TODAY'S HEADLINES

Preeminent twentieth century theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) is reported to have said that a preacher should get in the pulpit with “a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.” One plus or negative of this internet age is that it is so easy, instantaneous, to check the validity of whatever goes round and is coming round. For example, a ten second search reveals that Barthian scholars and researchers can’t find that Karl actually ever said that. It was a good thought though and Barth was brilliant: if he had thought of it he would have said it. Although if he were alive today he would be 125 years old and would say get in the pulpit with your iPad in one hand and hold on with the other so you don’t fall.

An iPad is a marvelous wonder. Any portable computer with mobile wireless telecommunication is a wonder. You don’t need a Bible or newspaper anymore. Every morning the New York Times and the Washington Post and the Automotive News are all sitting here ready to read soon as the screen lights up. And every conceivable translation of the Bible in every conceivable language is always here at my fingertips. Not only that, right here on the same computer are all my sermon notes. Really then, it isn’t necessary to take anything but my iPad into the pulpit. 

NYT headline just now: Nation’s Mood At Lowest In Two Years, Poll Shows. 

WP headline: Obama Authorizes Drone Strikes In Libya. 


AN headline: Toyota Sees At Least Six Months Before Normal Production

Bible headline: Crucify Him. Crucify Him.

“Why, what evil has he done? There is no fault in the man.”

Exactly. 

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Think about it.

TW+