Around The Horn – 2.11.10

Does Justification Still Matter?
Michael Horton: I say all of this with deep regret at having to say it, because it is the worst thing that can ever be said of a church. Paul spoke sharply to the Corinthians concerning their immorality, but he never questioned whether it was a church. However, when the Galatian church was confusing the gospel of God’s free justification in Christ through faith alone, he warned them that they were on the verge of being cut off-excommunicated, “anathema.”

Red-tail Hawk vs. Rattlesnake
Great video by National Geographic.

The Episcopal Church: Overbearing and Unjust Episcopal Acts
The American Anglican Council today made public an accounting of how The Episcopal Church (TEC) has spent millions of dollars in over 50 lawsuits, deposed or inhibited 12 bishops and more than 400 other clergy, and violated its own canons numerous times.  The Rev. Philip Ashey, AAC Chief Operating Officer and a practicing attorney, originally authored the 29 page paper at the request of several members of the Church of England’s General Synod. Fr. Ashey was also instrumental in helping draft the constitution and canons of the new Anglican Church in North America (AC-NA).

Miss Me Yet?
From NPR: Internet chatter had led to speculation that it might be an urban myth — nothing more than clever digital trickery spreading via the Web. But our friend Bob Collins at Minnesota Public Radio assures us he’s seen it with his own eyes:

It’s Not Just A Guy Problem
My life changed forever when I was 21.  I’d been curious for years to see what the big deal was about pornography. One afternoon in my empty apartment, I decided to just look around the Internet. After all, I told myself, this is something guys struggle with, so it’s not like I’ll get hooked or anything.  The instant that first image popped up, I knew I was addicted.  And I was a Christian.

Ten Most Redeeming Films of 2009
This week we feature our 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2009. What do we mean by “redeeming”? We mean movies that include stories of redemption—sometimes blatantly, sometimes less so. Several of our films have characters who are redeemers themselves; all of them have characters who experience redemption to some degree—some quite clearly, some more subtly. Some are “feel-good” movies that leave a smile on your face; some are a bit more uncomfortable to watch. But the redemptive element is there in all of these films.

The 7 Somewhat United States of Facebook
In a nutshell, Warden’s data analysis showed that Facebook users in the U.S. can be roughly segmented into seven regions, which he named facetiously:

A Story of Exile
I wonder, sadly, how churches in North American seem to have strayed so far from the fundamental recognition that children are a special gift from God and our collective responsibility. During his earthly life, Christ made it abundantly clear that he does not consider small children a nuisance. The sanctity of the worship service is not diminished by their presence. In fact, without them, the Body of Christ is not complete.