Well, I guess you really do learn something ridiculous new every day.

The Japanese Jesus Trail

By Duncan Bartlett, BBC News

A Japanese legend claims that Jesus escaped Jerusalem and made his way to Aomori in Japan where he became a rice farmer. Christians say the story is nonsense. However, a monument there known as the Grave of Christ attracts curious visitors from all over the world.

To reach the Grave of Christ or Kristo no Hakka as it is known locally, you need to head deep into the northern countryside of Japan, a place of paddy fields and apple orchards.

Halfway up a remote mountain surrounded by a thicket of bamboo lies a mound of bare earth marked with a large wooden cross.

Most visitors peer at the grave curiously and pose in front of the cross for a photograph before heading off for apple ice cream at the nearby cafe.

But some pilgrims leave coins in front of the grave in thanks for answered prayers.

The cross is a confusing symbol because according to the local legend, Jesus did not die at Calvary.

His place was taken by one of his brothers, who for some reason is now buried by his side in Japan.

The story goes that after escaping Jerusalem, Jesus made his way across Russia and Siberia to Aomori in the far north of Japan where he became a rice farmer, married, had a family and died peacefully at the age of 114.

A villager hinted that I might be able to meet one of Jesus’ descendents – a Mr Sajiro Sawaguchi, who is now in his 80s.

His family owns the land on which the grave stands and his house is at the foot of the mountain.

I set off to find him but was told he was too ill to speak to me.

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Soon, very soon, Kentucky will officially be recognized as the Mecca of creationism.

Ken Ham has his Creation Museum and soon he’ll also have a Noah’s ark themed water park.

Well, it looks like there’s a newcomer on the block who’s looking to set up shop right between the two, turning rural Kentucky into the premier vacation destination for fundamentalist Christians everywhere.

Another creation science attraction plans Northern Kentucky home

By Mark Hansel, The Cincinnati Enquirer

If the dream of a New Jersey group comes to life, another creationist attraction will locate in Northern Kentucky.

Founders of the Creation Science Hall of Fame, which now exists only as a website, would like to build a brick-and mortar structure along Interstate 75. The group will consider vacant land and the renovation of an existing site.

“When we have the funds, we would like to locate on the highway, about halfway between the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter,” said Terry Hurlbut, secretary/treasurer of the group. “What better place to locate than between these two attractions? We envision that, as people fly or drive in to see them, we will be a stop along the way.”

Hurlbut emphasized that the Creation Science Hall of Fame is not affiliated with the Creation Museum in Petersburg, which opened in 2007. The 70,000-square-foot museum includes displays featuring Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and dinosaurs, which its founders believe co-existed.

Nor is the Hall of Fame affiliated with the planned Ark Encounter, a themed attraction in Grant County, about 40 miles south of Cincinnati. It’s envisioned to include a replica of Noah’s Ark and other attractions.

The Creation Museum is run by Answers in Genesis, the ministry that embraces a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis and believes the earth is only 6,000 years old. Answers in Genesis is also a partner in the Ark Encounter project.

“Certainly, it’s fair to say that we share with them the belief that we did not get here by accident or through some cosmic crapshoot,” Hurlbut said.

The Creation Science Hall of Fame was developed as a website in 2009 and is devoted to sharing the beliefs of creationism.

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(Originally found at Christian Nightmares)

Apparently God is a Mitt Romney supporter.

You can read the original story here.

When I first read this article I thought it was some sort of parody.

I honestly had to read through it several times just to make sure I wasn’t missing the punchline somewhere.

To my pleasant surprise this story is not a joke.

Now, granted, the declaration that the protesters gave up because the church was “too nice” does come from the pastor, but, regardless, I hope more churches follow the lead of this one and learn to treat their LGBT neighbors with this same sort of love, grace, and hospitality – the same sort of love, grace, and hospitality that Jesus embodied in the gospels.

LGBT group cancels protest because church is ‘too nice’

By James-Michael Smith – Examiner.com

Over the weekend in Charlotte, NC a local LGBT group set out to protest FIRE Church‘s Sunday service. FIRE is the home congregation of Dr. Michael L. Brown, a leading conservative commentator who is known for speaking against the actions of many LGBT groups and author of the book “A Queer Thing Happened To America“.

According to the group’s organizers’ post at Q-Notes, an LGBT advocacy group in the Carolinas:

“Keep the love going as we peacefully protest Fire church Sunday after pride. During the pride event you will have a chance to hear …representatives of Fire church throwing damnation our way. Lets show them that they cannot come into our community and intimidate us.

We will meet just before Service begins, and protest as they gather, we will have a silent protest as service is going and let them have it as they leave for the day.

