I don't know why so many people use the occasion of the celebration of the birth of Jesus to advance their own petty political agendas. Perhaps people enjoy being petty.
People like me, who want to enjoy the beauty and sacredness of the celebration, and who want to give mindful attention to the Word Become Flesh, get tired of listening to complains about how KMart doesn't do this, and City Hall doesn't do that... blabbity, blab, blab, blab.
Instead of waiting for the culture to accomodate your beliefs, enter into your own spiritual tradition deeply and thoughtfully. And then put it into practice. What goes on around you in political and consumer culture will begin to fade in significance when compared to the grace of God that was manifested in Bethlehem. Don't expect retailers and politicians to conform. Let them be what they are. Salvation isn't found in them anyway.
16 December 2009
Hate the sin, love the sinner
I can't see how this can be done in this day and age. It hasn't really been done well by anyone I know. We usually associate a person with what they do, good or bad. Such associations cubby hole the human race into "good" people and "bad" people. And we build more prisons.
The sentiment of "hate the sin, love the sinner" has become so cliched that it has been rendered useless. And having accomplished that, we banter the cliche around just enough to justify our continued hatred and mistreatment of the sinner.
How about we try "forget the sin, forgive the sinner" for a change? You may disagree with the sentiment, but you have to admit that it isn't boring.
The sentiment of "hate the sin, love the sinner" has become so cliched that it has been rendered useless. And having accomplished that, we banter the cliche around just enough to justify our continued hatred and mistreatment of the sinner.
How about we try "forget the sin, forgive the sinner" for a change? You may disagree with the sentiment, but you have to admit that it isn't boring.
2012??
I wonder what would happen to Biblical interpretation if theologians were to view eschatology (the study of end times) in a covenantal sense rather than a spatial-temporal-materialistic sense. It appears to me that current millennial theologies leave much fear and much doubt in their wake (especially fear). I haven't seen the movie "2012", and I don't plan on seeing it, but it looks pretty intense.
What if all of our understandings of what is meant by "the end" (which usually includes the total destruction of the space-time continuum) were wrong? What if the passing away of heaven and earth (Matthew 5:18; Luke 21:33) really meant the passing away of a covenantal era embodied by the Jewish commonwealth of the 1st century in general and the Jerusalem temple in particular?
It might result in apocalyptic cinematograpy becoming passe. Movies that make money playing on people's fears of, and/or fascinations with, Mayan calendars (or Family Radio) may become relics before their time. And many more people could have peace of mind and heart.
What if all of our understandings of what is meant by "the end" (which usually includes the total destruction of the space-time continuum) were wrong? What if the passing away of heaven and earth (Matthew 5:18; Luke 21:33) really meant the passing away of a covenantal era embodied by the Jewish commonwealth of the 1st century in general and the Jerusalem temple in particular?
It might result in apocalyptic cinematograpy becoming passe. Movies that make money playing on people's fears of, and/or fascinations with, Mayan calendars (or Family Radio) may become relics before their time. And many more people could have peace of mind and heart.
05 October 2009
Capitalism: A Review
Today I went to see the latest production by filmmaker Michael Moore called "Capitalism: A Love Story" This is the first Moore film I have seen in its entirety. Honestly, I've never been interested in his movies because he struck me as just some slob who complains too much. Notice I refrained from using the word "fat" because, being overweight myself, I'm not one to cast stones. But for some reason this movie struck me as different because of what people have been saying about it. So I figured it was worth seeing. And I wasn't disappointed. Moore is much more talented as a filmmaker than I thought, and the subject matter he chose is fascinating to look at because it has touched the lives of so many people.
As I see it, the basic premise of the movie is: the USA is run by huge financial corporations that have politicians (from BOTH parties) in their back pockets and judges paid off, capitalism is the means by which they can legally accomplish their goals and rob people blind, and that we are in fact living in a plutocracy, which is basically rule by the wealthy. George Carlin called it "the Big Club", and you ain't in it.
Have you ever heard of "Dead Peasant Insurance"? Neither have I, until I saw this movie. It's appalling, and one can even question its moral legitimacy. They are corporate-owned life insurance policies purchased on their rank-and-file employees. When an employee dies, the corporation collects. What this means is that the corporation has a vested interest in the death of its workers! An example from the film that stood out is a small town Wal-Mart cake decorator. She was a severe asthmatic and had a fatal attack one evening. The corporation collected $87,000 on the "dead peasant". Her husband and two children got...nothing from Wal-Mart. Be sure to check the link above, and look for the link that will give you a list of corporations that have taken out life insurance policies on their employees. Your company might be one of them. If it is, I suggest you get a lawyer.
The movie had a religious dimension as well, something that resonates with me. Moore showed old documentary footage that said that capitalism is in accordance with God's law, making it sound like capitalism is ordered by God himself. That's debatable. Moore pointed out that Jesus didn't lead a hedge fund or exchange stock. No, he didn't. Truth be known, the Bible can be used to legitimize ANY economic system. But as I see it, there are no Biblically-mandated systems of economics. However, greed and taking advantage of the poor are constantly denounced by the prophetic tradition and by Jesus himself. Jesus owned no property, had no house, and lived off of the generosity of the people of the villages he visited. He was itinerant, preaching and healing in the lonely places, a name given to the camps of the sick and destitute-- camps that were located outside of the villages. Bethany was one such place, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was a slum and is to this day.
Moore believes that financial institutions are getting away with murder, and capitalism is enabling them to do it. Congress is in on the act, as well as the President. Of course, the blame was put on George W. Bush because of the backroom bailout plan of the banks crafted by his Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who was CEO of... Goldman Sachs (ding ding!!). But hold the phone!! There was a second Wall Street bailout, crafted by current Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, former president of... Federal Reserve Bank of New York (ding ding!!). Moore pointed this out, but did not place any blame on Barack Obama. Double standard, yes?
The mantra throughout the movie was "Capitalism is evil". I wouldn't say that. I would say that capitalism, like any other economic system, can be used by greedy people as a vehicle to amass wealth for themselves at the expense of others. The final scene of the movie showed Moore wrapping yellow crime scene tape in front of the New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street. If he really wanted to be consistent, however, he would have done the same thing at the White House and the Capitol building. Of course he could never do that and embarrass his favorite President. But there can be no doubt that it's Wall Street that's pulling the strings of their puppet politicians and law enforcement officials.
Overall, it was an enjoyable movie. Entertaining, funny at times, bitingly sarcastic, it kept my attention. Much of it was convincing enough; parts of it were a bit of a stretch. I know that there are always two sides (and maybe more) to a story. I'm curious to see the impact of this film. As a Milwaukee newspaper film critic said (paraphrasing), "It's a movie that even Fox News viewers will enjoy." And I would include the Tea Party-Goers as well!
Oh, and speaking of Tea Party-Goers, I understand their anger at our current array of politicians. But they ought to make sure they direct some of that anger at Wall Street as well. I haven't seen any, but in all fairness, I might have missed it. The media outlets only show the anti-Obama signs, some of which also contain pictures of a bucket of KFC, a slab of ribs, and a slice of watermelon (there aren't any racist stereotypes coming from these people, are there?). Let's see to it that the "credit" goes where it is due-- Washington D.C. AND Wall Street.
In this spirit, may I recommend a book? It's called Life, Inc.: How The World Became a Corporation and How to Take It Back by Douglas Rushkoff. It isn't just politicians who dance to corporate strings leading up to ivory towers. We do too!! Perhaps Moore didn't go far enough?
As I see it, the basic premise of the movie is: the USA is run by huge financial corporations that have politicians (from BOTH parties) in their back pockets and judges paid off, capitalism is the means by which they can legally accomplish their goals and rob people blind, and that we are in fact living in a plutocracy, which is basically rule by the wealthy. George Carlin called it "the Big Club", and you ain't in it.
Have you ever heard of "Dead Peasant Insurance"? Neither have I, until I saw this movie. It's appalling, and one can even question its moral legitimacy. They are corporate-owned life insurance policies purchased on their rank-and-file employees. When an employee dies, the corporation collects. What this means is that the corporation has a vested interest in the death of its workers! An example from the film that stood out is a small town Wal-Mart cake decorator. She was a severe asthmatic and had a fatal attack one evening. The corporation collected $87,000 on the "dead peasant". Her husband and two children got...nothing from Wal-Mart. Be sure to check the link above, and look for the link that will give you a list of corporations that have taken out life insurance policies on their employees. Your company might be one of them. If it is, I suggest you get a lawyer.
