I'm looking for mix themes and I'm looking to you. Leave me a one word or short phrase theme, and I'll attempt a mix. I will burn you said mix, if it turns out to be any good.
And...go.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
Are You My Father?
Harry has a lot of favorite stories. A lot of them would be familiar to you, because they are books you read or had read to you, when you were a kid. Harry likes Curious George, Clifford the big red dog, The Hungry Caterpillar, Dr. Seuss, and so on.
One of the books we read is a story called “Are You My Mother?” In the story, a newly born bird wakes up to find that it is all alone. He begins to move through the world asking various animals, and if they are his mother. Eventually, the bird goes so far as to ask a giant crane (machine, not animal) if it is his mother. The bird gets caught in the crane and finds itself in very real danger.
You may wonder why I would start off a blog with a book report on “Are You My Mother?” But I was reading a Bible passage this week that, for the first time, had the feel of folk tale and fable. But, like most folk tales and fables, the underlying message goes much deeper.
The passage begins with a fox. In many cultures, the fox appears in folklore as a symbol of cunning and trickery, or as a familiar animal possessed of magic powers. In Chinese mythology, fox spirits lure men away from their wives. The Chinese word for fox spirit is synonymous with the mistress in an extramarital affair. In Japanese folklore, the fox-like kitsune is a powerful animal spirit known for its highly mischievous and cunning nature. Wikipedia says of foxes that typically, they are solitary, opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey.
In this story, the fox is Herod.
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
As he shows up throughout Luke’s history of Jesus, he is every bit the fox, always looking for a chance to pounce, to consume, to seize an opportunity for himself. A new teacher and prophet (an possibly more) with a reputation for miracles and wonders would be just the kind of person Herod would want to meet and, quite probably, harm.
But the Hebrew understanding of the word fox would have been two fold. On the one hand, the fox could be a creature that was deceptive and sly. But the Israelites also used the term fox to imply that a person was weak, inept, or a pretender. The Hebrew use of fox was often in opposition with the lion, the lion being strong and brave, the fox being a pompous pretender and upstart.
This double meaning would have been clear to the Pharisees and should be clear to us. Jesus wasn’t simply accusing Herod of being an opportunist, he was accusing him of being a nobody. When Jesus hears that Herod wants him dead he, in essence, says “go tell that fox to keep chasing his tail. I have work to do.”
And the work that Jesus has to do is the other half of the passage, and introduces the character of the mother hen. This is perhaps one of the most unusual and compelling images Christ could have chosen for himself. Why not the eagle? Why not, if we’re talking about foxes, the lion? Isn’t that the obvious choice? But Jesus stops, looks over Jerusalem, and weeps. He knows what is coming and he says these words:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord."
What a powerful image. A maternal image. A mother hen that wants nothing but to protect her chicks from prowling foxes. But the chicks are scattered and do not recognize their mother. Many have even gone so far as to look for protection from the fox.
Today the world has changed, but humanity’s predicament is still the same. People move through the world in search for something more, not knowing who their Father is. Out of a desire for safety and security they put their trust in themselves, in their relationships, in their stuff, or in the rulers of this world. As long as they promise to protect us, we will give our allegiance to them. But Jesus cries over us and reminds us that it his job to save us and protect us, often from those who we’ve made our protectors.
Jesus says that anything or anyone who promises to save you or protect you is a pretender. Only He can give us the love and protection we need. Only He can save us.
This week I went online to see what it looks like when a hen gathers her chicks to protect them. The image I had imagined was one of a mother hen hunched over a group of chicks, her wings wrapped around them, hunkered down. But the image I found in photos, again and again was of a mother hen, her wings outstretched, with her chicks gathered behind her. She leaves herself exposed, knowing she will die protecting her children.
That is the image we are left with. Jesus with his arms outstretched, dying so that we can live, calling us to get behind him, so that he might save us.
As we move through this season of Lent and towards a remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross, we are called to put our faith in Him and not in the foxes we might follow. We are called to seek Him as our only source of protection and salvation. And we are called to bring His message of salvation to a world full of people who don’t know who or what to put their trust in, a world of people who’ve forgotten who their Father is.
One of the books we read is a story called “Are You My Mother?” In the story, a newly born bird wakes up to find that it is all alone. He begins to move through the world asking various animals, and if they are his mother. Eventually, the bird goes so far as to ask a giant crane (machine, not animal) if it is his mother. The bird gets caught in the crane and finds itself in very real danger.
