Presenting Christian Carnival “Big Number”, ahem, Number CLXXIII !!!

• Ched presents Are you treating the Bible like Cinderella? posted at Says Simpleton. In a variant of the prosperity gospel heresy, Ched reminds us that while the Gospel is good news … it’s not there to make us comfortable.
• On a like note, Rodney Olsen presents The Bible really isn’t a ‘nice’ book posted at The Journey.
• Nathanael presents Egocentrism and the myth of happiness posted at Despair and Coffee. Still on a similar theme, what is happiness and how do we get it?
• Leticia presents Find the courage within yourself to achieve greatness posted at cause of our joy. Sparrows are fed … will God help mom?
• My entry for this week is “Quantum physics requires that minds be non-physical,” at Sun and Shield, which is a reaction to an article in the March, 2007, issue of First Things, wherein Barr presents evidence for just that. This is not an initial claim. Other prominent thinkers have also claimed this, including some non-Christians. This shouldn’t surprise us, since the natural world is an important part of God’s revelation to us.
• Michael presents Sign of the Cross posted at Chasing the Wind. The Ichthus was once a secret sign used by so Christians, under persecution, might recognize each other. Do we need a new secret sign?

• Simon presents Perception of God: Beauty and the soul, according to Plotinus posted at Apokatastasis. A long scholarly post on Polotinus, beauty and the soul, or how far the philosophers in striving for God.
• Douglas Jones presents A Philosophy Instructor’s Observations on the ABC Nightline Face Off posted at Madison Thacker. How does and invisible untouchable God and the cookie monster differ?
• Lillie Ammann presents Armed Forces Day: America Supports You posted at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye.
• Eileen Carroll presents Free at last! posted at Libérez enfin, on setting oneself free from legalism.
• Darren presents Theology That Matters posted at Historical Theology.com. Theology is not just theory … it must be applied.
• Doing just that, Amanda presents Attitude, Prayer, Gossip, and more posted at Imago Dei.
• What was Falwell doing the last few years? Find out from Diane R. who presents In Memoriam: Jerry Falwell posted at Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet.
• To be human is to have sex … and on that note, Joe Myzia presents An Androgynous Jesus? posted at TNIV Truth.
• Matt Jones finally got a chance to watch the debate between Kirk Cameron & Ray Comfort and the Rational Response Squad. Matt was fairly disappointed with both sides. The post is a “write it as I watch it” response to the debate. Check it out in a post entitled A Response to the “Proof of God” Debate at Random Acts of Verbiage.
• j a n presents the 8th president posted at the view from her.
• Annette Vellenga over at Fish and Cans offers Love Covers a Multitude of Sins Did you know this? Did you know that love covers a multitude of sins? We are to keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Consider today what that really means for you.
• With an engaging story, Jennifer presents God Can Do What He Says He Can Do posted at Diary of 1.

• Jeremy Pierce presents James Dobson’s Betrayal posted at Parableman by objecting to looking at things with only one criteria in mind.
• Samantha Pierce considers an irenic voice speaking clearly from the mega-pulpit in T.D. Jakes on Faith and Politics posted at Uncle Sam’s Cabin.
• A book for the experts, expertly reviewed by Henry Neufeld inBook: The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James at Participatory Bible Study Blog.
• And our carnival comes almost full circle, returning to putting theology into practice in another way. Where in this case, Robert Talbert presents Humility and higher education posted at Casting Out Nines.
• Lastly, a post entitled Concerning a Bunch of Rural Bumpkins in which I wonder about some unreasonable things about the founding of the church, but which perhaps haven’t made it into the recent debates.

• Jeremy Hobbs has some tech tips for the consumption of Scripture in GoBible posted at Jeremy’s Consumer’s Corner.
• Daniel Condurachi considers Jesus “defeat of death by death” in The Real Rescue posted at Daniel Condurachi’s Blog.
• Don Bosch at evangelicalecologist.com reports that 20 religious groups (including the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Alliance of Baptists, and National Association of Evangelicals) signed a letter this week urging President Bush to take action on global warming

I’m going to post this tonight as it’s the cut-off now, and I’m heading to bed. That way west-coasters and those burning the midnight oil can get an early look. But if any entries come in during the night, I’ll tack them on in the morning (so check back). And if I’ve missed you somehow, let me know as well, I’ll endeavor to get that all squared away post-haste.

Give glory to God in all things.