If God Gave You A Brain, It’s Okay to Use It in Church: Surviving Disinformation and Propaganda

This past year, we witnessed the explosive growth of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and propaganda, along with distrust of medical science and vaccines. While COVID-19 spiraled out of control, many self-professing Christians supported the false claims of politicians with no evidence and even mocked doctors who urged Americans to take common sense precautions. Some Christians have even believed and spread political propaganda that is contrary to their faith.

This has prompted some to ask, “Can a thinking person be a Christian?” Can followers of Jesus trust reason and rationality, or do we have to just accept “blind faith,” and believe in claims in spite of what our brains tell us?

Starting January 10, we will explore the relationship between faith and doubt and faith and reason:

Series Schedule

January 10- The Bible and Your Brain (the Relationship between Faith and Reason)
January 17- Surviving Disinformation and Propaganda
January 24- Interpreting the Bible Intelligently
January 31- The Bible and Science
February 7- Christians, Vaccines, and Conspiracy Theories
February 14- Special Guest Dr. Pete Enns

If God Gave You A Brain It’s Okay to Use It in Church: The Bible and Your Brain

This past year, we witnessed the explosive growth of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and propaganda, along with distrust of medical science and vaccines. While COVID-19 spiraled out of control, many self-professing Christians supported the false claims of politicians with no evidence and even mocked doctors who urged Americans to take common sense precautions. Some Christians have even believed and spread political propaganda that is contrary to their faith.

This has prompted some to ask, “Can a thinking person be a Christian?” Can followers of Jesus trust reason and rationality, or do we have to just accept “blind faith,” and believe in claims in spite of what our eyes and brains tell us?

Starting January 10, we will explore the relationship between faith and doubt and faith and reason:

Series Schedule

January 10- The Bible and Your Brain (the Relationship between Faith and Reason)
January 17- Surviving Disinformation and Propaganda
January 24- Interpreting the Bible Intelligently
January 31- The Bible and Science
February 7- Christians, Vaccines, and Conspiracy Theories
February 14- Special Guest Dr. Pete Enns

All Was Not Calm: Light at the End of 2020

This Christmas will feel different than others.

We will celebrate during the darkness of a pandemic, often at a distance from those we love. It may feel even more painful because of the “warm and fuzzy” feelings we have toward Christmas, an idyllic view of a perfect day of light and inspiration, like the lyrics of “Silent Night.”

But that’s not what the first Christmas was like.

The real Christmas story tells us that it was not a silent night and all was not calm. Jesus was born into a dark, noisy world, a world ruled by dictators, with fear of disease, and increasing hatred for those perceived as different in any way.

When the Christmas story speaks of light shining into the darkness, we now know what that darkness feels like. The first Christmas was just like this one. The world into which Jesus was born was just like ours. So, in 2020, the real Christmas story means more now than ever.

This Advent,  join us for “All Was Not Calm.”

All Was Not Calm: The Power of Serving

This Christmas will feel different than others.

We will celebrate during the darkness of a pandemic, often at a distance from those we love. It may feel even more painful because of the “warm and fuzzy” feelings we have toward Christmas, an idyllic view of a perfect day of light and inspiration, like the lyrics of “Silent Night.”

But that’s not what the first Christmas was like.

The real Christmas story tells us that it was not a silent night and all was not calm. Jesus was born into a dark, noisy world, a world ruled by dictators, with fear of disease, and increasing hatred for those perceived as different in any way.

When the Christmas story speaks of light shining into the darkness, we now know what that darkness feels like. The first Christmas was just like this one. The world into which Jesus was born was just like ours. So, in 2020, the real Christmas story means more now than ever.

This Advent,  join us for “All Was Not Calm.”

All Was Not Calm: Good News in 2020

This Christmas will feel different than others.

We will celebrate during the darkness of a pandemic, often at a distance from those we love. It may feel even more painful because of the “warm and fuzzy” feelings we have toward Christmas, an idyllic view of a perfect day of light and inspiration, like the lyrics of “Silent Night.”

But that’s not what the first Christmas was like.

