Discuss Theology

Christianity Today Poll
Do you think your college culture promoted an unhealthy view of sex?
Yes. Hookup culture dominated.
29%
Yes. It promoted a “purity culture” that wouldn’t acknowledge sexual desire outside of marriage.
8%
Yes (other)
12%
No. I think my college culture promoted a healthy view of sex.
11%
No. There was a lot of sex on campus, but hookup culture was not too influential.
11%
No. It promoted a “purity culture,” but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
12%
No (other)
9%
I didn’t go to college/ I didn’t live on campus
8%

Total Votes: 525

Christianity Today just 2 polls on God in the political campaign and also the interest of its readers in Nascar. Here are the results.
Have you ever attended a NASCAR event?
Yes, I’ve been to one or two.
14%
Yes, I am a regular.
2%
No, but I keep trying.
0%
No, I’m not interested in NASCAR.
69%
No, but I watch it on TV.
11%
Other
3%

Total Votes: 481

Discuss

Results From Our Most Recent Poll

Christianity Today Poll
Are you pleased with the role faith has taken in this presidential campaign?
I’m extremely unhappy with the way candidates/ media handle faith issues.
42%
I’m unhappy about it.
29%
I haven’t been paying much attention.
4%
I’ve been paying attention, but I’m neutral on this issue.
9%
I’m pretty happy with it.
10%
I’m thrilled.
1%
Other
4%

Total Votes: 1203

Christianity Today took a recent on line poll that was revealing.
Do you pray for countries other than your own?
Yes, for countries where I know missionaries
23%
Yes, for countries that have influence on my country
3%
Yes, for countries that are in the news for problems
52%
Yes, for countries where I’ve traveled
6%
Yes, I use a system that leads me to pray for a different country each day
7%
No
10%

Total Votes: 936

Here is a new Christianity Today poll which I found quite interesting:
Christianity Today Poll
Did you wait until you were married to have sex?
Yes, and I’m married now.
43%
Yes, and I’m still waiting.
9%
No, but I felt it was beyond my control.
2%
No.
34%
No, I think sex requires a commitment, but not necessarily marriage vows.
3%
Depends on what you mean by “have sex.”
5%
Other
4%

Total Votes: 3968

Having been a pastor, I simultaneously understand this behavior and wince at the same time. I have had a brief period of time in my 35+ years as a Christian that I did not go to church, I simply could not take it. As it is right now, I attend a post-modern emergent service at a Methodist church on Tuesday nights. I enjoy it very much and many times am one of the oldest people there.

Troubling? Kinnaman’s interviews find that we are perceived in 3 basic ways by unbelievers in the USA. 1.Judgmental, 2.Anti-gay, 3.Hypocritical. I suspect that Paul the Apostle would give us some advice. I think he would be correct in assessing that we need it.

In 2007, Barna’s new organizational President, Kinnaman finished this sober work looking at what 16-29 year olds think of the church and christians in the west. To say this is “not pretty” is an understatement. Among other things, more young christians find the “f word” on network television more offensive than couples living together before marriage. We have a problem that extends beyond unbelievers not liking us. Our churches are filled with people that do not understand the Scriptures.

“They Like Jesus but not the Church” moves me two ways simultaneously. Kimball says things to us that we must say we like about reaching people graciously. At the same time, he writes about all of the terrible things we do in the church to drive people away and unfortunately, they are also mostly true. The answer is to preach the truth in love–that is a lot easier to write about than to do. He writes about tatoos, goths, lesbians, fundamentalists. He hits everybody. The tension is in not throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Check this article out from the Washington Times. Julia Duin wrote it.

I was pleased to find out today that David Tyree, [who caught Eli Manning’s pass in the super bowl and held it to his helmet], is a serious believer. That is good news.