Alternative Culture: Yours Scotland

John Knox, leader of the Scottish Reformation

When I think of Scotland, I think of tough individuals amplified by the movies of Brave, Outlaw King and Braveheart. Even more so, I admire Scotland for John Knox, the theologian who led the reformation of Scotland.

Yet, recently the Scottish government put out this ad below.




Although seemingly an inclusive message, the Scottish government has made its stand clear: if you disagree with the way they define gender, sexuality, discrimination and religion, you are not welcome to Scotland.

Ironically, their message of tolerance only tolerates people who agree with their message. If Christians stand up for the exclusivity of the Gospel message, they could be charged for a hate crime. What a drastic change from the Reformation!

My deep concern is that this will bring Christianity to the forefront of scruinity. Will the Scottish Christians stay true to the Gospel, and what Christ has done for us? Or will they follow the ways of the world?

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  -- Acts 5: 29 - 32

For further reference

Christian Concern

Alternative Culture: Elizabeth Warren and genetics

After being taunted by American President Donald Trump about her alleged Native American heritage, American senator Elizabeth Warren showed the world her DNA results. She had expected praise and support from the public based on being 1/64 to 1/1024 Native American), but only received more ridicule.

In this post, I will briefly talk about why people play up their heritage. If you are looking for Democratic or Republican support, you came to the wrong blog.

Why is it important?
Knowing one's heritage can be a matter of life and death for many people. After all, claiming to be part of a powerful family may lead to great wealth, control and other privileges down the line. Even in today's day and age when we allegedly removed the nobility and caste, many still feel ancestry claims are important.


Adoption
Yet in Christianity, our past claims are not important. What is important is the offer that Christ extends to us by virtue of his mercy to to claim to be part of his family.


As in Hebrews 12: 22-24,

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 

And what is beautiful about this is that this offer is open to everyone.