The movie had a religious dimension as well, something that resonates with me. Moore showed old documentary footage that said that capitalism is in accordance with God's law, making it sound like capitalism is ordered by God himself. That's debatable. Moore pointed out that Jesus didn't lead a hedge fund or exchange stock. No, he didn't. Truth be known, the Bible can be used to legitimize ANY economic system. But as I see it, there are no Biblically-mandated systems of economics. However, greed and taking advantage of the poor are constantly denounced by the prophetic tradition and by Jesus himself. Jesus owned no property, had no house, and lived off of the generosity of the people of the villages he visited. He was itinerant, preaching and healing in the lonely places, a name given to the camps of the sick and destitute-- camps that were located outside of the villages. Bethany was one such place, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was a slum and is to this day.
Moore believes that financial institutions are getting away with murder, and capitalism is enabling them to do it. Congress is in on the act, as well as the President. Of course, the blame was put on George W. Bush because of the backroom bailout plan of the banks crafted by his Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who was CEO of... Goldman Sachs (ding ding!!). But hold the phone!! There was a second Wall Street bailout, crafted by current Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, former president of... Federal Reserve Bank of New York (ding ding!!). Moore pointed this out, but did not place any blame on Barack Obama. Double standard, yes?
The mantra throughout the movie was "Capitalism is evil". I wouldn't say that. I would say that capitalism, like any other economic system, can be used by greedy people as a vehicle to amass wealth for themselves at the expense of others. The final scene of the movie showed Moore wrapping yellow crime scene tape in front of the New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street. If he really wanted to be consistent, however, he would have done the same thing at the White House and the Capitol building. Of course he could never do that and embarrass his favorite President. But there can be no doubt that it's Wall Street that's pulling the strings of their puppet politicians and law enforcement officials.
Overall, it was an enjoyable movie. Entertaining, funny at times, bitingly sarcastic, it kept my attention. Much of it was convincing enough; parts of it were a bit of a stretch. I know that there are always two sides (and maybe more) to a story. I'm curious to see the impact of this film. As a Milwaukee newspaper film critic said (paraphrasing), "It's a movie that even Fox News viewers will enjoy." And I would include the Tea Party-Goers as well!
Oh, and speaking of Tea Party-Goers, I understand their anger at our current array of politicians. But they ought to make sure they direct some of that anger at Wall Street as well. I haven't seen any, but in all fairness, I might have missed it. The media outlets only show the anti-Obama signs, some of which also contain pictures of a bucket of KFC, a slab of ribs, and a slice of watermelon (there aren't any racist stereotypes coming from these people, are there?). Let's see to it that the "credit" goes where it is due-- Washington D.C. AND Wall Street.
In this spirit, may I recommend a book? It's called Life, Inc.: How The World Became a Corporation and How to Take It Back by Douglas Rushkoff. It isn't just politicians who dance to corporate strings leading up to ivory towers. We do too!! Perhaps Moore didn't go far enough?
01 October 2009
What do you blog about when you haven't blogged in a while?
You need to know that I haven't disappeared, or moved to Patagonia, or anything like that. I apologize if you have missed my entries or have been concerned of my whereabouts. I'm still here, and hopefully I'll get to blogging on a more regular basis. Don't hold your breath, though.
So, how are you? I truly hope that life is treating you the best it can and that you aren't bogged down too much with busyness and unimportant details that continuously pick at your brain. It's okay if you are. Don't hear me saying that being busy is wrong or detrimental to your well-being. It isn't, but we all need a little space and a breather now and then, wouldn't you say?
Do you know who has the most dangerous job in the world? Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Detroit Lions. I know the Lions won on Sunday, and I'm tickled. In fact, I'm still pinching myself. But they have a long way to go to rebuild and become an actual contender in the NFL. A long way. I hope they get to that point in my lifetime. A Super Bowl appearance would be really nice!
I've been studying personality types quite a bit lately, especially the Myers-Briggs typologies. I don't know why this stuff fascinates me so much, but I'm glad it does. It provides me with windows into the temperaments of myself and other people. What I'm really hoping to use it for is to figure out the uniqueness of the congregation that I serve. In other words, I'm trying to answer the question: "What is the overall personality and temperament of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Lenox, Illinois?" I believe that once we have a good idea of what that is, then we can play on our strengths and be a beacon of light and love in the neighborhood and community.
I wish I can give you more details than that, but I'm not wired that way. My brain isn't connected in a way that it can pinpoint and communicate the minutiae of what I'm thinking. My mind is visionary and not organizational. I know that drives some people nuts, but according to my Myers-Briggs typology I'm an INFP living in an ESTJ world. Now I understand why many things that I try to accomplish tend to not work too well. It also explains why I have so much clutter on my desk. Don't try to clean it up for me because I know where everything is!!
That's all for now. When I think of something really important to blog about, I'll be right back at the keyboard pounding away. Thanks for sticking around!!
So, how are you? I truly hope that life is treating you the best it can and that you aren't bogged down too much with busyness and unimportant details that continuously pick at your brain. It's okay if you are. Don't hear me saying that being busy is wrong or detrimental to your well-being. It isn't, but we all need a little space and a breather now and then, wouldn't you say?
Do you know who has the most dangerous job in the world? Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Detroit Lions. I know the Lions won on Sunday, and I'm tickled. In fact, I'm still pinching myself. But they have a long way to go to rebuild and become an actual contender in the NFL. A long way. I hope they get to that point in my lifetime. A Super Bowl appearance would be really nice!
I've been studying personality types quite a bit lately, especially the Myers-Briggs typologies. I don't know why this stuff fascinates me so much, but I'm glad it does. It provides me with windows into the temperaments of myself and other people. What I'm really hoping to use it for is to figure out the uniqueness of the congregation that I serve. In other words, I'm trying to answer the question: "What is the overall personality and temperament of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Lenox, Illinois?" I believe that once we have a good idea of what that is, then we can play on our strengths and be a beacon of light and love in the neighborhood and community.
I wish I can give you more details than that, but I'm not wired that way. My brain isn't connected in a way that it can pinpoint and communicate the minutiae of what I'm thinking. My mind is visionary and not organizational. I know that drives some people nuts, but according to my Myers-Briggs typology I'm an INFP living in an ESTJ world. Now I understand why many things that I try to accomplish tend to not work too well. It also explains why I have so much clutter on my desk. Don't try to clean it up for me because I know where everything is!!
That's all for now. When I think of something really important to blog about, I'll be right back at the keyboard pounding away. Thanks for sticking around!!
22 July 2009
Gift
The temple in Jerusalem was a gift from God to Israel. In its destruction in AD 70 the gift was opened for all of humanity. Its contents poured out like streams in the Negev, much like tons of flowing water bursting from a broken dam. The water never runs out; God is all in all. This was the thrust of Jesus' message to Israel.
14 July 2009
Not Listed
"Scientific evidence for the existence of God" is not listed among the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23. The things that are listed cannot be measured and examined with state-of-the-art technology.
08 July 2009
Ahhh, Look at All the Lonely People
The events of yesterday, originating from the Staples Center in L.A., then simulcasted all over the world, demonstrated to me that there a lot of desperate, lonely people out there.
What can be done about this?
What can be done about this?
05 July 2009
WIJDRN??
Remember "WWJD?" Well, forget it!
I'm starting a new movement called "WIJDRN?"! It stands for "What Is Jesus Doing Right Now?".
It's an attempt to restore an awareness of the Real Presence.
Feel free to market this idea if you want. I have no desire to make millions of dollars. I'm just going to talk about it in my sermon.
I'm starting a new movement called "WIJDRN?"! It stands for "What Is Jesus Doing Right Now?".
It's an attempt to restore an awareness of the Real Presence.
Feel free to market this idea if you want. I have no desire to make millions of dollars. I'm just going to talk about it in my sermon.
03 July 2009
17 June 2009
Hypothetical Question
What if Adam and Eve decided not to eat from any of the trees in the garden? Would they have starved to death?
The question is not as dumb as you think.
The question is not as dumb as you think.
12 June 2009
The Parable of the Urban Housing Developer
God's culture is like an urban housing developer working along the Gold Coast. He makes plans to build a low rent housing project as the prominent feature of the neighborhood. And as the project became a reality using hard-earned tax dollars, it overshadowed the multi-million dollar condos and attracted gangsters, drug dealers, and prostitutes as tenants.
Mark 4:30-32
Mark 4:30-32
07 June 2009
Blown Away
I've taught for years that Jesus blew away his contemporaries with what he taught and did. His Kingdom is certainly an upside-down one and it rocked the world of those who were within earshot of Jesus' activities. I still think this is true, and even as recently as today I preached that Jesus shocked and amazed the people with whom he came into contact. Today's example was Nicodemus.
After worship today I was struck with a thought that crossed my mind. It went something like this:
Jesus blew away his contemporaries. So what? Does he blow us away?
And that, my friends, is the big question. What good does it do to know that Jesus shocked people in the 1st century? As far as I can tell, not much. Does he shock people in the 21st century? Ponder that one for a few moments, and do it honestly.
