Friday, May 29, 2009

Christian Persecution?

You probably saw the reports about a San Diego County official declaring a Bible Study was illegal...it made the national news. It sounded fishy to me, especially with the supposed evidence to support it. It turns out that it was really about a dinged neighbors car....which the bible study paid for even though they didn't have anything to do with it. There may come a day when America is totally anit-christian, but thank God, that day is not here yet. I am a little amazed how many people get sucked into some of these obvious bogus reports. It is like some of the crazy comments I hear about The Shack from people who have not read it. I have gone back 300 years researching some of the foundational Christian writers like William Law, (1750's) and Andrew Murray (late 1800's) and I believe they would have absolutely loved the personal fellowship with the trinity that Mack enjoyed. Law would have loved the Festival of Lights. He writes a lot about the Sea of Glass surrounding the throne of God. Be careful of the things that don't sound quite right...they probably are not. the sahck study guide

4 comments:

Doni Brinkman said...

Heidi and I both agree that the dinged car still does not explain the inappropriate questions though - if that part was even the truth. I am getting to where I never assume the media has the facts though. I have been victim to several misquotes myself so I definitely don't take their word for it.

Ray and Janell said...

Preach it Preacher! I, too, am amazed (almost daily) by how many Christians are willing (perhaps even eager!) to jump to conclusions about what they hear in the media -- and then pass on what they've heard as fact without any research of their own. The SD Bible Study situation which you've addressed came across my e-mail this week, too. It's been spun to be proof of the beginning of the end of all Christian freedoms by a widely recognized evangelical who is considered by some as a trusted authority. It is disappointing to watch those in the church leave discernment and careful, disciplined research to those in the media. Will persecution come? Yes. Is it here in full force? Not yet. Maybe, if the church was a more vibrant light and a more savory salt we'd already be in full blown persecution. Instead, I fear we have lost much of out saltiness and most of our light. And in turn, the world sees us as unworthy of the effort it would take to silence us. After all, why worry about an already neutralized adversary. Thoughts Don?

Doni Brinkman said...

Ditto what Ray said. :)

heidi jo said...

i certainly won't give the media credit for fair and truthful reporting of all facts. :) but on this particular story i've not found anything to refute the letter that was sent to me from a Christian organization that was concerned about the matter. now, FINALLY, snopes has made a report on the matter. :) it does appear from their report (and several others i've read) that there was in fact an issue about the permit for the Bible study on top of the dinged car (that was just a starting point it sounds like). however, it appears now that the county is doing their best to do the right thing in protecting the freedoms of the people meeting at that house. see more here:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/biblestudy.asp