(i look like this guy, only scruffier, more hair, freckly, and more chiseled features. )
Sep 4, 2006
{sigh....}
(reminiscing about the days when I used to blog regularly...and when people actually read my blog...)
(i look like this guy, only scruffier, more hair, freckly, and more chiseled features. )
(i look like this guy, only scruffier, more hair, freckly, and more chiseled features. )
Aug 4, 2006
my first article submission for the SEMI-unedited
5 Random Lessons that I Learned in Italy
In case you didn’t know about it, Fuller and the Brehm Center have taken students to Italy for a study-abroad program for the last two summers, in order to have the opportunity to study medieval art and theology, and to experience these things in the culture from which they originated. I was lucky enough to be a part of the most recent trip. Of course, Italy has changed substantially over the past few centuries and so we students shared in the richness of the Italian culture, and its proud mixture of the past and the present.
Whenever we are displaced into a new setting, learning is bound to occur. Sometimes those lessons are pleasant experiences; other times… well, many of you all are aware of the “difficulties” that can occur when attempting to travel abroad. In light of my recent experience, I thought it to be my communal duty to share a few short lessons that I learned (perhaps a few at the end that might save you some traveling nightmares).
1. Europe is not the U.S. I know, shocker. Yet you would be surprised how easy it is to forget this. Lisa (my traveling buddy, who works for the SEMI) has made the point that we are more flexible and open to new experiences as American travelers when enter a culture far removed from our own (e.g. East Africa or India), since we expect cultural clashes to occur, and so we accept them more readily. We may go to Europe, however, expecting our typical comforts that we take for granted (e.g. wide assortments of foods, quick service, all-night convenience stores) to be available everywhere in Europe. When we discover that this is not the case (it isn’t), we might be prone to a worse “culture shock” than if we were to travel to non-Western locales.
2. Getting out of L.A. is nice. Yes, going to Rome and Paris (some of our side travels) is frenzied and littered with cars and smog and the like (although their cities manage to maintain their attractiveness anyway…the ties to the past that L.A. lacks help a lot in this department). But the quaint, cobblestoned city of Orvieto, where our classes primarily met, which crowns a lone Umbrian hill among rolling vineyards, which has a coffee shop or restaurant on every corner where conversations can leisurely take place over a glass of Classico… it was a breath of fresh air in comparison to L.A. I mean that quite literally. If you haven’t been on the “outside” for a while, you owe it to yourself.
3. Old is the new “new.” Another aspect of our “New World” lifestyle is our propensity to invent, create, develop, or refine; whenever we can find a way to be more efficient, we take it. While this has led to much wonderful innovation, it also leads to a numbing discontent, and a lack of respect for “older” ways of doing things. This sentiment has pretty much immersed the majority of American spirituality and religion as well. Thankfully, many of us have begun to attempt to reclaim our past and our traditions, recognizing our Christian experiences as the continuation of a story that has actually been told for quite some time before we came around. Going to a place where the past is still revered helped me in my quest to understand my past better.
4. Mega-churches are not a new phenomenon. This is something of a side note, but we saw cathedrals, even in the small Italian towns, that would make Bill Hybels salivate. Sure, medieval Catholics didn’t have Powerpoint; they only had masterpiece frescoes painted on the walls and ceilings that surrounded them with the story of God’s love. They didn’t have wireless mics, only massive vaults extending to heaven that helped immerse the sanctuary with sound. Creating accessible space for people to experience the divine en masse, filling the senses with sight and sound during worship… these are nothing new to Christianity.
5. My fifth lesson is actually a hodgepodge of lessons learned while traveling; to thee who hath eyes, read and taketh to heart.
-Don’t fly American. British Airways is far superior.
-Unless you want to develop a spiritual discipline of relinquishing your possessions, hold on to your bags at all times, in Rome especially. Wear a money belt.
-In Italy, try the grappa… just not in your espresso.
-Go to Venice. Anyone who tells you that it’s dirty and sinking and not worth the trip is a liar.
-Bring an alarm clock or cell phone, and keep them safe.
-Invest in a large pack you can wear on your back, if traveling frequently.
-Eat gelato every chance that you get.
-Be VERY early to the airport when flying out of Charles De Gaulle.
-And finally, Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, smile at anyone in Paris you don’t know. (If you need an explanation, ask me on campus sometime.)
In case you didn’t know about it, Fuller and the Brehm Center have taken students to Italy for a study-abroad program for the last two summers, in order to have the opportunity to study medieval art and theology, and to experience these things in the culture from which they originated. I was lucky enough to be a part of the most recent trip. Of course, Italy has changed substantially over the past few centuries and so we students shared in the richness of the Italian culture, and its proud mixture of the past and the present.
Whenever we are displaced into a new setting, learning is bound to occur. Sometimes those lessons are pleasant experiences; other times… well, many of you all are aware of the “difficulties” that can occur when attempting to travel abroad. In light of my recent experience, I thought it to be my communal duty to share a few short lessons that I learned (perhaps a few at the end that might save you some traveling nightmares).
1. Europe is not the U.S. I know, shocker. Yet you would be surprised how easy it is to forget this. Lisa (my traveling buddy, who works for the SEMI) has made the point that we are more flexible and open to new experiences as American travelers when enter a culture far removed from our own (e.g. East Africa or India), since we expect cultural clashes to occur, and so we accept them more readily. We may go to Europe, however, expecting our typical comforts that we take for granted (e.g. wide assortments of foods, quick service, all-night convenience stores) to be available everywhere in Europe. When we discover that this is not the case (it isn’t), we might be prone to a worse “culture shock” than if we were to travel to non-Western locales.
2. Getting out of L.A. is nice. Yes, going to Rome and Paris (some of our side travels) is frenzied and littered with cars and smog and the like (although their cities manage to maintain their attractiveness anyway…the ties to the past that L.A. lacks help a lot in this department). But the quaint, cobblestoned city of Orvieto, where our classes primarily met, which crowns a lone Umbrian hill among rolling vineyards, which has a coffee shop or restaurant on every corner where conversations can leisurely take place over a glass of Classico… it was a breath of fresh air in comparison to L.A. I mean that quite literally. If you haven’t been on the “outside” for a while, you owe it to yourself.
