Brian McLaren, who is an author and a pastor in the Emergent Church movenent, spoke at Vision New England's annual Congress event in February of 2006. As a person in an organization there promoting our ministry, I couldn't wait to get the chance to duck in on his session and hear what he had to say. There are a couple of things he said that really stuck out for me. One of which I'll share now and one a bit later in another posting.
While Brian was speaking, he said these words that resonated within me. He said, "When you have a lot of change in a short amount of time, the old maps no longer show us reality."
Now he, nor I, is not referring to the Bible as our map that doesn't show reality, rather, it's the accepted ways of doing things. How we get to the ends we're trying to achieve sometimes changes. This is illustrated adeptly in the Rand McNally Road Atlas. It's updated every year. Why? Because the roads and routes whereby people have taken for years to get to work, vacation etc. have changed greatly in some places. Where I live, the infamous "Big Dig" of Boston has changed everything in how to get into the city, to the bus station, to the airport etc. The old maps really don't reflect a picture of reality anymore. I remember going to the bus station to pick up my sister-in-law in Boston. It was the first time in a couple of years where I had to go to the bus station. It was frustrating because I couldn't go the way I used to. That way didn't exist anymore!
So what does this mean for Christian spirituality in today's day and age? Well first of all it doesn't mean that the message changes one bit. God loves us, is willing and ready to punish sin and forgives us based on his wrath being satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is still the way it is. But, we must admit some things have changed.
1. How people hear has changed. We can no longer assume that people know and understand who Jesus Christ is. In this generation, we are dealing with a people that are totally ignorant to the concept of the biblical Jesus. We can't just tell them Jesus loves them. They don't even know who Jesus is. There must be a relevant explanation of Christ.
2. What people respond to in regard to the plea of another human being has changed. It was once popular to have a long bench known as a "mourner's bench" or "sinner's bench" in churches. At the end of a very passionate and lively-delivered sermon, there would be a place for all who would walk the aisle and confess their sin in front of the church. In doing so they would be saved.
3. The definition of "Christian" has changed. If you were to look at George Barna's web site (www.barna.org) and see the statistics, you'll find that while many people define themselves as "Christian", most of those people do not exhibit or practice any of the behaviors that a disciple of Christ would exhibit. In this day and age, it can be confusing when you can live how you want and say what you will and call yourself a Christian, meanwhile, exhibiting none of the behaviors of what Jesus would call a disciple.
It's time we all get a spiritual GPS! A GPS simply takes information from a satelite above and shows the up-to-date map so the user can travel quickly and efficiently. If one misses a turn, the information from above shows alternate routes and guides the user back on track.
It's time we get synched up with the things above so we can effectively travel the routes that God has planned for us. While some believers will insist that the road they used to use is the best way to go, reality is telling everybody else that that road doesn't even exist anymore.
I believe that God is leading a bunch of people in a path of discipleship that looks like it's off the beaten path and it may well be, however, in time we'll see that it's the path God intended. I believe we'll see people using methods, venues, all kinds of places to bring people into the knowledge of Jesus Christ that were unheard of 50 or 60 years ago, maybe even 5 or 10 years ago! But it's OK. As long as we stay connected to the Giver of the information above, he will lead us and guide us into all truth.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Pluto Isn't a Planet and Other Things We Didn't Know
On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union met in Prague. This union is a vast group of distinguished men and women who have devoted themselves, their entire lives, to the observation, study, understanding and discovery of all things astronomical. If it's in space, they're interested in it.
During this year's general assembly, some interesting things happened. One which was the re-defining of what a planet is. To some this may be immaterial, however, it has some ramifications and, as we will explore, some spiritual parallels.
A planet must a) be a celestial body that orbits the sun b) posess enough gravity to pull itself into a spherical shape c) have "cleared the neighborhood around it".
