Friday Godbytes

America Magazine’s “In All Things” blog traces the history of the belief that the pope is the Antichrist – an idea that recently made news as the stance of Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s former church. Apparently, it’s nothing new: “While the president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (better known as ‘Michelle Bachman’s church’) […]

America Magazine’s “In All Things” blog traces the history of the belief that the pope is the Antichrist – an idea that recently made news as the stance of Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s former church. Apparently, it’s nothing new:

“While the president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (better known as ‘Michelle Bachman’s church’) claims that the belief doesn’t make them anti-Catholic, 19th-century Nativists didn’t care to make that distinction.”

Meanwhile, David Helm at Christian Century offers his own take on the controversial belief, especially in light of its (former) connection to Bachmann:

“Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to have a presidential candidate who is a conservative Christian not as in ‘conservative evangelical’ but as in conservative, creedal, sacramental, confessional Lutheran. How would her Lutheran understanding of the two kingdoms, and of law and gospel, shape her politics?”

In Biblical circles, the magazine Relevant has an extensive piece on “The Gospel of Immigration”:


“This is much more than a “political” issue, abstracted from our salvation. Jesus tells us our response to the most vulnerable among us is a response to Jesus Himself (Matt. 25:40). God will judge those who exploit workers and mistreat the poor. No matter how invisible they seem to us now, God hears (Isa. 3:15; Amos 4:1; Jas.5:4).”

In other political news, Joanna Brooks at Religion Dispatches thinks that ongoing debt disputes in Washington might be solved according to the “Mormon White House Prophecy,” although which Mormon legislator will be chosen one remains to be seen:

“The White Horse Prophecy is a Mormon legend that predicts that in the last days the US Constitution will ‘hang by a thread’ and be saved by a righteous contingent from the American West.”

Apparently comedian and creator of the hit TV “the Office” Ricky Gervais sparked a bit of debate over at Rolling Stone recently after he reportedly submitted a controversial image for the magazine cover:

“The Office creator was asked to send in an image to accompany a feature and he chose a picture of himself topless, wearing a crown of thorns, with fake blood dripping down his face, and a microphone stand placed behind his outstretched arms.

Editors at the publication requested an alternative picture in case the image, which resembles Christ on the cross, was too shocking for readers – but Gervais stood his ground and the magazine carried a photo of Rihanna on the cover instead.”

Oh, and don’t miss Tricycle magazine’s wrap up of this week’s Buddha Buzz.”

Finally, the Tweet of the Day comes from megapastor Rob Bell, who offers his review of a recent Taylor Swift concert:

@realrobbell last night Taylor Swift did a cover of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Brilliant. http://t.co/1I6VUQD

As always, make sure to follow us at religionnewsnow!

 

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