What we lack today in Christendom is the element of surprise. Twenty centuries removed, we are a people who know how the Biblical stories end. In one of Jesus' most beloved parables we already know that the prodigal son returns to his father and is accepted. Can you imagine how this story fell on the ears of the original audience. Surprise!! How does it fall on our ears?
"Ho hum."
"I already knew that."
"Hmm...is it time for lunch yet."
As I can tell there are only two solutions to this. One is to dismantle the system we've built piece by piece. The other is to tell a different story, a story that amazes and surprises people. One that fills people with awe and wonder, taking what I would call "universal knowledge" and sacrelizing it. God continues to reveal truth to our world. He didn't quit with the writing and compilation of the Bible.
What do you think? I'd really like to know your thoughts!!
After worship today I was struck with a thought that crossed my mind. It went something like this:
Jesus blew away his contemporaries. So what? Does he blow us away?
And that, my friends, is the big question. What good does it do to know that Jesus shocked people in the 1st century? As far as I can tell, not much. Does he shock people in the 21st century? Ponder that one for a few moments, and do it honestly.
What we lack today in Christendom is the element of surprise. Twenty centuries removed, we are a people who know how the Biblical stories end. In one of Jesus' most beloved parables we already know that the prodigal son returns to his father and is accepted. Can you imagine how this story fell on the ears of the original audience. Surprise!! How does it fall on our ears?
"Ho hum."
"I already knew that."
"Hmm...is it time for lunch yet."
As I can tell there are only two solutions to this. One is to dismantle the system we've built piece by piece. The other is to tell a different story, a story that amazes and surprises people. One that fills people with awe and wonder, taking what I would call "universal knowledge" and sacrelizing it. God continues to reveal truth to our world. He didn't quit with the writing and compilation of the Bible.
What do you think? I'd really like to know your thoughts!!
29 May 2009
Pentecostal Thoughts
--I'm not a Pentecostal by affiliation, although I can certainly understand why someone would gladly welcome such affiliation. Personal experiences of Spirit, in its many manifestations, can really rock your world. After all, according to Scripture, you're dealing with fire and wind!
--A simple puff of air can extinguish a match; wind can quickly spread a forest fire. God's Spirit is not a gentle breeze, but a mighty wind that fills arid valleys and animates piles of lifeless, dry bones (Ezekiel 37).
--This is no tame Jesus, whose Spirit calls the dead to life (take that anyway you want), gives courage to the fearful, and elicits wild from the domesticated. According to Acts 2, The Holy Spirit lifted a group of people to their feet and scattered them to the winds, as it were, to gather a harvest of which they were the firstfruits, children of God's breath.
--Why are we Lutherans so afraid of the Holy Spirit that we only give Him focus once a year? Would a greater emphasis place us in the charismatic camps? Maybe I just answered my first question. Heaven forbid that we be like...them. I understand that personal experiences of the Spirit can lead to spiritual snobbery and aires of superiority, lording it over those who have no such experiences (like me). But would it be necessarily so?
--Things that remind me of the functions of the Holy Spirit: the wind blowing through the trees, a frightened heart made courageous, a group of people feeding the homeless, an elderly couple dancing to music that only they can hear, a mourner being given solace and comfort, a baby taking his/her first steps, someone listening to music that brings tears to his/her eyes, the fleeting moments of the heart that whisper "all is well", people planting flowers at a gravesite, aha! moments, a person enchanted for whatever reason, reminiscing on past memories... the discovery that life is a river that flows and seeks to be forgotten in the ocean of God's love.
--The Spirit is not a liquid that is infused like a vaccination. The Spirit is more like an artesian well that springs forth from the very depths of our being in Christ and yells, "Surprise!" I think Jesus said as much in John 4:13,14.
--How come we don't dance down the aisle after receiving the Eucharist? The Holy Spirit never made anyone in Scripture staid and stiff, like they were coming out of a boring movie. The Spirit made people alive and vibrant, like they just had a stiff drink! Think about that last sentence for a second.
--A simple puff of air can extinguish a match; wind can quickly spread a forest fire. God's Spirit is not a gentle breeze, but a mighty wind that fills arid valleys and animates piles of lifeless, dry bones (Ezekiel 37).
--This is no tame Jesus, whose Spirit calls the dead to life (take that anyway you want), gives courage to the fearful, and elicits wild from the domesticated. According to Acts 2, The Holy Spirit lifted a group of people to their feet and scattered them to the winds, as it were, to gather a harvest of which they were the firstfruits, children of God's breath.
--Why are we Lutherans so afraid of the Holy Spirit that we only give Him focus once a year? Would a greater emphasis place us in the charismatic camps? Maybe I just answered my first question. Heaven forbid that we be like...them. I understand that personal experiences of the Spirit can lead to spiritual snobbery and aires of superiority, lording it over those who have no such experiences (like me). But would it be necessarily so?
--Things that remind me of the functions of the Holy Spirit: the wind blowing through the trees, a frightened heart made courageous, a group of people feeding the homeless, an elderly couple dancing to music that only they can hear, a mourner being given solace and comfort, a baby taking his/her first steps, someone listening to music that brings tears to his/her eyes, the fleeting moments of the heart that whisper "all is well", people planting flowers at a gravesite, aha! moments, a person enchanted for whatever reason, reminiscing on past memories... the discovery that life is a river that flows and seeks to be forgotten in the ocean of God's love.
--The Spirit is not a liquid that is infused like a vaccination. The Spirit is more like an artesian well that springs forth from the very depths of our being in Christ and yells, "Surprise!" I think Jesus said as much in John 4:13,14.
--How come we don't dance down the aisle after receiving the Eucharist? The Holy Spirit never made anyone in Scripture staid and stiff, like they were coming out of a boring movie. The Spirit made people alive and vibrant, like they just had a stiff drink! Think about that last sentence for a second.
22 May 2009
Waterboarding IS Torture (Keep repeating that until you get it!)
Mancow Muller being waterboarded. He could only stand it for 6 seconds. He now knows that it IS torture.
It doesn't matter if you believe terror suspects should have been waterboarded or not. It must be admitted that waterboarding is, in fact, torture. Mr. Mancow used to think it wasn't, along with the likes of Sean Hannity and Hugh Hewitt, the latter I myself have heard say explicitly on his radio show that waterboarding is not torture. Mr. Hewitt should watch this video and think again.
It doesn't matter if you believe terror suspects should have been waterboarded or not. It must be admitted that waterboarding is, in fact, torture. Mr. Mancow used to think it wasn't, along with the likes of Sean Hannity and Hugh Hewitt, the latter I myself have heard say explicitly on his radio show that waterboarding is not torture. Mr. Hewitt should watch this video and think again.
14 May 2009
Reality Blows (I mean...Shows)
If I have to watch the daily lives of other people on my TV screen, then I know that my life is over. You might not feel that way, and that's fine. I just have trouble figuring out why people are so fascinated with the lives of other people. I wonder if these viewers are missing something in their own lives that they have to watch someone else live life in front of a camera.
Take, for instance, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I'm well aware that I might ruffle some feathers here, but it seems that everyone I talk to loves, and I mean, LOVES this show. And I don't get it. I can't see what the appeal is. I'm sure the Gosselins are nice people and are subject to the everyday stress and strains of raising a family (along with the added load of celebrity status, which, it appears, has put a strain on their marriage). But I don't understand why this is a "can't miss" show for so many. Maybe it's just me. I don't know. When I watch any of these reality shows I feel like I'm watching something I don't have to see, or perhaps shouldn't see. The term we have for this is voyeurism. We've become a nation of Peeping Toms, aided by fatcat TV producers, and we're shocked when it happens for real.
So, help me out here. If you are a big fan of any reality TV show, why? What is so appealing that you have to tune in religiously (now there's an interesting term)? And if you say it's because (in the case of Jon and Kate Plus Eight) the kids are so cute, I would advise you to look at your own kids, or kids you see everyday, and see the cuteness in them instead of having to see it piped into your television.
Take, for instance, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I'm well aware that I might ruffle some feathers here, but it seems that everyone I talk to loves, and I mean, LOVES this show. And I don't get it. I can't see what the appeal is. I'm sure the Gosselins are nice people and are subject to the everyday stress and strains of raising a family (along with the added load of celebrity status, which, it appears, has put a strain on their marriage). But I don't understand why this is a "can't miss" show for so many. Maybe it's just me. I don't know. When I watch any of these reality shows I feel like I'm watching something I don't have to see, or perhaps shouldn't see. The term we have for this is voyeurism. We've become a nation of Peeping Toms, aided by fatcat TV producers, and we're shocked when it happens for real.
So, help me out here. If you are a big fan of any reality TV show, why? What is so appealing that you have to tune in religiously (now there's an interesting term)? And if you say it's because (in the case of Jon and Kate Plus Eight) the kids are so cute, I would advise you to look at your own kids, or kids you see everyday, and see the cuteness in them instead of having to see it piped into your television.
