Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Next week, people all over the world are going to be celebrating the birthday of a man who lived 2000 years ago. His name is Jesus. You might have heard of him. He’s kind of a big deal. We know so much about Jesus, but do we know what he looked like?
Yes and no. Read More…
Brick Exodus – Behind the Scenes
I’m working on a new video project this year – recreating the book of Exodus in LEGO form. Here’s the first “behind the scenes” look at what I’m up to.
DJESUS UNCHAINED
I was wanting to write something up about this, but in case I ran out of time (which happens all too frequently) here it is.
Keen to hear your thought on it.
Promises
When someone makes you a promise, there’s a sense of uncertainty that follows. When they use the word “promise”, are they guaranteeing that it will happen just as they said? Or are they just using the word “promise” to lull you into a false sense of security, with no intention of actually having to follow through?
I try to be a man who honours my promises. But with a memory like mine, it can difficult. If its not in my calendar or on my To Do list, the chances of me keeping my promise are reduced significantly. And some times I make promises that I have every intention of keeping, but afterwards it turns out situations outside of my control mean I can’t keep that promise.
However, when Jesus makes a promise, he always keeps it. Because he is without sin, he never makes a promise he can’t keep. And because he is fully God, he is able to use his power to make sure nothing gets in the way of him fulfilling his promises.
When Jesus promises that he’ll rise from the dead (Mark 8:31), he keeps it. When he promises that he’ll send the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), he keeps it. So when he promises a place in heaven for everyone who believes in him (John 14:2 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”), we know he’s going to keep that promise.
Jesus – the one who makes promises you can rely on.
Lego Hell
What does Hell look like?
I don’t know the answer to that question. I know it will involve fire and pain, but I’m unclear of the details. A long way back a guy called Dante had a shot of imagining how bad the place would be. And now someone’s gone and made it with Lego. I don’t know whether to be full of joy or sad for the sick state of humanity. Maybe a little of both.
Check the pics out here.
The Resurrection is not a Zombie Story
(This article originally was posted 16th of April 2010)
When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth
George A Romero’s 1978 movie Dawn of the Dead is considered a horror classic. The dead have dug their way out of their graves and are slowly lurching around as horrific zombies. They’re not quite dead. And not quite alive. When done right, zombies are very, very scary.
It seems these days that zombies are very popular. They seem to be every where in books and movies. So much so that they’ve even started invading classic literature. I’m not sure what Jane Austen would think if she was to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Zombies have even found their way into the Christian realm. Professor Farnsworth on Futurama would use the phrase “Sweet Zombie Jesus” as an exclamation.
There’s even the Stinque Zombie Bible Project, a website where people are encouraged to go through the Bible and add zombies to people’s favourite verses. For example, John 3:16 now reads For God so loved the world, that he made His Son a zombie, and whoever is bitten by the Son shall also become zombie and be undead everlasting.
Quite frankly all this zombie stuff is nonsense. Jesus was not, is not, and never will be a zombie
The resurrection is not a zombie story. When people talk of Jesus as a zombie, what they’re doing is trying to discredit and ridicule the Christian faith. They’re not taking the resurrection seriously. They’re turning it into a joke
The resurrection is essential to the Christian faith. It’s the thing that holds everything together. If Jesus did not rise from the dead as a fully alive person, then Christianity is a waste of time. We can’t treat the resurrection like a zombie story. It’s a story where the dead become alive. It’s the story that can bring you life.
Check out Matthew 28 and read what really happened on Easter Sunday.
Did You See The Body?
In the years we’ve been together, I’ve been sharing my movie critic skills with my wife, Katherine. Using these skills, she’s been excited by (and sometimes disappointed) by her ability to know what’s going to happen in a movie or TV show before it happens, like a cinematic fortune-teller. One thing she recently pointed out that she’d learnt from me is that “they’re not dead unless you see the body.” If the bad guy gets shot and falls off a cliff and is presumed dead, they’re probably still alive. Unless they find the body and get a full autopsy, chances are the bad guy will pop up and cause some trouble when the hero least expects it. If you live in the movie world, don’t trust anyone that anyone is dead unless you see the body.
What Should I Do?
Here on Pop Culture Christ, I have the ability to see what people are typing into search engines like Google that get them sent to this site. All kinds of weird and wonderful search phrases come up. In the last week I’ve had people searching for Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ghost Rider, and Paintball. I even had someone looking for “Scripture for job interview”, which has me pretty curious. One search phrase that had me feeling all warm and gooey inside was someone searching for the best font size to use when preaching from an iPad. Just goes to show that the internet is a great place for sharing.
Amongst all the different searches, there’s one kind of search that is constant. It goes along the lines of “Can a Christian do X” or “Should a Christian do Y”. Here are some examples from the last week: “Can a Christian listen to heavy metal music?” or “Should Christians go see Wicked The Musical?” or “Can a Christian play Skyrim?” Now, regardless of what you think the answer to those questions might be, I think there’s a greater issue behind these questions.
And it’s about Christian freedom.
