Pastor Joel Hunter's Prayer, Democratic Convention '08

Watch this video as Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland Church in Florida and author of "A New Kind of Conservative," offers the closing prayer at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Now, here's the rub. Hunter is a pro-life Evangelical and a registered Republican who believes that "people with differing views can work together and can ultimately further their agenda without compromising their core moral convictions".

This is the new evangelicalism where social change trumps truth. Notice especially the way he ends the prayer - I've never seen anything like it. IMHO, this pastor is teaching that God is accessible through whatever means appeals to YOU.

By way of commentary, while the Scriptures clearly teach that God has opened the way for man to boldly come before His throne, we are not given the freedom to come any ol' way we want - we can only come through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Tim Hawkins - Cletus Take the Reel

Do yourself a favor and watch this video. I love song parodies and this is one of the best.

John MacArthur on Tony Campolo and the Social Gospel

This is so important.

Evangelical Christianity is being seduced by a liberal gospel that seeks to undermine the message of eternal salvation. In addition to Tony Campolo, this message is being propagated by the likes of Rob Bell, Tony Jones, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, and America's pastor - Rick Warren.

You Spin Me Round - Rick Pino

Some of my more conservative blogger friends are all up in arms over this.

This is a video of a song at the end of a summer youth camp program called Summer Ramp ’07.

The song leader, Rick Pino, has the kids spin their socks and jump around while singing “You spin me right round, Jesus, right around” over and over.

The problem some have with this is twofold:

They say this is not worship. The song is vapid, meaningless emotional hype.

Furthermore, the song was actually made popular in the 80’s (without the name of Jesus) by transvestite performer Pete Burns.

The argument continues that, while we have freedom in Christ from sin, we are not free to worship God any ol’ way we want (can I get an “amen” from Uzzah and King Saul?). Also, the blood of Christ allows us to enter boldly into the presence of God (something the OT saints knew nothing of), but not flippantly.

Now, those who know me and have heard me preach know that I’m very sensitive to preserving the truth of the holiness of God. I think one of the main problems with the church today – and this is true of our culture at large – is that we have lost our grip on the meaning of the fear of the Lord. I’m especially concerned about teaching this next generation to frivolously “rush in where angels fear to tread”.

That having been said, I’m also concerned about judging another person’s worship. Yes the song is vapid, maybe even a little silly, but we don’t know what kind of teaching has been going on at this camp (I don’t know anything about Rick Pino beyond this video). It may be that they have been immersed in deep, Biblical, theological teaching all week long and this is just an innocuous “let loose” time.

Are all the kids in that crowd truly worshipping? I doubt it, but I would think many are. Look in on a liturgical church this Sunday, and listen to the organ playing classical hymns. Are all the people in that congregation truly worshipping? Again, I doubt it, but I would think many are. The point is, we don’t know and it’s dangerous to speculate. This is ultimately between them and God.

What about the pagan roots behind the song? I have to admit, this does bother me somewhat. Can we worship God with a song that was originally used to appeal to the flesh? And was recorded by the perverted? Maybe . . .

Do we celebrate Christmas? Doesn’t Christmas have pagan roots? Yet we justify ourselves by saying that we can turn the celebration over to God, let Him redeem that time, and use it for His glory. In fact, that’s what we do with ourselves. Many of us have pagan origins, but we’ve been redeemed and now can be used by God.
Can’t the same be done with a song?

Your thoughts . . .

My Redeemer Lives - Team Hoyt

If you haven't already seen this, take a look at this inspiring video about the sacrificial love of a father for his son.

To me, the video acts as a parable for us and our relationship with our heavenly Father. It also serves to illustrate the role of the church in bearing one another's burdens.

The people cheering near the end (around 3:30) remind me of the "cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1.

Is this worship?

Some of my more conservative blogger friends are all up in arms over this.

This is a video of a song at the end of a summer youth camp program called Summer Ramp ’07.