13 May 2009
As a Little Child
"We have little or no trust that a child's knowledge is real knowledge, that their play is important work, or that the animated world they inhabit is as true as the Newtonian world we prefer. We believe firmly that we have to teach them and that we have nothing to learn from them. In an enchanted world, it would make sense to let children do some of the teaching and to give lessons in what they know best-- play, animism, and charm, the very things our culture lacks.
-- Thomas Moore, The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life
-- Thomas Moore, The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life
06 May 2009
Man, Myth, and Magic
Are we not men? We are Devo!
Well, actually we are men (and women). How silly of me to think otherwise!!
It has been said that oftentimes myth is truer than truth. This has resonance for me because I have obtained truth primarily through logic and linear thinking; lists and bullet points. That is the bane and blessing of my western heritage.
There really isn't anything logical about myth. It's full of surprises-- a turn here and a twist there. But it expresses underlying "truth" about the human condition and ways to live more humanly (and humanely).
Perhaps what is needed today is for us to mythologize our lives. This takes an informed imagination, of which I have very little. But the case can be made that this is one of the best ways to care for our souls. Life today lacks magic. Existence is so humdrum and boring for so many. With a little bit of imagination and insight, we can reframe our lives so that our life experiences won't seem so drab or horrendous. Even the most horrific events of our lives can be assimilated into our being creatively, lifting us toward wholeness.
So, this is my new project-- mythologizing my life. Face it-- all of us have had experiences in the past that were unpleasant or truly scandalous. Perhaps these events can be baptized and transformed into a journey of sorts. I have no idea what this will look like, but I hope to share insights with you as I gain them.
We might discover that we are Devo after all!!
P.S.-- I believe this can be done Biblically, lest you think I'm turning into a New Age whack-job.
Well, actually we are men (and women). How silly of me to think otherwise!!
It has been said that oftentimes myth is truer than truth. This has resonance for me because I have obtained truth primarily through logic and linear thinking; lists and bullet points. That is the bane and blessing of my western heritage.
There really isn't anything logical about myth. It's full of surprises-- a turn here and a twist there. But it expresses underlying "truth" about the human condition and ways to live more humanly (and humanely).
Perhaps what is needed today is for us to mythologize our lives. This takes an informed imagination, of which I have very little. But the case can be made that this is one of the best ways to care for our souls. Life today lacks magic. Existence is so humdrum and boring for so many. With a little bit of imagination and insight, we can reframe our lives so that our life experiences won't seem so drab or horrendous. Even the most horrific events of our lives can be assimilated into our being creatively, lifting us toward wholeness.
So, this is my new project-- mythologizing my life. Face it-- all of us have had experiences in the past that were unpleasant or truly scandalous. Perhaps these events can be baptized and transformed into a journey of sorts. I have no idea what this will look like, but I hope to share insights with you as I gain them.
We might discover that we are Devo after all!!
P.S.-- I believe this can be done Biblically, lest you think I'm turning into a New Age whack-job.
19 April 2009
Wondering
Sometimes I wonder if there are people who are bothered by my presence in their general vicinity. For instance, when I go to celebrations or parties, people clam up. They either stop their conversations or they significantly muffle them. And then the person throwing the party offers me something to drink, and it's usually a soft drink. This, while the beer and booze is freely flowing.
And then I occasionally hear someone say, "Oh oh! Pastor's here! We better behave ourselves." They say this with a joking tone, but they turn out to be completely serious because... they behave! It's like they were having a blast... until I show up. Inevitably the conversation turns to congregational matters: "How's so-and-so?" "The choir sounded wonderful, didn't they pastor?" "How are we doing with the fundraiser?" Etc.
Parties are supposed to be fun, right? Don't let me spoil it. Carry on as you usually would. I will not be offended, put off, or insulted. I just might enjoy myself. I like having fun just as much as anyone else. I like to laugh, talk, dance, drink, eat, joke around, etc. In other words, I'm a regular flesh-and-blood person. I guarantee that I will not condemn you to the outer regions of Hades. I will not call down lighting bolts to strike you down. I won't call the cops and have you arrested. I won't even tell Jesus on you.
And don't be worried about what I might think of you. I can tell you confidently that I will not think badly of you at all. Who cares what I think anyway? I don't even care what I think! Why should you? So, if I'm around, lighten up and enjoy yourself. You might even discover dimensions of me that you haven't seen before. I'm okay with that if you are!
And then I occasionally hear someone say, "Oh oh! Pastor's here! We better behave ourselves." They say this with a joking tone, but they turn out to be completely serious because... they behave! It's like they were having a blast... until I show up. Inevitably the conversation turns to congregational matters: "How's so-and-so?" "The choir sounded wonderful, didn't they pastor?" "How are we doing with the fundraiser?" Etc.
Parties are supposed to be fun, right? Don't let me spoil it. Carry on as you usually would. I will not be offended, put off, or insulted. I just might enjoy myself. I like having fun just as much as anyone else. I like to laugh, talk, dance, drink, eat, joke around, etc. In other words, I'm a regular flesh-and-blood person. I guarantee that I will not condemn you to the outer regions of Hades. I will not call down lighting bolts to strike you down. I won't call the cops and have you arrested. I won't even tell Jesus on you.
And don't be worried about what I might think of you. I can tell you confidently that I will not think badly of you at all. Who cares what I think anyway? I don't even care what I think! Why should you? So, if I'm around, lighten up and enjoy yourself. You might even discover dimensions of me that you haven't seen before. I'm okay with that if you are!
Going To
I was going to change the title and subtitle of this blog, but I changed my mind after I typed them out and looked at them.
We do have the prerogative to change our minds, don't we?
We do have the prerogative to change our minds, don't we?
16 April 2009
Tea Parties and Rallies (and what to do about them)
I'm not against people gathering and protesting what they see as great wrongs that need to be righted. I'm just one of those people who believe that such gatherings are colossal wastes of time. They're merely adventures in buffoonery and character assassination, and they accomplish nothing except raise ire. And the media thrives on Us vs. Them scenarios!!
Look, if you don't like bloated government then do something that has real and lasting effects, like befriending poor people and acting as a mentor, demonstrating to them how they can get on track for a more decent life, sticking with them for the long haul and showing that you believe in their potential. The vast majority of people refuse to do that (it's the "I can't be seen with them" syndrome, and it's more widespread than you think), and that's why government takes it upon itself to lead on this. It steps in in places we won't go because we're too concerned about personal safety (which is an illusion) and our wallets.
Just think what would happen if everyone "adopted" (for lack of a better term) at least one poor family and showed them what's possible in this country and how to attain a better quality of life. You don't need a government grant, nor do you have to work for a government agency to do this. All you need is a little bit of love and compassion for fellow Americans (yes, poor people on Welfare are your fellow Americans). They'll go a long way in creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, limiting the places where the government needs to intervene.
It's a helluva lot better than standing around at city hall dressed like a Minuteman or Betsy Ross, carrying a picket sign, and protesting government largess. You have gifts and talents that can be better utilized elsewhere.
Look, if you don't like bloated government then do something that has real and lasting effects, like befriending poor people and acting as a mentor, demonstrating to them how they can get on track for a more decent life, sticking with them for the long haul and showing that you believe in their potential. The vast majority of people refuse to do that (it's the "I can't be seen with them" syndrome, and it's more widespread than you think), and that's why government takes it upon itself to lead on this. It steps in in places we won't go because we're too concerned about personal safety (which is an illusion) and our wallets.
Just think what would happen if everyone "adopted" (for lack of a better term) at least one poor family and showed them what's possible in this country and how to attain a better quality of life. You don't need a government grant, nor do you have to work for a government agency to do this. All you need is a little bit of love and compassion for fellow Americans (yes, poor people on Welfare are your fellow Americans). They'll go a long way in creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, limiting the places where the government needs to intervene.
It's a helluva lot better than standing around at city hall dressed like a Minuteman or Betsy Ross, carrying a picket sign, and protesting government largess. You have gifts and talents that can be better utilized elsewhere.
12 April 2009
Easter and Resurrection
I would be amiss if I didn't have a post about Easter. Besides, what else would I post about today except for what I know?
Modern people have a problem with resurrection. Many people I know have adopted a very scientistic worldview and consider scientific discovery as the omnicompetent institution of our time. Celebrating the resurrection for them amounts to no more than going through the motions and having egg hunts. But there are things that science can't even begin to touch-- things that cannot be put into a test tube. No one can ever bottle up a thought. No one can put feelings in a can and subject them to a catalyst. And no one will ever be able to do that. I know people have said that about things before until science made the appropriate discoveries. And I think that's wonderful!! But we know for a fact that no one will be able to fully understand causation of a thought. We could say that thoughts emerge from the chemical impulses of the brain. But the term emerge isn't a causal term. It's descriptive. There are depths to everyday reality of which science will never be able to determine causality-- consciousness, love, honesty (to name a few).
