Three things #106

1. This was troubling: "In a separate report, Barna found that more than 6 in 10 born-again Christians say they are customizing their faith, not following any one church's theology. 'Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing what they deem to be helpful and accurate theological views and have become comfortable discarding the rest of the teachings in the Bible,' the report notes."
2. There is a good chance that Jesus was beaten twice prior to his execution. Pilate ordered a lighter flogging (a mastigoo) in John 19:1 and Luke 23:16. He orders a more severe flogging (a phragelloo) or scourging in Matthew 27:26 and Mark 15:15. It is thought that the pre-crucifixion beating given by the Romans were intended to increase suffering, but actually mercifully hastened death due to the massive blood loss.
3. A Violent Grace by Michael Card is a book I return to every Passion Week. I cannot reccommend it highly enough.