What's brewing

Well I am lover of coffee. For the last three years my coffee source has been the 'Black Pearl', a coffee roaster in Winnipeg. Since consuming from 'Black Pearl', I have attempted only to buy fair trade blends, which I must say have always treated me kindly.

Every Christmas the 'Black Pearl' brings in a couple extra treats for the coffee lover. This year their was even a fair trade selection a Uganda "White Nile", which is very nice. Not nearly as strong as I usually drink, but very nice. I imagine over the holiday, Trisha and I will be enjoying a cup of the Uganda "White Nile" a lot. Another fun treat that we pick up is Mayan Hot Chocolate, which is more a syrup than your standard hot chocolate. We we're advised to only have shots of it or add it to a special coffee or liquor.

Well, I hope everyone has some fine beverages over the holidays with friends and family.

BHF residents and salvation

At BHF in October we had a lot of residents who considered themselves 'ex-Christians' or I use to be a Christians. This was particularly interesting for me and led to many interesting conversations, especially in regards to promises in the Bible about Jesus(ie. he will never leave us or once we have received salvation life is easier-- I know this one is probably more a tenant of a stream of Christianity than what Jesus teaches in the Gospel, but it is so prevalent in churches in North America it is hard to get away from). One resident from Nunavut gave the response that he is no longer a christian because Jesus let him down, so he is going to live life for himself. This resident grew up in a fairly conservative/evangelical family with a literalistic view of the Bible.

As I was having these conversations, it hit me that a lot of their problems with Christianity is that promises they were told in a typical conversion or sinner's prayer experience had no real value in life. While these teens might be extreme cases with having little family to rely on, thus having no supports during the tumultuous adolescence.

I always went back to a song my friend Joey turned me onto by Brand New called Jesus Christ. I have included the lyrics below and bolded the parts that these teens were asking and questioning again and again.

Jesus Christ by Brand New

Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone that could save
If they don't put me away
It’ll be a miracle
Do you believe you're missing out?
That everything good is happening somewhere else
With nobody in your bed
The night is hard to get through
And I will die all alone
And when I arrive I won’t know anyone
Jesus Christ, I’m alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Because this problem is gonna last
More than the weekend
Jesus Christ I’m not scared to die
But I’m a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot
Or do I float through the ceiling
Or do I divide and pull apart
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
This ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?
I know you're coming in the night like a thief
But I’ve had some time, O Lord, to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I’m someone you can trust
But I’m scared I’ll get scared and I swear
I’ll try to nail you back up
So do you think that we could work out a sign
So I’ll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try
I know you're coming for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine


I kept on thinking about these boys, every time i listen to the lyrics and wonder the role of the Church in salvation. I am becoming very skeptical about any understanding of salvation that is separated from a church community. I am hoping to read Scot McKnight's A community called Atonement shortly, I figure he will touch on these topics. I doubt even the strongest of adolescence stand a chance in this world without people to support them and be the Church.

Hymn of Remorse

Hymn of Remorse
Words and music by Brian McLaren and Tracy Howe, 2007, Brian McLaren.
Publishing, Revolution of Hope Music Group SESAC 2007, all rights reserved. Registered with CCLI

We covered over your colorful earth with grey cement
We cut own trees and stripped the soil wherever we went
We scarred the hills for gold and coal
Blind with greed inside our soul
Our goal to have complete control
Lord we repent

We have children we don’t love so we shove them away
Make sex a drug, the more we take the more we crave
From tender kiss to slamming doors
From sacred vows to lawyer wars
Break ours down to mine and your
With no remorse

Lord, have mercy. Can we be restored?
Lord, have mercy.

What of the lands of tribes and nations who lived here first?
Who took the best with broken treaties and left the worst?
By whom were slaves bought, used and sold?
Who valued people less than gold?
Who told us racist lies until our hearts went cold?

The noise of traffic is drowning out the songbird’s song.
Your voice within us telling us that we’ve gone wrong.
You call us from our selfishness,
To be blessed and to bless.
To turn to you, begin anew.
Lord we say yes.

Lord, have mercy. Can we be restored?
Lord, have mercy.

Is God more like a tailor or iceberg?

Obviously our view/understanding how God works in the world grossly influences us. On Sunday evening Jamie made the proposal that often times we talk about God in terms of a tailor. God with a big needle in the sky occasionally contacts and influences the world. These contacts vary in magnitude, Jesus being the biggest. However, Jamie states that maybe an iceberg would be a better way to understand God's influence. Like a iceberg, God is always present, but we only see what is on the surface.

I found this understanding more powerful. I wonder how understanding that God is ever present(even if hidden a lot of the time) would change the way we live here and now. Do we wait on the big events, such as which the tailor model points towards or do we believe something more all encompassing.

Let's Confess it by Brian McLaren

Let’s Confess It
Words and music by Brian McLaren

Let’s confess it: there’s a lot of evil, lust and greed in our world. Oppression and sin
build up pressure within until there’s an eruption of corruption. Beneath the skin, we
skid and spin in spiritual crisis where vice is the norm, and justice, kindness, humility,
and civility are all too rare.

Unaware of our despair, we smile in denial and say “It’s all OK. No need to change, no
need to grow, just have another drink or smoke, tell another joke, and don’t think or
rethink. Make another buck, with some luck you can buy a bigger house, store more
stuff, drive fast, look good, keep up.”

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Meanwhile, addiction, rejection, and a lack of reflection spawn friction, dejection and a
loss of direction. Every family, community, and nation are shaken. Creation’s resources
are carelessly taken. And pollution scars every ocean, mountain, breeze, and shore, with
visible symptoms of our inner war.

We’re all victims. We’re all villains. We’re stuck in the web that we spun ourselves. But
God lights a spark of hope in the dark to help us cope with all that’s wrong and needs to
be made right. God has come into all our pain, shame, and loss through the cross, and
calls us to a path of life, love, purpose, and peace.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

If we humble ourselves to believe and receive, a river will flow and a candle will glow in
a secret sacred place within us, very deep, where we have been wasting in shadows, halfdead
or half-asleep. We’ve been falling in a vicious viral downward spiral that leads to
death. Let’s wake up, hear God calling, take a deep, fresh breath.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

“We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we
have done and what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart
and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly
repent. For the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and please forgive, that
we may finally and fully learn to live in dignity and unity, integrity and harmony,
delighting in your will and walking in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.”

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

McLaren Music Project

A group of song writers including Brian McLaren recently released a collections of songs titled Songs for a Revolution of Hope Vol. 1, these songs apparently are based on his new book. I am finding the songs very refreshing and helpful in my journey. I hope to post a lot of the lyrics over the next little while, if you are interested in the project go here.

The first song is called Atheist, it is probably the 'commercial' song on the cd.

Atheist

I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.
I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword
I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition.

I believe in you - the artist of trees and galaxies
I believe in you - the poet of oceans and rivers and streams
I believe in you - the god of compassion who calls us to action
I believe in you

I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
I believe in you - majestic designer of space and time
I believe in you - composer of beauty and music of life
I believe in you - the holy forgiver and wild reconciler
I believe in you

I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.
I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer
I am an atheist when it comes to the view of the chosen few, who judge and condemn all who differ them.

I believe in you … mighty in meekness and gentle in power
I believe in you … the word who has spoken good news to the broken
I believe in you … Transcending mystery, with us in history
I believe in you

A date with Bruce..

Well my return to the Blog world isn't going so well. I keep on thinking of things I want to share, but can never find the time to write. I just wanted to share that I recently bought tickets to a Bruce Springsteen show in the U.S. I am really pumped about this, I can't wait to experience Bruce in person. I hope to share some deeper thoughts sometime soon.

A Return to the Blog world with Volf

Well it has been almost 6 weeks since my last blog. I am probably not the best blogger, because quite a bit has been going on at work and in my thoughts. I am just going to leave a quote I read yesterday from Miroslav Volf. A quick note on the context, Captain G. is a man who interrogated Volf for a couple months in the 80's.

Furthermore, what effect, if any, does the death of Jesus Christ to save the ungodly have on Captain F. as an abuser? Christ "died for all," says the Apostle Paul; therefore, in some sense " all have died," not just those who believe in Christ (Corinthians 5:14). Captain G. too? Then how should I remember his abuse, given that Christ atoned for it ? Or does Christ's atonement have no impact on my memory of his wrongdoing?

If One died for the salvation of all should we not hope for the salvation of all ? Should I actively hope for Captain G.s entry into the world to come? More, Christ died to reconcile human beings to one another, not only to God.....The banquet is an image the N.T frequently uses to describe that reconciled world. Captain G. and I sitting together at the table feasting with laughter and camaraderie? A very scary thought, but not an impossible scenario! What would it mean to remember his wrongdoing now in view of such a potential future?