But what about the resurrection of Jesus? Shouldn't we be studying the biological sciences on that? In short, no. It isn't a scientific question. It's a historical one. Huston Smith wrote recently that modernism made a fatal mistake. It equated absence-of-evidence with evidence-of-absence, and if you think about it for a moment the two are not the same. How many times have we heard people say, "There isn't any evidence!"? Well, of course there isn't. Why would we expect it in the first place? And it doesn't mean that, therefore, it didn't happen. I would say that it's because of a worldview that has been adopted-- a worldview that says that matter is all there is. Anything that isn't matter is derived from matter. But where's the proof of that? Is love merely a learned response? Are thoughts the result of electrical impulse? It would seem that way, but truth is stranger than fiction. You can stick probes in a skull and measure the amplitude of the brainwaves as the person reacts to stimulii. But if you want to know what the person is thinking, you have to ask them. There's no other way.
Keith Ward presents the argument that we have everything backward. We figure causation from the bottom up, when in reality causation is from the top down. This is the Christian worldview. It presents a more thorough picture of human experience. And in that experience we could, historically speaking, say that Jesus rose from the dead. We have accounts of an empty tomb and appearances of Jesus. For the many ways the resurrection accounts are different, all four of them have those two aspects in common. People saw an empty tomb. People saw Jesus. The task of our day is work out the implications of that resurrection by asking, "If I don't believe it happened, what would be the difference if it really did happen as an actual historical event?" Those with a scientistic worldview should ask themselves that question. They might be surprised by their answers.
Modern people have a problem with resurrection. Many people I know have adopted a very scientistic worldview and consider scientific discovery as the omnicompetent institution of our time. Celebrating the resurrection for them amounts to no more than going through the motions and having egg hunts. But there are things that science can't even begin to touch-- things that cannot be put into a test tube. No one can ever bottle up a thought. No one can put feelings in a can and subject them to a catalyst. And no one will ever be able to do that. I know people have said that about things before until science made the appropriate discoveries. And I think that's wonderful!! But we know for a fact that no one will be able to fully understand causation of a thought. We could say that thoughts emerge from the chemical impulses of the brain. But the term emerge isn't a causal term. It's descriptive. There are depths to everyday reality of which science will never be able to determine causality-- consciousness, love, honesty (to name a few).
But what about the resurrection of Jesus? Shouldn't we be studying the biological sciences on that? In short, no. It isn't a scientific question. It's a historical one. Huston Smith wrote recently that modernism made a fatal mistake. It equated absence-of-evidence with evidence-of-absence, and if you think about it for a moment the two are not the same. How many times have we heard people say, "There isn't any evidence!"? Well, of course there isn't. Why would we expect it in the first place? And it doesn't mean that, therefore, it didn't happen. I would say that it's because of a worldview that has been adopted-- a worldview that says that matter is all there is. Anything that isn't matter is derived from matter. But where's the proof of that? Is love merely a learned response? Are thoughts the result of electrical impulse? It would seem that way, but truth is stranger than fiction. You can stick probes in a skull and measure the amplitude of the brainwaves as the person reacts to stimulii. But if you want to know what the person is thinking, you have to ask them. There's no other way.
Keith Ward presents the argument that we have everything backward. We figure causation from the bottom up, when in reality causation is from the top down. This is the Christian worldview. It presents a more thorough picture of human experience. And in that experience we could, historically speaking, say that Jesus rose from the dead. We have accounts of an empty tomb and appearances of Jesus. For the many ways the resurrection accounts are different, all four of them have those two aspects in common. People saw an empty tomb. People saw Jesus. The task of our day is work out the implications of that resurrection by asking, "If I don't believe it happened, what would be the difference if it really did happen as an actual historical event?" Those with a scientistic worldview should ask themselves that question. They might be surprised by their answers.
01 April 2009
Light
And God said, "Let there be light," And there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
I caused quite a stir this morning after suggesting that this passage is not talking about physical light. I know we've been accustomed to interpreting Genesis 1 in that way, but I think there's much more going on here than meets the eye.
It's interesting to me that light is not used in the physical sense through the rest of Scripture. It's used more as an action of God to bring the knowledge of God to the nations. He gathered a people (created them) to be bearers of that light to the nations. If we're going to stick to the hermeneutical principle of "Scripture interprets Scripture", then a re-interpretation of Genesis 1 is necessary.
(A quick aside: The ancient rabbis said that the first thing God created was the Torah. Genesis 1 says that light was the first thing created. Looks to me like the rabbis equated Torah with light. Very interesting indeed!)
Certainly the New Testament doesn't use the word "light" as referring to particles and waves. St. John begins his gospel account with the same three words that Genesis begins with: In the beginning. In reading the rest of John 1, we get the sense that the light was lost among humanity, who loved the darkness rather than the light. But it was not enough to squelch the light. In the person of Messiah Jesus the light shone once again to enlighten both Jew and Gentile. This is John's claim, and the rest of his gospel account is an expanded exposition of this claim. He patterns his writing after the number 7 (the number of completion and perfection), which can be seen in the miracle accounts (there are seven), the "I am" statements (of which there are seven). What's fascinating here is that Genesis 1 has creation taking place in 6 days with the seventh day as a day of rest. The Israelites patterned their work week based on this numeration. Or, perhaps Genesis 1 was patterned based on the work week. You decide.
But here's the point: John is saying, through symbolism, metaphors, and archetypes, that creation is made complete (perfected, if you will) by the coming of Jesus. The world has finally come into its holy rest, the very thing it was seeking. It has finally entered the seventh day! St. Paul picks up on this in 2 Corinthians 4:6-- For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," (notice: that's Genesis 1:3!) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Why do I say all of this? I'm finding that the arguments in the creation vs. evolution debates are becoming increasingly shrill and beside the point. The discussions get bogged down and tiresome, with one side defending a literal, six day creation of the universe and the other side holding on to scientism and a 15 billion year formation of the universe. And then there are the theistic evolutionists who make a valiant attempt at reconciling the two sides by saying that God took 15 billion years to create everything, just like it says in Genesis. Gadzooks!
Could we at least entertain the possibility that the Genesis creation account(s) have very little, if anything, to do with the formation of the universe and our planet, and that it has something entirely different in mind? Could Genesis be telling us that God set out on a mission to win the hearts of humanity?
I caused quite a stir this morning after suggesting that this passage is not talking about physical light. I know we've been accustomed to interpreting Genesis 1 in that way, but I think there's much more going on here than meets the eye.
It's interesting to me that light is not used in the physical sense through the rest of Scripture. It's used more as an action of God to bring the knowledge of God to the nations. He gathered a people (created them) to be bearers of that light to the nations. If we're going to stick to the hermeneutical principle of "Scripture interprets Scripture", then a re-interpretation of Genesis 1 is necessary.
(A quick aside: The ancient rabbis said that the first thing God created was the Torah. Genesis 1 says that light was the first thing created. Looks to me like the rabbis equated Torah with light. Very interesting indeed!)
Certainly the New Testament doesn't use the word "light" as referring to particles and waves. St. John begins his gospel account with the same three words that Genesis begins with: In the beginning. In reading the rest of John 1, we get the sense that the light was lost among humanity, who loved the darkness rather than the light. But it was not enough to squelch the light. In the person of Messiah Jesus the light shone once again to enlighten both Jew and Gentile. This is John's claim, and the rest of his gospel account is an expanded exposition of this claim. He patterns his writing after the number 7 (the number of completion and perfection), which can be seen in the miracle accounts (there are seven), the "I am" statements (of which there are seven). What's fascinating here is that Genesis 1 has creation taking place in 6 days with the seventh day as a day of rest. The Israelites patterned their work week based on this numeration. Or, perhaps Genesis 1 was patterned based on the work week. You decide.
But here's the point: John is saying, through symbolism, metaphors, and archetypes, that creation is made complete (perfected, if you will) by the coming of Jesus. The world has finally come into its holy rest, the very thing it was seeking. It has finally entered the seventh day! St. Paul picks up on this in 2 Corinthians 4:6-- For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," (notice: that's Genesis 1:3!) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Why do I say all of this? I'm finding that the arguments in the creation vs. evolution debates are becoming increasingly shrill and beside the point. The discussions get bogged down and tiresome, with one side defending a literal, six day creation of the universe and the other side holding on to scientism and a 15 billion year formation of the universe. And then there are the theistic evolutionists who make a valiant attempt at reconciling the two sides by saying that God took 15 billion years to create everything, just like it says in Genesis. Gadzooks!
Could we at least entertain the possibility that the Genesis creation account(s) have very little, if anything, to do with the formation of the universe and our planet, and that it has something entirely different in mind? Could Genesis be telling us that God set out on a mission to win the hearts of humanity?