The song leader, Rick Pino, has the kids spin their socks and jump around while singing “You spin me right round, Jesus, right around” over and over.

The problem some have with this is twofold:

They say this is not worship. The song is vapid, meaningless emotional hype.

Furthermore, the song was actually made popular in the 80’s (without the name of Jesus) by transvestite performer Pete Burns.

The argument continues that, while we have freedom in Christ from sin, we are not free to worship God any ol’ way we want (can I get an “amen” from Uzzah and King Saul?). Also, the blood of Christ allows us to enter boldly into the presence of God (something the OT saints knew nothing of), but not flippantly.

Now, those who know me and have heard me preach know that I’m very sensitive to preserving the truth of the holiness of God. I think one of the main problems with the church today – and this is true of our culture at large – is that we have lost our grip on the meaning of the fear of the Lord. I’m especially concerned about teaching this next generation to frivolously “rush in where angels fear to tread”.

That having been said, I’m also concerned about judging another person’s worship. Yes the song is vapid, maybe even a little silly, but we don’t know what kind of teaching has been going on at this camp (I don’t know anything about Rick Pino beyond this video). It may be that they have been immersed in deep, Biblical, theological teaching all week long and this is just an innocuous “let loose” time.

Are all the kids in that crowd truly worshipping? I doubt it, but I would think many are. Look in on a liturgical church this Sunday and listen to the organ playing classical hymns. Are all the people in that congregation truly worshipping? Again, I doubt it, but I would think many are. The point is, we don’t know and it’s dangerous to speculate. This is ultimately between them and God.

What about the pagan roots behind the song? I have to admit, this does bother me somewhat. Can we worship God with a song that was originally used to appeal to the flesh? And was recorded by the perverted? Maybe . . .

Do we celebrate Christmas? Doesn’t Christmas have pagan roots? Yet we justify ourselves by saying that we can turn the celebration over to God, let Him redeem that time, and use it for His glory. In fact, that’s what we do with ourselves. Many of us have pagan origins, but we’ve been redeemed and now can be used by God.
Can’t the same be done with a song?

Your thoughts . . .

Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King

Here's a link to the first of six YouTube videos showing Larry King's interview with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family regarding the tragic death of his daughter earlier this summer.

Very touching. Here's a paragraph from the article where I found the clips:

The family opened up for the first time about theevents surrounding the
accident, a moving recollection that included details such as Chapman performing
CPR on his daughter, son Will Franklin running away from the scene and being
chased by his brother Caleb, and an impactful drawing Maria Sue made the morning
of her death. "They were an incredible group. I'll never forget it," a moved
Larry King said of the Chapmans the day after the interview

Article: New Indian Bible Draws Fire over Hindu References

Here's an interesting piece of controversy - a Bible that contains comparisons to Hindu scripture and teachings. Here's the first line from the article:

A new Indian version of the Bible recently, published by the Catholic
Church, has run into controversy over its inclusion of verses from the
Bhagavad Gita, a form of Hindu chant, and references to the teachings of
Mahatma Gandhi.

Apparently the Bible sold out within 10 days and is going through a reprint.

Reading the comments was disturbing for me. There are those who actually see this as an effective outreach to the Indian population because it makes the Bible more acceptable.

I say it often: we're not responsible to make the Bible, or the Gospel, acceptable. That kind of mindset results in man-centered preaching that produces impressive numbers, but shallow faith.

This is just another result of the increasing disrespect for the true Word of God. When we lose sight of the truth, the lies look more and more appealing.

Check out this advertisement for Sermon Specs!

I don't want to see any of these in our congregation, but I'd like to get a pair for board meetings.

This is a spoof site full of these kinds of advertisements, and they are hilarious!

Happy Birthday, Modern Worship!

