As my life continues its non-stop craziness, I thought I'd take a minute to share what's going on... First, I have to be ready for my Sunday night program coming up, which I'm not because I had to finish arranging post-retreat stuff and do my 2006 youth budget. Second, I'm speaking at a retreat in Cle Elum this entire weekend, for which I need to have 4 messages, small group questions, and activities and slides prepared for. The hard part is, third, I have to be prepared to discuss how we're going to do Advent this season ("outside the box" style). I drive straight from the retreat back to church to do my program. After that I have three days to do a week's work before taking off to do Thanksgiving (which will be great), followed shortly after by me running the Seattle Marathon. Tiring.
The good news is that I ordered Stan Grenz's final book, which looks extremely difficult yet entirely amazing. Maybe someday I'll write about what he did for my life. It's great to meet a theologian who is also a caring human being. Good heart and mind together...that's my dream.
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
For those interested in Revelation...
Our mandatory class on Revelation was actually quite amazing. I typically feel like the freak at work because my theology doesn't line up with a lot of other peoples'. So when an outside expert came and shared about Revelation and affirmed everything I say and stand for, well, I just have to say that I felt much better about what I believe.
The most important thing to me was that he put the entire book in its 1st centruy context, which makes an amazing difference in how you read it. He also made sure to continually point out that the point of the book is to cause us to live differently today, specifically living into God's kingdom. If we are continually trying to figure out when the world will end, who the antichrist is, or whether or not some new technology is "the mark of the beast," we are no longer living fully into God's kingdom.
I could go on, but I have to go to work... My parting shot is this: Prof. Ron's reading of Revelation is that John's apocalypse was written because churches weren't being persecuted enough and needed to set themselves apart from their corrupt culture. Where are we doing the same? And why do we believe in a rapture if God calls us to be persecuted?
Okay, okay, one more thing. The rapture is garbage. It could happen, but it is doubtful. There is only one small passage in Revelation that could cause somebody to believe in it. Most rapture belief comes from Thessalonians. But the point of the passage is that the people come out to welcome their king into town, a common occurrence in the ancient east. Which means the king then comes into the city with the people, rather than lead everybody out. It is a historically based passage that continues to be read out of context.
Now I really have to get back to work. Maybe I'll blog more about this if anybody is interested.
Peace,
Matt
The most important thing to me was that he put the entire book in its 1st centruy context, which makes an amazing difference in how you read it. He also made sure to continually point out that the point of the book is to cause us to live differently today, specifically living into God's kingdom. If we are continually trying to figure out when the world will end, who the antichrist is, or whether or not some new technology is "the mark of the beast," we are no longer living fully into God's kingdom.
I could go on, but I have to go to work... My parting shot is this: Prof. Ron's reading of Revelation is that John's apocalypse was written because churches weren't being persecuted enough and needed to set themselves apart from their corrupt culture. Where are we doing the same? And why do we believe in a rapture if God calls us to be persecuted?
Okay, okay, one more thing. The rapture is garbage. It could happen, but it is doubtful. There is only one small passage in Revelation that could cause somebody to believe in it. Most rapture belief comes from Thessalonians. But the point of the passage is that the people come out to welcome their king into town, a common occurrence in the ancient east. Which means the king then comes into the city with the people, rather than lead everybody out. It is a historically based passage that continues to be read out of context.
Now I really have to get back to work. Maybe I'll blog more about this if anybody is interested.
Peace,
Matt
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Human Rights for Some
"There's an enemy that lurks and plots and plans and wants to hurt America again," he said. "So you bet we will aggressively pursue them, but we will do so under the law."
"We do not torture."
So says the president, even as VP Cheney pushes to change a ban on torture being pushed through the senate so the CIA would still be allowed to do so. "The administration has said in a statement that while it does not condone torture, it opposes the measure because it would be unnecessary or duplicative and could restrict the president's ability to conduct the war (on terrorism) effectively under existing law" (USA Today). I feel like, as usual, I'm the only one hearing two very different things coming from one White House. Do these people have multiple personalities, or do they just see nothing wrong with blatantly contradicting themselves?