20 March 2009
Time to Get ReJesused
I've just completed reading a book called ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. It has my highest recommendation for others to read.
The first Christians were imitators of Jesus. They had a dream and a vision that compelled them to be missional people. They had been with Jesus and had him captured in their hearts and minds by means of the Holy Spirit. Like all of humanity, their voices eventually became silent in death.
The post-Apostolic Church then had an ominous task of keeping that original vision and passion alive. But since they had not been eyewitnesses of Jesus, they were at a decided disadvantage. This is true for any movement or institution. In order to perpetuate the vision of the founder (that would be Jesus in the case of Christianity), guidelines and ordinances need to be set in place. But the movement won't be the same.
This is what later Christianity tried to do. They invented liturgies, built cathedrals, wrote creeds, systematized doctrine, and removed themselves from the rough-and-tumble of everyday life. These things weren't bad or evil. They were for a good purpose-- to keep the passion and the vision of Jesus alive for themselves and for later generations. But they ultimately failed in their tasks.
This is where the Church is today. As we all know, Western Christianity is dying, if not already dead, as evidenced by the increasing number of empty pews on any given Sunday. Yes, we have our traditions and our creeds and our doctrines, which are fine. Some churches have gone to the opposite extreme and built stadiums complete with Jumbotrons, rock bands, gift shops, pyrotechnics, restaurants, arcades, and cafes.
Unfortunately, all of these things have had an unintended effect-- they have domesticated and tamed Jesus to the point that most Christians yawn at the mention of his name. Frost and Hirsch say that it's time for the church to be "ReJesused". In other words, Christians, both individually and corporately, need to make a conscious and deliberate effort to pour over the Gospel accounts of Jesus, look at what he did, and seek to imitate him in all areas and dimensions of life. This is the only way we have today to catch the original vision of Jesus and the apostolic Christians. A relationship with Jesus can only be had through unmediated imitation of him.
All of this will entail a complete stripping of the accoutrements of the past 2000 years, under which the Gospels are buried. Or at least digging through the layers. As Harry Wendt has said, "The Word works, but one must work the Word." This is not an easy task. People are creatures of habit and are frightened by anything that threatens their security blankets and towers of power. But if the church wants to maintain any real spiritual vitality, it will have to decide if it will follow Jesus or not. The answer will make all the difference.
The first Christians were imitators of Jesus. They had a dream and a vision that compelled them to be missional people. They had been with Jesus and had him captured in their hearts and minds by means of the Holy Spirit. Like all of humanity, their voices eventually became silent in death.
The post-Apostolic Church then had an ominous task of keeping that original vision and passion alive. But since they had not been eyewitnesses of Jesus, they were at a decided disadvantage. This is true for any movement or institution. In order to perpetuate the vision of the founder (that would be Jesus in the case of Christianity), guidelines and ordinances need to be set in place. But the movement won't be the same.
This is what later Christianity tried to do. They invented liturgies, built cathedrals, wrote creeds, systematized doctrine, and removed themselves from the rough-and-tumble of everyday life. These things weren't bad or evil. They were for a good purpose-- to keep the passion and the vision of Jesus alive for themselves and for later generations. But they ultimately failed in their tasks.
This is where the Church is today. As we all know, Western Christianity is dying, if not already dead, as evidenced by the increasing number of empty pews on any given Sunday. Yes, we have our traditions and our creeds and our doctrines, which are fine. Some churches have gone to the opposite extreme and built stadiums complete with Jumbotrons, rock bands, gift shops, pyrotechnics, restaurants, arcades, and cafes.
Unfortunately, all of these things have had an unintended effect-- they have domesticated and tamed Jesus to the point that most Christians yawn at the mention of his name. Frost and Hirsch say that it's time for the church to be "ReJesused". In other words, Christians, both individually and corporately, need to make a conscious and deliberate effort to pour over the Gospel accounts of Jesus, look at what he did, and seek to imitate him in all areas and dimensions of life. This is the only way we have today to catch the original vision of Jesus and the apostolic Christians. A relationship with Jesus can only be had through unmediated imitation of him.
All of this will entail a complete stripping of the accoutrements of the past 2000 years, under which the Gospels are buried. Or at least digging through the layers. As Harry Wendt has said, "The Word works, but one must work the Word." This is not an easy task. People are creatures of habit and are frightened by anything that threatens their security blankets and towers of power. But if the church wants to maintain any real spiritual vitality, it will have to decide if it will follow Jesus or not. The answer will make all the difference.
18 March 2009
Trinitarian Buzz
If anyone ever attempts to explain to you the Trinitarian revelation of God ontologically, buzz them immediately as if you are on a game show, because their explanation will be incomplete at best, wrong at worst.
A "Christian" comedian once tried to convince people that he had the Trinity all figured out, likening it to a cherry pie. A cherry pie can be divided into three pieces, but they all share the same gooey filling. So, there you have it-- three, yet one.
*Buzz*! Wrong answer!! Which of the pieces is "begotten of the Father"? Which of the pieces "proceeds from the Father and the Son"? Which is the Father piece? The analogy of a cherry pie falls flat on its face. The Christian Church, rightly, has always rejected such attempts at explaining the Trinity.
The Scriptures never wrestle with these questions anyway, so why should we?
Just wanted to get that off of my chest. Thanks for listening.
A "Christian" comedian once tried to convince people that he had the Trinity all figured out, likening it to a cherry pie. A cherry pie can be divided into three pieces, but they all share the same gooey filling. So, there you have it-- three, yet one.
*Buzz*! Wrong answer!! Which of the pieces is "begotten of the Father"? Which of the pieces "proceeds from the Father and the Son"? Which is the Father piece? The analogy of a cherry pie falls flat on its face. The Christian Church, rightly, has always rejected such attempts at explaining the Trinity.
The Scriptures never wrestle with these questions anyway, so why should we?
Just wanted to get that off of my chest. Thanks for listening.
05 March 2009
Serious Questions
These are questions that have been bugging me to no end for about 2 weeks or so. I invite any answers or keen insights that you may have.
Why is it that, in order to fully understand the Scriptures, we must study ancient history, archaeology, antiquities, relics, and ancient Middle Eastern culture and religion-- things that most Americans are neither equipped for nor remotely interested in?
How is it that a young man living in the West Bank can read an Arabic translation of the New Testament and be completely floored by it, while a young man living in West Virginia can read one of many English translations of the New Testament and meet it with boredom, apathy, and indifference?
Is it possible that the Scriptures were only intended to speak to a certain part of the world in specific eras long past? And what would be so wrong with that?
It's been said that humans are religious beings to the core. It's debateable, but if it's true, isn't that humanity's greatest predicament? And didn't Jesus come to wean people off? (Please note Jesus running roughshod over institutionalized Judaism and Paul running roughshod over institutionalized and imperial paganism.)
By the way, all of the above questions are interrelated.
Why is it that, in order to fully understand the Scriptures, we must study ancient history, archaeology, antiquities, relics, and ancient Middle Eastern culture and religion-- things that most Americans are neither equipped for nor remotely interested in?
How is it that a young man living in the West Bank can read an Arabic translation of the New Testament and be completely floored by it, while a young man living in West Virginia can read one of many English translations of the New Testament and meet it with boredom, apathy, and indifference?
Is it possible that the Scriptures were only intended to speak to a certain part of the world in specific eras long past? And what would be so wrong with that?
It's been said that humans are religious beings to the core. It's debateable, but if it's true, isn't that humanity's greatest predicament? And didn't Jesus come to wean people off? (Please note Jesus running roughshod over institutionalized Judaism and Paul running roughshod over institutionalized and imperial paganism.)
By the way, all of the above questions are interrelated.
26 February 2009
Hai, Billy Mays Here!
I didn't think I would say this publicly, but I now have a new-found respect and admiration for the television useless crap salesman Billy Mays. I have had a difficult time liking that high-pitched screetch of a voice that can be heard all the way to Patagonia. But he seems to be a likeable person. I would assume that there are some people who love him dearly.I sat with laughter and amazement last night watching the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Mays did a sales bit on the show with a Shakespearean twist to it. This is a guy who can actually make fun of himself and have a good time doing it. This self-effacing attitude is a trait that marks him as okay in my book because it takes a certain amount of humility to do what he did last night.
My knowledge of Shakespear is quite limited, but I can usually identify it when I hear famous lines, as long as I'm not asked what plays they're from (so don't ask!). Mays skillfully integrated famous lines from Shakespearean plays with his sales pitch for Oxy Clean and the Big City Slider Station (I forgot which other ones he peddled). I actually laughed the hardest when he said, "But wait! Call right now and I'll throw in...a horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
What added to the comedy was Mays' sidekick, dressed as a Shakespearean character, pulling those goofy products out of a wooden chest that was inlaid with velvet cloth so that Mays could continue with his schtick.
