Painting Christianity with a Broad Brush
Critics of conservative Christianity seize upon the most extreme elements in order to paint the entire community with a broad brush. The Charismatic film Jesus Camp is an inside look at a single children's camp -- presently shut down -- headed up by a self-appointed female leader seeking to raise up young evangelists to contend with the forces of ungodliness permeating the nation. The footage is also now famous because it features the now defrocked Ted Haggard toying with the camera in a live service mocking Christians dabbling in sexual perversion. The irony, in light of recent events, is off the charts.
For those familiar with Charismatic "spiritual warfare" teaching, we've seen kids and teachers wearing military outfits, knight's armor, etc. for a great many years. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, is there any suggestion that children are to take arms against anyone. For those who are outside this branch ("Charismania"), the footage is reminiscent of Islamic-like indoctrination of children. For non-charismatic Christians, the footage is just dumb.
The Apostle Paul used military parlance as a teaching tool (c.f. Eph. 6:10-18). But, the battle is spiritual in nature. I've yet to hear a Christian group ever suggest actual violence.
This is what groups like the Charismatics do because they lack solid reformed theology -- in some cases, it's because they lack theology period. However, critics do seize on these instances in an effort to promote fear among their political constituencies. They'd never admit to it, but it's clearly the end result. I know, I've read dozens of blogs featuring the distored hysteria.
What is equally ridiculous is the present criticism of homeschooling and the efforts made by several on the Left to "suggest" that Christian homeschooling families are "secretly" preparing children for a great violent culture war. There is also the suggestion, as one man wrote me, that homeschooling children are ill-equipped intellectually, and cannot hold a candle to the Einsteins in public schools. The statistics actually demonstrate the opposite.
Here's an example of what we often find within the ranks of conservative homeschooling families: Godliness, Bible study, superb academics, massive time spent with family, diligent labor on family property, care for younger siblings, and the cultivation of every aspect of the arts.
So, for all of the nonsense appearing in Jesus Camp, let's try another film that presents a different story. See if you can spot the Islamic extremism in this trailer that is preparing these lovely young Christian girls for violence in the streets.
For those familiar with Charismatic "spiritual warfare" teaching, we've seen kids and teachers wearing military outfits, knight's armor, etc. for a great many years. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, is there any suggestion that children are to take arms against anyone. For those who are outside this branch ("Charismania"), the footage is reminiscent of Islamic-like indoctrination of children. For non-charismatic Christians, the footage is just dumb.
The Apostle Paul used military parlance as a teaching tool (c.f. Eph. 6:10-18). But, the battle is spiritual in nature. I've yet to hear a Christian group ever suggest actual violence.
This is what groups like the Charismatics do because they lack solid reformed theology -- in some cases, it's because they lack theology period. However, critics do seize on these instances in an effort to promote fear among their political constituencies. They'd never admit to it, but it's clearly the end result. I know, I've read dozens of blogs featuring the distored hysteria.
What is equally ridiculous is the present criticism of homeschooling and the efforts made by several on the Left to "suggest" that Christian homeschooling families are "secretly" preparing children for a great violent culture war. There is also the suggestion, as one man wrote me, that homeschooling children are ill-equipped intellectually, and cannot hold a candle to the Einsteins in public schools. The statistics actually demonstrate the opposite.
Here's an example of what we often find within the ranks of conservative homeschooling families: Godliness, Bible study, superb academics, massive time spent with family, diligent labor on family property, care for younger siblings, and the cultivation of every aspect of the arts.
So, for all of the nonsense appearing in Jesus Camp, let's try another film that presents a different story. See if you can spot the Islamic extremism in this trailer that is preparing these lovely young Christian girls for violence in the streets.
