Brett McCracken definitely has his finger on the pulse of hipster Christianity. I really enjoyed this because the subject is something that is very relevant to me as a pastor. The pressure to be “cool” in order to attract a crowd has been the trend for some time now in American evangelicalism. McCracken describes hipster Christianity, dissects hipster Christianity, and develops his vision of how genuine, counter-cultural, biblical Christianity will always be cool to those it is reaching. But being cool for cool’s sake is non-productive.
Tebow never asked to be the starter this season over Kyle Orton. Never asked to have his name chanted in stadiums. All he ever said was that he’d work as hard as he could and that, as any player would, he wanted to play. It’s not his fault that he’s been a topic on sports talk shows for a year straight, tiring all the pundits out. Tebow inspires rebellion because he appears to be that thing that we all fear most: a righteous man.”
A few years ago, Warren St. John wrote a book about Alabama football fanaticism titled, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer. Do you remember those little charts in Christian bookstores that would help you find a holy alternative to the secular bands you loved but felt so guilty about? Example…”If you like Run-D.M.C., try D. C. Talk.” Well, that’s exactly what is going on here. If you liked Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, but don’t want all the cursing and references to alcohol, then here’s the Christian alternative. Gibbs should send royalty checks to St. John. The only problem is his stories aren’t as good. I will say this, Gibbs is a really funny guy. In fact, he’s funny enough I’d definitely pick up another book of his, provided it’s on sale for $4 on the clearance shelf like this one was. Seriously, his comedic skills are what kept me turning the pages.
What disappointed me most was the lack of depth regarding the balancing faith and football theme. He only skims the surface. He confesses his addiction, make that obsession, to Auburn football, and takes the time to throw in a few guilty comments here and there, interviews fellow fans who struggle with this tension, even briefly describes attending church services in each of the cities visited. But the subtitle is deceptive; this is really a book about the SEC football fanaticism, not about faith.
Here they go again, planning to picket another funeral. This time it’s the funeral of Apple, Inc. founder Steve Jobs. Margie Phelps tweeted to the world their latest plans…via her iPhone. The irony was quickly noted by several media outlets. Ms. Phelps responded as expected, filled with condemnation: “Rebels mad cuz I used iPhone to tell you Steve Jobs is in hell. God created iPhone for that purpose! :)”
Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
Seriously? Is that why God created Steve Jobs with his exceptional talents…talents that would eventually give the world innovative and efficient technology products, like the iPhone? God did this just so Ms. Margie Phelps could use an iPhone to celebrate Mr. Jobs death? Memo to the universe: neither the Phelps family nor the Westboro Baptist Church are accepted by true followers of Jesus Christ as legitimate spokespeople for the Christian faith.
There are usually two extremes Christians gravitate toward when dealing with the subject of money. J. D. Greear suggests a better way…the Biblical way. Read “The Generosity Matrix” HERE.
Abundant Life (Jn.10.10) … Abiding Life (Jn.15.5) – Check out my YouTube channel… "Sound of Truth with Brett Maragni"
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