Dewayne Bryant's Blog, page 5

Christ Makes a Difference. Just Ask Weird Al

Weird Al Yankovic is one of the odder success stories in American music. He’s usually known for his parodies of famous songs by other artists. I remember hearing him on a cassette tape (!) one of my friends lent me. It was from the Dr. Demento show and included Yankovic’s rendition of “Another One Rides the Bus,” a parody of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” Other gems include “Like a Surgeon,” “Eat It,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” and “White and Nerdy.” The videos for his parodies are just as brilliant as the songs. 

Weird Al’s original songs are a bit of an acquired taste. Still funny and nearly as memorable, but not as popular. I remember one of his biggest original hits, titled “Dare to Be Stupid,” which appeared in the 1986 film Transformers: The Movie. (Which I still have on VHS, if that tells you anything). 

I mention Yankovic because I ran across a random Facebook post that said, “A guy named “Weird Al” has had a 40+ year long career with no allegations of sexual impropriety.” What a breath of fresh air in today’s culture. Here is a very private guy who identifies as a Christian when asked. (A “Church of Christ Celebrities” blog post has more info here.) He doesn’t take himself too seriously (not a problem in Hollywood at all!) and lives quietly without using alcohol, drugs, or profanity. To some people, that would be boring. Looking at the numerous felonies committed by actors and musicians (just look at the lineup of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show), it’s pretty dull to other superstars, too. To me, it’s something worthy of imitation (see 1 Corinthians 11:1). 

Television producer Michael Schur, who is Jewish but who does not appear to be particularly religious, offered this take on Weird Al’s song “Smells Like Nirvana”: 

That’s a service he has always provided: to remind people that rock is about grittiness and authenticity and finding your voice and relating to an audience, but it’s also fundamentally absurd. Being a rock star is stupid. We as a culture are genuflecting at the altar of these rock stars, and Weird Al comes out with this crazy curly hair and an accordion, and he just blows it all into smithereens by singing about Spam.

But Weird Al doesn’t just deflate the absurd self-importance of preening rock stars; he’s their mirror image. He is notoriously reticent about discussing his personal life and spends an unusual amount of time interacting with fans. A friend of mine was chosen to take a working R2D2 replica onstage at one of Weird Al’s shows when he played his song “The Saga Begins,” a Star Wars song set to the tune of “American Pie.” Al spent time talking to my friend and even autographed the inside of the dome of his R2D2. My friend was blown away.

Given that Weird Al is such a private person who rarely ever talks about himself, we probably wouldn’t expect a detailed answer about what Christ has done for his life even if we had the opportunity to ask him. But then again, maybe we wouldn’t have to. Actions speak louder than words.

Photo Credit: “Weird Al Yankovic” by Kyle Cassidy: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0. Picture cropped for use.  

Taming the Tongue or, Knowing When to Shut Your Yap

If we read through the books of Psalms and Proverbs, we’ll find one passage after another warning about the use of language. They say that the tongue is like a sword and bitter speech is like an arrow (Psalm 64:3) and that the tongue is filled with poison and is like a fire (James 3:6-8). Other passages celebrate verbal restraint, saying that it leads to life and refreshment. One of the most famous of these states that the right word, at the right time, is like an apple of gold (Proverbs 25:11). 

In a world where cutting humor, mockery, trolling, and satire have become popular (although they’ve never been unpopular, have they?), we have to be careful about the words we use. At some point or another, all of us misuse our speech. It’s a universal problem that is often downplayed and even excused. We have ways of justifying such abuses. We mock other people in the name of humor. Instead of admitting to deception, we call it a “little white lie.” If we are guilty of using impure speech, we call it a “slip of the tongue.” We dodge responsibility for unjust criticism by saying that we’re just “brutally honest” or we “just speak our mind.” 

The apostle Paul reminds us to use language to uplift and encourage other people (Ephesians 4:29):

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

It can be difficult to bite our tongue and say only what is fitting, proper, or encouraging. Part of that difficulty is undoubtedly because our language can be hard to control. It has an immense amount of power, which James talks about in his epistle. He compares the tongue to a bit or a rudder. These comparatively small tools control something much larger than themselves: a bit directs the horse; a rudder steers the ship. 

