Insightful entries that do not necessarily fit under philosophy and theology.
Ann Coulter and the Mennonites
The conservative commentator Ann Coulter recently spoke at my local university among fanfare and protestation. I have minimal interest in politics, but her “Christianity” does interest me. As with Ann’s politics, her faith is antagonistic. It reminds of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.
In contrast, I recently listened to a sermon by Shane Hipps. Shane taught at a Mennonite church for several years and is now a teaching pastor at Mars Hill (alongside Rob Bell). In the sermon Shane gave some background information on the Mennonites. For them Christianity is not primarily about believing, but practicing the way of Christ.
It is important to realize people practice their faith in two ways. There is the Ann Coulter and Pharisee way: antagonizing and even killing for what they believe in. Then there is the Jesus and Mennonite way: practicing and even dying for what they believe in.
Here is a clip from Shane’s message (volume is low):
Woodland Hills: Kingdom Economics
Woodland Hills recently had a sermon series called “Kingdom Economics”. Simply put, it is on money and wealth. It is an insightful series that people should hear. Here is an excerpt from the first sermon entitled “Defying the Beast”:
Definition of Wisdom
Wisdom is common sense. It is using knowledge to determine the best course of action for a given situation. We live in a knowledgeable modern world, but wisdom seems to be a dying art.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.” – Confucius
“Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.” – Immanuel Kant
“Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.” – Martin Fischer
“It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.” – Robert Green Ingersoll
“A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate depth of his ignorance.” – Gian Carlo Menotti
What does God require of us?
Greg Boyd explains what God requires of us by examining Micah 6:8. The full sermon is entitled “Seeing What God Sees” and can be found on the Woodland Hills website.
“He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- Micah 6:8
