Terry Pruitt's Blog

First I have to say that anyone is subhuman, regardless of the moral behavior, either genuinely fails to understand what a human is, or it is insulting. I wonder what the school sanctioned means of talking the issue actually is? Perhaps they should publish guideline for taking a controversal position. (End of sarcasm) Student punished for blog entry - PittsburghLIVE.com : "Ryan Miner says he's willing to risk expulsion rather than write a 10-page essay as ordered by Duquesne University. The essay on the pros and cons of homosexuality is not homework. It's punishment for his derogatory comments about gays and lesbians -- he called them 'subhuman' in a blog -- and the sanctions have divided Duquesne's campus. 'I believe as a student that my First Amendment rights in the Constitution were subverted and attacked,' said Miner, 19, a sophomore from Hagerstown, Md. "

I am sort of a person of intense emotions, but I am driven by my thoughts. I am amazed how many people do not take me seriously when I look at a situation and I feel strongly about it. I am amazed that people count raw facts without emotion attached as more true than facts with emotion attached. In a sense, whether someone feels that Auschwitz was terrible or not does not really make a difference as to whether it actually was terrible. But the fact that Auschwitz was terrible must be felt if it is known. Truth and the emotional response to that truth can not really be separated. At the same time, some truths are not allowed to be perceived if we have a emotional state that does not allow the perception of a truth. For instance, I had a friend who years ago was involved in a church planting effort. He was working hard and doing as much as he could to make it all work. His church planting effort was not working out though he was trying his best. But he being a harding working, ...

Wondering what the deal is with Franscis Schaffer? Who reads him anyway? Check out my daughters post on the good Dr. Tally Times: Frances Schaeffer's Effect on Modern Society : "Frances Schaeffer's Effect on Modern Society Francis Schaeffer has affected society with his theology through his books, his friendships, his films, his preaching, his children, and his retreat home for learning: L'Abri."

Luther's Thesis 37 "Any true Christian, living or dead, partakes of all the benefits of Christ and the Church, which is the gift of God, even without letters of pardon." I was amazed to read in a history of the printing press that while the press was used to print theological tracts, it was also used to print letters of indulgence, here in Luther's 37th called letters of pardon. It makes me think that blogging and other communications technologies can be used to strengthen the church or lead her astray. I think of Televangelists who made the medium of TV one of money raising. It seems we could do the same with the Internet, blogging, etc... In this thesis there seems to be a disconnect between the organizational church and the life of the Christian. Rather than the organizational church affirming the work of the Spirit, it had a seperation way of salvation, namely through indulgences. The church as an organization should always remember her power and authority a...

I'm giving two full weeks to decide, what do you think the Jollyblogger should wear in the pulpit. Take My Poll

When Luther nailed his 95 thesis the door of the Wittenburg church he had a lot of topics to cover. The first thesis for debate is this: "Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, in saying 'Repent ye,etc.' meant the whole life of the faithful to be an act of repentance." As we come to this Reformation day, let us think about what it means to live our lives as expressions of repentance. Repentance is not merely walking down to alter and saying the sinners prayer. Every day should become an expression of repentance.

The Emerging Church is a movement which defies definition. One aspect of this Christian movement has been the casting off the bonds of tradition. More importantly, Christ in the Scriptures directs us away from the traditions of men to follow the living God when he said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." Mark 7:8 (NIV) This generation may feel that it is the first to challenge authority. However, it could be argued that casting off tradition is the hallmark of the Protestant tradition. John Wycliffe is called “Morning Star of the Reformation” for his teachings against the traditions of men found in the Roman Catholic Church. Wycliffe taught the proper place of ecclesiastical authority, against transubstantiation, and the authority of the Scriptures. John Wycliffe was born of Saxon extraction around the year A.D. 1324 in Wycliffe Manor in Yorkshire, England. He was both an academic at Oxford University and a priest in ...

Reprint of a Lost Quiz : This quiz is heavy on the Lost trivia and light on cute assessments of your personality. Check it out.