Books and Music

Well my summer was really busy, which didn't allow for a lot of reading time. I hope to change this in the fall, these are some of the books I am working through at the Culleton-Koebel household.

Books:

Mission Al Jazeera by Josh Rushing - Follows Josh Rushing an ex-Marine turned Al Jazeera reporter. I am not one to find war books/movies as intriguing or interesting for that matter. However, Rushing does a good job showing how truth is subverted to support various political agendas. Rushing got his '15 minutes of fame' as he was unknowingly the star of Control Room, a documentary on the war in Iraq - I am hoping to watch Control Room in the next week.

The Last Word by N.T. Wright - In the last year Wright has become someone who I've turned to more in what it means to say the Bible is authoritative. I hope this book give insights in how a christian is to take the Bible as being authoritative with all we know about how the Bible's authors.

The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie - Early this summer I read my first Rushdie book, I was blown away by the beauty of his storytelling. I hope that my second run is equally fulfilling. So far the words spring off the page and paint a mosaic of experiences and worldviews. I must say I have never read anyone who writes with the beauty of Rushdie.

A song from last night...

This is the song for communion.

Come to me by Mike Koop

I am weary
I am weak
I am thirsty
All you said was
Come to me
Come to me (3x)
All you siad was come to me

I am haunted
I am so vain
I am so filthy
All you said was
Come to me Come to me...

I said you're nothing
I said no, I'm right
I said I hate you
All you said was
Come to me
Come to me..

Going to see Bright Eyes

The last little while I've had a bit of bad luck with going to concerts. We we're gonna go to the Wilco show, but then the guitarist got sick. So I have been eagerly waiting for a concert to attend then the Kanye West show became known, but I work that night and the tickets are really pricey (the cheapest are $70.00). I was actually pretty irritated that due to my working evening I was going to miss Kanye, but my love for concerts will be fulfilled soon as Bright Eyes is coming to town. I have been a huge fan of Bright Eyes, which is a indie-rock/folk band. The lead singer Conner Oberst grew up catholic, but now questions his parents faith. His questions have helped and challenged my faith a lot. Anyways to make matters better our tickets are 12 rows back from the stage. This will be my second Bright Eyes show..so I am really pumped!

Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

I'm not sure what is about me when I hear about a Canadian doing thing I respect that makes me proud to be Canadian. I don't think its that I am not unpatriotic, but maybe being Canadian isn't a defying thing for me as a person. Nonetheless whenever I encounter the work of Naomi Klein in the little portions that I've read -- I am proud to say I am a Canadian. Here is a little video that introduces her new book - Shock Doctrine - enjoy.

9/11

Well I guess its that time of year again. I imagine it will sound trite whatever I say about 9/11, but every year it seems this day sticks out. I think the more I think about it all I can say is that I pray for those who've lost love ones through this tragic event. I include all those in my prayers: Americans, Iraqis, and all those other countries that have been attacked under the 'war on terrorism'. I think my only solace in thinking about the vast amount of tragedies in the world is a prayer for peace. Not praying to understand how God 'uses' tragedy to bring about redemption, because a God that uses violence is not a God I care to know.

All I can do is pray that those hurt turn to peace, not vengeance. I listen to Road to Peace by Tom Waits and prayer for peace. Peace for those suffering that they have people who will sit Shiva with them and not try to explain away the reason this and that happened. Mostly, because any answer fails to help and only creates perverse understanding of the way God works.

I watched a video a couple months ago sent to me by a friend posted on Juan Cole's Blog about an Iraqis response to the Americans bombing Iraq and her response hit me. She basically asked for God to repay these evil deeds. Maybe God responds this way, much like the Old Testament describes them(if that is the case I'm not sure how Jesus fits in with this God). It struck me that the Iraqis response is similar to many Americans response to being attack that God would seek revenge for their loss. Just wondering if there is a difference between and American/Iraqis plea....

Cranberry-Port Conserve

Well on my days off I try to cook dinner for Trisha and myself. Since, we bought some cranberries at the farmer's market a couple weeks back we wanted to try a cranberry sauce-chicken dinner. So last night I made a Cranberry-Port Conserve. I wasn't sure the conserve would turn out, but when all was said and done it was a success. So we had the conserve with grilled chicken and spaghetti squash. I imagine we will try this menu again and to end the evening I watch Monday Night Football with a couple of glasses of Sheperds Ridge Pinot Noir 2004, which went really well with the dinner. This was a bit of a surprise. This was a shocking because I hadn't really tasted a Pinot Noir that I enjoyed, but ever since watching Sideways Pinot Noir has a mystic that cannot be explained. Well hope everyone has time to try something new for dinner with some friends and family.

100 Mile diet....

Well Trisha and I are 11 days into our 100 mile diet, which will go till early December. It has been fun finding locally produced products, but some things such as soy milk does not have a local alternative. Thankfully, soy milk is really the only thing that doesn't fit into the diet, we found eggs, butter, bread, veggies, fruit, etc that is made locally.

The farmer's market has been a treat every time we can make it Saturday morning. I think the bread made locally is incredible, while the taste can be savoured through the weeks, it has been fun meeting the people as well. This week we bought a couple loafs and chatted with the producer, she shared how her week was rough so her co-worker would have count our money. Part of the reason to participating in the diet is to be more connected to the products. We often talk about the importance of relationships. I think by buying locally brings us in relationship to the product and the community that produces our food. David Morris notes this is the reason why eating locally is important, "community, which, to me, is the most important reason to prefer local food. Distance kills community."

I feel that the lack of pesticides and hormones in our food is a move in the right direction. It is also fun to try new things, we are able to get bison burger that have significantly less fat than the leanest burgers at Superstore, bread that is amazing(this week we got a Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Bread..yummy), great jams from lock port, Mexican sausages. Well the list would go one.....for a further theological discussion on eating locally and becoming Green download some sermons from Mars Hill Bible Church - the series is called 'God is Green. Well hope everyone has a good work, and are at work at redeeming the world.

Rap = Rape

In a class at college a prof made the statement 'Rap equals Rape.' At the time I wondered if this was true, as a person who grew up with rap/hip-hop/R&B. I think this statement has stuck with me as I continue to listen to rap, but definitely more aware of the lyrics. I think this is a struggle because I believe some rap/hip-hop is very prophetic, which I hope to blog about in a couple days.

This topic has been creeping into my thoughts with my work at BHF in Selkirk. Most of these boys are indoctrinated in Rap worldview from a very young age, through family members, music, music videos, etc. I think for most of these boys to view women as anything else than a sex-object is long task of reorientation. So this statement is very true, whenever we drive they are compelled to 'holler' at every female that is innocently walking the streets.

In my many talks with the boys about their interactions with females, the truth that glares back at me is that the girls I got to know during adolescents is not the girls these boys know. While their Sex Ed is probably learnt through porn and rap music, this creates a problem for their social interaction with females beyond their limited understanding of females. One boy keeps on sharing a story of how he encountered a married women at a baseball game and from my estimation she was merely being polite. However, this woman's politeness is communicated to the boy as a willingness for sex.

This view naturally leads to my professors statement. Not sure where this rant is going just a few thoughts....

Who is Josh Ritter?

The music industry is in a peculiar state. I find it hard to find artist who continually impress. Such is the case this past week with Ben Harper's new CD Lifeline, I have been a fan of Harper for 3 years now. While Harper is a brilliant artist, this last CD I got the feeling of 'I've heard this before'. While the CD is good, I expected more. I guess once you've found your niche in the market you stick to it.

One the other hand a new artist to me Josh Ritter was a pleasant surprise. I've been playing his CD The Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter nonstop. I find his songs meeting some deeper meaning that was missing from Harper's outing. The entire CD is great, particularly good for a road trip. So if your in a mood for something original give Ritter a listen.

