The Weekend File 12:08:07: A Must Read Interview with Frank Schaefer + More

belushi1941.jpgOldspeak is the blog of John Whitehead, who has connections with the Schaeffer story, so it’s no surprise he has the best interview I’ve seen with Frank Schaefer regarding Crazy For God and many of the true, but controversial aspects of the book. It’s a must read interview.

On the same subject, Frank Schaefer’s early attempts to be an apologist of sorts for Orthodoxy weren’t warmly received by all the Orthodox. Some have written me to make sure I know that. I’m not quite sure what this kind of criticism is all about, since any famous convert is likely to write about his/her conversion. In Crazy for God, Schaeffer leaves the Orthodox apologetics at home. But in fairness to the folks who were insistent I post this link, here it is.Continue reading “The Weekend File 12:08:07: A Must Read Interview with Frank Schaefer + More”

Brant Hansen + Links on Meds and Mental Illness

brantaccordian2a.jpgWhile we’re on the subject of telling the truth, Brant Hansen is blogging about his medication, depression, being messed-up, his brain and lots of other great things revolving around taking Prozac. It’s just such great writing and so much needed I’ll just link it, and you can trust me: it’s very good.

BTW, Brant is the kind of person who would make a great teampyro poster model.

Is Jesus Enough?
Thank You My Fellow Messed-Up People.

Some resources on this blog:Continue reading “Brant Hansen + Links on Meds and Mental Illness”

Well Said: B16 On Issues Between Roman Catholics and Baptists

benedict16.jpgPope Benedict XVI issued a statement this week noting the continuing conversation between Roman Catholics and the Baptist World Alliance. It’s a good statement, and as a Baptist and a post-evangelical (if you want to know what I mean by that, ask Phil Johnson) I thought it laid down some very good lines worth noting in my own journey of clarification and awareness.

Dear Friends,

I offer a cordial welcome to you, the members of the joint international commission sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. I am pleased that you have chosen as the site of your meeting this city of Rome, where the Apostles Peter and Paul proclaimed the Gospel and crowned their witness to the Risen Lord by the shedding of their blood. It is my hope that your conversations will bear abundant fruit for the progress of dialogue and the increase of understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Baptists.Continue reading “Well Said: B16 On Issues Between Roman Catholics and Baptists”

Recommendation and Review: Crazy For God by Frank Schaeffer

404_frankschaeffercrazyforgod.jpgUPDATE: This reviewer totally gets it.

Crazy for God is available at many bookstores.

A really good review and the C-SPAN program link.

I just closed the cover on the 400 pages of Crazy For God and I probably shouldn’t be writing anything until I have more perspective, but I want to write now, while my impressions are fresh on my mind.

This is an important book. No matter what you hear or what associations you have with the name Franky Schaeffer, don’t avoid this book. The personal flaws of the author, and his decision to tell the truth about his life, do not get in the way of what this book represents: truth-telling. Truth telling that can be frightening in its honesty and delightful in its beauty, but truth-telling none the less. And in the end, grace filled, reconciling truth telling.

Every evangelical leader and parent needs to read this book. What Schaeffer has done is so rare in the evangelical world that you need to grab ahold of it now, before it vanishes under a pile of the usual nonsense.Continue reading “Recommendation and Review: Crazy For God by Frank Schaeffer”

Observing Advent and Christmas: Thoughts for the Christian Family

advent.JPGMany of you are on the same journey our family has been on in regard to living out the Biblical story through the Christian year. It can be a challenge, to say the least. Denise and I did a mini-seminar today on Celebrating Advent and Christmas. It was aimed at younger couples with children who are dealing with many of the difficult choices this season brings with it. Here are some thoughts that may be helpful to those of you who are seeking to make this season a richer time in your faith and for your family.

1) Make a clear differentiation between the secular celebration and the Christian season. Don’t let children be confused about what Frosty and Rudolph have to do with Jesus. Get the secular Santa out of the Nativity scene. Abandon the idea of Christians “reclaiming” the secular celebration. The secular, pagan celebrations roots are deep and it has its own meanings and story. The occasional “contact points” between the secular celebration and our season of Advent and Christmas are superficial. Make this clear to your children and proceed forward to make Christmas about Christ and special to your family.Continue reading “Observing Advent and Christmas: Thoughts for the Christian Family”

Be A Sign

jesus.jpgDenise and I were traveling to an unfamiliar church last night, and even with perfectly good directions and plenty of time, we got lost. So I stopped at McDonald’s and asked for help.

Asking for directions at McDonald’s for a large downtown “First Baptist” church probably wasn’t a great idea anyway. One guy didn’t speak English. Another said “Fugate” (??) and proceeded to go ask the manager for directions. (Neither ever returned.) A female employee talked to me for five minutes as if I’d been born in the town and knew every building and fire hydrant (“You can’t miss the police station.”) She was sincere, but of no help.

A fellow in the parking lot who looked like he might have once been in a Baptist church- in other words a pudgy white guy and his pudgy kid- gave me helpful directions, ending with the ominous phrase “You can’t miss it.”Continue reading “Be A Sign”

iMonk 101: I’m Not A Conservative Christian

christian-evangelical.gifiMonk 101 features essays from the IM archives.

Well, I’ve been trying to post for over an hour. Wrote and dumped a new piece twice. Then this one went nuts. I think I’ll go to bed.

I’m Not A Conservative Christian

A good post for this political season, exploring the relationship between our political conservatism and our evangelical spirituality. This post was the beginning of the end for a kind of political phase for me. If you’ve had the feeling that your political concerns were starting to determine your definition of Christian discipleship, then this essay is for you.

READ: I’m Not A Conservative Christian.