Remember we will be peaceful and respectful, something they don’t understand. We are going to STAND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY to show that our love is stronger than their hate.”

Brown was out of the country over the weekend, but upon hearing of the groups plans to protest via their Facebook page, made the following comments on his blog:

“On behalf of FIRE Church, I want to extend to you the warmest welcome and let you know that we are thrilled that you are here with us on Sunday. We have been praying for you for a long time!

As always, you will only meet with love, kindness, and respect from the FIRE leadership and congregants, and we proclaim to you once again the amazing grace of God. Jesus died to save us from our sins, heterosexual and homosexual alike, and only in Him can we find forgiveness, redemption, and transformation. Jesus alone is the Healer, Savior, Deliverer, and Transformer.

It has been my personal joy to have shared meals together with the last two editors of Q-Notes as well as to have given an open mic to the past editor of Q-Notes so he could share his own story in our church building. Our doors are open to you, our hearts are open to you, and as Jesus gave Himself for your salvation and well being, we are committed to following in His footsteps.

Should you ever want to have an open forum for the purpose of mutually respectful discussion on the issues that divide us, we would gladly host that event in our church building or participate in one of yours. Let us know what we can do to help make that happen.”

FIRE Church’s Pastor, Scott Volk, also posted the following on Q-Notes:

“As the pastor of FIRE Church, I just want you to know that you’ll be greeted with the same love and compassion as we always endeavor to show anyone–you are more-than-welcome! You make mention of the ‘hate’ that we show. Yet, in all our years here we’ve only desired to reach out with love to everyone in the local community here whether they are labeled as gay or straight. Hopefully, you’ll see that love demonstrated on Sunday as you protest.”

After receiving responses labeling him as full of “hate”, Volk invited any of the protestors to his home for a meal one evening to see that this was simply not the case.

Today, Brown recounted how events unfolded via Charisma News:

“On Sunday morning, Aug. 26th, about 10 protesters showed up (we were disappointed there were so few) and some of our FIRE leaders met with them, offering them water and snacks, sharing God’s love and truth with them, and then inviting them to join us in the service. After a few minutes they left, explaining that we were too nice and loving to deserve a protest!”

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The following is a guest post from my new friend and fellow CLC author Ed Cyzweski. He’s got a great new book out called ‘Hazardous’ which I will be reviewing later this week. If you want to pick it up, and you really should, CLC is running a special on ‘Hazardous’ through the end of the month. So go here and get a copy for only $9.99! Also, check out Ed’s blog to find out how you can participate in his synchroblog this week called ‘My Hazardous Faith Story.’

I Asked Jesus for a Lake House, but He Sent Me to Prison Instead

Though I’ve never actually said anything like this to Jesus, there are days when I may as well put it like this:

Hi Jesus, I’ve been a believer in you since the age of 12, and I’d like you to finally pay up for all the stuff I’ve had to do for you. If you could give me a lake house in the Northeast at your earliest convenience, I’d be most grateful. I may even use it to honor and glorify you!

If you’re not quite sure I deserve a lake house…

Remember how I read the Bible every day? I also embossed my name on the cover, highlighted important verses, and, this is the really impressive part, journaled a little every day.  I used fancy pens to fill fancy journals with spiritual insights.

Remember how I set up the church every Saturday? I also cleaned the bathrooms—those nasty horrible bathrooms after the Friday night youth groups smeared heaven knows what all over them.

Remember how I attended seminary? I also worked at a church where we had a food pantry that served the vulnerable and hungry in our neighborhood.

I could go on Jesus, but you already know all of these things, right?

And still, there’s no lake house. In fact, you gave me something quite different from a lake house.

You placed me in a town that had a prison right outside of it.

You made sure I drove by that prison all of the time.

I was happy to work on the church newsletter.

I didn’t mind greeting visitors.

But you wanted me to see that prison.

I would have been happy to serve in the church. I was ready to sign the contract for that lake house. Instead you gave me a volunteer application for the prison.

Without a lake house, much less a front porch, you sent me off to the prison with an Alpha book and my Bible.

I prayed with former drug addicts who feared what would happen when they returned to the streets.

I tried to straighten out some twisted theology that turned you into a slot machine, all the while missing the irony of my desire for a lake house.

I encouraged inmates who became part of a patchwork family of believers, many of whom were working hard to overcome a past of abuse, poor choices, and addictions.

In the end Jesus, you tricked me. You brought me so much joy while praying with prison inmates, that I forgot about that lake house.

I couldn’t pout about what I didn’t have while I praised you for working through me, for showing me the peace and joy someone can have in the worst of situations.