Perks of the job

My new job is in Selkirk, which is a good 50 min. drive that I actually don’t mind this at all. It gives me time to listen to music and wind down after work so I don’t bring work home with me. Another positive is that 50 min is a perfect amount for a podcast/sermon. So I have the pleasure of listening to a lot of good conversations that have been quite thought provoking. I just wanted to share some of the highlights that have deepened some question that have I’ve been mulling over for quite sometime.
Emergent podcasts:
- Doug Pagitt from a recent emerging – mainline conference - A couple years back a friend asked me what would summarize Jesus’ message. My response was naturally ‘Kingdom of God’. This I found without any base is sort of a sell-out answer, mostly because it has no real understanding for too many Christians I’ve meet. As I described the Kingdom of God, it is obviously appealing to many with community, social justice, dignity, compassion, etc. (many of the reason why people say they like Jesus, but not church or Christianity) My friend then asks is this Kingdom of God only for people who believe in God or Christian—how can a non-adherent be involved in this kingdom? I think when we had this conversation I was stumped. The podcast begs the question why are is the church so concerned about keeping the lines of in and out so strict (sounds similar to many of the matter Jesus challenged the Pharisees about). I am no longer convinced that a need for commitment prior to inclusion is necessary or even congruent with Jesus’ message. I tend to align myself more with a Celtic model, which emphasis fellowship first and inclusion prior to any commitment. I can imagine many people from my evangelical past being wary of this model. However, I believe that Jesus was all embracing and to invite all to His Table because Jesus invites all.
- Scot McKnight: The Whole Gospel – McKnight is becoming on of my favourite authors/bloggers. For a long time the sinner’s prayer has been the cause of much frustration, mostly because it tells only part of the Gospel. McKnight begins his podcast sharing a conversation he has with a pastor of a mega church. The pastor asks why the college-age demographic is in constant decline. McKnight simply states because the sinner’s prayer does not really require it—Jesus’ has saved their sin—the church is nowhere in your gospel presentation. Not that no followers of Christ have come from a sinner’s prayer model, but I think it is a harder sell to go from say this and your sins are forgiven to well actually you have to give up all this and pick-up your cross. In a class on the emerging church last semester at Prov this idea of ‘hook and switch’ came up again and again. I think part of the problem is due to wanting to make the Gospel as appealing as possible, so we make it as simple as possible, which naturally takes away many central themes and stories found in the Bible.
- Mars Hill Bible Church – I have been a avid fan of Rob Bell and this community for about 2+ years now. I think the thing about Bell that is most appealing is his need to be authentic, which I tend to agree with. I want a faith that does not require me to neglect scholarship and affect my everyday life. Currently, they are going through a series called ‘God is Green’, which I am finding thought helpful on my journey. I continually identify with the sermons that emphasise how the bible continually talks about the redemption of all creation. The last preacher was Dr. Matthew Sleeth (http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/), who has an amazing story of making a huge lifestyle changes that include quitting his job as director of ER, after finding a link between the environment and various medical conditions. He questions that the rate of breast cancer in North America of 1 in 7 and in Northern China of 1 in 40 is purely a coincident. Give Mars Hill a listen I’m sure you’ll find it rewarding.

Theology by the Glass - Homosexuality and the Campolo's

As I continue on my journey at St. Benedict’s Table God continually challenges notions I have on various topics. During the summer St. Bens has ‘Theology by the Glass’ a meeting of people who discuss an article sent out a couple weeks earlier. In late July, Trisha and I attended a conversation where the topic was Homosexuality took centre stage. This is particularly timely with the recent discussion by the Anglican Church of Canada’s Synod in Winnipeg. The article is a conversation between Tony and Peggy Campolo discussing their differences on this matter. To briefly summarize the article- Tony takes the view that it is unbiblical for people to engage in homosexual activity. Thus, to abstain from sexual activity is a biblical mandate. Peggy takes the opposing view of the Bible never talks about homosexuality referring to a committed, monogamous couple.

I tend to agree with Peggy. Homosexuality is something that needs to be further discussed in Christian community. Not simply quoting the few verses that name homosexuality in an attempt to end the conversation. I think the matter is complex and Christian do a poor job knowing the dynamic of this complicated topic. Peggy’s view needs to be clarified—it is a monogamous relationship, not simply any relationship. I tend to think this would also be my view on any relationship and that sex should be reserved till a couple is willing commit to fidelity in front of people who will hold them accountable.

Some interesting points of the conversation:

- That most people in our group would not leave a community if they blessed homosexual unions
- That our actions need to be taken from the ‘Red Letter Christian’ perspective. Does our words/deeds reflect what we believe are central actions of Jesus.
- That we would prefer to err in the side of grace.
- That Christians need to have open conversation about sexuality, which I believe is part of the problem. Christianity has a awful history of engaging (or not engaging) matters of sexuality.
- That it is a hard to implement Old Testament imperatives to our time. The Old Testament talks about life in a drastically different way than Jesus. One of the group members mentioned that this could be due to the Old Testament dealing with matters of forming a distinct community. That possible the language of the Old Testament needs to be better understood for its implications for the 21st century so it does not look like a mere picking and choosing of the law we deem as important.
- Once we encounter people who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, they invariably do not meet the churches depiction of them (warning: paradigm shift needs to occur).

St. Norbert Farmers' Market...

Well on Saturday, Trisha and I got up early to check out a farmers' market just south of Winnipeg. Our trip was truly enjoyable as we were meet with many yummy veggies, breads, meats and other products. I am pretty sure the farmers' market will become a staple in our household during our stay in Winnipeg. Part of the reason we wanted to check out the market is due to an article that appeared in the Christian Week in May describing a 100 Mile Diet that they were organizing to begin in September. The idea is that you only eat foods that are produced within a 100 miles of Winnipeg. As I read the article something seemed 'right' about the idea of eating what is locally produced.

In the past couple years a couple of close friends have gone through quiet an ordeal in regards to health issues. I believe this is due to what goes into the fruits and veggies that we consume from the supermarket. As I thought more about this issues I think it is a justice issues to buy and support local business. I am looking forward to time at the market most Saturday mornings till Thanksgiving. My prize find from Saturday is a Cranberry Hemp Cinnamon Buns...so good..yummy

The two lenses of life.....

Well I got the latest issue of Geez (http://www.geezmagazine.org/). I always appreciate the perspectives that they present. As I was scanning the pages one image stood out immediately, a pair of glasses - each lenses with a list of views that dominate our world. I think the idea of consumerism is so prevalent in our society. I feel at I do an adequate job at fighting the urges and messages that the Powers That Be give. However, I wonder how much my success has to do with my debt that looms large over my head. Well here are the two lenses

Lens 1: 1. I need more stuff. 2. I will earn enough to fulfill every whim and avoid all things unpleasant. 3. I am defined by my stuff and my solid position. 4. I am an island. 5. The world is mine to use as I please. 6. It's all about what I want, I will only give if I get back. 7. I will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost. 8. Media is my tool to create want and make money. 9. Me and my country --we'll toss you some scraps. 10. It's not my problem. 11. What I want, when I want and where I want.

Lens 2: 1. I am content. 2. I will use only what I need and enjoy growth in community. 3. I am what I live. 4. i am part of the greater whole. 5. The world is a gift to be to be treated with care and shared. 6. I will only take what I need and give as much as I can. 7. I will work together with others to achieve a unified goal. 8. Media, is a way to share information and ideas. 9. My country and your are part of the same small earth. 10. What can I do to help? 11. I am connected and function in community.

New Job....

Well its been almost a month since my last post. I'm not sure if that is because of business, married, life. I think the most appropriate response is time, because I keep on meaning to blog event that have happened or something I read. I figure the best way back into the blog world is an update on my job.

On Tuesday, I started a new job, I think this one is a keeper. I am a Youth Treatment Worker at the Behavioral Health Foundation(http://www.bhf.ca) in Selkirk a treatment centre for males 12-17 suffering from addictions or from families with addictive histories. I am really enjoying the work so far, even though I am primarily reading policy and procedures manual. I think I will enjoy the challenges. Well that is my brief update....

All the best,

Chris

Trisha left me...

Well I am a bachelor again...well for a few days anyways. Trisha has gone to help her sister Jackie for her wedding this weekend in Moose Jaw. Should be a fun weekend, I'll head that way come Friday. I am excited because I get to spent sometime with Mrs. Jans, who was my 'second mother' during my years living in Swift Current. Yeah for another road trip

Church Fathers and Post-Modernism

Recently, Tony Jones (http://theoblogy.blogspot.com/)posted a paper he presented at a conference at Wheaton College. The paper is very good, in the role of ancient fathers for post-modern Christian communities. The paper was intended to be part of a publication, however people at Wheaton deceided not to include the paper. This is becoming the norm whenever emergent thinkers encounter a type of evangelicalism. Give it a read.

New Job...

Well, I start a new job on Tuesday, which is great new cause working with the intellectually disabled is definitely not for me. I found the position boring.

Actually, I think what made the position is that one of the guys is deaf. The deaf guy also is slightly violent( a fact that the house manager keeps on minimizes), so when ever he gets up set or is grumpy he often swings at people for no reason. Well thankfully I don't have to do that full-time, I am staying their part-time. I am not sure how long that will last, hopefully some other part-time gig will come up.

The Big Day

The God of peace....

This past March, I had a great conversation with a close friend over a bottle of wine about what it means to be a Christian today. My friend mentioned that the one thing that propels him to remain a Christian is that he know that God is for peace and stands up for the oppressed. I would agree that whenever I read the Old Testament this stream shines through.

At times I wonder how this God of peace works. I live in a world that so many people are in bondage to the systems of the world (many systems that many Christians in the west believe are 'God ordained'). It is hard at times not to slip into cynicism. However, I see a God who acts through his people in this world.

