Retraction

I published a post that was actually satire from Larknews, but I was duped into thinking it was real (oops). I would have kept it up anyway becasue the link was funny, but the posting was bad and messing up my entire blog! I've said it before and I'll say it again, when it comes to these computer gizmos, I just ain't cool.

Peace,
Matt

Oh by the way, today is my fifth wedding anniversary, so Effie and I are going to stay at the Chrysalis and even get some professional massages. Not bad, eh?

Kierkegaard's 'Dialectical Theology' and the Sacrament of the Present Moment

Yes, it is an intimidating title for today's weblog, but don't panic, it won't be that deep of an entry today...

I was continuing slowly through Gadamer's Truth and Method on the plane ride back from Florida, and was very intrigued by the concept of "contemporaneity," which he borrows from Kierdegaard. Gadamer claims that contemporaneity "constitutes the essence of being present." He speaks of this specifically concerning art, which "in its presentation...achieves full presence, however remote its origin may be." Art is always contemporary in this sense.

This was originally a theological concept stemming from Kierkergaard's belief that two non-concurrent moments can come together, specifically "one's own present and the redeeming act of Christ" so that "the latter is experienced and taken seriously as present." Gadamer expands on this, claiming that in the case of art we participate in the art, as the art participates in our lives.

Flipping Gadamer back around to shed light on our theological inquiries and specifically Kierkergaard's dialectical theology, the present moment becomes a time that is ripe with importance. I would add that this is especially the case because the present is not only full of Christ's redeeming act, but also Christ's future redemptive action in the eschaton. These are future and past events, but are also events that are causing different reactions in the present, and as such are experienced even now. Christ is always contemporary in this sense, as he comes near to save us (the incarnation and the cross) and as he pulls the present into its eschatological fulfillment.

All of this only supports what I spent last weekend studying, which is the sacrament of the present moment. This is what we are supposed to see a glimpse of in Sabbath time, but it goes beyond that. Every moment is ripe with the workings of God. Every second has been redeemed by Christ's action, is being sanctified through the power of the Spirit, and is being pulled into a future which will appear only when the Father wills it. Our time is holy because our God is present.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: The newest issue of Mother Jones magazine. It has some tough articles this month on overwork in America as well as the continuing physical and sexual abuse of women in America.

I'm Back

Wow, what a whirlwind tour of life! I had a leader retreat that went well, directly followed by a long, sleepless, overnight flight to Florida where I spoke at a retreat. The retreat was amazing and by the end every single student decided they wanted to take up the challenge of living the life of a disciple!

After the retreat I nearly missed my plane (I had to sprint through the Tampa airport), and then the plane at Dallas had engine problems, causing a 2 and a half hour delay. I got to Seattle late, causing me to be late to my last Mars Hill class, which was on Sabbath of all things! Afte the Sabbath class I went to a family reunion, and after that my wife's family spent the night to go hiking the next day after church! Busy!

Here's the frustrating thing: I go to this retreat where I feel loved and appreciated, then come back to do "Sunday School" with my group who spend the morning acting rude, bored and unimpressed. It was a frustrating end to a great week. I have no idea how to minister to teens. Most days I don't want to, but the problem is those days that go amazingly well. How do you rectify these two things? It is insane.

Anyway, I'm glad to be home, and to be back on the blogathon. I'll try to throw up some theoretical, theological, or hermeneutical thoughts very soon. Until then...

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: The newest issue of Soujourners, which has a short but good article on the brilliant author Graham Greene.

One Last Entry

I couldn't help doing this really quickly after Ron and Paul both did. I didn't know I had completely sold my soul to postmodernism, or that I had so much charismatic in me. Neato.

You scored as Emergent/Postmodern.
You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.

