Category Archives: Theology

Books, Theology

Not Just Deaf and Dumb

On Saturday evening I stopped by Border’s for some coffee and a chance to stretch my legs. It is always a little dangerous for me to walk around a bookstore because I never seem to leave empty handed. This time was no exception.

I picked up Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright. I was surprised to see the book on the shelves because according to Amazon.com this latest Wright book isn’t supposed to be released until tomorrow (March 14). Well, fortunately for me I now have a copy in hand.

THe book is intended to be a kind of a Mere Christianity for today: a summary of the faith, hope, and love that Christians claim to live in. One of the things that I love about Wright is that on one hand he can write on subjects that are so lofty and complex that they require an advanced degree in comprehension and on the other hand he writes for the Every Man. This book is for the latter.

Bishop Wright divides the book into 3 sections. Part One is entitled Echoes of a Voice. “It is as though,” he writes, “we can hear, not perhaps a voice itself, but the echo of a voice: a voice speaking with calm, healing authority, speaking about justice, about things being put to rights, about peace and hope and prosperity for all.” Of course, this voice is the voice of God speaking to his children about true justice, living spirituality, God-honoring relationships, and this world in which we live. Every human being hears this voice or at least the echo of the voice and we all must respond. That brings us to Section Two. In this section. Staring at the Sun (Lovin’ the U2 reference BTW), Wright tackles the basic building blocks of Christianity: God, Israel, Jesus and God’s Kingdom, Resurrection, and Life by the Spirit. It is only after we understand the story in which we are invited to join that we can begin to live this Christian life to the fullest. Section Three, Refelcting the Image, introduces the reader to worship and prayer, community and fellowship.

I cannot wait to finish this book. If you liked Mere Christianity or if you are a fan of N.T. Wright, pick up a copy of Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. It might be a good way to help you introduce the concept of Christianity to those around you. Peace.

Faith in Action, Theology

ONE Update

Got this email today and I wanted to pass it on to you:

Last Thursday, the Senate Budget Committee cut back funds to the President’s plan to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty-but we still have a chance to make a difference!

Right now, two U.S. Senators are reaching across political divides and asking the Senate to add $566 million to fund critical AIDS, TB and malaria programs running around the world. Senators Rick Santorum, a Republican from Pennsylvania, and Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, have proposed an amendment to ensure America continues funding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Call 1-800-786-2663 TODAY and help make AIDS, TB and malaria history.

The Global Fund saves lives. Please call the two Senators from your state TODAY and ask them to support the Santorum-Durbin Amendment for global AIDS funding.

Call 1-800-786-2663 to be connected directly to your Senators and ask them to support the Santorum-Durbin Amendment.

Remember, AIDS kills 8,500 people every day, TB kills 5,000 and malaria kills over 3,000 in Africa alone– every day. Together, we can help fight back against these killer diseases.

Thank you,

The ONE Team

All it takes is a phone call. Please help. Maybe one day we can talk about malaria and TB like we talk about polio. “Remember when…” Let’s make that a reality.

Ministry, Theology

The Practical Theology of the Waffle House

It was probably only the second time that I had ever stepped foot inside one of these resturants. The air was smokey. The clientel shady. I made my way over to the booth in the corner careful not to touch anything. As I looked over the menu, I was less than thrilled with the choices. I wasn’t hungry for any of the items listed but I was with my parents so I felt that I should at least eat something here instead of walking to the fast food establishment next door. I ended up ordering a simple hamburger. After I ordered, I began to glance around the building looking at the other people there.

I saw an older man sitting at the counter. His face was beaten and weathered by the elements. He looked homeless. I didn’t see him eat but I watched him as he drank his coffee. After a cup or two he lowered his head and walked out into the cold night. As he left, two young women walked in. The had just come from a high school sporting event. Their sweat shirts sported the f-bomb in bold white letters. As they cozied into the booth behind me all eyes were on them. Whispers became audible insults. The girls just laughed and went on about their night. Some high schoolers came in looking for something to eat. They sat down at the counter where the old man had sat. These people were so different from me.

The more and more I watched them the more convinced I became of the new belief stirring in my heart. This belief is a simple and radical idea. It doesn’t sit comfortably with me because it demands a response. A response to the world and to the people sitting around me that night. I am convinced.

Jesus would have eaten at the Waffle House.

He would have. There is no doubt in my mind. Jesus was the kind of Savior that would have cozied up to the counter and had some hashbrowns covered and smothered with some guy who was at the end of his rope. Jesus would have eaten with him, covered the bill, and changed the man’s life. Maybe it would be with the touch of his hand or maybe it would have been with just a look or Jesus might have even spoken a word of encouragement or discipline to the man but the message would be clear.

Yeah, Jesus would have eaten at the Waffle House. What does that say about where we eat and who we eat with?

Popular Culture, Theology

Swimming in the Sea

If you don’t subscribe to the Relevant Podcast you need to!

This week’s podcast features the first of two installments of a poignant and eye-opening interview with author Don Miller. Don speaks with the Relevant staff about postmodern thought, the war in Iraq, Christians response to culture, and the Christian legacy of peace. Don’s words go along with what I posted on Friday concerning theological reflection. A great podcast. I encourage you to check it out!

