Tooling around the internet this week…
+ The California Supreme court overruled the state’s ban on gay “marriage”, joining with Massachusetts as the only two states to legalize such unions. Of course, usually what happens in California spreads to other states rather quickly. There’s commentary here and here, and some analysis on the impact of this decision on the presidential election.
+ No wise cracks here, but it is now official that Kentucky is a weird state. There are the Melungeons, some blue people, a Herrington Lake monster, a lost civilization under Lexington, a building that looks like a UFO and people who claim to have been abducted by one. Yikes!
+ High school gradations are coming over the next week or so. It is a well-known fact that increasing numbers of evangelical teenagers, active in their churches until graduation, will walk away from the faith in their college years. We used to console ourselves with some idea that they would go through a “sowing wild oats” phase in the 20’s and come back in their thirties. That is often not the case anymore. In this sobering post, Michael Patton notes, “We are facing an epidemic in Christianity—an epidemic of unbelief among our own. Crowding our churches are those who are somewhere in the process of leaving. No, I am not talking about leaving a denomination. I am not talking about abandoning some institutionalized expression of Christianity. I am not talking about leaving the church (though related). And I am not even talking about renouncing religion. I am talking about those who are leaving Christ. Over 31 million Americans are saying “check please” to the church, and are off to find answers elsewhere.” He makes the important observation that we must develop a more rigorous discipleship process for our young people (and adults) that will honestly deal with questions and secular ideas from a theological basis.
+ Next month, the Southern Baptist Convention will once again have an opportunity to pass resolutions on integrity in church membership. There are two resolutions being presented. You can read them here and here. They come from different perspectives, but address our desperate need to make sure our ecclesiology (doctrine and practice of the church) match our soteriology (doctrine of salvation). The Southern Baptist Texan published an interesting survey of the issue. I would hope that finally one of these resolutions will be passed. An encouragement in that direction will result in stronger churches that are more faithful to the New Testament and more effective to our Great Commission calling.
+ My Mamaw Zola turns 93 years old today! Happy day, Mamaw!
+ Last week, I wrote about the economic stimulus checks that will be issued in coming weeks. Humorist Dave Barry has his usual tilted viewpoint on them:
Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
