All tagged Gallup

454 Christians in the Matrix—Media

Gallup and Rasumussen polling groups are repeatedly showing that America's trust in the mainstream media is at an alltime low. Why is that? Moreover, America's Founders said they'd rather have a Press without a Government than a Government without a Press. Why? Why frame it like that? Why is a free (and truthful) press so critical for a nation? Then Mark and I move on to discuss the ways that Christians get programmed and played by the Media: emotion over logic, incrementalism, over-simplification, fomenting tribalism, mis-reporting, and more. But we don't just analyze the knotty situation, we also offer means and sources of discernment. Along the way Ed shares what a policeman friend of his said about the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Come laugh and think with us!

Western society is infatuated with the new: trends, fads, products, things. We love the new! Unfortunately, this infatuation is infecting the Church. And if the Gallup Polling agency is accurate, new is not helping church growth. What are some answers? How might we mitigate the damage that the new can do? What steps can we take to help our pastors, our pastoral staffs, and our own selves? What did Jesus model for us that is helpful on this challenge?

059 Heaven and Hell (9) Hell? Oh Why Bother?!

Why does the Church teach about hell? I will note four reasons why I believe there must be a hell, although that doesn't always make me comfortable. What is the central reason Christians have believed in hell? Are there gradations of biblical teachings that are less and more offensive? If not, why? If so, what do we do with that? During an A.D.D. break I also review the movie, "Mission Impossible: Fallout."