You may wonder why I would start off a blog with a book report on “Are You My Mother?” But I was reading a Bible passage this week that, for the first time, had the feel of folk tale and fable. But, like most folk tales and fables, the underlying message goes much deeper.
The passage begins with a fox. In many cultures, the fox appears in folklore as a symbol of cunning and trickery, or as a familiar animal possessed of magic powers. In Chinese mythology, fox spirits lure men away from their wives. The Chinese word for fox spirit is synonymous with the mistress in an extramarital affair. In Japanese folklore, the fox-like kitsune is a powerful animal spirit known for its highly mischievous and cunning nature. Wikipedia says of foxes that typically, they are solitary, opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey.
In this story, the fox is Herod.
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
As he shows up throughout Luke’s history of Jesus, he is every bit the fox, always looking for a chance to pounce, to consume, to seize an opportunity for himself. A new teacher and prophet (an possibly more) with a reputation for miracles and wonders would be just the kind of person Herod would want to meet and, quite probably, harm.
But the Hebrew understanding of the word fox would have been two fold. On the one hand, the fox could be a creature that was deceptive and sly. But the Israelites also used the term fox to imply that a person was weak, inept, or a pretender. The Hebrew use of fox was often in opposition with the lion, the lion being strong and brave, the fox being a pompous pretender and upstart.
This double meaning would have been clear to the Pharisees and should be clear to us. Jesus wasn’t simply accusing Herod of being an opportunist, he was accusing him of being a nobody. When Jesus hears that Herod wants him dead he, in essence, says “go tell that fox to keep chasing his tail. I have work to do.”
And the work that Jesus has to do is the other half of the passage, and introduces the character of the mother hen. This is perhaps one of the most unusual and compelling images Christ could have chosen for himself. Why not the eagle? Why not, if we’re talking about foxes, the lion? Isn’t that the obvious choice? But Jesus stops, looks over Jerusalem, and weeps. He knows what is coming and he says these words:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord."
What a powerful image. A maternal image. A mother hen that wants nothing but to protect her chicks from prowling foxes. But the chicks are scattered and do not recognize their mother. Many have even gone so far as to look for protection from the fox.
Today the world has changed, but humanity’s predicament is still the same. People move through the world in search for something more, not knowing who their Father is. Out of a desire for safety and security they put their trust in themselves, in their relationships, in their stuff, or in the rulers of this world. As long as they promise to protect us, we will give our allegiance to them. But Jesus cries over us and reminds us that it his job to save us and protect us, often from those who we’ve made our protectors.
Jesus says that anything or anyone who promises to save you or protect you is a pretender. Only He can give us the love and protection we need. Only He can save us.
This week I went online to see what it looks like when a hen gathers her chicks to protect them. The image I had imagined was one of a mother hen hunched over a group of chicks, her wings wrapped around them, hunkered down. But the image I found in photos, again and again was of a mother hen, her wings outstretched, with her chicks gathered behind her. She leaves herself exposed, knowing she will die protecting her children.
That is the image we are left with. Jesus with his arms outstretched, dying so that we can live, calling us to get behind him, so that he might save us.
As we move through this season of Lent and towards a remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross, we are called to put our faith in Him and not in the foxes we might follow. We are called to seek Him as our only source of protection and salvation. And we are called to bring His message of salvation to a world full of people who don’t know who or what to put their trust in, a world of people who’ve forgotten who their Father is.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Good Examples of Strong Women
Today, Harry and I were wrestling around and rough housing and flexing our muscles and so on and he was pretending to hulk out and acting generally tough.
He then ran out of the room, only to return a second later, running into the room and shouting "I am as big and strong as a woman!"
This threw Rachel and I for a second and then I said, "A woman?"
To which he responded "A woman. Like mommy."
So, today I thank God for the strong women in mine and Harry's life. Especially the example of his mommy.
He then ran out of the room, only to return a second later, running into the room and shouting "I am as big and strong as a woman!"
This threw Rachel and I for a second and then I said, "A woman?"
To which he responded "A woman. Like mommy."
So, today I thank God for the strong women in mine and Harry's life. Especially the example of his mommy.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Reading and Listening
So, I'm one of those guys who has to read 2 or 3 books at a time to appease my ADD tendencies. Usually, this works out great. But, lately, I find myself picking up more books to read without having finished the others. This list will include some old and some new as a result. Currently on my nightstand (where all current reading goes):
Brothers K, Decoding The Universe, and Any Human Heart. All from previous entries. All very good.
