I have been reading a book called "Texts Under Negotiation" by Walter Brueggemann, and his name will be on the spelling exam later. It was pretty good. It was short, so that was a bonus, but he basically was talking about how in our postmodern world, we do not have to try to cram every scripture into one theology. He thinks we should let them all speak for themselves, on equal weight and equal footing. Part of his reason for this is that he is an Old Testament guy, and the OT often gets relegated to secondary for Christians.
However, I do have a few problems. It seems like while we should let each scripture speak, we also have to be logical. Something cannot be a square circle, as I like to tell my youth from time to time. This is the tightrope I think we are all going to have to walk. In our postmodern, pluralistic world, everyone will like to say that "all truth is equal" or "that is true for you but not for me" and that is just not always right. Perception goes a long way to determining reality, but not all the way. Just because we cannot find objective truth, does not mean it does not exist. I am not sure how we can go about reconciling all of this, maybe that is just something we will have to trust the Holy Spirit to do. What do you guys think?
We are set for Denver trip, I am contemplating getting a handheld video game to pass some of the time, I would recommend we think of things to do in our long ride... Pray for me I am preaching at our church this Sunday and next, and I am really excited and really not wanting to do it. (A common feeling when I go to preach). Does anyone have prayer needs? I look forward to our journey together and I know that this is of God, because when people ask me to explain it its kind of hard, but I know its right. Nice run-on sentence too.
Proverb of the week: "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." Proverbs 10.4
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Hey guys. I finished "unChristian" and really enjoyed it. David, I think I agree with Andy when he initially told me that it really goes well with "They like Jesus but not the Church" by Kimball. I got a bit bogged down in all the numbers Kinnaman had, but I think he has some really great points also. I think the best thing he did was point to such a rampant problem that we as the church in the United States must confront. The book I am reading now has some really good answers to that.
This week I have been reading "The Gospel in a Pluralist Society" by Lesslie Newbigin, he is British so that explains why he misspelled his first name... but anyway it is really good. He is talking about how we can go about telling people in our society that Jesus is the only way. We are very much in a world today in which it is not popular to tell people that their way is not the way to God. But that is very much the message in the Bible.
To fill everyone in, I have also been meeting with Andy for my mentoring program, and we have been working on talking through some of the things that may be problems for us. So far, I think the largest that we have identified is leadership, and integrating new people into the life of the church. We are going to need some way to run our church, to make decisions, and I think everyone needs some access to that. This is probably something we will need to discuss and talk through next time we all get together, but it is also something we all need to be thinking about. It should never just be the pastor making every decision, nor should it be that everyone has to have a vote about whether we will mow the lawn next week, or something trivial like that.
As far as the scouting trip to Denver, where is everyone at on that? We have 5 for sures, and two more slots, we need to know soon who is in and out. We also need to know if we are going to be gone for 4 days or just 3. Robin and I are down with either, and like I said some of the great people from our current church have offered a free place to stay if we want to take them up on it. I'm ok with whatever.
Proverbs 6-8 "Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest." Be praying also that God would send us musicians. We need people able to lead in worship for our gatherings. Please be praying for one another, and for me. It is always welcome. Chris
This week I have been reading "The Gospel in a Pluralist Society" by Lesslie Newbigin, he is British so that explains why he misspelled his first name... but anyway it is really good. He is talking about how we can go about telling people in our society that Jesus is the only way. We are very much in a world today in which it is not popular to tell people that their way is not the way to God. But that is very much the message in the Bible.
To fill everyone in, I have also been meeting with Andy for my mentoring program, and we have been working on talking through some of the things that may be problems for us. So far, I think the largest that we have identified is leadership, and integrating new people into the life of the church. We are going to need some way to run our church, to make decisions, and I think everyone needs some access to that. This is probably something we will need to discuss and talk through next time we all get together, but it is also something we all need to be thinking about. It should never just be the pastor making every decision, nor should it be that everyone has to have a vote about whether we will mow the lawn next week, or something trivial like that.
As far as the scouting trip to Denver, where is everyone at on that? We have 5 for sures, and two more slots, we need to know soon who is in and out. We also need to know if we are going to be gone for 4 days or just 3. Robin and I are down with either, and like I said some of the great people from our current church have offered a free place to stay if we want to take them up on it. I'm ok with whatever.
Proverbs 6-8 "Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest." Be praying also that God would send us musicians. We need people able to lead in worship for our gatherings. Please be praying for one another, and for me. It is always welcome. Chris
Thursday, May 15, 2008
unChristian
Hey guys. I have started my mentoring experience this week, so I will be reading books and also doing some things for the church. I will post each week sometime between Tuesday and Thursday for at least the next ten weeks or so.
This week my reading is a book called "unChristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. So far, this book is basically talking about why there are so many people our age and our generation who not only reject church and the gospel, but reject Christians as well. They refer to our generation and the one directly before or after (depending on when you were born) the "Mosaics" (born 1984-2002) and the "Busters" (born 1965 and 1983). I'm not too fond of the name, but they make some pretty good points. I will summarize what I have read so far, then when I write my book review I will email it to those of you who want to read that.
Basically, there are two entire generations that see very little need for church. Which I can see very clearly in my own current youth group. If you have an friends who are not Christians, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. We have got to figure out who to repair the terrible image people have of Christians, and more importantly of Christ. At the same time, we must continue to seek the gospel and be true to the Bible. How do you guys think we can work on this? What do you think is the most important thing to people our age and a little older and younger?
Also, we are planning a scouting trip to Denver for June 13-15 or maybe a day longer. What do you guys think, 3 or 4 days? It is a ten hour trip, which is a lot in one day. We also have people at our church that own a cabin place around Amarillo, who would put us up and feed us for a night or two on our way or on our way back. I think what we could do is stay there one night on the way, then one night on the way back, and jsut get a hotel for one night in Denver. That would split up the travel time and also save a bit of money by only paying for one nights rent. What you guys wanna do? I think Bethany is also working on procuring for us a minivan to use, hows that going? I think there are seven seats in it, so with Robin, me, Bethany, Erin and Tanner in for sure, that leaves two seats left, let me know if you want to come.
This week my reading is a book called "unChristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. So far, this book is basically talking about why there are so many people our age and our generation who not only reject church and the gospel, but reject Christians as well. They refer to our generation and the one directly before or after (depending on when you were born) the "Mosaics" (born 1984-2002) and the "Busters" (born 1965 and 1983). I'm not too fond of the name, but they make some pretty good points. I will summarize what I have read so far, then when I write my book review I will email it to those of you who want to read that.
Basically, there are two entire generations that see very little need for church. Which I can see very clearly in my own current youth group. If you have an friends who are not Christians, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. We have got to figure out who to repair the terrible image people have of Christians, and more importantly of Christ. At the same time, we must continue to seek the gospel and be true to the Bible. How do you guys think we can work on this? What do you think is the most important thing to people our age and a little older and younger?
Also, we are planning a scouting trip to Denver for June 13-15 or maybe a day longer. What do you guys think, 3 or 4 days? It is a ten hour trip, which is a lot in one day. We also have people at our church that own a cabin place around Amarillo, who would put us up and feed us for a night or two on our way or on our way back. I think what we could do is stay there one night on the way, then one night on the way back, and jsut get a hotel for one night in Denver. That would split up the travel time and also save a bit of money by only paying for one nights rent. What you guys wanna do? I think Bethany is also working on procuring for us a minivan to use, hows that going? I think there are seven seats in it, so with Robin, me, Bethany, Erin and Tanner in for sure, that leaves two seats left, let me know if you want to come.
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