I've been listening a lot to Tom Waits recently and find his song 'Road to Peace' to be the most honest song about peace. I am weary of any violence in the name of God. I've often heard the 'Just War' theory about violence, especially with the recent wars. However, I am a firm believer in Gandhi's theory of Satyagraha, that believes a just end must have a just means. This belief naturally makes the genocide and violence in the Old Testament hard to read and understand in a view of a God of peace.

I have problems with this....

Well, I came across this video by Mark Driscoll(http://theresurgence.com/md_blog_2007-04-28_banned_church_planting_video ). I must admit in my few encounters with Driscoll, he always seems to rub me the wrong way. This is a video from a conference in Florida. Apparently, the conference was not so pleased with the message, Bill Hybels even criticized the video for his 'male only' views of ministry. I have seen too many women with gifts and passion for ministry to believe that God only wants men in leadership. So clearly, I disagree with Driscoll, actually I find Driscoll to be John Piper with and iPod.

I also find his emphasis on the militaristic stream of Christianity to very dangerous. Well let me know what you think

4 year, $25,000 in debt and now what.....

Well, recently I graduated from Providence College with a 4-year BA in Youth Leadership. I must say I am glad to be done and feel my time at Providence was a time of immense growth personally. I can't speak well enough about my time at Providence. I had a both good and bad times that formed the person I am today.

The odd thing is that I don't know how the education I received will be used for a job. I don't know if I will ever be in full-time ministry. I do have a passion for ministry, but not sure if I have the characteristics churches require from a pastor. As well, with Providence being 'a liberal arts college in the evangelical tradition' as one of my profs told us puts me in an odd position. Not really identifying myself with conservative evangelical churches, which I grew up in.

After my second year at Providence, I had a crisis of sorts. After being in student leadership, during the summer I basically decided ministry was not for me and felt that my passions more aligned itself with social work. However, after reading a Brian McLaren book, I felt that ministry was my passion and church work was the only way to fulfil my passions in life.

While I still believe going back to Providence and doing an internship was the best for me, as I looked for jobs, the jobs with more a social work slant appealed to me. Sortof funny, since I almost transferred to a social work program in Winnipeg. Not sure where my life is leading me. I guess I have am torn, because I still enjoy ministry. During my last Sunday school time at church, I had a bitter-sweet experience, almost wishing that I could continue ministering in this kind of capacity and thinking this is exactly what I 'd like to be doing, but the other side knowing that the conservative evangelical community is not my home.

So I have a degree and knowledge, wisdom, and a passion for being a spiritual mentor and guide for adolescent, but do not feel I at home with the traditional church setting. So I am taking this year off from being in ministry directly, waiting on God's guidance.......

The God of Job vs. The Psalms

This past week I read the Book of Job. I must say Job has always been one of my favorite books every since my teen years. Not sure what that says about me that I like a book that I always thought was a bit out of place in regards to the rest of the Old Testament. I like that it doesn't have nice answers to question and that questioning is OK.

This week I began reading Psalms. I am struck by how what transpires in Job and in Psalms are almost in conflict with one another or more precisely that Job's friends are basically using the assumption of the Psalmist to describe God. The Psalmist believes that God deals with a people in a very linear fashion, you do good -- good things happen or vis-versa.

I wonder what role the genre of Psalms plays in how we should be reading it and making statements about God taking explicitly from Psalms. This is especially important since clearly Job's friends were in the wrong in their understanding of God. I've heard many people being perturbed that Job's friends advice was seen as being erroneous.

If God deals explicitly in this do good- receive good fashion in the world, I would have to believe that God has no real influence in this world. Too often I've seen the opposite people who do good, often encounter hardship.

I like the God of Job, who allows for mystery, questions, and angry. If God would be understood in the Psalmist manner I'm not sure what I would do to the question of Theodicy. Thankfully Job gives me comfort in my pain and questioning. Maybe it is best to look to Gutierrez for the solace of Job, "The world of Retribution--and not of temporal retribution only--is not where God dwells; at most God visits it. The Lord is not prisoner of the 'Give to me and I will give to you" mentality. Nothing, no human work however valuable , merits grace, for if it did, grace would cease to be grace. This is the heart of the message of the book of Job."(Gutierrez 1987, 88-89)

The Word of God

Recently, I've been thinking about the phrase 'Word of God.' I am not sure I know what people mean when they talk about the 'Word of God.'

One issue I have is that often 'Word' is capitalized. I've been reading Psalms and the authors never capitalize 'Word' only God or Lord. The way people talk about it is that what the Bible says is so straight forward. The more I read the Bible the more complicated it seems and what I was taught during my childhood hints more at a stream of Christianity than being honest with the text.

I am all about respecting the Bible and putting it in a place of authority in our lives, but not if that means thinking the Bible is simply and all about us, which tends to be my experience in evangelical churches.

This past weekend, I was up in Swan River with Trisha and at the end of the service the guy in charge had a little rant about the Anglican church and how they just needed to listen to the Word of God in regards to the Gay Marriage issue. I thought that was an interesting statement, like the Bible is so clear on that issue. I think that was an odd way to sort of end the service, especially since there was no scripture read.

I think it is hard for me to go to services where there is a presentation not a message. In stead of a message their was a member of the church that went to Uganda with his work. He basically told things that his work was doing to help the people. I don't know if I can agree that church is a place for this kind of presentation. I kinda felt like my time would be better served staying at home reading. Oh well, thankfully I can go back to St. Ben's this weekend.

The wonderful world of Salman Rushdie...

Well the last couple years I have attempted to read a book by Salman Rushdie, but every time I got my hands on a copy life did not present itself with the time. However, recently I got the chance to enjoy Haroun and the Sea of Stories. It was a delight to read, I must admit that I have a hard time getting into fantasy novels, but Rushdie has a way with words that I was engulfed into this fantasy world. I would recommend Rushdie to anyone who enjoys a good storyteller. I can see Rushdie becoming one of my favorite fiction authors as I continue to delve into the world of this wizard of words.

Back into the swing of things....

Well as I look at my blog, I see that a posting is long overdue. Well life is getting back to normal, by the end of next week I will be working again. Life has been crazy with graduating, wedding, and moving. Trisha and I went out furniture shopping today, hopefully within a week our apartment will look normal. I should be blogging more now that life allows me more time to read and put things down on paper. Life is pretty exciting right now with all of life's choices and decision, but I am excited at what the future holds.

Something to chew on...

We walk on earth,
we look after,
like rainbow sitting on top.
But something underneath,
under the ground.
We don't know.
You don't know.
What do you want to do?
If you touch,
you might get cyclone, heavy rain or flood.
Not just here,
you might kill someone in another place.
Might be kill him in another country.
You cannot touch him.

from "Gagadju Man" by Big Bill Neidjie (2001)

A thought on Crossan

My good friend Joey has been raving about John Dominic Crossan this past year, so I decided I'd give him a try. I've been reading Jesus: A revolutionary biography, the book has been ok. I must admit I am a bit disappointed. Mostly that Crossan will make statement that are somewhat provocative, but never reference them. I have found this continually to be irritating, but the book is released in the last couple years, I hope Crossan in his earlier work supports his finding somewhat.

However, I did come across some thought provoking question today, just wanted to share them.

"For Paul, in any case, bodily resurrection is the only way that Jesus' continued presence can be expressed. But I repeat my question: Was that the only way other individuals and groups in earliest Christianity expressed their continuing and unbroken faith in Jesus? The question is not what it is that Paul means, because that is surely clear enough. The question is whether he speaks for all Christians then and thereafter. Is resurrection, so understood, the only way or just one of the ways to express faith in the continuing power and presence of Jesus in the world? My point is not that Paul was wrong but that his emphasis on resurrection was but on way of expressing early Christian faith and should not be taken as normative for all others.

Prayer....

The last little while prayer has been on my mind. I think prayer is very interesting. I think for the most part I see as a way to communicate with God. I just wonder if that is all and does this communication have any effect on the world. I believe it can effect our own life, but does it effect God acting in the world. I think my life says not in a direct relationship kind of way. Sometimes when I pray things happen sometimes they don't. Right now I struggle with this you pray this will happen mentality. I do believe prayer gives me comfort and peace. Every night i pray, actually i find it hard to fall asleep without praying. Often i am restless without praying. I have experienced the effect too often to say it has no effect on this world, but to say it has a direct effect is hard. I think prayer is a mystery. I don't really understand how prayer works, but it does maybe just not in the way we think it does.......

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Walking towards the fog

This past weekend I went on a day retreat with St. Benedict's Table. The day was perfect and very poetic. What made the day so poetic is that it was really foggy in the morning. Funny how sometimes driving through this uncertainty towards a day away from the world can be so meaningful. It was a day of reading, walking and great soup. Jamie briefly read from a book that focuses on the difference between a job and our work. I am sure we have all been asked, so what do you do? In of itself this question isn't a problem. The problem is when we define people according to their workplace. I believe people are too complicated to 'know' a person according to their workplace. The fog was especially powerful in that I am entering a period of the unknown. Not really sure what direction my life is taking me, but it is reassuring to know that in the journey I will encounter wonderful people, willing to journey with me.