Emergent/Postmodern - 100%

Neo orthodox - 71%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan - 68%

Charismatic/Pentecostal - 61%

Roman Catholic - 54%

Modern Liberal - 43%

Classical Liberal - 43%

Fundamentalist - 18%

Reformed Evangelical - 14%

No Blogging For A Bit

First thing I have to say: Pink Floyd is getting back together for ONE SHOW! And when I say "getting back together," I mean it. Roger Waters is going to share the stage with David Gilmour and the band! The only one missing will be Syd Barrett, who is interesting, but probably better left alone. Unfortunately it is in England for the Live Aid show, but I'm still checking my piggy bank.

The other bit of news I have, which is even more exciting than the Michael Jackson case, is that I will not be blogging for the next 10-12 days (I can see the tabloid photographers getting excited already). I am going on a retreat with my high school leaders this Friday/Saturday, then leaving Saturday at midnight for Florida where I will speak at a retreat for a week, then returning Friday afternoon just in time for a two day class on Sabbath at Mars Hill. To top it all off, I have to welcome our new 9th graders on Sunday morning when I finally return to my home!

Short version: it's gettin' kinda hectic. Prayers would be nice.

Peace,
Matt

Hearing God's Voice

I'm aware that I didn't speak my whole mind when I recently wrote my Bibliolotry passage. I wrote that our goal is to know God. With that, I would like to say that we must seek to hear the voice of the living, active God. And scripture is a great place to start.

Honestly, I really do believe that God speaks to us through scripture. The problem I see is that we have often turned the Bible into some sort of schoolbook in which we seek concrete, scientific answers in poetry, perfect historical accuracy in stories, or symmetric storytelling between two different authors. We want the Bible to be a fact-book, or science book, or any other sort of book to prove that it is the "good book." The sad thing is that we have turned it into these different kinds of books and lost the voice that is within.

I don't know if this will make sense, but I'll try to explain; I don't know if I think the Bible is really "God's word," but I really do believe that God speaks to us through the Bible. What I mean is, there definitely seems to be a multitude of signs of human authorship. That was once a stumbling block for me. Now I see it as an amazing part of this story, that God's relationship with us has involved centuries or authors, nations, locations, all culminating in an amazing assortment of texts which compile into the beautiful story which is the Bible. And it is in truly listening to this text, rather than just "reading" it, that we hear God's voice.

This is an act of presence. It is a matter of shutting-up so we can hear our God. The same is true in our prayer lives. Can we stop and listen to God, since he has the first word?

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: An American Childhood by Annie Dillard.

Reactionary Faith

I think that everything having to do with incarnational orthopraxy is reactionary. By that, I mean that our actions, our lives, our prayers, our being itself is meant to a reaction to the creating, saving work of our God.

I first starting thinking this when professor Grenz talked to my class about Sabbath and got me thinking that Sabbath time gets us prepared for the rest of the week, and the week is a reaction to Sabbath. In a similar fashion, Eugene Peterson argues that all prayer is secondary, because God speaks first. As such, our prayers are our verbal reaction, or response, to the vocal God.

I would imagine that this could profoundly change the way we live out our faith, though I'm still not entirely sure how... My thought is that this can better balance the often opposing views of works versus sovereignty, in which we typically think that we need to do all the work for God, or that we don't have to do anything because God is in control. Instead, we can realize that we are joining in with God, reacting to the work he has done and continues to do. It is in reaction to grace that we then join in the Kingdom-building project.

Does this make sense? Is it as profound as I feel like it could be? Any thoughts on the implications? If not, I'll try to think up some more on my own this week.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: Nothing new. I am stressed to the gills right now!

Cool Interview

Here's a cool interview with Henri Nouwen and Richard Foster:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/spiritualgrowth/articles/le-7l1-7l112a.html

Enjoy!

A Community in the Spirit

For the past two weeks I have been seeing what happens when a youth ministry is based on communal faith. I am considering it an "experiment" and so far the results are mind-blowing.