We might add that James implies one more thing that we rarely stop to consider: the tongue helps to control our eternal fate. Just as the bit and the rudder steer where the horse and ship go, the tongue steers our lives. In other words, the language we choose to use provides evidence of whether we take our commitment to Christ seriously and offers a preview of what we might expect when this life is over. Note the following: 

James says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26). Obviously, worthless religion has no saving power. The book of Revelation records the fate of liars: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).The book of Proverbs states, “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18). We should note here that a “fool” in the Hebrew wisdom literature typically describes someone who is spiritually deficient, and is often contrasted with the righteous or virtuous person (in other words, the fool is someone who will likely stand condemned by God). Jesus says, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). There’s nothing cryptic here. 

In short, the language we use gives insight into the state of our souls. 

If the tongue can pose such a significant spiritual risk, how do we tame this little monster? Here are some helpful diagnostic questions to ask ourselves before we say something that might cross a line: 

Is what I’m going to say true? Or is it a rumor or unverified second-hand information (especially if it’s negative)?Is what I’m going to say helpful? It might be true, but will it build people up, bless them, or benefit them? Or is it going to needlessly shame someone or divulge private information that has no business being made public?Is what I’m going to say being said to the right person? Do I have the right audience? If I’ve got a problem with someone, have I talked to that person, or do I talk about them to other people (see Matthew 18:15-20)?Is what I’m saying loving? Will it be gracious? Will it give the other person the benefit of the doubt? 

One final, helpful tip might be to consider this question: “Would we talk to God and about God the same way we talk to and about other people?” We can’t be right with God if we aren’t going to be gracious to someone else. 

We sometimes say things like, “silence is golden” and “if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” There is a great deal of truth here. Let’s look at one last verse (Proverbs 10:19):

When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

This is a fairly wooden translation. Unfortunately, the power of many passages in the wisdom literature of the Bible can be blunted by rigid translations. Please allow me to paraphrase:

The more you talk, the more you sin,
So if you wanna be wise, shut your yap.

I think our world would be so much better off if we could all learn to resist knifing someone in the back with gossip, cutting them with criticism, and bludgeoning them with hurtful truths. In a society where everyone feels like their opinion is worth its weight in gold, we could all stand to follow the Bible’s warnings to control our tongues. 

Two Keys to Spiritual Maturity

Unlike physical maturity, spiritual maturity is not something that develops with age. Unless a person has some kind of medical issue, they will naturally grow and develop over time. Spiritual maturity is quite different. It is not tied to age, intelligence, ability, or emotional development. I’ve known young people who are very mature and wise beyond their years, and I’ve known some older people who make very irresponsible decisions and who should’ve known better. 

Generally speaking, a mature person knows and can teach effectively from the word of God. The writer of Hebrews gives us a great example of this (Hebrews 5:12-14): 

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

This verse tells us two things. First, we must develop the ability to articulate the fundamental truths of the gospel message. The Hebrews writer says that his readers have to be reminded of basic principles (Paul tells the Corinthians the same thing in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2). He says that they are unskilled in the word of righteousness. Why? Because Scripture has to be used, and that takes practice—both for our benefit and for others. 

Jesus says that we are to take the gospel into all the world and make disciples of all nations – we have to be able to use God’s word to do that. To persuade others, train them, and help them become Christ-followers. The believers to whom the book of Hebrews was addressed couldn’t do this. Essentially, the author says, “You’re a bunch of children.”

Second, we have to have our powers of discernment sharply honed. We must cultivate the ability to quickly determine the difference between right and wrong. This takes training or “constant practice.” The writer uses the word gymnazō, from which we get the English term “gymnasium.” It means to train, like an athlete who dedicates his or her time to training for a sport. That is how the spiritually mature study the word of God. It gives us the facility to be able to use Scripture well. But athletes can quit training, and what happens? They get slower, weaker, flabbier. The same thing happens to us spiritually if we quit training with Scripture. 