3. Old is the new “new.” Another aspect of our “New World” lifestyle is our propensity to invent, create, develop, or refine; whenever we can find a way to be more efficient, we take it. While this has led to much wonderful innovation, it also leads to a numbing discontent, and a lack of respect for “older” ways of doing things. This sentiment has pretty much immersed the majority of American spirituality and religion as well. Thankfully, many of us have begun to attempt to reclaim our past and our traditions, recognizing our Christian experiences as the continuation of a story that has actually been told for quite some time before we came around. Going to a place where the past is still revered helped me in my quest to understand my past better.
4. Mega-churches are not a new phenomenon. This is something of a side note, but we saw cathedrals, even in the small Italian towns, that would make Bill Hybels salivate. Sure, medieval Catholics didn’t have Powerpoint; they only had masterpiece frescoes painted on the walls and ceilings that surrounded them with the story of God’s love. They didn’t have wireless mics, only massive vaults extending to heaven that helped immerse the sanctuary with sound. Creating accessible space for people to experience the divine en masse, filling the senses with sight and sound during worship… these are nothing new to Christianity.
5. My fifth lesson is actually a hodgepodge of lessons learned while traveling; to thee who hath eyes, read and taketh to heart.
-Don’t fly American. British Airways is far superior.
-Unless you want to develop a spiritual discipline of relinquishing your possessions, hold on to your bags at all times, in Rome especially. Wear a money belt.
-In Italy, try the grappa… just not in your espresso.
-Go to Venice. Anyone who tells you that it’s dirty and sinking and not worth the trip is a liar.
-Bring an alarm clock or cell phone, and keep them safe.
-Invest in a large pack you can wear on your back, if traveling frequently.
-Eat gelato every chance that you get.
-Be VERY early to the airport when flying out of Charles De Gaulle.
-And finally, Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, smile at anyone in Paris you don’t know. (If you need an explanation, ask me on campus sometime.)
Aug 2, 2006
post #51.
well, it's about high time I break the half-century mark.
so I'm back from Italy... LONG back (I've been back for about six weeks or so)... and it was easily THE most stressful travelling experience I had ever had. Since then I've also been to Texas to visit my girlfriend, and for us to meet each other's families... and while short, was quite a relaxing and rejuvenating trip. And now, i'm back in class, while still finishing up papers for my Italy classes, beginning a new church ministry with Warehouse/Lake Avenue, and still doing the tutoring thing.
Life is definitely in transition right now, hence the unnecessary stress and busyness, and hence the black hole that has been my blogging activity post-Italy. I will improve, I promise... I'll try to post Sat.
so I'm back from Italy... LONG back (I've been back for about six weeks or so)... and it was easily THE most stressful travelling experience I had ever had. Since then I've also been to Texas to visit my girlfriend, and for us to meet each other's families... and while short, was quite a relaxing and rejuvenating trip. And now, i'm back in class, while still finishing up papers for my Italy classes, beginning a new church ministry with Warehouse/Lake Avenue, and still doing the tutoring thing.
Life is definitely in transition right now, hence the unnecessary stress and busyness, and hence the black hole that has been my blogging activity post-Italy. I will improve, I promise... I'll try to post Sat.
Jun 4, 2006
headed to italia!
I will be in Orvieto, Italy, taking Fuller classes with Dr. Dyrness and Peace through the Fuller Brehm Center's Worship, Theology and the Arts Summer Program. The above photos are shots of Orvieto, We will be spending two weeks there taking classes at a local convent, travelling around to various sights of artistic and theological import (inc. St. Francis' Cathedral in Assisi) and attending various Catholic ceremonies (e.g. Corpus Christi celebration, Mystery Plays, etc.) I'll be taking two two-week classes, one on Medieval Catholic Spirituality, and one of the theology of Medieval Art. Before and after the two weeks, some friends and I will be travelling around a bit (Paris, Venice, and Rome specifically). All very exciting stuff.
So, I am writing this entry (officially my 50th blog!) as a temporary "ciao," until I return home in (very) late June. I leave on Wednesday, June 7th (my birthday!...kinda bummed that I won't be able to celebrate with friends and all, but who am I to complain? I'm going to freakin' Europe!), flying into Paris to meet up with my travelling companions, who are done with classes already... I however still have two finals to go.
Which reminds me... I should be studying/grading papers right now...
May 20, 2006
guess what I bought?
Very excited about the prayer rope I just bought from easternchristian.com. I prayed the "Jesus Prayer" for the first time late last night, sitting upright in my hammock outside. It was pretty awesome. So much meaning packed into so few and simple words. Amazing that Christians worldwide have been doing these kind of things for centuries, and only recently have Protestants rediscovered their value. (that's the whole "protest" part of being a Protestant.)
For anyone who knows me relatively well, you may have heard me mention my own struggles in the last 9 months or so with "acts of personal piety," which for my background, usually consisted solely of reading the Bible for 15 minutes a day. While there's nothing wrong with this, I have always struggled with keeping focus, and I began to question why I was doing such things in the first place. Out of obligation? To be filled with "warm fuzzies about Jesus"? On top of all this, going to seminary had made it very difficult to open up any part of the scriptures and NOT analyze it to death. Being given new tools to analyze scripture has been a phenomenal gift and learning tool, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but it has put a sizeable damper on my prayer life.
So, despite my fears of becoming too "gimmicky" and trying too hard to be cool (which I do enough of already), I am beginning to creep into the roots of our faith, kept alive today by the Orthodox tradition. We'll see how this goes. What will be next? Icons? Creed recitation? Ignatian Examen? Longer Retreat? All of those sound really attractive to me right now... for now, I'm dipping my toe in the water.
May 4, 2006
prayers.
I'm swamped, tired, drained...fill in the cliche. And my body is breaking down because of it (colon infection, acid reflux on crack cocaine...)
I'm taking Friday and Saturday off from school work, even though I have papers to grade.
Prayers are appreciated.
I'm taking Friday and Saturday off from school work, even though I have papers to grade.
Prayers are appreciated.
