STUDY BOOK REVIEW - "NOT MY JESUS: RECLAIMING THE TRUTH, REJECTING THE IDOLS" BY SHANE PRUITT

 

The Community Group I'm in (think adult men's Sunday School class) has spent the last 16 weeks going through "Not My Jesus: Reclaiming the Truth, Rejecting the Idols". Yes, this is an 8 week study, but our class tends to take our time going deep into the material each week. Author Shane Pruitt introduces the student to 8 Pseudo-Christs:

1. The Moldable Jesus: a regular human being like us, not Divine, but being molded as we are by circumstances and the like.
2. The Personal Genie Jesus: Quick to grant us our needs and wants, focusing on our will, not His.
3. The Non-Judgmental Jesus: Ready to say, "Neither do I condemn you" but doesn't add "Go and Sin no more."
4. The Participation Trophy Jesus: Accepting everybody into heaven, without us needing to do anything but be alive.
5. The Distant Jesus: A Christ who doesn't pay much attention to our day by day lives.
6. The Comfortable Jesus: A deity who doesn't expect us to get out of our comfort zone or challenge us.
7. The Boring Jesus: A faith that doesn't have much excitement, not as appealing as the world to the believer.
8. The National Jesus: A Savior who's more interested in the U.S. of A. but not so much everybody else.

This book starts with an introduction to the author, how to use the study and Bible study tips and resources, and why we can trust the Bible.Each chapter a group session guide and three personal studies. On the final page of the study book, there's a code which allows you to view a 10-15 minute video with the author explaining the lesson. 

I found this an interesting study, and the videos enjoyable. I've had studies before from Lifeway which has personal studies, and I'm never sure if they're supposed to be comvered before the video and class or afterwards - I do the former. 

I recommend this for personal study and more so for studying this as a group as I did, and as this book is designed to.

WHAT IF WE HAD A SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AND NOBODY CAME?

American Flag displayed at Howard County Vietnam Veteran's Grounds, Greentown, IN

One of my favorite memories was sitting in the living room in '75 and '76, watching CBS and especially being interested in the short segment "200 Years Ago Today..." Just as impactful was seeing a sign on a door of a business in beautiful downtown Cottonwood, AZ during that time, which read "200 Years ago today, on this very spot, not a thing happened."

A few years later, I saw a news special on New Year's Eve, 1979 looking at the decade of the 70's, and covering three events that defined that decade. Those were, I believe, the covert war in Laos (I could be wrong about this one), the resignation of President Nixon, and the celebration of the Bicentennial.

Fast forward half a century. I'm still around. But do I see the same attention given that they did 50 years earlier? Do I see "250 Years Ago Today" on TV? No. Thought that might be because I don't watch TV. Neither do I see signs letting you know that nothing happened on that spot 250 years ago.

I'll admit that I don't feel the same jubilation because I'm not where I see it promoted. Nothing got me excited about it. That fact depresses me: I do want to be celebrant of the mile stone (I've heard some state that in 200 years after becoming free, a nation returns to slavery; I don't remember who said this, but I'm glad that hasn't happened at present time.) 

Let me bring up a question, though. Is it possible that many have been deceived into believing our country existing isn't necessarily a good thing? Could it be the unsettledness due to the division in the country that makes the possibility of civil war exists, one where a person will unfriend you because you vote for the wrong candidate, or where someone is considered not having anything worth saying if they they call those who aren't legal residents of this country illegal and who think law enforcement officials should enforce the law? Could it be that we've been bullied and are afraid to speak out and think that our race or religious convictions or gender or gender identity disqualifies us from expressing our views? Could it be that we're afraid we'll be called Christian nationalists if we hold to conservative views?

Is our nation perfect? Uh, the nation is made up of people - are any of our citizens perfect? We have errors. Yes, I see Christian Nationalism (as opposed to Christian Patriotism) as a problem. But it's not the only problem - Progressive Christianity is one I fear just as much.

