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The 20 Worst Christians Of All Time?
Note: I believe the following list is neither edifying nor humorous. Actually, it is just wrong. I encourage you to make your comments concerning the post to First Things.com since the post originated at that particular site. – JT
Joe Carter of First Things crosses a line:
“Out of all the gangsters, serial killers, mass murderers, incompetent & crooked politicians, spies, traitors, and ultra left-wing kooks in all of American history,” asked conservative blogger John Hawkins, “have you ever wondered who the worst of the worst was?”
Though I had never thought about it before, a number of candidates instantly popped into my head: Charles Manson, Benedict Arnold, Ted Bundy, Ann Coulter.
Turns out I was way off. Hawkins polled a hundred conservative bloggers who selected the 25 Worst Figures In American History. Naturally, the top three slots did not go to gangsters, serial killers, or mass murderers but to Presidents: FDR (#3), Barack Obama (#2), and Jimmy Carter (#1).
Some other conservatives like Matt Lewis and Jim Geraghty were appalled by the list. But I thought it was inspired. In fact, it inspired me to make a list of the 20 Worst Christians of All Time:
20. Fulton Sheen – For creating the job of televangelist.
19. Joel Osteen – For everything.
18. Billy Graham – Because when I was a kid his televised crusades used to always preempt The Dukes of Hazzard.
17. The producer for the band Stryper.
16. Pope Boniface VIII – He knows why.
15. Anthony Sacramone – He knows why too.
I could say much about this list, but I’m hoping you will beat me to it. Read the rest here.
“Articles” like this from a fine site such as this really perplex me. I’m not the sharpest tool from the shed, so someone might illuminate me here. If this is entertainment or humor, it’s bad in either sense, and has no place in or on a discernment blog type site. We become the pharisee who says “thank God I’m not like that sinner…” when we perform exercises such as this. Yes Mr. Osteen is a heretic, and yes, several of those listed are in danger of hell because of what they do or have done, and need to repent. Superficially putting your own almost invisible “me” buried in the body of the text doesn’t alleviate the blame.
I urge you to consider refraining from such material. It is very much enlightening to see Spurgeon, Calvin, or fathers of the faith quoted here, or learn of what they did for God’s work (through the faith given by God), not so much when levity or questionable humor is posted.
I encourage you to tell that to the author at FirstThings.com
I was/am perplexed by the list as well, but note that the purpose of this blog includes humor; the taste for such is not unlike one’s taste for clothes or anything else – quite unexplainable.
Is it possible you are ‘perplexed’ because you missed this line: “Joe Carter crosses the line” at the beginning of the post?
Michael,
Please allow me to give you my perspective. I use satire on my blog as well sometimes. I may even use too much of it…
. The reason I use it is to get people’s attention and to call their attention to a very serious matter…the American Church’s slide into apostacy.
No, this is not funny material (apostacy) but the vehicle of humor definitely gets folks’ attention. Once their attention is gained, you move into making them think. Sometimes even conviction happens.
JT has many faults…but being careless with the faith is not one of them IMHO. (just kidding about the many faults, big guy)
Uncle Truthy
Is everyone ignoring the phrase “crosses the line”?? I am not the author of this post, nor do I find the content edifying nor humorous. I posted it to draw attention to its source from whence it came (which is not 5ptsalt!)
I certainly don’t think Joe Carter was using ‘satire’ at all! – JT