From Christian Music Today.com:

Hard to believe that it's already been a decade since modern worship began
to revolutionize the way the church used music to glorify God (not to mention
transforming the way the Christian music industry approached publishing). Modern
worship doesn't have an official anniversary—songs like "Shout to the Lord" and
"Lord I Lift Your Name on High" were already staples in the church, and labels
like Vineyard, Maranatha, and Integrity had been trying to introduce modern
worship for years. But several best-selling milestones all happened to release
around the same time, paving the way for a phenomenon that still continues ten
years later. Below are 10 albums (presented in approximate chronological order)
that remain essential to any modern worship library.

Find the list by clicking here.

MySpace Info

I’ve been talking about the problems with MySpace for quite a while now. I recently received an email from computer guru Kim Komando that contained links to articles regarding the dangers of MySpace. As the adults, we need to know how to protect our younger family members on MySpace and pass this info on. Just click the links below to view some tips about MySpace:

• The site's dangers and a link to the Dead Kids of MySpace site
• Learn how bullies use MySpace
• Know MySpace's latest threats
• Ammo for parents concerned about MySpace

Louie Giglio - Laminin

Here's a good video on laminin, if you have about 9 minutes to spare.

This is Louie Giglio (I don't know much about him apart from this video) from the How Great Is Our God tour with worship leader Chris Tomlin.

Praying for Steven Curtis Chapman

Everyone, please be in prayer for our brother and his family. His 5-year-old daughter was killed in a tragic accident on Wednesday when her older brother ran over her in their driveway. Here's a link to the article in The Tennesseean.

If you've been a Christian for a while and have paid even the scantiest attention to Christian music, you have been blessed, encouraged, and challenged by Chapman's music. It's amazing to me how bonds of love and friendship can be forged with someone you've never even met.

Please pray especially for the teen-age brother who was driving the SUV. It was a complete accident (no charges are being filed) witnessed by several members of the family. My gosh, what a burden he's going to bear.

My heart breaks for Steven and his family.

Would you recommend this guy?

Watch this if you can - I could only stomach it for a few minutes. This is zen guru Ken Wilber spouting typical New Age rhetoric. Here are a few of the spiritual activities that Wilber promotes: yoga, Zen, centering prayer, kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), TM, tantra (Hindu-based sexuality), and kundalini yoga.

Why is this posted here on Pastor Kip?

I want to expose a driving force behind the Emergent Church movement. In his book Velvet Elvis (p. 192, endnote 143), Rob Bell recommends his readers set aside three months to read Wilber's book A Theory of Everything for a "mind-blowing experience".

You may remember Rob Bell from a sermon I preached on April 20th. He's the Emergent Church leader Christianity Today called, "the mystical Billy Graham".

To show how pervasive this is in evangelicalism, I recently received an email from Group Magazine promoting Bell's Nooma video series. I've had a chance to preview some of the videos, and while they are well produced, they contain some serious doctrinal errors.

By the way, doctrine is a bad word in the Emergent Church.

Now, how could a Jesus-loving, self-proclaimed evangelical like Bell recommend a blatant New-Ager? Stay tuned . . .

What is God's Grand Plan for you?

I honestly believe that we are born with an innate sense of purpose. I believe God puts into the heart of every person the knowledge that He exists and intends to have a relationship with that individual. It’s up to us to seek Him out.

So how do we go about discerning God’s will for our lives? Look at Romans 12:2:

Romans 12:2 NASB
(2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Notice the two-fold method for proving God’s will:

Do not be conformed to this world

The phrase "this world" refers to that over-all life-attitude that is contrary to the Spirit of God and is best described in 1John 2:16:

1 John 2:16 NASB
(16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Paul admonishes us to not get caught up in this worldly mindset. It’s difficult to keep one’s mind and attitude right when we are bombarded every day by sinful appeals to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. It permeates nearly every song we listen to and every television show we watch.

So how does one keep his or her self from being conformed to the world?

