After noting that it’s an anomaly to find a Southern Baptist in Las Vegas, Al Mohler talked more of the irony of the idea that “we came to a place of deception in order to talk about the truth.”
He said that, as Christians, we should be known as people who have something to say. Communication is central to what we do. It’s a special gift from God, and we have a mandate to spread the good news. The gift of communication is a special trust that was twisted in the Fall, leading to slander, propaganda, etc.; we should not misuse it.
There is communication from God to us–the revelation God gave of Himself came to us through words. Words are central in our communication with each other within the body of Christ as we instruct and exhort. Evangelism also requires words; we can only make the nations glad if we use words. We can use more than words, but never less.
Movable type enabled Christians to print pamphlets, books, and newspapers. Radio made things even more simple; anyone can listen to a radio broadcast. Cassette distribution expanded our ability to influence even further. Unfortunately, the technology that increased our ability to communicate also increased the opportunity for Christians to embarrass themselves, and the quality of what we do has not always kept pace with the availability. Since new media is so immediately accessible and publishable, we increase exponentially our ability to make huge mistakes, not to mention our tendency to be sloppy. There’s very little editing, and even less proper self-censorship.
Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Main Page, New Media 
2 Comments »
I'm now in Las Vegas at the GodBlogCon. If any of you are here, as well, be sure to find me and say hello!
I'm not particularly fond of Vegas…or rather, not at all fond. This place is like a Disneyland without a soul. And seriously, what is that smell of sulfur out there? I'm not kidding about this. It really does smell like sulfur. But despite all this, I'm looking forward to seeing everybody here, and hopefully I'll have some interesting tidbits to pass on to you in the next few days.
Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Miscellaneous, New Media 5 Comments »
November 1, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton
closeAuthor: Roger Overton
Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
Site: http://ateamblog.com
About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (570)
Hat Tip: My Pastor (by the way, check out my church's new cool website!)
Posted in Culture, Main Page, Roger's Posts No Comments »
October 31, 2007 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton
Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
Site: http://ateamblog.com
About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (570)
Last weekend I had the privilege of presenting my first academic paper at a conference on C.S. Lewis in Wake Forest, NC. The paper is titled- “The Virtuous Case fore Christ: How C.S. Lewis's Theological Virtues Should Aid Christians Living in a Postmodern Culture.” It's available on request if you send me an email at rogeroverton@hotmail.com. I do have audio, and I hope to post it here later this week. However, due to the time limit I only read about two-thirds of the paper, so if you're interested in the whole thing you'll want a text copy.
The conference was one of the best I've been to. It was a great opportunity to meet several notable Lewis scholars. Here are a few pictures….
Walter Hooper signing my copy of Past Watchful Dragons. This is one of
the few books he's written on Lewis's works (as opposed to editing) and
was published in 1979. When I handed it to him to sign he said, “Well I
didn't expect to see this!”
Me with Bruce Edwards and James Como. Bruce has been in the Lewis field
for awhile and recently edited a 4 volume anthology of essays on C.S.
Lewis. I doubt I would have been presenting a paper at the conference
without him. James Como co-founded the New York C.S. Lewis Society back
in 1969. Hooper credited him as one of the reasons for interest in
Lewis growing in America.
Evidence that people actually showed up to hear my paper. The room was just about full- my guess around 60 people.
Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts 2 Comments »
The trailer for Season Seven is out. So much for my decision not to watch this season.
I honestly didn't think anything could change my mind this time, but how can I not watch after seeing that? I've tried to break up with 24 before but am always lured back by its empty promises. “This time, things will be different, Amy. I've really changed!” No, you haven't changed. Deep down I know the truth. The sad part is, even though I know it's a trick–that I'll get sucked in by this awesome trailer only to find that Season Four is still the last good season, I'll be there in January. Sure, I'll tell myself that I'll only watch the first few episodes to see if it's any good, but who am I kidding? Once I start, I'll feel a responsibility to see the storyline through to the end. That is how they've won the last two years. Oh, when will this useless, codependent relationship end?!
Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Miscellaneous 6 Comments »
October 24, 2007 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton
Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
Site: http://ateamblog.com
About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (570)
No doubt everyone is aware of the situation here in Southern California. It is almost a ring of fire encircling the Greater Los Angeles through San Diego areas. For the last couple of days there's been no way out that doesn't go through a cloud of smoke, though I think it's lightened up since this afternoon. My favorite local hiking spot is fried. Obviously that's not a big deal
in light of lives and homes destroyed, but I am disappointed that I
slept-in instead of going when I planned to a few weeks ago.
I have a friend who's under mandatory evacuation in San Diego County, though our last update from him this afternoon found him staying to defend his house. Westminster Seminary in Escondido appears to be safe at the moment, but some of the homes of the faculty are in danger. Dr. R. Scott Clark has been posting updates. Apparently the fire is about a mile from the home of Dr. Steven Baugh. Here's a handy map of the affected areas in San Diego County (I haven't been able to find a similar one for the LA area).
I've heard a number of comparisons to Hurricane Katrina on the news. One newscaster (Brian Williams I believe) said there hasn't been this large of a movement of people in America since the Civil War. Most of these comments are overly dramatic. Most of the people being evacuated are only being inconvenienced, most will not lose their homes or suffer any real damage. The number of evacuations is incredibly large, almost a million so far. But there's a huge difference between this and Katrina- According to Wikipedia, there were 1,836 lives lost and 705 people remain missing as a result of Katrina. Regardless of how precise those figures are, there's really no chance these fires will result in the same loss of life. To my knowledge only 5-6 people have died so far. Yes, loss of property and beautiful wilderness is devastating, but it cannot compare to the significance of human death. Frankly, I'm sick of the media painting the story in more dramatic terms than it should be, and I'm sick of a particular local NBC anchor who reads politics into every action or inaction of the government.
I haven't been able to find any organizations requesting support so they can help people affected by the fires. There should be some out there since 1 million evacuees are going to need a lot of help. If you find any, please post them here. Also keep the people here in your prayers, especially the congregation of Malibu Presbyterian Church as their church was one of the first buildings to burn.
Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts No Comments »
I'm at the Family Research Council's Washington Briefing: Values Voter Summit today and tomorrow. Melinda (my boss) was invited to blog on the conference and was nice enough to bring me with her. All of the Republican candidates for president will be speaking among other guests (including Jim Wallis), so it should be interesting. (Unfortunately, all of the Democratic candidates declined to speak.) You can read our posts on the experience over on the Stand to Reason Blog.
Posted in Amy's Posts, Ethics, Main Page, Politics 3 Comments »
I came across the following item in the gift shop of the Basilica of St. Mary (America's first) in Minneapolis.
I was in complete awe of its pagan blasphemity (if I may coin a word…I'm not sure there's an existing word to describe it…not one I can post, anyway). Here's a front and back view of the box for your viewing displeasure:
In case you can't tell, the man is digging a hole in his backyard. He'll bury the…(ahem)…statue, speak his “petition to St. Joseph,” and then PRESTO! And St. Joseph can get you $1,000,000, too. But wait, there's more! If you act now, he'll also help you unload that pesky soul you've been trying to sell.
Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Miscellaneous No Comments »
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