Simon Cox Blog: October 2016

Monday, 31 October 2016

Call for safe access to abortions after woman charged

From the British Humanist Association: Northern Ireland Humanists has called for safe access to legal abortions and an end to prosecutions following news that a woman has been reported to police and charged in connection with using abortion pills after seeing medical help. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except on grounds of health whereas women [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/11/01/call-for-safe-access-to-abortions-after-woman-charged/

Ephesians 1:18

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”

from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Ephesians%201:18

Diaspora Missions: People on the Move in the Borderless World

As of the end of 2015, 65.3 million people were displaced.

In 2015, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) declared that year to be the Year of the Migrants.

The 21st century world, a world that the Creator-Redeemer God loves, is a different world from 2,000 years ago when the Apostle John wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only one, the only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

To be an effective herald of Jesus Christ, I must continue to understand and learn about the world in which I live. The world I live in seems “borderless”—interconnected by technology and traversed by millions of migrants and travellers.

Three books have helped me understand our current context:

The Borderless World by Kenichi Ohmae
Economist Ohmae describe how business can be done transcending time and space. In the business world, business is conducted simultaneously globally and locally, hence, GLOCAL.

Exceptional People: How Migration Shaped Our World and Will Define Our Future by Ian Goldin, Geoffrey Cameron, Meera Balarajan
The title of this book clearly suggests that ordinary migrants have shaped the world and will continue to chart the future, including global demography, economy, labour, and even transnational security.

Connectography: Mapping The Future of Global Civilization by Parag Khanna
MIT professor Alex Pentland writes:

Connectography gives the reader an amazing new perspective on human society, bypassing the timeworn categories and frameworks... It shows us a view of our world as a living thing that really exist: the flow of people, ideas, and materials that constitute our constantly evolving reality... A must read for anyone who wants to understand the future of humanity. ...

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/caZXJxqCP4Q/diaspora-missions-people-on-move-in-borderless-world.html

Ministry in a Multi-faith Society Means Confrontation

Learning from Paul at the Areopagus, the epicenter of evangelism

Over the last five years, my family and I have had the privilege of frequently visiting missionary friends in Athens. Every time I have gone, I have made sure to visit the Areopagus, the scene of Paul’s address in Acts 17. Of course, you have to use your imagination when visiting today. It’s basically a big hunk of uneven shiny rock to clamber up on and walk around (being careful that the kids don’t topple off the sheer drop at the back!). But when I’m there, I always like making the point, to anyone around who’ll listen, that I’m actually standing on the place where the actual apostle Paul preached to the Athenian cognoscenti all that time ago.

Anyone interested in cultural apologetics and Christianity’s relationship to other religions will know Acts 17. Indeed, all roads seem to lead back to this Athenian outcrop. Though my students might inwardly groan at yet another theological trip there, it never becomes tired or clichéd, for it remains a ‘touchstone:’ a microcosm of the gospel of Jesus Christ encountering the religious Other in public. Whether it’s recent bathroom-related legislation, or the pronouncements of a would-be president, we are constantly faced with how to relate Christianity to other worldviews, and it often leaves Christians dizzy and disoriented. We need some basic theological clarity with regards to how we remain faithful to the gospel—handed down to us from Christians through the ages—in a multi-faith society.

So, whether it’s to clear up misunderstandings or give us fresh understandings on our mission and ministry today, I think it’s well worth yet another quick whistle-stop tour of the Areopagus.

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/Cl1q_30Aw6U/ministry-in-multi-faith-society-means-confrontation.html

Ministry in a Multi-faith Society Means Confrontation

Learning from Paul at the Areopagus, the epicenter of evangelism

So, whether it’s to clear up misunderstandings or give us fresh understandings on our mission and ministry today, I think it’s well worth yet another quick whistle-stop tour of the Areopagus.

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/qgPgcxiGtfs/ministry-in-multi-faith-society-means-confrontation.html

Beth Moore: I Found God in ‘Deep Valleys and Difficulties’

The best-selling author and speaker talks about her past and her first-ever work of fiction.

New York Times bestselling author Beth Moore has made recent headlines in The Daily Beast and other media outlets for coming out publicly against sexual assault. “My whole ministry life is serving Jesus through serving women. To expect me not to speak up in their behalf is like expecting a dog not to bark,” she tweeted. Her response to Trump is apolitical, she says. “My tweets ... had one purpose: to speak up for sexually abused women who feel voiceless. I do not endorse/support either candidate.”

Although Moore’s recent appearance on the political stage is consonant with her mission and ministry, nonetheless, it reveals a new side to someone that most of us know only as a public speaker and Bible study author. In her writing life, Moore is once again breaking new ground by debuting her first work of fiction: The Undoing of Saint Silvanus. The story follows a protagonist named Jillian Slater, who is forced to face her painful past after her father drinks himself to death.

