Need I really begin by explaining what "Kony 2012" is? Even if you live under a dang rock, I'm sure someone's mentioned it while passing by your stone abode. Simply by reading this post and, thus, being present on the internet, you guarantee that you're familiar with this video. If not, though, here's the link. In short, there's an evil man in Africa named Kony that kidnaps kids to make them soldiers, and a nonprofit named Invisible Children is trying to bring him down.
The video about this went viral overnight half a week ago, spurring all sorts of celebrity endorsements, Twitter trends, and outspoken critics. Specifically, this guy created a blog to critique the organization and movement, and Invisible Children responded.
I've personally heard just about ever possible response to this campaign, from fervent support to distrust to apathy, both in person and online, and the response brought to mind two concepts that I feel are criminally underutilized, especially within Christianity. I'll talk about the first (discernment) now and the other (personal convictions and calling) in my next post.
I was shocked by the lack of discernment so many supporters showed. Don't misunderstand me: This is a worthy cause to support, and I think Invisible Children is a worthy avenue to use. What I can't wrap my mind around is how people could justify donating money and planning demonstrations after watching just one half hour YouTube documentary.
What if Invisible Children had been a shady organization that just abused this cause for celebrity status, steady income, and effective grassroots marketing? It's not, but the above critique shows how possible that is. Personal experience does, too: I've seen people at my church who care little about kids jump on mission trips and conferences because they're superficially noble ways to go on vacation. Also, I don't want to paint an exaggerated picture of pastors because my brother's one, but there are some out there that are in it for the status and bling.
Furthermore, the content itself could have been dangerous propaganda. If the military funding allegations had been true, donating to Invisible Children would have been promoting the very atrocities it claimed to be fighting! This certainly wouldn't have been the first time something like this had happened.
Emotions are a dangerous thing. They can make someone react to a nonissue, overreact to a true issue, or react with a plan that will just make matters worse. Modern technology is awesome because it allows us as Christians, as citizens, etc., and also humanity as a whole to join together for meaningful causes, but it's scary because any well-meaning goof ball's lame video, or any pile of lies and crap, go viral.
Technology lets information travel faster than we as stupid people can effectively digest it. I pray that we can learn how to discern what's important, what's acceptable, and what's garbage before we support something dangerous or go into an apathetic backlash.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Western PA Protestant Reflects on Lent
I've never participated in Lent before. As someone who was raised Protestant (the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, to be exact) and still practices Protestantism, I've simply never even considered it an option. The whole ordeal seemed silly to me.
After all, Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law and free us from those shackles into the freedom of Holy-Spirit-filled living. Why the heck would I then punish myself by arbitrarily abstaining from a non-sinful something I enjoy for 40 days straight? I could view it as a specialized type of fasting, but then it just becomes the Christian version of St. Valentine's Day: A mandatory expression of affection done not to impress but to avoid being a terrible person. Seems pretty legalistic (and lame) to me.
This year, however, on the night before Ash Wednesday, I decided on a whim to celebrate this year's Lent. Inspired by Blood Water Mission's 40 Days of Water, I've opted to give up non-water beverages for these 40 days.
Truth be told, the breaking point was the fact that I'm participating in my church's college ministry Biggest Loser competition, and I've been lazy as heck; I'm killing two bird with one stone! Half a week into this, though, I've come into a better appreciation of the real purpose of Lent.
See, my above complaints about Lent are all birthed out of a terrible attitude. My past thoughts and attitudes on the subject have been entirely based on the obligation of it. After all, yes, God loves a cheerful giver, but that means whenever I give without cheer, it's the cheer that's wrong, not the giving.
Too often the Church universal (which, yes, includes me; yes, I even pick on myself in this blog!) asks what must be done instead of what can be done. For example, I can say, "Screw this! The box of peanut butter Girl Scout cookies looks too good, and they won't taste as good with water as they will with 2% milk! Who said milk was sinful? What happened to the 'Land of MILK and Honey'?" Being able to has no bearing on if it's the most useful decision, though.
