tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77381452024-03-14T02:18:25.532-04:00THE REBELLION OF THOUGHT BLOGThe <i>Rebellion of Thought </i>Blog is an idea that sprang forth from the film by the Brothers Williamson. It is designed to be a critical look at the role of the Church in a post-modern world.
We do not claim to have all the answers... but we are brave enough to ask the questions.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-10900997569035143542011-10-05T06:36:00.000-04:002011-10-05T06:37:03.925-04:00KENT'S NEW FILM - STAINED GLASS RAINBOWSFor those who are interested, please check out the blog for my latest film <a href="http://stainedglassrainbows.blogspot.com/"><i>Stained Glass Rainbows... exploring the bed wrestle between homosexuality and faith.</i></a><br />
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In this film I bravely go where few Christians dare to tread... to gay pride parades, to the living rooms of gays and lesbians, to the depths of the struggle between conservatives and liberals... asking questions like, "is homosexuality a sin?"<br />
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Hear from the lesbian minister, the ex-lesbian who fled the country with her little girl, the gay pastor who wanted to pull the trigger and end it all, the ex-gay man living with AIDS, the conservative theologian who explains the biblical standards, the God Hates Fags protestor, the man and woman ministering to the homosexual population, etc.<br />
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<a href="http://stainedglassrainbows.blogspot.com/">Stained Glass Rainbows - Blog </a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_908745107"></a><a href="http://www.stainedglassrainbows.com/">Stained Glass Rainbows - Website</a><br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/StainedGlassRainbows">Stained Glass Rainbows - Facebook Page</a>Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-89647200169118463352011-09-05T19:50:00.001-04:002011-09-05T19:50:49.823-04:00Rebellion of Thought Study Guide<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEG1zIyoMT8cnNLXskMP6VSDHBNxvwXhbCSEDg46Kqsw1-0v_zL6NlAvIdVnmQorcWW3uD1RAOJdYTultL2R29ICud2AEAcOzKcbaDXdoAXlQZcs0SUNrP_V-DxPt7Rm-LddIEdw/s1600/DiscussionGuideCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEG1zIyoMT8cnNLXskMP6VSDHBNxvwXhbCSEDg46Kqsw1-0v_zL6NlAvIdVnmQorcWW3uD1RAOJdYTultL2R29ICud2AEAcOzKcbaDXdoAXlQZcs0SUNrP_V-DxPt7Rm-LddIEdw/s320/DiscussionGuideCover.png" width="208" /></a>Finally... the Rebellion of Thought Discussion Guide has been published to the website... Check it out at www.RebellionofThought.com.<br />
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This is the perfect thing if your small group is watching the film. It works with the Group Viewing Segments on the DVD and is designed to help make a lot of the heady stuff in the film more understandable and to give people something to guide them through the jungle known as Rebellion of Thought.<br />
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It's written by Stephen & Amanda Sorenson... they've written numerous study guides for some big name folks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rebellionofthought.com/Discussion_Guide.html">Download the Rebellion of Thought Discussion Guide</a><br />
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and best of all... it's FREE!<br />
<br />Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-39879156413937831212011-05-07T13:16:00.005-04:002011-05-07T19:45:02.603-04:00This Is My Body - Ekklesia As God Intended<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuke0AySAqGAQu0wnbSVGR-0amwxu_6oavNTclsVzyil8NRo5_OIpJFb9NPk2aYnMW30QzL4GrQHmydEgnwr4Cq6tYTR7aoGjWPWPvs1ibHzWNyumd1dgVd-aoWKHTo6c7hm97Q/s1600/THISISMYBOOKCOVER.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604069097788414802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuke0AySAqGAQu0wnbSVGR-0amwxu_6oavNTclsVzyil8NRo5_OIpJFb9NPk2aYnMW30QzL4GrQHmydEgnwr4Cq6tYTR7aoGjWPWPvs1ibHzWNyumd1dgVd-aoWKHTo6c7hm97Q/s400/THISISMYBOOKCOVER.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 212px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue Light'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A review by Kent C. Williamson of the book by Keith Giles</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Allow me to start by saying </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Is My Body</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is FANTASTIC! And I’m not just saying that because I’ve known the author for nearly 25 years. I say it because </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Is My Body</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is a much needed treatise about the state of the church in North America. As most of those who claim to follow Christ know, the church is not made of brick and stone, it is made of spirit, of flesh, of bone... for the church is made of nothing more than the Spirit of God dwelling in those who seek Him. How His followers connect with each other is the essence of the greek word Ekklesia and the topic that Giles explores within this book.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Giles reminds us that one of the most mind-blowing elements of the crucifixion of Christ was the mysterious tearing of the temple veil. Prior to that historic event the high priest alone had access to the Holy of Holies. Only on special occasions could he enter the dwelling place of God behind the veil, which had to be an amazing event for the lone participant. But the symbolism and substance that springs from the torn veil is even more amazing... that we all can now approach the One who for so long was unapproachable.