So, Bravo! to Billy Mays. I can guarantee that Shakespear was rolling over in his grave. But not to worry-- he's used to it!
19 February 2009
Musical Interlude
This video features a neo-progressive band from England called IQ. I'm a fan of progressive rock because the musicians actually play their instruments. The drummer doesn't merely keep a beat, the guitarist isn't reduced to three chords, the bassist doesn't engage in chord-hopping, the keyboardist varies the sounds, and the lyrics are deep and meaningful. It's a sound that we don't hear much, but some well-known progressive bands are Rush, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Dream Theater-- and they're all great!
With that introduction I present for your viewing and listening pleasure, IQ and their song "The Wake".
With that introduction I present for your viewing and listening pleasure, IQ and their song "The Wake".
05 February 2009
Bale, Phelps, et al
Actor Christian Bale recently went on an expletive-filled tirade that was recorded and played over and over. Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps was caught taking some hits on a bong. A picture of the incident has been plastered and fixed on our TV screens.
Many have said that they are completely disgusted with the antics of these guys. They won't go to see any movie with Bale in it or will boycott products endorsed by Phelps.
"They're supposed to be 'role models' and they let us down," people say (or something to that effect). Some people are even falling apart because they are left without someone to emulate.
Fine.
Here's what I think: If I need a "role model" and it isn't me, I'm in big trouble. When I live vicariously through public figures (or anyone else for that matter) I am nothing but an empty shell. I'm living someone else's life rather than my own. Revolving my entire significance and being and life on a few select individuals is a recipe for failure. Face it-- these people are not that great. They're talented, yes. But as members of the human race they are no better or no worse than you and me. Actors, athletes, politicians, entrepreneuers, pastors, teachers, motivational speakers-- it doesn't matter who they are. Not one of them will ever make a great role model or hero.
Remember that ad campaign in the early 90's "Be Like Mike" [Michael Jordan]? If I remember correctly, it was for a cereal brand or for a shoe company-- can't remember exactly. But, be like Mike???!!! Why bother? This isn't meant to excoriate his amazing athletic ability on the court. It's just realistic. I don't want to be like Mike. I want Mike to be like Mike. And I can play a game of basketball for the sheer joy of it and without this fantasy swirling in my head to be like Mike. And that doesn't mean that I can't learn some basketball skills from him.
Eddie Van Halen has been my favorite guitar player since I was in high school. He's divorced and has been in and out of detox and rehab. He's a cancer survivor. And I couldn't care less. I like him. I admire his talent. But what good does it do to sit around and wring my hands because of the tragic downfall of a celebrity? And that doesn't mean that I can't sharpen up my guitar skills by listening to the man play.
Watching my own language, making sure I don't smoke pot, and keeping my marriage intact is my job-- not floundering over the indiscretions of overblown stardom. So, I can go see a movie starring Christian Bale and enjoy it for what it is. I can buy a product endorsed by Michael Phelps without a painful story that says he shouldn't have partied so hard or that he must apologize. I can watch old footage of Michael Jordan playing basketball thankful for such agility and prowess. I can listen to Van Halen because my life is not defined by Eddie's personal demons.
I have one role model: me. And that's not even true, because the fact is I don't need a role model. I have friends and acquaintences whom I consider to be mentors. They give me good ideas. They help me sort things out. Why would I ever want to imitate them? And if any of them experienced a downfall, I could help them without being blown away by disappointment and futility.
I know what you might be thinking: What about Jesus? Isn't he a role model?
In short, no. He's our Messiah, and he lives in and through his body, the Church (that's you and me). He doesn't need our admiration and adulation. He wants ambassadors who are not at all diminished by obsessing over him, but who are filled with his Spirit. We are called to follow, not wallow. We pray for his strength, his love, his kingdom to bear on our tired world filled with role models and hero worship. This is what Christ empowers us to do. This is worship.
Many have said that they are completely disgusted with the antics of these guys. They won't go to see any movie with Bale in it or will boycott products endorsed by Phelps.
"They're supposed to be 'role models' and they let us down," people say (or something to that effect). Some people are even falling apart because they are left without someone to emulate.
Fine.
Here's what I think: If I need a "role model" and it isn't me, I'm in big trouble. When I live vicariously through public figures (or anyone else for that matter) I am nothing but an empty shell. I'm living someone else's life rather than my own. Revolving my entire significance and being and life on a few select individuals is a recipe for failure. Face it-- these people are not that great. They're talented, yes. But as members of the human race they are no better or no worse than you and me. Actors, athletes, politicians, entrepreneuers, pastors, teachers, motivational speakers-- it doesn't matter who they are. Not one of them will ever make a great role model or hero.
Remember that ad campaign in the early 90's "Be Like Mike" [Michael Jordan]? If I remember correctly, it was for a cereal brand or for a shoe company-- can't remember exactly. But, be like Mike???!!! Why bother? This isn't meant to excoriate his amazing athletic ability on the court. It's just realistic. I don't want to be like Mike. I want Mike to be like Mike. And I can play a game of basketball for the sheer joy of it and without this fantasy swirling in my head to be like Mike. And that doesn't mean that I can't learn some basketball skills from him.
Eddie Van Halen has been my favorite guitar player since I was in high school. He's divorced and has been in and out of detox and rehab. He's a cancer survivor. And I couldn't care less. I like him. I admire his talent. But what good does it do to sit around and wring my hands because of the tragic downfall of a celebrity? And that doesn't mean that I can't sharpen up my guitar skills by listening to the man play.
Watching my own language, making sure I don't smoke pot, and keeping my marriage intact is my job-- not floundering over the indiscretions of overblown stardom. So, I can go see a movie starring Christian Bale and enjoy it for what it is. I can buy a product endorsed by Michael Phelps without a painful story that says he shouldn't have partied so hard or that he must apologize. I can watch old footage of Michael Jordan playing basketball thankful for such agility and prowess. I can listen to Van Halen because my life is not defined by Eddie's personal demons.
I have one role model: me. And that's not even true, because the fact is I don't need a role model. I have friends and acquaintences whom I consider to be mentors. They give me good ideas. They help me sort things out. Why would I ever want to imitate them? And if any of them experienced a downfall, I could help them without being blown away by disappointment and futility.
I know what you might be thinking: What about Jesus? Isn't he a role model?
In short, no. He's our Messiah, and he lives in and through his body, the Church (that's you and me). He doesn't need our admiration and adulation. He wants ambassadors who are not at all diminished by obsessing over him, but who are filled with his Spirit. We are called to follow, not wallow. We pray for his strength, his love, his kingdom to bear on our tired world filled with role models and hero worship. This is what Christ empowers us to do. This is worship.
09 January 2009
Israel and Gaza-- One Big Pathology
When will the Israelis and Palestinians realize that the way they've been living since the Zionist Occupation of Palestine is just completely insane? How many more corpses will it take? When will they learn that violence begets violence and leaves everyone miserable?
The only way there will be peace in the region is a complete rejection of colonialistic Zionism, which only seeks to displace the indigineous peoples with diaspora Jews while being funded and armed by Premillennial Dispensationalist theologians and politicians here in America. This is unlike cultural Zionism, which celebrates Jewish life and heritage without inflicting violence on the land's inhabitants, but is able to intermingle and integrate peacefully.
Israel/Palestine has the potential to be another great experiment of being a melting pot. It just seems like very few people are interested. And the carnage continues. Perhaps a good starting point would be to work hard for a two-state solution in which Israel has it's own borders with no Palestinians, and Palestine has it's own borders with no Zionist occupation or Zionist prison wardens, with the U.S. and A. sending financial aid to both equally, creating jobs and a dignified way of life for all peoples of the region. But ultimately the two-state solution is really no solution at all. Perhaps after having decades of separation and peace the day will come when both Israelis and Palestinians are tired of the walls, the borders, and the rhetoric and will decide to become one state, living side-by-side harmoniously.
Perhaps.
The only way there will be peace in the region is a complete rejection of colonialistic Zionism, which only seeks to displace the indigineous peoples with diaspora Jews while being funded and armed by Premillennial Dispensationalist theologians and politicians here in America. This is unlike cultural Zionism, which celebrates Jewish life and heritage without inflicting violence on the land's inhabitants, but is able to intermingle and integrate peacefully.
Israel/Palestine has the potential to be another great experiment of being a melting pot. It just seems like very few people are interested. And the carnage continues. Perhaps a good starting point would be to work hard for a two-state solution in which Israel has it's own borders with no Palestinians, and Palestine has it's own borders with no Zionist occupation or Zionist prison wardens, with the U.S. and A. sending financial aid to both equally, creating jobs and a dignified way of life for all peoples of the region. But ultimately the two-state solution is really no solution at all. Perhaps after having decades of separation and peace the day will come when both Israelis and Palestinians are tired of the walls, the borders, and the rhetoric and will decide to become one state, living side-by-side harmoniously.