Why do we care so much about sex....

So I am just wondering why Christians care so much about sex. Maybe sort of an odd title for a blog from someone whose never had sex. I am overwhelmed that many 'mainline' Christian issues revolve around sex or what happens after sex. I recently view a www.godhatesfags.com video and was truly disturbed. All the gays and lesbians I have meet have been loving, friendly, and caring people. I have a hard time calling myself a christian if that requires me to hate people who are genuine and loving people. I wonder what it is that requires a certain reading of the bible that singles out these verses, but ignores the rest of the purity code in Leviticus.

300

I saw the movie '300' recently. I know the movie has a lot of hype. I'd like to say I was thoroughly entertained by the film. Even though it revolves around war, which usually repulses me, I was intrigued by the nature of these warriors. I found it interesting the depiction of selflessness in the movie. I am always in awe of people who give of themselves for the greater good of others. I wish I would do that more often. It is interesting how this vision of selfless love is so profound. As a Christian, I was repulsed by 'The Passion of the Christ' and how this depiction of brutality was meant to reveal my savior. I actually think '3oo' does a better job at showing the selflessness of the cross. Recently, i have thought more about selfless people i have meet over my life. I keep coming back to my experience on the cruise ship. I was blessed to meet so many people that truly gave of themselves to others. I just want to thank Sandy, Kari, Jodi, Clea, Kathy and so many other who embodies a selfless life for me. My life is better because of meeting all of you

Amen & the Kingdom of God

Recently, I view 'Amen' a movie taking place in Nazi Germany. It revolves around a Christian officer in the SS. Who once realizing what is really going on tries with all his might to make the church aware of the atrocities. Sadly, the only one who listen is a jesuit priest. The interesting part of the movie is what happens when the Kingdom of God collides with the rest of life. As I have beening further reading 'Emerging Churches' the idea of kingdom living is constant. A lot of the time I have no idea what kingdom means for these leaders. I've read a lot on how we live in a world that is at odds with the kingdom of God. Derek Webb has a brillant song on his latest CD that delves into this dillema. I think kingdom living is very important, do we realize when the gospel is put in a straighjacket due to cultural norms. I think that is what happened in Nazi Germany. Maybe my question is do we have a confessing church to turn to or has the church assimilated itself so much to culture that this is no longer possible. I think emerging churches realize this conflict more than other churches in my experience. Just a thought....

The Conversation series....

Well I would say the conversation series was well worth it. I love music and am continually distancing myself from Christian music. It is interesting why we need Christain music in the first place. Obviously it is not to reach others, because how many people know Christian artists outside the church. A reoccurring theme during the conference was that we are of the world, but not in it. Through Andrew Beaujon and Steve Bell it became apparent that the music industry is corrupt, Christian and 'secular.' Beaujon believes that the Christian music industry exists because of money, I would have to agree with him.

First, i will say a sacred/secular divide segregates life into to false categories. An interesting element is how many bands with Christians in them do not want the 'Christian - Band' label. Beaujon encountered this most significantly with Switchfoot. Jamie Howison made numerous interesting points regarding how prior to 1880 that high culture was almost exclusively Christian. Why do we hold up terrible art such as Kincaids lighthouses when we have great artists who identified themselves as Christians such as Van Gough, particularly late in life. What is it about Christian art that runs away from evaluating art as art. As Flannery O'Connor believes we need to see life through Gospel eyes. Steve Bell recognizes the agenda ridden Christian industry, this is sad how a lot of christian messages are agenda ridden.

One of the most frustrating parts of life is the celebrity culture we live in, unfortunately the Christian music industry does the same thing. We have idols in music that we quite frankly worship these artists, which is a dehumanizing act and anti-art. I think Christian book stores cannot be distinguished from chapters, etc. because the same capitalist mentality exists in both, like Beaujon says its all about money.

A frustrating part that was recognized is how there is one Christianity in media. Bell often asks when someone talks about Christianity, which Christianity they are talking about. Christianity is not a monoculture, how can mother Teressa and George Bush belong to the same community of Faith. It is easy to use shallow/hateful Christians as the example of 'all christian' but this is clearly not always the case.

An interesting point was made that we are oral prudes. Why are we up in arms over certain words, but we allow into our lives movies, TV, and video games that are so graphic that the images stay in our mind. We are more comfortable saying Yahweh than fuck. But, to my knowledge Yahweh was never to said it was too powerful/dangerous. It is interesting to see what words a culture deems as curse usually stem from what is untouchable. In mainstream western culture it is body words, but in french culture it deals with religion as swear words. I found that fascinating.

We often talk about discerning pop-culture, but we also need to discern Christian media. Christian music often sound like a teenager heart throbs songs, which is very 'immature' and we wonder why the church does not have deep people, maybe we should look to our music.

Some lasting phrases:

If you want to stop gay marriage keeping driving your SUV's to church

We should stand for the fullness of life for all not salvation of the few.

The Black Jesus....

I tend to enjoy watching movies that portray Jesus. I find it interesting how media portrays Jesus for better or worse I find these portrayals interesting. Recently, I watch 'The Color of the Cross', a movies depicting Jesus as a black man. I would say this movie is interesting, not overly entertaining or even well acted, particularly the Jesus character. Still the movie is interesting if you have any interest in the subject of Jesus / early church. It was cheesy how Jesus spouted well known verses throughout the movie, also interesting how Jesus and the twelve were hiding from the Romans. I think the most interesting part of the movie are the disciples, they are more like Robin Hoods' Band of Merry Men, then Jesus followers. Actually, the disciples make the movie worthwhile. Purely for the dynamics of those men, who really if it had not been for them and early followers of Jesus what would Christianity look like or would there even be a Christianity with these 'twelve' and Paul. An interesting movie nonetheless. Gave a great example of what the New Testament understands as 'family', very worth while if you can get beyond the bad acting, set design, script, etc. Happy viewing.

Life is funny...

I sort of had an interesting experience this week. As my blog indicates I have been having a rough time working at my home church, but my main place of refuge has been St. Benedict's Table. I love St. Ben's. One interesting point about St. Ben's is that a former youth pastor from my home church attends. Shall we say me and this youth pastor did not see eye to eye, actually there was one point where I was almost brought before the Board. I guess that is the closest I have ever come to being ex-communicated from a church. Back to the story, this youth pastor now works at Booth College, which co-sponsored the conference. Till now we have always been polite with each other. However, at the conference we actually talked and it seems like we have a similar view on all things emergent. I guess it teaches me that sometimes things do change. We chatted a couple times and it was really refreshing to hear. Just funny that of all the people who couple of helped me with my struggles at Rowandale, he was the last one I would have guessed. Funny how God does that

Another thought on the conversation series

I almost forgot the best line of the night. We had a little 'music roundtable' after the mini-lecture, one of the artists said this:

I was so happy when Bruce Cockburn said Fuck! I'm not kidding, really happy.

Amen

The Conversation begins....

Well, Monday evening the conversations series began. It was interesting to hear this guy talking about his experience with Christian Music as an agnostic. The author attended cornerstone, which I did a number of years ago. When he mentioned cornerstone, I was transported to another world. At one point in my life, I was 'into' christian music. I remember those days, but over the last 7 years I have realized that most christian music is bad, both spiritually and emotionally. I find it hard to see integrity and honest in their music. I just wanted to share some interesting thoughts from the first night.

- The author describes as a twelve year old, a girl took him to a bible study of sorts and he encountered Christian music for the first time in the form of Petra, thus securing his agnostic belief forever.

- After Bush won re-election his book got more offers due to the influence evangelicals had on the election.

- All true art is incarnational

- The Christian subculture has reversed Paul' teaching we are not 'in but not of the world' rather 'of but not in the world'. I am finding this a true statement. Christians are off the world, but due to an attempt at segregating ourselves from the 'other' we are safe. Some how the Powers of the world have a grip on our life that we do not even realize.

Well more to come as the conversation continues.....

What is your Master Status?

Recently, at Providence College we had a faculty forum to discuss Christian Sexuality. I think the time was very good. The one thing that I am realizing how in talking about sexuality and also with a conversation over homosexuality is that we need to understand our master status. I first encountered this idea of master status through a sermon on sex by Erwin McManus. McManus sees one of interesting parts of the conversations regarding homosexuality is how we talk about using master status. I don't go around introducing myself as Chris the Heterosexual, and I have never meet a gay or lesbian that talks like that, but I am sure that exists. During the forum, Dr. Tim Perry gave a great insight regarding master status that for Christian( gay, straight, bi, etc.) our master status or identity is not found through our sexuality or maybe more precisely who we want to have sex with( also how naive is it to define sexuality through the sex of our sexual partner). Most Christian believe that through baptism we are united with Jesus. I think as we continue to dialogue about homosexuality as it regards to the church, we need to recognize our master status is in Jesus not our sexual behaviour/orientation.