Meanwhile, the US has just reached an agreement with China over textile trade, never mind that they are one of the world's worst countries when it comes to human rights violations. Sure, they send people into Myanmar to completely decimate the northern forests, so the Myanmar army can then have an easier time wiping out the northern villages because they are a different ethnicity. And sure, they keep Western countries from asking about it because everybody loves China and doesn't want to tick them off. But who really wants to do anything about it considering China is one of our favorite providers of cheap (aka sweat shop produced) clothing?
And of course, the US has now become friendly with India, who illegally produced atomic weapons. We continue to threaten war on Iran and Korea for even thinking about it, but India is okay, even if the rest of the world (including the UN) is against their actions. After all, who needs the okay of the rest of the world when you are the US?
In the 21st century America has seized absolute power, which does corrupt absolutely, and twisted what was once good into something hideous and evil. Why do we care about human rights in some cases, but not others? Why do we think that every other Western nation is wrong when they disagree with us? I'm sorry for going so political, but something needs to change. I fear for the safety of the people of the US, who are becoming universally hated. I fear for the people of poorer nations who have to suffer at the everchanging whim of an overpowering capitalist system where the bottom line is all that matters. I pray for God's kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The book of Revelation.
"We do not torture."
So says the president, even as VP Cheney pushes to change a ban on torture being pushed through the senate so the CIA would still be allowed to do so. "The administration has said in a statement that while it does not condone torture, it opposes the measure because it would be unnecessary or duplicative and could restrict the president's ability to conduct the war (on terrorism) effectively under existing law" (USA Today). I feel like, as usual, I'm the only one hearing two very different things coming from one White House. Do these people have multiple personalities, or do they just see nothing wrong with blatantly contradicting themselves?
Meanwhile, the US has just reached an agreement with China over textile trade, never mind that they are one of the world's worst countries when it comes to human rights violations. Sure, they send people into Myanmar to completely decimate the northern forests, so the Myanmar army can then have an easier time wiping out the northern villages because they are a different ethnicity. And sure, they keep Western countries from asking about it because everybody loves China and doesn't want to tick them off. But who really wants to do anything about it considering China is one of our favorite providers of cheap (aka sweat shop produced) clothing?
And of course, the US has now become friendly with India, who illegally produced atomic weapons. We continue to threaten war on Iran and Korea for even thinking about it, but India is okay, even if the rest of the world (including the UN) is against their actions. After all, who needs the okay of the rest of the world when you are the US?
In the 21st century America has seized absolute power, which does corrupt absolutely, and twisted what was once good into something hideous and evil. Why do we care about human rights in some cases, but not others? Why do we think that every other Western nation is wrong when they disagree with us? I'm sorry for going so political, but something needs to change. I fear for the safety of the people of the US, who are becoming universally hated. I fear for the people of poorer nations who have to suffer at the everchanging whim of an overpowering capitalist system where the bottom line is all that matters. I pray for God's kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The book of Revelation.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Back to complaints as usual
Okay, I've been trying not to complain as much on my blog lately, but today I just gotta let it out.
First of all, is even one person out there who really gets what the church is here for? I received an e-mail from a student today that literally said "this god thing isn't working for me anymore". What the heck do you do with something like that? Lately I'm averaging two people per week (literally) who threaten to stop coming to our church. Never is it a matter of theological disagreement, just simply people choosing when to be and not be "religious" depending upon their emotional state. Has anybody read the gospels? Do we get that this is about God, not us? About his kingdom, not our will? Frustrating!
Secondly, I have many theological heroes who fall under the "emergent" umbrella. Part of this means that they are supposedly bloggers. What sucks is this: their blogs have turned into massive advertisements! "I'll be speaking here next Tuesday..." "My book comes out next month and ______ says you should buy it..." I'm not saying they shouldn't mention these sorts of things, but really if that's all they mention, I'm done going to their pages. Which is exactly the truth.
Lastly, I am spending all day tomorrow in a mandatory class on Revelation. It could be good... the problem is in the fact that I seem to disagree with a majority of my church co-workers and I can't help but think that it's all about to hit the fan (again). I don't want to get peeved-off, or make anyone else angry. Guess we'll see what happens.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Religion, Politics, and the Christian Right by Mark Lewis Taylor. I love that it is based on Tillich's writing, but I'm still not overly impressed. I'm also reading some N.T. Wright articles dealing with the book of Revelation so I can be ready for tomorrow.