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Giles asks the question, will anyone dare pick up a needle and thread to repair the torn veil? It's obvious that only an extremely arrogant person would attempt such a thing, but unfortunately the institutional church has had their share of such men who desperately attempt to repair the veil, mainly because their livelihoods depend on it.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The days of "Professional” Christianity are over! The Holy Spirit is reclaiming it for the common man and Keith Giles is helping to blow the trumpet! I can hear pastors of the institutional church screaming "heresy" as they desperately cling to their salary, their staff, and their beloved "book funds"! My hope is that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Is My Body</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> will become required reading in seminaries and bible colleges across the land. Unfortunately, it's more likely that it will be added to the bonfire by the hoity-toity elite who see their security being threatened.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As much as I loved reading </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Is My Body, </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it is not perfect. There is one missing chapter of this book, which should be called Exit Strategy. Giles does a great job setting up the problem with the typical top-down church structure in America, but I would have liked to see a section devoted to helping people move from the comfy pews of “spectator Christianity” into this brave new world where the only safety net is the Holy Spirit. A chapter where the reader could gain valuable information on how to leap from the train known as the institutional church... a train that, as my brother and I pointed out in our film </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rebellion of Thought</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, is tragically on the wrong track, barreling blindly toward the wrong destination. (I might add that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rebellion of Thought</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> didn’t offer that type of help either!).</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica Neue Light; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When the Sunday Morning Business Men take to their pulpits to drone on-and-on "teaching the Word of God", my prayer is that the brave few who get their hands on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Is My Body</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> will move out into their communities and neighborhoods "living the Word of God", being Christ to those who need it most. Only then will we experience the sense of Ekklesia that our New Testament brothers and sisters knew so well.</span></span></span></div></span></span>Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-85486603995882973102011-05-06T14:52:00.001-04:002011-05-06T14:52:05.882-04:00This blog has moved<br /> This blog is now located at __FTP_MIGRATION_NEW_URL__.<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href='__FTP_MIGRATION_NEW_URL__'>here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> __FTP_MIGRATION_FEED_URL__.<br /> Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-63025030138568688802009-03-11T20:26:00.004-04:002009-03-11T20:52:43.074-04:00THE COMING EVANGELICAL COLLAPSEHere's a snippet from and a link to an interesting article called <span style="font-style: italic;">The Coming Evangelical Collapse...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"We can rejoice that in the ruins, new forms of Christian vitality and ministry will be born. I expect to see a vital and growing house church movement. This cannot help but be good for an evangelicalism that has made buildings, numbers, and paid staff its drugs for half a century."<br /><br /></span></span>This goes hand-in-hand with parts of <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span>.<br /><br />Read the whole article <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html">here</a>!Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-74693009101873910872009-01-31T06:59:00.007-05:002009-01-31T12:15:32.456-05:00A VIEW FROM A VIEWERAfter viewing <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought, </span><span>Kelly Dominguez</span> wrote...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Towards the end of the documentary of "Rebellion of thought", Brad told of what happened when he went to tell his pastor he was leaving the church. The Pastor ask him a question and he responded with something. Forgive me, I can't for the life of me remember what exactly was said. My memory is really bad. Would you please refresh my memory? I rented the movie through <a href="http://www.christiancinema.com/dvdrental/product_info.php?products_id=1665">Christian Cinema</a> and already returned it, my bad. I should have watched it again.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Lately, I've been very dissatisfied with what I see in our church. Not more then two days before watching your movie, I had a conversation with a friend about how our neighbors were moving and I didn't know them..............because my family is so "busy" (something I believe comes from the devil) "going to church". So your movie was food for the brain. Thank you.</span></span><br /><br />Brad replied...<br /><br />Thanks for asking about Rebellion of Thought. I appreciate you taking the time to view it and am encouraged that you find the discussion valuable.<br /><br />You asked what my response was to my pastor when I told him I was leaving our church (note that I did not leave the 'church', the body of Christ, but a specific assembly that met in a certain building!)<br /><br />Kent has provided the transcript from that portion of the film, which is great, because I'd have a hard time remembering as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When you look at what’s going on it’s seems that maybe the church is part of the problem here.