One may say, "well what's the big deal?" Well, the big deal is, when I was in school we had nine planets. All I've ever known was Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. However, according to the new definition, Pluto is no longer a planet! Now we have eight. What am I going to tell my kids? Not only that, according to the new definition (with Pluto being a dwarf planet category body now), there have been discoveries of other celestial bodies beyond Pluto that fit Pluto's description of "dwarf planet". The astronomical "landscape" (if I can say that) is changing. What we've always known and understood can no longer be accepted as it was anymore.
I take opportunities like this to think about the spiritual questions this type of thing raises. I, like many other people, have been raised in a religious, Christian culture. For centuries the "norms", the rules that define what a Christian is or is not, the accepted thoughts and acceptable teachings from what we think we know and understand of the Bible, have been put in front of us in text books, self-help books, Bible lessons, Christian radio and TV programs and Sunday morning sermons. My question is not, "was that all wrong?" but "is there more out there we're not discovering?"
Jesus came to the religious people and REDEFINED what a servant of God was. I contend that he even came to redefine for our clarification who God was. He re-drew the lines and in doing so, people discovered that there was a lot more to God and being a person of God than they thought. Yes, Jesus even challenged the orthodoxy of the day. The right teachings that came from the spiritual leaders of the day, founded by Moses, given from the hand of God were all challenged by Jesus. Jesus was telling them essentially that there were now eight planets, not nine like they were taught!
So, yes there will be people who will always think that Pluto is a planet. They will say that it's always been a planet so why change it now? It was good enough to be a planet when my parents were kids and when I was a kid so why can't it still be a planet now? They may even ask, "who are they to redefine what a planet is anyway?" In the same manner we will always have people who want to hold onto old religious norms. It was good enough for them so it's good enough for me. Besides, who are you to change anything?
I think we should look at it a bit differently. The people who are re-defining what a planet is or isn't aren't trying to limit or hurt anyone. They are exploring the vastness of the universe and finding out new things. In fact, in their process of defining and re-defining they are actually refining their knowledge. It is based on what always was that they didn't know yet!
So for all of you on your quest to know God more, don't be afraid to explore. Don't be afraid to ask questions and observe. In doing so you'll find that many things that you may question that you thought were rock solid about your faith (i.e. Pluto is a planet) will lead you to discover new things about the heart of God that you'd never known had you not gone through that process.
So love Jesus, obey his commands and explore the vastness of God.
During this year's general assembly, some interesting things happened. One which was the re-defining of what a planet is. To some this may be immaterial, however, it has some ramifications and, as we will explore, some spiritual parallels.
A planet must a) be a celestial body that orbits the sun b) posess enough gravity to pull itself into a spherical shape c) have "cleared the neighborhood around it".
One may say, "well what's the big deal?" Well, the big deal is, when I was in school we had nine planets. All I've ever known was Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. However, according to the new definition, Pluto is no longer a planet! Now we have eight. What am I going to tell my kids? Not only that, according to the new definition (with Pluto being a dwarf planet category body now), there have been discoveries of other celestial bodies beyond Pluto that fit Pluto's description of "dwarf planet". The astronomical "landscape" (if I can say that) is changing. What we've always known and understood can no longer be accepted as it was anymore.
I take opportunities like this to think about the spiritual questions this type of thing raises. I, like many other people, have been raised in a religious, Christian culture. For centuries the "norms", the rules that define what a Christian is or is not, the accepted thoughts and acceptable teachings from what we think we know and understand of the Bible, have been put in front of us in text books, self-help books, Bible lessons, Christian radio and TV programs and Sunday morning sermons. My question is not, "was that all wrong?" but "is there more out there we're not discovering?"
Jesus came to the religious people and REDEFINED what a servant of God was. I contend that he even came to redefine for our clarification who God was. He re-drew the lines and in doing so, people discovered that there was a lot more to God and being a person of God than they thought. Yes, Jesus even challenged the orthodoxy of the day. The right teachings that came from the spiritual leaders of the day, founded by Moses, given from the hand of God were all challenged by Jesus. Jesus was telling them essentially that there were now eight planets, not nine like they were taught!
