TheMorningFive 04/22/08
The iPod Gospel, Obama at Church, Colbert Gets Serious and More
1. God on the Go
USA Today has posted this story about the rise in popularity of religious podcasts. According to the story, religious-themed podcasts remain one of iTunes most popular content.
Christians have always been innovators when it comes to technology, and ever since the Gutenberg Press, spreading the Gospel has been an engine for new means of communication. It’s good to see that Christians are still pushing forward when it comes to “new media” means of mass communications.
(Shameless plug: You can now download CBN programs at iTunes. Just search for “CBN” in the podcast section, and you’ll find shows you can download and put on your iPod to watch anytime … for free.)
2. Joseph the Exterminator
Researchers have found out how Joseph kept all those silos of grain preserved during those seven years of drought described in Genesis. Turns out Joseph, the same guy who rose through the ranks of Egyptian society after God gave him detailed dream interpretations, was a pretty bright guy.
The research team in Egypt have found beetles and tons of grains of wheat dating back to the time of Joseph, and say that the Biblical ruler was pretty savvy when it came to pest control. They say that he took specific measures to control the grain-eating bugs that allowed the people to have plenty of food even in scarce times.
3. The Serious Side of Stephen Colbert
Here’s an interesting story about Comedy Central personality Stephen Colbert. The article talks about his influence in the current presidential race, and why his satirical character has connected with “the IM generation.” On his late-night show, The Colbert Report, he plays a “character” (also named Stephen Colbert), who is a mock-version of cable news pundits. The idea behind the show, which is a hit among politically-savvy twentysomethings and college students, is to highlight the politicizing of major issues and the sensational nature of American culture—particularly when it comes how hyper-active cable news shows cover politics. “What we wanted to get at was the heart vs. the head,” he said in the story. “In the shoutfest, loudest wins. Feeling comes first in personality-driven media because facts don’t matter. It’s what feels right.” Through his loud-mouthed character, Colbert says he hopes to point to the danger of just relying on soundbytes and talking-points to develop a political opinion.
And though of his commentary can be crass at times, and his show often pokes fun at conservatives, the article went in an interesting direction when it talked about Colbert’s upbringing and a “crisis of faith” he experienced after he lost his father and two bothers in plane crash as a child. "I got pretty upset that Dad and the boys died, and didn’t have anything to do with my church for years ... But then I did, and the moments of reconnection and epiphany are too inexpressible to capture in this kind of an interview.” The comedian is known to occasionally teach Sunday school at his church and has even quoted scripture on the show.
Despite what individuals may think of Colbert or the views he disposes on his show, it’s always interesting when articles like this take time to tell about the faith of their subjects. It seems like more and more, mainstream outlets realize that faith isn’t just a side note, and it’s actual part of the story. And though we might not agree with everything someone says, having their faith experience be a part of the conversation is always a good way to open up the deeper conversation—one that gets to the real conflict of the head vs. heart.
4. A Sign of the Times
A church in South Carolina has caused a stir for a controversial message it put on its marquee. The sign read, “Obama, Osama, hmm, are they brothers.” The pastor told the local paper, “It's just something to try to stir people's minds. It was never intended to hurt feelings or to offend anybody."
I’m all for being edgy and provocative, but to me, this kind of comes across as a cheap shot. I’m not saying churches shouldn’t be allowed to voice political ideas to some extent, but there’s still something to be said for tact. It’s not wrong to be concerned about a candidate’s moral, political or religious agenda, and it’s certainly important for Christians to dialogue about politics. But is posting a message like this on a sign outside of a church really the best way to do it? As Christians, I think we should all be free to express any concerns we have about politics—but sometimes it’s not what we say, it’s how we say it. We’re called to love our enemies—even if they are considered our “political enemies”.
After receiving criticism for the sign, the church unanimously decided to keep the sign up.
5. Third Day and the Pope
Christian music stars Third Day accepted an invitation to play at a youth rally being presided over by the Pope during his recent visit to States. “It’s not every day that you’re invited to perform for a crowd being presided over by Pope Benedict XVI,” lead vocalist Mac Powell said. “This is a great honor for us.”