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">I’ll go way out on a limb here. This hopefully will be edited out. What the church is designed to do is to seduce believers into thinking that they believe…</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Beep! (CENSORED)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Probably the greatest indictment of the church today is that we don’t practice the gospel. We preach it. We teach it. We do all kinds of things with it. We put it on banners. We sing songs about it. We just don’t actually do it. Just go automatically to church every Sunday, week after week and do the same things over and over again. We will never observe what it is that’s going on there and be able to do something different. And then you have the danger of those people who have a vested interest in making sure that we don’t examine the traditions of the church or the North American church because you know we even ______ teaching that that…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...When I left the church that I was with I had been with the church for about, oh, six or eight years. When I was asked why I was leaving I told the pastor, I said I’ve I’m having a problem with the church because it’s not adequate, it’s not sufficient for me to be a part of a church where the gospel is preached. I said the desire of my heart is that I that I’m part of a church where the gospel is practiced.</span></span><br /><br />There you go - I'm still on my quest - and by the way, when I look at the church I left, I would say without question that it comes closer to the mark of practicing the Gospel than any church I have been a part of, and I still felt compelled to leave.<br /><br />Part of the problem, as you touch on, is that there is a distraction in the church that I am convinced is part of the Deceiver's plan, to convince believers that by being involved in church they are serving Christ. I believe that this is the greatest deception ever conceived against those who would follow Christ, and we are, for the most part, blind to it.<br /><br />To close, let me fill in the censored part of the script, with a paraphrase of what the distributor insisted we remove.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The organizational church today is designed to do three things:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seduce</span> believers into being part of the organizational church community with attractive services, songs, programs, 'ministries', and facilities...</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anesthetize</span> the believer with many 'good' things (worship, praise, care of other believers) so that the believer does not realizing that what he or she is doing has little connection to the mandates Christ communicated in the Scripture...</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceive</span> the believer into thinking that going to church, singing and praising, tithing, and caring for other believers (all truly good things) are what Christ would have us do.</span> </span><br /><br />Ultimately, the church is most successful at enabling even mature believers to miss the point, that God called us first to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul, and second, to love our neighbor as ourselves, which turns out to be a whole lot more difficult in our culture than going to church.<br /><br />So, Kelly, your journey begins. It will not be easy or popular, but you aren't alone. More and more followers of Christ are starting to act on their dissatisfaction with the organizational church. Pray that you will not be discouraged, deceived, or misled as you seek Christ and work to serve Him.<br /><br />I will pray that you find a small group of like-minded believers who will commit themselves with you to living Christ as you abandon 'being busy' for the sake of the organizational church.<br /><br />Feel free to write and share you experiences. We'd like to hear from you.<br /><br />BradKent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-33889855150084577662008-11-23T07:23:00.003-05:002008-11-23T08:11:02.852-05:00STAINED GLASS RAINBOWS... CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/Stained-Glass-Rainbows-771686.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 126px;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/Stained-Glass-Rainbows-771672.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's time to start plugging our next film <span style="font-style: italic;">Stained Glass Rainbows.</span><br /><br />For those who don't know, <span style="font-style: italic;">Stained Glass Rainbows</span> is an exploration of the bed wrestle between homosexuality and faith. We've interviewed the left, the right, conservatives, liberals, & moderates. We've filmed at Gay Pride Parades as well as Gay Protests. We've talked with folks that believe people are born gay along with people who were once in gay relationships that through their faith have left it behind... so to speak.<br /><br />Why this topic???<br /><br />I believe this is <span style="font-style: italic;">the most</span> controversial subject facing the modern church. The majority of conservatives tend to want to keep their heads in the sand and pretend this issue will go away. Meanwhile, progressive denominations are not only embracing homosexuals, but they are also ordaining them. The recent controversies surrounding Gay Marriage and Proposition 8 are only proof of the volatility and timeliness for <span style="font-style: italic;">Stained Glass Rainbows.</span><br /><br />This issue is tearing churches apart. It's tearing denominations apart. And it's tearing families apart. Is there an answer? And if there is, what is it? Is homosexuality a great sin or merely a lifestyle? What does a book written 2,000 years ago have to say about it and should that have any relevance on us today?