I spoke recently with Moore about the novel, her motivation for writing it, and how God shows up in the dark spaces of our lives.

You mentioned that this is your “maiden voyage,” your first dive into fiction. You’ve worked on this for so long, how does it feel to finally have this novel out in the world?

It’s so weird because even when I’ve been on the book tour this week and heard myself being introduced—sitting there on a radio program, I can hear them introducing me and saying I have a new novel out—I was on the phone thinking, “That can’t be me! That cannot be me.”

It was about three and a half years [of writing the book] because I was doing it on the side while writing ...

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/6hT721ecri8/beth-moore-interview.html

The Creator On Trial – Part 3

The interviews start in Chapter 3. Jonathan Wells, the interviewee for this chapter, is well-known for his attacks on evolution. Wells is a Moonie (member of the Unification Church) who says he was personally tasked by Rev. Moon to tear down the theory of evolution. He lists ten “Icons of Evolution,”1 that he claims are [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/31/the-creator-on-trial-part-3/

Sunday, 30 October 2016

Quote of the Day: Illithid on Trump vs Clinton

This came yesterday from Illithid: I don’t know what will happen in Syria. I do know that the choice we have for who to make decisions on our behalf is between two people. One is a career politician, imperfect, ambitious, willing to fight dirty to win, perhaps overfond of military intervention, but one who has many [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/31/quote-of-the-day-illithid-on-trump-vs-clinton/

1 Peter 5:8-9

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=1%20Peter%205:8-9

Interview with Progressive Christian Brian McLaren

I (Alan Duval) have interviewed progressive Christian, former Evangelical pastor, and vocal part of the emerging church movement, Brian McLaren. McLaren is an interesting figure in progressive Christianity, not least because one seldom hears the words “progressive” and “evangelical” in the same sentence, and when you do, one is seldom in reference to the other. [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/30/interview-with-progressive-christian-brian-mclaren/

Saturday, 29 October 2016

Trump and Jesus. How Can You Align the Two? You Can’t.

I have been arguing on facebook with an evangelical Catholic who has become so right-wing it is amazing. It stems from the most unbelievable cognitive dissonance I have ever experienced. He is gay, and sees that as a sin. As such, he has embraced every aspect of right-wingness in order to allow his brain to get over [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/30/trump-and-jesus-how-can-you-align-the-two-you-cant/

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Ephesians%202:8-9

Quote of the Day: Michael Candelario on the Post-Fact Electorate

This one comes from facebook. Couldn’t agree more: In the US, there are large swaths of voters (some examples seen here in this thread) to whom facts have become biased. Because their deeply held views have been shown to be false, the mere fact of presenting facts for deliberation is seen as bias or forceful [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/29/quote-of-the-day-michael-candelario-on-the-post-fact-electorate/

The Creator On Trial – Part 2

The interviews in Strobel’s book, “The Case for a Creator,” are written in the form of Socratic dialogues, where Strobel takes on the role of skeptical questioner, as if he were still unconvinced of the Creator’s existence. His biography contradicts this, stating that he converted to Christianity in 1981. This book was published in 2004, [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/29/9178/

Friday, 28 October 2016

From the BHA: Words of caution on freedom of religion or belief

Interesting stuff from the British Humanist Association: While defending the human right to freedom of religion or belief, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, also offered a few words of caution, speaking at the Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism by building inclusive and plural societies: How Freedom of Religion or Belief can [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/29/from-the-bha-words-of-caution-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief/

Romans 12:1

“[A Living Sacrifice] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Romans%2012:1

Pacific Islanders appear to be carrying the DNA of an unknown human species

This is taken from an article on Science Alert. Continue here to read it in full, where you will also learn how genital warts appear to have come from interbreeding with Neanderthals… Hints of an unidentified, extinct human species have been found in the DNA of modern Melanesians – those living in a region of [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/29/pacific-islanders-appear-to-be-carrying-the-dna-of-an-unknown-human-species/

Brexit, Nissan, the Free Market, Protectionism and Government Insanity

A bit of a sidetrack here. Brexit has happened and it looks increasingly likely that the UK will leave the European Single Market. Those on the Remain side have been lauding the issues (falling pound, the banks planning to pull out etc.) whilst the Leavers have been lauding the positives (better than expected UK growth, [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/28/brexit-nissan-the-free-market-protectionism-and-government-insanity/

'A Man for All Seasons' is a Movie for Our Time

The stirring portrait of Sir Thomas More shows the costly importance of faithfulness.

