[*] Open Letter to Derek Webb

Dear Derek,

I’m a fan, I own a Christian bookstore, and I have been moved by your solo work to review my life in terms of the Gospel and its strict message of reliance on Christ rather than on my own righteousness. I think your music is challenging and edifying.

I was referred to your essay “Too Close For Comfort: The Church’s Unnecessary Rejection Of Modern Faith Heroes” by a friend, and frankly I find your point at odds with the rest of the message you deliver. I’m sending this note mostly for my information and do not think I am equipped or qualified to debate you on this subject. My testimony, boiled down to a brief summary, is that I was an atheist until I was 27 years old, and then the truth found me and convicted me of the filthy rags that I wore as my life. That was 13 years ago, and today I am still convicted daily that I cannot do right outside of the work of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t know anything about Johnny Cash, so I will take it at face value that you do, and move on to the topic of Bono. Rather than rehash or contend the facts of the essay or Bono’s life with you, let me offer a passage of Scripture and then ask my question. The passage is this (ESV):

James 1: 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who
looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and
goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the
perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but
a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26If anyone thinks he is
religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's
religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the
Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep
oneself unstained from the world.

This passage says that faith is not a feeling but an action. But for example, just because Sandra Bullock gives $1 million to the Red Cross (and has done so several times in the last 5 years), that does not make her a hero of the faith; Bill Gates has dedicated $1 billion to educating children, and that does not make him a hero of the faith. Walt Disney is not a hero of the faith for making family-friendly movies. Sinead O’Connor is not a hero of the faith for protesting the Pope.

My question to you is this: “Are all good works inherently Christ-centered good works?” Your essay is about 8 weeks old, and I suspect you have had others asking this question, and frankly you don’t owe man an answer. But I ask you this as someone who knows you have heard the Gospel and understand its Christ-centeredness.

God be with you as you seek His face.

In Christ,
Frank Turk

WORK IT!

In the old iteration of the blog template, there was a section called "GOSPEL PRACTICUM" which listed organizations which would help you put hands and feet to your high-brow theology. I thought about listing those in the sidebar again, but they are completely out of place in the new layout, so this post will be the home base of my list of good work you can do.

Work It.

Sponsor a child in Jesus' name.



When to e-mail centuri0n ...

... and when to seek higher ground.

You clicked the e-mail link on the front page of my blog, and I welcome your comments, questions, hate mail, fan mail and other assorted spam. (well, maybe the spam not so much)

If you have questions or comments about a blog post or some theology question, you can feel free to e-mail me at:



That's what this blog is about, and I don't mind answering your questions, comments, concerns about those things.

If you are seeking counselling advice, let me start by saying that I have the love of Christ for you, but I am not gifted in interpersonal counselling. I am not a trained counsellor. I cannot tell your disobedient teen to come around and act like a human being; I do not have the works of wisdom it will take to get your spouse to do or not do "X". Please do not e-mail me your counselling questions as that's kinda like trying to find a sugar cube in a box of legos.

However, that doesn't mean you can't get help for your problems.

Focus on the Family: 719-531-3400, ext. 7700, M-F for 8 AM - 4:30 PM MT.

Yes, I know: I have taken shots at James Dobson's cross-breeding of politics and religion. That doesn't mean that his staff doesn't offer decent, free counselling to families in need.

Because your concerns are important and need experienced, Godly counsel, I cannot and should not be the person to help you: I am simply not qualified. These folks are qualified and are willing and available to help.

Thank you.

[ CUMMULATIVE ARCHIVE ] [2005]

The purpose of this post is to give me (centuri0n) the ability to archive and/or organize an index to the posts I have made here at BLOGGER. It is my hope that it will give you (the reader) the ability to find what you are looking for "at a glance", because heavens forbid that you stare at what I have written here too long. Last Updated 11/08/2005


the Gospel

because I am not ashamed


09/08/05 [!] Challies at his best and worst
08/31/05 [!] More on the work
08/31/05 [!] Pastor Brad: we can help
08/30/05 [!] It's one thing to give a lecture ...
07/30/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [4] & [5]
07/25/05 [!] Jus Divinum: conscience and the State [1]
06/30/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved (note)
06/17/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [3]
06/10/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [2a]
06/10/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [2b]
06/03/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [1a]
05/27/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved [1]
05/24/05 [!] ... by which you are being saved

The Log in my own Eye

if I could walk that way I wouldn't need the talc ...