The real Christmas story tells us that it was not a silent night and all was not calm. Jesus was born into a dark, noisy world, a world ruled by dictators, with fear of disease, and increasing hatred for those perceived as different in any way.

When the Christmas story speaks of light shining into the darkness, we now know what that darkness feels like. The first Christmas was just like this one. The world into which Jesus was born was just like ours. So, in 2020, the real Christmas story means more now than ever.

This Advent,  join us for “All Was Not Calm.”

All Was Not Calm: Preparing the Way for God and Good

This Christmas will feel different than others.

We will celebrate during the darkness of a pandemic, often at a distance from those we love. It may feel even more painful because of the “warm and fuzzy” feelings we have toward Christmas, an idyllic view of a perfect day of light and inspiration, like the lyrics of “Silent Night.”

But that’s not what the first Christmas was like.

The real Christmas story tells us that it was not a silent night and all was not calm. Jesus was born into a dark, noisy world, a world ruled by dictators, with fear of disease, and increasing hatred for those perceived as different in any way.

When the Christmas story speaks of light shining into the darkness, we now know what that darkness feels like. The first Christmas was just like this one. The world into which Jesus was born was just like ours. So, in 2020, the real Christmas story means more now than ever.

This Advent,  join us for “All Was Not Calm.”

All Was Not Calm: The Pain of the Present

This Christmas will feel different than others.

We will celebrate during the darkness of a pandemic, often at a distance from those we love. It may feel even more painful because of the “warm and fuzzy” feelings we have toward Christmas, an idyllic view of a perfect day of light and inspiration, like the lyrics of “Silent Night.”

But that’s not what the first Christmas was like.

The real Christmas story tells us that it was not a silent night and all was not calm. Jesus was born into a dark, noisy world, a world ruled by dictators, with fear of disease, and increasing hatred for those perceived as different in any way.

When the Christmas story speaks of light shining into the darkness, we now know what that darkness feels like. The first Christmas was just like this one. The world into which Jesus was born was just like ours. So, in 2020, the real Christmas story means more now than ever.

This Advent,  join us for “All Was Not Calm.”

2020 Clarity: Your Purpose and Loved Ones

2020 has probably helped you to see some things more clearly.

Maybe you have a new perspective on the brevity of life, your loved ones, your priorities, the value of essential workers, the importance of medical science, the way you spend your time, the political views of your friends and family, perhaps even America itself.

During 2020 Clarity, we will explore some things that 2020 has helped us to see more clearly.

Schedule

Nov. 8 America
Nov. 15 Christianity, with Special Guest Frank Schaeffer
Nov. 22 Family and Friends and Your Career (online and outdoor service)

Explore how 2020 has helped you to see life with 2020 Clarity.

Music credit: Stellardrone, “Eternity”

2020 Clarity: Special Guest Frank Schaeffer

2020 has probably helped you to see some things more clearly.

Maybe you have a new perspective on the brevity of life, your loved ones, your priorities, the value of essential workers, the importance of medical science, the way you spend your time, the political views of your friends and family, perhaps even America itself.

During 2020 Clarity, we will explore some things that 2020 has helped us to see more clearly.

Schedule

Nov. 8 America
Nov. 15 Christianity, with Special Guest Frank Schaeffer
Nov. 22 Family and Friends and Your Career (online and outdoor service)

Explore how 2020 has helped you to see life with 2020 Clarity.

Music credit: Stellardrone, “Eternity”

2020 Clarity: America

2020 has probably helped you to see some things more clearly.

Maybe you have a new perspective on the brevity of life, your loved ones, your priorities, the value of essential workers, the importance of medical science, the way you spend your time, the political views of your friends and family, perhaps even America itself.

During 2020 Clarity, we will explore some things that 2020 has helped us to see more clearly.

Schedule

Nov. 8 America
Nov. 15 Christianity, with Special Guest Frank Schaeffer
Nov. 22 Family and Friends and Your Career (online and outdoor service)

Explore how 2020 has helped you to see life with 2020 Clarity.

Music credit: Stellardrone, “Eternity”

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