Spiritual maturity takes time, effort, and dedication. It isn’t easy, and there aren’t any shortcuts. Above all else, it takes a selfless drive to be relentlessly molded and shaped by God’s Word. 

Three Habits We Need This Year

Some of us have weird habits. Maybe they’re mild and quirky—the kind of thing we admit when we aren’t afraid to laugh at ourselves. Perhaps they’re a bit stranger, like something we might only disclose to someone we trust. Many of them seem to be fairly innocuous. Take the following list as an example, where various people on Twitter confessed their idiosyncrasies: 

“My car radio volume has to be an even number or a multiple of 5.”“Every time I get in my car, I make sure I check the backseat because I don’t wanna get choked out from behind.” “If someone sneezes around me, I hold my breath for like 15 seconds till all of their germs disperse in the air away from me.”“Does anyone else feel guilty or like a criminal when walking out of a store without buying anything?” 

We have habits for everything, including eating breakfast, getting dressed, and interacting with other people. Quirky habits can be pretty comical, but good habits are essential to our lives. Since it’s the start of the New Year, let’s look at three things we need to work on for 2022. 

Commit Yourself to Reading the Bible 

There’s no doubt that mature Christians know the Bible. They know it because they read it. Why is this important? Because that’s where we find life (cf. Deuteronomy 30:19):

Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh.

With practice, you and I will become more mature readers of the Bible. We’re going to understand it more thoroughly and more deeply. We’re going to make connections that we didn’t make before. The Bible is not just the word of God; it’s also a very sophisticated work of literature. And the more thoroughly we understand it, the more of its value we will appreciate. That means not only relishing in our status as God’s children but knowing how to conduct ourselves in a way that honors him. 

Spend More Time with God 

When we read through the Gospels, we see that Jesus had one habit that stands out: he often spent time in prayer. Luke tells us, “he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16). He also often spoke about prayer (Matthew 6:5-13). But prayer isn’t the only religious activity that biblical characters often did. Jesus also made it his habit to go to the synagogue for worship. Luke also tells us, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read” (Luke 4:16). It seems that Paul made it a custom to evangelize in the synagogues found in the places he visited: “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Luke 4:16).

Unfortunately, some early believers had bad habits. The writer of Hebrews talks about this when he commands his audience to refrain from “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). We should cultivate the habit of wanting, desiring to spend more time with God and with each other.

Prevent Sin from Becoming Habitual

Sin is a plague upon mankind. It is responsible for every problem in this world. It is the genesis of every war, conflict, and trouble. Jesus tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). The more comfortable with sin we are, the more of a slave we become. We can see this in the life of ancient Israel. The period of the Judges was a death spiral into disobedience, apostasy, and evil. Even during the period of the monarchy, Israel was troubled constantly by wicked rulers who helped steer the nation down the path of destruction. 

There is one thing we all have to remember: sin did to Israel nationally what it has the power to do to you and me individually. That is why Paul warned, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).

Building New Habits for a New Year

We can do several things to build healthy habits for this year.

Start by building awareness. This requires self-reflection. Pay attention to your current habits and examine them critically. Have someone else help, like a trusted friend or family member. This will take some humility because we like to celebrate our accomplishments; we don’t typically enjoy people pointing out where we need to improve. Commit to making the change. Don’t just sit there and wish or dream. Start taking the steps necessary to make that change in your life. Don’t just let life happen to you – take charge. Start small. Be very specific, and begin by introducing small changes. Just do 1% each day, and that 1% will add up over time until you realize what you have envisioned for yourself. Start with something daily that will take only two minutes so that you can get that habit going. Strive for excellence, not perfection. It’s easy to set lofty goals and then get crushed when we fall short. We want the best version of ourselves, but we might be tempted to set unrealistic expectations. And if we miss enough of our targets, it might derail our efforts altogether. So don’t strive for perfection; just strive to be better. Remember the “why.” Why are you doing it? Reading the Bible, spending more time with God, and keeping sin from becoming habitual are all extremely important. Why? Because we want to grow as Christians, and all of these behaviors will help us get there. 

