What is the Josiah Concept?  | This is what the LORD says: "I'm going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read. I will do this because they have abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my burning anger directed at this place will never be extinguished. "You had a change of heart and humbled yourself in front of the LORD when you heard my words against this place and those who live here. I had said that those who live here will be destroyed and cursed. You also tore your clothes in distress and cried in front of me. So I will listen to you," declares the LORD. "That is why I'm going to bring you to your ancestors. I'm going to bring you to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I'm going to bring on this place." 2 Kgs 22:16-17, 19-20 (GW) When King Josiah heard the words written in the Book of the Law, he tore his robes, and sought the council of the Lord. That was the declaration of the Lord to King Josiah. The end of this age is coming, but like King Josiah, we don't have to be a part of it, for God "doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to Him and change the way they think and act" (2Pet 3:9). With the scientific revolution, it has become increasingly difficult for people to do that. We are material beings in a material world, who find it harder and harder to exercise our faith muscles in a world that condemns faith and seeks reason. I humbly submit that it is possible to combine our faith with the reason that this world holds in such high esteem. I am in good company, for the collected works of Lee Strobel argue this same point. There is already a website, Evidence for God from Science, that has a similar mission to my own. I believe that there is room for one more apologetics ministry online that will argue faith from a standpoint of scientific reasoning. It is my mission, like King Josiah, to remove the obstacles to worshipping God that have cropped up, not in pagan temples built throughout the land, but in science and logic. And, like all the great apologists before me, I won't push people down the road to the Cross (only God can draw them near), but I will help fill in the potholes along the way. | |
Why a Buddy Christ?
The "Buddy Christ" was first introduced in the movie Dogma by George Carlin's character, Cardinal Glick. The symbol was supposed to replace the Catholic Crucifix as a "new, more inspiring sigil." In Cardinal Glick's opinion, the image of Christ crucified was a "wholly depressing image." As my wife has pointed out on numerous occasions, "Jesus isn't still crucified." Right, on! He's Risen, in heaven, and seated in glory at the right hand of the Father. Cardinal Glick does not remind us of that, he just says that "Christ didn't come to earth to give us the willys!" Cardinal Glick and I happen to see eye-to-eye. I am a confirmed Catholic, though I have renounced most of the faith I held so dear since I do not agree to a vast majority of Catholic dogma. (What I do not agree with is covered in greater detail elsewhere; of course, if it still is not clear to you I can always write a full article.) Since the "Buddy Christ" in the movie represents a reformation of Catholicism, something I can identify with as a converted Protestant, I use the Buddy Christ insignia for my ministry. |
What about the Church of Buddy Christ?
I am not now, nor will I ever be, affilliated with the Church of Buddy Christ founded by Rev. Johnny T. This church subscribes to a creed written by Bishop Pat Buckley that is absolutely incompatible with biblical Christianity. This creed denies Jesus as the only way to God, places the emphasis on spirituality, and paints God as tolerant and non-judgemental. I find this view inconsistent with the Bible's portrait of the Father and contrary to revelations of the Son recorded in the New Testament. Jesus is the only way to God. A careful study of the gospels, especially John, will reveal that He left us no room for any other interpretation. |