Before the night began a freshman girl decided she wanted to start living this lifestyle and I was able to "say the prayer" with her (I'll write about that whole "say the prayer" thing another day). She wanted to be a Christ-follower after being lovingly welcomed into our group and hearing multiple student testimonies last week. Another student wanted prayer for an extremely dangerous surgery he is having, so 30 high school students gathered around him and prayed over him for nearly thirty minutes! That's not normal!

We aren't growing huge numerically. It is very slow, as is the spiritual growth. But both seem to be consistent. What more could I ask for?

Peace,
Matt

Bibliolotry

A few years ago a friend made a joke to me about the Holy Trinity that I don't remember, except that the punch line had something to do with "the Father, the Son and the Holy Bible." Is it just me, or have we elevated the Bible to the status of God, or even above God? I believe the Bible has become an idol in many peoples lives, specifically in the lives of most "good ol' fashioned, Bible believin' American Protestants."

I have heard sermons, with the emphasis on why the audience members need to come to Christ, that have went off-track for 20 minutes on why the Bible is infallible, inerent, 100% true, the written word of God, etc... "Believe the Bible and be saved" we preach! "Let God's word speak into your life!" we add, using the clever ploy of adding that Jesus is the Word, so we should study God's word and make it the center of our lives.

So am I saying we should ignore the Bible? No, no, no. But we have put the Bible so high up that it trumps the Holy Spirit. We don't need to follow the guidance of the Spirit when we have the guidance of the Bible. The Spirit has been long forgotten as a less understandable, strange part of God that is too complicated for us, the "people of the Book."

Feel free to study your Bible, but realize that our main goal is to know God more. That's what matters! The Bible is a multitude of voices talking about God, but listening for God in prayer and meditation, that is getting the message directly from God himself. That sounds right to me. Your thoughts?

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: How to Stay Christian in High School by Steve Gerali.

New Links...

Just an FYI because I am excited about my new links. My friend Paul's blog is super-cool and linked onto this blog now, as well as the Norton and Triumph webpages. I am really wanting to buy an old version of one of these bikes, but my wife and I are also saving to buy a house, so I don't know if it will ever happen or not.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis.

Got the guts?

I just started Eugene Peterson's book Working the Angles. His Contemplative Pastor changed my life, and I think this will be more of the same.

In this book, Peterson uses his usual blunt style to describe the modern-day pastor. This person could be taught in four easy classes, says Peterson, which would be Creative Plagiarism, Voice Control for Prayer and Counseling, Efficient Office Management and Image Projection (p.7). He mentions preaching, teaching, and administration as the work pastors are typically known for, but adds that these must be held together with prayer, scripture and spiritual direction (p. 5). Not surprisingly, I agree with Peterson.

The problem: church seems to be about pleasing people. People are not as pleased with a praying pastor as they are with a program pastor. And honestly, I seldomly have the guts to really go against what people want. It is a scary and lonely road. I'm in a career in which I often hear church attenders referred to as customers, and the idea of bringing spirituality into any of it is intimidating.

The solution: the first part of solving this dilemma for me is to be reminded daily that I am not in business, but am doing ministry. This is where incarnational orthopraxy comes into the picture. It is a deliberate choice to follow and live like Christ. It is right-living, both in who I am and how I live into my vocation. Some may not understand, and for them I have to try continually to explain, but also continue on the path I God has laid out.

All I need is the guts. I guess that's why I need to continue "working the angles" as Peterson says it.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: The Peterson book mentioned above, as well as Soul Gardening by Terry Hershey and How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler.

Passion

I got to work this morning and had two messages in the form of questions, one of which answered the second.

The first question was a voicemail from a fellow youth pastor asking my thoughts on how I stay passionate about doing ministry. I guess that's a fair question, and it was partly answered by an e-mail that was sent to me last night by a 15-year-old girl asking what she needs to do to become a follower of Jesus. Needless to say, that got me a bit excited.

So how do I stay passionate? First of all, I've discovered that close relationships with those I am ministering to is essential. Having a massive group of people in front of me is great for my ego, but really does nothing for my passion. Relationships get my passion going. But that's only half my answer.

