Josiah Concept Ministries

Now I really can’t wait to read the new encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI.  Apparently, there is a new hymn to Mary:

At the conclusion of his encyclical released today, Pope Benedict honored Mary as our model of hope and asked for her intercession in showing us the way to the Father.

Using a title for Mary used for over a thousand years, the Holy Father explained how the “Star of the Sea” is our model for hope on our earthly journey.  He described the dark, turbulent waters that we face in life and the need to have a star as a guide to follow the route.

“Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history.  But to reach him we also need lights close by – people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way.  Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us?” (source)

This is going to be an interesting read.

The pope has released a new encyclical entitled Spe Salvi, which is a theological reflection upon hope.  Here is the summary (another one here) from Catholic News Agency.  I am going to read the entire document and comment as soon as I get time.

For now, the Pope’s introduction interests me:

According to the Christian faith, “redemption”—salvation—is not simply a given. Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey. Now the question immediately arises: what sort of hope could ever justify the statement that, on the basis of that hope and simply because it exists, we are redeemed? And what sort of certainty is involved here?

See, I have a problem with the first sentence.  If salvation isn’t a given, and redemption is only offered to us as a trustworthy hope, then what of Paul’s firm statement in Romans 8:38-39?  No, Paul was certain of salvation the same as any Christian can be sure of his own eternal security.  That immovable certainty is what we are talking about, in answer to the Pope’s final question.

I agree with the Pope’s statement that the present, harrowing though it may be, is livable if we are working toward something.  And the goal of being with God more than justifies the effort of our journey in this life.  The only hope I can think of that would justify bearing this fallen world is certainty–a certainty found in a true contextual understanding of “hope” in the Bible, not in the “hope” of the modern world.

I hope the rest of the encyclical is stronger than the introduction.

I’ve been following the exploits of the Rational Response Squad through the “ministry” of Frank Walton, who runs two blogs dedicated to answering the arguments of atheism.  One is dedicated to the Rational Response Squad.

Recently, the Rational Response Squad has started a pledge drive for some additional money.  The advertisements that they’ve designed for this purpose feature a very attractive blonde wearing a barely-there police uniform.  Actually, it’s more appropriate to call it a police bikini, but it may be some type of teddy or other sexy undergarment.  I don’t know–I’m an apologist, not a fashion designer.  Anyway, sex sells so I expect this sort of behavior from them.

Notice that I described the advertisement without linking to it.  That is because I struggle with the sin of lust, as I’ve admitted in other forums.  I’m sure that there are other Christian men who read this site and struggle with this same sin.  Jesus told us not to look at a woman with lust or else we have already committed adultery with her in our hearts (Mat 5:28).  Adultery is condemned by the 10 Commandments (Ex 20:14).   I don’t link to the advertisements because they are not God-honoring and I don’t want to create a stumbling block for others with this same sin (Rom 14:13-23).

Frank appears to have forgotten about Paul’s exhortations to not cause a brother to stumble.  In his haste to attack the RRS, he has posted a video that he finds amusing, but fails to take into account what readers of his site may be struggling with.  It is a video that features the blonde from the aforementioned advertisements giving lap dances to all of the RRS core group.

Let me go on record as saying two things:

First, Brian Sapient can’t dance.

Second, I was starting to come around to Frank’s ministry.  But on seeing this post, I realize now that Frank has never fully risen above the evil he seeks to defend Christianity from.  Not only does Frank fall short of answering any of the charges of the RRS make against Christianity, but he also reposts their God-denigrating material with only a few weak ad hominem attacks as a reply.

Referring to Sapient by his real name, or pointing out “enhancements” to Kelly in a derogatory way are not answers to the RRS.  They only serve as more ammunition the Squad can utilize to attack Christianity.  It makes us all look like hypocrites.

Frank’s blogs are not the type of “ministry” I will ever be associated with.