In the Twilight Years of Alexander Campbell he lectured and preached extensively to the Bethany College community. By this time Alexander Campbell was a saintly old gentleman and a seasoned reflective student of Scripture. For those who know only Campbell's "Sermon on the Law" might be surprised a large chunk of his hermeneutical enterprise was focused on the Pentateuch. In 1859 and 1860 his lectures were recorded and later published after the Civil War by W. T. Moore as Familiar Lectures on the Pentateuch. Also recorded in this same period were extensive extracts from his sermons. What follows is an imaginary interview with the old Reformer ... I will refer to quotations by Extract numbers as printed in Familiar Lectures ...
Elder Campbell the reformation you promote has exalted the Bible. Can you share your mature thoughts on that old religious tome?
"The Bible is a perfect chart for the entire voyage of life. Beyond that it has no value. It is not adapted to man in Heaven or Hell." (# 21). But the "vast deal of Bible reading, in these latter days [is] for the purpose of enabling men to stand erect upon a particular point of faith, peculiar to themselves ... than with obtaining a clear and unbiased understanding and truthful appreciation of the intent and meaning of Holy Writ" (# 9).
Elder Campbell what kind of book is the Bible?
"[T]he Holy Scriptures have every form of expression. We have not only poetry and prose, precepts, promises and threats; but all various forms and usages of human speech ... It is very proper that this should be so. For this book is addressed to man, by Him who alone comprehends him in his relations to his fellow man and to his Creator ... It is worthy of observation, that in the Bible as addressed to man, God does not deal in abstractions." (#11)
Do you have a favorite part of Scripture or is there any "more important" than other parts?
"No man has ever suggested an improvement to the parables of the Saviour ... they are the wisest exhibitions of literature in the world." (# LXXX). However "among the most important ecclesiastical documents are the two oracles, which we sometimes denominate the kernel of Christianity - the Epistles of Paul to the Romans and to the Hebrews. They contain the most comprehensive and complete exposition of all that enters into Christian faith and worship, ever spoken or written." (# LXXXV)
Elder Campbell, in our day Christians have retreated from the physicality of the world. Do you have any mature thoughts on Creation and its destiny?
Absolutely! "The principles of creation are: First, goodness, the actuating: Second, wisdom, the directing: third, power, the executive principle" (# 8). The order here is important. "The universe itself is the offspring of God's love. It was not created simply because he had the wisdom and power to do it. The element of love entered into the intention, characterized the execution, and approved the completion of his labors." (# 18). Its all about God's love!
Some have been influenced by the materialism of the Enlightenment and have abandoned biblical teaching. You see "the impression prevails in many minds that the earth is to be annihilated. Such is not our belief. There is a vast difference between annihilation and change ... This earth will will unquestionably be burned, yet through the process of variation and reconstruction of its elements, God will fashion the earth and heavens anew, and fill them with tenants to glorify His name forever" (# 13; cf #LXVI). The victory of the Messiah goes as far as the curse is found.
One final question Elder Campbell, what kind of God do you worship?
"I worship a great God and a little God...He is so large that he fills the universe with his presence, and so small that he dwells in my heart. [A]nd if the love of God fills the heart of man, he must be happy." (# XCVII)
Thank you for the courtesy of the interview Elder Campbell. Your thoughts certainly exhibit years of study and worship. Thank you for sharing them with us ... we will have to reflect on them ourselves.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
God is enough
Been reflecting on Psalm 73 for days now ... i found this incredible video and had to share it ...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
N.T. Wright on the Postmodern Movement 2
This is part of a larger interview of N.T. Wright at the Pastors Retreat of the Los Ranchos Presbytery held in Malibu CA. It is worth listening too
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Three Crises: An Evening Chat ... World, Church, Life
Its the late evening here in the desert ... as I write this I am on the back porch, laptop and I looking up at the starry sky ... makes me ask how reflective are we? How introspective can we be? How honest can we be with ourselves and with others? Has anyone else noticed? Or am I just so delusional that I have failed to have eyes and ears to truly see and hear? Let me tell you what I see and then you tell me what you see.
I am only forty years old and the world I live in has drastically changed in my own lifetime. It seems to me that the world is in the throes of an identity crises. We are moving (with more velocity daily) from a Euro-American centric world to an Asian one. The rate of change is intimidating and mind numbingly immense. My barely two hundred year old non-denomination denomination is locked in a life and death mid-life crises that mirrors the chaos of the wider cultural earthquake. And to make matters worse I, Bobby Valentine, am also in the middle of an identity crises! A thread that runs through all of these crises is a poltergeist comically named "Postmodernism." It is both the engine that drives SOME of the tremors and a result of the aftershocks from these cracks in the "Modern" world.
I grew up believing and being comfortable with a certain perspective of the world. This, whether I like it or not and no matter how patriotic one may be, is changing and will never be the same again. Crises! My non-denomination denomination has been trying to come to terms with itself for nearly the length of my life and the old "identity" markers have caved because they were built upon sand of Modernity and the inevitable storm has seen them crash and wash away. Crises! My personal identity was wrapped up so much in being a husband and even Dad that I never stopped to consider how unsure a foundation that really is. Storm came: Divorce from hell. Every other weekend dad. Illusions shattered. Crises!!!!
The crises around us are not a small dust devil but rather a world wide Hurricane Katrina that will alter the maps of the world, the maps of our religious selves and our "personal" life as well. The crises of the surrounding world yanked my head out of the sand when the Grim Reaper knocked on my door ...