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

You see, Christianity is so much more than avoiding the wrong things; it’s about doing the right things. As you immerse yourself in the Word of God and delight in obeying His commands, your mind is renewed. You find that the sinful attractions of the world system have less and less affect on you because your mind is occupied by the things of God. In short, to change the way you live, change the way you think.

And so, in fulfillment of the promise in this verse:
as you grow in your relationship with God . . .
. . . and your mind is renewed . . .
. . . and you resist the corrupting nature of the world . . .
. . . you will have a greater understanding of His will for your life!

Shout to the Lord: American Idol 10 April 2008 [HD]

As a follow-up to the previous post, on the next night the Idol contestants sang Shout to the Lord again – this time with the right words (you can watch it here).

All cynicism aside, I have to confess it gave me chills.

They released this same version on iTunes, and it was the number one downloaded tune last week.

So, how did this song come to be sung on the perennial number-one-rated show on television?

According to Christian Music Today.com, we have Sheila E. to thank. The 80’s singer/percussionist (who is also a Christian) introduced Idol producer Nigel Lithgoe to the song last summer when she was a celebrity judge on The Next Great American Band (put on by Idol producers and ultimately won by Christian trio The Clark Brothers). Lithgoe loved the song and waited for the right moment to use it.

Idol Gives Back was that moment.

American Idol did what???

Idol Gives Back is the name of American Idol’s 2-hour-long charity extravaganza. Started last year, the show raises a lot of money for several different charities ministering to starving children and hurting people around the world as well as in America. Calling it a star-studded event is a major understatement.

This year they ended the show by having the remaining contestants – all dressed in white – sing the worship standard Shout to the Lord. Yep, the same one we sing on Sunday mornings – but with one notable exception.

Instead of singing the song’s original opening line, “My Jesus, my savior . . . ” they changed it to, “My Shepherd, my savior . . .”

Interesting. What do you think? Respond to the poll over on the left.

Somebody apply the rod . . .quick!

I’ve got a part-time gig driving a school bus for Roanoke County. I love it. No stress, easy hours, and I get to hold up traffic.

Today during the afternoon run, I had to take seven elementary kids back to the school for disciplinary reasons. These students are constantly causing trouble – not listening, standing up while the bus is moving, screaming out the windows at what they call “the old people”. I’d had enough so I carted them back to Mountain View Elementary to get a talkin’ to by the principal.

Their reaction was interesting. Six of them were terrified; they knew they were in big trouble, because the driver was TAKING THEM BACK TO SCHOOL! They started trading stories of what their parents were going to do to them when they found out.

“My parents are going to kill me!” Hyperbole, I assumed.

One kid said, “My parents are going to ground me for a month!”

The seventh kid wasn’t fazed by any of this. He danced a little jig in the middle of the aisle, and sang all the way back to the school. He said, “My parents won’t ground me. They don’t care what I do.”

Watch out for that kid . . .

Judging books

Every now and then, I’ll wage this little war with the teens here at Cornerstone Church. All I have to do is say that, in most cases, I can tell what students are like, and what they think of themselves, by the way they’re dressed.

Then I’ll hear a barrage of protests. “You can’t judge a book by its cover!” they’ll say.

And I’ll respond by saying, “Oh, yes you can. We do it all the time.”

It’s worth noting that in the publishing world, companies spend a lot of time and money designing a compelling cover for a soon-to-be-released book. Why? Because people will judge that book by its cover. Fair? Maybe not, but that’s the reality.

1 Samuel 16:7 acknowledges this fact. While establishing that God examines man’s heart, the verse recognizes that man looks at outward appearances. My point to the teens listening is that it behooves them (I don’t really use the word behooves – they’d mock me) to pay attention to their style of clothes, hair, makeup, and general demeanor because, like it or not – fair or not – it will affect how people view and treat them.

Agree? Disagree?

WE presents - High School Confidential

Here's the promo for the WE series mentioned below.