9/21/2005 [#] <i>Culture Wars</i> and Anti-Catholicism
9/26/2005 [#] A <u>positive</u> book review?
9/27/2005 [#] Chuck Colson
9/26/2005 [#] Rooster: Contraception (1)
9/30/2005 [#] Rooster: Contraception (3a)
9/22/2005 [#] The watchword of the day:
09/02/05 [#] For those who "next blogged" ..
09/01/05 [#] Abanes, abanetis, abaneti, etc.
08/19/05 [#] <i>MEGA SHIFT:</i> Lots and Lots and <u>LOTS</u> of stuff
08/18/05 [#] CINDY SHEEHAN
08/15/05 [#] Evangelical Co-Belligerants: who is who?
08/06/05 [#] An interesting turn from the Rooster
08/05/05 [#] I AM NOT ADVOCATING A CHURCH IN A BUNKER!
08/05/05 [#] The needle in hays' tack
08/01/05 [#] for those stuck at home
07/28/05 [#] Campus Delecti
07/27/05 [#] I don't play video games ...
07/27/05 [#] This Stolen Content ...
07/26/05 [#] from Foxe's book of Martyrs
07/25/05 [#] I stole this from InstaPundit, too ...
07/25/05 [#] Objections Noted
07/25/05 [#] The Off-season at Fatima
07/21/05 [#] I'd like some butter on my toast
07/20/05 [#] So how do we pull it together?
07/19/05 [#] Somehow, we're in last place
07/17/05 [#] The other end of the light switch
07/16/05 [#] More on the matter of African Debt Relief
07/14/05 [#] An Axe to Grind about World Poverty
07/13/05 [#] ... and the blog was silent ...
07/12/05 [#] Why Doug Wilson is Wrong
07/07/05 [#] Before we go on here ...
07/05/05 [#] When in doubt, check Uranus
07/04/05 [#] A completely random topic
06/28/05 [#] Post-vacation corrections & apologies
06/23/05 [#] One of the dangers of Blogging …
06/21/05 [#] This is relevant today ...
06/17/05 [#] tsunami: natural disaster or alien invader?
06/16/05 [#] "Don't suffer fools"
05/20/05 [#] Correction from yesterday
05/04/05 [#] Who are the Curious?
05/03/05 [#] Missionary to the Curious (2)
05/01/05 [#] Missionary to the Curious (1)
04/29/05 [#] missionary to the curious
04/26/05 [#] "next blog" evangelism
04/21/05 [#] post with no redeeming value (2)
04/16/05 [#] More on "merciless beatings" ... ?
04/12/05 [#] a different "wet" controversy
04/06/05 [#] A Merciless Beating ( ? ? ? )
04/04/05 [#] on the passing of Karol Wojtyla
04/04/05 [#] The matter of Authority (3 Q's)
03/24/05 [#] Analogy and Clarity: Scripture
03/23/05 [#] A parable about Manitowoc, WI
03/17/05 [#] Perspectives on Church Government
03/15/05 [#] Today's Nearly-Inerrant Version
03/09/05 [#] More about our allegedly-dry county ...
03/09/05 [#] On a more spiritual note ...
03/02/05 [#] More on the Jewish Jesus
03/02/05 [#] Yet more on the Jewish Jesus
03/01/05 [#] The Jewish Jesus
02/24/05 [#] Dry County? In 2005?
02/15/05 [#] Reply to Comments on the Open Letter to Derek Webb
02/15/05 [#] The Saucy Fundamentalist

Schtick

well, I thought it was all funny ...