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Stained Glass Rainbows</span> explores the controversy, dives into the heart of the issue, and gets inside the hearts and minds of people of faith across the country.<br /><br />Keep an eye out for <span style="font-style: italic;">Stained Glass Rainbows</span>... coming soon!Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-7618937346596660782008-05-17T08:41:00.005-04:002008-05-21T17:45:18.554-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT ON THE RADIOKent recently was interviewed about <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought </span>by Joe Thomas on WCHV 1260 AM. Listen to the interview <a href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/Audio/JoeThomasWCHV-Guest-KentWilliamson-RebellionofThought.mp3">here</a>...Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-73075223126553009282008-03-27T06:01:00.004-04:002008-03-27T06:40:30.403-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT... GIDEON FILM FESTIVAL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165079%252526M%25253D201125%2C00.html?"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/GideonFilmFest-700839.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> will be screening at the <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165079%252526M%25253D201125%2C00.html?">Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival</a> in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina.<br /><br />DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 2008<br />TIME: 1:15pm<br /><br />The film will be followed by Q&A (if the crowd is civil) or Tar & Feathering (if it gets out of hand). If you know anyone in the Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Knoxville, or Atlanta areas, tell them to head to Ashville for the screening. In the mean time, start planning your trip... it matters not where you live, cause like Steven Wright would say... "Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."<br /><br />FYI, a portion (if not all) of the Brothers Williamson will be on the receiving end of the "Pitching to Producers" event on Tuesday the 15th, where a select group of published authors pitch their latest ideas.<br /><br />Also, keep your eye out for two new Rebellion of Thought trailers to be released soon...Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-1168606532553050902008-03-13T04:56:00.001-04:002008-03-13T04:58:44.562-04:00DEVOTION... WHAT DOES IT MEAN?Please bare with me... I feel another rant coming on. Recently, I started chewing on the word "devotion". What does it mean? Where did it come from? etc., when the thought hit me, is this another word the Church has hi-jacked and stripped of it's original meaning and intent?<br /><br />Growing up in the Church I was continually bombarded with phrases like... have you had your devotions today? How are your devotions going? Are you having a consistent "quiet time"? Did you get your copy of the devotional? Kent, sit still while Mr. S0-and-s0 leads us in a devotion.<br /><br />Devotion was a word that carried with it much guilt. It was a word with good intentions, designed to encourage me to read the Bible (or a supplement) more, but I remember as a teenager hearing the word and realizing I was a failure. I could never read the Bible more than some of the other kids in the youth group. I could never spend an hour a day reading and praying or even a half hour for that matter or even 15 minutes, because for some reason I would miss Thursday or Saturday or Monday which left me feeling guilty, unworthy, outside of God's perfect will, a loser that couldn't consistently have his devotions.<br /><br />On days when I might be successful I remember being able to check it off my spiritual to-do list. "Boy, God must be proud of me now!"<br /><br />Now that I'm officially "getting older" things haven't changed much. Today you can click your way to Amazon and find pages of devotional books and resources to improve and enhance your "quiet time". Now, don't get me wrong, some of these resources may be valuable, but doesn't the mass marketing of "devotion" seem to be a little... tacky?<br /><br />What does "devotion" mean anyway? Dictionary.com offers these in it's list of definitions...<br /><br />"profound dedication"<br /><br />"feelings of ardent love"<br /><br />"earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc."<br /><br />True "devotion" is not a noun. It's not something I <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> but it is something I <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span>... or do I? Am I truly <span style="font-style: italic;">devoted</span> to Christ? Am I truly <span style="font-style: italic;">devoted</span> to seeking Him? Am I truly <span style="font-style: italic;">devoted</span> to picking up the cross daily? Am I truly <span style="font-style: italic;">devoted</span> to the concept of crucifying myself so that He may live through me?<br /><br />How about you? Are you devoted?Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-79001861676122251722008-03-13T03:38:00.006-04:002008-03-13T04:00:23.234-04:00MY ADDICTION TO TRADITIONAL CHURCHMy struggle (prior to converting to the house church) was that I was (like most of us) a creature of habit. I had a Sunday morning habit/addiction that looked like this...<br /><br />- wake up<br />- race around the house getting myself and my kids ready for "church"<br />- drive 20+ miles (as fast as possible) to a good sized church-building of my liking<br />- drop kids off at various Sunday School rooms (all the while hoping they'll learn something and simultaneously releasing myself from the responsibility of teaching them)<br />- teach an Adult Sunday School class (which I often viewed as baby-sitting the grown-ups who wanted their kids to be in a Sunday School class and had nothing better to do for the hour)... did that come across as cynical? Sorry!<br />- cut my lesson short due to time-restraints.