Apr 25, 2006
church becoming too feminine? these guys should hear BBT.
Rhett Smith posted on an article put out by Biola's magazine regarding the recent popular Christian movement to make Christian males, well, more male. (Personally, I think we as a church should be more concerned about the first half of that title, seeing as how that's our job and all.) Now, who's standard of "masculinity" are we going by? And to those who think this is self-evident--how far do we take are ideas of what males are supposed to be like? Anywho, go and read his thoughts... which I pretty much share.
go to rhett's blog
Btw- I've heard it said before by friends that "something bothers (them) about women preachers... I mean, I may be inclined to think it's ok for them to preach, but I've never heard a good one, so...it's hard for me to think that they're actually called to preach."
Yesterday in my preaching class we watched various sermons on tape from some of America's top preachers. We watched three males to start... and then Barbara Brown Taylor, a (now former) Episcopalian pastor came on the screen... and it was the most powerful sermon out of the bunch, easily. The room laughed uproariously when Jeremiah Wright (African-American UCC pastor) cracked jokes; it chuckled nervously at Tom Long's wide-eyes as he preached... but it sat in stunned silence as Rev. Taylor spoke of the quiet, unpretentious ways the church actually sometimes manages to do its job by reaching out and loving others, in spite of itself...mostly by telling simple, compelling stories.
I'm not gonna lie... my eyes welled up a bit. She can be my pastor any day...esp. if her pastoral capabilities are half as good as her preaching abilities.
(She's an adjunct prof at Columbia... I hope my friend Whitney gets to take her homiletics from her.)
go to rhett's blog
Btw- I've heard it said before by friends that "something bothers (them) about women preachers... I mean, I may be inclined to think it's ok for them to preach, but I've never heard a good one, so...it's hard for me to think that they're actually called to preach."
Yesterday in my preaching class we watched various sermons on tape from some of America's top preachers. We watched three males to start... and then Barbara Brown Taylor, a (now former) Episcopalian pastor came on the screen... and it was the most powerful sermon out of the bunch, easily. The room laughed uproariously when Jeremiah Wright (African-American UCC pastor) cracked jokes; it chuckled nervously at Tom Long's wide-eyes as he preached... but it sat in stunned silence as Rev. Taylor spoke of the quiet, unpretentious ways the church actually sometimes manages to do its job by reaching out and loving others, in spite of itself...mostly by telling simple, compelling stories.
I'm not gonna lie... my eyes welled up a bit. She can be my pastor any day...esp. if her pastoral capabilities are half as good as her preaching abilities.
(She's an adjunct prof at Columbia... I hope my friend Whitney gets to take her homiletics from her.)
Apr 24, 2006
music is phenomenal for stress relief.
So last week was insane...and this week proves to be little better. In the meantime I managed to buy a good amount of CDs (I always go a while w/o buying any CD's and then buy in bulk, to save on shipping) which are managing to keep my head screwed on straight. (My vice made apparent.) The Decemberists--yes you want to buy Picaresque. Very pleased. Franz Ferd--some incredibly catchy songs on there, although I haven't listened to the whole thing through yet. Clap your hands say yeah-- quirky and intriguing. Arcade Fire--been waiting to buy Funeral for a long time, and it was worth the wait. What's even better--Over the Rhine and Ryan Adams are on their way! Oh, bliss!
Apr 16, 2006
i'm supposed to write something now, right?
but I got nothing. At least not right now. My brain is foggy from life's activities, and from the snot that I keep inhaling back into my body (I'm sick). Plus I'm not in the world's best mood...but a rant about that is unnecessary at the moment.
So I refer you (whoever you are) back to my questions concerning the atonement, 2 days ago. You can now read them, and comment as you like.
Happy resurrection day to all.
So I refer you (whoever you are) back to my questions concerning the atonement, 2 days ago. You can now read them, and comment as you like.
Happy resurrection day to all.
Apr 14, 2006
overwhelmed....oh yeah, it's good friday.
(note: don't read and respond to this blog until after Easter. Enjoy the holiday. Do your devotionals on Sacred Space and go to church (or spend time with your new monastic community) or something like that. Please.)
so i'm pretty distracted as of late... and busy. My TA duties began this week, so now I'm tutoring, TAing, and taking a full course load. Plus I'm planning my study abroad situation this summer (I'm going with Fuller to Italy to take two two-week intensive classes...just put my deposit down yesterday), and planning my summer and fall internship (For those who don't know, I'm attempting to start a "hub" group through my church that aims to live out socioeconomic diversity and reconciliation in a fellowship setting...as my Field Internship for Fuller). Throw in running/hiking, my ever-growing obsession with ultimate frisbee, piano and guitar, babysitting and home tutoring, and class/non-class related reading...blogging has been on the bottom of the totem pole of priorities these past few weeks.
OK, so here's a topic of discussion, for those "theologically-minded" people out there, approp. for Good Friday: What did Jesus do on the cross?
Yeah, I know the answer you're supposed to give. "He died for my sins." But as of lately I've come to desire to push further about this very central issue of the faith I claim. (Being aware that Christians for centuries have aimed to understand the atonement better and have always come up short, I tread forward lightly, knowing that I must ultimately exclaim, "O the depths!" as Paul did. Of course, Paul only made this exclamation after 11 chapters of theological probing!... so this is where I must begin.)
To return to the above statement: "He died for my sins." For lack of a better way to talk about this, let me break down this statement:
"He"--this is the part of the statement that I am the most sure about, even if the rest gets really convoluted in my fragile brain. Even the most staunch atheist must admit to the historical existence of Jesus, his ministry, and his death on a cross.
"died"--I am also quite certain about this (as noted above); although I'd like to nuance it differently...more accurately, he was killed...murdered...executed by the Roman government. He didn't kill himself; he didn't die on an altar, and I dare say that there was at least a chance that Jesus himself did not plan his execution- instead he was dragged off, "like a lamb to the slaughter," yet remaining faithful to His Father in heaven all the while, even to his death.
