Blog - Page 211 of 318 - John H Armstrong

The Horrors of Nanking

By John Armstrong|2008-11-17T05:00:00-06:00November 17th, 2008|Categories: Film|

Nanking is an amazing documentary film that presents the true story of how a few brave souls saved the lives of thousands of people in China in 1937. It is a horrific tale of war, brutality and carnage. It will break your heart but it will show you how real Christians respond to crisis when the chips are down.

In November of 1937 Japan decided to bomb and decimate the Chinese city of Nanking. The attack was called “the rape of Nanking” for very good reason. After the bombing raids the Japanese army invaded and slaughtered over 200,000 people in a matter of a few days. Soldiers ruthlessly raped girls and women, tortured men and boys and killed almost everyone they desired to kill at will. The generals allowed it, in fact seem to have sanctioned it under some kind of cultural mandate rooted in the nature of Japan’s history and religion. Some 25 people were later tried as war criminals and less than half were convicted. […]

Does Obama's Election Really Impact the Race Question?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:16-05:00November 16th, 2008|Categories: Race and Racism|

Many white Americans cannot understand how the election of Barack Obama provides a new context for life in American for millions of people, especially African-Americans. James Thindwa, a 53 year-old executive director of Chicago's office of Jobs with Justice, understands otherwise. Said the African-American man after the election, "People on the receiving end of racism start believing in the story of their inferiority." Thindwa notes that for years he has felt that whites look at him as undeserving of his job or that they have lower expectations of him. It is hard for someone like me to relate to this feeling because I am white and grew up with great privilege and opportunity and without racial stereotypes.

After the election Thindwa said his views have begun to change. "Now white folks are more credible. They say, 'We are not racist,' but the vote for Obama established that their claim that they have made progress is more than rhetorical."

How […]

"The Greatest Economic Challenge of Our Lifetime"

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:16-05:00November 15th, 2008|Categories: Missional Church|

President-elect Barack Obama has called this time in our history: "The greatest economic challenge in our lifetime." I think he is profoundly right. We may not have a crash like 1929 or a "Great Depression" but there is now little doubt that this time may become like none we have known since that time. I could be wrong but it appears that we are in for a rough ride in 2009 and beyond.

Obama faces war, recession, and an ambitious list of campaign promises like tax cuts and expanded health care. He also faces a serious energy crisis. In the debates he spoke about tackling many problems all at once. It appears that he will be forced to do exactly this come January. Right now he is putting together his team. We should pray for this process since it is one of the most important that he will undertake. I cannot imagine how anyone can manage this task. It strikes me as so […]

Ethics After Darwin

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 14th, 2008|Categories: Science|

Last evening I attended a stimulating lecture, and even more stimulating discussion afterward, on the subject of Christian ethics after Darwin. The lecture was presented by Dr. Stephen J. Pope, author of The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love (1994) and Human Evolution and Christian Ethics (2007). Dr. Pope teaches theology at Boston College, a Jesuit school, and was the chair of the department of theology. He did his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago under James Gustafson, one of the most important ethicists in the second half of the twentieth century. I was invited to attend this lecture, sponsored by the Albertus Magnus Society at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, by my good friend, Dr. Keith Berndtson. Keith is my personal physician and serves as an ACT 3 adviser. This subject is of particular interest to Keith and me and I wanted to share this time with my friend.

First, the controversial stuff. Dr. Pope accepts macro evolution without serious question. He believes […]

Judgment and Hope

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 12th, 2008|Categories: Renewal|

Most of us hear the word judgment and think only of dire and problematic circumstances and a gloomy end. While it is true the Bible portrays a coming day of final judgment, when all will give an account of every thing done in the body, the biblical emphasis more nuanced and developed than this aspect alone. A careful study of the Scripture reveals that judgment comes now to bring about repentance and hope.

The major premise seems to be clear: One year passes to the next and one century into another. Great leaders and nations come and go. Only a few things stand the test of time. God's truth alone remains and will never pass away. When God speaks his word is sealed in heaven and remains alive.