<br />- race down the hall to the "sanctuary" for "worship" and to fulfill my obligations as a deacon (which mostly consisted of serving the "found" instead of those truly in need of Christ)<br />- drop a check in the plate (and wonder what really happens to the money besides keeping the machine running)<br />- wave goodbye to people I didn't really know on any deep and meaningful level, but found myself with week after week<br /><br />I was addicted to the traditional church. God had to take me all the way to China to get a glimpse of the underground house church to break me of my addiction. I had a habit that at that particular church had lasted for 9 years, but the Holy Spirit broke me of it.<br /><br />There is hope... He is moving still in the hearts of people. Hopefully he'll keep nudging people toward true community, toward deep and meaningful relationships with other believers, toward the image of Christ without all the trappings of modern day Churchianity.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------<br />This was a response I gave to an article called <a href="http://subunderground.blogspot.com/2008/03/something-different.html">"Something Different"</a> my good friend <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699">Keith Giles</a> wrote over on his <a href="http://subunderground.blogspot.com/2008/03/something-different.html">[Subversive Underground] </a>Blog.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-46374891513767711142007-11-19T07:23:00.000-05:002007-11-19T08:57:41.386-05:00WILLOW CREEK APOLOGIZES...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/LittleChurchPrayer-752037.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/LittleChurchPrayer-752033.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>As Brad and I hit on in <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span>, the Supersize Me mentality of program-oriented Churchianity in America misses the point of what being a follower of Christ is all about.<br /><br />Apparently research has come out that even Bill Hybels (founder of Willow Creek) finds “earth shaking,” “ground breaking,” and “mind blowing.”<br /><br />Here's a snippet...<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html">Willow Creek Repents?</a><br />Few would disagree that Willow Creek Community Church has been one of the most influential churches in America over the last thirty years... So what happens when leaders of Willow Creek stand up and say, “We made a mistake”?<br /><br />Read the full article on <a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html">Christianity Today's Out of Ur Blog...</a><br /><br />I can't wait until the research comes out that says this is true for the majority of smaller, program oriented, non-mega churches as well.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------<br /><br />In an effort to promote transparency and full-disclosure it should be known that in the 80's (back when I had lots of hair and little discretion) I was very active at Willow Creek. I attended multiple services on a weekly basis and was involved in the "Video Ministry" where we helped "spread the gospel" to needy jumbo screens via closed-circuit television for youth group Rah, Rah, Rah's.<br /><br />Ironic that today, twenty years later, my "Video Ministry" includes such lovely pieces as <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> which, when it comes to Mega Church mentalities like Willow Creek, I guess would be "biting the hand that fed me"... Ooops!Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-40769084443892152152007-11-13T06:44:00.000-05:002007-11-13T07:37:36.674-05:00Rebellion of Thought... In Stores Today!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/ROTDVD-742598.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/ROTDVD-742595.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>November 13th, 2007... this just in... <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> officially goes on sale today.<br /><br />Here are a few links to stores where you can purchase it, rent it, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rebellion-Thought-Thought-Post-Modernism-Church/dp/B000VKX20E/ref=sr_1_3/103-8610512-2687026?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1194954984&sr=8-3">Amazon</a> = $15.99<br /><a href="http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.asp?quickSearchType=TTL&FRM=0&quickSearchText=Rebellion+of+Thought&z=y">Barnes & Noble</a> = $20.69<br /><a href="http://www.borders.com/">Borders</a> = $??.??<br /><a href="http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2041">Christian Cinema</a> = $16.92<br /><a href="http://www.crownvideo.com/"> Crown Video</a> = $??.??<br /><a href="http://www.familychristian.com/">Family Stores</a> = $??.??<br /><a href="http://shop6.gospelcom.net/epages/GospelDirect.storefront/473994730496c396271dccfd8419070b/Product/View/DVD4345">Gospel Direct</a> = $19.99<br /><a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/70082148?trkid=73">Netflix</a> = Rental<br /><a href="http://www.midwesttapes.com/home.do">Midwest Tape</a> (via public library system)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/splintered-749182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/splintered-749176.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Also, in C'ville you can buy it at <a href="http://www.splinteredlightbooks.com/cgi-bin/slb/index.html">Splintered Light.</a> Here's a photo of the Splintered Light Bookshop... doesn't that look like a great place to go and browse the shelves?<br /><br />They're located at 128 Chancellor St. just off the corner in the <a href="http://www.studycenter.net/SplinteredLight.htm">Center for Christian Study.</a>Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-19896131959255511922007-11-07T21:02:00.000-05:002007-11-08T06:35:24.799-05:00HOLLYWOOD JESUS REVIEW OF ROT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/HollywoodJesus-723139.