I hope that you have had a great start to the New Year, and I pray that you build some better habits that will help you become a more capable, more encouraging, and more effective servant of God for 2022. 

Christian Apologetics is for Normal People

Lots of people think of Christian Apologetics as a highly-specialized discipline requiring years of training and study. Some apologists do that. But the biblical writers also tell us that everyone should be willing to share their faith–and be able to defend it if necessary. Peter gives us some of the most famous verses dealing with Christian apologetics in his first epistle (1 Peter 3:15-16). This is what he says:

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Peter says that his readers—ordinary people like you and me—must be ready to “make a defense” for our faith should someone ask us why we believe what we do. He uses the same word from which we derive our English word apologetics (Greek apologia). But notice that this is not directed to professional scientists, philosophers, or other scholars. He expects people like you and me to stand up boldly and explain why we chose to become (and remain) followers of Christ.

Why does Peter say that everyone needs to be ready to explain their faith to others? Because there is a difference between knowing that something is true and demonstrating that it’s true. Many people know quite a lot about any number of subjects; asking them to explain something in-depth to another person is a different matter. We sometimes say that the best way to learn something is to teach it. Why? Because any good teacher will spend much more time preparing to teach than actually teaching. 

A Christian can say, “I believe in God,” “I Jesus is my Lord and Savior,” or “I know the Bible is true.” Making a case for these statements means moving from simple declaration to instruction. Peter says that we must be ready to make a defense, meaning that we must anticipate questions and objections that may arise.

We must have engaging conversations with non-Christians about why we have chosen to follow Christ. 

Peter also says that we must conduct ourselves with gentleness and respect. One of the quickest ways to get angry in an argument is to be insufficiently prepared. This means that Christians must not only be willing to declare what we believe or even be able to explain it in detail. We should have sufficient facility with the subject to patiently endure pointed questioning and stay calm even if the other person loses their cool. That means we have to know what we’re talking about and have a desire to persuade others instead of giving them a verbal beating.

Remember, Peter is telling us that apologetics is really about people. It’s easy to demonize or dehumanize others—we must resist this temptation. It’s also easy to let a conversation turn into verbal combat, which is incredibly counterproductive. Our ultimate goal is not only to defend our faith but to persuade others to adopt it as well. 

If you’d like to get more information on how to defend your faith and think biblically, please follow my YouTube channel where I discuss topics related to Christian apologetics:

What Families Need. Yours, Too.

There are a lot of different parenting styles out there. Helicopter parents hover over their kids to protect them from life, essentially preventing them from developing risk-assessment skills. Tiger parents are authoritarian and maintain ridiculous expectations to drive their kids toward success, while their opposites—known as elephant parents—nurture emotional connections and prize encouragement and support. Free-range parents offer minimal supervision, frequently letting their kids walk to school and ride public transportation alone. Lawnmower parents mow down a path for their kids, micromanaging their children’s lives to minimize disappointment and adversity. 

Each of us is different, and we all have very different ideas about what constitutes good parenting. But we should be clear about how to identify bad parenting. One of the best signs of a bad parent is the willingness to tolerate disrespectful attitudes from their children. This isn’t just a problem for the family—it’s a plague on society. 

In a Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Parenting in the Age of Awfulness,” author Dr. Leonard Sax begins his article with the following:

Kyle was absorbed in a videogame on his cellphone, so I asked his mom, “How long has Kyle had a stomach ache?” Mom said, “I’m thinking it’s been about two days.” Then Kyle replied, “Shut up, mom. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” And he gave a snorty laugh, without looking up from his videogame. Kyle is 10 years old.

I have been a physician for 29 years. This sort of language and behavior from a 10-year-old was very rare in the 1980s and 1990s. It would have been unusual a decade ago. It is common today. America’s children are immersed in a culture of disrespect: for parents, teachers, and one another. They learn it from television, even on the Disney Channel, where parents are portrayed as clueless, out-of-touch or absent. They learn it from celebrities or the Internet. They learn it from social media. They teach it to one another. They wear T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like “I’m not shy. I just don’t like you.”