I just took the CommonCensus poll featured in Wired News. http://www.commoncensus.org The CommonCensus Map Project is redrawing the map of the United States based on Internet users' voting, to show how the country is organized culturally, as opposed to traditional political boundaries. It shows how the country is divided into 'spheres of influence' between different cities at the national, regional, and local levels. This information will finally settle the question over where disputed cultural boundaries lie (like between New York City and Upstate New York), contribute to the national debate over Congressional redistricting, and educate people everywhere as to the true layout of the American people that they've never seen on any map before. Participation takes just 12 clicks.

I'm saddened to hear this report. I really don't think the CIA wants to hire missionaries. It just would not be their style. Venezuela to Expel New Tribes Mission - Christianity Today Magazine : "In what appears to be the latest consequence of broadcaster Pat Robertson's August call for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's assassination, Chavez announced plans to expel from the country New Tribes Mission, a church-planting and Bible-translating mission agency. Describing New Tribes Mission (NTM) as a 'true imperialist infiltration that makes me ashamed,' Chavez declared he was fed up with 'colonialism' and accused the mission group of links to the CIA, spying on Venezuela, and exploiting indigenous people. 'We don't want New Tribes here,' he said."

I am a frequent reader of Wired. At one time they had a lot of interesting things to say about religion and the Internet. (i.e. "God" at one time was one of the most commonly search items on the Internet. What exactly are they finding when they searched for him there.) Lately most of their articles on religion are tongue in cheek or derogetory. This one is a little tongue in cheek but not too bad. I'm glad to see they did cover the God Blog event. Wired News: What Would Jesus Blog? : "What would Jesus blog? That and other pressing questions drew 135 Christians to Southern California this weekend for a national conference billed as the first-ever for 'God bloggers,' a growing community of online writers who exchange information and analyze current events from a Christian perspective." Follow the link to get the rest...

I have just discovered the Mars Hill Audio Journal . I have to say I am impressed and a subscription is going on my Christmas list. If you are not familiar with their material they have some free mp3s to check out which they dub as "Bonus Selections" .

I wish I were going to this convention. Oh, yeah... FOXNews.com - Politics - Bloggers Seek to Mix Faith and the Internet : "Bloggers Seek to Mix Faith and the Internet Wednesday, October 12, 2005 By Greg Simmon WASHINGTON — When Johann Gutenberg's printing press began churning out Bibles in the 15th century, the new theology helped usher in a new era of religion in Europe. Nearly 600 years later, some think that increasingly popular Web logs — the Internet's version of personal journals, pamphleteering and issue forums all wrapped in one — combined with traditional religious beliefs could once again take people on a new, uncharted course. Click the link to read the rest... "

Growing up in the Mid-West, Christianity Today magazine was on the library shelves. I read it often and it helped develop my concern for the poor. It also introduced me to J.I. Packer. In short I love the magazine. However, I do not frequently visit their website because it is way too busy. Christianity Today has several magazines, Leadership, Christian History and the list goes on. Instead of having a webportal that takes you to these various venues, they have placed the whole of their publishing empire on the top site. I am guessing this why the font is way to small for us with over 40 eyes. As a student of preaching, I always want to be Word centric. However, I think they could use much more graphics and less text.

Please visit Jungle Pop. According to dictionary.com, A popsicle is a trademark used for a colored, flavored ice confection with one or two flat sticks for a handle. The coolest thing about Jungle Pop is the cool popsicle icon in my URL bar. Blog on brother... Jungle Pop : "*thunk thunk* (Is This Thing On?) Greetings, and welcome (back)! Most of you are here because you've been a reader of my Former Blog and want to continue abusing me here. :^) The rest of you are here because you've heard so much about this hot new blog Jungle Pop and want to see it for yourselves. Heh."

Interesting post by Jack Yoest. Jack Yoest at Yoest.org : "Your Business Blogger met Luis Palau as he was giving a talk on the DC Festival coming up this weekend in the Nation's Capital on October 8 & 9. The expected attendance is 100,000. 'What was the biggest logistical challenge of having the Festival here in Washington, DC?' I asked Dr. Palau."

At the goading of the Gadfly I took the Politics Test . I think some people would be surprised find out I'm a Social Liberal. You are a Social Liberal (61% permissive) and an... Economic Moderate (56% permissive) You are best described as a: Centrist You exhibit a very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness. loc: (43, 24) modscore: (34, 37) raw: (3234)