"for"--Okay... so what was in fact the purpose of Jesus' death on a cross? (Did it have to happen on a cross at all?) Ben Meyer says that Jesus, as he eventually came to the realization during his ministry on earth that his faithfulness to the will of the Father would eventually lead to him being killed, "began to fill his impending death with significance." What is this significance? To satisfy the need for God to evoke violence as a result of human transgression? Is our God merely bloodthirsty, or vengeful?
"my"--this one I really have a problem with. Saying "Jesus died for me" is well and good, but I think we tend to say this all too often and forget the fact that Jesus did NOT come to save YOU or ME by ourselves...but to restore a COMMUNITY, and to establish His kingdom upon the entire EARTH.
"sins"--Here I just think our view of sin is really small. It includes moral obligations, yes...but it certainly goes farther than that... it refers to our orientation as a people--are we following after idols (money, success, careers, friends, acceptance, my own desires and wants, power, etc.) or after God? (Btw, the OT and Jesus make pretty clear that trying to "mix and match" your deities doesn't typically work out very well. "You cannot serve both God and Mammon...") I honestly think that there are many a person in this country who have prayed "sinner's prayers" and have gone to church their whole lives...who may find themselves among the "goats" when Jesus comes to judge. In addition to all of this, sin is not simply an individual phenomenon, as hinted above. There are societal sins that we as a church community are called to address. We cannot remain satisfied simply b/c "my soul is saved."
I have been impacted by several theologians and scholars as of late (e.g. Miroslav Volf, John Goldingay, N.T.Wright, Stephen Travis, Marianne Meye Thompson, as well my return to the studies of St. Anselm and Peter Abelard) and have come to (somewhat of a better understanding...
...but I want to know what you all think out there, seminarians/theologians or not. I'll throw in my two cents as comments come (if they come at all. If they don't, I'll just have to blog later...which as you all know, may take a long time!)
If this has thoroughly depressed/upset you before Easter, I'm sorry. You didn't pay attention to my warning, apparently.
The Good News is that even though it's Good Friday now, Easter is coming. And with Easter comes the hope for all humanity, the restoration of the whole of creation to God and the partial installation of the coming Kingdom. So I pray that all of you, this Easter, experience the resurrection of Christ anew, which is our hope for our own resurrection as a redeemed people.
Apr 2, 2006
John Perkins in Pasadena.
John Perkins, noted speaker and authority on racial reconciliation and founder of Harambee, spoke today at Bethlehem Church of Christ Holiness in Pasadena. Has a great ability to contextualize a deep and challenging message. Here are my notes from his sermon:
Text: Psalm 11... notably v. 4: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
-As Dr. Perkins nears the end of his life, it is increasingly his desire to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation, believing his calling of his own generation to be near its end.
-The two "foundations" of society, (referring to Ps 11.4) are the family, and the community. These two foundations are crumbling in American society; the latter perhaps being even more insidious b/c nobody seems to be talking about it!
-There are 5 things that the next generation must do in the church, as the church, in response to the current situation:
*We must read scripture. But we must read it differently than the way we have. It is not merely a devotional book, it is a textbook for how to live life, and how to order ourselves before God and others.
*We must "de-hijack" prayer from selfishnes, greed, and individualism, that has tore this country, and its communities, apart. Prayer is more than asking, it's about listening, and asking God "What can I do?" rather than simply asking for things. We pray for His kingdom to come. (He commented briefly yet passionately about the heresy of prosperity gospel, and of TBN.)
*We must "decolonize" the Gospel. America thought that it could have the Gospel and slaves at the same time. The problem is that even though reconciliation is the heart of the Gospel (to God and to each other), this is considered a secondary, rather than the primary issue of the church. The terms "white church" and "black church" are heretical. There was never a more religious nation than apartheid South Africa; there was never a more religious state than Mississippi, where Perkins grew up and experienced racism of the worst kind. We are a nation under stress (he inserted comments on Wal-Mart's reliance on federal aid to provide health care (my post on it back in nov)(wal-mart movie) and on the Iraq war based on "false pretenses"); we need the Gospel to break the barriers in our churches and society down, and to show concern for the poor and oppressed.
*We need to realize that God left the church, his body, as his witness/force in the world. While worship is important and necessary, we must figure ways to reach out to the next generation (inserted comment on hip-hop culture here-)
*Finally, we need a philosophy of ministry; that is, we must take key concepts that highlight our purpose as a church, and give them form and structure. His own personal philosophy are the four P's: (He is a fan of alliteration, I am discovering:) live w/ a Purpose, from it draw your Passion, direct that passion towards People, and live a life of Praise (or Perseverance? the 4th P wasn't clear. So much for alliteration...)
Mar 30, 2006
Mar 29, 2006
two shoutouts.
1) to Mark Driscoll, who on Monday publicly apologized on his website regarding his comments towards Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt a while back.
2) to Andre Daley, who's website is now one of my favs to read, mainly b/c he is the kind of critic that emergent really needs but hasn't had yet. Check out his comments on being "post-emergent," on "neophilia,", the slow-to-develop praxis of emergent,and the conversation's lack of diversity, among others. He also was how I found the Driscoll apology, which he linked.
2) to Andre Daley, who's website is now one of my favs to read, mainly b/c he is the kind of critic that emergent really needs but hasn't had yet. Check out his comments on being "post-emergent," on "neophilia,", the slow-to-develop praxis of emergent,and the conversation's lack of diversity, among others. He also was how I found the Driscoll apology, which he linked.
Mar 28, 2006
does government exist for the people? US Politics say no. Again.
I would post more on politics if I didn't feel so ignorant of the issues. (Mainly b/c it's hard for me to take the time to keep up on current events. I really try, though.) But the immigration hoopla is getting pretty big. Yesterday whole highways were blocked off by protesters in LA.
The debate is intriguing to me...as is the vehemence with which some supporters of the new bill appear to have towards the goal of keeping out illegal immigrants and punishing those that are already here. I remember a few years ago when Bush first proposed the guest-worker plan, and thought it was a good compromise that at least attempted to deal with the reality of the issue. Seems that the Senate has other ideas.
I'm admittedly not a Bush-ite, but I respect his views on immigration laws. I just wish he would take a more defiant stand against his own party, which unfortunately, too often, believes it runs the country.
Read the BBC article here.