The minor premise follows from the first: There are clear patterns in the Holy Scripture which reveal how God speaks and works in this age of grace. Sometimes he gives messages of warning. Sometimes he sends messages of hope. With his powerful and anointed Word come […]

Obama Made Many Promises

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 11th, 2008|Categories: Politics|

President-elect Barack Obama is getting advice from just about everyone and every interest group. He only won the election a week ago today but the interest and intensity is mounting. Some say he must be very pragmatic if he is to unite the country. Articulate mainstream liberal columnists like E. J. Dionne, Jr., suggest that he should "fear timidity, not overreach." My own guess is, like most presidents, it will be some of both. I am rooting for pragmatism more than for liberalism. Aspects of progressivism are right at certain points in time but the country is still instinctively conservative/moderate and still sees socialism as unfair and wrong. I never thought Obama was a socialist but now we will see how this plays out in the next two years or so as he deals with a very bad economy. Blaming Bush and the Republicans will work for about a year but if the economy does not show real change for the better, or at least […]

The Gathering in Salem, Massachusetts

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 10th, 2008|Categories: Emergent Church|

My friend Phil Wyman has served as the pastor of The Gathering in Salem, Massachusetts, for ten years now. I met Phil three years ago as a result of a front page story on him that appeared in The Wall Street Journal. We have conversed by phone and prayed for one another. Emails keep us in contact. I still hope to teach there sometime in 2009. I support Phil and believe in his outreach. If you've ever been to Salem you will understand why this kind of missional church-plant is so needed there. Here is Phil's report to praying friends from last week:

I am just now getting to telling our Halloween story for
this year. The month-long experience of Halloween in

Salem is remarkable to behold for those who have never experienced it. Many
visit us for a week or a weekend, but for those of us who live here, and serve
throughout the month of October it has become commonplace to view Salem as Halloween Town. […]

For All of Us Who Survived Beings Kids Before the 1980s

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 9th, 2008|Categories: Humor|

Now and then I get an anonymous bit of humor that is truly worth a laugh for many more people. Here is one sent to Anita and then forwarded to me. Enjoy!

TO ALL THE KIDS
WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers
who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took
aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for
diabetes.

Then after that
trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright
colored lead-base paints.

We had no
childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we
rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats,
booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in […]

A Further Reflection on the Election of Barack Obama

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:17-05:00November 8th, 2008|Categories: Politics|

My local newspaper headlined the Thursday edition, with the same headline that appeared in Rome's daily newspaper: "The World Changes." I believe that it does, in one very symbolic powerful way. But as with every such powerful change there is a corresponding way in which everything remains much the same. Or maybe we should say it changes in positive ways for now and in ways that are yet to be seen in time. Time and history will be the real judge. I welcome the initial changes. Here are a few of the notable comments made by world leaders since Tuesday:

"Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world." (Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, India)

"We all want to be Americans this morning. This is a giant step for humanity. Obstacles are falling, not only in the United States but here in France." (Rama Yade, French Foreign Minister)

"This is […]

Nick Saban's "Big Bang" Theory

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:21:18-05:00November 6th, 2008|Categories: College Football|

Well, for you college football fans, this is that time of the year that we all love the most. My Crimson Tide sits atop the BCS poll as the number one ranked team in college football. Who would have believed it in August? They were totally unranked. This was "rebuilding" season number two. The faithful hoped for a great team next year and a potential champion in year four of the Nick Saban era. So, whatever happens now this has already been an amazing season.

As die hard fans know Alabama plays LSU at Tiger Stadium this Saturday (2:30 p.m. CST, CBS-TV). Guess where I will be? No, not in Louisiana, though I would wish. Bama is a 3+ point favorite but Tiger Stadium will be loud, hostile and challenging to say the least. Not only can the defending national champions knock Alabama out of the top spot but they can beat their former coach, Nick Saban.They would love nothing more. LSU will come […]