So, yes there will be people who will always think that Pluto is a planet. They will say that it's always been a planet so why change it now? It was good enough to be a planet when my parents were kids and when I was a kid so why can't it still be a planet now? They may even ask, "who are they to redefine what a planet is anyway?" In the same manner we will always have people who want to hold onto old religious norms. It was good enough for them so it's good enough for me. Besides, who are you to change anything?
I think we should look at it a bit differently. The people who are re-defining what a planet is or isn't aren't trying to limit or hurt anyone. They are exploring the vastness of the universe and finding out new things. In fact, in their process of defining and re-defining they are actually refining their knowledge. It is based on what always was that they didn't know yet!
So for all of you on your quest to know God more, don't be afraid to explore. Don't be afraid to ask questions and observe. In doing so you'll find that many things that you may question that you thought were rock solid about your faith (i.e. Pluto is a planet) will lead you to discover new things about the heart of God that you'd never known had you not gone through that process.
So love Jesus, obey his commands and explore the vastness of God.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Lessons From the Grave Part II
This second part in a series, has come from the hearts of young adults who had a unique experience recently. In our series "Lessons From the Grave" where we looked at people who are dead and gone and what their lives teach us, we concluded with a trip to the cemetery where we all were faced with the reality that one day, the dead poeple talking will be us.
What will be the lessons we leave after we're dead?
So each person took some time to walk, sit, ponder and pray. Then they finished this sentence on paper, "I want to be remembered as..."
They took their papers and put them in a mock casket set up in the cemetery just for them. This is what they wrote.
I want my legacy and life lesson to be that of someone who loved the Lord God first and loved his neighbor (family, friends, and strangers) as himself, and who poured out his life serving God and serving others and breathing life wherever I went. Loving people out of places of brokenness back to life. A man whose character and integrity and compassion were never in question. If any man wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me- (Matthew 5) by being this man, He did not change the entire world, but he changed the worlds (spheres of influence) he was in. He breathed hope, courage and life into an otherwise dying world. He loved Jesus!
I want people to remember me by a person with a life that lasted a good life with God and friends and loved ones by my side always. To remember I was unique, equal, one.
I want to be known as a woman after God’s heart. (Lord help me to know you inside and out and help me to follow you whole heartedly until I see you face to face. Amen.)
1) a follower of God 2) a loving person 3) and instrument of God 4) a preacher of the gospel 5) a helper 6) a caring and understanding person 7) a fighter 8) a winner 9) a wise person 10) kind and respectful 11) someone who fears God 12) a dream maker 13) a peace maker 14) God’s chosen one 15) a leader
I want to be remembered as a wonderful and hard working mother that has always and will always do anything for the only one in my life that I would die for and that would be my daughter. Without her, I’m nothing, as well as without “God” I’m nothing. One day I hope to take care of the sick and be great at it. That is my goal for this life.
What will be the lessons we leave after we're dead?
So each person took some time to walk, sit, ponder and pray. Then they finished this sentence on paper, "I want to be remembered as..."
They took their papers and put them in a mock casket set up in the cemetery just for them. This is what they wrote.
I want my legacy and life lesson to be that of someone who loved the Lord God first and loved his neighbor (family, friends, and strangers) as himself, and who poured out his life serving God and serving others and breathing life wherever I went. Loving people out of places of brokenness back to life. A man whose character and integrity and compassion were never in question. If any man wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me- (Matthew 5) by being this man, He did not change the entire world, but he changed the worlds (spheres of influence) he was in. He breathed hope, courage and life into an otherwise dying world. He loved Jesus!
I want people to remember me by a person with a life that lasted a good life with God and friends and loved ones by my side always. To remember I was unique, equal, one.
I want to be known as a woman after God’s heart. (Lord help me to know you inside and out and help me to follow you whole heartedly until I see you face to face. Amen.)
