A Ministry of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry—Olivet Nazarene University

Center for Faith & Culture

Culture sometimes has a hard time relating to people who look or dress different; Christ can shine through us in powerful ways demonstrating His love if we allow Him.

Featured Article

Overcome by Our Love

Frank Moore   1/05/12

A story on the morning news caught my ear this week as I got dressed for work.  Sixty major national-chain television advertisers – I mean the heavy hitters with the big bucks, not the late-night, low-budget guys – are pulling their support from The Learning Channel’s weekly program All-American Muslim.  The show looks into the lives of Muslim families living in Dearborn, Michigan, a Detroit suburb which is reported to have a 30% Muslim population.  

Those who criticize the show have successfully appealed to advertisers to pull their support, alleging that the program is un-American and calls America’s traditional values into question.  Those who support the show say it does nothing more than cast a spotlight on the daily lives of Muslim families living, working, and raising their children in this country.  What’s more, supporters say the First Amendment and the Constitution protects freedom to practice religion as anyone sees fit; that's what America is all about.

0 Comments Read More
Tags: All-American Muslim, Controversial, Love, Muslim
 

Recent Articles

A Charitable Accommodation

Frank Moore   11/01/11

 

Usually when I sit at my computer to put my thoughts to paper for the Epworth Pulpit I write about something which excites me in some way.  I have no trouble making my point and giving you several illustrations of it.  This is not one of those times!  Today’s contribution comes as much as a reminder to me as it might be to you.  In fact, I think I might even surprise myself with some of the things I am about to say.  This is not one of those articles that has been burning in my heart, just waiting for the right opportunity to share with you.  Rather, its message hit me unexpectedly; I’ve been pondering it for days.

The catalyst for this article came from a tearful conversation I had last week with the mother of one of our university students.  Her words floored me, to say the least.  In order for you to understand the impact of her words, let me tell you two unrelated stories.  These two stories will soon converge in an interesting way.

Story #1.  A young man moved to our campus to start college this fall in answer to many prayers.  His story fits the classic model of a young person still seeking his way spiritually, needing a fresh start, away from home for the first time, and ending up providentially at our university.  I got the word that he was coming our way after he was already packed and on the road.  His was one of those situations where we wanted desperately for all the pieces of life’s puzzle to come together quickly for him.  We wanted all of his classes to go well; we wanted him to make friends quickly; we wanted him to get involved in campus life and like it!

0 Comments Read More
Tags: Accommodation, Campolo, Charity, Controversial, Prayer
 

The Sanctified Mind

Michael Wallace Benson   2/01/11

"Finally beloved, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is PLEASING, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE and if there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK about these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Here is a question so many men despise. When this question is asked by the fairer sex, it strikes fear in our psyche. It is THE dreaded question.  The odds are great that most women in relationships with men have asked this question of a man at least once if not dozens of times.

0 Comments Read More
 

Break into Song!

Frank Moore   12/01/10

Department store window displays, music in the elevator, and holiday lights on the street lamp poles of our town all remind us that the Advent Season is upon us.  We Christians certainly recognize the spiritual meaning of the season.  We often wonder, however, if culture in general knows what Advent is all about.  Does the average man or woman in the store look past the decorations and holiday parties to contemplate the deeper meaning of the season?

A video currently finding its way around the internet offers insight into this question.  The video was shot in a crowed Philadelphia Macy's department store on October 30, 2010.  Seemingly without warning the Wanamaker organ, the world's largest pipe organ, began playing as shoppers broke forth singing "The Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah.  Every aisle of every floor of the store resounded with echoes of this holiday classic.  What a sight and sound!  Not exactly what you'd expect to see and hear at your local department store.  For a few brief minutes the voices of total strangers united in declaration of the true message of the Advent season.  Time seemed to stop as shoppers shared this unique moment together.

0 Comments Read More
 

Finding the Line

Frank Moore   11/01/10

I'm teaching a class this semester to graduate and senior religion students entitled: 21st Century Trends in Theology. And, I'm having the time of my life. I can remember the day when my professors walked into the classroom with handouts containing lists of heretical statements and positions of contemporary Christian thinkers and writers. We were taught how to listen for the code words these folks used and how to discern when they drifted into unorthodox waters.

A lot has changed since I was a college and graduate student. Rather than providing handouts, most professors these days place information into Power point presentations and drop them into an electronic folder on the internet. Many of my students download the Power points before coming to class and take their notes right on the screen pages of their computer. My how technology has changed the way we do higher education!

0 Comments Read More
 

Magic Words from a Kangaroo

Frank Moore   9/07/10
 

Like a lot of people my age, I grew up strongly influenced by Captain Kangaroo.  I hardly missed an episode and waited with anxious anticipation for the next installment of the series.  The Captain made my day!  He often referenced certain words which he called "magic words."  They weren't magic because he used them to perform slight-of-hand tricks like a magician.  They were magic because they encouraged viewers to treat others with respect and kindness.  The Captain insisted that Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose, and Mr. Greenjeans begin requests with the magic word "Please" and accept responses with "Thank You."  I suppose that was my introduction to the basic building blocks of civility for human interaction.

0 Comments Read More