Historically, there has been a philosophical divide in governance. That divide can be summarized by two concepts: 1) Those who value "liberty" vs 2) Those who value "security".  Ever since the Enlightenment these two ideals have been in "competition" with one another.  That has especially been true in the political area.  This is not surprising as there seems to be a natural tendency of man to seek to be "free" as well as his desire to be "secure."   I would postulate these same desires…

Recently Mark Woodward of Let's Start Talking posed the following question on his blog ( http://www.wadehodges.com/2005/04/19/an-emerging-church-of-christ-part-4/ ): "Is the proliferation of new church plants simply covering up the fact that the religious marketplace is much less “profitable”? To use the language of business: are we closing old stores and opening new stores, but that strategy in and of…

Consider this statement by ACU professor Richard Beck: "So why has mobile social computing affected church attendance? Well, if church has always been kind of lame and irritating why did people go in the first place? Easy, social relationships. Church has always been about social affiliation. You met your friends, discussed your week, talked football, shared information about good schools, talked local politics, got the scoop, and made social plans ("Let's get together for dinner this…

The present political divide in our country has brought to mind a much more serious divide, the church divide.  The political divide I am referring to is not the divide between political parties per se.  Rather it is the world-view held by opposing groups in our nation.  One group adheres to a world-view of personal responsibility,  independence, and self reliance.  In this group dependence upon others for sustenance is shameful.  The other group world view can best be summarized as…