I'm undisciplined as heck. Participating in Lent is teaching me self-control. This training can translate into less procrastination in my final semesters of school, not to mention more determination to avoid future lifestyles that could be the death of me. This isn't even considering how this could echo into eternity.
Do I need to participate in Lent? Certainly not! But, it's just a choice between water and 2% milk. If I can't be faithful in this, then seriously, I suck.
After all, Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law and free us from those shackles into the freedom of Holy-Spirit-filled living. Why the heck would I then punish myself by arbitrarily abstaining from a non-sinful something I enjoy for 40 days straight? I could view it as a specialized type of fasting, but then it just becomes the Christian version of St. Valentine's Day: A mandatory expression of affection done not to impress but to avoid being a terrible person. Seems pretty legalistic (and lame) to me.
This year, however, on the night before Ash Wednesday, I decided on a whim to celebrate this year's Lent. Inspired by Blood Water Mission's 40 Days of Water, I've opted to give up non-water beverages for these 40 days.
Truth be told, the breaking point was the fact that I'm participating in my church's college ministry Biggest Loser competition, and I've been lazy as heck; I'm killing two bird with one stone! Half a week into this, though, I've come into a better appreciation of the real purpose of Lent.
See, my above complaints about Lent are all birthed out of a terrible attitude. My past thoughts and attitudes on the subject have been entirely based on the obligation of it. After all, yes, God loves a cheerful giver, but that means whenever I give without cheer, it's the cheer that's wrong, not the giving.
Too often the Church universal (which, yes, includes me; yes, I even pick on myself in this blog!) asks what must be done instead of what can be done. For example, I can say, "Screw this! The box of peanut butter Girl Scout cookies looks too good, and they won't taste as good with water as they will with 2% milk! Who said milk was sinful? What happened to the 'Land of MILK and Honey'?" Being able to has no bearing on if it's the most useful decision, though.
I'm undisciplined as heck. Participating in Lent is teaching me self-control. This training can translate into less procrastination in my final semesters of school, not to mention more determination to avoid future lifestyles that could be the death of me. This isn't even considering how this could echo into eternity.
Do I need to participate in Lent? Certainly not! But, it's just a choice between water and 2% milk. If I can't be faithful in this, then seriously, I suck.
Monday, February 20, 2012
American Christian Persecution?
The American political kingdom has been in a tizzy as of late over contraception, Planned Parenthood, and all other phrases related to female unmentionables. The debate itself is certainly important, but it's too complicated and personal for me to throw my two cents in. What I do want to comment on is the debate within the debate: Are Christians persecuted in America?
The amusing (but also infuriating) thing about this debate is that its answer isn't particularly interesting. No, what's interesting is that this is even a debate. As this writer points out:
"They claimed Christians were being persecuted for their beliefs. This idea is ridiculous. Persecution is the government of Sudan bombing a Christian school full of children; persecution is the murder of a Christian pastor in Pakistan. Asking an employer to pay for contraceptive services for their female employees is not persecution."
Now, as I said in my first paragraph, I'm not taking a side on any specific controversy. Enough voices are yelling loud enough already, and I currently have nothing new to add.
What I'm saying is, regardless of how many liberties are granted by the American government that may or may not be banned in Scripture, these liberties are not by any stretch of the imagination comparable to the persecution the early Church felt under Nero, when Christians were literally used as torches to light roads at night.
Not that being fed to lions is the only form of persecution around. If the government were requiring pastors to tailor their doctrine and practices after popular secular opinion, I'd understand. However, removing two words from the Pledge of Allegiance that weren't even originally there doesn't fit the bill. Neither does gay marriage ruin marriage for the rest of us.
Even if these issues (and non-issues) qualified as persecution, though, I recall Jesus Christ telling His followers that the same people who hated Him will hate us, too. This same chapter also says He came to bring a sword between brothers, not peace on earth. So, why do some Christians get so angry about this perceived persecution? Doesn't it kind of come with the territory? Yes, it does.