Blindness by Jose Saramago. This is a re-read for this month's "New & Noteworthy" bookclub, which I co-host at BookPeople on the last Monday of every month. Blindness is one of my top 10 novels. On the surface, it is about a contagion of blindness that breaks out in an unnamed city. It is about so much more. Pick it up.
This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley. For you Donald Miller fans, McKinley is the pastor that Miller is always quoting. Very insightful guy, and just as readable as Miller.
They Like Jesus, But Not The Church by Dan Kimball. If I could put one book in the hands of most of the church leaders, planters, and members that I know, it would be this one. It is a wake up call and a call to arms. It is so much of what I have experienced during the past 2 years in Austin. Ask someone what they think of Jesus and their response will be benign to exceedingly positive. Ask them what they think of the church...let's just say that the most common response from co-workers at BP upon hearing that I was a Christian and a pastor was that I didn't remind them of Pat Robertson. I took this as a compliment (as any sane person would), but when did he become our spokesperson?
That's 6 books, for those that are counting. I'm flying through McKinley and Kimball and have to have Saramago done within a couple of weeks. Should have a whole new crop very soon.
Listening to:
Late For The Sky and The Pretender by Jackson Browne. How did he write these two albums back to back? His two best, in my opinion. They ought to re-release them as one album (16 tracks altogether). If you haven't heard 'Before The Deluge' or 'Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate', you haven't heard Jackson Browne.
Below The Radio by Grandaddy. This isn't actually a Grandaddy album, but a mix compiled by Grandaddy's lead singer. Harry's current favorite album, which I don't mind a bit. Tracks from Fruit Bats, Beck, and even Grandaddy themselves. Harry and I sing 'Nature Anthem' when we go on walks together. People either smile or run.
American Recordings V by Johnny Cash. I don't mean to be maudlin, but this is like listening to Johnny draw his last breaths. It's sad and hopeful and dark and everything else that is Cash. It hurts to listen to, but I love it.
I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Speaking of dark. This album is so spare and rich all at once. Billy's best and one of my desert island discs (if I didn't list it, it was an oversight). David Bazan and Will Johnson are still trying to write this album.
Brothers K, Decoding The Universe, and Any Human Heart. All from previous entries. All very good.
Blindness by Jose Saramago. This is a re-read for this month's "New & Noteworthy" bookclub, which I co-host at BookPeople on the last Monday of every month. Blindness is one of my top 10 novels. On the surface, it is about a contagion of blindness that breaks out in an unnamed city. It is about so much more. Pick it up.
This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley. For you Donald Miller fans, McKinley is the pastor that Miller is always quoting. Very insightful guy, and just as readable as Miller.
They Like Jesus, But Not The Church by Dan Kimball. If I could put one book in the hands of most of the church leaders, planters, and members that I know, it would be this one. It is a wake up call and a call to arms. It is so much of what I have experienced during the past 2 years in Austin. Ask someone what they think of Jesus and their response will be benign to exceedingly positive. Ask them what they think of the church...let's just say that the most common response from co-workers at BP upon hearing that I was a Christian and a pastor was that I didn't remind them of Pat Robertson. I took this as a compliment (as any sane person would), but when did he become our spokesperson?
That's 6 books, for those that are counting. I'm flying through McKinley and Kimball and have to have Saramago done within a couple of weeks. Should have a whole new crop very soon.
Listening to:
Late For The Sky and The Pretender by Jackson Browne. How did he write these two albums back to back? His two best, in my opinion. They ought to re-release them as one album (16 tracks altogether). If you haven't heard 'Before The Deluge' or 'Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate', you haven't heard Jackson Browne.
Below The Radio by Grandaddy. This isn't actually a Grandaddy album, but a mix compiled by Grandaddy's lead singer. Harry's current favorite album, which I don't mind a bit. Tracks from Fruit Bats, Beck, and even Grandaddy themselves. Harry and I sing 'Nature Anthem' when we go on walks together. People either smile or run.
American Recordings V by Johnny Cash. I don't mean to be maudlin, but this is like listening to Johnny draw his last breaths. It's sad and hopeful and dark and everything else that is Cash. It hurts to listen to, but I love it.