Perhaps.
Book Review (Part 1)-- Crystal Ball Theology
Kevin Beck begins Chapter One of his book with a bang:
Boy, me too! It's amazing how many people approach theology with a Bible in one hand and today's newspaper in the other, as if the headlines confirm for us that what the Bible says is true. The assumptions behind this approach are ones that the average person can easily fall prey to, the main one being that the Bible, especially in its apocalyptic sections, is addressing modern day events. Pick the latest horrific headline and you can be sure it's in the Bible somewhere.
I remember my freshman year in Lutheran High School taking a New Testament survey class. One day we were reviewing Matthew 24. Now, mind you, this took place almost 32 years ago and it's still vivid in my memory. The study that day left a lasting imprint on my thinking, and not a very pleasant one at that. The instructor informed us that we were for sure living in the last days because Jesus said that before the end of the world came upon us:
It wasn't for me. It was downright frightening. The rest of the chapter spoke of doom and destruction. This was something to look forward to??!! Being swept away in a dissolving and melting universe while weeping and gnashing my teeth??!! But, but, BUT.... the class was told something along the lines of..."isn't it great that we Christians have nothing to worry about because we will be spared and ushered into heaven? Hip hooray!!" End of class. Somehow that valiant attempt at comfort, while well-intentioned, rang hollow in my ears. What if I don't "make it"? What if I'm caught in some kind of mortal sin when Jesus returns and he sends me away into the outer darkness? What if I end up being like one of the foolish bridesmaids who forgot to buy oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13) and get shut out of God's Kingdom forever? How could I possibly love a God like that? Would I be eternally doomed for even entertaining these notions?
The purveyors of crystal ball theology perpetuate this fear by taking the ancient predictions of Jesus and applying them to our day. This approach results in people looking to appease an angry deity who will unleash His wrath and fury upon the earth on some unspecified day.
Beck claims that there's a better way of reading the Biblical text-- one that respects the ancient milieu in which it was written, coupled with good scholarship and worshipping communities that "get it", keeping a careful and discerning eye on what is being said and written.
In Chapter One, Beck introduces us to a term that is worth consideration-- Transmillennial:
Approaching the Bible as narrative seems to me to be the best approach in interpreting and understanding what God accomplished through Jesus Christ. Also recognizing that the idea of covenant as one of the main Scriptural threads goes a long way in understanding the sweep of the narrative. It's been interesting for me to see what this does to eschatology (study of end time things). Approaching eschatology covenantally gives a whole different picture than we we've been accustomed. To make a long story short, it means that the eschatological and apocalytic sections of the New Testament apply to the change in covenantal worlds. The old covenant and its economy is now gone (its last vestige being the Jerusalem Temple which was destroyed in AD 70), and the new covenant age ushered in by Jesus is fully in place. This has nothing to do with annihilation of the space-time universe or with our physicality or with our ultimate destiny. What a relief that is!!
I'll let Kevin take it from here:
By the way-- Beck has made his book available for free download at http://thisbookwillchangeyourworld.com/. Thanks for your generosity, Kevin!!
I'm tired of people reading the Bible like a crystal ball.
Boy, me too! It's amazing how many people approach theology with a Bible in one hand and today's newspaper in the other, as if the headlines confirm for us that what the Bible says is true. The assumptions behind this approach are ones that the average person can easily fall prey to, the main one being that the Bible, especially in its apocalyptic sections, is addressing modern day events. Pick the latest horrific headline and you can be sure it's in the Bible somewhere.
I remember my freshman year in Lutheran High School taking a New Testament survey class. One day we were reviewing Matthew 24. Now, mind you, this took place almost 32 years ago and it's still vivid in my memory. The study that day left a lasting imprint on my thinking, and not a very pleasant one at that. The instructor informed us that we were for sure living in the last days because Jesus said that before the end of the world came upon us:
...the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light... (Matthew 24:29)And we've all seen solar and lunar eclipses, right? Therefore the Lord is returning very soon! How exciting!!
It wasn't for me. It was downright frightening. The rest of the chapter spoke of doom and destruction. This was something to look forward to??!! Being swept away in a dissolving and melting universe while weeping and gnashing my teeth??!! But, but, BUT.... the class was told something along the lines of..."isn't it great that we Christians have nothing to worry about because we will be spared and ushered into heaven? Hip hooray!!" End of class. Somehow that valiant attempt at comfort, while well-intentioned, rang hollow in my ears. What if I don't "make it"? What if I'm caught in some kind of mortal sin when Jesus returns and he sends me away into the outer darkness? What if I end up being like one of the foolish bridesmaids who forgot to buy oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13) and get shut out of God's Kingdom forever? How could I possibly love a God like that? Would I be eternally doomed for even entertaining these notions?
The purveyors of crystal ball theology perpetuate this fear by taking the ancient predictions of Jesus and applying them to our day. This approach results in people looking to appease an angry deity who will unleash His wrath and fury upon the earth on some unspecified day.
Beck claims that there's a better way of reading the Biblical text-- one that respects the ancient milieu in which it was written, coupled with good scholarship and worshipping communities that "get it", keeping a careful and discerning eye on what is being said and written.
In Chapter One, Beck introduces us to a term that is worth consideration-- Transmillennial:
I welcome this kind of reading. This is one of the reasons I became a theologian/pastor in the first place. I've been in an undying search to find an approach to Scripture that doesn't make God sound like a murderous thug. I believe my search is finally coming to an end because I've learned to approach the Bible as a complete and completed narrative as opposed to a collection of propositional truths. Leaving loose threads of Scriptural prophecy dangling and still waiting to be woven into the picture by their completion on some undefined date in the future leaves many hearts fearful. Just the thought that there's "more to come" is enough to accomplish that. That's not very good news to me.Transmillennial is a fresh way of reading the Biblical story and its significance for us today. With decades of theological research and practical application behind it, the Transmillennial view reveals a vision of God, Scripture, and creation unlike anything else.
Transmillennial is not a set of dogmatic statements chiseled in stone—I think we’ve had quite enough of those. It is a growing and evolving understanding of God, the Bible, and humanity’s place in the world. It is a transforming conversation interacting with the latest scholarship. It is also a transformative approach to help people experience and practice God’s kingdom right here in our midst.(Beck, p.18)
Approaching the Bible as narrative seems to me to be the best approach in interpreting and understanding what God accomplished through Jesus Christ. Also recognizing that the idea of covenant as one of the main Scriptural threads goes a long way in understanding the sweep of the narrative. It's been interesting for me to see what this does to eschatology (study of end time things). Approaching eschatology covenantally gives a whole different picture than we we've been accustomed. To make a long story short, it means that the eschatological and apocalytic sections of the New Testament apply to the change in covenantal worlds. The old covenant and its economy is now gone (its last vestige being the Jerusalem Temple which was destroyed in AD 70), and the new covenant age ushered in by Jesus is fully in place. This has nothing to do with annihilation of the space-time universe or with our physicality or with our ultimate destiny. What a relief that is!!
I'll let Kevin take it from here:
Amen to that!“Transmillennialism sees Christ’s millennial reign in its first-century context, from the Old to the New Covenant, bringing about the transformation of the ages.” As a result, humanity now lives in the light of God’s fulfilled promise to Abraham: All families of the earth are blessed, and we get to walk in the empowerment of this blessing!
The Transmillennial view suggests that humanity and the world it inhabits have been fundamentally transformed—not in terms of our biology or physical matter, but in terms of our potential for relationships. As a result of the work of God in Christ, we’ve moved through the age characterized by sin and its death. We now inhabit a New Heaven and Earth—a new epoch of grace, a divine ecosystem—indwelt by God’s righteousness. The Tree of Life blossoms year ‘round, and its perennial leaves are for the healing of all. So let’s bind up some wounds and eat from that tree for a change. (Beck, p. 21, quotation from Max King, The Spirit of Prophecy, p.424)
By the way-- Beck has made his book available for free download at http://thisbookwillchangeyourworld.com/. Thanks for your generosity, Kevin!!
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Douglas Hoag
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About this blog
Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Lenox, Illinois.
I'm married with two children.
My MBTI type is E/INFP, in case that means anything to you.
My prayer: Lord, help me finish everything I sta
Most importantly, I believe that the reality and personage of God was uniquely and fully realized in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. No one else comes close.
Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for the seizures and/or convulsions you may experience while reading this blog.
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I'm married with two children.
My MBTI type is E/INFP, in case that means anything to you.
My prayer: Lord, help me finish everything I sta
Most importantly, I believe that the reality and personage of God was uniquely and fully realized in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. No one else comes close.
Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for the seizures and/or convulsions you may experience while reading this blog.
Doug Hoag's Profile
Create Your Badge