(You can get the article on the website for the Wall Street Journal. If you don’t have a subscription, you can get it off of Sax’s website.)

Lots of parents tolerate disrespect from their children. I’ve watched parents repeatedly call and cajole while their pre-teen sons shot basketballs after church services when the rest of the family was waiting in the car. I’ve seen children make other kids cry while their parents say things like, “Don’t you know you’re hurting their feelings?” while the kid stares at the mother with a look that says, “So what?” I’ve sat at meals where kids behave like spoiled brats and felt embarrassed for parents that don’t have the good sense to feel ashamed at the ill behavior of their own children. 

I don’t know what motivates these parents to have such a permissive approach to child-rearing, but there is one truth they desperately need to hear: you aren’t doing your kids any favors. In fact, by being such a parent, you are putting your kids at a future disadvantage in life. But there are several things modern parents can (and must) do to maximize their children’s chances of being well-adjusted, faithful adults. 

First, prioritize the family. Good parents want their kids to experience lots of things and enjoy different opportunities. But so many parents push (or allow) their kids to be so busy that there is little time left for the family. Sports, band, choral performances, and other extracurricular activities are fine, but once they start to crowd out family time, something needs to go. 

Second, don’t negotiate. If you say something, do it (Matthew 5:37). Kids should learn to obey parents the first time something is said (see Colossians 3:20). Do you think that an employer is going to hold your kid’s hand, repeatedly reminding them to do their job and making exceptions so that he or she will feel fulfilled at work? No. In the cold, callous business world, you do your job or get fired. Even if you own your business, you take care of your clients on their timetable, not yours, or they will find someone else to meet their needs. It’s really not that complicated. Parents who coddle their children set them up for failure. 

Third, get rid of distractions. Don’t use the cell phone, iPad, Kindle, television, or another electronic device to be your kid’s friend or babysitter. Spend time with them and cultivate the art of communication. They need to participate in the world of the living, not live a digital life online. Kids need entertainment just like anyone, but it has to be done in moderation. 

Finally, don’t give up. Parenting is hard. It’s our job to instruct our children and teach them God’s principles of right and wrong (Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). This takes care and concern—anyone can be a tyrant, but it takes a committed parent to train a child in love (see Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 6:4). Discipline isn’t easy, and no one enjoys it. But it is both necessary and beneficial (Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:11). 

The last couple of decades have seen the rise of a parenting approach that is gentler and, above all else, friendlier. Parents want to be their kids’ buddies, not their authority figures—they have effectively surrendered their position as parents. Consequently, we have seen a rise in behavioral problems and disrespectful attitudes not only toward parents but to authorities in general (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 29:15; Ephesians 6:1-4). It’s high time that parents taught their children to think of others first, respect other people more than themselves, and cultivate character traits like humility and generosity. And to realize that they aren’t the center of the universe. 

Why is this important? First of all, teaching children to be respectful is part of our duty as parents. It’s also part of God’s plan for the family. But if you want a pragmatic reason, then here’s what Dr. Sax says: “Multiple lines of evidence, including cohort studies such as the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, now demonstrate that disrespectful children are more likely to grow up to be anxious and depressed, three times more likely to be overweight, more likely to be fragile, less healthy and less creative, compared with respectful children.”

Teach your children to recognize authority, be respectful to both authority figures and their peers, and value the importance of other people by putting them first (Philippians 2:3). Because, you know, that’s what Jesus taught, too. And he did it for a reason. 

The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible: A Review

One of the premier resources on the Internet for biblical criticism is The Skeptics Annotated Bible. This website was put together by author Steve Wells, who decided to start the project a year after walking away from the Roman Catholic faith. (He tells some of his personal story in an interview on the Friendly Atheist Podcast. Wells did this, in his words, after quitting seminary and having never even read the Bible. 