Am I Going To Heaven? Part 5: The Guarantee
Ever since I started buying comic books digitally, I’ve been going through a lot of iTunes credit. So I’m always on the lookout for discounted iTunes cards. There’s this site I check out that keeps a record of who is selling these cards at the cheapest rate. When I’m running low on credit, I pull up the site, find out who’s got the best discount, then go shopping. But even though I’ve seen the price on the website, even though I’ve checked out the stores catalogue, I’m always a bit apprehensive when I walk up to the counter. What if I got it wrong? What if they’re not really on sale? Will I look like an idiot when I ask for the discount and there isn’t one? Although I’ve been promised the discount, I’m never sure I’m going to get it until I hand over my money.
God has promised me, through his Word, that the death of Jesus has paid for my sin and that if I believe in Jesus, I’m going to heaven. But how can I be sure? How do I know that Jesus really has deal with my sin? How can I know that God actually will follow through on his promise and let me into heaven?
Am I Going To Heaven? Part 4: The Only Way
A number of years ago, there was a show called John Safran’s Music Jamboree. Each week, John Safran would take his signature sense of humour and journalism and look at the world of music culture. In one of the episodes, Safran looked at one the most exclusive night clubs in Melbourne and wondered what it would take to get nine 18 an 19 year old males through the door. Watching from a surveillance van across the road, the first attempt was a miserable failure. The bouncer didn’t even open the door before telling them to be on their way.
But Safran had a plan. The next night he called the club up and told them to expect a big name band from the US to rock up. That they should be prepared for them and put their name on the list. How would these young men manage to convince the club that they were famous enough to let in? They would dress up like Slipknot, a 9 piece metal band, well known for wearing overalls and masks. And it worked. Not only did they get in, but they got given a private room and gave out autographs to fans.
Now I know I’m not good enough to get into heaven on my own. But what, if like these young men, I could get my name on the guest list? What if there was a name that could get me into heaven? A name that would guarantee me entry? Well there is such a name. And that name is Jesus.
What Is Your New Year’s Resolution?
New Year’s Day is a perfect time for a fresh start. It’s one of the less busy times of the year as everyone recovers from Christmas. Many people are on holidays and have time to reflect and to think about things. To make New Year’s resolutions.
What’s your New Year’s resolution going to be? I know I really should hit the gym more regularly in 2012. Though the temptation to hit the chocolate is a strong one (here’s a hint: if you’re on a diet, stay away from the bottom drawer in my office). Should I resolve to spend more time catching up with old friends, read more books, climb Mount Everest. I don’t think that last one is a realistic goal for this year. Maybe next year.
So what are you going to do in 2012?
Am I Going To Heaven? Part 3: What Are The Entry Requirements For Heaven?
When I was a younger man, I used to go nightclubbing with my mates. And because my house was the closest to the club we liked to go to, everyone would meet at my place. Once all the boys were gathered, we’d do “The Check”. “The Check” involved making sure everyone was dressed properly. Because the club had a dress code. And if you didn’t meet the dress code, they wouldn’t let you in. You had to be wearing proper shoes (sneakers didn’t count) and you needed to wear a button up shirt. If anybody didn’t have one of these, they would raid my wardrobe. Once everyone was sorted, we’d head to the club. We didn’t want to risk showing up to the club without “The Check” because if we didn’t meet the requirements for entry, then they wouldn’t let us in.
If proper shoes and a button up shirt were the entry requirements for the club, what are the entry requirements for heaven? I don’t want to rock up to the gates of heaven, only to find out I missed something and get knocked back.
Am I Going To Heaven? Part 2: What Are My Afterlife Options?
When I take my wife out to dinner, it usually begins with us trying to work out which restaurant to go to. I’ll start by asking her where she wants to go. She’ll say she doesn’t know. And then I’ll say I don’t know. Then she’ll ask me to give her some options to choose from. And then we’ll narrow it down to one choice. And then, knowing my luck, the place will be shut and we have to go through the whole process again.
It’s good to know your options before you settle on a decision. Especially when the decision is where you are going to spend eternity. I want to go to heaven, but before I get my heart set on it, I really should investigate the alternatives.
Sixty Six Books: Jude
Sixty Six Books is a project that’s well worth checking out. The aim is to write a short commentary on every book of the Bible that is readable and accessible to teens. As a youth minister, I can’t support this enough! Which is why I contributed an entry on the book of Jude. You can check out what I wrote here.
Am I Going To Heaven? Part 1: The Big Question
There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold.
And she’s buying the stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed, with a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying the stairway to heaven.
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin is one of those really well known songs that I just don’t understand. Great piece of music, but e lyrics are a complete mystery to me. There’s someone in there about “a bustle in your hedgerow”. I mean really, what’s that supposed to mean? I don’t have a clue here. But I am intrigued by this idea of a stairway to heaven. That somewhere there’s this massive staircase you can walk up, up through the clouds, until you get to the top and there’s this whopping big sign that says “Welcome To Heaven!” I really doubt that a stairway like is exists but it’s a fascinating idea.