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here are a couple of links to the Hollywood Jesus review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> by Mike Furches.<br /><a href="http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=740"><br />Hollywood Jesus - Rebellion of Thought</a><a href="http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/dvdDetail.cfm/i/153B7033-03E7-40C8-F8100D3852FF906D/ia/15476404-0AC7-70A7-4AACD800219EE89D"><br />Hollywood Jesus - About Rebellion of Thought</a><br /><br />Furches says things like "sure to cause waves in the world of Christianity" and "may end up being one of the best documentary films of the year."<br /><br />Enjoy!Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-16671739034430340722007-11-06T22:12:00.000-05:002007-11-06T22:34:59.310-05:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT REVIEW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/ROTReview-CBA-772367.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/ROTReview-CBA-772361.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here is a review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> that appeared in the November issue of the CBA Retailers Magazine...<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> is a superbly made, thought-provoking film. It juxtaposes discussion by leading Christian thinkers, people on the street, and filmmakers Brad and Kent Williamson to examine what postmodern thinking is and how the common idea that there's no absolute truth demands a new response from Christians.<br /><br />The sheer film-craft beats almost anything I've seen in Christian film. The medium often becomes the message with stunning visuals, creative editing, and excellent (mostly indie) music. The explanation of post-modernism and its effect on culture is well-honed, thought overlong.<br /><br />The Williamson's challenge–that church is irrelevant when it busies itself with traditional activities but never touches those outside–is undeniably true. The problem comes when they equate this irrelevant church with Hitler's state-run church and make the leap that the only way to relevance is ditching the church entirely, rather than recreating it on a biblical pattern.<br /><br />This film will appeal to an intellectual and somewhat disaffected audience. Nevertheless, it raises questions that should be discussed (perhaps with a group and the corresponding study guide).<br /><br />–Sue Grise"Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-20732841164722044102007-10-26T07:07:00.000-04:002007-10-26T07:46:51.569-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT... NOVEMBER 13, 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/RebellionofThought.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/ROTCoverArt-752353.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>The official launch date for <a href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/RebellionofThought.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span></a> is just days away (November 13th). Here's a list of what you'll find on the DVD...<br /><br />• Rebellion of Thought... the film (imagine that... the DVD will actually have the film on it!)<br />• Group Viewing Feature<br /><br />BONUS MATERIAL<br />• A (Not So) Simple Response (a pastor responds to seeing the film)<br />• Anchored in the Harbour (my challenge to the church to move beyond the walls & pews)<br />• More Rebellious Thoughts (where Brad, myself and the experts discuss things like The Hardwired Church, Life Worship, Merchandising the Gospel, and Embracing the Mystery. This section alone is over 90 minutes of additional material)<br />• Expert Bios of all the cool philosophers and theologians that appear in the film.<br />• The Soundtrack - 25 songs from bands like Abby SomeOne, Audrey Hatcher Woodhams, Greg Allen, Hugh Wilson, Inner Surge, JJ Plasencio, Stereovolt, Joniqa, Low In The Sky, Michael Handler, Mixtapes for Girlfriends, Verona, and composer Will Musser (This section also includes bios and photos of the bands).<br />• Trailers & Credits<br /><br />I'll try and post a list where the DVD can be purchased. In the mean time, go ask for it wherever you buy your movies.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-85381347740933686812007-08-29T22:08:00.000-04:002007-08-29T22:34:07.606-04:00VIRTUAL PEW RADIO INTERVIEW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/pew_main-780182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/pew_main-780179.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Today Brad and I had the pleasure of being interviewed on <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thevirtualpew">Virtual Pew Live</a>, a BlogTalkRadio show hosted by Mike Furches. It was an interesting discussion about Rebellion of Thought and our journey through the making of the film.<br /><br />Listen to the archived <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thevirtualpew">webstream</a> or download the <a href="http://download1-cm.edgesuite.net/blogtalkradio/show_45589.mp3?sauth=1188478701_d9e802a89d3d7a2dc3c8586e21932823&ext=.mp3&amp;amp;amp;ct=audio/mpeg&cd=1">mp3</a>.<br /><br />Here's a quote about Rebellion of Thought from Mike's <a href="http://thevirtualpew.blogspot.com/2007/08/rebellion-of-thought-post-modernism.html">Blog</a> and <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=59038996&blogID=304397192">MySpace</a> page...<br /><br />"This is one of the most important, thought provoking documentaries to come about in years. It should shake the very foundation of Christianity and the Church as to the direction society is taking, and the direction of how we reach that society."<br /><br />Just a reminder to watch for Rebellion of Thought on store shelves November 13th.