For the last year and a half I have been trying to "see" me, see my church, and see my world as it really is. I am not so sure I have done that successfully. I was already looking before the Reaper arrived but he made me do some serious soul searching in all the above areas. To find out who "I" really am I talked to a counselor, cried, cussed, lamented ... and more than any other time in my life I became Israel! He who struggles with God!! God made me look in the mirror and ask tough questions of my world, of my non-denomination denomination, and my family. The most fundamental question of all was "WHO are you Bobby V?"
To answer the question God sent me to his Word. He asked me to listen. He asked me to be silent. He asked me to kneel. He asked me to "give IT up" ... whatever "it" is. He drove me, yes DROVE me, into the Word. I began to realize that the Word is not simply about or even primarily about elders, deacons, and names on a building. The Story actually has surprisingly little interest in this kind of stuff. God challenged me to hear IN his written word his Word for my world, my church, and my life.
I saw, in the written word, that David lived out the Word in a way that was true and yet different than Moses. That the early church revered the written word but sought how to hear the word to them in their own day. I recalled reading in the written word where Paul was accused of seeking popularity for preaching a "law free" gospel (cf Gal 1.10). Sometimes being true to the written Word in our own day causes us to look like "liberal" to those who only see but never understand (meditate on Matthew 12.1-14 and 13.13-15).
For a year and a half I have munched on Scripture like I have never before. Psalms is my daily companion. The Gospels pull me in in a way that I just did not understand at one time. My life has a rhythm that was not there once before. The Story of God in scripture and being with him in worship have been God's tool of giving me eyes to see what I could not before ... and frankly would have preferred not too!!
I have learned that is it is ok to embrace a truly resident alien point of view. This alleviates the stress of the Asian shift in the balance of power in the world. I've learned it is ok to pledge allegiance to the kingdom of God regardless of the ramifications. I have learned that my non-denomination denomination has been shaped by the "myth" of Modernity rather than sola scriptura as we have claimed. Indeed I have come to believe that my task is to help the church live with in the counter world envisioned by the written world in the power of the Living Word. And I have learned that my own identity is not in a marriage, fatherhood or anything else but hidden in the Messiah ... which is why I began to wear a new ring ... a black ring with a crown of thorns woven on it.
Our world is changing and drastically so. But we have safety and refuge within God's global kingdom. Our church is changing and it will not look like it did in AD 50; AD 1000; AD 1878; AD 1906 or even AD 1970. But Jesus is training us to seek out "old treasures" as well as "new (meditate on Matthew 13.52). And my own life will never again be like it was prior to December 16, 2007 ... never! Just like the world will not go back. The church can't go back even if some have illusions that they can. We see to weather the crises by being saturated with God's Story and shaped by it that we can live our faithfully and truthfully in our own day and our own time the Gospel of Christ crucified and the reign of God over all.
Well I have rambled long enough. I invite you to watch the video below. It will help us see just how our world is changing ... and ask the question from a kingdom standpoint: What does it all mean?
I am only forty years old and the world I live in has drastically changed in my own lifetime. It seems to me that the world is in the throes of an identity crises. We are moving (with more velocity daily) from a Euro-American centric world to an Asian one. The rate of change is intimidating and mind numbingly immense. My barely two hundred year old non-denomination denomination is locked in a life and death mid-life crises that mirrors the chaos of the wider cultural earthquake. And to make matters worse I, Bobby Valentine, am also in the middle of an identity crises! A thread that runs through all of these crises is a poltergeist comically named "Postmodernism." It is both the engine that drives SOME of the tremors and a result of the aftershocks from these cracks in the "Modern" world.
I grew up believing and being comfortable with a certain perspective of the world. This, whether I like it or not and no matter how patriotic one may be, is changing and will never be the same again. Crises! My non-denomination denomination has been trying to come to terms with itself for nearly the length of my life and the old "identity" markers have caved because they were built upon sand of Modernity and the inevitable storm has seen them crash and wash away. Crises! My personal identity was wrapped up so much in being a husband and even Dad that I never stopped to consider how unsure a foundation that really is. Storm came: Divorce from hell. Every other weekend dad. Illusions shattered. Crises!!!!
The crises around us are not a small dust devil but rather a world wide Hurricane Katrina that will alter the maps of the world, the maps of our religious selves and our "personal" life as well. The crises of the surrounding world yanked my head out of the sand when the Grim Reaper knocked on my door ...
For the last year and a half I have been trying to "see" me, see my church, and see my world as it really is. I am not so sure I have done that successfully. I was already looking before the Reaper arrived but he made me do some serious soul searching in all the above areas. To find out who "I" really am I talked to a counselor, cried, cussed, lamented ... and more than any other time in my life I became Israel! He who struggles with God!! God made me look in the mirror and ask tough questions of my world, of my non-denomination denomination, and my family. The most fundamental question of all was "WHO are you Bobby V?"
To answer the question God sent me to his Word. He asked me to listen. He asked me to be silent. He asked me to kneel. He asked me to "give IT up" ... whatever "it" is. He drove me, yes DROVE me, into the Word. I began to realize that the Word is not simply about or even primarily about elders, deacons, and names on a building. The Story actually has surprisingly little interest in this kind of stuff. God challenged me to hear IN his written word his Word for my world, my church, and my life.
I saw, in the written word, that David lived out the Word in a way that was true and yet different than Moses. That the early church revered the written word but sought how to hear the word to them in their own day. I recalled reading in the written word where Paul was accused of seeking popularity for preaching a "law free" gospel (cf Gal 1.10). Sometimes being true to the written Word in our own day causes us to look like "liberal" to those who only see but never understand (meditate on Matthew 12.1-14 and 13.13-15).