I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Speaking of dark. This album is so spare and rich all at once. Billy's best and one of my desert island discs (if I didn't list it, it was an oversight). David Bazan and Will Johnson are still trying to write this album.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Half Right The Whole Time
Total depravity
Also called "radical depravity" and "total inability", this point means that every person is corrupt and sinful throughout in all of his or her faculties, including the mind and will. Thus, no person is able to do what is truly good in God's eyes, but rather, everyone does evil all the time. As a result of this corruption, man is enslaved to sin, rebellious and hostile toward God, blind to truth, and unable to save himself or even prepare himself for salvation.
While I agree with the second part, I disagree with the first. Man is sinful, he is rebellious and, even if he wasn't, he'd still need God. No man has ever been good enough and that is one of the reasons why it was necessary for Christ to come and die. However, not good enough isn't the same as always bad. Even mostly bad isn't the same as "not capable of ever being good". Calvin doesn't allow for the tension of being created in the image of God and being a fallen creation. We are capable of doing good, but we don't do it near often enough. We get disobedient and hostile and end up falling the same way every human has since Adam and Eve. But we aren't born evil and always evil, or we couldn't claim to be made in God's image. And, even if we did manage to be perfect, in the sense of never sinning, we would still need God. You can keep your lungs perfectly clean, or damage them with cigarettes, but you'll need oxygen to breathe, either way. The idea that we need God simply because we are sinners doesn't hold water for me.
Unconditional election
Election means "choice." God's choice from eternity past, of whom he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in the persons he chooses but rather is unconditionally grounded in his own sovereign decision.
Calvin takes the idea of God's choosing us to say that God is choosing very specific ones of us. I don't see it. I believe that God's plan is that all might be saved. Again, Calvin doesn't allow for tension. Yes, God has a plan, is omnipotent and omnipresent. But He builds free will into His plan. So His plan is to share paradise with humanity. But free will allows for the possibility that they might choose not to share it with Him. They can both be true. If I plan for my son to be a Christian and work to make that happen and nurture an environment where it is likely to, but still allow him free will it means that he still might not become a Christian. That doesn't mean it wasn't my plan, it means he didn't go with my plan. I could tie him to a chair and brainwash him into being a Christian, but that would negate his free will. Something I'm not willing to do to my son and that God isn't willing to do to His children. While I believe God may have specific plans for specific ones of us, I believe His plan in regards to all of us is that we might be saved.
Limited atonement
Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", the doctrine of the limited atonement is the teaching that Jesus's atonement was definite and certain in its design and accomplishment. It teaches that the atonement was intended to render complete satisfaction for those and only those whom the Father had chosen before the foundation of the world. Calvinists do not believe that the atonement is limited in its value or power (if the Father had willed it, all the people of all generations could be saved), but rather they believe that the atonement is limited in that it is designed for some and not all.
See previous.
Irresistible grace
Also known as "effectual grace", this doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.
I'm not sure what to make of this one. God can do whatever He wants. He can break down our resistance. He can remove our free will. He can make time go backward and make the Fall never happen. I just don't see that being what He did or will do. Yes, I get confused by passages that talk about God hardening Pharoah's heart and recognize, in my confusion, that God can alter people from within against their will. But I think this is the exception, not the rule (I also think that said passages may not, in fact, be saying that at all). I think God longs to be in relationship with us, to offer salvation to us, and to reveal Himself to us. But I think that the free will He offers us can make that a difficult process. I don't think God is limited except in the ways that He chooses to limit Himself. And I think this is one of the ways.
Perseverance of the saints
Also called the "preservation of the saints" or "eternal security," the fifth point teaches that those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with or will return. This is slightly different from the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in some evangelical churches in which, despite apostasy or unrepentant and habitual sin, the individual is truly saved if he or she had truly accepted Christ in the past; in traditional Calvinist teaching, apostasy by such a person may be proof that they never were saved.
I will say it again...free will. I don't think a man can be good enough to become a Christian and I don't think he can sin enough to stop being one. But I do think he can make the conscious choice to enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and then choose to no longer follow Christ. I have met people who have done it! Just one of those people was a youth minister from the church where I grew up. At the time, he believed (unless he was the world's most talented actor) that Jesus was the Son of God. He now travels the world declaring that he has proof that Jesus was just a good teacher who went on to have a wife and kids and so on. It would be wrong to say that he is a Christian now or to say that he wasn't one then.
Now before my fellow theologians drop on me to heavily, let's remember to speak the truth in love and that a lot of my thinking on a lot of this is a work in progress.
OK. Let's dialogue.
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