9/28/2005 [$] All we got was a little rain
9/23/2005 [$] Because I have to know
9/29/2005 [$] Free Blog Advice
9/29/2005 [$] Greetings Adrian Warner Readers!
9/26/2005 [$] Monday Political commentary
9/24/2005 [$] Turns out it's the Japanese
08/23/05 [$] I sell out for 5 minutes ...
08/18/05 [$] Man, that site meter counter is <i>cool!</i>
08/18/05 [$] Theme Music
08/16/05 [$] Proof that I am a sinner
08/16/05 [$] Sublime Star Trek musings
08/15/05 [$] Note for our Catholic readers
08/12/05 [$] The Aristocrats,and Dice
08/04/05 [$] a study in classical toadyism
07/21/05 [$] Bark beats Snark, and other news
07/20/05 [$] I never wanted to admit this to anybody
06/28/05 [$] I'm offended
06/21/05 [$] I'm boycotting "expanding posts"
06/21/05 [$] Yes, I know this is old ...
06/20/05 [$] A day in the life at CARM ...
06/09/05 [$] I said this someplace else, but ...
06/07/05 [$] The Shame! I am RUINED!
04/22/05 [$] From one of the Bullfrogs ...
04/11/05 [$] Substanceless Monday Post
04/02/05 [$] ... a flame of what?
03/25/05 [$] "NEXT BLOG" button
03/15/05 [$] Eventually, everything makes sense
03/14/05 [$] It's Monday -- where's a BLOG Update?!
02/24/05 [$] Chris Rock
02/15/05 [$] The TELIP Tatoo

Name Dropping

because you should know how important I am


9/28/2005 [%] Adrian Warnock
9/19/2005 [%] Did I mention ...
9/29/2005 [%] Phil Johnson already linked to this
9/20/2005 [%] While we're on the subject of the blog roll ...
09/06/05 [%] Anticipating hate mail
09/06/05 [%] You haven't heard enough about Katrina yet
08/30/05 [%] I <i>HATE</i> it when he does this!
08/30/05 [%] Speaking of Challies ...
08/29/05 [%] Katrina prayer requests
08/29/05 [%] the king of one-liners
08/29/05 [%] Why Steve Hays is a keeper
08/18/05 [%] Just read this
08/17/05 [%] Against the charge of being 'unmutual'
08/17/05 [%] Head Rush: off the cuff
08/16/05 [%] Challies follows up
08/16/05 [%] Speaking of Mothers ...
08/15/05 [%] This speaks for itself
08/12/05 [%] Ardian Warnock Speaks
08/11/05 [%] Oh wait, this is too rich
08/02/05 [%] Steve Hays plays Mays
07/18/05 [%] Rooster, Wilson, and the Blog
07/14/05 [%] Frank Martens is brilliant
07/13/05 [%] The Common Anglican
07/01/05 [%] Doug Wilson: the whole Pie
06/22/05 [%] The Link -- <b>THE</B> Link
06/16/05 [%] There’s a reason he’s down <i>there</i>
06/13/05 [%] Unhappy Campi
06/09/05 [%] You're waiting for the next one, aren't you?
06/02/05 [%] Dr. Svendsen steals my thunder
06/01/05 [%] It's Phil Johnson's fault ...
05/31/05 [%] Man, I love this stuff
05/25/05 [%] The vexed question of church unity
05/23/05 [%] You should read this
04/26/05 [%] Dr. Al Mohler: not intimidated
04/26/05 [%] Dr. Svendsen: More on the Gospel
02/26/05 [%] "kre-'stä-m&-thE"
02/26/05 [%] Introducing Steve Hays ...