For a year and a half I have munched on Scripture like I have never before. Psalms is my daily companion. The Gospels pull me in in a way that I just did not understand at one time. My life has a rhythm that was not there once before. The Story of God in scripture and being with him in worship have been God's tool of giving me eyes to see what I could not before ... and frankly would have preferred not too!!
I have learned that is it is ok to embrace a truly resident alien point of view. This alleviates the stress of the Asian shift in the balance of power in the world. I've learned it is ok to pledge allegiance to the kingdom of God regardless of the ramifications. I have learned that my non-denomination denomination has been shaped by the "myth" of Modernity rather than sola scriptura as we have claimed. Indeed I have come to believe that my task is to help the church live with in the counter world envisioned by the written world in the power of the Living Word. And I have learned that my own identity is not in a marriage, fatherhood or anything else but hidden in the Messiah ... which is why I began to wear a new ring ... a black ring with a crown of thorns woven on it.
Our world is changing and drastically so. But we have safety and refuge within God's global kingdom. Our church is changing and it will not look like it did in AD 50; AD 1000; AD 1878; AD 1906 or even AD 1970. But Jesus is training us to seek out "old treasures" as well as "new (meditate on Matthew 13.52). And my own life will never again be like it was prior to December 16, 2007 ... never! Just like the world will not go back. The church can't go back even if some have illusions that they can. We see to weather the crises by being saturated with God's Story and shaped by it that we can live our faithfully and truthfully in our own day and our own time the Gospel of Christ crucified and the reign of God over all.
Well I have rambled long enough. I invite you to watch the video below. It will help us see just how our world is changing ... and ask the question from a kingdom standpoint: What does it all mean?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Extreme-Watching, Waiting
1989! Extreme ... I remember it well. Can rockers sing about the crucifixion? They did. I was blown away by it when I was 21/22 and I still love it ...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Books for Loving God with our Minds and our Hearts
On my way back from Pepperdine I had several hours in the dark by myself. During those dark hours I listened to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. This Pulitzer Prize winner is a fascinating attempt to understand the incredible economic and technological disparity that has existed between various segments of humanity. Or to put it differently "Why did Europe come to dominate the modern world?" Digging (and thinking) deeply into such realities as how geography and even food production has impacted human development since 11,000 B.C. I confess that I do not buy into all of Diamond's interpretations but this is a book that really helps us wrestle with the reality of just "why" the world is the way it is.
I recently purchased two books on baptism and is history. Daniel Keeran's Ancient and Medieval Baptismal Fonts and Everett Ferguson's Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries. Keeran's is a small book consisting basically of photographs baptismal fonts in Israel, Italy, and other Mediterranean cultures. Christianity has left more than literary remains and Keeran has shared an important slice of Christian history by looking at the "archeology" of baptism so to speak. This book will ... without even saying so ... deepen our appreciation for the practice of baptism in the early church. One baptismal basin is illustrated on pages 18 and 19. It dates to the 4th and 5th centuries and is located about 25 miles southwest of Beersheba. It is so interesting because it is in the shape of a cross and vividly illustrates such texts as Romans 6 or Colossians 2.12.
Ferguson's book is massive! I have only surveyed this work so far and I cannot wait to sink my "teeth" into it. More soon ...
I recently purchased two books on baptism and is history. Daniel Keeran's Ancient and Medieval Baptismal Fonts and Everett Ferguson's Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries. Keeran's is a small book consisting basically of photographs baptismal fonts in Israel, Italy, and other Mediterranean cultures. Christianity has left more than literary remains and Keeran has shared an important slice of Christian history by looking at the "archeology" of baptism so to speak. This book will ... without even saying so ... deepen our appreciation for the practice of baptism in the early church. One baptismal basin is illustrated on pages 18 and 19. It dates to the 4th and 5th centuries and is located about 25 miles southwest of Beersheba. It is so interesting because it is in the shape of a cross and vividly illustrates such texts as Romans 6 or Colossians 2.12.
Ferguson's book is massive! I have only surveyed this work so far and I cannot wait to sink my "teeth" into it. More soon ...
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Pepperdine 2009
I, and my family, have been making an annual pilgrimage to Pepperdine University for the Bible lectures every year since 2001. For the last two I have made that voyage alone which changes dynamics quite a bit. Last year and this year I arrived a day early for some decompression time. This year that meant I arrived about midnite on Monday and simply walked on the beach and slept on it till the sun came up. What a glorious sight. Love the ocean ... and I love Pepperdine Bible Lectures ... Why you ask!!
First and foremost: My hat is off to Jerry Rushford once again. Jerry has to be the most encouraging man in the Churches of Christ. Pepperdine is FAR outside the CofC holy land of Tennessee and Texas and yet Jerry and Pepperdine are able to attract the greatest assemblage of folk from the CofCs anywhere in America.
Second, the quality and breadth of the classes at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures is simply UNMATCHED anywhere and at anytime among Churches of Christ (see Here) Nearly a hundred speakers covering topics from detailed exegetical classes on basically the entire book of Colossians by some of our very best scholars to a detailed history of baptism in the first five centuries by Everett Ferguson. From how to survive as a preacher's wife to witnessing to Mosaics in a postmodern world ... in between there are seminars on preaching, classes on cultivating your spiritual life and even those with a big D on their forehead ... Jerry how do you do it!!??
Third, Pepperdine is where my path crosses more of my friends from all walks of life than anywhere else. Daryl Miller from Milwaukee, Kevin Vance from Canada, Lisa Dickson from Abilene, Rick Janelle from Penn, Steve Puckett from Melbourne, Fl, Edward Fudge from Houston, Edward Robinson, Doug Foster and Randy Harris of ACU, Rubel Shelly of Rochester, Bob Belville from NC, Joel Solliday from Brooklyn Park, MN, Tom Olbricht from Maine, Bob Clark from TN, Victor Knowles from Missouri, all my PV and Tucson family and many more.
