Christian Worldview Training’s Weblog

Korean immigrant Dong Yun Yoon,who lost his wife, two children and mother-in-law when a Marine Corps jet slammed into the family’s house, is modeling Christian forgiveness to the world. He said Tuesday he did not blame the pilot, who ejected and survived.

Last night I watched journalist Anderson Cooper on CNN marvel at the man’s ability to forgive, yet never mention that it was his Christian faith that gave him that guidance. Cooper said, ” Could you offer that forgiveness?” Great question and one I hope I never have to answer. In the meantime, please remember him in your prayers. He is an amazing example to us all and will need plenty of support in the days ahead.

Key worldview training questions:

1. What would have been your response in that situation? Could you have offered forgiveness, especially that soon after the deaths?

2. Why is this so surprising to people like journalist Anderson Cooper?

3. What kind of things can Christians do when fellow Christian friends suffer tremendous lost? What should we not do?

The latest political buzz is about what role, if any, former presidential candidate John Edward will have in the Obama administration. Earlier he had been mentioned as a possible candidate for Attorney General. As of today, though, it does not look like he will have any role at all. The problem is Edward’s admission of adultery and the bad press that followed. Not only did he commit adultery, but he lied about it for a lengthy amount of time.  Proverbs 5:22-23 talks about the cost of adultery.”The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great own great folly.” Edwards is a professing Christian. With the confession and repentance, he can be restored and even his marriage can be saved. However, the truth of the Bible rings true again- there is a cost to sin. And in this case it may cost Edwards a prestigious post in the Obama administration. Key things to think about.

1. Should admitted adultery be reason to not hire someone to a prominent political position? What about a highly visible business position.

2. If you were the president Obama and thought he was the most qualified person for the job, would you appoint him, despite the admitted adultery?

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/04/news/transition.php

Christian youth often struggle with between enjoying the culture and recognizing that much of it goes against their core beliefs. Examples like MTV music awards have a way of bringing that conflict to the surface. While teens may have wanted to see which bands or musicians would receive which award, it was obvious that the content by controversial host Russell Brand would push the limits. After all, he is hosting the MTV music awards, not the GOP convention. Controversy is what MTV was looking for and controversy is what they got:
If his aim was to be noticed by America, Russell Brand more than achieved his goal last night as he ranted that President Bush was a “retarded cowboy” while hosting the MTV awards. The British comedian, who is a virtual unknown in America, left the crème of the music world stunned as he championed Barack Obama, ran down George Bush and made lewd jokes about the Christian pop band Jonas Brothers.

Of course,  not everyone was laying down and taking it. Notice…

American Idol winner turned chart-topper Jordin Sparks was so incensed by a joke about Christian band Jonas Brothers that she launched her own tirade at the host. The teenage singer, who wears a ring symbolising her belief in abstaining from sex until marriage, snapped at Brand: “I just want to say, it’s not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and girl wants to be a slut, OK?”

There were probably a few awkward moments for Christian teens watching the show that night.

Here are some key Worldview questions to think about:

1. How do you think young Christians felt watching the awards? Explain.

2. Do you think it is OK for Christians to watch programs like MTV, knowing that along the way there will be objectionable material? What should be our attitude?   Explain.

3. If you had the same opportunity to respond to Mr. Brand as Jordan Sparks, would you have come out against him? If so, how would you have done it?

Does anyone really doubt that the evolution proponents in local high schools are not cheering on Christopher Hitchens and the other new breed of evangelistic atheists?

In the book, Hitchens writes “monotheistic religion is a plagiarism of a plagiarism of a hearsay of a hearsay, of an illusion of an illusion, extending all the way back to a fabrication of a few nonevents.”

The teacher who believes in evolution and teaches freshman Biology is ready for the kids. Are we? Christian middle schools and youth groups had better step up and prepare their kids for what awaits them. Biblelessons4youth can help, of course, but the key is to do something. Anything! I strongly feel Christian schools are in a better position to train students to make a defense of the faith than Church youth groups. The best situation, however, is for Christian middle schools and youth groups to work together to prepare these kids for the tough questions they are sure to face in high school.

Evidently, John Lennon wasn’t total anti-Christian. Newly found interview reveals that John Lennon was actually “on the side of Christ”

“I’m one of Christ’s biggest fans,” the Beatles’ songwriter is heard to say in a 1969 interview with Ken Seymour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ’s message, then that’s what we’re here to do….”If the Beatles get on the side of Christ, which they always were, and let people know that, then maybe the churches won’t be full, but there’ll be a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls. Whatever they celebrate, God and Christ, I don’t think it matters as long as they’re aware of Him and His message.”

Of course, the real question is what did Lennon believe Christ’s message was? Lennon said.

“I haven’t got any sort of dream of a physical heaven where there’s lots of chocolate and pretty women in nightgowns, playing harps,” he said. “I believe you can make heaven within your own mind. The kingdom of heaven is within you, Christ said, and I believe that.”

Christian Worldview Training for Students

1. Can a person claim to be a Christian and believe anything they want about Christianity?

Students on a tour of California’s state Capitol received a new lesson: singing the national anthem in the state capitol is strictly prohibited without a permit. It is nice to know the powers in Sacramento know how to really crack down on teen trouble makers.

It is reported that armed guards were called to stop a group of students from City on a Hill Conference from singing without a permit ,

In comments published on FlashReport, she elaborated: “A few years ago the students started the tradition of singing our national anthem in the rotunda at the end of the mock legislative session. While they were at the capitol today, the students wanted a practice run before their legislative session on the Assembly and Senate floors this Saturday. One student suggested singing God Bless America as well as the national anthem, and the other students enthusiastically agreed.
“Just moments after the students finished their impromptu patriotic expression, no less than four CHP officers descended upon the rotunda, along with two sergeant-at-arms. They confronted our staff and demanded to know why our students were singing in the rotunda without a permit from the rules committee. Apparently in the five minutes it took to sing the two patriotic songs, someone had called security and complained,” she wrote.

Fortunately, these students did not give up and actually applied for and received a permit. Hopefully, the powers in Sacramento will be appropriately embarrassed and change this silly rule.

Christian Worldview Student Training

1. Is singing covered in the first amendment?

2. What would be the possible reasons for placing these restrictions on singing patriotic songs in the capitol rotunda?

3. Should these students be allowed to sing in the capitol rotunda?

Conclusion; While there may be good reasons to restrict some singing activities in the rotunda, singing our national anthem and “God Bless America’ should certainly be exempt. These songs are almost universally accepted by patriotic Americans and no group should have to apply for a permit to sing them. Certainly the first amendment protects this act.