Peter Rollins - Heretical Orthodoxy

Well the last little while I have been writing a bit on idol. This tangent is largely due to Peter Rollins. In "How (Not) to Speak of God" this is a theme. So I thought I'd due some sharing on this book. I will do my best to share my thoughts and beliefs using Rollins.

Well, in the introduction Brian McLaren calls the book one of the best theology books he has read in the past 10 years and Rollins story telling 'compares' to Jesus' parable. I must admit such a claim made me a bit skeptical, but I must say McLaren' praise is very accurate. Rollins slits he small masterpiece into two section the first called Heretical Orthodoxy: From Right Belief to Believing in the Right Way.

I think over the last year with the help of Karl Barth, I believe that God is utterly transcendent. This is one of the premises of Rollins, to remember when we talk about God that we talk about our understanding of God, not God. I think this is sort of of obvious, but I think in discussion this is easily forgotten that we can never talk about attributes of God as they are, because any language can not grasp God. For me a good reminder is intellectual idolatry, often wars or division were started due to understanding of God. I feel how we understand God when designated as divine attributes of God are idols, we can hold to our understanding of God but once we assume our words equal God we are on a slippery slope. I encounter this kind of thinking often in modern evangelism/apologetics. While I am sure these forms of communicating the good news were useful at one point in time, however this time is long over. I am convinced all they are attempting to so is to convert people to a system of beliefs, this is not convincing and not the reason I am still a Christian.

One of the interesting things is how traditional methods of conversion conveyed that after saying a pray one is a christian Rollins believes we should recognize that Christianity involves a process of journeying and becoming. I think this is correct, but also requires many to reevaluate our words. I personally think definitive words create problems for Christians. We talk about what my friend Bryan calls 'Christian Myths' that everything will be better once we say this prayer, i think the prayer is the beginning. Unfortunately like McLaren says evangelical race to the start line of the Christian life. I reject these kind of binary notions of faith. I think it makes things nice and neat, but life is messy.

I think it is funny when people in my class talk about God in a singular view and other ways of God are heretical. I think we all view God, Jesus, and the Bible different due to our social upbringing. Can we recognize that a North American understanding of God will inevitably be different than a South American view, I think this is obvious, but we tend to forget what we bring to life and a text.

I've talked a lot about idol, but what exactly do I mean by this loaded word. "Like aesthetic idol (such as the Golden calf in the book of Exodus), the conceptual idol refers to any system of thought which the individual or community takes to be a visible rendering of God. The only significant difference between the aesthetic idola dn the conceptual idol lies in the fact that the former reduces God to a physical object while the latter reduces God to an intellectual object. Does 'holiness' not have strong connotations of a God who is beyond all finding out.

It is my experience that my understanding of God is constantly changing, consewualty we do not do theology but are rather overcome and transorbed by it: we do not master it but are mastered by it. Augustine encourages us to bear in mind that God transcends all terms and escapes every conceptualization --even that of being beyond conceptualization. I think God is changing my view of everything. Recently in a class my prof said those of us who identify with the emerging movement are being prepped for some work that God has in store for us, I find that reassuring as I am sure many of these thoughts may seem pointless, but for me I need the mystery, answers do not provide my hunger.

Recently, the senior pastor at my church has been talking about how doubts are from the evil one. I wonder what would have happened if Martin Luther that his doubts about church were view as from the evil one. Rollins believes doubts should be understood as a virtue. In contrast to the modern view that religious doubt is something to reject, fear, or merely tolerate, doubt not only can be seen as an inevitable aspect of our humanity but also can be celebrated as a vital part of faith.

One of my big problems with modern expressions of Christianity is apologetics. I must say for many years, I wonder what these people really thought they were accomplishing, but I must say all I think they are attempting is to convince people of a system of beliefs, which is a false assumption. I don't think people follow Jesus because he is convincing, but because encounter the living God not a logical reason, how reasonable is it deny our self and pick up our cross. I think in our postmodern age apologetics is falling away for the much better belief that the community is our apologetics. One of the primary reasons is that apologetics is a form of 'power discourse', which I find to dehumanizing. Rollins talks about 'Iconic God talk', I am a firm believer in this. 'To treat something as an icon is to view particular words, images, or experiences as aids in contemplation of that which cannot be reduced to words, images or experiences. Not only this, but the icon represents place where God touches humanity.' God stands outside our language regimes and cannot be colonized via any power discourse. This emphasis embraces the mystery and complexity of life. Life is not neat , but mysterious and beautiful. 'God is not revealed via our words but rather via the life of the transformed individual', hence community is apologetics.

During postmodernism one of the main idols of modern evangelical Christianity Truth has been attacked. I have often found this debate peculiar, not sure what the need to hold on to this tenet in much an emotional way. Rollins say 'the judeo-christina view of truth is converned with having a relationship with the Real(God) that results in us transforming reality. The emphasis is thus not ondescriptions but on transformation. This perspective completely short-circuits the long-redundant debate as to whether turh is subjective or objective, for here Truth is the ungraspable Real (objective) that transforms the individual (subjective). I don't think Truth can described, but it can be experienced. I know many are weary of 'experience' of God, but i don't know how else to state it I do not conceptualize God, I encounter and experience God when I attend St. Benedict's Table.

'In the Epistle of John, he equates the existence of religious knowledge with the act of love. Knowledge of God (the Truth) as a set of propositions is utterly absent; instrad he claims that those who exhibit a genuine love know God, regardless of their religious system, while those who do not love cannot know God, again regardless of their religious system. Truth is thus understood as a soteriologyical event. This word 'soteriological' is derived from the term soteria, from which we get the word 'salvation'. In precise terms the word refers to a cure, remedy or helaing.' Love is a tricky word, mostly because it has been raped by pop-songs and hallmark cards, that any time one uses this word one is skeptical of the sincerity of the words. But it is obvious that love is central to being a follower of Jesus, so what do we do? I think we need to understand love very broad. During the 80's forms of friendship evangelism emerged as a new way to 'win those for Christ.' The problem with this form of evangelism is that people befriend people of the motive to 'convert' them. This naturally has an agenda, can sacred love have an agenda? I don't think it can when we add a 'should' to love it becomes something other than love. I think any form of evangelical tool is worthless, without growing into being deeper followers of Christ. Maybe it is the easy answers we are after to share our faith, but somehow this isn't possible. One who love all(do not read tolerate all) shows God, by living out our life as Eucharistic people being broken in the world.
I think we can go into the world and be broken, without the need to convince others we are right.

Food for Thought...

Deeper into Lenten territory...


I'm increasingly uncomfortable with current images of God found in books and workshops that mix popular psychology with a theology wholly devoted to self-realization. I really don't want a God who is solicitous of my every need, fawning for my attention, eager for nothing in the world so much as the fulfillment of my self-potential. One of the scourges of our age is that all our deities are house-broken and eminently companionable. In a society that emphasizes the limitless possibilities of the individual self, it comes as a strange freshness to be confronted by an unfathomable God, indifferent to the petty, self-conscious needs that consume us.


Beldon Lane, The Solace of Fierce Landscapes

Tim Keller and Deconstructing Defeater Beliefs

This week in the Emerging generation class we listened to a lecture by Tim Keller. The lectured was title 'Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in the Postmodern World' it was a thought provoking. I liked how Keller acknowledges that traditional evangelism and apologetics are utterly useless anymore. I was a bit surprised by this but it was nice to hear an 'older' person state this particularly with having Franklin Graham giving a traditional evangelistic speech. Keller also is a firm believer of process of conversion, which speaks against the traditional evangelism. I also appreciated that Keller acknowledges past abuses of Christians. The latter portion of Keller revolves around that many people will not accept a gospel message for the simple reason of 'implausibility structure.'

The theory that Keller calls propositional apologetics revolves around looking at a persons worldview and deconstructing false notions within their worldview. Keller states in an article "Many books on reaching post-moderns today give the impression that people now need virtually no arguments at all. The 'apologetic' is a loving community.' While I tend to disagree with Keller that this form of apologetics is better than a loving community, but nonetheless intriguing.

Keller did a survey of non-Christians under 25 in NY and concluded that six primary 'defeater beliefs' exist and till these are engaged that any christian message will be ignored.

The six defeater beliefs are:

1. The other religions
2. Evil and suffering
3. The ethical straitjacket
4. The record of Christians
5. The angry God
6. The unreliable Bible

I would say that these are fairly accurate. Some of his answers are quite adequate, some I feel Keller grossly underestimates the situation. One of the huge problems I see is #4. I think in order to move forward to deeper Christianity, which Keller sees as the solution. While I do agree this is the case, but I think the standard communication of the Christians render this point to a problematic step. In my experience particularly among young adults, Christianity is about going to heaven, so to have a deeper Christianity doesn't make sense due to the over emphasis on sinners prayer as the 'finish line' of faith. I actually would say that some of these defeater beliefs, I actually agree with and are part of the reason i struggle with the church.