Fourth, I got to hear my old teacher Allen Black share insight into Col 2.14; Tom Olbricht on the Bicentennial of the Declaration and Address of Thomas Campbell; Edward Robinson on Annie Tuggle, Billy Wilson on evangelism (I had the task and pleasure of introducing him), Rick Marrs and Tim Willis had an OUTSTANDING three part class on the Law and the New Testament (you need to get the CDs on this ... this was rich stuff!), Monte Cox and Rick Atchley are just good solid and sound biblical expositors.
Fifth, Pepperdine is where I make new friends every year. In particular I want to mention Billy McGuiggan. I went to Billy's class and he did an outstanding job. He is smarter and more equipped than I was at his age ... (I HATE being able to say that cause I am now OLDER than him!!!!!) I got to visit with Billy and encouraged one another. God is doing amazing things brothers and sisters ... if we only had eyes to see and ears to hear.
The only thing I can complain about Pepperdine is that it is too short!! I know Jerry doesn't think so cause he is working like a dog for this thing. But from my perspective when I had to leave on Friday afternoon I was simply sad. I did not want to leave. I am encouraged. I am uplifted. I am fed. I am challenged to deeper biblical study and serious digging. I am enriched in my soul. I find fellowship. I find the Presence of the Almighty God who loves to Gather with his People. Thank you Jerry for the Pepperdine lectures ...
The Marrs/Willis lectures can be ordered here (Did We Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water?) ... they are the 8.30 am class and there are three of them.
Below are a few (very few) pictures of Pepperdine scenes ... I forgot to take pix cause I was so busy enjoying myself ...
"Gassing" Up for the Trip to Mecca ...
What a glorious sight ...
The Great Tree in front of Firestone Fieldhouse
The Chapel ...
Enjoying a Quite Moment
Some...SOME...of our PV family taking in our "traditional" Wednesday nite Pie Party
First and foremost: My hat is off to Jerry Rushford once again. Jerry has to be the most encouraging man in the Churches of Christ. Pepperdine is FAR outside the CofC holy land of Tennessee and Texas and yet Jerry and Pepperdine are able to attract the greatest assemblage of folk from the CofCs anywhere in America.
Second, the quality and breadth of the classes at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures is simply UNMATCHED anywhere and at anytime among Churches of Christ (see Here) Nearly a hundred speakers covering topics from detailed exegetical classes on basically the entire book of Colossians by some of our very best scholars to a detailed history of baptism in the first five centuries by Everett Ferguson. From how to survive as a preacher's wife to witnessing to Mosaics in a postmodern world ... in between there are seminars on preaching, classes on cultivating your spiritual life and even those with a big D on their forehead ... Jerry how do you do it!!??
Third, Pepperdine is where my path crosses more of my friends from all walks of life than anywhere else. Daryl Miller from Milwaukee, Kevin Vance from Canada, Lisa Dickson from Abilene, Rick Janelle from Penn, Steve Puckett from Melbourne, Fl, Edward Fudge from Houston, Edward Robinson, Doug Foster and Randy Harris of ACU, Rubel Shelly of Rochester, Bob Belville from NC, Joel Solliday from Brooklyn Park, MN, Tom Olbricht from Maine, Bob Clark from TN, Victor Knowles from Missouri, all my PV and Tucson family and many more.
Fourth, I got to hear my old teacher Allen Black share insight into Col 2.14; Tom Olbricht on the Bicentennial of the Declaration and Address of Thomas Campbell; Edward Robinson on Annie Tuggle, Billy Wilson on evangelism (I had the task and pleasure of introducing him), Rick Marrs and Tim Willis had an OUTSTANDING three part class on the Law and the New Testament (you need to get the CDs on this ... this was rich stuff!), Monte Cox and Rick Atchley are just good solid and sound biblical expositors.
Fifth, Pepperdine is where I make new friends every year. In particular I want to mention Billy McGuiggan. I went to Billy's class and he did an outstanding job. He is smarter and more equipped than I was at his age ... (I HATE being able to say that cause I am now OLDER than him!!!!!) I got to visit with Billy and encouraged one another. God is doing amazing things brothers and sisters ... if we only had eyes to see and ears to hear.
The only thing I can complain about Pepperdine is that it is too short!! I know Jerry doesn't think so cause he is working like a dog for this thing. But from my perspective when I had to leave on Friday afternoon I was simply sad. I did not want to leave. I am encouraged. I am uplifted. I am fed. I am challenged to deeper biblical study and serious digging. I am enriched in my soul. I find fellowship. I find the Presence of the Almighty God who loves to Gather with his People. Thank you Jerry for the Pepperdine lectures ...
The Marrs/Willis lectures can be ordered here (Did We Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water?) ... they are the 8.30 am class and there are three of them.
Below are a few (very few) pictures of Pepperdine scenes ... I forgot to take pix cause I was so busy enjoying myself ...
"Gassing" Up for the Trip to Mecca ...
What a glorious sight ...
The Great Tree in front of Firestone Fieldhouse
The Chapel ...
Enjoying a Quite Moment
Some...SOME...of our PV family taking in our "traditional" Wednesday nite Pie Party
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Acappella - Better Than Life
Here is Acappella's rendering of my sermon text for this morning at Palo Verde ... Psalm 63 was deeply appreciated in the early Christian church ... His HESED is better than life ...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
UNchristian Views ... Should We Care about them?