Again, the issue is people...people who getting lost in the mix of a political war. A pattern that repeats far too often.
give me your tired, your poor, huddled masses yearning to be free...
Mar 24, 2006
I did it too. My spidey sense is tingling...
Your results:
You are Spider-Man
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
You are Spider-Man
| You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.  |
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
Mar 20, 2006
Mar 16, 2006
aggies get big win over syracuse.
On a night where I'm supposed to be up all night writing a paper, I'm finding plenty of diversions. Including learning of the fact that the Texas A&M Aggies, my alma mater, has just upset #5 Syracuse in the NCAA tournament, marking our first win in the tourney since 1980. Considering that we were winless in the Big 12 just two years ago (and last place in the Big 12 every year since its inception!), this is a remarkable accomplishment.
Gig'em, and BTHO LSU!
Mar 8, 2006
End of the quarter time.
Welp, it's that time again. Particularly sad for me, since this quarter marked the beginnings of much more fruitful blog-ologue than before...but it is unlikely that I'll be adding any new posts until after my finals are done and papers turned in. So sad...I'm gonna try to keep up w/ the lenten devotional, and I may make a random posting here and there, but don't expect much.
That said, I have several things I want to dialogue about w/ people when the next quarter gets underway:
1) Keeping on the "embrace" conversation, and w/ Kyle's related "fav" word, "ubuntu"
2) the importance (and the distortions) of personal piety/devotion.
3) a vision of a socioeconomically diverse church.
4) what to do w/ this 100$ I keep toting around (see "kingdom assignment" post)
5) (if anyone's interested) philsophical discussion of human composition, existence of a soul, and a "spiritosomatic" unity)
6) why the Spurs are the best team in the NBA (and will always be better than the Lakers.)
#5 sounds strange; it comes from some thoughts I've developed from my class with Nancey Murphy this last quarter regarding Anglo-American postmodern philsophical thought. That last term in #5 is one I made up, and is an idea I'm speculating about, so I don't expect much feedback about that as of yet. I would like to hear any thoughts regarding 1-4 from others (inc. the wino Texas law student :) ) who might have thoughts. Post 'em here and I will post my thoughts in response when I emerge from my study lair.
In conclusion, Benny Hinn is a putz.
Addendum to conclusion: Sam, spare me w/ telling me how the Clippers beat us last night. I know you're not a Clipper. You're gold and evil purple through and through. And I give the Clips my utmost respect. Now we'll wait till Friday.
That said, I have several things I want to dialogue about w/ people when the next quarter gets underway:
1) Keeping on the "embrace" conversation, and w/ Kyle's related "fav" word, "ubuntu"
2) the importance (and the distortions) of personal piety/devotion.
3) a vision of a socioeconomically diverse church.
4) what to do w/ this 100$ I keep toting around (see "kingdom assignment" post)
5) (if anyone's interested) philsophical discussion of human composition, existence of a soul, and a "spiritosomatic" unity)
6) why the Spurs are the best team in the NBA (and will always be better than the Lakers.)
#5 sounds strange; it comes from some thoughts I've developed from my class with Nancey Murphy this last quarter regarding Anglo-American postmodern philsophical thought. That last term in #5 is one I made up, and is an idea I'm speculating about, so I don't expect much feedback about that as of yet. I would like to hear any thoughts regarding 1-4 from others (inc. the wino Texas law student :) ) who might have thoughts. Post 'em here and I will post my thoughts in response when I emerge from my study lair.
In conclusion, Benny Hinn is a putz.
Addendum to conclusion: Sam, spare me w/ telling me how the Clippers beat us last night. I know you're not a Clipper. You're gold and evil purple through and through. And I give the Clips my utmost respect. Now we'll wait till Friday.
Mar 4, 2006
Mar 1, 2006
inner dialogue.
Voice in my head #1: I really hate it when people respond to posts by saying, "Are you stupid? Of course that's wrong!" They just shut down a conversation right off the bat by doing so. Crazy fundies.
Voice #2: What about you? Didn't you just hear yourself? You're no better than they are!
Voice #1: Well, I'm just being honest.
Voice #2: And they aren't? I mean, you do a lot of talking about honesty; can you really fault someone for simply sharing their opinion?
Voice #1: It's their opinion that they subject onto other people that's the problem. But I guess you're right in the sense that I'm no better. I just want sincere dialogue to happen.
Voice #2: And how, exactly, is sincere dialogue supposed to happen, if people are afraid of sharing how they truly feel about something? If someone thinks they're right and everyone else is wrong, why shouldn't they be allowed to say so?
Voice #1: I guess I feel like it can't be sincere honesty unless is willing to contend with another position. I don't mind that someone disagrees with me, but if they make a qualitative distinction of who I am based solely on an opinion I have, then they have shut the door to a space where real, honest dialogue can occur.
Voice #2: And you don't make qualitative distinctions of others as a result of their opinions?
Voice #1: I try not to. Sometimes I do, and I often do so as a defense mechanism in the face of a slammed door to conversation, as my first comment illustrated. That's not a good thing, but I suppose it helps me understand those who have such venemous opinions...they are probably reacting against some kind of exclusionary act which they have faced in the past, or still face. So I guess what I want is for the cycle to be broken, so that we can really learn from each other. And that will take a heaping of humility to go with our honesty.
Voice #2:...
Voice #2: You're such an idiot.
Voice #2: What about you? Didn't you just hear yourself? You're no better than they are!
Voice #1: Well, I'm just being honest.
Voice #2: And they aren't? I mean, you do a lot of talking about honesty; can you really fault someone for simply sharing their opinion?
Voice #1: It's their opinion that they subject onto other people that's the problem. But I guess you're right in the sense that I'm no better. I just want sincere dialogue to happen.
Voice #2: And how, exactly, is sincere dialogue supposed to happen, if people are afraid of sharing how they truly feel about something? If someone thinks they're right and everyone else is wrong, why shouldn't they be allowed to say so?
Voice #1: I guess I feel like it can't be sincere honesty unless is willing to contend with another position. I don't mind that someone disagrees with me, but if they make a qualitative distinction of who I am based solely on an opinion I have, then they have shut the door to a space where real, honest dialogue can occur.