Don’t worry. I won’t spoil the ending. But you need to know (if you don’t already) that something extraordinary is coming soon to a theater near you.

Before the clock strikes 2017, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese will deliver his passion project, a movie he’s been planning for decades. It’s based on a beloved novel by Shusaku Endo about a Portuguese missionary striving to serve persecuted Christians in Japan. And if Scorsese is true to his literary source, and brings his formidable powers to the occasion, he may well deliver one of cinema’s most excruciatingly intense films about faith.

It’s called Silence. And it corners Christians with a compelling question: Are there any circumstances under which a believer should openly apostatize? Is there any earthly authority who, if he commands a believer to publicly renounce his faith, should be obeyed?

I thought about Silence a lot this week as I revisited one of the most enduringly popular films about faith: A Man for All Seasons. How could I not? Here’s another beloved drama in which the word “silence” plays a prominent role, and in which a faithful Christian is commanded to deny Christ’s authority.

In both stories, silence is a matter of life and death. But in Endo’s narrative, the silence in question is God’s: Why will he not intervene and stop the persecution of Japanese believers? In A Man for All Seasons, silence plays a different—but equally important—role.

I recommend we prepare for Scorsese’s film by revisiting this classic. Directed by Fred Zinnemann from a script by Robert Bolt (adapting his own stage play), and starring the great Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More, A Man for ...

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/TPEzatJLYjw/man-for-all-seasons-is-movie-for-our-time.html

How the Electoral Map Would Look…

This meme is fascinating: [Source]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2016/10/28/how-the-electoral-map-would-look/

Don't Waste the Opportunity: 4 Reasons You Should Go Trick or Treating This Weekend

New poll asks "What are pastors telling their congregations?"

I know lots of Christians who avoid Halloween. I did years ago. I get it and even respect it, depending on how you handle it.

Many churches put on wonderful events as Halloween alternatives, and I understand their goal. The last church I planted did so. Some churches do it due to their convictions on Halloween and I respect the theological aspect of that decision. I've seen such events done well.

But my point is: don't waste the best opportunity you have each year to meet your neighbors.

As such, here is my suggestion:

Get a costume.
Buy candy.
Put costume on.
Give candy out.
Go get candy from your neighbors.
Meet all your neighbors.
Build on those new relationships.

Here are four reasons you might want to go trick-or-treating tonight:

1. There is no other night in the year when people you have not met will be coming to your door. You want to be there, meet them, and visit with them. If you are at a Halloween alternative, you miss your neighbors.

2. There is no other night when you get to go to your neighbor's door and introduce yourself without any awkwardness (only if you have kids—otherwise it's creepy and you should stay home and pass out candy). Tonight, you will meet people at your door and at their door—what an amazing opportunity.

Halloween trick-or-treating might be the best opportunity you have to connect with the unchurched all year.

3. You don't have to worship the devil to go up and ask your neighbor for candy. Choose your costume and your words carefully, and many Christians find this an opportunity, not an occult experience. I know the history of Halloween, but your neighbors don't, so don't assume they are participating in some dark ritual if it has lost all that meaning. (Now, if ...

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/QOHCAr_KamY/new-lifeway-research-pastors-and-halloween.html

Trump Ends Evangelicals and Catholics Together

This election, many of evangelicals’ GOP allies across the Tiber are leaving for Clinton.

During an interview last night on the Catholic Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), Donald Trump said, “Why would an evangelical or a Catholic—almost you could say anybody of faith, but in particular evangelicals and Catholics—how could they vote for Hillary Clinton?”

Trump was also featured on Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) the same night, saying if evangelicals turn out to vote, “we’re gonna win the election.” [Both videos appear at the end of this article.]

The truth is, evangelicals and Catholics no longer make up the religious voting bloc Republicans relied on for decades—and it’s Catholics who are stepping away for Clinton. While many evangelicals have given Trump their reluctant blessing, more of their brothers and sisters across the Tiber are increasingly split between the Republican and Democratic presidential tickets.

Most evangelicals of color have backed Clinton, and American Catholics’ soaring ethnic diversity—more than their Protestant counterparts and more than in years past—is partly responsible for their veering voting patterns.

More than a quarter of American Catholics are first-generation immigrants, and 42 percent are people of color, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. These demographics impact church politics as a whole; even white Catholics are up to twice as likely to support Clinton as white evangelicals.

“Trump is also seeing erosion among white Catholics in comparison with previous GOP candidates,” said Stephen F. Schneck, director for the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at Catholic University. “That reflects rising education levels among ...

from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/8CflE8d5l60/trump-ends-evangelicals-catholics-together-voting-clinton.html