While camping with my girls in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico with my girls (see my Facebook album for pix) I reread a small work by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons called Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Things about Christianity to help me prepare for a mens retreat with the them "Entering the Matrix." The retreat was well received as we discussed how traditional/institutional churches can face the postmodern shift. This heavily researched book was published in 2007 and is now in its sixth printing. It is a most fascinating piece. The work concentrates on the ages 16 to 29 year olds (postmoderns) and what they think and believe about Christianity. In short the "image" of the church within North America is not a favorable one with this age group. The research was sponsored by the Barna Group a respected evangelical think tank. What saddened me most of all as I read through the book and digested the information is that we are so often known for what we are against and not for what we are "for." The three most common responses in this age group as they "characterized" Christianity were:
Christians are "antihomosexual" (fully 91%)
Christians are "judgmental" (87%)
Christians are "hypocritical" (85%)
As Kinnaman and Lyons unpack the information several "perceptions" pervade the view of Christians within North America. These perceptions might as well be reality for so many of them. There are six dominating views of those in universities, colleges, in our high schools ... and even in our own churches. It gives me cause for pause that THESE are the things that pop into this generations mind when they hear the word "Christian." Here they are:
1) Hypocritical
2) All Christians talk about are "getting saved" ... whatever that might mean
3) Antihomosexual
4) Christians are "sheltered" ... that is they don't live in the real world
5) Too Political
6) Judgmental ... Christians can't work with and can't get along with anyone who thinks differently than them
A young lady is quoted that sort of sums up a generational view. She unloaded on the term "Christian." "Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe" (p.26).
As the authors point out it doesn't matter if we agree with the perspectives of these people (and we don't). But it is difficult to get a fair "hearing" for Jesus and his kingdom when these are the images conjured up within the minds of those we wish to LOVE into the kingdom. UNCHRISTIAN does not simply relate some dismal statistics but rather within their research they attempted to answer the question of WHY these people overwhelmingly have negative views of Christianity. In the quote above I scratch my head and ask ... is this the MESSAGE of the Lord Jesus? Have we Christians mixed the message with things that are not? Was Jesus KNOWN as the person who was "antigay?" ... some where I think I read he was known as a "friend" to sinners. I guess that just might include "gays."
As a Christian, should we be concerned about what a non-believer thinks? Should we be worried about what the "pagan" might believe about something she could not understand from the outside? The answer is YES!
Is it not interesting that Moses appealed to what the Egyptians would think of God (his reputation) if he destroyed the Israelites ... even in the face of the Golden Calf debacle? "Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth?" (Exodus 32.12) ... God seemingly cared what the pagan Egyptians would think of his reputation. Should we not also be concerned about our "image problem?" I think we should. I think the perceptions of a younger generation is a huge barrier to message of the kingdom.
Information gathered in Unchristian should motivate us to embrace the full wealth of our faith. Perhaps we have been to selective in our preaching and teaching ... perhaps it is time to embrace the unbelievably profound depths of biblical faith and preach it with a renewed sense of humility and genuine love for those around us ... telling the truth in LOVE ... how biblical can that be? Perhaps we need to remind ourselves once again that Christianity was around for a long time before the USA and God is not Republican or Democrat ... nor white, nor even Protestant! At the very least Unchristian views should force us to ask the question of "why" do people think what they think about us. The look in the mirror may be good for us ...
Shalom,
Bobby V
P.S. In light of some of the developing comments I have decided to link this post I wrote over two years ago called Jesus: The Welcoming Friend of Sinners ... Even Homosexual Sinners ... Perhaps it will further stimulate good discussion.
Christians are "antihomosexual" (fully 91%)
Christians are "judgmental" (87%)
Christians are "hypocritical" (85%)
As Kinnaman and Lyons unpack the information several "perceptions" pervade the view of Christians within North America. These perceptions might as well be reality for so many of them. There are six dominating views of those in universities, colleges, in our high schools ... and even in our own churches. It gives me cause for pause that THESE are the things that pop into this generations mind when they hear the word "Christian." Here they are:
1) Hypocritical
2) All Christians talk about are "getting saved" ... whatever that might mean
3) Antihomosexual
4) Christians are "sheltered" ... that is they don't live in the real world
5) Too Political
6) Judgmental ... Christians can't work with and can't get along with anyone who thinks differently than them
A young lady is quoted that sort of sums up a generational view. She unloaded on the term "Christian." "Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe" (p.26).
As the authors point out it doesn't matter if we agree with the perspectives of these people (and we don't). But it is difficult to get a fair "hearing" for Jesus and his kingdom when these are the images conjured up within the minds of those we wish to LOVE into the kingdom. UNCHRISTIAN does not simply relate some dismal statistics but rather within their research they attempted to answer the question of WHY these people overwhelmingly have negative views of Christianity. In the quote above I scratch my head and ask ... is this the MESSAGE of the Lord Jesus? Have we Christians mixed the message with things that are not? Was Jesus KNOWN as the person who was "antigay?" ... some where I think I read he was known as a "friend" to sinners. I guess that just might include "gays."
As a Christian, should we be concerned about what a non-believer thinks? Should we be worried about what the "pagan" might believe about something she could not understand from the outside? The answer is YES!
Is it not interesting that Moses appealed to what the Egyptians would think of God (his reputation) if he destroyed the Israelites ... even in the face of the Golden Calf debacle? "Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth?" (Exodus 32.12) ... God seemingly cared what the pagan Egyptians would think of his reputation. Should we not also be concerned about our "image problem?" I think we should. I think the perceptions of a younger generation is a huge barrier to message of the kingdom.