First of all, is even one person out there who really gets what the church is here for? I received an e-mail from a student today that literally said "this god thing isn't working for me anymore". What the heck do you do with something like that? Lately I'm averaging two people per week (literally) who threaten to stop coming to our church. Never is it a matter of theological disagreement, just simply people choosing when to be and not be "religious" depending upon their emotional state. Has anybody read the gospels? Do we get that this is about God, not us? About his kingdom, not our will? Frustrating!
Secondly, I have many theological heroes who fall under the "emergent" umbrella. Part of this means that they are supposedly bloggers. What sucks is this: their blogs have turned into massive advertisements! "I'll be speaking here next Tuesday..." "My book comes out next month and ______ says you should buy it..." I'm not saying they shouldn't mention these sorts of things, but really if that's all they mention, I'm done going to their pages. Which is exactly the truth.
Lastly, I am spending all day tomorrow in a mandatory class on Revelation. It could be good... the problem is in the fact that I seem to disagree with a majority of my church co-workers and I can't help but think that it's all about to hit the fan (again). I don't want to get peeved-off, or make anyone else angry. Guess we'll see what happens.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Religion, Politics, and the Christian Right by Mark Lewis Taylor. I love that it is based on Tillich's writing, but I'm still not overly impressed. I'm also reading some N.T. Wright articles dealing with the book of Revelation so I can be ready for tomorrow.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
What is the bottom line?
Working at a church, the two things I am asked about the most (other than "What's wrong with those high school kids these days") are creation vs. evolution, and homosexuality. Typically I just listen to people share their views, telling me how stupid anybody who doesn't agree with them is and rationalizing any faults in their own arguments. When asked my opinion, I usually mumble some form of half-affirmation which they take as agreement. The truth is, my opinions are based on very different reasoning, and as much as I would like to bring them to a similar understanding, I know it takes time.
What is this understanding? I understand the Bible as the text that seeks to lead us into Kingdom of God living. It is a lifestyle that is centered upon God and our neighbor, begun by the crucified God and lived through grace, love, faith and hope.
So when somebody asks me where I stand on creation I have two answers floating through my head, which I share only if I think they can handle one or both. First of all, who's to say that the 7 days in Genesis are literal? The sun wasn't created on day 1, nor was man. Furthermore, as any Old Testament scholar will tell you, it is a poem. A poem! Do you read poems literally? No! Does that mean there is no way there can be a literal 7 day creation story? No again. If we believe in a God who creates the earth from nothing, we can also believe in a God who makes the earth look older than it is, or even plants some crazy old fossils for fun. Here's the point in all of it: it doesn't really matter. What matters is Christ crucified. What matters is that we live our lives for the sole purpose of glorifying God. A christian who spends their life arguing and fighting for two pages of the bible to be read in a certain way is missing the point. The bottom line is that our main goal should always be to live into the reality of the kingdom. If your faith rests entirely upon the creation story as literal truth, what are you going to do when this theory becomes fact? Become a citizen of God's kingdom and those sorts of worries won't be there. The rest of that stuff is a massive footnote.
As for homosexuality...that is a harder topic. William Webb's book did a great job of showing that God's view doesn't really change when it comes to this sort of thing. I do think that sooner or later there will end up being some sort of evidence that it is genetic. That leaves us in a sticky situation, one which leaves me pointing back at God's kingdom yet again. If we live for God's kingdom, we no longer live for ourselves. Which means all of us have to repel those things within us that cause us to desire living in a contrary manner. How can anyone who defines themselves by how they receive pleasure be living into God's kingdom? Living into the kingdom means living to please God, not ourselves. The problem with sin is that is causes all of us to be self-centered, and this goes beyond homosexuality to all people. This is why the US is so very far from God's will, though many incorrectly believe us to be some sort of city on a hill. At the same time, though, I do not stand against gay marriage. Maybe that sounds crazy with what I have already written, but I don't think oppressing homosexual men and women will suddenly cause them to want to change their ways. The kingdom has not been demonstrated to them at all at this point. Can we show love in a better way without supporting their actions? I hope so.
