The reason anti-gay Christians invariably give for their conviction that homosexuality is an egregious sin against God is, “That’s what the Bible says.”*… [Read more…] about If you take Paul “literally” on homosexuality take Jesus literally on money
Christian Issues
Is "Biblical Truth" all that matters?
One of the hallmarks of American Evangelicalism is its dogmatic biblicism. This understanding of the Bible goes far beyond mere love and respect for Scripture, instead functioning as a distorted trinity composed of God, Jesus, and the Bible, with the Bible acting as virtually the only means through which we can properly come to God.
It is the Bible that is at the center of Fundamentalist and Evangelical faith, and it is the absolute, inerrant, and infallible authority of the Bible that many Christians cling to as the essential doctrine of Christianity. The Holy Spirit is relegated to an afterthought. Logic and reason are of questionable value. Experience and emotion are sure to mislead. Tradition and church teaching have their place, but only insofar as they support Scripture.
This biblicism was succinctly expressed in a commentary by conservative pastor Jim Garlow entitled “The Source of Wisdom.” Dr. Garlow said:
There is truth that goes beyond us. It predates us. It will outlive us. It’s called ‘Biblical Truth.’ … What’s your source of wisdom? Ultimately my opinion matters little. And sorry to say, neither does yours. But there’s a truth that does matter. It’s called ‘Biblical Truth.’ Some will say, ‘Well, according to who’s interpretation? The answer: according to the collective minds of authentic followers of God for the last two thousand years. Others will argue, ‘well it’s his interpretation against yours, right?’ No, the Bible was written plainly.… [Read more…] about Is "Biblical Truth" all that matters?
To oppose a negative is a positive
A question we are sometimes asked is: “Why the name Unfundamentalist? Wouldn’t it be better to define yourself by what you’re for, rather than what you’re against?”
Christian fundamentalism—and fundamentalistm of other varieties—is defined by and vigorously promotes everywhere authoritarianism, the oppression of women, homophobia, xenophobia, the “danger” of education, corporal punishment, a literal and inerrant view of scripture, “all or nothing” thinking, and a God whose primary function is to judge and punish.
We are for none of those things, hence our name.
Also, there is nothing wrong with defining oneself by what one opposes, if what one opposes is prevalent and evil. Martin Luther defined himself by opposing the wrongs of the Catholic Church. Gandhi defined himself by opposing the British occupation of India. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined himself by opposing racism.
To state that you oppose a negative is a positive.
We are not, however, purely oppositional. What we stand for and believe in is here.
John Shore, advice columnist for the Asheville Citizen-Times (the major daily newspaper of Asheville, North Carolina) is the founder of Unfundamentalist.… [Read more…] about To oppose a negative is a positive
Young Earth Creationists make their point
Our previous post, Dan Wilkinson’s “Creationist Ken Ham versus the Truth,” generated many comments from Young Earth Creationists eager to assert their conviction that, because the Bible is meant to be taken literally, the theory of evolution is not just factually but morally wrong.
Young Earth Creationists believe that approximately six thousand years ago God created the world and all of its creatures in six twenty-four hour days. They believe that dinosaurs co-existed with modern humans. When presented with the scientific facts that the universe is between 11 and 15 billion years old, that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old, and that life appeared on earth at least 2.5 billion years ago and subsequently evolved into many forms, Young Earth Creationists often respond with Ken Ham’s famous, “Were you there?”
Ken Ham is a prominent leader of the YEC movement. He is founder and president of Answers in Genesis (AiG), a “Christianity-defending ministry” that in 2007 opened the $27 million Creation Museum, paid for entirely through private donations to AiG. Located on 50 acres in Petersburg, Kentucky, the 70,000 square foot state of the art “museum” (for it is not accredited by the American Alliance of Museums) features “a time journey through a visual presentation of the ‘Seven C’s of History’ according to Scripture: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross and Consummation. … [Visitors] will also be challenged to consider how the first 11 chapters of… [Read more…] about Young Earth Creationists make their point
Creationist Ken Ham versus the Truth
Announcing his upcoming debate with Bill Nye, the Science Guy, Young Earth Creationist Ken Ham said:… [Read more…] about Creationist Ken Ham versus the Truth
"But that's what the Bible says about hell." Stop that!
(A great friend of Unfundamentalist Christians is a young woman named Nicole Villacres. I was recently poking about Nicole’s blog when I came across the piece below. I liked its honest, unpretentious heart; it has an old-school energy that I find refreshing and touching. So I asked Nicole if I could share it here, and appreciate her saying yes. — John Shore)… [Read more…] about "But that's what the Bible says about hell." Stop that!
Does procreation build God’s nation?
The just-released United Nations World Fertility Report reveals that the United States has one of the highest rates of childlessness of any country in the world. Last month the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2012 the United States birthrate reached a record low.… [Read more…] about Does procreation build God’s nation?
From an atheist married to a Christian
A while back I ventured a few thoughts on some of the challenges inherent in interfaith marriages. In response an atheist friend of mine wrote and invited me to share with you the following letter:
I’m a bona fide marriage expert. Not because I have some fancy Ivy League degree hanging on my wall, nor because I’m a published marriage counselor—no, I’m a marriage expert because I’ve been married twice. I’m a big believer in the school of you-don’t-know-it-until-you’ve-done-it. Having done it twice, I now know it twice as well. Hence, marriage expert.
My first marriage was to a lovely woman of like-spirituality. We were both humanists (which is a fancy term for do-gooder atheists) of Jewish descent. That marriage failed when she realized that she didn’t love me. ME! How could she not love me? You probably don’t know me, but I am very lovable. I know this, because my second wife, an even more lovely Christian woman named Rachel, told me so. Rachel also told me that our marriage is a resounding success, and I believe her. We both have no doubt that we will be together until we die, at which point we will be separated. According to her, I will go to hell and she will go to heaven; in my version, we will both simply be dead. Either way, we won’t be together anymore, and that’s sad.
Rachel is a Christian and I am a heretical Jewish humanist. How can this marriage of ours really be a success? How can we fully be together when we don’t share the same spirituality?… [Read more…] about From an atheist married to a Christian
The "War on Christmas" from a retailer's point of view
This guest post is by J. Howard Boyd.
As we enter the holiday shopping season, I would like to call out a few points about the whole “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” debate.
This is an extremely stressful season for those of us who make our living in the retail marketplace. Most of us rely on sales from this season to make up for the poorer sales that occur throughout the rest of the year. Many of my customers this season I see throughout the year, but the vast majority will be people I see only once a year, if that.
My biggest pleasure in serving you this season will be to help you find just the right gift for that special someone on your list. In order to do that, I will have to learn some things from you about the intended recipient. I will ask about their likes and dislikes, but I probably won’t ask about their religion, and I certainly won’t be asking you about yours. It’s just not relevant to the task at hand (and there are a lot of other people whom I also need to help!)
At the end of our time together, hopefully I will be tallying up your purchase. As we both are aware, this is a season of giving as well as shopping, so I may take the opportunity to wish you well as you go on your way. If you made it clear to me in our conversation that you are a Christian, I will probably wish you a Merry Christmas. If you have indicated you are Jewish, I may say Happy Chanukah. If you have shared that you are a Pagan, I will wish you Good Yule, or Happy… [Read more…] about The "War on Christmas" from a retailer's point of view
The American Family Association wants Christians to boycott Radio Shack. But WWJD?
The American Family Association is calling for a boycott of Radio Shack. Why? Because in their holiday advertising Radio Shack uses the word holiday instead of Christmas.… [Read more…] about The American Family Association wants Christians to boycott Radio Shack. But WWJD?