This popular website is a widely-trusted resource for skeptics and atheists everywhere. Speaking about the print version, new atheist Sam Harris comments: “Finally, Wells has published his famous online resource in book form. This volume belongs in every thinking person’s library—and in every hotel room in America…” Then again, Sam Harris isn’t exactly the most intelligent critic of Christianity. Other reviews of the book on Amazon.com written by atheists—atheists, mind you—describe the book as juvenile, non-scholarly, disorganized, poorly-researched, intellectually dishonest, and lacking quality. One atheist reviewer said it was a childish and even useless book that deliberately misinterpreted the Bible. Ouch. 

While those who know very little about Christianity may see it as a superlative source for understanding the Bible’s many alleged errors and contradictions, anyone who knows anything about Scripture will see Well’s work as the product of a biblical ignoramus who, again, openly confesses to never having read the Bible or studied it in depth before he began the project.

Some of the clearest examples of the author’s biblical illiteracy appear in the website section devoted to what he considers “absurd passages” of the Bible. We’re going to look at a few here. 

“Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13). I presume the “absurdity” has something to do with “loins,” which is rather childish. “Bind up the loins” is a well-known Semitic idiom describing the act of tucking a longer outer garment into the belt around one’s waist to permit greater freedom of movement. A modern equivalent would be “roll up your sleeves.” Modern translations render this phrase “preparing your minds for action” (ESV), accurately conveying what Peter was trying to get across. “‘He rested.’ Even God gets tired sometimes” (Genesis 2:2). The Hebrew word here means “to cease” or “to desist.” But you’d have to check the Hebrew to see that. Or look it up in a commentary. Or just Google it. “Refreshing the bowels of the saints in the Lord” (Philemon 7, 12, 20). If you have the same sense of humor as a sixth-grade boy, I can see how this would qualify as an “absurdity.” But if you understand the ancient usage of the phrase, in which the “bowels” were considered the seat of emotion, you’d know better (it gives an ancient take on things like having butterflies when you’re nervous, getting a sinking feeling in your stomach when experiencing an unpleasant surprise, etc.). This is why more modern translations use our Western equivalent to this word, “heart”—which isn’t really accurate, but it conveys what the ancient writers intended.“A bishop must be … the husband of one wife.” Apparently it’s OK for laymen to have several” (1 Timothy 3:2). This is a pretty basic Bible mistake. Most scholars understand this passage as referring to the husband’s fidelity to his wife—in other words, a “one-woman man”—because husbands at the time were notoriously unfaithful. Another possible but less likely interpretation is that an elder must be married, and then only once. It says nothing about allowing anyone else to have multiple wives, which is typically portrayed negatively in Scripture. But you’d need to read the Bible to know that. “Saved people smell good to God” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Paul says that he is an “aroma of Christ to God.” It’s clear that he’s using a figure of speech. We have similar phrases in English, such as saying that someone with a pleasant personality is like a “breath of fresh air” or that someone else with a rotten temperament “stinks.” “Paul establishes his own cult (Christianity) by telling others to follow him” (1 Corinthians 4:16). The KJV has, “I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” In Elizabethan English, the word “follow” is used much the same way today. It can mean “to go after,” but it can also mean “to imitate.” The latter is what Paul means. This is obvious when looking at the Greek term he uses (mimētai, singular mimētēs), which means “imitator.” Paul is not setting himself up as a cult leader but rather using himself as an example of Christian conduct (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1). “One of them … fell down on his face” (Luke 17:15-16). I’m not sure why this was listed as an absurdity. The English idiom “fall on one’s face” means to make a blunder or fail miserably. It can also be taken literally and brings to mind one of those epic fail videos where some skateboarder faceplants while trying to do a stunt. The biblical usage of the phrase means to bow down or fall to one’s knees as a sign of honor and respect.“When Solomon was annointed (sic) king the people sang and shouted so loudly that it caused an earthquake!” (1 Kings 1:39-40). If you decide to interpret everything in the Bible hyper-literally, this is the kind of silly interpretation you create. Most people with a high school diploma understand that the Bible uses hyperbole at times. This is one of them. 