The other half of my answer is this: I'm not concerned about passion. Feelings and emotions are important for us to be in touch with, but we cannot base our ministries on these because they change constantly. I wouldn't hold a ministry position for more than a week at that rate! When Effie and I went through pre-marital counseling, we were told that there would be times when we would fall in and out of love with one another throughout our marriage. The passion fades in and out, but there is something deeper there holding a marriage together. I think there is something profoundly deeper than passion, or even "calling" that holds us in our jobs. I don't even know what I would call this... vocation maybe, but that doesn't even do it justice. It is Spirit-led, and obviously somewhat incomprehensible for me. That's as close as I can come to explaining it.

Peace,
Matt

Still reading Gadamer's very thorough (aka long) Truth and Method. It is an amazing book. Oh, and I don't think I mentioned I am also slowly reading a book of poems by Alberto Rios called Teodoro Luna's Two Kisses.

Cycling Forward in Sabbath

I suppose I should refer to circling forward as spiraling, but that just doesn't seem to do justice to the idea that pushed its way into my head last night.

Ancient Israel, according to Grenz & Franke's Beyond Foundationalism was "set apart from the surrounding peoples" because they reached an "understanding of time as a linear historical span." In other words, they had a "development of a historical consciousness" (p. 254). Their history became "pregnant with future" to quote Jurgen Moltmann's Theology of Hope. The nations surrounding ancient Israel lived with a cyclical view of time, meaning their concept of time was based on a recurring yearly pattern. This can be seen in the Canaanite rituals in which the god of death (Mot) and the god of fertility (Baal) battle continually, with Baal winning in the winter (with new rains for the crops) and Mot winning in the summer (drought). Grenz and Franke claim Israel surpassed this belief with their linear view of time. I would half agree.

I believe Israel, as well as Christ-followers today, was cycling forward. This is most obvious with the Sabbath. With sabbath time we live in is cyclical as well as linear time. These two dimensions of time are held together in unity within Sabbath living. This is where we gain a "sanctuary in time," as Rabbi Heschel calls it in The Sabbath (p. 29). Sabbath cycles with the continual motion of six days of work, one day of Sabbath. It works God's followers into a pattern in which they find the flow of the Spirit working on a daily and weekly basis.

But Sabbath also is linear, not to mention eschatological. The day of Jubilee is the best example of this. It is the Sabbath event of seven Sabbath years. Every 49 or 50 years (there is still debate over the math) the Day of Shofar (or Jubilee) would occur and equality would occur. For God's followers this was something to be looked forward to with great anticipation, and they counted their cycles as they moved closer to an event in linear time. The two are brought together in this culmination of Sabbath days and years.

Maybe it's not surpising to discover the eschaton itself is Sabbatical. Read Revelation and see the blowing of the trumpet, aka shofar. The Day of Jubilee is literally called the Day of Shofar because on that day the shofar would be blown. So the Day of Jubilee, the Sabbath of Sabbaths, points forward to the eschaton. It is the ultimate example of cycling forward. For the Christian it is the connection point between who we are and who we are becoming. It is an eschatological ontology, a cyclical way of life working in a linear fashion. We are made to cycle forward like the wheels on a car. I believe that this is how God wishes us to live.

I hope this isn't too metaphysical, but I have felt a deep need lately to explore the issue of time, and the books mentioned here really helped me pull some thoughts together about it. Hopefully I can comment some more on it soon; especially if I get any feedback.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Reading: The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel and Sabbath by Wayne Muller.

Supply Side Jesus

If you have never seen this comic strip, you absolutely NEED to read it right now! It is hilarious, but almost too true to be funny at all. All it took was a person from the outside to look in and see the difference between what Jesus taught and what his American followers believe. If you don't really want your faith to effect your life, or if you don't want to be a disciple of Christ who actually lives for him, don't read it. Otherwise, take up this page and read.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/132/story_13245_1.html

Peace,
Matt