Don Miller broke onto the scene with his book Blue Like Jazz and has become a highly sought after speaker. BLJ really struck a chord with twenty-somethings all over the planet and just took off. I was mentally stretched by the book and was challenged by Don’s real and raw style. I had a chance to meet Don back in October at the Catalyst conference. He was warm and engaging and I think that his personality really comes across in the podcast. Again, great stuff. I can’t wait for the second installment.

Relevant Magazine

Books, Theology

Starting Right (Again), pt. 1

“Practical theological reflection- reflection that connects what we believe about God with how we live as disciples of Jesus Christ- is the first task of ministry with young people.”

I have begun re-reading Starting Right: Thinking Theologocally About Youth Ministry a powerful and thought-provoking tome edited by Kenda Creasy Dean, Chap Clark, and Dave Rahn. Hopefully, I will be transitioning into full-time youth ministry at a church in the next few months and I wanted to reconnect with this book that has meant so much to me. Starting Right was one of those books I read before I gradutaed college. It helped me form my philosophy of ministry and helped me look at ministry to students from the perspective of the total mission of the church. I have enjoyed being reminded of how powerful and necessary practical theology is today, not just for my students but for me as well.

In the opening chapter, Kenda Creasy Dean tells us that “adolescents traffic in theology everyday.” However, she says, “most of their theological reflection goes unheard, unnamed, and unclaimed.”

They are unaware that their social studies discussion on freedom is a theological discussion. They don’t realize that the way they treat an unpopular classmate reflects a doctrine of creation.

We all, students and adults alike, engage in theological reflection whether we admit it or not. Just because I have the title of minister doesn’t mean that I have the theological market cornered all for myself. Theology is simply “human reflection on who God is and how God works in the world.” It is as simple as that. The way you veiw your job, the way you treat your coworkers or employees, the way you act toward people of other races, how you treat people of different religions, and the way you live your life all come from at least some sort of theological reflection on your part. You are a theologian.

I’ll continue this thought after the weekend but I want to encourage you to begin to hear, name, and claim the theology that you’ve been living. Be conscious of it.

Ministry, Theology, U2

Perspective for Life

“Our critics — I’ve met them in rock ‘n’ roll in the early years and they’re the same people: cranks carping from the sidelines. A lot of them wouldn’t know what to do if they were on the field. They’re the party who will always be in opposition so they’ll never have to take responsibility for decisions because they know they’ll never be able to implement them. We get hits from the left, we get hits from the right, but in the end, every year, the world’s poor are better off for our presence.”

Sometimes it is difficult to see if what you are working on or pouring your life into is really making a difference in the lives of the people you serve. There will always be critics and “cranks” that love to stand in opposition. Whether your a youth minister, a coach, a social worker, a teacher or a globe-trotting rock star philanthropist- keep up the good work.

Stand firm. Be rooted in love. Keep making a difference for the Kingdom.

Via

Ministry, Theology

Kennel Cough

A couple of weeks ago I took a handful of students to visit my alma mater. The trip was great and my students really enjoyed themselves.

Unfortuanately, we had to board our dog at the kennel for the weekend. We have had Buttercup for almost 3 years and she has never been sick or ill. When we picked her up she had a urinary tract infection and developed the saddest, most pathetic cough I’ve ever heard. After spending only one weekend at the kennel all cooped up in her cage, our heathy, beautiful dog got sick.

That got me thinking about our spiritual lives…

Specifically, I began thinking about our brothers and sisters in Galatia. See I feel like I’ve been traveling through Galatia for nearly a year. Over the summer I felt like I had rented a house on the outskirts of the region. I’ve read through Paul’s letter probably 100 times over the past 6-8 months. I have been living with Paul’s letter- reading it over and over- trying to understand it. The people in Galatia were spiritually sick. They had been forced into cages and forced into following a gospel that was more than they could bear. Paul’s pain for them could be felt in the opening of his letter to them:

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person. (Galatians 1:6-9 NLT)

Can people get spiritually sick from being caged up and chained to unrealisitic and unbiblical expectations? Paul thought so. Thankfully, the gospel of Jesus Christ brings life.

I love these two passages:

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13-15 NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25 NIV)

Buttercup is finally over her kennel cough. All she needed was a little check up and some medicine.

Thankfully, we serve the ultimate hearler, Jesus Christ. He will cure whatever ails us. we find healing in His wings.

Holy Father, please search our hearts and cleanse us of anything that is not of you. Make us whole and capable of living our lives for You and You alone. Amen

Firm on the Rock, Music, Theology

In the Midst

It’s Going to Be Alright
by Sara Groves and Gordon Kennedy

It’s going to be alright
It’s going to be alright

I can tell by your eyes that you’re not getting any sleep
And you try to rise above it, but feel you’re sinking in too deep
Oh, oh I believe, I believe that

It’s going to be alright
It’s going to be alright

I believe you’ll outlive this pain in you heart
And you’ll gain such a strength from what is tearing you apart
Oh, oh I believe I believe that

It’s going to be alright
It’s going to be alright

When some time has past us, and the story if retold
It will mirror the strength and the courage in your soul
Oh, oh, I believe I believe,

I believe
I believe

I did not come here to offer you cliches
I will not pretend to know of all your pain
Just when you cannot, then I will hold out faith, for you

It’s going to be alright
It’s going to be alright