Mark Five SJ-4272 Although I am not positive, I think this is their first album as Southern Joy, having been known before as the Cavaliers Quartet. From Greenville, SC, this album (probably from the early 1970's) is a solid Southern Gospel album, probably no worse (and in some cases better) than more widely known groups …
Southern Joy Quartet with the Joyful Three: In the Valley
Mark Five SJ-4809 A very traditional Southern Gospel album. Although undated, I think it's from the early 1970's. One thing you immediately pick up on is the change in content of the songs; it's hard to imagine even a classic like the title track making much of a dent these days with our obsessive ego-pumping. …
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Same Sex Civil Marriage: The Saddest "I Told You So" of Them All
It happened: SCOTUS has struck down the provision of the Defence of Marriage Act that denied federal recognition to same-sex civil marriages, and basically "punted" on Proposition 8 on a standing issue. The latter doubtless seals that provision's fate. One of the reasons I find myself getting away from blogging on political issues is that …
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Series on the Catechetical Lectures of St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Every now and then I will do a series about a theological topic or work. One of those series was on the Catechetical Lectures of St. Cyril of Jerusalem. It turned into an interesting exploration of Patristic doctrine and practice as opposed to what we have today in all parts of Christianity. Following are the …
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Jumping the Gun with Rachel Held Evans
Her rage against "abusive theology" is palpable: I can abide differences when it comes to theology related to gender, the atonement, biblical interpretation, science, evolution, predestination and free will. Let’s debate those issues vigorously, but with grace and truth and love. But I cannot abide this theology that turns God into an abuser. I cannot abide this …
The Old Prohibition Against Movies Makes a Comeback
Just about anyone raised in a Pentecostal or Holiness church in the last century will recall the prohibition of going to movies. The traditional argument against this was that, if one went to the movies and paid the admission price one was supporting the sinful Hollywood people and companies who made them. That argument just …
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The Best Way for the Church to Restore the Family–and Itself–is to Be One
Standpoint's Mary Eberstadt hits the nail on the head: Specifically, because the churches need vibrant families — including families that reproduce themselves, as secular people tend not to do — they must also understand that strengthening the natural family is the first order of business in bringing people back to God. As has been amply documented by the British …
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Good Friday and Easter Reflections
With the central event of the Christian calendar coming up, I'd like to link to some of my past pieces for the occasion. If you're looking for something different for this, I can recommend the following: Good Friday They Tell Us What To Do and We Do It Every King is Proclaimed by Soldiers Cross …
Inri Ezel: Aunque La Tierra Tiemble Debemos De Cantar
Roka LP-7316 (1973) If the previous Puerto Rican album was a conservative throwback for its day, this one is anything but: it's a hard-driving rocker, some of which isn't particularly Hispanic in flavour. And it varies in style too, from very fast pieces to very slow ones. If the goal was to reach into the …
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Ecos Celestiales: Escuchame Señor
EC-101 (1971) For a departure from the recent postings, this one and the next feature albums from Puerto Rico. The recent election of a Latin American Pope has put the spotlight on this largely Roman Catholic world, but Latin America also has a strong Evangelical and Pentecostal presence, one that is changing both Latin America …
Positive Infinity 