Lifeway Research has put out a couple of polls recently for U.S. Protestant pastors, with slightly different angles. The first question was if it was important to incorporate patriotic elements into worship services on the 4th of July weekend. The second  was whether their church should do something special to commemorate our country's 250th birthday on July 4th, 2026. Yes, both are similar, but the first talks about patriotic elements and the second sees it more something special to point out the milestone. 

Results?

1st Poll - Should the Church incorporate patriotic elements into worship?

• Total Agree             45%
• Strongly Agree       16%
• Total Disagree        53%
• Strongly Disagree   29%
• Not Sure                  2%

2nd Poll - Should the Church commemmorate the nation's 250th Birthday?

• Total Agree              50% 
• Strongly Agree         16%
• Total Disagree          47%
• Strongly Disagree     19%
• Not Sure                    3%

One item that did make me smile. Google is our platform, and for a week or two the Google home page had a soccer themed artwork on their logo. The 3rd and 4th of July? They had a patriotic theme. I'm grateful for that. The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site was open, but I don't know if they had anything special. Also, the Indianapolis Zoo had a special today, with admission for $17.76. I wonder what the animals did to commemorate the event.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the 250th anniversary  and its celebration. Is it like having a Semiquincential party and nobody came?

NOTE - Question in title and in concluding sentence inspired by my friend Robert Roberg titled "What if They Had a War and Nobody Came?

CURIOUS WHAT MY FAVORITE PODCASTS ARE?

 

Emblem for Google Podcasts Manager, unfortunately no longer available.

A while back, I asked if I should start a Pod Cast. Obviously (I'm guessing), I haven't. But what Podcasts do I listen to? Which would I be interested in that I can't get on my server? What is a draw for me to get interested in a Podcast?

I could build up a lot of suspense and make you read through a lot of stuff, but I'll start with the first one, and tell you what I do listen to, in alphabetic order.

1. Bible Study For Adults. This podcast is designed for leaders and students who are using this topical approach from Lifeway Publishers (Southern Baptist Convention). Each quarter is divided into two parts. The first part of this quarter was "Thrive: Living On Purpose, and they just started "Navigating Family Conflict."

2. Explore The Bible. This has a lot in common with the above, basically because like "Bible Study for Adults," it is from Lifeway Publishers. The difference between the two is that this one goes through books. For example, as I write this they're in their second quarter on the book of Acts, with the previous quarter doing the first 12 chapters, and the remaining 16 this quarter.

3. The Gospel Project. How many of these podcasts are connected to Lifeway? Only three, but putting them in alphabetic order has Lifeway's three curriculums at the top. The Gospel Project is similar to Explore The Bible, except it goes through the Bible through the course of three years. This quarter, they just got started in Genesis. There is a difference between this Podcast and the others: This one is aimed solely at teachers. It has one hostess instead of two or three people talking about the lesson. It tends to be shorter as well.

4. Lithoscry (aka Ravens Cry). Hosted by Glenn Remsen. Those who have followed my blog will recognize that name. I interviewed Glenn earlier this year. (Click here to see the interview) Most of the interviewees are Christian rock and metal bands, though there are others as well, such as Richard Blackaby from Experiencing God and "The Chosen" creator Dallas Jenkins. 

5. Reconstructing Faith. Back to Southern Baptists! Trevin Wax from the North American Mission Board hosts this two semester (at this point) series about how to strengthen the church. This one is more like a news series, with various interviewees, soundbites, etc. 

6. The Reformed Libertarian Podcast. This is put out by the Libertarian Christian Institute (who also have their own podcast), and is hosted by Kerry Baldwin and Gregory Baus. I find it interesting combining Reformed Theology with Libertarian Political Philosophy. One note - both hosts are Anarchists, believing we would be better off without government. Still don't buy it, but still listen.

7. Thru The Bible With Dr. J. Vernon McGee. This is one I listen to on the website rather than a podcast channel, and I'm basically keeping up with the current radio broadcasts. Dr. McGee goes through the Bible every 5 years, alternating between Old and New Testaments. For example, he just finished Titus and Philemon and started on Daniel. Dr. McGee is no longer with us, but the program has been going on, not just here in the U.S. but around the world.