Some days I still think about that lake house. I’d still like to have one someday.

But now I’d like to add something to that request. I’d also like for there to be a prison nearby.

If your past actions are any indication of the future, I have a feeling you’re going to deliver on the prison and not so much on the lake house. The crazy part is that you’ve taught me to be OK with that.

Ed Cyzewski (MDiv Biblical Theological Seminary) is a freelance writer in Columbus, OH. He is the co-author of Hazardous: Committing to the Cost of Following Jesus and author of Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life, Divided We Unite, and A Path to Publishing. Ed blogs on freelance writing at: www.edcyz.com and on imperfectly following Jesus at www.inamirrordimly.com.

This is a really disturbing video for a variety of reasons – mostly because it involves Bob Larson.

But what I’m really curious about here isn’t whether or not this woman was possessed by a demon, but rather how much did Larson charge to cast that “demon” out of her?

However much he charged, it was more than Jesus charged to drive out demons.

Just saying.

(Found at Christian Nightmares)

I’m not sure whether or not this Vanilla Ice remix was intended to be serious or not, but what I do know is, either way, it’s awesome.

Obviously, the audio quality could be better, but this is definitely one of my favorite Christian parodies ever.

I love Mormons.

As the quintessential example of American religion, they’ve always held a special place in my heart.

They’re wonderful people and (I mean this in the nicest way possible) their theological quirks entertain me to no end.

So, naturally I tuned into Brian Williams’ hosted NBC special on Mormonism last night. While it wasn’t particularly enlightening, in that I didn’t necessarily learn anything new about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, something did stick out to me.

Mormons take discipleship very seriously.

Say what you will about their heterodox theology, but I know of now particular Christian tradition that takes discipleship as seriously across the board as the Mormons seem to do. Obviously there are people in every Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox tradition that we can point to as devote disciples of Jesus, meaning that their faith isn’t defined by intellectual ascent, but by a particular way of life modeled after Jesus.

However, in most traditions these people seem to be the exception, whereas in the LDS church such staunch commitment to a particular way of life seems to be the norm.

I’m sure there are plenty of lax Mormons, but as I watched the NBC special last night it got me to thinking: Why do Mormons seem so much more committed to discipleship than the rest of us who claim to be Christians?

My first thought was maybe they just “believe more”, but I don’t think that’s necessarily the case, or the the very least, it’s not the whole story.

I think, and this is just my humble opinion, that the thing that may spur Mormons to such a staunch, across the board commitment to discipleship may be the most ironic thing about this most American of Christian faiths.

I’m talking about church discipline.

Church discipline is something none of us want to talk about and few of us do well, if at all. As good ‘ole American Christians, there are few things we loathe more than being told what to do. We see it as impinging on our freedom and for us, there is nothing greater than our freedom to do whatever we want to do.

So, any call the church makes to a particular way of life, that is to say when it comes to talking about things Christians “should” or “should not” do, we prefer to frame those calls as some sort of Christian electives that one may choose to participate in, but which are not “required” for life in the church. Our apparent fear being that if we demand too much, people will leave and then who will be left to fund our “sanctinasiums”?

Mormonism, though being a decidedly American faith, seems to have no regard for the American obsession with “total” freedom, nor do they seem to be concerned about people leaving because the Mormon life is “too demanding”.

For example, there is nothing we loathe talking about in church more than money. Jesus may have talked about giving away everything and the early church may have had communal property as one of its foundations, but today we would never think of requiring anyone to give. That, we think, would somehow taint the gift. And of course, there is nothing that will ensure empty pews faster than telling people they need to give away their money.

In the LDS church, however, tithing is mandatory, meaning not doing so will result in church discipline. This isn’t a greed issue on the part of the church, rather giving back to God is considered an essential part of Christian discipleship. In other words, Mormons give because they must. Not simply because church rules require, but because the grace of God demands a gracious response. That monetary response is then transformed into a church led and very literal response to Jesus’ feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give the thirsty something to drink.

It’s almost as if they thought that Bonhoeffer guy was serious when he said that grace is costly.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like being disciplined anymore than anyone else does. It’s not fun. It hurts my ego. And it reminds me that I’m not perfect.

But, discipline is an essential element of discipleship. It shapes and forms us into the people we claim we want to be.

I’m not advocating that we suddenly start purging everyone from church membership rolls who fails to live up to so-called “Christian perfection”. Nor am I advocating the sort of totalitarian and graceless tactics we witnessed not so long ago at Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill church.

