Tried With Fire

The expression “chew the meat and spit out the bones” is an interesting one. Christians say this when reading books with questionable theology, meaning “I'll keep what I think is Biblical and ignore the other stuff.”  But what bones are we willing to gnaw around and which ones should we avoid like the plague?  I've been wondering about this for some time and finally have come up with a list (in writing, not just mental) of things I would consider problematic.  You may think I'm going over the top by considering these as potential items in  Christian books. But frankly there's a lot of garbage out there written by professing Christians and sold by Christian booksellers.  Also these aren't necessarily no-brainers as error can be camouflaged very well.   The Shack  contained bones #1-#4, and it still went viral among Christians.   Granted  there as many views on what's kosher as believers, but orthodoxy isn't a matter of consensus.  So...

In honor of Memorial Day, here is a family story from WW II: When my dad was a boy, his family immigrated from southern China to the Philippines. My grandfather was led to preach the gospel and plant a church in Quezon City on Luzon Island.  Shortly afterward, World War II broke out, and the Philippines were ultimately invaded by the Japanese. An airstrip was hidden near their house, and every day my dad and his younger siblings would watch the planes take off in the morning.  They could gauge the state of the war by how many took off and how many returned.  It was a difficult and dangerous time, to say the least. Meanwhile a top Chinese nationalist spy had been sent to the Philippines to gather information for the Allies.  The Japanese knew he was there, so he was a hunted man in daily fear of capture and death.  Somehow he knew about my grandfather.  (But being a spy, he would know these things.) This man was not a Christian, but whenever...

To Him that loved us, ere we lay Concealed within the passive clay; To Him that loved us though we fell, And saved us from the pains of hell! To him that found us dead in sin, And planted holy life within; To Him that taught our feet the way From endless night to endless day; To Him that wrought our righteousness, And sanctified us by His grace; To Him that brought us back to God, Through the red sea of His own blood; To Him that sits upon the throne, The great eternal Three-in-One; To Him let saints and angels raise An everlasting song of praise. Joseph Swain (1761-1796)

'On babies and bathwater: I don’t need to give my respect to men of dubious character or qualification “because they make a valuable contribution to the conversation.” I can throw out their baby with their bathwater because that same baby can be found in cleaner water elsewhere.' From David Kjos, the Thirsty Theologian .  Check out his other  observations regarding truth .  

HT: Twisted Crown of Thorns

I'm thankful for: Fans and air conditioning.  We're supposed to reach 94 today.  With the heat, humidity, and thunderstorms, summer has arrived. Seeing new life among the wildlife.  When I raised the shade this morning, I saw a grackle mom pursued by two fat, fuzzy chicks with their beaks wide open.  Yesterday, we were entertained by a pair of squirrel kits playing near the "watering hole". Books, old and new.  It may take the rest of my life, but I'm looking forward to tackling the Institutes. Christian community.  I'm so thankful that my faith family is family. Ongoing trial.  Smooth sailing can be dangerous, because I am prone to wander and leave the God I love.  So I'm thankful for the choppy waters. It's not the tempest it was a few years ago, but it drives me to cling to what really matters. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

At my other sporadic blog: a little musical satire inspired by last week-end's non-event.