guess. Still, no use going there in my mind when I’m not there in body – makes sense to me.
Communing Saints - Nothing like Real Fellowship
I had a great time today following church ~ well; it was a little while after church for that matter. ‘What happened?’ I hear you ask. Well, thank you for asking. I simply went for a meal with some friends and their young daughter and just chatted together while having lunch. Nothing too extraordinary I suppose – to most people.
However, there is nothing like the communion of saints, that is, there is nothing like real fellowship between believers. There are many things that happen in this world, many things that bring pleasure and so on ~ yet, in my opinion, there is very little that comes close to the blessedness of fellowship together as Christian brethren, especially when it is real and full of meaning.
Some of the times that have meant the most to me, living the Kingdom life in a fallen world, have been those times when I have shared precious moments with other Christians, be it times we have shared in prayer, Bible study or just plain talking together about various spiritual issues and concerns. Some of these times have the best times I have ever had in anything that I have ever done on planet Earth.
I think this especial times are a foretaste of what life will be like when we live the Kingdom life in a glorified world ~ only they will always be especial times, times of great blessedness and preciousness. The times that we thought were especial, blessed and precious whilst living as pilgrims in this world, will be as nothing when we live as citizens in that better country ~ for we are already citizens of that country of course, we are just awaiting the glorification of our bodies and the full redemption that will then come.
A Current Affair - Hypocrites
Here in Australia we have a TV show known as 'The Chaser's War on Everything.' It is a satirical look at events from an Australian perspective. It can often be quite crude and more than a little bit silly. Still, it is certainly an 'Australian' type show.
In a recent episode, one of the boys followed a mobile advertising bill board on the back of a truck while in their own truck having a go at mobile advertising bill boards. In this 'skit' they followed the mobile billboard around Sydney.
A couple of days later another Australian show on a rival network, 'A Current Affair,' took a pot shot at 'The Chaser's War on Everything' for dangerous driving, stalking, harassing the drivers, etc.
Now interestingly, 'A Current Affair' has just run a story on council members on a junket, spending tax payers money to have a junket. In doing the story, the reporter for the show followed council members around for several days, including some while they were driving - now call be a few sandwiches short of a picnic if you like, but isn't that the same thing that they had a go at 'The Chaser's War on Everything?' Isn't this known as hypocrisy?
Maybe this particular TV network is jealous of 'The Chaser's War on Everything' because their own show, 'The Nation,' is so very, very lame and is failing? Could this be the reason - they have tried to cash in on 'The Chaser's War on Everything' and their success, by doing a bit of 'similar' comedy and satire - sadly for them the show stinks and is really quite useless.
Perhaps 'A Current Affair' should just concentrate on its own poor performance and return to real news and current affairs, rather than reporting on stories like women who buy three shoes a week, men who wear hats, etc... OK, not quite that useless, but not far off it.