Voice #2: And you don't make qualitative distinctions of others as a result of their opinions?
Voice #1: I try not to. Sometimes I do, and I often do so as a defense mechanism in the face of a slammed door to conversation, as my first comment illustrated. That's not a good thing, but I suppose it helps me understand those who have such venemous opinions...they are probably reacting against some kind of exclusionary act which they have faced in the past, or still face. So I guess what I want is for the cycle to be broken, so that we can really learn from each other. And that will take a heaping of humility to go with our honesty.
Voice #2:...
Voice #2: You're such an idiot.
Lent begins. hunger sets in.
Today is the first day of Lent, and about the only thing that I have done to celebrate was to eat pancakes last night for Fat Tuesday (Is that a real tradition? I think it was just an excuse my friends gave so we could go eat pancakes.) I missed Fuller's chapel this morning where they had an Ash Wednesday service. I really needed to go running w/ Jonathan this morning. I've been getting antsy. And fat. (Those pancakes certainly didn't help.)I plan on participating in this Lenten weblog devoted to reflections on Miroslav Volf's new book, Free of Charge. I got the book for free for being part of the Emergent Conversation with Volf in early February. The book is the official 2006 Lenten Devotional as designated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It's an important book for our day and age, dealing with issues of giving and forgiving, both of which are very difficult for those of us mired in the modern world. Yet these are central concepts of our Christian faith. I encourage you all to get this book... Exclusion and Embrace is amazing, but this book is much more accessible for casual reading.
I'm spiritually starving. I really don't know how to explain how I'm feeling better than that. (Maybe it's because I go to Fuller.) This past weekend Kyle, my good friend from Texas A&M, came to come ski and visit, and we got all beat up and had great fun. But Sunday I had a profound experience: we went in the morning (per my typical Sunday ritual) to the Church in the Park to help feed people who are homeless, and I took notice of the obvious starvation that many of these kind and grateful people faced...those who had their spoons in their mouths while still in line for more food. The other half of my Sunday ritual (minus Ultimate frisbee, which I skipped) is going to Warehouse, my church, and this particular evening focused on reflection and worship music, and culminated in communion. And the sense that I had as I sat in a trance-like prayer (which is really strange for me) prior to taking communion was that I was starving, with a yearning for grace that was not unlike one would yearn for food, but finding myself at best reluctant to receive that grace. It was surreal, and the kind of experience that I have not had in a long time. I'm hoping that this Lenten season will help me understand God's grace better, and how I can rightly respond to it, as someone who is trying to be a faithful disciple.
Feb 23, 2006
In the midst of craziness, but I had to check this out...
Read this article by Fuller's own Kara Powell, if you're interested for the future, or have ever gone on a short-term missions trip. It raises some important issues that we as Westernized Christians who do these trips must contend with and be honest about. I loved going to Africa this summer, but I did struggle with the real "help" I was providing. It's one reason I decided to help sponsor one of the children in Ilula: so I can remain connected in some way with their community...I am also wanting to take a trip this summer somewhere (possibly Cambodia, Zambia, or Venezuela)...this would also be for school credit, but this article reminds me of the things that I wrestled with in my Incarnation and Mission class last quarter, and how I need to consider the needs of the people that we seek to serve before my own desire to feel "helpful."
This is also why my "project" (for lack of a better term) at my church...not the Kingdom Assignment (as dubbed) but something I've been working on before that... is something that I've become passionate about...an entire church community seeking regular, consistent time with the downtrodden and oppressed, welcoming them into community and engaging in mutual exchanges with them. This is all very vague and cryptic, but i don't have the time (or energy :( ) to explain. I will post on this again soon, in hopes that people out there in the wide world of cyberspace will pass on wisdom, encouragement, criticism, etc.
This is also why my "project" (for lack of a better term) at my church...not the Kingdom Assignment (as dubbed) but something I've been working on before that... is something that I've become passionate about...an entire church community seeking regular, consistent time with the downtrodden and oppressed, welcoming them into community and engaging in mutual exchanges with them. This is all very vague and cryptic, but i don't have the time (or energy :( ) to explain. I will post on this again soon, in hopes that people out there in the wide world of cyberspace will pass on wisdom, encouragement, criticism, etc.
Feb 22, 2006
new look. new assignment.
My blog got a makeover this week. Even though I still have no clue what I'm doing. I need help with making my blog more reader-friendly. Anyone out there willing to help?
It's been an eventful week thus far...this weekend my friend Kyle from Texas is coming to CA to go skiing w/ me and some friends at Mammoth. Way excited.
The interim pastor at Lake Avenue Church (my church Warehouse's big brother church, came to preach for us last Sunday night, about God and money. He talked a lot about stewardship and the importance of recognizing our money as not belonging to us but to God, and living accordingly. He then went on to ask for volunteers from the audience...I was one of them. He handed each of us a 100$ bill and said, "You can take this money if you realize that a) this is God's money, not yours, b) you can do whatever you want w/ it, so long as it serves to further the kingdom of God, and c) you must report back to the church in 60 days what I did w/ the money."
So now I'm on a Kingdom Assignment. There's four of us from my church hub that volunteered, so we have 400$ pooled together. Anyone have any ideas of what we can do?
It's been an eventful week thus far...this weekend my friend Kyle from Texas is coming to CA to go skiing w/ me and some friends at Mammoth. Way excited.
The interim pastor at Lake Avenue Church (my church Warehouse's big brother church, came to preach for us last Sunday night, about God and money. He talked a lot about stewardship and the importance of recognizing our money as not belonging to us but to God, and living accordingly. He then went on to ask for volunteers from the audience...I was one of them. He handed each of us a 100$ bill and said, "You can take this money if you realize that a) this is God's money, not yours, b) you can do whatever you want w/ it, so long as it serves to further the kingdom of God, and c) you must report back to the church in 60 days what I did w/ the money."
So now I'm on a Kingdom Assignment. There's four of us from my church hub that volunteered, so we have 400$ pooled together. Anyone have any ideas of what we can do?
Feb 18, 2006
what a night to finally turn on the Olympics.