Information gathered in Unchristian should motivate us to embrace the full wealth of our faith. Perhaps we have been to selective in our preaching and teaching ... perhaps it is time to embrace the unbelievably profound depths of biblical faith and preach it with a renewed sense of humility and genuine love for those around us ... telling the truth in LOVE ... how biblical can that be? Perhaps we need to remind ourselves once again that Christianity was around for a long time before the USA and God is not Republican or Democrat ... nor white, nor even Protestant! At the very least Unchristian views should force us to ask the question of "why" do people think what they think about us. The look in the mirror may be good for us ...
Shalom,
Bobby V
P.S. In light of some of the developing comments I have decided to link this post I wrote over two years ago called Jesus: The Welcoming Friend of Sinners ... Even Homosexual Sinners ... Perhaps it will further stimulate good discussion.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Here and There
I realize it has been a while since I posted anything and I promise to get back on that. In the mean time here are some things I have found on the net that are worthy of your attention ...
The Most Incredible images of Saturn Here
Here is an insightful article by one of my favorite scholars, Walter Brueggemann on
Biblical Authority
Here is an interesting (and short) article on Derrida and Gadamer ... guys not normally put together. Bruce Ellis Benson, Gadamer, Derrida and How We Read
And N.T. Wright always has something worthy of consideration, God's Way of Acting
Shalom,
Bobby V
The Most Incredible images of Saturn Here
Here is an insightful article by one of my favorite scholars, Walter Brueggemann on
Biblical Authority
Here is an interesting (and short) article on Derrida and Gadamer ... guys not normally put together. Bruce Ellis Benson, Gadamer, Derrida and How We Read
And N.T. Wright always has something worthy of consideration, God's Way of Acting
Shalom,
Bobby V
Saturday, April 04, 2009
The Collapsing Brass Heaven - Random Readings
Our world is a changing world. One of the symbols of the collapse of the Brass Heaven of Modernity is the demise of the print newspaper. Here is an interesting reflection on the death of a major paper on Colorado by Bill James The Future of Newspapers.
A new blog has been set up called Grace Conversations. The four contributors to this blog are Phil Sanders, Greg Tidwell, Jay Quin, and Todd Deaver. These four are discussing the disagreements that divide "conservative" and "progressive" groups in American Churches of Christ.
I've been doing some serious study of the Apostle's Creed which I believe to be a stellar summary of the apostolic faith. Alister McGrath's handy dandy I Believe: Exploring the Apostles' Creed. McGrath's is a succinct exposition and suitable for small groups. Wolfhart Pannenberg's The Apostles' Creed, In Light of Today's Questions. A lively investigation by one the 20th centuries leading theologians. One of the best and more detailed books that include both historical and theological investigation is Luke Timothy Johnson's The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters.
I picked up David Damrosch's The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh in the PHX airport on the way to Tulsa. It is a fascinating and highly readable narrative of 19th century Indiana Jones types. This is an engaging tale and I highly recommend it. The recovery of the world of Terah and Abraham and other legendary ancients.
Finally Patrick E. McGovern's Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture is fascinating and enlightening. I had read this work before but have gone through it again recently. This is anything but a dry account. It is nearly the story of humanity. Wine has been around nearly as long as there is history. He tells of the discovery of wine at Godin Tepe that dates to between 3100 and 3500 BCE. Then the recovery of wine from Hajji Firuz dating to "approximately" 5400 BCE. That is over 7000 years old. This book, like Damrosch's work, is a tale of humanity and what and who we are. But for the Bible student this work helps understand the culture of Israel. The chapter "The Holy Land's Bounty" is insightful. Palestine was literally a land flowing with wine. In the Egyptian tale of Sinuhe for example we read
"It was a good land, called Yaa
Figs were in it, and grapes.
It had more wine than water.
Abundant was its honey, plentiful its oil."
We so easily read our post-19th Century American Temperance Movement thoughts and ideas back into the sacred record that McGovern's book is a necessary corrective. But it is more than that it is a good read.
Blessings on all.
A new blog has been set up called Grace Conversations. The four contributors to this blog are Phil Sanders, Greg Tidwell, Jay Quin, and Todd Deaver. These four are discussing the disagreements that divide "conservative" and "progressive" groups in American Churches of Christ.
I've been doing some serious study of the Apostle's Creed which I believe to be a stellar summary of the apostolic faith. Alister McGrath's handy dandy I Believe: Exploring the Apostles' Creed. McGrath's is a succinct exposition and suitable for small groups. Wolfhart Pannenberg's The Apostles' Creed, In Light of Today's Questions. A lively investigation by one the 20th centuries leading theologians. One of the best and more detailed books that include both historical and theological investigation is Luke Timothy Johnson's The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters.
I picked up David Damrosch's The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh in the PHX airport on the way to Tulsa. It is a fascinating and highly readable narrative of 19th century Indiana Jones types. This is an engaging tale and I highly recommend it. The recovery of the world of Terah and Abraham and other legendary ancients.
Finally Patrick E. McGovern's Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture is fascinating and enlightening. I had read this work before but have gone through it again recently. This is anything but a dry account. It is nearly the story of humanity. Wine has been around nearly as long as there is history. He tells of the discovery of wine at Godin Tepe that dates to between 3100 and 3500 BCE. Then the recovery of wine from Hajji Firuz dating to "approximately" 5400 BCE. That is over 7000 years old. This book, like Damrosch's work, is a tale of humanity and what and who we are. But for the Bible student this work helps understand the culture of Israel. The chapter "The Holy Land's Bounty" is insightful. Palestine was literally a land flowing with wine. In the Egyptian tale of Sinuhe for example we read
"It was a good land, called Yaa
Figs were in it, and grapes.
It had more wine than water.
Abundant was its honey, plentiful its oil."
We so easily read our post-19th Century American Temperance Movement thoughts and ideas back into the sacred record that McGovern's book is a necessary corrective. But it is more than that it is a good read.