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-13388536545474653572007-08-17T10:01:00.000-04:002007-08-17T10:08:38.233-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT... DOVE SEAL OF APPROVAL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/dove4of5-739904.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/dove4of5-739902.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>We just learned that <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> has been awarded the Dove Foundations Seal of Approval. Read the <a href="http://www.dove.org/reviewpopup.asp?Unique_ID=6682">review</a>.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-47519648007653410402007-08-17T09:58:00.000-04:002007-08-17T10:00:53.101-04:00RELEASE DATE... 13 NOV 2007Just a quick note to let folks know that <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span> is scheduled to hit store shelves on the 13 of November, 2007. Please help us spread the word.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-2536517062392368432007-07-03T07:27:00.000-04:002007-07-03T08:01:10.381-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT... THE DVD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/SceneSelection-758920.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.paladinpictures.com/httpdocs/uploaded_images/SceneSelection-758916.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A quick update on the status of Rebellion of Thought...<br /><br />First, we signed a distribution agreement back in May with <a href="http://www.explorationfilms.com/">Exploration Films</a> to handle north American and international sales for dvd, broadcast, etc.<br /><br />Second, we've been working like mad to finish all the bonus material, soundtrack, programming, etc. of the DVD. I'm happy to say that it shipped to the kind folks at Exploration last night. I'm sure there will be a few tweaks here and there, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br />Third, the film is currently set for a fall release. When we receive a firm date, we will post it here.<br /><br />In the mean time... here's a shot of the Scene Selection page from the upcoming Rebellion of Thought dvd...Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-10464190294735833602007-03-13T06:51:00.000-04:002007-03-13T06:57:06.586-04:00REBELLION OF THOUGHT... THE DISTRIBUTION DEALFor those interested... we are nearing a distribution deal for <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebellion of Thought</span>. We've spent the last couple of months sending out screeners, having conversations and taking meetings.<br /><br />We've had interest from traditional distribution houses, video-on-demand sources, as well as broadcast opportunities.<br /><br />I'll post more as we get closer to the deal being announced.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-1170159703716261952007-01-30T07:17:00.000-05:002007-01-30T07:21:43.726-05:00LIGHT AND SALT IN A DARK AND TASTELESS PLACEHave you ever been to Lowe's or Home Depot and tried to buy a light fixture? It's not an easy task, because EVERY light in the lighting department is turned on and as a result it makes seeing the light very difficult.<br /><br />Light was meant for darkness! It's really that simple. Turn on a light in a dark room and the darkness is overcome. You can't help but see the impact of light.<br /><br />Salt was meant for seasoning and preserving. The very simple act of adding salt to something mysteriously accomplishes both of these things. Salt was never meant to stay inside the shaker.<br /><br />Can it get more simple than for us to attempt to be salt and light in the world around us?Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-1169731445770997652007-01-25T07:29:00.001-05:002007-01-25T21:10:30.723-05:00FILMS MADE BY GODI am continually amazed at how the "pieces of the puzzle" often come together. Take this morning for instance...<br /><br />When I awoke I checked my email to see if anything work-related developed overnight. A meeting was confirmed, but nothing more, so I took a moment to read my Wordsmith email. I admit that I don't often get the chance to enjoy the "word of the day" and that many times when I do I will skip the word and go straight to the quote at the bottom of the email that has absolutely nothing to do with the word of the day. That's exactly what I did today and here's the quote I found...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Imagine a world in which generations of human beings come to believe that</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> certain films were made by God or that specific software was coded by him.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Imagine a future in which millions of our descendants murder each other</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> over rival interpretations of Star Wars or Windows 98. Could anything --</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> anything -- be more ridiculous? And yet, this would be no more ridiculous</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> than the world we are living in.</span> -Sam Harris, author (1967- )<br /><br />Now obviously Sam Harris has never had to use Windows 98. I have!... and I can see how it's continual use would lead people to murder! It's not too far fetched (he says as he joyfully types away on his Mac keyboard!).<br /><br />Seriously though, Mr. Harris' quote is a very interesting glimpse at what a non-believer might think about people of faith. He comments on this ridiculous world we live in... a world where a good number of people believe that a "story" was given to man by God. A simple story in many ways about a God that loves his wayward creation and desires to have communication with them. And a very complicated story about the punishment of sin being death and the shedding of blood being required to satisfy the debt. And a very mystical story about a man dying a physical death and being resurrected on the third day.