…in the outer…

+++ UPDATED April 6, 2006 +++This Christian Carnival is dedicated to the crazy March Madness Basketball tournament.

I began this journey, feverish with March Madness. I had an idea – I thought I’d run this Carnival with some kind of voting system with different brackets of posts and allow readers to vote to get to the Final Four. Then, I thought I’d do a post in respond to each of the reader-voted Final Four entrants, and then we will get to the Post of the March Madness Carnival. But, it remained an idea.

You see I was going to work on it Monday night, you see, but the Bruins lost, so I lost all motivation and momentum.

But, yeah! The Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 20-point half-time deficit to send the Denver Nuggets packing Tuesday night, and my inspiration returned! Gotta love Sam, Brand and Kam-an! Oh, yeah! Play-offs here we come!

No, not really! I did not really come up with any clever idea to present this Carnival, so…

… I have decided to just showcase the submitted posts without the usual fanfare and other creative story telling that sometimes go along with these Carnivals. Plus, I thought I should not get into any more ancient stuff and freak out more people out there.

So, without much fanfare, here are the posts:

Pray if you Dare!
Quite a few people have joined the chorus of reactions to the recent report of a scientific study that concludes allegedly that intercessory prayer is harmful rather than helpful. GrrlScientist from Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted) adds her thoughts in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted): Keep your Prayers to Yourself!.

Intelligent Design Debunked?
Although not a Christian, Jim Mitchell from Lemurland has a thing or three to say about Intelligent Design in Empirical Theology of Intelligent Design. He has asked to be a guest at this week’s Christian Carnival, and as host I ask that the community of Christian bloggers welcome him this week.

How Prepared Are You?
Kathleen Dalton of Vegetable Soup shares a light-hearted story that she relates to the Christian virtue of being ready “to stand up for God during a time of persecution or hardship” in Will I be Ready?. Although I have never run down the street in my underwear before, I have dreamt many a dream that I was as unprepared as—or worse than (ie stark naked!)—her friend in her story! And, while you’re at her site, don’t forget to vote on her posts!

Beware of the Poison
Dave Taylor of Disciple’s Journal is worried that we (i.e. the so-called “God Bloggers” may have lost it in our self-righteous zeal of insisting that everyone must think the way we do, especially Christians!
In The poison of self-righteousness, he urges bloggers to go

back to the story of the good Samaritan… Remember, the expert in the law asked Jesus to define neighbor because “he wanted to justify himself” (Lk. 10:29).

“For who makes you different from anyone else?” Paul asked (1 Cor. 4:7). Just who is a Christian blogger? The one well-versed in the law (the Levite)? The successful pastor and author (the priest)? “The one who had mercy on him,” the expert in the law admitted. To which Jesus said, “Go and do likewise” (Lk. 10:37).

What Are You Longing For?
“What is Bono Looking For?” Metapundit wonders, and he surmises from the song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” that it is for “heaven…on earth” that the famed singer is longing for, a “holy longing” that Metapundit suggests is normative for all those who call themselves followers of Christ.

The Lion Roams!
Jack Yoest, of Jack Yoest, who calls himself “Your Business Blogger” spies much American and Western brand names while traveling through China, including Narnia in Aslan’s On The Move.

Strippers Can Read Too!
Amanda Ottaway of Imago Dei finds the stance of the American Bible Society, in refusing to print Bibles for the ministry of xxxchurch.com because of its apparently offensive covers curious since, “who needs Bibles more than those who need to see the hope, grace, and love of Jesus? See what the fuss is all about in Bibles for Porn Stars.

But Believers Better Not Be Strippers!
John from Light along the Journey believes that the answer a former stripper who is now trying to evangelize our strippers gave to a Fox News reporter did not get it quite right about the moral demands of one’s commitment to Christ. Read what he has to say in Saint and Sinner.

What do you see in the mirror?
Martin LaBar of Sun and Shield is working through the concept of the image of God in “What is the ‘image of God?’ Calvin’s Commentary”.

