Contend: Real Coexistence

Pageant queens rehearse it in their speeches. Politicians debate the best way to achieve it. It sparked a revolution in the 1960’s that will never be forgotten. Shoot, there’s even an ice cream named after it. And no, it’s not Cookies and Cream.
World Peace.
At the most basic level, world peace [...]

Contend, by Philip Revell: Enlighten Your Mind

You know how politicians often refer character traits or human reason to get a vote? Let me give an example: a candidate for office might say, “If you care about the poor, you should vote for me” or “If you value Democracy, I’m the candidate for you.” Obviously, this entails if someone doesn’t vote for [...]

Contend: You’ve Got Some Kind Of Nerve, by Philip Revell

Recently, it seems like songs have been stirring me on to think about perceptions and worldviews within popular culture.  So this week, I’ve been thinking about the song “You Found Me” by The Fray.  Now before I
speak any further, I want to make clear that I’m not making any assumptions about the band or what [...]

Contend, by Philip Revell: Community Presupposed

So I was listening to the radio the other day, and ole Jason Mraz came on with his song, “I’m Yours”.  I took particular note of one simple line: “We’re just one big family.”  I believe it comes from the same general line of thought as the hippie and reggae movement that classifies all people [...]

Contend: Hollywood Christianity – A Conclusion, by Philip Revell

Cultural Christianity as a whole is on the decline in America.  It seems this declining number of Christians is due to two predominant perceptions.  The first reason Christianity is on the decline is because people have had adverse experience and disgust with who they believe to be fanatic Christians. The problem is that people [...]

Contend: Last But Not Least, by Philip Revell

In the last couple blogs I have written about the cultural perceptions and portrayals of Christianity in popular culture. First I discussed the Dichotomist. Secondly, I wrote about everyone’s favorite advice-giver, the Guru. This week, we come to the mack daddy of them all–the Fanatic.
I think the Fanatic is the most characteristic [...]

Contend, by Philip Revell: More On “Religious People” In Hollywood

A few weeks ago I addressed the subjective nature of Christianity in the show, The Office.  I think this is the media’s favorite type of Christian.  They keep their “personal beliefs” where they belong, and don’t let them take root in their everyday lives.  This week I want to examine a second of three categories [...]

Contend: Subjectivity, Take Two, by Philip Revell

The TV show, The Office, is one of my favorites. The exaggerated personalities and ridiculous scenarios resound with me. A couple of weeks ago I was watching a rerun from a previous season. In this particular episode, Michael Scott was convinced there was a curse upon the office, because bad luck appeared [...]

Contend: Turn Off Reality, Turn On Indifference, by Philip Revell

So I was at the mall tonight, tagging along with a couple friends who had to buy some clothes.  Isn’t it weird how the mall becomes a lot less glamorous when you’re not 14?  Maybe it’s just me.  But the alluring smell of Annie Anne’s and the temptation to drop all of my allowance at [...]

Contend, by Philip Revell: What Do Hitler And Darwin Have In Common?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Gal 3:28-29 (ESV)
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”
James 2:1-2 (ESV)
Racial prejudice has been a huge deal throughout [...]

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