Faith Autopsy

Far and away, I thought the best Super Bow ad I saw (and I didn't see them all) was from Google.  Simple, memorable, consistent with their well-established branding, and compelling. The ad, using just text, shows you the power to tell a story and the power of a story...

I also thought that, despite all the controversy, the Tebow ad was well done. Regardless of your politics, this ad was an excellent example of good advocacy advertising. (Here is the rest of the story, if you are interested.)

What were your favorite ads?

I have been posting for the past month about the hermeneutical process -- that is, how we should read and interpret a particular Biblical text. You can see the summary of the series here. I took the time to outline process knowing that I was going to then spend some personal time studying, meditating on and praying through the Biblical references to homosexuality.  As an evangelical Christian, what the Bible says matters to me and is central in how I live my life (or at least try).  Furthermore, as an evangelical Christian, the proper interpretation and application of the Bible is important to me.

So having worked through a hermeneutical process that I think is both orthodox and faithful, I am ready to look at the relevant texts.

There are 7 references to homosexuality in the Bible and I will be looking at each of them. As we do so, we will also look at other relevant passages to the topic.

Here are the 7 references I will look at:

1. Genesis 19
2. Judges 19
3. Leviticus 18
4. Leviticus 20
5. Romans 1
6. 1 Corinthians 6
7. 1 Timothy 1

That's it... 7 references.

I will keep the patten of posting on Mondays and Fridays. I hope you will follow along with my journey, post your comments and questions, challenge some of my conclusions, etc. Also, feel free to post any questions or issues you think I should address in this process.

Just one quick note... I am working through these passages because this is a deeply personal and important issue for me. I honestly don't know where this study will lead me. You are getting an "open window" into my journey and process. I welcome all input and comments -- and you are free to disagree with me along the way -- but understand I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, nor am I looking for a debate.  

My posts will also focus primarily on conclusions and implications.  I will try to give as much of the details as I can as to how I got to a conclusion, but I am not looking to write commentaries here.  While I am going to primarily be focused on the texts themselves, I will also be reading some secondary literature (representing multiple viewpoints) as well as some good bible study tools (Greek/Hebrew lexicons, etc).  In most cases I will spare you the technical stuff.

Anyway, thanks for joining me on this journey... each step I surrender to the Holy Spirit.  Let it lead where it may...

Christopher Hitchens -- one of the most outspoken atheists out there -- was recently interviewed by Marilyn Sewell of The Portland Monthly. Hitchens is the author of the book "God Is Not Great". In the interview, Hitchens has an amazingly concise and accurate understanding (at least, in theory) of the Christian faith.

SEWELL: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I'm a liberal Christian, and I don't take the stories from the scripture literally. I don't believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make and distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

HITCHENS: I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

Well said, Chris.

(Thanks Scot for the link)

A video from my friend Nate... if you like it, go to YouTube and rate it or leave a comment.