Blessings on all.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Reflections on Tulsa Workshop
It is Monday morning here in the land of Saguaros and Scorpions. The sun is shining, the skies are blue and I am wearing shorts and flip flops. All of which are alien to Tulsa this past week. We had more rain in the couple days I was there than we have in 8 months in Tucson. And then it snowed! Yes snow!!
Yet the Tulsa Workshop was wonderful. I arrived on Wednesday and found out that all the cars in Tulsa had been rented out ... but I still had my room at the Inn!! I attended church with some friends in Bixby and then crashed. Thursday I took in the first of Rick Atchley's "Born Again Identity" which was so good I attended his next classes and got the CDs. John Dobbs on blogging was next. I regret that I did not get to spend as much time with John and a few other friends as I was hoping too. Edward Fudge gave out some wise tips on being Revolutionary People and later Don McLaughlin on ministry to Addicts/Alcoholics in the name of Jesus. Loyd Harris blessed us too.
Friday I was back to hear Rick Atchley's final presentation. Afterwards I was privileged to go to Taco Cabana and get to know him better. It is amazing how God works sometimes. Over a Dr. Pepper and cheese dip God moved. I was able to pick Edward Fudge's mind a little about K. C. Moser and met Randy Hughes who knew Moser too.
I was unable to take in Harold Shank's two part presentation on "Listen to the Heartbeat." But I got them on CD and have devoured both already. I value Shank for many reasons. He calls us to use ALL of God's Scripture to inform our mission in this world and then he actually powerfully models that call in his own preaching. His sermons powerfully demonstrate how important the Hebrew Bible is to our walk and task before Yahweh. If you haven't heard these ... get the CDs HERE.
In Tulsa I hit up McAlister's a wonderful sandwich shop unknown to the desert. Went to Longhorn steak house on Thursday night and Hideaway Pizza for lunch on Friday. I did not make it to Casa Bonita which is nearly a crime.
So much of a workshop, like Tulsa, is the fellowship. I caught up with old friends Victor Knowles, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Taylor, Suzy Brown and Sherri Griffin. I made new friends like Patrick Mead, Steve Tucker, Trey Morgan, Brad Palmore, Brian Nicklaus (the Blog Prophet) and Red Hot Momma (Amanda Sanders) ... all bloggers. One of the funnest events was the blogger luncheon on Saturday. Snow and outer darkness made it memorable! Theobloggers did a great job hosting though.
Going to convention would not be complete if I did not pick up a book. I only bought one book this year which is not normal but this one book weighs a ton: The Transforming Word One Volume Commentary on the Bible hot off the press from ACU Press. I have been pleased so far with it and plan on writing a review asap for my blog.
Check out this list of blogs on the Tulsa Workshop HERE
It is good to be home but I look forward to Pepperdine ... and next year.
Shalom,
Bobby V
Yet the Tulsa Workshop was wonderful. I arrived on Wednesday and found out that all the cars in Tulsa had been rented out ... but I still had my room at the Inn!! I attended church with some friends in Bixby and then crashed. Thursday I took in the first of Rick Atchley's "Born Again Identity" which was so good I attended his next classes and got the CDs. John Dobbs on blogging was next. I regret that I did not get to spend as much time with John and a few other friends as I was hoping too. Edward Fudge gave out some wise tips on being Revolutionary People and later Don McLaughlin on ministry to Addicts/Alcoholics in the name of Jesus. Loyd Harris blessed us too.
Friday I was back to hear Rick Atchley's final presentation. Afterwards I was privileged to go to Taco Cabana and get to know him better. It is amazing how God works sometimes. Over a Dr. Pepper and cheese dip God moved. I was able to pick Edward Fudge's mind a little about K. C. Moser and met Randy Hughes who knew Moser too.
I was unable to take in Harold Shank's two part presentation on "Listen to the Heartbeat." But I got them on CD and have devoured both already. I value Shank for many reasons. He calls us to use ALL of God's Scripture to inform our mission in this world and then he actually powerfully models that call in his own preaching. His sermons powerfully demonstrate how important the Hebrew Bible is to our walk and task before Yahweh. If you haven't heard these ... get the CDs HERE.
In Tulsa I hit up McAlister's a wonderful sandwich shop unknown to the desert. Went to Longhorn steak house on Thursday night and Hideaway Pizza for lunch on Friday. I did not make it to Casa Bonita which is nearly a crime.
So much of a workshop, like Tulsa, is the fellowship. I caught up with old friends Victor Knowles, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Taylor, Suzy Brown and Sherri Griffin. I made new friends like Patrick Mead, Steve Tucker, Trey Morgan, Brad Palmore, Brian Nicklaus (the Blog Prophet) and Red Hot Momma (Amanda Sanders) ... all bloggers. One of the funnest events was the blogger luncheon on Saturday. Snow and outer darkness made it memorable! Theobloggers did a great job hosting though.
Going to convention would not be complete if I did not pick up a book. I only bought one book this year which is not normal but this one book weighs a ton: The Transforming Word One Volume Commentary on the Bible hot off the press from ACU Press. I have been pleased so far with it and plan on writing a review asap for my blog.
Check out this list of blogs on the Tulsa Workshop HERE
It is good to be home but I look forward to Pepperdine ... and next year.
Shalom,
Bobby V
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tulsa Workshop
Well tomorrow I head out for Tulsa Oklahoma. My "direct" flight takes me from Tucson to Houston to Tulsa. Hope to run into lots of friends. I will hear great singing. I will attend some good classes. Probably pick up a book or two.
C u guys and gals there ...