For my fellow believers out there reading this, the next time you feel oppressed, you have two options: (1) realize it's not actually a big deal and move on, or (2) celebrate carrying our Savior's cross and move on. Either way, quit whining.
The amusing (but also infuriating) thing about this debate is that its answer isn't particularly interesting. No, what's interesting is that this is even a debate. As this writer points out:
"They claimed Christians were being persecuted for their beliefs. This idea is ridiculous. Persecution is the government of Sudan bombing a Christian school full of children; persecution is the murder of a Christian pastor in Pakistan. Asking an employer to pay for contraceptive services for their female employees is not persecution."
Now, as I said in my first paragraph, I'm not taking a side on any specific controversy. Enough voices are yelling loud enough already, and I currently have nothing new to add.
What I'm saying is, regardless of how many liberties are granted by the American government that may or may not be banned in Scripture, these liberties are not by any stretch of the imagination comparable to the persecution the early Church felt under Nero, when Christians were literally used as torches to light roads at night.
Not that being fed to lions is the only form of persecution around. If the government were requiring pastors to tailor their doctrine and practices after popular secular opinion, I'd understand. However, removing two words from the Pledge of Allegiance that weren't even originally there doesn't fit the bill. Neither does gay marriage ruin marriage for the rest of us.
Even if these issues (and non-issues) qualified as persecution, though, I recall Jesus Christ telling His followers that the same people who hated Him will hate us, too. This same chapter also says He came to bring a sword between brothers, not peace on earth. So, why do some Christians get so angry about this perceived persecution? Doesn't it kind of come with the territory? Yes, it does.
For my fellow believers out there reading this, the next time you feel oppressed, you have two options: (1) realize it's not actually a big deal and move on, or (2) celebrate carrying our Savior's cross and move on. Either way, quit whining.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Christians, Music, and Christian Music
In the days leading up to tonight's Grammy Awards ceremony, indie music darling Justin Vernon announced that his band, Bon Iver, would not be playing the ceremony. The awards show asked them to do one of those collaborations that often happen these nights, but being asked to play a song that isn't theirs (even if it may have been The Beach Boys') isn't "rock 'n' roll" or about the music, so he declined.
Following this train of thought, Justin must loathe the Christian music industry.
When news of Whitney Houston's passing exploded onto Twitter, Christianity Today responded with a tweet about their 2009 article on her album I Look to You. Was this article a celebration of her talent and career? Not quite. The piece touched on that, but the primary focus was on her spiritual familial background, her cocaine addiction, her "rapper/bad boy" husband, and her still dancing around her faith in (then) recent interviews. The author ultimately found it in his heart to write in a positive tone, but every compliment came across as stingingly backhanded.
This was far from a unique occurrence for the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) niche. When popular faith-based music site Jesus Freak Hideout reviewed The Fray's self-titled album a few years ago, they found no complaints apart from the short length and the word "damn" in one song, but that was enough to drop the album to a 3.5/5. More recently, they refused to even touch on hip hop group High Society Collective's sound, hastily throwing out a 2/5 because the subject matter was bold, political, and not theologically rich enough. Strangely enough, even the Jonas Brothers were reviewed and critiqued in this light.
Don't get me wrong, readers. I'm an avid fan of much of what CCM has brought us over the years. Heck, my favorite band and the group that defined how I'd listen to music is the 90s Christian pop group the above site got its name from. Also, even for the material I don't dig, I understand the context: A market targeted towards church youth groups across America naturally won't appreciate some of the content certain artists choose to use.
Even so, this market is quite the bizarre spectacle. The dancing around what even defines who is and isn't in a "Christian band" is confusing enough on its own, even without taking the politics and marketing ploys out of the picture. The whole CCM industry is built upon a sandy foundation. It's no wonder that so much popular Christian music tends to feel contrived and stagnant: With everyone trying to appease the industry's executives and back-pew drivers, how does anyone find time to be creative with what the Lord has given him/her?