Either way I found the lecture thought provoking, but I don't know if postmodern apologetics is any better on paper than classical apologetics. However, I sense that seeing this task done in person might convince me more. The other problem of this post-modern apologetics is that often in Christianity people are told that evangelism is one of the central activities of Christians. This method is very intellectual, which if evangelism is an activity we all participate in, if this method is graspable by an entire congregation.

Is God in every religion?

I think due to the pluralistic nature of western culture, this is an dilemma. Naturally this questions many of the tenets of American Evangelical Christianity. Many of the exclusive claims within Christianity are being questions due to many finding many similarities between the various religions. I think this is a positive trend, but also requires a person to know their own religion better.

Recently, I listen to "Finding our God in the Other" a sermon by Samir Selmanovic(http://samirselmanovic.typepad.com/). Selmanovic is a pastor in Manhattan, he grew up Muslim became an Atheist and now is a Christian pastor. That in itself is profound. At times I wonder where I would be if I didn't grow up in a Christian family. Selmanovic proses an interesting question, in Acts 17, Paul is in Athens. Where people are worshiping an unknown God and Paul proceeds to show them they are worshiping the God of Israel. This is a unique take on the passage, but i don't think it is bad hermeneutics. Selmanovic delves into whether we can acknowledge good in other religions. If we can not this naturally is a problem, I have meet many people of other faiths that are wonderful people, can we be better followers of God by seeing good in other religions. I tend to think so. The problem is whether Christianity can become an idol. Many of the Christian doctrines or tenets are not about preaching the resurrection of Christ, but have to do with cultural accepted forms within the church.

I think Christians are guilt for many abuses, as every religion is, but I think those serious about living faithful to God , need other religious communities to hold us in check. The problem I have encountered is that we as Christians do not admit to those abuses. I have little knowledge about other religions, but I know Christianity is based on repentance and forgiveness. In that theme let us ask forgiveness from all the people Christians have demonized and hurt over the years.

If any of you are interesting the sermon it is the Emergent Podcast from February 11/07

I love music

I must say that i have quite an affinity for music. Every since my high school years I have enjoyed music that crossed many genres. Over the past two years I have been exposed to the wonderful world of indie and folk music. I truly enjoy these genres. Recently, I have noticed how this music is becoming the norm in my ipod. Just thought I'd share a few of the artists that I have discovered.

Bright Eyes: Often compared to a young Bob Dylan. Of all the indie artists I have discovered Bright Eyes is by far the best. His best album in my estimation is I'm Awake, its Morning.

Broken Social Scene: Is a great compilation of many different artists. Very unique, but are becoming well known. They won best alternative album at last years Juno. 'You forgot it in the people' is a gem of an album. Very easy listening, good for a long drive.

Stars: Is a indie-pop band that sprung forth from Broken Social Scene. Very melodic and light. They have great songs about life and relationships.

Amy Millan: Is the lead singer from Stars. She has a beautiful voice, a very folky feel.

The Decemberists: This band is very unique much on the line with Broken Social Scene, very mellow. I find this band very 'intellectual'. I find their early work to be Superior to their newer releases, "Her Majesty, The Decemberists" is my favorite CD.

Derek Webb: I first encountered Webb with Caedmon Call, but his solo projects really speak to me. Particularly the problem of nationalism with in western Christianity. Also with being the only Christian artist I really connect with speaks to the significance of his music.

The Mountain Goats: I am not sure what i like about there mellow tone, but in the last couple weeks they are constantly played during my blogging/reading time.

Neko Case: Is a folk goddess. I don't use that word often, but its hard to describe her any other way. Her latest release 'Fox confessor brings the flood' is great through and through.

As well this year I found the music of Snow Patrol and The Frays, but I expect many of you are familiar with those house hold names.

The ugly side of the emerging church...

A couple weeks ago I posted about how my home church is very draining for me. This is mostly due to theological disagreement and also due to its modern leaning. In reading 'Emerging Churches', I am encountering a negative side of the emerging church that gives me hope. By no means is emerging 'saintly' in their description of the modern church. Actually I am coming to the point where many emerging leaders need to repent of their description of a modern church. Brad Cecil calls that once he was 'enlightened' he could no long go back to a modern church, many in the book refer to the modern church as being dead and meaningless. I don't think that is entirely true across North America. I think there is place for the modern church, not that everything they have done over the last 20-30 years in vain. Many people, twentysomes included, find the modern church a source of hope. The problem is that many do not find hope in a modern expression of church. Due to this lack of hope of church, new churches need to emerge without writing off 'older' churches. I agree with the sentiment that I could not be satisfied in a modern church, but that does not mean it is dead for everyone.

'Our' God as idol.

I think whenever someone mentions idol, I think of worshiping something other than God. I am realizing while this is an idol, do we worship our understanding of God. Do we believe we really got it all figured out. Is anyone capable of figuring God out? I think our minds will never grasp God fully, due to God's otherness. Not that this means we stop talking about God, but that we stop talking about God in way that we've got it all figured out. Are we not involved in idol worship when we stubbornly view our understanding of God as right.

Maybe this would be a good time for repentance of our iconic view of God.

'Lord, we offer up our images of you, acknowledging that while they are important, you stand over and above all our understanding. In love and faithfulness we offer you these fragments as we recognize the poverty of our understanding before the wealth of your presence. Amen.'(taken from "How (Not) To Speak Of God)

Books I am mulling over....

It's weird to think that most of my assignments are done already. It's only mid-february and I only have a 5-pager left. On the plus side to this I am able to dive back into book reading. Last semester my reading was a bit scarce due to the internship and class. I am pretty pumped at the prospect of reading books for fun again. Here are a couple I am working through:

How (Not) To Speak Of God by Peter Rollins

Emerging Churches by Eddie Gibbs

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

The Gottingen Dogmatics by Karl Barth

Jesus and the Victory of God by N.T. Wright

I am finding these books to be a great influence in rethinking church, espeically Emerging Churches because it is a class text.

Happy Reading

Words of Wisdom

Did not the Lord share the table of tax collectors and harlots? So then - do not distinguish between the worthy and the unworthy. All must be equal in your eyes to love and to serve.

A great Colbert Report

Well as many of you know I am huge Stephen Colbert fan. The February 8th installment was great. The guest on the show was Chris Hedges. Hedges is the author of "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America", I am intrigued by his ideas. Well if you are interested in these kind of things check it out. I want to leave you with one quote from Hedges, "Augustine said hope had two children anger and courage." I liked that....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feebdxbUhkY

http://www.alternet.org/story/47679/

Enjoy

Scary Christians

This past week I watched the "Jesus Camp." Ever since i saw the trailers this summer i was intrigued. In general, i was scared at this version of Christianity. I think the ties were too close to a political/military American Christianity. I guess when the trailer opens with the pastor talking about the enemy(referring to Islam), but i wanted to check it out anyways.

The movie is about a charismatic summer camp in North Dakota. Maybe its due to my unfamiliarity with the charismatic church, but the whole idea made me uncomfortable.

Well at times it was funny. In one scene this 8 year old girl talks about dead and alive churches. She basically says any church where people sit calmly are dead(so any Baptist, Mennonite church). God 'likes' churches where people are pumping up and down. So basically the bad church are not inviting God into church. I thought that was funny/sad.

Well check it out if you get a chance.

Homosexuality....

A close friend of mine has been having some really good discussion on homosexuality. I think ever since attending at prov this question has been going around my mind. Some conclusion that I have come to:

1. The gay gene hypothesis is not conclusive.
2. Many studies have shown that those who live homosexually are at a greater risk for various diseases or conditions.
3. The church misunderstands the few passages speaking on homosexuality.
4. We really don't understand definitively why people decide on a homosexual relationships.
5. Many people actually leave a gay lifestyle with the help of counselling.
6. The church generally has a hateful attitude towards gays and lesbians.
7. One of Jesus' goals was to deconstruct the purity code of the Pharisees.
8. Often the church resembles the Pharisees on the 'gay issue.'

It is hard to understand the hatred towards gays and lesbians. While, working on the cruise ship I experienced genuine concern and love from gays and lesbians. I think this is hard to come to grasp with how the church wants to portray gays and lesbians as 'weird.' No matter the amount any one is fallen, they are still in relationship with God. God created human as good. This cannot be taken away, creation is first and foremost 'Good'.

My conclusion over thinking about a response to homosexuality is do our best to the way of Jesus is to embrace any and all interested in searching after God in a community of faith. This naturally includes many excluded by the church, not just gays and lesbians. If we believe church is to be transformative communities, I believe we need to change things, and not maintain the status quo of church membership.

there is no truth.....