Young, precious, and in danger

Tammy and I have been watching a captivating series on WE TV called High School Confidential (see the promo above). The show is a series of documentaries that follows 14 girls through high school in Kansas, and I have to say it’s a roller-coaster ride of emotions as you watch these girls face everything from academic pressures to the struggles to fit in.

One thing stands out in the first few episodes that we’ve watched: strong family ties are crucial in helping kids keep it together during these turbulent times.

And these high-school years are turbulent, in case you’ve forgotten. I had. But my eyes have readjusted a little since I’ve been driving a school bus part-time. Whoa! Let me tell you what, it’s an entirely different world out there in the adolescent jungle!

I was talking with one Jr. High girl as we were approaching her stop. She’s a pretty, blonde 14-year old, and she was telling me that she was going to be home by herself until about 9 o’clock that night. She said that this was normal because of her parents’ work/school schedule. Her story made me think of that radio PSA where Denzel Washington promotes the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He starts off by saying:

“What is the most important time in a child’s life?. . . the answer…between 3 and 6 p.m. when they are out of school. This is the time when youths are less supervised, more likely to get in trouble, or are faced with negative influences or dangerous situations.”

Make the sacrifices to be with your kids; take the steps to open up the lines of communication.

Your thoughts?

Be the Tree

I didn't come up with this thought; I wish I had. I read it in an article several years ago (can't remember where or who wrote it) and it has stuck with me ever since.

The author used the story of Zacchaeus to challenge the popular idea that we need to be Jesus to the people around us. I understand the thought (that whole "you're the only Bible some people will ever read" mindset), but this can be an intimidating, if not impossible, calling. I mean, who among us is up to that task? Can we really aspire to "be Jesus" to those around us?

The author's point was that just as Zacchaeus needed help seeing Jesus via the sycamore tree, so also there are people all around us who need help encountering the risen Christ.

Instead of trying to "be Jesus" to people, try seeing yourself as the sycamore tree. As being that vehicle by which others can get an accurate view of Jesus.

Resurrection Reflections

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in human history.

Think about this:

Scientist Henry Morris said, "The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth."

Josh Mcdowell was once asked why he could not refute Christianity.

"For a very simple reason," he said. "I am not able to explain away . . . the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

On the cross, Jesus became sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In the resurrection, God authenticated Jesus's divine authority (Acts 17:31).

There are three immutable facts:

1. Jesus was publicly crucified on Friday
2. Jesus was publicly buried on Friday
3. On Sunday, His body was missing

Either His body was stolen and a lie changed the world, or He has indeed risen just as He said. And if He has risen, then, in the words of Henry Morris, ". . . Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth."

Obama: Leaving Behind That Which is Pastor

Barack Obama’s in trouble . . . and for good reason.

Look, I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I’ve grown tired of political piety. You know how it goes: as a Presidential candidate it would be expedient to try and curry favor with the religious crowd by having a nice little church to call your own. Maybe casually carry a Bible under your arm as you enter the sanctuary and make sure you’re seen being all chatty with the minister after the service as you leave. But Barack has quickly realized just how dangerous it can be to flirt with religion for political gain.

By distancing himself from the racially-inflamed, America-damning tirades of his longtime Chicago pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack has cast serious doubt on his religious commitment. (By the way, if you were in a coma or on a space-mission last week, you might not know what I’m talking about – just Google the pastor’s name and you’ll quickly be informed.)

Basically, Barack has to admit to one of two things: either he agrees with his pastor (tantamount to political suicide), or he disagrees, but has chosen to remain under Reverend Jeremiah’s spiritual guidance and authority for the past 20 years. Barack has chosen the latter and claimed that, until recently, he was not aware of the Reverend’s ribald rhetoric.

How can this be? If you’ve seen the video clips of the pastor’s sermons (go to youtube.com and enter his name in the search box), you know that there is no middle ground with this guy. There is no misunderstanding his message. All criticism aside, Pastor Wright is a polarizing figure who forces you to make a choice.

