A Mature Christianity

[Viki]

S'Souza, the author of "What's so Great about Christianity" , is on MSNBC talking brilliantly about how most atheists, and naysayers of Christianity, are arguing against the type of Christianity they learned in Sunday School, not the mature type which is infused with reason and, indeed, elevates reason to its natural heights ... I just missed some of it, because I took a moment to talk with my son, who wanted to show me how brilliant he was to have thought to tape his pants when the zipper broke at school (high school, how embarrassing) today .... smile... but it was a true breathe of fresh air.

Tucker, who is pretty conservative, just said he thinks the Jerry Falwell types are lousy spokesfolk for the faith, doing more harm than good...

Wow... cogent conversation ....:)

[patriotsblade]

No kidding. There is nothing more refreshing than the occasional voice of reason.

[Kurtz]

S'Souza, the author of "What's so Great about Christianity" , is on MSNBC talking brilliantly about how most atheists, and naysayers of Christianity, are arguing against the type of Christianity they learned in Sunday School, not the mature type which is infused with reason and, indeed, elevates reason to its natural heights ... I just missed some of it, because I took a moment to talk with my son, who wanted to show me how brilliant he was to have thought to tape his pants when the zipper broke at school (high school, how embarrassing) today .... smile... but it was a true breathe of fresh air.

Tucker, who is pretty conservative, just said he thinks the Jerry Falwell types are lousy spokesfolk for the faith, doing more harm than good...

Wow... cogent conversation ....:)

No kidding. There is nothing more refreshing than the occasional voice of reason.

Yes, I like smart kids! :heart

[Trueblue]

S'Souza, the author of "What's so Great about Christianity" , is on MSNBC talking brilliantly about how most atheists, and naysayers of Christianity, are arguing against the type of Christianity they learned in Sunday School, not the mature type which is infused with reason and, indeed, elevates reason to its natural heights ... I just missed some of it, because I took a moment to talk with my son, who wanted to show me how brilliant he was to have thought to tape his pants when the zipper broke at school (high school, how embarrassing) today .... smile... but it was a true breathe of fresh air.

Tucker, who is pretty conservative, just said he thinks the Jerry Falwell types are lousy spokesfolk for the faith, doing more harm than good...

Wow... cogent conversation ....:)

Sounds very good-many people really don't know anything other than the Falwell type of Christianity. In fact, I've been told that I was not a Christian because I didn't agree with substitutionary atonement theology. By a couple of agnostics who hadn't looked at a Bible for decades. :lol

[Viki]

Sounds very good-many people really don't know anything other than the Falwell type of Christianity. In fact, I've been told that I was not a Christian because I didn't agree with substitutionary atonement theology. By a couple of agnostics who hadn't looked at a Bible for decades. :lol

Ah, exactly!

I grew up independent Baptist, in the South (we thought the Southern Baptist Convention was too LIBERAL!), and the substitutionary theory reigned supreme, with elaborate homiletic efforts to make it sound as if it was the ONLY theory of the Christ event and that it was scriptural (which is, of course, what the entire evangelical hermeneutic attempts to do, failing dismally because it is just one more lens imposed OVER diverse texts).

My personal read of the event is that Jesus, who went up against all the dehumanizing powers and principalities, pretty much guaranteed his death by doing just that. The last straw was when he raised Laz from the dead. Nullifying the ultimate weapon earthly powers can wield was pretty much like throwing down the gauntlet. I'm not saying he wanted to die, I'm saying he was so free in his sense of identity and blessedness that not even the fear of death (which he certainly felt, see the Garden) could control him.

On the other side of death, I read his resurrection to mean that by his actions in life (fighting all the powers that dehumanize us, including the ones we loose upon ourselves) he undeniably proved his unity with all people in all times and in all places, especially those who have never had anyone else so stand beside them, and that in Jesus' resurrection, God says, once and for all, "Look at this guy (my son). This is life. This is courage. This is good."

The bottom line? Because Jesus takes his love for humanity all the way to the grave and God raises him no one can fall further than he has ever descended. He has stood in Hell itself, so if you happen to fall even there, no worries; he'll catch you.

(BTW: To the extent you see strains of this sort of theology in all faith traditions you see the very hand of God - the left one.)

[Trueblue]

My personal read of the event is that Jesus, who went up against all the dehumanizing powers and principalities, pretty much guaranteed his death by doing just that.

I agree-neither Rome nor the Pharisees could handle the message and the threat to authority. Turning over the tables in the temple and blasting the money-lenders hit too close to home for the authorities.

[Izdaari]

That would be this book, What's So Great About Christianity (http://www.amazon.com/Whats-So-Great-About-Christianity/dp/1596985178/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4642928-7932655?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193281509&sr=1-1) by Dinesh D'Souza.

Here's what Michael Shermer, atheist and publisher of Skeptic magazine, says about the book:

"As an unbeliever I passionately disagree with Dinesh D'Souza on some of his positions. But he is a first-rate scholar whom I feel absolutely compelled to read. His thorough research and elegant prose have elevated him into the top ranks of those who champion liberty and individual responsibility. Now he adds Christianity to his formula for a good society, and although non-Christians and non-theists may disagree with some of his arguments, we ignore him at our peril. D'Souza's book takes the debate to a new level. Read it."

Oh yes, I'm going to have to read this one!

[Viki]

That would be this book, What's So Great About Christianity (http://www.amazon.com/Whats-So-Great-About-Christianity/dp/1596985178/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4642928-7932655?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193281509&sr=1-1) by Dinesh D'Souza.

Here's what Michael Shermer, atheist and publisher of Skeptic magazine, says about the book:

"As an unbeliever I passionately disagree with Dinesh D'Souza on some of his positions. But he is a first-rate scholar whom I feel absolutely compelled to read. His thorough research and elegant prose have elevated him into the top ranks of those who champion liberty and individual responsibility. Now he adds Christianity to his formula for a good society, and although non-Christians and non-theists may disagree with some of his arguments, we ignore him at our peril. D'Souza's book takes the debate to a new level. Read it."

Oh yes, I'm going to have to read this one!

Hey, Q, how about we make this homework for everyone on the board, with those reading the book and writing a brief review getting some big points?????????

[Kurtz]

Hey, Q, how about we make this homework for everyone on the board, with those reading the book and writing a brief review getting some big points?????????

:slap

Just kiddin', even I've read D'Souza!

But right now I'm enjoyin' readin' somethin' called The DIS. :lol
Ya know, I got a "trip" comin' up. :yay

:kurtz