Friday, May 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
One Thing
I have a question which requires an answer. The question is:
What do you think the gift of faith is?
a) the common faith shared by every believer
b) the faith of a skeptic or one who struggles with doubt
c) the faith of one who searches deeply but does not struggle with doubt
d) other
This question requires nuance. I am speaking here of the gift referred to in Scripture (cf, 1 Cor. 12:9). It is not, by nature, the faith all believers have in common. That is my opinion. But, you are allowed to disagree. If you answer D., you must explain. The difference between B. and C. is not the level of spiritual maturity but the natural inclination of the person. One can struggle with doubt (or not struggle) and have a folk-type faith that is unexamined and unquestioned. Or, one can struggle with doubt (or not struggle with doubt) and have a deep and vibrant relationship with the Lord that includes intense study and searching.
My bias is coming out here, because the real question I am asking centers on the two middle choices. Is the gift of faith given to the one who searches and struggles with doubts or to the one who searches and does not doubt?
I'll tell you what I think once everyone has responded, so please respond. I'm not posting again until somebody does.
What do you think the gift of faith is?
a) the common faith shared by every believer
b) the faith of a skeptic or one who struggles with doubt
c) the faith of one who searches deeply but does not struggle with doubt
d) other
This question requires nuance. I am speaking here of the gift referred to in Scripture (cf, 1 Cor. 12:9). It is not, by nature, the faith all believers have in common. That is my opinion. But, you are allowed to disagree. If you answer D., you must explain. The difference between B. and C. is not the level of spiritual maturity but the natural inclination of the person. One can struggle with doubt (or not struggle) and have a folk-type faith that is unexamined and unquestioned. Or, one can struggle with doubt (or not struggle with doubt) and have a deep and vibrant relationship with the Lord that includes intense study and searching.
My bias is coming out here, because the real question I am asking centers on the two middle choices. Is the gift of faith given to the one who searches and struggles with doubts or to the one who searches and does not doubt?
I'll tell you what I think once everyone has responded, so please respond. I'm not posting again until somebody does.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Kevin Costnerdamus was right
So I just paid $60 for a tank of gas for the Camry (Gordita), and it hit me, Kevin Costner was WAY ahead of his time. Remember Waterworld? The polar ice caps melt (sound inconvenient?) and gas is a precious commodity for nefarious seafaring peoples. Well, it's starting to look like Costner knew what he was talking about. We're well on our way. What's next, pregnant men?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Gospel e-Meeting (first night)
Well, this night can't last forever. I think that's a line in at least 50 songs. 75 if you include other languages. Este noche no burrito siempre. I can't remember the spanish word for last. Lo siento.
So where do we start with a gospel presentation if not condemnation and judgment?
If it's not clear already, I do not think that we should start with condemnation and judgment. Some of you are concerned if we will ever hear c/j at all. The answer to that is affirmative. Some of you are hoping it won't ever make it in. You will be disappointed. Actually, I made this whole paragraph up. No one is thinking that.
To answer the above question, let me give a few suggestions:
- We do have to start somewhere. If we're not intentional about where we start, though, the presentation suffers significantly.
- Considering my agreements with the thinking behind narrative theology, I think we can start our gospel story with the start of the story. Why not start with creation? Paul seems to think that creation implies a Creator, as do the Psalms. I have a hard time thinking that it would be negative to start with, "In the beginning..."
Of course, it doesn't take long for the story to deteriorate. If presenting the Gospel is in some way getting someone to buy into a different story other than the one they are creating for their own self (and I think it is), then we have to be able to explain the reason for buying into this different story. As such, I believe that a fundamental characteristic of the story of what God is doing and has done in the world (the Gospel) is making things right again. Thus our gospel presentation becomes a matter of convincing someone that something in the world is not right.
I am of the persuasion that convincing someone that everything in the world is not right is pretty easy.
So to recap, here is where I would probably start:
In the beginning, God created...
Shortly thereafter, something happened that caused things to go awry and now God is working to redeem creation.
So where do we start with a gospel presentation if not condemnation and judgment?
If it's not clear already, I do not think that we should start with condemnation and judgment. Some of you are concerned if we will ever hear c/j at all. The answer to that is affirmative. Some of you are hoping it won't ever make it in. You will be disappointed. Actually, I made this whole paragraph up. No one is thinking that.
To answer the above question, let me give a few suggestions:
- We do have to start somewhere. If we're not intentional about where we start, though, the presentation suffers significantly.
- Considering my agreements with the thinking behind narrative theology, I think we can start our gospel story with the start of the story. Why not start with creation? Paul seems to think that creation implies a Creator, as do the Psalms. I have a hard time thinking that it would be negative to start with, "In the beginning..."
Of course, it doesn't take long for the story to deteriorate. If presenting the Gospel is in some way getting someone to buy into a different story other than the one they are creating for their own self (and I think it is), then we have to be able to explain the reason for buying into this different story. As such, I believe that a fundamental characteristic of the story of what God is doing and has done in the world (the Gospel) is making things right again. Thus our gospel presentation becomes a matter of convincing someone that something in the world is not right.
I am of the persuasion that convincing someone that everything in the world is not right is pretty easy.
So to recap, here is where I would probably start:
In the beginning, God created...
Shortly thereafter, something happened that caused things to go awry and now God is working to redeem creation.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
This Memphis Mourning
Well, that game was wrenching. What a heart-breaker! My heart goes out to this Memphis team and its fans (I can only claim a bandwagon seat, at best) for a tough loss. Jess and I know several people who made the trek hoping for great things only to be disappointed in the haunting final minute of that game.
Yeah, the officiating affected the outcome of the game. It usually does. The real tragedy is in those final five free throws. And Coach Cal said he was willing to take the blame for the way they executed an attempted foul in the last 10 seconds.
What hurts the most is how much this city wanted/needed a win last night. Those players wanted to win for each other, but they also wanted to win for this city in a way that most college teams do not or cannot understand. In some way, this team was a microcosm of the city and it would have been great to see this city come out on top. It would have been great to see a united city, if only for a few weeks. As it is, this team played hard. They won more games than any other team in NCAA history. And, in spite of the loss, I think they earned a lot of respect for their city. For all of that, this city can be proud.
Yeah, the officiating affected the outcome of the game. It usually does. The real tragedy is in those final five free throws. And Coach Cal said he was willing to take the blame for the way they executed an attempted foul in the last 10 seconds.
What hurts the most is how much this city wanted/needed a win last night. Those players wanted to win for each other, but they also wanted to win for this city in a way that most college teams do not or cannot understand. In some way, this team was a microcosm of the city and it would have been great to see this city come out on top. It would have been great to see a united city, if only for a few weeks. As it is, this team played hard. They won more games than any other team in NCAA history. And, in spite of the loss, I think they earned a lot of respect for their city. For all of that, this city can be proud.
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