URC Learning: Sinners & Saints

Unable to plug the gaping hole left by his inability to account for absolute standards of morality, Dawkins resorts in chapter seven to try and discredit the Bible as that plug. Of course, he again proceeds to critique something without any foundation for objectivity; also, he analyzes the Scripture in such a simplistic manner that you are forced to wonder if such a learned man ever actually read this Bible he attacks.

The title of Dawkins’ sixth chapter, “The Roots of Morality: Why Are We Good?,” betrays his inability as an atheist to account for the absolute standards of morality which he so readily embraces and applies throughout the book and his own life. His speculations about humanity’s moral consensus are merely descriptive, and when he finally (though half-heartedly) acknowledges this problem, the chapter ends with but a whimper.

In part one, we urged people to see the necessity of actually believing that the Christian religious claims are true. This time, we affirm Dawkins’ assertion that most religion, even much of what is said and done in the name of Christ, is untrue, and superstitious, and devised and promoted for selfish, bad reasons. Professing Christians open up the name of Christ to be slandered when they pervert and trivialize the truth or tolerate those who do the same.

Here we begin an eight-part series discussing this best-selling book by acknowledging that professing Christians are much to blame for the kinds of critiques Dawkins levies against theism. If we forsake orthodoxy, or if we keep it but trivialize it; if we say we believe something that we don’t think is true, or if we suppress our doubts, then Dawkins is right–our faith is deluded.

Have you been pierced or inked? Are you artistic or are you simply defacing your body? Does God have anything to say about it? Lots of questions with some at least mildly interesting debate about the answers on this recut of a show on body piercing and tattoos.

61% of kids active in youth groups–that’s right, SIXTY-ONE PERCENT–are not found in church as adults. Questions like, “What is a better model for youth ministry, how can we improve it and make it more substantial?” or “What is a Reformed youth ministry model?” are trumped by the right question, “Where in the world did we come up with the idea that God is pleased by the whole idea of youth ministry in the first place?”

How should we react to the fall of Ted Haggard? In this second show of two, we ask if a true Christian can struggle with sin, especially the sin of homosexuality. We also think about how the church should face the “homosexual issue” in our culture.

How should we react to the fall of Ted Haggard? In this first show of two, we look inside at our own hearts and outside at the evangelical cult complex to learn some sobering lessons. We also think about a wife’s obligations to an adulterous husband and a church’s obligations to an adulterous pastor.

Every thankful Christian should be in church this coming Thursday morning, right? The Bible calls every world culture to set aside a national Thanksgiving Day, right? Tape your ankles for the Turkey Bowl, lick your lips for the feast, and dive in to the Sinners & Saints chat about good ol’ Thanksgiving.

Have you caught on yet? Have you claimed your promises? The good news is that Christ saved you, but the really good news is that He wants you to be rich. So say some of the most visible leaders in the “Christian” church today.