Author Archive
Joe Perdue
It’s Tebow Time!
Monday, January 9th, 2012
First, let me say that I am a Tim Tebow fan. If you had asked me what time it was on any given Saturday between 2006 and 2010 I would have told you it was Tebow time, because it almost always was. But I’m not a fan for the reason many Christians are. It’s not because he was home schooled (I’m not a fan of that). Nor is it because he is a Christian. I’m friends with a lot of Christians and I don’t have much interest in how far any of them can throw a football. I am a Tebow fan because I’m a Gator fan. I grew up less than an hour from the Swamp and have followed Florida football my whole life. I follow his career as a former Gator, and because he is one of the best players in the NFL.
Sci-Fi Theology: Just Passin’ Through
Friday, October 28th, 2011
One of the earliest and fondest memories of my childhood involves getting up at four in the morning on Saturdays to watch black and white science fiction movies with my father. Inevitably the movie was terrible but I continued to sacrifice sleeping in every week because the fun was not in the quality of the movie but in the experience. There was something exciting about getting up early and laughing at cardboard aliens and monsters whose strings were showing.
Not all science fiction is ridiculous; in fact some of it is very entertaining and even inspiring. With that in mind I understand why so many Christians have chosen to read the Bible, especially the parts believed to discuss the end of the world, as if it were a work of science fiction.
Judgment’s Triumph: The Unjust Death of Troy Davis
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
On Wednesday, September 21 the US Supreme Court chose to deny Troy Davis’ final appeal for a stay of execution. In spite of his claim of innocence, no physical evidence of guilt, and the recantation of the majority of witnesses against him, Mr. Davis is now a murder victim. It is ironic and illogical that he was murdered by people who claim to support justice for the victim of murder. It is beyond infuriating to know that statics show that if Mr. Davis were white, the chances of a death sentence would have been significantly lower in the first place.
The controversy that rightly surrounds this issue will lead to many questions being asked of religious leaders in the coming weeks, and each tradition will add its own voice to the conversation in unique and hopefully helpful ways. As it happens, I’m part of a faith tradition that worships a man who suffered an unjust trial and was executed in an affront to justice, not unlike Mr. Davis. If anyone has something to say about execution, it’s Jesus. Continue Reading »
Really!?! Men are the Spiritual Head of the Home?
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
If you’re like me, you’re a fan of Saturday Night Live. Granted, I usually tune in more during election years than other times, but the show is always good for a laugh or two. One of my favorite segments on the show is “Really!?! with Seth” (and Amy). In this segment of the “Weekend Update” the anchor mocks a lack of common sense by telling the audience about a ridiculous incident and responding “Really!?!” That sort of response is something we can all relate to sometimes.
Recently I had a Really!?! moment while listening to another Christian talk about the Bible.