Lindsey Jacobellis was in a clear route to victory in the first ever Olympic women's snowboard cross. She had survived some very tough competition in the previous runs, she fought her way to the lead after coming from the far side of the track to cut in front of everyone, and two of the trailers ended up wiping out bad (one left the mountain on a stretcher). She had a commanding lead by the home stretch, no one was close; she only had to coast for the gold. Then she did a method air on the last jump to show off for the crowd. Then she fell. And she ended up getting the silver.
Jerry Seinfeld comes to mind: In the Olympics, gold is great, of course; bronze is at least something. But silver is like the Committee saying, "Congratulations. You're the first loser. No one lost better than you."
My dad also comes to mind: Don't showboat. Don't hog the ball; don't be afraid to use the backboard; play it safe. Jacobellis could've used my dad's help last night.
This afternoon I'm recovering from a 4-hour marathon Ultimate frisbee excursion. And beginning work on my Gospels paper. Hopefully I can stay awake.
(btw... this is my first post w/ a pic! Quite a moment for blogging history. Hopefully it turns out.)
Feb 14, 2006
some notes from the volf conference.
1. Theology is for a way of life. We only speak of God at the point of intersection between God and humanity. Theology guides the church into a way of viewing the Christian faith in the context of our tradition and particular practices. It is intended to be a relevant practice; often theology refuses to be relevant. Volf seeks to maintain relevance by speaking about how God relates to particular issues of our world.
2. Is theology "systematic"? Theology helps us to see how things "fit" together; it aids our understanding of Christianity in that it provides consistency to our beliefs. But we must be careful about this... our Scriptures aren't neat and orderly like we would like them to be, and we shouldn't attempt to cram everything into the same suitcase of theology...yet we can't leave these things behind, either! Volf suggests letting them "dangle out of the suitcase," or, taking these things as carry-ons luggage. The complex things of the faith are seen as resources and not competitors to our theology. This requires patience, and humility, as well as a respect for our Scripture.
3. Christians are in the precarious position of attempting to avoid both sectarianism (by defining ourselves as what the world is NOT) and radical accomodation (reshaping our faith based on the surrounding culture). This is where Volf's(admittedly messy) idea of "embrace" (opening ourselves to the "other") and "double vision" (Attempting to see/understand the world through the "other's" eyes)can be helpful tools for theology. It is good for Christians to enter into the world, into the "pluralistic marketplace," and with an attitude of humility and respect, attempt to both proclaim and learn.
4. Volf is a pacifist, but he does not shy away (as many Christians do) from the idea of a God who seeks justice. God in his holiness demands justice, and becomes violent in reponse... that violence being directed towards the violence of humanity. Volf speaks about justice in terms of the violence that we invoke towards one another-- and that there will be a "leveling" of the playing field one day. God is patient with those who perpetrate violence, and does everything he can to penetrate their hearts (e.g. die for them on a cross). Yet the incessance of perpetrators, combined with the impatience of the victims who cry out, "How long, o Lord?" allows the possibility/justification for a divine violence. (Volf is hopeful, however, that God's mercy (invoked by the perpetrator's surrender) will be the last word.)
5. Christians, however, follow the model of Christ and submit to the violence of the world, and in doing so enacting violence upon violence. This is the only option for us; seeking justice through violence is in the hands of God alone; we do not take up the sword. (We must also consider how we perpetrate violence of various kinds--by excluding others, unjust economic systems, pride and ignorance, racism and prejudice, insistence on a Western perspective, refusing to show love to the least of these, etc.-- and repent.)
6. Indifference is a scary thing; Volf states that those who are indifferent to God, even as a self-proclaimed "Christian," is farther away from God than the staunch atheist (e.g. Nietzche), who takes God seriously enough to deny him! Indifference is a drug that numbs us from "feeling," from loving.
7. God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. There is no exit from God's relationship to us.
8. Volf spoke on atonement theories a little bit: There are two traditional views popular today: the substitutionary atonement theory (e.g. Anselm), and the identification theory (e.g. like Abelard). (Christus Victor is closely related to the former; think Narnia.) These are traditional conservative and liberal understandings, respectively. Volf likes the term inclusive substitution; Christ performs a substitutionary act in which we are present with him at the cross. (echo of Paul: "I have been crucified w/ Christ") In an important sense, the violence rendered to Christ was rendered to us as well. In some sense, therefore, we do identify with Christ, although it is not a mere identification. (Complicated idea, I know. What do you expect from atonement theories?)
9. Chew on this: God takes the anger of God onto God.
10. The church has an important role in His plan for the world's redemption. Yet the Gospel remains above the church--thankfully, considering the number of times the church has failed the Gospel in our history. Volf states (and I share this sentiment) that his experience with the church would not lead to a faith in God; it is his confrontation with the Gospel that has resulted in faith.
We also had "breakout" groups during the conference; mine discussed social justice, Volf, and emergent. I have some thoughts from that convo, but I'll save them for later.
2. Is theology "systematic"? Theology helps us to see how things "fit" together; it aids our understanding of Christianity in that it provides consistency to our beliefs. But we must be careful about this... our Scriptures aren't neat and orderly like we would like them to be, and we shouldn't attempt to cram everything into the same suitcase of theology...yet we can't leave these things behind, either! Volf suggests letting them "dangle out of the suitcase," or, taking these things as carry-ons luggage. The complex things of the faith are seen as resources and not competitors to our theology. This requires patience, and humility, as well as a respect for our Scripture.
3. Christians are in the precarious position of attempting to avoid both sectarianism (by defining ourselves as what the world is NOT) and radical accomodation (reshaping our faith based on the surrounding culture). This is where Volf's(admittedly messy) idea of "embrace" (opening ourselves to the "other") and "double vision" (Attempting to see/understand the world through the "other's" eyes)can be helpful tools for theology. It is good for Christians to enter into the world, into the "pluralistic marketplace," and with an attitude of humility and respect, attempt to both proclaim and learn.