It’s pretty cool that Pope Benedict is a Third Day fan—maybe he'll also get a chance to wear Bono's sunglasses.
USA Today has posted this story about the rise in popularity of religious podcasts. According to the story, religious-themed podcasts remain one of iTunes most popular content.
Christians have always been innovators when it comes to technology, and ever since the Gutenberg Press, spreading the Gospel has been an engine for new means of communication. It’s good to see that Christians are still pushing forward when it comes to “new media” means of mass communications.
(Shameless plug: You can now download CBN programs at iTunes. Just search for “CBN” in the podcast section, and you’ll find shows you can download and put on your iPod to watch anytime … for free.)
2. Joseph the Exterminator
Researchers have found out how Joseph kept all those silos of grain preserved during those seven years of drought described in Genesis. Turns out Joseph, the same guy who rose through the ranks of Egyptian society after God gave him detailed dream interpretations, was a pretty bright guy.
The research team in Egypt have found beetles and tons of grains of wheat dating back to the time of Joseph, and say that the Biblical ruler was pretty savvy when it came to pest control. They say that he took specific measures to control the grain-eating bugs that allowed the people to have plenty of food even in scarce times.
3. The Serious Side of Stephen Colbert
Here’s an interesting story about Comedy Central personality Stephen Colbert. The article talks about his influence in the current presidential race, and why his satirical character has connected with “the IM generation.” On his late-night show, The Colbert Report, he plays a “character” (also named Stephen Colbert), who is a mock-version of cable news pundits. The idea behind the show, which is a hit among politically-savvy twentysomethings and college students, is to highlight the politicizing of major issues and the sensational nature of American culture—particularly when it comes how hyper-active cable news shows cover politics. “What we wanted to get at was the heart vs. the head,” he said in the story. “In the shoutfest, loudest wins. Feeling comes first in personality-driven media because facts don’t matter. It’s what feels right.” Through his loud-mouthed character, Colbert says he hopes to point to the danger of just relying on soundbytes and talking-points to develop a political opinion.
And though of his commentary can be crass at times, and his show often pokes fun at conservatives, the article went in an interesting direction when it talked about Colbert’s upbringing and a “crisis of faith” he experienced after he lost his father and two bothers in plane crash as a child. "I got pretty upset that Dad and the boys died, and didn’t have anything to do with my church for years ... But then I did, and the moments of reconnection and epiphany are too inexpressible to capture in this kind of an interview.” The comedian is known to occasionally teach Sunday school at his church and has even quoted scripture on the show.
Despite what individuals may think of Colbert or the views he disposes on his show, it’s always interesting when articles like this take time to tell about the faith of their subjects. It seems like more and more, mainstream outlets realize that faith isn’t just a side note, and it’s actual part of the story. And though we might not agree with everything someone says, having their faith experience be a part of the conversation is always a good way to open up the deeper conversation—one that gets to the real conflict of the head vs. heart.
4. A Sign of the Times
A church in South Carolina has caused a stir for a controversial message it put on its marquee. The sign read, “Obama, Osama, hmm, are they brothers.” The pastor told the local paper, “It's just something to try to stir people's minds. It was never intended to hurt feelings or to offend anybody."
I’m all for being edgy and provocative, but to me, this kind of comes across as a cheap shot. I’m not saying churches shouldn’t be allowed to voice political ideas to some extent, but there’s still something to be said for tact. It’s not wrong to be concerned about a candidate’s moral, political or religious agenda, and it’s certainly important for Christians to dialogue about politics. But is posting a message like this on a sign outside of a church really the best way to do it? As Christians, I think we should all be free to express any concerns we have about politics—but sometimes it’s not what we say, it’s how we say it. We’re called to love our enemies—even if they are considered our “political enemies”.
After receiving criticism for the sign, the church unanimously decided to keep the sign up.
5. Third Day and the Pope
Christian music stars Third Day accepted an invitation to play at a youth rally being presided over by the Pope during his recent visit to States. “It’s not every day that you’re invited to perform for a crowd being presided over by Pope Benedict XVI,” lead vocalist Mac Powell said. “This is a great honor for us.”
It’s pretty cool that Pope Benedict is a Third Day fan—maybe he'll also get a chance to wear Bono's sunglasses.