…we’re going through 1 Peter right now…I personally like expositional sermons, I’m a big fan of the Calvary Chapel method….

How ’bout a sermon series based on Linkin Park?

Henry (Rick), your original set of song titles was absolutely HILARIOUS. Thanks for giving me a good laugh with my morning coffee. I’m sure the stains on my computer monitor will fade with time…

Do you mean claim that a secular work of art is completely in line with Christian teachings?

Yes, very close to that.
I think it’s fine to bring up a theme in a song or movie or book, and examine what it’s saying scripturally. That is what Oak Hills seems to be doing.

It’s a totally different thing to take something that is not Christian, or universally condemned in the Bible, say…”white” witchcraft or some other occult/pagan practices, baptize it, spiritualize it, sprinkle Jesus on it here or there, and voila! it’s been redeemed and is now presentable to Christians.

The real problem is that it’s not necessarily my church, Ingrid’s church or your church doing that; it’s the lookalikes: unitarian/universalists or it’s Marianne Williamson and her “new thought” Church of Today or some other religion that has no problem using Jesus to advance their agenda. And they use the media to call attention to it.

In some ways, I believe some non-believers are more intellectually honest than some of us believers. At least they will give voice to the same questions, doubts and anger that we may have from time to time, but keep silent lest we be called a heretic or apostate or be struck dead.

From what I understand, some of the OT writers, under inspiration, quoted and pulled references from hymns and literature of other ancient Mesopotamian cultures to contrast their thinking and power of their gods with the one true God in a way that everyone could understand. So I don’t understand why someone would get up in a snit and walk out in the middle of a sermon because a famous non-Christian was quoted as part of a point that was being made. (In one of her blog entries at SoL 1.0, Ingrid talks about she and her family doing this once when visiting a church.)

I grew up with too many people who were so adrift that many times their worldviews either echoed or were formed by whatever popular song was playing on the radio. Check out the lyrics to Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young” (“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints – the sinners are much more fun”). Now that’s an interesting — and rather ignorant – view to hold that’s worth exploring and exploding, and showing what a vain philosophy it is. It may not be the totality of their perspective, but it’s crystallized to the point where we, if properly armed, can deal with that person (with gentleness and patience, of course).

But aren’t we supposed to be ready at all times with an answer? But, if you’re so busy being put off by someone’s tattoos, hairstyle and color, piercings and manner of dress to even get to where they are with Jesus, what good are you?

The main problem I have with a church service being seen as an evangelistic tool is that I think people seem to get the idea that evangelism is just inviting someone to a church service. In reality, it’s something they need to live all week. On the same note, the Sunday service shouldn’t be the only time people are learning. Both discipleship and evangelism need to be continuous processes throughout the week.

My opinion (as a youth pastor) is that the church (sunday sermons) should not be about us (serious christians) and what we need to grow. If we call ourselves serious christians we should have enough spiritual discipline to continue to seek out meat. Sure there are times that challenges from the preacher should spurn us onto greater depth in our walk but I’m of the firm opinion that the church is about meeting the spiritual needs of those who don’t know Christ. Don’t take that to mean “seeker sentistive” or “emergent” but this is how I understand “the great commission” and “to the Jew I became like a Jew etc…”

From here

So basically, he’s in time-out.

Beautiful.