Inventors and Innovators Needed
Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn of Prove All Things believes that all Christians should go through the rigorous exercise of what they call “re-inventing the wheel” in Theology:

proving it all afresh, so that they know how and why the machinery works. In this sense, we desperately need a re-invention of Christian truth today. The old machinery is breaking down and needs some parts recast. It’s the principles by which that machinery was built which will last forever, not the machinery itself. Who knows how to fix the machine? We need to go back regularly to those principles and to learn to apply them afresh.

This Blogger Needs More Love
Matt from Random Acts of Verbiage already has many comments on his showcase post for this week, but he wants more. Apparently, he was slighted at another siite, and needs your support. Check it out: Birth Control is for Wimps? and let him know you care for him and blow out his blog with even more comments, okay?

This Blogger Knows Love
Jon of THINK offers some thoughts on what true Christian love might be and how it might relate to a song form the Moulin Rouge in Perfect Love (And the Moulin Rouge)

Who Says Prayer Doesn’t Work?
Barbara at Tidbits And Treasures has a few more words to add to the “Prayer Doesn’t Work” controversy in her post, A New Survey Says Prayer Doesn’t Work.

Christianity a Form of Control?
Adam Graham of Adam’s View attempts to challenge the not unpopular view that Christianity thrived because it was a “method of control” in Whose Your Puppeteer?.

Inerrancy Revisited
Kenny Pearce wades chin deep into some pretty heavy discussions and arguments on three approaches to the doctrine of inerrancy – what he calls qualified infallibility, total infallibility and inerrancy proper. He quotes from one of my favorite authors, Richard Swinburne, so he must have thought very hard about it. I said, favorite, you see, I did not say, easy to understand. He made me sweat while reading him (both of them did actually), but maybe you might want to dive in, seeing as 24 won’t be on until next Monday.

Considering Considerations
The Random Yak at Random Yak has a few considerable thoughts worth your considerations. It is about, well, considerations, considering and its connection to Christianity and people’s attitudes to it.

Naked I Come to the World…
Rev-ed from Attention Span provides a refutation of arguments in favor of Christian naturalist resorts. He lays it all bare in “More Nudity? What a Shame.”

Have lots of time to kill?
Then you will enjoy this collection of posts from JCHFleetguy at Back to Basics Series at Brain Cramps for God: The Book List

Theo-phil-o-who?
Richard H. Anderson of dokeo kago grapho soi kratistos theophilos provides an intriguing exposition of the theme of the gospel of Luke around “The Lack of Understanding of Theophilus”. Richard links the key chiastic literary form and identified a character in the narrative, Johanna, as key to the story. Go read his fascinating exposition!

Is Baptism of the Holy Spirit Required for Salvation?
Alex Jordan of Jordan’s View posts a question from a correspondent about whether or not the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation. He then answers it, addressing not only the Scriptural requirements for salvation but also what it means to be filled in the Holy Spirit. Of course, this is as controversial a question as any and you can participate in the conversation by reading it here: A Theological Question

Celebration in the midst of Bad News
Rev Bill celebrates the release of Jill Carroll with Psalm 91 in A Captive Is Free.

Who You Trying to Fool?
Parableman Jeremy Pierce poses a serious question and invite your participation, reflection and engagement through the comments section of his Ethics of April Fools post. So, go check it out and let’s hear your view then. And, when you’re done, maybe you want to go tell La Shawn Barber what you think, too.

This Ain’t No April’s Fool Joke
While Parableman is thinking about the propriety of April’s Fool Jokes, Rey of the Bible Archive is worried about perceived impropriety . I don’t quite understand why, but maybe you can help him.

Is that the Ugly Frog or the Handsome Prince?
A Penitent Blogger reflects on the juxtaposition of the beautiful, powerful concept of salvation with the ugliness and messiness of the process through which it was achieved in Ugly Salvation”

Remembering Terri
The indefatigable Dory of Wittenberg Gate introduces a bloggers’ roundup of posts remembering Terri Schiavo with comments on the worldview issues that influence how one values or devalues human life in her post, Bloggers’ Best for Terri Schiavo: Anniversary Edition, pt.3.

