Christian Piatt's Blog, page 33
February 12, 2014
Acts 29, Driscoll and New Faces on the Same Old Faith
I was interviewed recently by Barry Thompson, a writer for an alt-weekly in Boston called Dig. He was doing a sort of investigative profile on these churches in the Boston area that are very independent and “hipster” in feel (beer and coffee, pop culture references galore, current music, dressed down, groovy beards), but are actually [Read More...]
When do you know something is a calling from God?
(Following is from a column called “Christian’s Queries” that I’m doing for our church newsletter at Portland First Christian Church. My focus is to try and take on questions that many people, but especially young adults, wrestle with. Got a question you want to see me take on? Email me at “christian at fccpdx dot [Read More...]
February 11, 2014
Homebrew, Ham (as in Ken) and Haim
After weeks of planning, we finally sat down with brewmaster-slash-theologian Andy Campbell to homebrew a batch of beer. He takes us step-by-step through the process and helps Christian brew his first-ever batch of pale ale. Now, pretty much all Christian does is sit in his office and watch the yeast make bubbles. One…two…three… Jordan’s also back with [Read More...]
February 10, 2014
Will Corporate America Normalize Gay Marriage?
There was quite a fuss about Coca Cola airing a commercial during the Super Bowl that presented people singing “God Bless America” in various languages. And, to top it off, they even portrayed same-sex couples as families. It wasn’t exactly shocking to see Coke presenting a more pluralistic, harmonious image of the contemporary world today. [Read More...]
February 9, 2014
Church Sign Epic Fails, “Clothes Fall Off” Edition
Knock knock. Who’s there? Tequila. Tequila who? Tequila is awesome! Until it’s not anymore.
February 5, 2014
“Ham on Nye” Debate Doesn’t Reflect Reality
Whenever I hear about someone else making a case for New Earth Creationism in the name of Christianity, I’m embarrassed, once again, to associate myself with them. And people wonder why many of us prefer to identify as “Jesus followers” or “Spiritual but not Religious” rather than be lumped in with the Ken Hams of [Read More...]
February 4, 2014
God is Disappointed in You! (CultureCast)
This week, we welcome Mark Russell and Shannon Wheeler, author and illustrator, respectively, of the book, “God is Disappointed in You.” If you’ve ever found it tedious to plow through all 66 books of the Bible, this humorously irreverent digest is a great starting point. It’s worth it, if for nothing other than the circumcision [Read More...]
February 3, 2014
Church Sign Epic Fails, “Lie, Lie Lie” Edition
You know what persuades me toward a particular way of thinking? Watching two groups with opposing ideologies fight about their differences in the public forum…especially on billboards!
January 30, 2014
Forget Swords and Plowshares: Turn Guns Into Guitars
Most people haven’t heard of “Legislative Theater,” thought it’s been around for about fifty years. The idea is to use the arts – and more specifically, theatrical productions – to affect social and political change in a specific, concrete way. And although the concept was born in South America, Pedro Reyes has brought it to [Read More...]
January 29, 2014
Christianity 21: Cultivating a More Generous Christian Conversation
Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones have been at this whole church leadership thing for a while now. As two of the voices at the forefront of the emerging Christianity movement, they are visionaries, strategists, and hands-on practitioners who, as much or more than anyone, have wrestled with the complex and persistent question of what tomorrow’s [Read More...]