C u guys and gals there ...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Vote for Bloggers
At the annual Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop this year "Theo-bloggers" will be presenting a series of awards to the best and most read blogs among Churches of Christ. I encourage you to follow this link to vote
Vote Theobloggers
http://vote.theobloggers.org
Stoned-Campbell Disciple blog is a top finalist ... considering the company it is in this is humbling and an honor. Thanks to my readers where ever you are.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Vote Theobloggers
http://vote.theobloggers.org
Stoned-Campbell Disciple blog is a top finalist ... considering the company it is in this is humbling and an honor. Thanks to my readers where ever you are.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Walter Scott and the Origins of the Five Finger Gospel
Walter Scott (1796-1861) is without a doubt one of the most influential persons in our Stone-Campbell photo album. Though his DNA flows through our spiritual veins he is often marginalized in our history. The literature on him is small compared to Alexander Campbell. Scott's influence is seen in that it was he that suggested the title to AC's Christian Baptist. He became the evangelist for the Mahoning Baptist Association in 1827 which made him a legend. His pen was prolific sending out his Discourse on the Holy Spirit, The Evangelist (1832-1842 with breaks), The Gospel Restored, The Protestant Unionist, and The Messiahship, The Union of Christians on Christian Principles.
Walter Scott was more than an evangelist, he was a theologian. He was a poet in love with the Lord Jesus. He was, it seems to me, torn between two worlds, Enlightenment rationalism and his emotions. I like to call him an Emotive Rationalist. Scott was baptized by George Forrester, a Haldanean preacher, in 1819. In 1821 visiting a "Scotch Baptist" church in New York City he came into contact with Henry Errett's booklet On Baptism that played a key role in his (and Campbell's) theological development. He would serve as the first president of the first college in the Stone Campbell Movement, Bacon College {named for the Philosopher Francis Bacon}.
In 1827, Scott accompanied Alexander Campbell to the annual meeting of the Mahoning Baptist Association. At this meeting Campbell nominated Scott to be the evangelist for this association for the coming year. Thus at the age of 31 Scott embarked on an adventure that would alter the SCM. On November 18, Scott preached near New Lisbon, Ohio and William Amend was the first person to respond to the "Ancient Gospel."
Scott believed that Jesus the Messiah was the Golden Oracle of the Christian faith. Jesus was to be lifted up and people called to respond to him. Jesus the Messiah was the creed of Christianity. Faith in him was the requirement of entrance and the term of fellowship for Christianity. In a nutshell the Ancient Gospel, was according to Scott, arranged into Six Items:
Faith
Repentance
Baptism
Remission of Sins
Gift of the Holy Spirit
Eternal Life
This two fold division is important (more about this in a moment). Scott was immensely successful. So successful that a worried Alexander Campbell asked his father to visit with Scott and listen to him preach. Within a year Scott would baptize a thousand people with his new order of salvation. For the rest of his life he averaged around a thousand baptisms a year, which translates into about thirty thousand folks confessing the Messiah in response to his preaching. Scott cut through the confusion and agony of many seekers who never received an assurance that they had been "elected" by God to his Family. We could simply believe the creed in Scott's preaching. It was a fresh wind blowing on the Western Reserve. It is one of our greatest gifts to the wider Christian world.
As with all schemes however mutation often takes place over the course of history. Scott's formulation never looses sight that Christ is the object of our faith, adoration and love. Scott's formulation tells what God has done, is doing and will do in the future. We have respond in Faith to the Golden Oracle. We repent of our sin to God. We in our Faith are baptized in the name of the Messiah. As a result God Forgives/Remits our sin. God grants the gift of himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. And God seals us to his for Eternity.
As others adopted Scott's method the Ancient Gospel markedly shifted emphasis however. As my friend Jeremy Folding once said what we have now is the Five Finger Discount! The formulation is as follows in most 20th century Churches of Christ and even today:
Hear
Believe
Repent
Confess
Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
Even a cursory glance shows this is a radical "departure" from the original formulation. It is a human centered formula. In Scott the emphasis is on what God does in response to faith in the Messiah. The Holy Spirit and Eternal life (critical gifts of grace in Scott) simply disappear altogether. Remission of sins has been converted from a divine gift to being part of a command to be obeyed. This is more than a subtle shift in Scott's Ancient Gospel.
Walter Scott was not oblivious to this diminishment of his formulation. Some focused in on baptism "for the remission" and it became the Golden Oracle rather than Jesus the Messiah. An incipient legalism was creeping in and clouding the vision, or so Scott believed. It had been "watered" down.. In 1844 he writes to Jacob Creath, Jr these words
"Our main thought at that time [1827] was to push back the christian [sic] profession on to its original basis--the Messiah. We did this, and the people were received to the remission of sins on the primitive faith of Jesus as the Son of God. But although this was the actual and practical restoration of the central truth in our religion to its proper place in the christian system, many failed nevertheless to see it, and were carried away wholly by the easier and more popular generalization of faith, repentance, baptism, &c., till, in fact, they do not know their own principles when they are advocated." [1]
Hearing, Believing, Repenting, Confessing, being baptized should not be misconstrued as the Golden Oracle or the gospel. Scott pointed us first to the WHO of our faith and never let his hearers forget what God had done, is doing and will do for us. Remission is the gift of God not some command we can humanly fulfill. The Spirit is essential to our lives and the eternal hope ... how did we loose sight of it all?
Perhaps we should think afresh what is the creed of Christianity ... Christ, not baptism ... and just how we present the ancient message of Faith.
[1]Union, Protestant Unionist (25 September 1844), p. 292.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Skillet: Whispers in the Dark
One my girls fav Christian rock bands. I like this song a lot. A good one for a late friday nite.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