Because I have a lot of questions about heaven. How do I get to heaven? If there’s no stairway, is there an elevator? What will heaven look like? Will it be all clouds with guys in funny dresses and wings? What will I look like in heaven? Will I look like myself or do I get to join the funky halo club? But the biggest question for me, the question that takes precedence over all the other questions is: Am I going to heaven?
Words I Don’t Really Understand: Amen
Have you ever sat in church or had a conversation with a Christian and wondered when they stopped speaking English? One second they’re speaking perfectly normal, then all of a sudden they start using strange words and you’re wondering if this is what Swahili sounds like. Just like any other group of people, Christians have their own lingo. Words and phrases that we use that are particular to us. And there’s usually nothing wrong with those words. But sometimes we forget to explain what they mean to the new guys. Or even worse, we use them ourselves without ever learning what they actually mean. Every now and again I stop myself and ask “What does this actually mean?”
There’s this word I use almost everyday. And I use it without even thinking. I know it’s the right word to use but, to be honest, I don’t really know what it means or why I say it. And I think you’re probably in the same boat. The word is Amen. Know what I mean? I use the word at the end of every prayer. When someone else prays at the front of church, I know I’m supposed to join in with a hearty Amen at the end. But what does the word even mean? And why do we use it?
Words I Don’t Really Understand: Holy
Have you ever sat in church or had a conversation with a Christian and wondered when they stopped speaking English? One second they’re speaking perfectly normal, then all of a sudden they start using strange words and you’re wondering if this is what Swahili sounds like. Just like any other group of people, Christians have their own lingo. Words and phrases that we use that are particular to us. And there’s usually nothing wrong with those words. But sometimes we forget to explain what they mean to the new guys. Or even worse, we use them ourselves without ever learning what they actually mean. Every now and again I stop myself and ask “What does this actually mean?”
I can’t hear the word “holy” without thinking about the old Batman TV show from the 60s. Each week, Batman and his youthful side-kick Robin would fight the colourful criminals of Gotham City. And each week Robin would exclaim some variation of his catch phrase – Holy Fate Worse Than Death – Holy Mechanical Marvel, Holy Diversionary Tactics. It just wouldn’t be Robin if he didn’t use the word “holy” so often you’d think he was getting a commission. But what does the word actually mean?
Words Christians Use That I Don’t Really Understand: Blessing
Have you ever sat in church or had a conversation with a Christian and wondered when they stopped speaking English? One second they’re speaking perfectly normal, then all of a sudden they start using strange words and you’re wondering if this is what Swahili sounds like. Just like any other group of people, Christians have their own lingo. Words and phrases that we use that are particular to us. And there’s usually nothing wrong with those words. But sometimes we forget to explain what they mean to the new guys. Or even worse, we use them ourselves without ever learning what they actually mean. Every now and again I stop myself and ask “What does this actually mean?”
A recent example of this is the word blessing.
I was reading Genesis 12:1-3 with someone. It’s a great passage that introduces us to Abraham and the promises God made to him. These three verses are not only key for the story of Abraham, but of the entire Bible. They establish God’s plans for his people.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
In those three verses, bless/blessing/blessed is used five times. It must be an important word. But what does it mean? Christians say things like “bless you” or “God has blessed me”. I sometimes get the impression that we use words like blessing because we know they are good words and we should use them. But that doesn’t mean that we actually understand them.
The first thing we can tell about blessing from Genesis 12 is that it’s the opposite of cursing. God will bless people who bless Abraham’s family and curse people who curse them. When you curse someone, you want bad stuff to happen to them. So therefore, it would be logical to assume that blessing has something to do with wanting good stuff to happen. Blessing is a positive thing. It’s something we want. I’m always in favour of having good things happen to me. In this passage, God is promising Abraham that he will receive good things.
But there’s more to it than God giving good things to Abraham and his family. Blessing is about being in relationship. Being in a right relationship. It’s being able to truthfully say that you are friends with God, that you are one of his people. That there’s no issues between you and God, nothing that would cause division or unrest. Receiving these good things is not the goal here. No, the more important thing is the relationship. Receiving good things from God is a happy consequence of being in the good books with the creator of the universe.
Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we have been blessed. When he died on that cross for us, he did the impossible and mended the relationship between us and God. We went from God’s enemies to being his people. Because of this momentous act of Jesus, we know that God will look after us, both in this life and in the life to come. We look forward to the ultimate blessing we have been promised – life in the new creation where all the evil of this life has been destroyed and we get unhindered access to God. That’s a blessing that I can get behind!
So when we’re talking about how God has blessed us, what we’re saying is that God has accepted us and has welcomed us into a relationship with him. And that he has expressed that relationship by giving us good things. That doesn’t mean that everything will always be perfect in this life. But we know that we are on God’s side and at the end of days, we know where we will be standing.
The War of Kings Saga
Samuel Blessing Saul
Today in our Old Testament lecture, we were given the challenge of presenting 1 Samuel as written on the back of a DVD cover. Here is my group’s blurb for the 1 Samuel movie:
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