1 Corinthians 13 in Reverse

HT: Jared C. Wilson

What if we looked at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 from the reverse angle? I think it helps us put so much of our pettiness and self-interest in stark perspective and shows love as that much more beautiful.

Impatience and unkindness is hatred.
Hate is envious and ego-centric.
Hate is arrogant and rude.
Hatred is insisting on one’s own way;
hatred is irritable or resentful;
it celebrates sin, and it mocks what is true.
Hate is whiny and thin-skinned,
thoroughly skeptical,
always pessimistic,
a born quitter.

But hatred ends . . .

Hillsong, Beyond the Music

Michael Keen/Flickr

As a worship leader, I enjoy and frequently utilize Hillsong's songwriting. They've written some creative music with deep, worshipful lyrics. I came to know their music when they led worship and workshops at Willow Creek's last arts conference in 2009.

Ed Stetzer provides a glimpse into the Australian megachurch, beyond the popular music, as it celebrates its 30th birthday. It's quite fascinating.

You can read it here.

Differing Presbyterians

In light of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (PCUSA)'s news-noted change in policy, Joe Carter wisely illustrated some key differences in theology and practice between the PCUSA and the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). These are the two largest Presbyterian denominations in the States (and there are more . . .) and they have significant differences. Suffice to say, it's advisable not to make sweeping generalizations about Presbyterians.

I don't serve in a Presbyterian church myself, but I come from a line of family serving in the PCA, Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and a few other non-PCUSA Presbyterian churches.

You can read the article here.

Friday Fun: Lego Fire Walk

All of a sudden, normal fire walks don't sound so bad anymore. 

The Word "Muslim" Hurts Resumes

Brad Wright, a professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut, recently wrote an article that appeared in ChristianityToday about an experiment in resumes. (This study was also mentioned in the Huffington Post). This experiment involved sending out resumes with very similar education/experience qualifications but vastly religious affiliations. The result of the study? Mentioning a religious affiliation (e.g. involvement in a religious college club) will decrease chances of a callback from a potential employer, particularly if it's a Muslim affiliation.

Religious discrimination still exists in the land of the free. And it's not just against Christians. Muslims and even atheists (ironically) also wrongfully suffer from religious discrimination.

You can read the whole story about the study here.

Christians' New Guide to Literature

Literature lovers, take note!

Leland Ryken, whose How to Read the Bible to Literature helped inspire my passion for biblical studies, has written books with some informed and fascinating perspectives on the classics, including Shakespeare, Milton and Dickens.

Check it out here.

Battle Between Colleges and Campus Groups Heating Up

A few more college administrations have imposed some difficulties for campus Christian groups, mostly because (as it seems) that Christian groups uphold lifestyle requisites for their leadership positions that are "discriminatory." Bowdoin is now a name joining Vanderbilt, and California State's decision is seen as a proverbial tipping point. This battle has made it to three Patheos blogs and the New York Times.

We all need to stay away from vague cliches, define our terms (e.g. "diversity," "discrimination," and "exclusivity") and realize that if you support religious freedom (no matter who you are), you're going to support something you're against.