The church I first served after seminary is located on Long Island. We hosted a Jewish congregation on Fridays and Saturdays. Their congregation was actually larger than ours. It's hard to buy land in that area because real estate is so expensive and zoning is difficult to change. We had a great relationship with them and I became dear friends with the rabbi. After I left, the church also began allowing a local imam and his Muslim study group to meet in our fellowship hall. They now call it an interfaith campus.
Good for you! Enjoy this wonderful season.
they still got it! love this.
The question "why did Jesus teach in parables and not just list rules" is really two different topics. Why he taught in parables is one question, and why didn't he give rules is another. For the latter, Jesus (no matter what his teaching style), didn't come to "list rules" at all. He came to communicate God's unconditional love for sinners, and to save them from the eternal consequences of their sin. The famous 1 Timothy passage is most relevant: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." Notice it does not say "Christ Jesus came into the world to give the best possible set of rules." On the contrary; the rules had already been given and were systematically rejected by all of humanity. His mission was rescue, not religion or rules.
That picture of the Perrys with Santa is terrifying.
That episode of This American Life was eye-opening. Here's the link for those who are interested.
I don't understand why people don't want to state how much money they earn. I have no problem doing so. I am almost never asked, but when the question does come up, I freely answer truthfully. It usually surprises people!
What a very strange comment. I'm wondering who it's even directed toward. Is this mini-series presented as something necessary for belief? Already there are 2.2 billion Christians worldwide. It's the world's largest religion. So to question its "stability" and "validity" is a little silly, don't you think? Please, show me a more stable religion! :-)
I am personally not advising my congregation to view this series, mostly because they don't need to see all the consumerist advertisements with which it will be laced. Plus they already enjoy the most riveting Bible story telling--from the pulpit each week! :-)
But the above comment really does surprise me.
Steven Brill, the author of that Time article, was interviewed on Jon Stewart's show yesterday.
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Rev. Nathan Hart 
Medley