Thought Quotient

I often wonder why our Christian culture gives the impression that only in the past 50 years or so have we really discovered the truth. We all rush out to buy and read the latest books from Max Lucado, Charles Stanley and Philip Yancey as though they have the “newest” truth available. I wonder if maybe we’ve bought a little too much into pop culture’s “new is better” mentality. I know, I know - we’re just trying to be relevant and “in tune” with the culture. That’s all well and good, I’m not criticizing… much. I’m certainly just as guilty.

But let’s remember that the truth of Christianity has been the truth of Christianity for a long time - it wasn’t just “discovered” in the past 50 - or even 100 - years. The book of Ecclesiastes says, “… there is nothing new under the sun…” and that is very true. The observations and ideas put forth by Lucado, Stanley and Yancey - not to be harsh - did not originate with them. Rather they were built on the observations and ideas of years of Christian history - Erasmus, Origen, Augustine, Bunyan, Spurgeon, and countless others…

In light of that, I thought I would pass along a link to a few wonderful sites that might provide you with some good reading material to put you in touch with the foundations of the faith and the foundations of literature… all for FREE!!! If you have a pda… you can even download and take them with you!

Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Hundreds of works by Christian writers (and other historical writers) throughout history: Spurgeon, Bunyan, The Early Church Fathers, even Dostoevsky and Josephus.

Project Gutenberg

Thousands of Classic Books (Hawthorne, Dickens, Dostoevsky, and thousands more) available for free. Support the efforts of Project Gutenberg by volunteering or donating.

“Religious truth is captive in a small number of little manuscripts which guard the common treasures, instead of expanding them. Let us break the seal which binds these holy things; let us give wings to truth that it may fly with the Word, no longer prepared at vast expense, but multitudes everlastingly by a machine which never wearies to every soul which enters life.”
- Johann Gutenberg

See What Other People Accomplished When They Were Your Age.

Gosh. I’m a lousy time steward.

With all the debate about morality and Christianity - and all the discussion I’ve had with believers of different opinion lately - I thought it was worth my time to attempt to address the reasons for so many conflicting views within the same faith.

Christianity and the Great Moral Debate
- Part One -

Introduction

There seems to be a great deal of conflict in the “Christian” community these days over issues such as homosexuality, abortion rights and sexual freedom. One side claims that the Bible does not adequately address such issues. The other side claims that the Bible is abundantly clear on the issue and that there is no room for argument. Of course, there are many who stand somewhere in the middle - not really sure of which side to believe.

The issue is further clouded by the fact that both sides often claim to be “Evangelical” Christians. So, what is the distinguishing factor? How can both sides claim the same God, the same Savior, and the same Bible - yet be diametrically opposed on these fundamental moral issues? This is a valid and fair question and must be addressed, not only for the sake of believers - but for the sake of those observing from outside the Christian culture.

(more…)

Looks like someone has been reading what we’re posting.

If you haven’t checked out Scott’s LIVE PREACHER post, give it a read.

Thanks to franklinfamily.org for their reviews to the ‘unknown blogger’ and the link.

Just got this via email. Thought I’d pass it along.

Switchfoot Sighting -
For those of you who are nocturnally leaning, you will want to tune into
The Late Late Show on CBS tomorrow night to see Switchfoot (Wednesday, Nov. 17, 12:35 a.m. ET/PT)! Guest hosted by D.L. Hughley, Switchfoot will be featured, as well as Vivica A. Fox and Kareem Abdul Jabar.

“Do you have to be pro-life and oppose gay ‘marriage’ to be Christian?”

“How can you be a Christian without a plan to help the poor?”

These are good questions and Chuck Colson is thinking about them in today’s BreakPoint commentary.

Go here to check it out.