So today in my 'Ministry with the Emerging Generation' class, i had a group presentation using a form of media to discuss spritualailty. We choose a Bright Eyes song. I have been a huge fan of Bright Eyes, since March 2005...i think he is brillant.

Back to the class, the song we used questions life and particularly church. I think the church often make a lot of 'truth statements.' I am sure some think this is vital for the church to do. However, we live in a time when there is no one version of Christianity. We have too many denominations to count. Further for more, I believe that relgions will be evaluated on what they do not what they say. Words are nice, but faith without works is dead. Truth capital "T" does not make one faith or another true.

We live in a pluralistic age, where relgions appear to have less in common then we'd like to make a clear distiction over the 'keepers of truth.' The 'Daily Show' had a hilarious skti a while back where they debated Islam vs. Christianty. Each side would say the same thing about truth statements, where they would use their own texts to prove their relgion to be true. It's funny because of how many arugment have a heard that went 'God is true, because the bible says so and the bible is true because God says so'. Funny to write it out, but so many people argue religons from this point of view.

I think I am still a christian because i have encoutnered God throughout mylife, not because someone says this or that about God.

I'm pretty pumped!!!

So I recently found out about The Conversation Series on the Intersection of Faith and Culture taking place @ Booth College. The conversation series is an activity of St. Benedict's Table. This one will be in dialogue with Andrew Beaujon(author of Body Piercing Saved My Life: inside the phenomenon of Christian rock) It should be very interesting. This semester, I've been diving deeper into those issue of faith and culture. I don't believe we escape to church or our faith is an escape from the messiness of life. I just found out that the conference is on during my reading week, so i am pumped. Should be an interesting experience.

Good Christian Music.

Well for much of my life I've thought 'good christian music' was a joke of sorts. I have been exposed to so much crappy Christians music, sad really. A week ago, I bought music from St. Benedict's Table. I must say it is amazing, its been playing nonestop since i got it. For those interested check out http://www.stbenedictstable.ca/ for some info. If anyone would like me to pick you up a copy, let me know the cost is $15. Happy listening.

What is church?

This thought has been brewing in mind for the last couple years. What exactly is church. What is the function, purpose, goal, etc. This past week I have been reading Emerging Churches. In the appendix it has 50 stories of emerging leaders. The interesting thing about all the leaders is how they felt alienated by the church or came to a crisis. This required a rethinking of church.

I resonate a lot with the vision given by these leaders. But, this naturally brings me to a question what is church here for. Too often, I have heard that your life will be better if you are with a church. However, the sad fact is that in church I feel I encounter people who wear masks, but when I am outside the church I meet honesty and authentic people. I find this odd. What is it about the church that requires being fake. Many of these churches sprung up merely by a couple people connecting, because they are asking many of the same questions. What happened to the church. Often, the church is an organization like a business. This is a terrible fact. Have we given away the church to capitalism? Is church a product we sell? Like a salesmen trying to trick someone into a product and its benefits?

Church is a passion in my life, but also a cause for pain and frustration. Why is that the most authentic people i know do not feel at home at church. Why is working on a cruise ship, known for its hedonism, has a more authentic community than many churches. This is sad. Most of the beautiful people from the ship, would not be accepted at church due to not abiding to the 'rules' of church.

One thing that I am wondering, can the church be the church with 200 members? I am growing in my skepticism. Can we be authentic with so many people, while small groups do work, they seem forced. Like we need to get along and share stuff because we are Christians.

I have often wondered, this year every since i started attending St. Benedict's Table (http://www.stbenedictstable.ca/). The most revealing things i have realized this year is that i feel more at home at a church where i have no real relationship with anyone there than i do at a church I've attended for almost 12 years. Not that I don't have friends, which i cherish. Rather, I get a sense that whatever St. Benedict's has or their ethos that is what church is meant to be. Broken people running to God, living life together, answering questions, not hiding living life together. When did church become an institution that one can no longer be honest and real.

Well that is a bit of a rant, sorry. Maybe it is because church is so important to myself that it is frustrating to see it selling out.

First Session....

Well i went to my first counselling session Friday afternoon. I think it went well it was more a get to know you ..why are you here? stuff like that. I am hopeful to see how i will be able to have a place to talk things through with my counsellor...well hope everyone is having a good week...

Pagitt on Creeds

Well I just listened to Doug Pagitt's podcast. The topic was basically a 3-4 minute rant on creeds. More specifically on what creeds are: They are not summation of Christian faith..creeds are understanding within a certain contextual context.

I think that is one of the better understanding of creeds that i have come across.

Children of Men

In the last couple years I have lost hope in finding great movies. I am typically disappointed with movies or maybe my standards have been on a decline over the years. However, recently I heard about Children of Men. I am not a Sci-fi fan, but the premise of a world that has become mysteriously infertile. I found the movie to be very creative, which is very rare in this age. The movie took a interesting look at 'political activist' that becomes a form of terrorism. The scene that continually runs through my head is when the main characters attempt to escape a battle scene between the army and political activist while holding a baby. What is profound of this scene is that when each group encounters the baby(hope) they stand in awe, but as soon as the baby passes them they have this gut reaction to continue killing. I found this scene very truthful. That the reason people are fighting is often forgotten( or unknown). If you've got a chance check it out, trust me you won't be disappointed.

Who is Peter Rollins?

Well as those close to me know I am a pretty big Brian McLaren fan. However, McLaren has gotten so popular that he gives recommendations/forewords to many books. This has made it hard to distinguish between the good and ordinary books. A little while back my good friend Joey(http://www.joeyroyal.blogspot.com)mentioned that many in the Emergent friendship were raving about 'How (Not) to speak of God' by Peter Rollins. So i figured I'd check it out. In reading the foreword by McLaren, I am amazed at the praise McLaren gives. McLaren states, "I would say this is one of the two or three most rewarding books of theology I have read in ten years." So needless to say McLaren is becoming a huge fan of Rollins. McLaren takes it further "Peter's effective and creative use of parables comes as an added surprise, evoking the practice of a communicator who, many of us believe, spike of god as no other person ever has, to such a degree that he himself was named the Word made flesh." So, Rollins tells stories like Jesus. That is a bit hard to take. But, after reading Rollins introduction I am very excited to see what I am in store.

Here are some of the gems from the introduction.

"they balked at the presumption of those who would seek to colonize the name 'God' with concepts."

"they(Christian mystics) wrote elegantly concerning the limits of writing and spoke eloquently about the brutality of words."

"the Word of God has mystery built into its very heart."

"Against the idea that we can speak of God I argue that we must embrace an a/theological approach that acknowledges the extent to which our supposed God-talk fails to define who or what God is."

Well that is just a taste...happy reading.

An Interesting week.....

Well, it has been a hard start to the semester. I think good for the long run, but hard in the short term. Hard to be in right now. Well how do i start...Well I got back from Korea pretty sick and drained. Not the way one should start a semester. Maybe i have been running from stuff going on in my life. Well, I think my journey to do this youth stuff has been a long one. I think i've had a lot of questions regarding leadership and teaching gifts. I think these questions have been abound since i've come to Prov. So i've been rethinking lots. It hasn't been a fun week. I've been struggling with being very heavy and even somewhat depressed about my situation. I think i am in a better place right now, but i still have issues with where my life is going.

I think i get down a lot about my weakness in ministry and also a lot of weaknesses in regards to my social skills in the public space. I think a lot of these questions have led me to aknowledge that unless i change as a person I won't work in a church in the role of youth pastor. i think a lot of questions about having a passion, but not having the gifts to work in the church. So I am questioning a lot of things...which i think is fine, but it is hard working in a church and coming to these realizations.

So i am doing my best to make my semester as good possible. So, next friday I am beginning to go to counselling to work out these problems i am having. well that is my life in a nutshell. Not so fun, but I feel God is in this process. I find that God is the source i rely on more, reading my Bible gives me hope and peace. Just some thoughts on the journey. I am still finding that it is hard to work a lot on my days off.

well hope your life is filled with a little less stress then mine...all the best

A further thought on redemptive stories....

As I've been working through the idea of being involved in redemptive stories, i find that these stories are hard to hear. I think that is because they sound similar to the kingdom of God. A kingdom that for the most part is foreign to our world. So when we hear these stories we do not recognize them for what they are: Redemptive stories. Sort of till we tune our ears to this different world we will not hear God in these stories.

I wonder if we are not all or have the opportunity to be involved in redemptive stories. I think we all have the opportunity to be involved in the kingdom of God on earth. Often when i listen to Rob Bell, i feel that Mars Hill Bible Church is focused on being involved in redemptive stories in their community. It is truly beautiful the vision of this church.

Just a further explanation of redemptive stories...