1) a follower of God 2) a loving person 3) and instrument of God 4) a preacher of the gospel 5) a helper 6) a caring and understanding person 7) a fighter 8) a winner 9) a wise person 10) kind and respectful 11) someone who fears God 12) a dream maker 13) a peace maker 14) God’s chosen one 15) a leader
I want to be remembered as a wonderful and hard working mother that has always and will always do anything for the only one in my life that I would die for and that would be my daughter. Without her, I’m nothing, as well as without “God” I’m nothing. One day I hope to take care of the sick and be great at it. That is my goal for this life.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Lessons From the Grave Part I
This part, in a series, has come from the hearts of young adults who had a unique experience recently. In our series "Lessons From the Grave" where we looked at people who are dead and gone and what their lives teach us, we concluded with a trip to the cemetery where we all were faced with the reality that one day, the dead poeple talking will be us.
What will be the lessons we leave after we're dead?
So each person took some time to walk, sit, ponder and pray. Then they finished this sentence on paper, "I want to be remembered as..."
They took their papers and put them in a mock casket set up in the cemetery just for them. This is what they wrote.
I want to be remembered as a dedicated servant to God. I want my children to remember me as blessed. I want not to be remembered by the measure of what I had tangibly, but by what I had intangibly, my undying love for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I want to be remembered as a great woman of God. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.
I want to be remembered as a healer; a heart mender and a thought provoker. I have healing of my own to do.
I want to be remembered as a servant of God who was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, a hard worker who was dedicated in all she did, a person who put their best foot forward, a woman of tenacity, a ‘Titus II’ woman and a God fearer.
I want to be remembered as a man after God’s own heart.
I want to be remembered as a person that God used to heal the hearts of the broken hearted. I want to be remembered as a great and powerful woman of God. A person that God used to bring his Word to all needed people in the world.
What will be the lessons we leave after we're dead?
So each person took some time to walk, sit, ponder and pray. Then they finished this sentence on paper, "I want to be remembered as..."
They took their papers and put them in a mock casket set up in the cemetery just for them. This is what they wrote.
I want to be remembered as a dedicated servant to God. I want my children to remember me as blessed. I want not to be remembered by the measure of what I had tangibly, but by what I had intangibly, my undying love for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I want to be remembered as a great woman of God. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.
I want to be remembered as a healer; a heart mender and a thought provoker. I have healing of my own to do.
I want to be remembered as a servant of God who was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, a hard worker who was dedicated in all she did, a person who put their best foot forward, a woman of tenacity, a ‘Titus II’ woman and a God fearer.
I want to be remembered as a man after God’s own heart.
I want to be remembered as a person that God used to heal the hearts of the broken hearted. I want to be remembered as a great and powerful woman of God. A person that God used to bring his Word to all needed people in the world.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
I Came, I Saw, I Still Believe the Bible
I did it. I went and saw the Da Vinci Code. I took 36 other people with me. Awful I know.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The Da Vinci Code is Here
It's so sureal. It's so stereotypical. I can't believe it's happening. While Dan Brown's fictional novel "The Da Vinci Code" is just that, a fictional novel, the soon breaking movie is attracting all kinds of attention. It seems to be affirming one thing loud and clear so I must ask the question, "Are American Christians against everything?"
Recently I saw a well-known and reputable Christian author and now attempted Christian television show host lambasting the book. Not only was he critical of the book's obvious spurious description of early Church history, but he even went so far as to get nit picky at how the book was written. He turned literature critic and told his audience that it was a badly written book. He asked why anyone would even want to read it since it was so bad. His comments smacked of being derogatory and sarcastic, hardly becoming of an international writer and author. Hal Linsey meant well, but I think he went a bit too far.
So there are two camps in Christianity right now. There are "the Da Vinci haters" who will protest the book, the movie and refuse to watch it. Not only will they refuse but they will chastise all those who would do such a thing. Then there are
"the Da Vinci hopers" that hope the high profile of the movie will bring about a national dialogue on Christian spirituality. So in what camp are you?
Since I am the world's foremost expert on my own opinion (and that's just my opinion), I thought I'd give you my opinion. I heard the talk. I then went and read the book. I am going to see the movie. This issue led me to do a five week discussion study with Velocity young adults on the issue. What we decided to do was take this culturally relevant topic and use it to our advantage as disciples. When we get a chance to discuss Christianity with anybody, why not take it? When we get a chance to offer an explanation of the truth about Christianity, why not do it?
