Atheist Christopher Hithchens Smacks Down Liberal Christian Minister

It is getting bad when atheists have better theology than Christian ministers. The following is from Randy Alcorn's blog:

In a recent interview, Christopher Hitchens, the fervent atheist and author of God Is Not Great, showed he has a much clearer understanding of what it means to be a Christian than the Unitarian minister, who claims to be a Christian, interviewing him.

Marilyn Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make a distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Christopher Hitchens: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

If you would like to read the whole Christopher Hitchens interview, click the blog post title or copy and past this: http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/arts-and-entertainment/category/books-and-talks/articles/christopher-hitchens/

Hat tip to Dr. Mark Brister, FBC-CC

And On The Third Day . . .

. . . his disciples received BMW's!!!

Trish Frazier with Bay Area Fellowship told us, "Our overall goal is for them to get blessed and receive something really awesome but it's also to have the chance to spread the message of Christ and plant a seed in our hearts tonight."

And after much anticipation, the first winner of a beautiful BMW was announced, and Cathy Claveria could hardly contain her excitement. She told us she'd been driving her Jeep for the last 16 years and considered the win a blessing.

For the full story, click the blog post title or copy and paste this: http://www.kristv.com/news/bay-area-fellowship-gives-away-bmw/

The New Gospel of Wealth

Amazing! Bay Area Fellowship, a local church in Corpus Christi, TX, is giving away approximately $1 million in door prizes for those who attend their Easter services.

CORPUS CHRISTI — You’ve never seen an Easter egg hunt like this before.

Bay Area Fellowship, the largest church in Corpus Christi, is giving away flat-screen televisions, skateboards, Fender guitars, furniture and 15 cars — yes, cars — at its Easter services next week.

And even those who don’t win big will walk away with something. The church has gathered donations for 15,000 gift bags, each with about $300 worth of free goods and services.

“We’re going to give some stuff away and say, ‘Imagine how great heaven is going to be if you feel that excited about a car,’ ” lead Pastor Bil Cornelius said. “It’s completely free — all you have to do is receive him.”

This takes the whole "loaves and fishes" concept to a new level. I once attended a church where first time visitors were given a loaf of homemade bread with the following note: "'I am the Bread of Life.' John 6:35." I thought that was a fitting welcome gift.

I have mixed feelings about the Bay Area event. However, what comes to mind is the fate of the original 12 followers--the Apostles:

1. Peter was crucified head down in Rome, 66 A.D.
2. Andrew was bound to death. He preached until his death in 74 A.D.
3. James, son of Zebedee, was beheaded in Jerusalem by the sword. (Acts 12:1-9).
4. John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, 96 A.D. (Rev. 1- 9).
5. Phillip was crucified at Heirapole, Phryga, 52 A.D.
6. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, then beheaded by the command of a king, 52 A.D.
7. Thomas was run through by a lance at Corehandal, East Indies, 52 A.D.
8. Matthew was slain by the sword in the city of Ethiopia about 60 A.D.
9. James son of Alphaeus, was thrown from a pinnacle, then beaten to death, 60 A.D.
10. Thaddeus was shot to death by arrows, 72 A.D.
11. Simon was crucified in Persia, 74 A.D.
12. Judas betrayed Christ and committed suicide, 31 A.D.

The Bay Area Fellowship technique might be the ultimate bait-and-switch.

To read the full article, click on the blog post title or copy and paste this: http://m.caller.com/news/2010/mar/27/the-million-dollar-giveaway/