Why it’s hard to go to church

Posted on August 24, 2016 by PaulVK

The Atlantic

The sidelining of services may connect to another factor indicated in the survey: Among people who were raised religiously and who fell away from religion in adult life, roughly one-fifth said their dislike of organized religion was the reason. Another 50 percent said they stopped believing in the particular tenets of the faith they were raised in. Insofar as the decline in U.S. religious affiliation is an intellectual or philosophical story, it seems to be this: Fewer people are willing to sign on with the rules and reputations of institutions that promote faith. That doesn’t mean people don’t care about religious ideas or questions—many of those who are unaffiliated with a particular group still consider themselves “religious” or “seeking”—but they might not be as sold on the religious institutions themselves.

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

chestfeeding

Posted on August 24, 2016 by PaulVK

The Atlantic

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

Most local churches can’t handle a senior pastor search

Posted on August 24, 2016 by PaulVK

CT

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

Amal Clooney: Superhero

Posted on August 24, 2016 by PaulVK
Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

Strong Preaching tops the church shopper’s list

Posted on August 24, 2016 by PaulVK

RNS

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

Tim Bosma’s family launches a civil suit

Posted on August 23, 2016 by PaulVK

CBC

Posted in CRC | Leave a comment

David Brooks on Career Vs. Vocation

Posted on August 23, 2016 by PaulVK
This is a fine piece by David Brooks. I enjoy a lot of his writing. I do think, however, that Christianity and the resurrection have a piece to play in this.
 
Ask yourself, can you give your life to a lost cause? Should you? If there is no resurrection then the answer is “no”. You should cut and run, you should be selfish and practical in carving out a little space of comfort where you can live a quiet life and enjoy family and friends. A space where you can self-realize and do something for those you love, letting the world go the way it will go since the truth is that small, little you really can’t do a lot beyond your little circle.
 
Maybe you put your hopes in politics that somehow Hillary or Donald or some third party candidate will save the day… OK. I won’t rain on your parade.
 
Vocation I think finally asks that we give ourselves to a world that is not worthy, and will finally take from us everything we have. We can keep nothing in the age of decay anyway you know. The resurrection affords vocation. The age of decay invites us to prioritize career.

 

NYTimes

A career is a job you do as long as the benefits outweigh the costs; a vocation involves falling in love with something, having a conviction about it and making it part of your personal identity.

A vocation involves promises to some ideal, it reveals itself in a sense of enjoyment as you undertake its tasks and it can’t be easily quit when setbacks and humiliations occur. As others have noted, it involves a double negative — you can’t not do this thing.

It’s easy to be cynical, but I really do think most people entered public life with this sense of idealistic calling. When you spend time around government officials you are constantly struck by the fact that they are more impressive in private than in public. Somewhere at the base of their personal story you usually find an earnest desire to serve some vulnerable group.

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Tagged | Leave a comment

Chong’s first Banner Editorial

Posted on August 23, 2016 by PaulVK

The CRC Kite

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

Gender-less Insurance

Posted on August 23, 2016 by PaulVK

BBC

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Leave a comment

David Gushee: Middle Ground disappearing on LGBTQ

Posted on August 23, 2016 by PaulVK

RNS

(RNS) Middle ground is disappearing on the question of whether LGBT persons should be treated as full equals, without any discrimination in society — and on the related question of whether religious institutions should be allowed to continue discriminating due to their doctrinal beliefs.

It turns out that you are either for full and unequivocal social and legal equality for LGBT people, or you are against it, and your answer will at some point be revealed. This is true both for individuals and for institutions.

Neutrality is not an option. Neither is polite half-acceptance. Nor is avoiding the subject. Hide as you might, the issue will come and find you.

Posted in Daily Links and Notes | Tagged | 1 Comment