However, I think that we do have a responsibility to hold one another accountable if indeed we are one Body. That accountability helps us to grow by guiding us away from those things that will harm us and towards the One who will save us. In other words, that sort of accountability isn’t just discipline, it is truly an act of love that flows out of a deep concern and care for the other.

Sure, that process can be painful and we’re bound to mess it up from time to time. And, sure, people will definitely leave rather than face discipline. But at the end of the day, I think whether or not we participate in church discipline comes down to whether or not representing Jesus to the world is something we take seriously. That is to do say, do we really care enough about the image of Jesus that is presented to the world to make sure that it is an accurate and faithful portrayal of Jesus?

As evangelicals, I think this comes down to accepting the fact that discipleship doesn’t happen at an altar. Discipleship is a way of life and because we that of life requires formation it will also discipline.  It takes discipline in order to become a disciple and because we don’t like being corrected that discipline will at times be painful. This is why Jesus said ‘take up your cross’, not “take up your pew’.

Though pop theology would often have us believe otherwise, the Christian life is an active and difficult one. Living out that life requires guidance from those further down the path than us and at times it also requires that they help us find our way back to the path when we have strayed. Which means discipline shouldn’t be thought us as a negative thing, but as a good, healthy, and necessarily element of growth in the Christian life.

That is what real church discipline looks like. It doesn’t exist as a means of control, but, as odd as it may sound, as a way to serve. Done rightly, church discipline serves our need for guidance, structure, and direction; needs we all have whether we realize it or not if following Jesus is something we are really serious about.

Like the rest of us, I’m sure there are plenty of times when the LDS church drops the ball on church discipline. But if we can look past their less than orthodox theology and focus instead on how they manage to get so many of their people to be so dedicated to a particular way of life, then perhaps we can learn, or at least be reminded of the sort of discipline it takes to be a disciple of Jesus.

Then maybe, just maybe, church discipline will stop being such a dirty word.

Grace and peace,

Zack Hunt

This story is both funny and sad.

It seems that the elderly woman who took this restoration project into her own hands had the best of intentions, but in her effort to recreate the image of Jesus she created a mess.

If you ask me, there’s a sermon here just waiting to be preached.

‘Behold the Monkey’? Amateur art restoration goes awry in Spain

-Los Angeles Times

Art experts are trying to salvage a beloved Spanish fresco of Jesus Christ that was disfigured by an amateur restoration that went miserably awry.

Spanish media reported that an elderly woman, upset by the deterioration of the aging 19th century fresco in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church in the town of Borja, decided to fix it.

The unhappy results were perhaps most memorably compared to “a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic” by the BBC. Spanish jokesters have christened the revamped work once known as “Ecce Homo” -– Behold the Man -– as “Ecce Mono” -– Behold the Monkey.

Taking a more sober tone, the Centro de Estudios Borjanos described as ““unspeakable” its first sight of the redone fresco weeks ago, while doing an inventory of religious art in the area. Though the fresco is not believed to be unusually valuable, it was treasured in the town.

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One day soon I hope to have the chance to visit the Holy Land.

Although, I’m pretty sure skinny dipping in the Sea of Galilee will no be part of the agenda….

Exclusive: FBI probed GOP trip with drinking, nudity in Israel

By JAKE SHERMAN and JOHN BRESNAHAN, Politico

The FBI probed a late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee that involved drinking, numerous GOP freshmen lawmakers, top leadership staff — and one nude member of Congress, according to more than a dozen sources, including eyewitnesses.

During a fact-finding congressional trip to the Holy Land last summer, Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) took off his clothes and jumped into the sea, joining a number of members, their families and GOP staff during a night out in Israel, the sources told POLITICO. Other participants, including the daughter of another congressman, swam fully clothed, while some lawmakers partially disrobed. More than 20 people took part in the late-night dip in the sea, according to sources who were participants in the trip.

“A year ago, my wife, Brooke, and I joined colleagues for dinner at the Sea of Galilee in Israel. After dinner I followed some Members of Congress in a spontaneous and very brief dive into the sea and regrettably I jumped into the water without a swimsuit,” Yoder said in a statement to POLITICO. “It is my greatest honor to represent the people of Kansas in Congress and [for] any embarrassment I have caused for my colleagues and constituents, I apologize.”

Travis Smith, Yoder’s chief of staff, told POLITICO “Neither Congressman Yoder, nor his staff, have been interviewed by the FBI.”

These GOP sources confirmed the following freshmen lawmakers also went swimming that night: Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) and his daughter; Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and his wife; Reps. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.). Many of the lawmakers who ventured into the lake said they did so because of the religious significance of the waters. Others said they were simply cooling off after a long day. Several privately admitted that alcohol may have played a role in why some of those present decided to jump in.

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