The Mote in my Neighbor's eye

rarely extracted with a mere tissue and Visine


9/26/2005 [*] A dirty secret about Challies
9/22/2005 [*] Call the accountants -- inventory the jokes
9/20/2005 [*] Challies: persona non grata
9/20/2005 [*] Come back -- no wait! GET OUT!
9/21/2005 [*] Detroit: Rock City
9/17/2005 [*] George Barna, meet Jim Rutz (1 of 2)
9/18/2005 [*] George Barna, meet Jim Rutz (2 of 2)
9/27/2005 [*] I think I just saw pigs fly
9/21/2005 [*] It's a slow day, apparently ...
9/26/2005 [*] Maybe the Crocodiles got them
9/08/2005 [*] Race
9/29/2005 [*] Rooster: contraception (2)
9/30/2005 [*] Rooster: Contraception (3b - final)
9/19/2005 [*] Somehow, I don’t get paid to do this
9/23/2005 [*] The Big Blow
9/28/2005 [*] The Flying Spaghetti Monster
9/19/2005 [*] The ones we dare not mention
09/08/05 [*] Race
09/07/05 [*] Oh wait -- <i>NOW</i> we'll use force
09/05/05 [*] Re-buttal on re-baptism
09/02/05 [*] And in the grandstand ...
09/02/05 [*] Triage and its step-children
08/31/05 [*] Since everyone else is doing it ...
08/30/05 [*] Contestant #1 for Post of the Week
08/29/05 [*] An Oldie, but a Goodie
08/29/05 [*] Let's pray to Moses, too
08/26/05 [*] <i>Mega Shift:</i> Two posts rolled into one
08/25/05 [*] If you have trouble sleeping ...
08/25/05 [*] Rule of Law III: I was wrong
08/24/05 [*] Rule of Law, redux
08/23/05 [*] Um, Rule of Law anyone?
08/22/05 [*] Maybe we should schedule around ESPN
08/21/05 [*] How many PBS Documentaries does it take ...
08/19/05 [*] Another reason to camp in Crawford, TX?
08/18/05 [*] This is not comedy: this is life
08/17/05 [*] Sic Semper Jus Divinum
08/17/05 [*] There's no place that's home
08/15/05 [*] <i>Mega Shift</i>: in the break room?
08/15/05 [*] <i>Mega Shift</i>: the Shell Game
08/12/05 [*] <i>Mega Shift</i>: Introduction
08/11/05 [*] Top 5 reasons I feel sorry for Tim Enloe
08/10/05 [*] I admit it -- I confess
08/07/05 [*] <i>Mega Shift</i>: more bad news from Christendom
08/07/05 [*] "Lutheran"
08/07/05 [*] A liberal think tank
08/05/05 [*] Why not more poetry?
08/04/05 [*] Anathemacious
08/01/05 [*] the Days of Whiners and Poses
07/28/05 [*] All shapes and sizes
07/27/05 [*] 20-year-old Beef (skimpy main course)
07/25/05 [*] luddites: this is your only warning
07/15/05 [*] 20-year-old beef (book review)
07/12/05 [*] More on TBR and Doug Wilson
07/11/05 [*] The Rooster * Doug Wilson
07/05/05 [*] Tully, also known by some as Kih-ker-o
07/01/05 [*] A 20-year-old beef (condiment)
07/01/05 [*] A 20-year-old beef (plastic fork and spoon)
07/01/05 [*] A 20-year-old-beef (side dish)
06/30/05 [*] A 20-year-old beef
06/22/05 [*] FBFI and Piper
06/21/05 [*] Kevin, the coffee expert
06/15/05 [*] So I'm reading this blog entry ...
05/17/05 [*] *ANOTHER* Letter to communio sanctorum
05/06/05 [*] from communiosanctorum.com ...
04/06/05 [*] 3 of 3: Who was Jesus?
03/29/05 [*] 2.5 of 3: Who was Jesus?
03/28/05 [*] 2 of 3: Who was Jesus?
03/22/05 [*] 1 of 3: Who Was Jesus?
03/17/05 [*] Intro: Who is Jesus, by NT Wright
02/25/05 [*] "We stand for unity! Anathema!"
02/25/05 [*] from reformedCatholicism.com ...
02/24/05 [*] Tony Campolo's "Speaking My Mind" (final part)
02/23/05 [*] Tony Campolo's "speaking My Mind" review (part 3)
02/22/05 [*] Tony Campolo's "Speaking My Mind" review (part 2)
02/08/05 [*] Tony Campolo's "Speaking My Mind" review (part 1)
01/10/05 [*] Open Letter to Derek Webb

Fluffernutter

most people don't like it, but who asked them?


