Tag: conviction

BRENDAN EICH: A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE?

Neal Pollard

Sometimes the ones who cry for tolerance and acceptance can be most lacking in the qualities themselves.  Surprisingly little has been said in outcry against the forced resignation of Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich on April 3, 2014. Eich not only co-founded Mozilla, he also invented the programming language Javascript (www.huffingtonpost.com). He had proven his professional aptitude to hold this position.

Before being forced out as CEO, Eich had stated in an interview with technology news service Cnet, “I don’t think it’s good for my integrity or Mozilla’s integrity to be pressured into changing a position. If Mozilla became more exclusive and required more litmus tests, I think that would be a mistake that would lead to a much smaller Mozilla, a much more fragmented Mozilla” (Foxnews.com). He also told them, “If Mozilla cannot continue to operate according to its principles of inclusiveness, where you can work on the mission no matter what your background or other beliefs, I think we’ll probably fail” (ibid.).  He was referring to his widely known opposition to same sex marriage and more specifically a $1000 donation to the campaign to support Proposition 8 in California back in 2008.  This proposition, which over 7 million fellow-Californians voted for and which passed, was a state constitutional amendment to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry.  It was overturned by the Supreme Court last year.

It raises the question of what homosexual activists really want.  Is it merely acceptance and validation or forced approval?  If one can lose his job for stating a conviction against that lifestyle, does this suggest a move against the rights of anyone who wishes to articulate belief in the biblical view that homosexuality is a sin?  Could this foreshadow a time when those in churches preaching against the practice of homosexuality could lose their property, freedom, or worse?

On November 9-10, 1938, German stormtroopers and non-Jewish civilians, under pretense of an assassination in Paris of a German diplomat by a Jew, led an organized effort against the Jews in an event that came to be known as Kritallnacht or “The Night Of Broken Glass.” The official United States Holocaust Memorial Museum writes,

The rioters destroyed hundreds of synagogues, many of them burned in full view of firefighters and the German public and looted more than 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses and other commercial establishments. Jewish cemeteries became a particular object of desecration in many regions. Almost 100 Jewish residents in Germany lost their lives in the violence. In the weeks that followed, the German government promulgated dozens of laws and decrees designed to deprive Jews of their property and of their means of livelihood even as the intensification of government persecution sought to force Jews from public life and force their emigration from the country (http://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1933-1938/kristallnacht).

It has been said that in our supposed age of tolerance people have the right to say and do just about anything.  Just about any fringe group can hold the most outlandish views and do so publicly.  It is unacceptable to discriminate against one for almost any reason.  However, the right to stand upon Christian principles, originating in Scripture, is eroding. To discriminate against Christian beliefs is growing in acceptance.  That’s not meant as alarmism or as an expression of a martyr complex.  But, reading the New Testament, we know that Christians faced persecution simply for believing and sharing God’s Word.  May God ever give us the courage and willingness to stand upon the rock solid foundation of Scripture.  No matter what.

Another “Scandal” Involving A College Football Coach!

Neal Pollard

Everyone knows about the tragic situation at Penn State and even one involving Syracuse’s basketball coach.  Ohio State just received punishment for its misdeeds.  The list of university’s punished for transgressions is lengthy, with new investigations seemingly starting every month.  Add my beloved University of Georgia to the list, thanks to head coach Mark Richt.  He was sanctioned for NCAA rules violations in an issue investigators closed on November 30th.  Of course, it had to do with money.  Here is what Mr. Richt had the audacity to do: he paid several staffers (he felt were not adequately compensated by the school) out of his own pocket.  He paid coaches, the director of player development, director of sports medicine, video coordinators, and other assistants more than $60,000 of his own money.

That’s refreshing!  I know that Richt can afford to do that better than you and I can, but it still represents uncommon generosity.  He did not have to do this.  He was concerned about those he deemed under-compensated, and he gave to them.  Neither the university nor Richt were fined or penalized, but he was reprimanded.  The casual observer of college and professional athletics, where selfishness too often prevails, might secretly hope for a rash of Richt-like behavior.

You and I have the power to do this.  To some degree, we all can do it financially.  It may be a $20 sent anonymously in a card to someone in need.  It may be generously stocking the church pantry.  It may be taking a meal to a family.  It may be contributing money to missionaries at year’s end.

Yet, we can be generous in ways that do not involve money and have the same impact.  It may be a visit, babysitting, housecleaning, providing transportation, or the like.  But, going about doing good (cf. Ac. 20:35; Gal. 6:10) catches people off-guard.  In an “I-me-my” world, Christians can have the element of surprise simply by acts of kindness.  Let’s!

TEBOW’S IMPACT ON CHURCHES?

Neal Pollard

Wait a minute!  This is not “another story on Tim Tebow”… per se.  I have used great restraint in not writing about the Denver quarterback, but this is a bit different.  Over the weekend, we received a phone call from the New York Daily.  Columnist Erik German was working on a story about the impact Tebow has had on churches in the Denver area.

That made me wonder.  The very question is a commentary on our times.  Tebow, very openly, unashamedly devout, is making waves at water coolers everywhere.  This story is bigger than Denver.  As big as his winning ways is his attempt to glorify God whenever given the opportunity.  It is hard to describe how exciting it is to have such a positive role model being given such prominence.  But, again, why the question?

Maybe the Bear Valley congregation is an aberration.  Maybe other congregations of the Lord’s people are having streams of people drop in because of Tebowmania or even Tebowing.  Maybe the denominations are feeling a similar impact.  Maybe we have had people stop by our services because of this phenomenon, but just chose not to tell us. But, so far as I know, we have not been the benificiary of this ballplayer’s bold beliefs.

But, here is the point.  We already have a “Mile High Messiah.”  All indications are that He has no direct interest in the outcome of football games or other athletic contests.  If it takes Tebow (or any other celebrity) to put us “on the map” with the community, then maybe we should ask ourselves where we have been before now.  What we have in Christ and what Christ wants to offer the world far transcends what anybody else has to offer.

Maybe Tebow will inspire those of us who know and have obeyed the truth to shine the light brighter than ever.  Maybe we will be unashamed to tell them the good news. Maybe this will wake us up to the power of our collective influence.  Maybe we will sustain such zeal and boldness, no matter what number 15 does on the playing field.  Let us pray to that end!