4. Volf is a pacifist, but he does not shy away (as many Christians do) from the idea of a God who seeks justice. God in his holiness demands justice, and becomes violent in reponse... that violence being directed towards the violence of humanity. Volf speaks about justice in terms of the violence that we invoke towards one another-- and that there will be a "leveling" of the playing field one day. God is patient with those who perpetrate violence, and does everything he can to penetrate their hearts (e.g. die for them on a cross). Yet the incessance of perpetrators, combined with the impatience of the victims who cry out, "How long, o Lord?" allows the possibility/justification for a divine violence. (Volf is hopeful, however, that God's mercy (invoked by the perpetrator's surrender) will be the last word.)
5. Christians, however, follow the model of Christ and submit to the violence of the world, and in doing so enacting violence upon violence. This is the only option for us; seeking justice through violence is in the hands of God alone; we do not take up the sword. (We must also consider how we perpetrate violence of various kinds--by excluding others, unjust economic systems, pride and ignorance, racism and prejudice, insistence on a Western perspective, refusing to show love to the least of these, etc.-- and repent.)
6. Indifference is a scary thing; Volf states that those who are indifferent to God, even as a self-proclaimed "Christian," is farther away from God than the staunch atheist (e.g. Nietzche), who takes God seriously enough to deny him! Indifference is a drug that numbs us from "feeling," from loving.
7. God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. There is no exit from God's relationship to us.
8. Volf spoke on atonement theories a little bit: There are two traditional views popular today: the substitutionary atonement theory (e.g. Anselm), and the identification theory (e.g. like Abelard). (Christus Victor is closely related to the former; think Narnia.) These are traditional conservative and liberal understandings, respectively. Volf likes the term inclusive substitution; Christ performs a substitutionary act in which we are present with him at the cross. (echo of Paul: "I have been crucified w/ Christ") In an important sense, the violence rendered to Christ was rendered to us as well. In some sense, therefore, we do identify with Christ, although it is not a mere identification. (Complicated idea, I know. What do you expect from atonement theories?)
9. Chew on this: God takes the anger of God onto God.
10. The church has an important role in His plan for the world's redemption. Yet the Gospel remains above the church--thankfully, considering the number of times the church has failed the Gospel in our history. Volf states (and I share this sentiment) that his experience with the church would not lead to a faith in God; it is his confrontation with the Gospel that has resulted in faith.
We also had "breakout" groups during the conference; mine discussed social justice, Volf, and emergent. I have some thoughts from that convo, but I'll save them for later.
Feb 11, 2006
sick.
So the doctor says I have a colon infection. How exciting is that?
As a result, I haven't really been myself since I've gotten home. (I felt great, thankfully, during the trip, just bad before and after.) I'm on antibiotics and I'm going to try and go to the beach tonight w/ some of the Fullerites. Prayers are appeciated.
As a result, I haven't really been myself since I've gotten home. (I felt great, thankfully, during the trip, just bad before and after.) I'm on antibiotics and I'm going to try and go to the beach tonight w/ some of the Fullerites. Prayers are appeciated.
Feb 9, 2006
Attempts to define "emergent."
During the conference I had more than a few conversations that went something like this:
Josh: "There is a lot of confusion today in the church about what 'emergent' is. "
Random emergent guy: "Well, I guess that includes me, too."
(This was quickly followed by Josh simutaneously experiencing both a sense of confused ignorance and of warm identification.)
To highlight this, Wikipedia (which is a wonderful resource that I am only partially familiar with)has put a cleanup tag on the "emerging church" article. The article's too "messy." Go figure.
Take a look at some of the editorial comments-- just to be amused, or perhaps to help clean the article up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Emerging_Church
Josh: "There is a lot of confusion today in the church about what 'emergent' is. "
Random emergent guy: "Well, I guess that includes me, too."
(This was quickly followed by Josh simutaneously experiencing both a sense of confused ignorance and of warm identification.)
To highlight this, Wikipedia (which is a wonderful resource that I am only partially familiar with)has put a cleanup tag on the "emerging church" article. The article's too "messy." Go figure.
Take a look at some of the editorial comments-- just to be amused, or perhaps to help clean the article up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Emerging_Church
Feb 8, 2006
Back from the Volf conference.
So I'm posting again... I just got back from the emergent conference, feeling very "emergent," although quite tired and having a barrel-full of work to do. To quickly sum, here are some convictions I've come to from this week:
1) New York City is an amazing phenomenon and landmark of American history. And it's just stinkin' cool. I found my great-g'father's manuscript from when he got off the boat at Ellis Island, I looked up the Statue of Liberty's dress, I visited St. Paul's Chapel, Washington's pew, the WTC site, Times Square, saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, watched the Super Bowl in Greenwich.... all great fun.
2) My blog sucks and needs pictures. And postings, for that matter.
3) I am a selfish American bastard who is very thankful that God is patient with him.
4) Miroslav Volf has more intellect in his snot-rockets than most of us...yet he still manages to be incredibly humble and to have a generous spirit.
5) There are amazing people doing amazing things in churches and leadership boards around the country...which I would do well to remember when I'm about ready to cast American churches into Gehenna.
6) Going on long trips without my CDs is a bad idea.
7) It will take a long time before I am able to process this week fully. Hopefully getting into the blog conversation with others from the conference will help.
And in that vein, I plan to start posting more regularly... so more to come soon.
1) New York City is an amazing phenomenon and landmark of American history. And it's just stinkin' cool. I found my great-g'father's manuscript from when he got off the boat at Ellis Island, I looked up the Statue of Liberty's dress, I visited St. Paul's Chapel, Washington's pew, the WTC site, Times Square, saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, watched the Super Bowl in Greenwich.... all great fun.
2) My blog sucks and needs pictures. And postings, for that matter.
3) I am a selfish American bastard who is very thankful that God is patient with him.
4) Miroslav Volf has more intellect in his snot-rockets than most of us...yet he still manages to be incredibly humble and to have a generous spirit.
5) There are amazing people doing amazing things in churches and leadership boards around the country...which I would do well to remember when I'm about ready to cast American churches into Gehenna.
6) Going on long trips without my CDs is a bad idea.
7) It will take a long time before I am able to process this week fully. Hopefully getting into the blog conversation with others from the conference will help.
And in that vein, I plan to start posting more regularly... so more to come soon.
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