Frankly, I find Obama’s sudden indignation over his pastor’s message to be disingenuous. It’s like eating at McDonald’s for 20 years and being shocked to find out they serve hamburgers. Pastor Wright’s hatemongering is well-known. If Obama was truly unaware of his pastor’s anti-Semitic, anti-American, anti-white message, he was one of the few people in Chicago so uninformed. Even new-age neophyte Oprah Winfrey claims she stopped attending the church years ago due to Reverend Wright’s inflammatory sermons.

Maybe Barack knew about Pastor Wright’s hate-speech, but simply chose to disagree. How can you disagree with the vehement rants of your pastor, and still allow yourself to remain under his spiritual authority? For 20 years??? Unless it really wasn’t all that important to you to begin with . . .

Charles Barkley on Fake Christians

I can't help but like former NBA star Charles Barkley, and that's why it pains me to see him spouting that same ol' rhetoric that Christians aren't supposed to judge. Watch this clip and then read Matthew 7:1-5. Even a cursory reading will show that Jesus is not condemning judgment, but hypocrisy. In fact, in John 7:24 Jesus instructs the people to "judge with righteous judgment".

What are your thoughts?

John MacArthur vs. Barry Lynn

Here's a great example of someone making a stand for the truth of scripture. John MacArthur provides a stark contrast to other Christian leaders who have floundered on the Larry King show.

The Missing Question

There are lots of questions in life:
Commercial Questions
“Can you hear me now?”
Clichéd Questions
“Is this thing on?”
Silver Screen Questions
“Dude, Where’s My Car?”
Musical Questions
“Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
Theological Questions
“Did Adam and Eve have belly-buttons?”

But, as important as these questions are, there is an even more important question that is missing from our society. This missing question was articulated by those who heard Peter’s sermon in Acts:

Acts 2:37 NIV
(37) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

These men were asking, "What shall we do to be reconciled with God?" They were filled with a holy dread at the recognition that they had offended the almighty God, and they wanted to know what they needed to do to make it right.

Do people ask this question today? Are we as a society at all driven to do anything we can to be reconciled to God?

Color me cynical, but I see an alarming apathy towards God.

Apathy vs. Atheism
Atheism, the belief that there is no God, has gained ground lately. There is currently a world-wide campaign being conducted called the Blasphemy challenge. People from all over the globe post written and video blogs all intended to disparage the Christian God.

Atheism says there is no God, and you can posit rational arguments that challenge an intellectually-honest atheist. But what do you do with the person who acknowledges that there is a God . . . but they don't care?

Where does this apathy come from?

It all begins with the preacher
Romans 10:14 NIV
(14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

The integrity of the message lies in the effectiveness of the preacher. I believe, by and large, that the apathetic attitude towards God so prevalent in our culture stems from the humanistic preaching found in pulpits across America. This man-centered gospel has created a generation that no longer asks, "What must I do?" but rather, "What can I get?"

The net result is that we have a generation seeking the fulfillment of their flesh, not restoration with God.

This prosperity gospel creates a perverse relationship in which God is relegated to the position of a kind, old benefactor whose only purpose is to continually access His limitless resources in order to bail out his beloved. This approach to the gospel threatens to turn the Bride of Christ into Anna Nicole Smith!

Repentance Preaching
Notice the kind of preaching from Peter that prompted this question. He wasn’t afraid to place the burden of blame on the people:

Acts 2:22-37 NLT
(22) "People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through Him, as you well know.
(23) But . . . you nailed Him to a cross and killed Him.
(36) "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!"
(37) Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

Too much preaching today seeks to pacify the listeners and make them feel comfortable. Repentance preaching emphasizes man’s innate sinfulness and subsequent separation from God. Then the love of God is fully demonstrated in His sacrifice to redeem us.
You cannot fully appreciate the God’s love without first understanding the sinfulness of man. Because of that, an honest assessment of the human condition must precede every presentation of the salvation message. It is much more powerful to realize that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8).