9/30/2005 [?] 2:54 PM CT USA, Last 100 hits
9/20/2005 [?] About that survey ...
9/20/2005 [?] an eBay exclusive
9/16/2005 [?] Apologetic advice
9/28/2005 [?] Ban Armstrong? *SURVEY RESULTS*
9/24/2005 [?] Because Phil Requested them:
9/20/2005 [?] Can someone explain to me ...
9/20/2005 [?] Complaints about the music
9/22/2005 [?] It's 4 PM
9/09/2005 [?] lemoyne.edu
9/16/2005 [?] Life imitates Snark
9/23/2005 [?] Phil's Gravatar
9/18/2005 [?] Pronunciation: mar-`su-pE-@l
9/19/2005 [?] There will be housekeeping today
09/09/05 [?] lemoyne.edu
09/07/05 [?] I was digging through my comic books ...
09/07/05 [?] Technorati & Purgatory
09/06/05 [?] For JIBBS
09/06/05 [?] I <i>want</i> to evolve ...
09/02/05 [?] The End of a Long Week
09/01/05 [?] I have a few items this morning
08/29/05 [?] A Nickle Bag
08/29/05 [?] My apologies to Sacramento, CA
08/28/05 [?] Just something else to sign up for
08/27/05 [?] Bloody Random Mutations
08/27/05 [?] Speaking of random mutations ...
08/26/05 [?] Good Grief! I've Evolved!
08/26/05 [?] We've been had
08/25/05 [?] My People -- they're everywhere
08/23/05 [?] You MSIE users ... MESHUGANA!
08/22/05 [?] Oh yeah, I almost forgot this ...
08/20/05 [?] A Blessed Lord's Day
08/19/05 [?] A heart-felt welcome and "howdy"
08/19/05 [?] Good News/Bad News
08/09/05 [?] Hrmph. Slow Day.
08/09/05 [?] Oh yeah -- almost forgot ...
08/06/05 [?] I'm goin' on a campaign for love
08/05/05 [?] Meaningless pre-weekend post
08/04/05 [?] Bloggers and the bloggers who blog them
07/31/05 [?] "HOW TO" Create a cummulative Archive for Blogger blogs
07/29/05 [?] Frankly, I'm outraged
07/28/05 [?] I just ate ...
07/26/05 [?] I didn't post today
07/22/05 [?] The last thing this week ...
07/18/05 [?] It's a giant ploy on my part ...
07/13/05 [?] Seeking profession Help (pro bono)
07/11/05 [?] Why I hate MSIE
07/08/05 [?] Well ... THAT was FUN?
07/05/05 [?] * FAIR WARNING *
06/28/05 [?] We are please to welcome HALOSCAN ...
06/23/05 [?] THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING
06/20/05 [?] AHA! an INDEX!
06/15/05 [?] I forgot to mention ...
05/27/05 [?] See: this is why blogging is hazardous
05/11/05 [?] Like I have time to blog
04/22/05 [?] For those of you who were worried...
04/21/05 [?] post with no redeeming value (1)
04/20/05 [?] Not a scrap of decency ...
04/11/05 [?] Substanceless entry from the Weekend (2)
04/11/05 [?] Worthless Entry from the weekend (1)
04/07/05 [?] I'm Hit! I'm Hit!
03/25/05 [?] Off Good Friday
03/17/05 [?] oh yeah -- almost forgot ...
03/07/05 [?] the devil take yer FireFox
03/04/05 [?] Beyond Jabez!
02/21/05 [?] Embarassing Blog Moments & Hunter S. Thompson
02/16/05 [?] Posting to BLOGGER via YAHOO!Mail


Orthodoxy

requires the Gospel, but not always directly about the Gospel


9/14/2005 [@] Baptism & Fellowship (5b)
9/15/2005 [@] Baptism & Fellowship (6)
9/16/2005 [@] Baptism & Fellowship (7)
9/19/2005 [@] Baptism & Fellowship (addendum)
9/08/2005 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (2)
9/09/2005 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (3)
9/12/2005 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (4)
9/14/2005 [@] Baptism and fellowship (5a)
9/09/2005 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (sidebar)
9/16/2005 [@] Calvin on Baptism, from the <i>Institutes</i>
9/21/2005 [@] Lite reading at Coffee Break
09/09/05 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (3)
09/08/05 [@] Baptism and Fellowship (2)
09/06/05 [@] On Baptism and fellowship
09/03/05 [@] Apologetics alert
08/05/05 [@] Foxe's book of martyrs
08/02/05 [@] When the Saints go marching in ...
07/22/05 [@] Good Stuff
07/20/05 [@] Criticizing Joel Osteen
07/20/05 [@] Defending Joel Osteen
06/16/05 [@] Yet another reason ...
05/23/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (6)
05/20/05 [@] (untitled post)
05/20/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (4)
05/20/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (5)
05/19/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (3)
05/17/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (1)
05/17/05 [@] Dueling diagrams (2)
05/16/05 [@] This is actually related to the last post:
05/15/05 [@] You prolly have no idea ...
04/21/05 [@] Who does Paul anathematize (2)
04/19/05 [@] Who does Paul anathematize (1)
04/18/05 [@] Orthodoxy? Does it matter? (2a)
04/18/05 [@] Orthodoxy? Does it matter? (3)
04/15/05 [@] Orthodoxy? Does it matter? (2)
04/14/05 [@] Orthodoxy? Does it Matter? (1)