On “Christian Horror” and Atheist Dread

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Perhaps the best argument for “Christian horror” is atheism. While both believing and unbelieving novelists acknowledge, and write about, the horrific — they share distinctively different views as to its nature. And ultimately, those different worldviews are what makes their stories genuinely dreadful. Of course, the debate about “Christian Horror” rages on. Is the label [...]

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Gargoyle!

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Here’s the latest entry to my gargoyle collection. I unearthed this at the Santa Cruz swap meet. I think it’s the first gargoyle I’ve ever found who happens to be reading. And no cracks about our similarities either!

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Questions about Parenting Teens

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As I mentioned recently, in a post entitled Parenting vs. Micro-Managing, our church will be holding a parenting conference later this month and Lisa and I were asked to lead a workshop on “Parenting Teens.” We have an hour to address a subject that requires, oh, eons of wisdom. Despite the time constraints, it’s an [...]

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On Praying for Atheists (or Get Well, Ye Godless)

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Several weeks ago my pastor mentioned that Christopher Hitchens, one of the leading, most outspoken atheists in the world, had developed esophageal cancer. I hadn’t heard this and must admit, I got choked up. But why? After all, Christopher Hitchens is an avowed enemy of Christianity. His best-selling God Is Not Great — How Religion [...]

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How Do You Know You’re “Called” to Write?

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The Bible never talks about a “call to write,” though many writers and artists describe their occupation in those terms. Writing is never mentioned as a spiritual gift in Scripture, nor are writers ever singled out as having strategic roles in the world or Church (unless you count the “inspired stenographers” who actually penned the [...]

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Contest Winners

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Hey, thanks to all who participated in the giveaway for a copy of “Hipster Christianity.” You folks left some terrific comments in my Interview with Brett McCracken. The three winners are (as drawn out of my trusty Dodger cap): Christopher S. Jay Dan T. Davis I’ve sent you guys an email. Or you can also [...]

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Can You Really “Follow Christ” and “Quit Christianity”? — #2

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The worst part of a big family are some of the people in it — eccentric uncles, hypercritical aunts, lewd grandpas, and gloomy cousins; there are divorcees, perverts, swindlers, and moralists. Yep, every family has its weirdos. And make no mistake about it: God’s family is BIG. So big that, in the Book of Revelation, [...]

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Can You Really “Follow Christ” and “Quit Christianity”? #1

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I’m filing this under the “Bash the Church” category — Anne Rice “Quits” Christianity. But after hearing Ms. Rice’s description of Christianity, I’m thinking it deserves to be quit. In a series of controversial Facebook posts, the recently re-converted author describes Christianity as a “…quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.” As part of that [...]

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Interview with “Hipster Christianity” Author Brett McCracken

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Who would’ve thought that a kid from the Midwest would be on the cutting edge of cool? Okay, so “kid” and “cutting edge” are negotiable. Brett McCracken and I crossed paths (in the cyber sense) when he was then senior editor of Relevant Magazine‘s Progressive Culture section and he accepted my essay Let Us Decompose. [...]

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Interview, Book Giveaway, and Blogger Misc.

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Fellow blogger, SoCal resident, and Christianity Today film reviewer Brett McCracken, launches his fascinating new book Hipster Christianity next week. The book explores trends, both cultural and religious, that have shaped an emerging new demographic of believer. Brett analyzes the Christian hipster movement with his typical wit, wonkishness, and theological sensibilities. Next Monday, I’ll be [...]

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Is Right Relationship with God More Important Than Right Theology?

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Believers are fond of saying that “Christianity is  not about ‘religion,’ it’s about ‘relationship.’” Nowadays, however, that adage has been tweaked to read, “Christianity is not about ‘theology,’ it’s about ‘relationship.’” But is a right relationship with God distinct from right theology? Even more so, can right theology be antithetical to a right relationship with [...]

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What Do You Really Need From a Critique Group?

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Not long ago, I was contacted by an unpublished author who was looking for a crit partner. They had acquired my addy from a mutual friend and was wondering if I’d be interested. I was flattered. Really. Nevertheless, I emailed this response: Thanks for the consideration. I’ve kind of given up the crit partner thing, [...]

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