8. Unshaken Faith. This is hosted by Alisa Childers and Natasha Crain. Both have their own Podcasts. I enjoy them working together, dealing with Christian Worldview and modern society. The past few weeks, they've been dealing with the After Party and its shortcomings. 

What other podcasts am I interested? Well, when I get caught up with some of these, I'll add Child Evangelism's Fellowship One:Seven to the rotation. I have interest in the podcasts by Alisa Childers, Allie Beth Stuckey, Natasha Crain, Russell Moore, Will Cain, Libertarian Christian Institute, and The Catch with John Fisher. Plus, my friend Eddie Kross has one coming out tomorrow!

However, one drawback. I subscribed to Podcasts on Google Podcasts. Google Podcasts decided to stop operating, and transferred my podcasts to YouTube. They stay on my list, but should I search for one that wasn't already on my roster - e.g. Natasha Crain - or if I cancel one to time and then decide to resubscribe - e.g. The Catch with John Fisher - I find I'm unable to get them on YouTube. 😢 So I'm debating changing to Spotify or Apple (let me know if you have any suggestions). By the way, I listen to them on my phone at work. 

What interests me? Well, it helps if I'm familiar and have a positive opinion of them. True, it will help to hear divergent views, but not while I'm working!  One major thing is the length of time. Raven's Heart and Reconstructing Faith are hour long, but I prefer half an hour or less, The Lifeway curriculum podcasts, Thru the Bible, and Unshaken Faith consistently hit that time constraint, and Reformed Libertarian varies but often is that short.

I rarely get comments, but does anybody following this have any favorites?

THE 2024 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS: MY EXPERIENCE AND THOUGHTS

Main floor of Southern Baptist Convention at Indianapolis Convention Center

You may have been aware that the Southern Baptist Convention this year occurred here in Indianapolis. As usual, the first two days (Sunday and Monday) were the Pastor's conference, while the business of the convention took place the final two days (Tuesday and Wednesday).

You also may be aware that Becky and I are members of a Southern Baptist Church - Northside Baptist Church here in Indianapolis. Neither Becky nor I grew up SBC, but since '93, we've been members of 3 Southern Baptist churches for 26 of those 31 years: Stonebrook Baptist Church (Nolensville, Tennessee), Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, and Northside Baptist Church (both in Indy). 

I'll also state that this wasn't the first Convention I attended. In '08, when the convention was also in Indianapolis, I volunteered to help welcome the Women's Missionary Union (WMU) meeting, and was able to go through the wonderful exhibit hall. A year later, Becky and I went to a chaplaincy lunch in Louisville, and, of course, went to the exhibit hall. (We sat in on a live taping of Southern Seminary President Al Mohler's radio program, with his guest Russell Moore.)

Back to the present... uh, recent past. Our church was asked to  provide volunteers for the convention, and planned on sending several for the Tuesday, June 11th session. There were three shifts that day, and Pastor Jared Barham scheduled the volunteers who wanted to stay all day for two, so they could spend the third at the convention meeting and/or the exhibit hall. So I took that day off so I could participate.

Shortly before the conference started, though, the prayer committee was asked to send a couple to be greeters for the prayer room on Sunday evening, so Becky and I went downtown and served there. Interestingly enough, the prayer room was located next to the volunteer headquarters. 

Tuesday, we got in a van at Northside at 6:45am That sounds early - I'm usually awake at that time, but I also picked up my blind friend and fellow church member Brandon Marcum. (Easier than finding and paying for downtown parking spaces.) Brandon and I were free the morning session, and then greeted during the afternoon and evening sessions, helping direct people who had any questions. 

I got to enjoy the worship at the beginning. One of the selections blended the Gettys' song "Come, People of the Risen King" with the classic Wesley hymn "Rejoice, the Lord Is King." During that time, I looked at the schedule, and suggested to Brandon that we start in the exhibit hall and come back for the commissioning of International Mission Board missions. About the time for that segment, we decided to stay in the exhibit hall or go to the auditorium. We both agreed to stay.