The way I see it, if someone is actually considering having a faith in Jesus Christ, who are they more likely going to turn to, someone ranting about a fictional novel or someone who wants to intelligently listen and offer an explanation to their questions? I want to be a candidate for the latter. In the meantime, is protesting this book and movie going to spur anyone to even consider having a faith in our Savior or perhaps would reflecting the lifestyle of Jesus get the job done?
Just asking.
Recently I saw a well-known and reputable Christian author and now attempted Christian television show host lambasting the book. Not only was he critical of the book's obvious spurious description of early Church history, but he even went so far as to get nit picky at how the book was written. He turned literature critic and told his audience that it was a badly written book. He asked why anyone would even want to read it since it was so bad. His comments smacked of being derogatory and sarcastic, hardly becoming of an international writer and author. Hal Linsey meant well, but I think he went a bit too far.
So there are two camps in Christianity right now. There are "the Da Vinci haters" who will protest the book, the movie and refuse to watch it. Not only will they refuse but they will chastise all those who would do such a thing. Then there are
"the Da Vinci hopers" that hope the high profile of the movie will bring about a national dialogue on Christian spirituality. So in what camp are you?
Since I am the world's foremost expert on my own opinion (and that's just my opinion), I thought I'd give you my opinion. I heard the talk. I then went and read the book. I am going to see the movie. This issue led me to do a five week discussion study with Velocity young adults on the issue. What we decided to do was take this culturally relevant topic and use it to our advantage as disciples. When we get a chance to discuss Christianity with anybody, why not take it? When we get a chance to offer an explanation of the truth about Christianity, why not do it?
The way I see it, if someone is actually considering having a faith in Jesus Christ, who are they more likely going to turn to, someone ranting about a fictional novel or someone who wants to intelligently listen and offer an explanation to their questions? I want to be a candidate for the latter. In the meantime, is protesting this book and movie going to spur anyone to even consider having a faith in our Savior or perhaps would reflecting the lifestyle of Jesus get the job done?
Just asking.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The DaVinci Code is Coming
It took the book sellers world by storm and it's about to hit theatres in May. The DaVinci Code will entertain and thrill Americans and people world-wide. What will you think of it? I ask that question for a good reason.
I'm in the process of reading the book and I must remind myself, as should others who have read it or are reading it, that it is fiction. It is classified, advertised and sold as a work of fiction (not true, fantasy, made up stuff). Although it is a fictional work, it's content make people of faith think about a lot of things.
This fantastic story interwoven with nuggets of truth with an unmistakable religious watermark beneath it all may cause some to question their faith. It may cause some to probe for the truth. It also may cause some to doubt or continue in their skepticism. The reactions will be as numerous as there are readers/viewers.
I urge all people of faith to take in the movie and if possible, prepare themselves for what I belive will be the inevitable. People are going to ask questions about Christianity that we should be ready to answer.
So crack open your Bible. Catch up on some history. Separate fact from fantasy and help people come to the knowlege of the truth should you be asked.
Oh yeah, and by the way...enjoy the movie!
I'm in the process of reading the book and I must remind myself, as should others who have read it or are reading it, that it is fiction. It is classified, advertised and sold as a work of fiction (not true, fantasy, made up stuff). Although it is a fictional work, it's content make people of faith think about a lot of things.
This fantastic story interwoven with nuggets of truth with an unmistakable religious watermark beneath it all may cause some to question their faith. It may cause some to probe for the truth. It also may cause some to doubt or continue in their skepticism. The reactions will be as numerous as there are readers/viewers.
I urge all people of faith to take in the movie and if possible, prepare themselves for what I belive will be the inevitable. People are going to ask questions about Christianity that we should be ready to answer.
So crack open your Bible. Catch up on some history. Separate fact from fantasy and help people come to the knowlege of the truth should you be asked.
Oh yeah, and by the way...enjoy the movie!
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