Justin Vernon, I don't agree with your attitude towards the Grammys, but if you ever decided to diss the Doves, I'll have your back in a second.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Introductions
I've never watched the birth of a highly successful blog, so I'm not sure how these things get started.
Do internet writers typically open with introductory posts explicitly stating their mission statements, or do they hit the group running with their banal nonsense? Should I tell you what I'm doing, or is that lame?
Well, screw it. I'm going to introduce myself.
My name is Tim, and I'm a journalism major and Sunday School teacher. As of right now, I am also the creator, owner, and sole contributor to a spectacular faith-based blog entitled "Christianity Yesterday and Forever."
I'm sorry that the title is so verbose, but it's a very intentional and meaningful title. Truth be told, my first choice was "Christianity Today," but that's sort of taken already. According to Hebrews 13:8, though, Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so "Yesterday and Forever" is totally synonymous with "Today," right? It's all the same in Jesus' time.
(Sadly, it's not all the same in my professors' time, so my grades suffer from my chronic lateness. That's fine, though. Why fear he who can fail me but cannot throw my body and soul into the Lake of Fire? Right...?)
I'm referencing "Christianity Today" because that's essentially what I'm talking about: Christianity, today. Christian culture is enormous, diverse, and sometimes difficult. In this blog, I will be tackling various thoughts, events, and general conversation topics within the various niches that relate to this faith, specifically in ways that are relevant to today. (I also entertained the title "Relevant," but that, also, is taken.)
The parody blog title is also meaningful because, honestly, Christian culture deserves to be parodied. I'm a believer, so I will not at any point be mocking my Savior, but by golly, we bearers of His name deserve some teasing. I once heard that, by laughing at things that are out of wack, we can get a better understanding of how things should be. To this end, I plan on being a modern day Paul, or Micaiah, using humor as a tool to glorify the Most High and thoroughly enjoy this crazy-but-good world He had made.
So, that's who I am and what this is. Regardless of where you are in your life, I hope you enjoy my thoughts and perhaps even share a few of your own in the comments! And, if the name is too wordy for you, just give it a cool abbreviation like "CYAF" or something. That's not taken, is it?
Do internet writers typically open with introductory posts explicitly stating their mission statements, or do they hit the group running with their banal nonsense? Should I tell you what I'm doing, or is that lame?
Well, screw it. I'm going to introduce myself.
My name is Tim, and I'm a journalism major and Sunday School teacher. As of right now, I am also the creator, owner, and sole contributor to a spectacular faith-based blog entitled "Christianity Yesterday and Forever."
I'm sorry that the title is so verbose, but it's a very intentional and meaningful title. Truth be told, my first choice was "Christianity Today," but that's sort of taken already. According to Hebrews 13:8, though, Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so "Yesterday and Forever" is totally synonymous with "Today," right? It's all the same in Jesus' time.
(Sadly, it's not all the same in my professors' time, so my grades suffer from my chronic lateness. That's fine, though. Why fear he who can fail me but cannot throw my body and soul into the Lake of Fire? Right...?)
I'm referencing "Christianity Today" because that's essentially what I'm talking about: Christianity, today. Christian culture is enormous, diverse, and sometimes difficult. In this blog, I will be tackling various thoughts, events, and general conversation topics within the various niches that relate to this faith, specifically in ways that are relevant to today. (I also entertained the title "Relevant," but that, also, is taken.)
The parody blog title is also meaningful because, honestly, Christian culture deserves to be parodied. I'm a believer, so I will not at any point be mocking my Savior, but by golly, we bearers of His name deserve some teasing. I once heard that, by laughing at things that are out of wack, we can get a better understanding of how things should be. To this end, I plan on being a modern day Paul, or Micaiah, using humor as a tool to glorify the Most High and thoroughly enjoy this crazy-but-good world He had made.
So, that's who I am and what this is. Regardless of where you are in your life, I hope you enjoy my thoughts and perhaps even share a few of your own in the comments! And, if the name is too wordy for you, just give it a cool abbreviation like "CYAF" or something. That's not taken, is it?
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