The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible is a dumpster fire of biblical criticism. It’s filled with strawmen and breathtaking examples of biblical ignorance. In many places, the author simply doesn’t seem to understand that terms in the King James no longer mean the same thing that they do today (cf. Mark 5:30), that the Bible contains idiomatic expressions that cannot be understood literally (cf. Matthew 20:15), or that the biblical authors could be sarcastic (2 Corinthians 11:8). 

While there are some vigorous challenges to the Christian faith that have been produced by non-believers, the Skeptic’s Annotated Bible is not one of them. 

Community in the Early Church

What makes a good commercial? Often, it’s humor. Beer commercials just about had the market cornered on this for a long time. Sometimes, it’s something that gives you an “A-ha” moment. Farmer’s Insurance has a series of commercials where actor J. K. Simmons demonstrates examples where the company has covered claims of extremely improbable scenarios, such as an air drummer who plows his car into a building or a motorist whose truck was rammed repeatedly by a wild goat. 

Commercials often follow a kind of formula. They’re designed to advertise a product, to be sure. But the way they do it is often by selling an experience—particularly, an experience that takes place within a group. Whether advertising cigarettes, beer, theme parks, or cell phones, commercials often depict people sharing an experience or having a good time together. One classic example was the 1971 Coke commercial that featured the song, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” which brought together young people from different cultures all over the world. The message was clear. 

We all want community. That’s why we join clubs, professional societies, teams, and other organizations. We all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves. We see this very thing in the second chapter of the book of Acts:  

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

One of the great things about the early church was its sense of community. The term used in Acts 2 for “fellowship” is the Greek word koinonia, which means to have community and fellowship, and to share in something. The early church had a shared experience in which they invited one another into their homes, enjoyed table fellowship, and helped one another if some financial need arose. 

Christians understand that this kind of community is not one merely described in the Bible; Scripture commands it. The New Testament includes dozens of examples of “one another” passages that demonstrate the care and concern we should have for fellow believers:

Be devoted to one another – Romans 12:10Live in harmony with one another – Romans 12:16Care for one another – 1 Corinthians 12:25Be patient with one another – Ephesians 4:12Comfort one another – 1 Thessalonians 4:18Encourage one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11Be kind and compassionate to one another – Ephesians 4:32Love one another – John 13:34

None of these things can be practiced outside of a community. These are commands that must involve other people. They require a recipient that benefits from something we do. Every believer should dedicate themselves to the betterment of others (cf. Proverbs 27:17).

A Christian without a church family is an impossible contradiction. Believers are more than members, attendees, or participants in a local congregation. If we’re part of a church family, we should be involved in other’s lives—welcoming them into our homes, showing them love, and concerning ourselves with their needs. 

Luke says, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). With a church family like the one he describes, it’s no wonder why people wanted to be part of it. 

Homosexuality in Christianity and Islam

Christianity is a counter-intuitive religion. So much about the Christian faith flies in the face of human nature: to be great, you must become a servant; to be strong, you must defer to others; love, not power, is the greatest of virtues; to destroy your enemies, make them your friends—and to help them, pray for them. 

There is no wonder why war-mongers like Adolf Hitler said that Christianity was a flabby, weak religion, or why nihilists like Friedrich Nietzsche said that love made people timid when they should want to be supermen. Christianity simply brings out the good in people and seeks to do the same for others. 

A recent tweet from a Muslim apologist provides a stark contrast between his faith and that of Christians worldwide. Daniel Haqiqatjou is a radical Muslim preacher who touched off a firestorm on Twitter when he tweeted, “Oh man, I missed the International Day Against Homophobia. The best way to celebrate such a beautiful, momentous, important day is the Muslim way: Recreational Base Jumping!” His tweet, dripping with sarcasm, refers to the practice of throwing convicted homosexuals off of buildings as a method of execution in some Muslim areas. He seems to have underscored his point by following up with a second tweet that read, “Nothing shows solidarity for LGBT like extreme sports!” The practice of executing homosexuals by throwing them from the tops of buildings is well-known, thanks to ISIS.