Somewhere in here is a glimpse of my bottom line. If I'm going to stand for something, it is going to be love, mercy, forgiveness. God's kingdom is the only thing worth living for. It's worth fighting for too, but that fight has already been won. Now it's just a matter of living as citizens. That's the bottom line.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Naked by David Sedaris. Hilarious and brilliant.
What is this understanding? I understand the Bible as the text that seeks to lead us into Kingdom of God living. It is a lifestyle that is centered upon God and our neighbor, begun by the crucified God and lived through grace, love, faith and hope.
So when somebody asks me where I stand on creation I have two answers floating through my head, which I share only if I think they can handle one or both. First of all, who's to say that the 7 days in Genesis are literal? The sun wasn't created on day 1, nor was man. Furthermore, as any Old Testament scholar will tell you, it is a poem. A poem! Do you read poems literally? No! Does that mean there is no way there can be a literal 7 day creation story? No again. If we believe in a God who creates the earth from nothing, we can also believe in a God who makes the earth look older than it is, or even plants some crazy old fossils for fun. Here's the point in all of it: it doesn't really matter. What matters is Christ crucified. What matters is that we live our lives for the sole purpose of glorifying God. A christian who spends their life arguing and fighting for two pages of the bible to be read in a certain way is missing the point. The bottom line is that our main goal should always be to live into the reality of the kingdom. If your faith rests entirely upon the creation story as literal truth, what are you going to do when this theory becomes fact? Become a citizen of God's kingdom and those sorts of worries won't be there. The rest of that stuff is a massive footnote.
As for homosexuality...that is a harder topic. William Webb's book did a great job of showing that God's view doesn't really change when it comes to this sort of thing. I do think that sooner or later there will end up being some sort of evidence that it is genetic. That leaves us in a sticky situation, one which leaves me pointing back at God's kingdom yet again. If we live for God's kingdom, we no longer live for ourselves. Which means all of us have to repel those things within us that cause us to desire living in a contrary manner. How can anyone who defines themselves by how they receive pleasure be living into God's kingdom? Living into the kingdom means living to please God, not ourselves. The problem with sin is that is causes all of us to be self-centered, and this goes beyond homosexuality to all people. This is why the US is so very far from God's will, though many incorrectly believe us to be some sort of city on a hill. At the same time, though, I do not stand against gay marriage. Maybe that sounds crazy with what I have already written, but I don't think oppressing homosexual men and women will suddenly cause them to want to change their ways. The kingdom has not been demonstrated to them at all at this point. Can we show love in a better way without supporting their actions? I hope so.
Somewhere in here is a glimpse of my bottom line. If I'm going to stand for something, it is going to be love, mercy, forgiveness. God's kingdom is the only thing worth living for. It's worth fighting for too, but that fight has already been won. Now it's just a matter of living as citizens. That's the bottom line.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Naked by David Sedaris. Hilarious and brilliant.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
We Survived!
We went on a retreat last weekend, and somehow I actually managed to get every kid and leader home alive! Beyond that, we actually had a good retreat too! It was weird for me to be the behind the scenes, planner-type person, a stretching role for me. I've been encouraged by the conversations that occurred and the response I have received so far. I really didn't want to do a retreat just because that's what youth ministries do, and I think we succeeded in making it something more. I still don't know what I'm doing most of the time, but I'm following my beliefs about ministry and it seems to be working so far...
In other news, I am thinking about actually starting a MySpace account, not because I really want to, but because all my students have one and write back and forth constantly.
In other, other news, I'm going to run 22 miles this Friday. After that I start tapering down until the marathon at the end of this month. It's funny, but I actually think I'm going to be able to make it! Crazy.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Woman, Child for Sale by Gilbert King.
Currently Listening To: The Postal Service. Also, I've been listening to a David Sedaris reading that my friend Kelly gave me. It is brilliant/hilarious.
In other news, I am thinking about actually starting a MySpace account, not because I really want to, but because all my students have one and write back and forth constantly.
In other, other news, I'm going to run 22 miles this Friday. After that I start tapering down until the marathon at the end of this month. It's funny, but I actually think I'm going to be able to make it! Crazy.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Woman, Child for Sale by Gilbert King.
Currently Listening To: The Postal Service. Also, I've been listening to a David Sedaris reading that my friend Kelly gave me. It is brilliant/hilarious.
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