Book # 4 that will tick you off (and make you think)

God's Politics by Jim Wallis

All I've got to say is that Bono endorses this book. the subtitle of this book is "Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." I will admit to growing up thinking that if you're a Christian, then you have to be a Republican too. Wallis certainly would be on the more liberal side of things, but I think he has an excellent balance in this book. Both Democrats and Republicans who are Christians need to reevaluate our assumptions.

Wallis deals with how Christians should be having more discussions about other faith issues like war and poverty, rather than just talking about other selected issues. This book is widely acclaimed by many reviewers. Maybe the best reviews in my opinion are those that simply say, "I'm a pastor, and this book made me rethink my political views." That's saying a lot. And that's exactly what a lot of pastors who have read this book have said.

Book # 3 that will tick you off (and make you think)

The Myth of a Christian Nation by Gregory Boyd

The title pretty much says it all here. The premise of the book is simply this: many Christians believe that America is a Christian nation. I happen to love this point, because there's really no such thing as a Christian nation. Nations may be founded upon Judeo-Christian values, but they really can't be a Christian nation. Countries can be Islamic, but they can't be Christian. That would entail requiring everyone who is a part of the country to follow Jesus Christ. People can't be forced to truly follow Jesus--especially in a free country.

The rest of the book builds off of this philosophy and explains why this false teaching really twists our thinking towards what Boyd calls "Power Over" rather than "Power Under." How many times must we try to force people to believe and act a certain way when they are unbelievers before we realize that maybe the church is not supposed to be forcing unchristian people to act like they are someone that they are not?

Book # 2 that will tick you off (and make you think)

We the Purple by Marcia Ford

Many Christians are simply frustrated with both the Democratic and Republican platforms. Marcia Ford is one of those people. She argues that partisanship in the church is affecting our influence. Rather than being Red or Blue, she suggests that we need to be 'purple'.

One of my pet peeves with Christianity and politics is that I really think Christians get used by politicians. People say that they're pro life or that they care about the underpriveledged to get our vote, but then they don't really do anything about it. It's just convenient for them. The simple truth is that if we go to bed with either political party, we'll wind up with some kind of disease.

One of the chapters is entitled, "Our Two-Issue System," which Ford states is abortion and homosexuality. What she points out in the chapter is that people are very quick to make these issues 'the issues' around election time. Her point throughout the chapter is that we are quick to want to make laws regarding these issues, but rarely do we really try to do anything proactive to bring healing, let alone simply understand people who are struggling with these issues.

It's a pretty short read and fairly simple too. Not the most profound thing I've ever picked up, but it is thought provoking.

4 books that will tick you off--and make you think!

I've got to admit, I've been all over the place when it comes to the church's involvement with politics. I want to recommend 4 books--not because I agree with everything that they have to say, but because they really make me think. So, I'll recommend one book a day for the next 4 days. Here's book # 1:



Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Kristen and I came in contact with Claiborne for the first time last fall. He has done an internship with both Willow Creek and Mother Theresa. That got my attention. He lives a remarkably simple life with people that most of us try to avoid. He's very prophetic. While I only agree with about half of what he says, and the rest really ticks me off, it ticks me off in a good way. So, take the book into a room that doesn't have anything breakable and read it, because you'll probably throw it against the wall a couple of times.

Shane is very much anti-war, which we all should be as Christians. He definitely takes it to the next level though. But his big emphasis is on Jesus as Lord (he says President, because that makes sense to us!). His emphasis is on focusing on making changes in how we live as Christians in the Kingdom of God, rather than just buying into the Christianity that we see in America.

The Reality of Debt

This morning's topic is one of the hardest for me, because I know so many of us deal with debt. We deal with it because we wanted to go to college and couldn't afford it. We deal with it because we wanted to invest in a house we could call our own. We deal with it because we've made really bad decisions and bought things we can't afford. No matter the reason, it is no fun.

I want to give you a couple of resources for you to use. The first is my absolute favorite when it comes to money: www.daveramsey.com. If you've never heard Dave before, he is a real stitch. He has a way of pointing out the painful truth in a way that adds a bit of humor. He also has real answers, if we're ready to listen. Check out his mortgage calculator as well. Do the math and figure out how much you could save on your house payment (it works for cars and other debts as well; there are other savings/debt calculators too) if you simply paid an extra $100 a month.

Also, www.crown.org is the site for Crown Financial Ministries. They host a radio program, and have many resources available on their site.

Don't just be a victim of debt. Turn the situation around and show what we can do when we are wise stewards with what God has blessed us with.

A New Friend in the Creation/Evolution Debate

I've always been intrigued by the creation/evolution debate. Last year while I was at a conference, I saw that Ben Stein was going to come out with a movie arguing against evolution--yes the same Ben Stein who hosted "Win Ben Stein's Money" and who was the boring teacher on "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Now that's what I call credibility!

Most people don't know that Stein has also been an outspoken political activist, as well as a speech writer for Presidents Nixon and Ford. This isn't some Joe Schmoe making a movie. This is quality stuff.

While I haven't seen the entire film yet, I have seen about a half hour of it. I must say, it was incredibly forthtelling about the true depth of the toll that evolution has had on our culture.

Anyway, the film is called "Expelled!" and came out last weekend in theatres. It is a documentary, but is quite good. I'm not a big "This movie will change your life" kind of guy, but this one is really good at revealing truth. Their web site is: www.expelledthemovie.com. It is playing in both Bloomington and Springfield.

Zanoza's Story Continues to Spread

Many of you were touched a few weeks ago by the video of Dan and Julie Zanoza. Since then, it has been posted on YouTube and has also been written about in the State Journal Register (Springfield newspaper). I have included a few of the links where you can find those stories below. By the way, at last count, their YouTube video had been watched nearly 400 times.

Article by Bernard Schoenburg in the Springfield State Journal Register

Illinois Family Institute Article by Dan Zanoza

Since Dan and Julie are new to our congregation, many of you may not know he founded and regularly writes on the website www.rffm.org. Check it out, as it has a lot of good information there.