Christianity, however, is quite different. Although homosexuality is a sin in Christianity (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11), as in Islam, the two have radically different ways of approaching those participating in same-sex relationships. In Islam, where religion and the state go hand-in-hand, execution often results when homosexuals are found out. Right now, members of the LGBTQ community of Afghanistan are terrified of what will happen to them now that the country is controlled by the Taliban. However, Christianity neither has, needs, nor desires control of the arm of the law. And it treats homosexuals very differently. The Bible doesn’t view homosexuality as any less offensive than Islam does, so what’s the difference? 

In a word, grace.

Grace is a concept sorely lacking in Islam, but it is fundamental to Christianity. Homosexuality is a serious sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10), but it is something of which a person can repent. Paul indicates as much when writing to the Corinthians. He identifies it as something that cuts a person off from the kingdom of God, whether one is an active or passive partner (translations sometimes obscure the fact that there are two terms used in 1 Corinthians 6:9; check the footnotes of your translation for an explanation). But he also says, “And such were some of you” (v.11). That is, some of the Corinthians had been caught up in this very sin. And yet he continues, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

For those struggling with same-sex relationships, Christ calls out to them with grace and mercy. The same is true for any other sin. (Let’s be honest here: we often treat homosexuality as if it leaves an indelible stain on someone’s soul but are quick to gloss over the other sins that we all commit).

The Bible clearly says that God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) and does not want anyone to perish (Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Christianity wants sinners to repent so we can fill heaven to the brim. Islam cannot say the same. And it certainly isn’t a laughing matter. 

Using the Internet with Wisdom

There are a lot of folks online, and it has grown almost exponentially since the last part of the 20th century. The number of cell phone and internet users has grown from only a fraction of one percent of the world’s population to over fifty percent in just thirty years. In 1990, the world had 12.5 million cell phone users (0.25% of the world’s population) and 2.8 million Internet users (0.05% of the world’s population). In 2020, there were 4.78 billion cell phone users (62%) and 4.54 billion Internet users (59%). 

In some ways, it’s still a brave new world. And one of the problems of ever-evolving technology involves the morality of using it. One person uses the internet for research, another uses it to pull scams on unsuspecting people. One person uses social media to inform and encourage, another uses it to tear down and bully others. One person uses it to share cat videos, another uses it to share pornography. 

Although the Bible doesn’t mention anything about cell phones, computers, or the Internet, it has plenty to say who those things should be used. It starts with being wise. 

According to the Bible, the wise person recognizes God and follows his will (Proverbs 1:7). But wisdom also includes elements that help us navigate the digital world. Jesus includes some of these things in his teachings, especially when he refers to wisdom in his parables. He mentions the importance of wisdom when he says Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Jesus uses the same word wisdom (Greek phronimos) elsewhere, which gives us a fuller sense of what he means:

Wise builder (Matthew 7:24). The builder has foresight, takes proper precautions, and has a plan in place before beginning his activities.Wise servant (Matthew 24:45) – The servant follows the master’s instructions to the letter and does what is appropriate. Wise virgins (Matthew 25:2) – The wise virgins have foresight and understand the importance of preparedness (the point of the parable is to be ready). Shrewd manager (Luke 16:8) – Here is someone who actually has some cunning, who acts with anticipation and prudence (care and thought for the future).

Clearly, all of these qualities will serve us well when navigating the digital world. As for some examples of this wisdom in action, the wise internet user: 

Turns his screen toward the door so that he has some measure of accountability, and will not fall into the temptation of clicking on inappropriate material that might pop up on screen.Reads and re-reads posts to minimize the possibility that the tone of what she says will be misunderstood as angry or offensive. Speaks carefully so that his speech is seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6), especially when tempted to be rude or snarky while sitting behind the safety of a computer screen.Does not post personal information or include photos with such information that would benefit thieves bent on stealing other peoples’ identities.Practices humility and authenticity online just as she would do in public. Understands that God observes all things, including what we do in private (Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13). 

The Internet is a huge place filled with many things both good and bad. But by using prudence, foresight, and biblical understanding we can live out our digital lives with the same commitment that will glorify God, honor Christ, and encourage other believers.