There were a lot of great exhibits there. The majority were connected with Southern Baptists - booths for the seminaries and Bible colleges (including other schools that weren't officially SBC), Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the International and North America Mission Boards, Send Relief (which does some disaster relief, but also works with refugees), and smaller booths for various ethnic ministries in the states (e.g. Chinese, Hatian, Messianic Jews). 

A large space was occupied by Lifeway Ministries, which is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptists, including Sunday School and Vacation Bible School material as well as non-fiction books. I'm not complaining - they also had free coffee! More importantly, Brandon was able to talk with G. Duane McCrary, Jr., Manager of Adult Ongoing Bible Studies about ways to make resources  more accessible for the blind.

Schools weren't the only ones that had booths not directly connected to the SCB. Child Evangelism also had a booth, promoting their internet ministry to children. There also was a booth for Musical Evangelist Bruce Sechrest. One interesting booth was by a ministry called Faith Assistant, which had a sign reading, "Try our Christian Artificial Intelligence." How's that for stirring the pot? I heard a podcast where a Christian group used AI for a video, and came to the conclusion that like all technology, it can be used for God's glory but we must be careful. On the other hand, another has come to the conclusion there is nothing redeemable about it (Becky agrees). I don't know enough to weigh in, except to remember there was a Canaanite city named Ai.

While I would have enjoyed the morning session and seeing missionaries commissioned, I was blessed by my time in the exhibit hall. However, I didn't get to see any of the controversy that the latter sessions dealt with. 

Three years ago, I was following the contested election for SBC President, which had four candidates. There were more this year, but I didn't really consider any of the candidates. I did have the honor of being in a FB group with out-going President Bart Barber.

I'll admit I'm looking forward to the next conference I can attend.

LET'S SEE - SHOULD I MENTION SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY IN MY BLOG?

 I remember a few years back saying that we should make as big a thing about Sanctity of Life Sunday as we do about Earth Day.

But do I make as big a thing about Sanctity of Life Sunday as I do about Earth Day? Which, by the way, is absolutely nothing?

I noticed the lesson title for the January 16, 2021 in the Lifeway Sunday School quarterly "God values all human life." I also figured out that it fell on Sanctity of Life Sunday. And I decided I needed to write a blog for Sanctity of Life Sunday as I do for Reformation Day, All Saints Day, Pentecost, and other important days.

That decision was made January 15, 2021 (aka today).

I had just finished a series on Church Fathers and had a book review scheduled for today: Voice of a Prophet by A.W. Tozer. (It will be reviewed next week.) I had no thought about writing a blog  on Sanctity of Life Sunday prior to today.

No, this day was not really on my radar. But should it be? Rather, should I not realize every day is Sanctity of Life Day? Why focus more on it on one day than not give it equal attention every day?

Well, one reason is too often if we don't give something special attention on one particular day, we're tempted to give much focus on it the rest of the time.

There are some who say that the pro-life movement is too focused on the unborn and not the born. We want to outlaw abortion while we say nothing against racism or domestic violence or human trafficking, while we are silent about refugees. I agree completely with them. Of course, some of those critics are really saying we shouldn't be focused at all on the unborn, and of course they're wrong. 

As Christians, we need to realize that mankind is created in the image of God. Likewise, we need to not only see that of mankind as a whole but of each and every individual in that whole. 

How should we live in that light? Let me give some suggestions.

• We can smile and greet others, and thank them when they do something.
• We can be faithful to the Great Commission. 
• We can stand up for others when we see them bullied, oppressed, insulted or otherwise mistreated.
• We can listen to those we disagree with and treat them with respect as we want to be treated.
• We can make it clear that every human life, including the unborn, is valuable and protect them.  
• We can also speak out loud and strong against any sin that minimizes the life of others.

In closing: I usually am not one to protest. I oppose abortion, but I think more effort should be put in supporting abortion alternatives. In Eric Shansberg's excellent book Turn Neither To The Right Nor To The Left, he mentions that a lady who set up a table in front of an abortion clinic with balloons and a list of people who are looking to adopt. I loved that story.