eChurch Blog

Andy over at the the Church Sofa has a post in which he notes a new social networking website called MyBlab, which appears to be a Christian alternative to Facebook.

We already had Chirp – the Christian version of Twitter – and GodTube.

Andy asks:

What’s so bad with Christians being part of Twitter / Facebook?

I would proffer that this is part of a wider trend of some Christians seeking separatism.

I believe this is wrong as we as Christians are generally called to be in the world but not of the world. How else would we love and witness to neighbour?

Having said this, I fully understand the hermetic religious orders and their call to be separate from, but intercede for, the world.

I even understand Christian forums and blogs, but should these platforms exclude non-believers as some do?

What do you think? Do you advocate and see advantages in separation of faith communities from the secular world, or are you quite comfortable engaging in the wider community?

Fascinating peep into the online Christian response following the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Here’s the top ten Scripture quotes on Twitter and Facebook:

1. Proverbs 24:17 “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”

2. Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will make PERFECT the things that concern me”(KJV). (NIV: “The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.”)

3. Proverbs 21:15 “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” (Rick Warren started this one):

4. Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?”

5. Ezekiel 18:23 “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”

6. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

7. Proverbs 11:10 “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.”

8. Proverbs 24:18 ” … or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” (The popularity of this verse is due to it finishing the sentence begun by the #1 most popular verse.)

9. Proverbs 24:1 “Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;” (probably an effort to quote Proverbs 24:17)

10. Proverbs 28:5 “Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”

Read more

Another fab Biblical Studies Carnival, this time courtesy of Dr Jim.

Its the Jolly Great Hodge Podge Biblioblogging Carnival!

Just a bit of fun:

David Weiss has penned a piece for Christianity Today, detailing his experiences as a Christian with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

I found this article intensely harrowing and powerful, in fact it made me feel somewhat shaky. It’s brutally honest and will provide some insight for those not suffering from mental illness, and no doubt bring some comfort to those that are.

There’s so much I could say in comment to this piece, but am instead going to encourage you to hop over and read it for yourself.

Do let me know your thoughts.

Here’s the link:

Christianity Today – God of the Schizophrenic

I’m sorry I just can’t do it.

Dr Jim West sums it all up succinctly for me:

Justice may require the death of evil men, but it never requires our joy at their passing.

Indeed.

UPDATE: Here is the Vatican statement by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, P. Federico Lombardi:

Osama Bin Laden – as everyone knows – has had the gravest responsibility for spreading hatred and division among people, causing the deaths of countless people, and exploiting religion for this purpose.

Faced with the death of a man, a Christian does not rejoice in anything, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace.

Again, indeed.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Both Clayboy and the Archdruid have posted some insightful thoughts on this.

The rise and rise of the Russian Orthodox church continues apace.

For previous posts on the phoenix that is the Russian Orthodox Church click here.

“There will be no delay or hindrance” to the project for another 200 Orthodox churches in Moscow, the mayor of the capital, Sergei Sobianin, assured the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, yesterday, April 29, after the many controversies that followed the go-ahead for the construction of new places of worship . “Now we have to move on to the practical phase, of designing and building new churches,” said the Mayor, laying the foundations of the first churches to be built, near the infamous Dubrovka theater. Here in 2002 a siege by Chechen rebels ended in bloodshed with the involvement of Russian security forces.

So far the municipality has given the Church 15 plots of land and will soon deliver another five. Work is already underway in 80 other sites, added the mayor. “By year’s end – said Sobianin – work will be initiated for eight or nine churches. For its part, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill said that “200 churches are not sufficient to completely solve the problem, but the situation will radically change, because we will have the opportunity to work among people with churches within walking distance away from homes. “

Isn’t wonderful to chart explosive growth!

A few links I found interesting for one reason or another:

Trevin Wax – Urban Legends: The Preacher’s Addition

Storied Theology – How do you love?

Christian Post – Bible Thwarts Suicide Attempt, Transforms One Man’s Life

PJOnline – More sex please! We’re pharmacists

British Religion in Numbers – Amending the Act of Settlement

The Church Mouse – Burning a sculpture of Christ and loving those who hate us

A Reluctant Sinner – A day in Rome, a day dedicated to a celebration of Blessed Pope John Paul II