<br /><br />And that brings us to the next "piece of the puzzle", for you see, after I read the quote I went and sat in the early morning quiet of my living room (which is only quiet when my herd of kids are sleeping) and I finished my slow reading of a book written by a man named Mark. Of which the last couple of chapters contain the hard to believe, mystical part of the story.<br /><br />In many ways the gospel story is much more far-fetched than <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Wars</span>. A film like that is so much easier to understand and grasp. The foreshadowing it contains is paid off within 2 hours, whereas the foreshadowing within gospel hasn't been fulfilled in 2 millennia. A piece of fiction is so easy for our world to believe as just that... fiction. But to a culture raised on post-modernism that doesn't believe in Truth, how can a story over two thousand years old be seen as anything but fiction?<br /><br />How do we cling to that which we believe? In one sense I'm glad modernism is on the way out, because the modern believers felt the need to convince non-believers that the gospel is truth. Whereas believers in the post-modern age are much more willing to leave that job of convincing others up to the Holy Spirit (where it belongs) and instead just live out the elements of gospel.<br /><br />If we took truth out of the equation and we're left with just a story about a God reaching out to mankind in an effort to be known by them and compared that to a story about some primordial ooze that evolved into walking and talking blobs of goo, I have to tell you, I'd still choose the first story. Simply because its a far more beautiful story!<br /><br />Factor Truth back in and it becomes all the more compelling. The foreshadowing of the old testament to the new, and the new to the next, and the crazy, hard to understand parables, and the simple sayings like "love your neighbor", and the mystic nature of a bodily resurrection and the hard to believe future of a second-coming... these are pieces of the puzzle and pieces of an amazingly beautiful story that's worth trying to believe in.Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-1169604204869856032007-01-23T20:58:00.000-05:002007-01-23T21:04:52.666-05:00CHILDREN AT RISK - CONFERENCEA good friend of mine, Keith Giles, is busy promoting a new conference and asked that I help spread the word...<br /><br />Here's what he says...<br /><br />"I wanted to let you know about an important conference coming up that I'm a part of called "CHILDREN AT RISK" featuring author Os Guinness, pastor Tri Robinson, worship leader David Ruis, Bert Waggoner (National Director of Vineyard USA), Rick Muchow (Worship leader at Saddleback), and many others.<br /><br />Please attend if you possibly can, and even if you can't, please help me to spread the word and let others know about this important event to help children who are at risk here in America and around the world.<br /><br />Basic information-<br />Arms Of Love International Presents:<br />CHILDREN AT RISK-(Strategies for Global and Local Impact)<br />March 9 & 10, 2007 - Anaheim Vineyard<br /><br />MORE DETAILS & REGISTRATION ONLINE AT<br /><a href="http://www.children-at-risk.com">www.children-at-risk.com</a><br /><br />FEATURING OS GUINNESS AND INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, WORLD VISION, VIVA NETWORK AND DOZENS MORE.<br /><br />KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:<br />*Os Guinness- (Author of more than 20 books including <span style="font-style: italic;">Unspeakable</span>)<br />*Dr. Phyllis Kilbourn- (President of Crisis Care Training International)<br />*Olara Otunnu- (Former UN Special Representative for Children & Armed Conflict and former Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights)<br />*Bryant Myers- (Professor of International Development at Fuller Seminary and former VP of International Program Strategy at World Vision)<br />*Johan Lukasse- (Founder and Director of Rescue & Restore Urban Missions and YWAMs <span style="font-style: italic;">Children At Risk</span> School in Brazil)<br />*Bert Waggoner- (National Director of Vineyard Churches)<br />*Tri Robinson- (Pastor and author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Revolutionary Leadership</span>)<br /><br />WORSHIP LEADERS:<br />*DAVID RUIS (Vineyard Music)<br />*RICK MUCHOW (Saddleback Church)<br />*JOHN THOMAS (Soul Survivor)<br /><br />Join leaders from 12 nations and a variety of international ministries. Choose between 28 different breakout sessions and workshops.<br /><br />FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER ONLINE AT:<br /><a href="http://www.children-at-risk.com">www.children-at-risk.com</a>."Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738145.post-1168867451813619702007-01-15T08:03:00.000-05:002007-01-15T08:24:11.833-05:00LOVE THE LORD YOUR GODOne of my favorite passages of late is in a book called <span style="font-style: italic;">Mark</span> where Jesus responds to the religious scholars who asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"<br /><br />He tells us the top two... to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."<br /><br />To me there is amazing beauty in these words, but recently I read them in a version by a different translator where they jumped off the page at me. Jesus replies "love the Lord God with all your <span style="font-weight: bold;">passion</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">prayer</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">intelligence</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">energy</span>" and to "love others as well as you love yourself."<br /><br />Do the people you gather with help you accomplish this? Do you see it in their lives? Do you help bring it out in them and do they help bring it out in you? If not, why not?Kent C. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654892681774726976noreply@blogger.com4