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.
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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