On April 28th, 2018, Alfie Evans died before celebrating his second birthday. He died because the hospital removed life support from him. Why? Because they deemed his condition terminal and further claimed that supporting his life was “unkind and inhumane.” In short, the hospital could have prevented Alfie’s immediate death but decided not to because his life was no longer worth saving. [Read more…] about The Story of Alfie Evans
Culture
Episode 04: Origen and the Rack
Storied is a podcast that tells stories about faith and failure. And sometimes it recounts stories that are so ridiculous that they seem more fitted to Monty Python than to real life. So, listen in to learn about the past, to enjoy a good story, and to know more than you did before. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes here or Stitcher here.
Origen of Alexandria is well-known today. But generally not for good reasons. Many criticize him for reading the Bible allegorically, for castrating himself, and for holding to less than orthodox beliefs. Actually, the thrust of these accusations is incorrect. But that’s not what I want to focus on. I want to focus on a part of Origen’s story that is less well-known. And it is a story in which he suffered greatly for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Does the Pope Believe in the Gospel?
Some of you have probably seen the video where Pope Francis comforts a young boy (Emanuele) whose father died. Emanuele comes up to Francis and privately asks him if his father is in heaven. With Emanuel permission, Francis answers publicly and gives the young boy comfort. The entire scene is moving.
But it is also seemingly un-catholic. More than that, Francis appears to deny that salvation comes through faith in Christ. [Read more…] about Does the Pope Believe in the Gospel?
Were Jesus’ Disciples Unlearned Peasants?
Many argue that Jesus’ disciples were unlearned peasants. Some might conclude that these disciples could not have written the Gospels consequently. Others might conclude that we should have a simple faith like the disciples did (or what we overcomplicate things). But the argument and its implications are wrong.
Jesus’ disciples came from all parts of life (from peasant to learned person), and these same disciples did, in fact, write New Testament books, a feat that shows not only some of the early disciples’ ability to read and to write but their ability to create art (i.e., literature).
To be clear, I am not arguing that all of the early disciples’ could read and write nor that they were all learned people. I am arguing that some were and that many learned how to read and to write (or made use of people who could write). [Read more…] about Were Jesus’ Disciples Unlearned Peasants?
4 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Movies
We love movies. Since the advent of Hollywood, Western people (and now the world) have watched and enjoyed thousands of films. Some movies mark a high point of art (Citizen Kane), while others mark the need for a business executive’s desire to make money (The Emoji Movie).
Despite the possibility of a film becoming an artifact of human ingenuity, a genuine piece of art, many films in the 21st century do not attain to the status of “good art.” Most films come from the executive’s office and their aim is merely to entertain without also informing and transforming. [Read more…] about 4 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Movies
Is There Hope for Christianity in the Twenty-First Century?
Wars rage. The vote south of the border has wounded evangelicalism (but hope for reformation lives). The reformed (and broadly) churches battle over the Trinity, Simplicity, Gender, Gender Roles, Social Justice, and more. From an outsiders point of view, the situation looks dire.
But from the throne room of God, the situation looks far different. In heaven, God sits enthroned and his will will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Rev 4–22).
Something new is happening. While cultural Christianity declines, conservative Christianity is on the rise. While battles over doctrine rage, people are nevertheless thinking about doctrine.
Is this the beginning of the end? Or the start of something new? [Read more…] about Is There Hope for Christianity in the Twenty-First Century?