Beauty Tips
Just a couple days ago, I was walking past a beauty salon and thought what a hoot it would be if I too can get pampered with a facial, a manicure and a pedicure. It was just a random passing thought, which I get sometime. Now, after reading violet’s tips on six steps to a beautiful face, I might try some home-spun recipes for beauty first. And they are Biblically based too! You can find the post at her blog, promptings.

A Good Read
Going on vacation? Need good reading material to pack? Mark Olson at Pseudo-Polymath has a suggestion. In his Book Review: Simply Christian he shares why he thinks this book is important for this generation to understand the Christian message.

Watch This Space!
Ron of Northern ‘burbs blog is started a whole new series on the Dalits of India. Here is his introductory post: Free
The Dalits: Introduction. I do not know much about the Dalits (aka the Untouchables), but remember vaguely that it is part of the caste system in India, and they were the lowest of the castes. I thought in my study of India in high school, they taught us that the caste system has been abolished and is now outlawed, but like racialism and other justice problems the modern world faces, it is difficult to legalize ingrained attitudes so I suggest you bookmark his blog and go back often to read his series.

Quick! Someone send for Pastor Warren!
Katy Raymond of Fallible.com muses over a question her mom asked, “I don’t know why I was born”. In the post, why she shares how honesty has helped both of them grow a little bit closer – to God and to each other, and how she understands a little more of the reason why. Go, read, and respond to her poignant sharing.

Last Minute Squeeze
Just as I was rounding up this Carnival, Elizabeth D, a “member with posting privileges” of Street Prophets, a wonderful
faith & politics community blog, shares “Christian Theology: Love Hurts”. Her post is “about Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, the Beloved Disciple, and what these say to me about contemplation and the Way of the Cross as wellsprings of Christian renewal”. Elizabeth assures me that although this “is not an exclusively Christian site… there is nothing that should offend anyone”. So, try not to be offended, k? Since this is her maiden post to the carnival, go over, read, comment and welcome her!

That’s the Wrap!
Well, that’s it! Hope you enjoyed the Carnival. Again, I apologize to everyone for being tardy. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did. Some, as I said, will make you sweat, others will make you smile, but don’t forget, every blogger wants and craves for those coveted comments, so give liberally, and engage with the Carnival posters!

P.S.
Opps! I forgot my own contribution. Like a couple of other posters this week, I was also thinking about that research. Although, it is called, defending God, I don’t think I was trying to be defensive, but let me know what you think!

Update: Clippers 119 Suns 105. That just made my day! I can sleep soundly now!

UPDATE
Here are some updates to this week’s Carnival. For some reason, even though I thought I included them, I left out a couple of posts (but I really think my computer ate them):

TerryAnn Porter of Bear Witness Ministries shares “Death where is your sting” from her own personal experiences of death in the family, through which she was reminded that “death in an end here on earth, but Christ did not end His life there.”

As a younger Christian, I thought I was Calvinist, or at least, Reformed. Even as I grew up I still thought I was Reformed, or perhaps Reformist, if there were such a position, but then I started blogging. First, I found that I didn’t really belong in this “elite” club, but then as I read other Reformed writers, I did not want to be reformed any more! At least, I wish I was not one! Reading Phil Threeten’s book review on Richard Mouw’s Calvinism in Las Vegas Airport might just change my mind and make Calvinism not such a horrible thing after all. You can read it in A Calvinism for the Rest of Us.

And here are a couple late entries:

Barak at IRIS Blog presents Hamas: Jews Behind US Christianity, Danish Cartoons & 9/11

Harvey Bluedorn presents Greek-English Interlinear Recommendations posted at Trivium Pursuit.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 5th, 2006 at 9:35 pm and is filed under Blogging, General. Subscribe to RSS: RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Email This Article Or Print This Article