Jesus Culture

Who is your neighbor? And how does this conversation Jesus had with a religious leader relevant to our culture at this time? Have we politicized the gospel to the point that it has become something different than the gospel we find in the New Testament? How should the gospel effect the way we view "Outsiders" and "Foreigners?" Jesus asks a very pointed question to a man, who thought that his people were more important than others.

Many Christians discuss opportunities to help people in peril, while others go full into it. Pastor Nour and the Alliance Church in Al Mafraq Jordan is an amazing case if the latter. The pastor and his people are tireless workers on the Syrian border where they minister to thousands of Syrian refugees, who have lost everything from the war that has been raging since 2011. In spite of their help they have found solace in the friendship and hospitality that Alliance church has shown them. It’s a refuge in a terrible situation and an example for the western church that often sees church as a place to go rather than a people serving those in need. I think you will be blessed by listening. 

CRT or Critical Race Theory has been a controversial topic in our country, and while there are definitely problems in relation to CRT, is it as evil as the critics want us to believe? Much of the information on social media and the media is, unfortunately, sensationalistic and often misinformed. What is CRT? What are the problems with CRT? Is there anything we can learn from CRT? Even theologian John Calvin wrote in regard to 'Profane' authors..." “Therefore, in reading profane authors, the admirable light of truth displayed in them should remind us, that the human mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable gifts from its Creator. If we reflect that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we will be careful, as we would avoid offering insult to him, not to reject or condemn truth wherever it appears. In despising the gifts, we insult the Giver.” And if CRT is proven to be the 'Boogey-Man' as many think it is, does it give us a pass on our role to defeat certain injustices that still cripple our country and hurt many of our brothers and sisters in Christ?

Our Passions and Desires have consequences. What we perceive as freedom, is often the very thing that limits our lives. The world has many problems and every group seems to know what the problem is; someone/something else! We all create the 'us vs them' mentality, demonizing others while neglecting to perceive how our own actions have contributed to the oppression and injustice in this world. Unfortunately, the church is not immune to this. Amos helps us understand that it is God's people that God looks to, to be just in this world, yet we are often the cause of the injustices, and it does not go unnoticed!

This is episode #1 from a brief series entitled 'The Good News About Injustice,' which will take a brief look into the Prophet Amos' word, especially as it looks at the topic of justice. The situation in Amos' day is not only relevant but eerily mirrors the time we are in today. Justice appears to be the buzzword of the day, and everyone seems to be asking for justice for the ills in our society, but when it comes to God exacting justice on His creation, it is looked at as judgmental, harsh, and petty. This episode is going to explore the question 'Why Is the Bible So Judgmental?' or does He have the right to judge His creation based on His knowledge of good and evil, which is based on His character.

The LA Times posted an op-ed piece by Pitzer College's sociologist professor, Dr. Zuckerman entitled "Why America’s Record Godlessness in the US is Good News," positing the idea that cultures are better off when their people voluntarily leave their ideas about God and religion. This podcast addresses that thesis, with some thoughts that should give op-ed pieces like this one some pause.