Rob Bell is among my favorite modern (meaning in my lifetime, so the past eighteen years) authors. Ben Witherington is among my favorite bloggers (and since blogging is a modern invention, this means ever). Which is why, when I checked his blog today, I was very pleased to see a post devoted to Rob Bell. Even if it was a criticism.
While I normally ignore criticisms of my favorite authors, college has forced me to think slightly more critically (I blame my philosophy professor). While I still support Bell, having an idea of where his flaws are is always a good thing.
Shalom,
Drew
Post Script: I'll be in Gatlinburg, TN for a CCF conference this weekend. If you're lucky, I may post a few pictures of mullets.
16 February 2007
15 February 2007
An Open Plea for Darfur
The US Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, has backed off of his claim that the current situation in the Darfur region of Sudan no longer constitutes as genocide. The US has never acted on allegations of genocide.
In 1994, officials were careful to avoid the term to describe the Rwandan crisis, as use of the term requires action. Both President Bush and the State Department have condemned the genocide, but failed to act. Now, while encouraging African nations to contribute peace keepers to the joint United Nation-African Union peacekeeping operation, the US has stepped down.
Please, right your Representatives and Senators and ask for action.
Never Again
In 1994, officials were careful to avoid the term to describe the Rwandan crisis, as use of the term requires action. Both President Bush and the State Department have condemned the genocide, but failed to act. Now, while encouraging African nations to contribute peace keepers to the joint United Nation-African Union peacekeeping operation, the US has stepped down.
Please, right your Representatives and Senators and ask for action.
Never Again
13 February 2007
Are God and Darwin Really Arguing?
In response to: God, Darwin clash again in Kansas
Both the Nicene and the Apostles' Creeds affirm God the Father as the Creator. I accept this claim.
But I believe in evolution.
I know quite a few people (and know of quite a few more) who are more than willing to write me off as a Christian for such a statement. But how can this be?
Let's look at Kansas, where once again intelligent desing (ID) and evolution are being discussed as curiculum in public schools.
A little self-history: I took my high school biology class in Georgia, where law prevented the class from discussing evolution as more than series of mutations. As such, the class was unable to discuss Darwin's The Origin of Species and any possibility for analytical thinking was kept out. Since then, Georgia schools are required to use a disclaimer stating that evolution is nothing more than a theory and may contain some flaws. After my sophmore year, I moved to Kansas, where a similar debate has been ongoing for nearly eight years. In 2005, the Board of Education decided that ID had a place in the biology classroom (I know a few parents who were key in arguing for this move). Now, the BoE is shifting back to only teaching evolution.
For those who are unaware, there are a few things that evolution cannot explain. For example, we have yet to find the so-called "missing link" between apes and men. ID claims that these wholes can be filled in by an intelligent creator (most of the time, he's called God). But what scientific (or even philosophical) evidence is there for this? The kalam cosmological argument posists an intelligent designer but merely a statement and not proof. God cannot be proven or disproven (to do so would be to put God under the laws of logic and physics, the very things that He created). The existence of such a designer must be taken purely on faith.
I accept that God is the designer. I also accept that evolution was his method of choice for creation. Do these contradict? Are God and Darwin against eachother? Absolutely not.
Rock on.
Both the Nicene and the Apostles' Creeds affirm God the Father as the Creator. I accept this claim.
But I believe in evolution.
I know quite a few people (and know of quite a few more) who are more than willing to write me off as a Christian for such a statement. But how can this be?
Let's look at Kansas, where once again intelligent desing (ID) and evolution are being discussed as curiculum in public schools.
A little self-history: I took my high school biology class in Georgia, where law prevented the class from discussing evolution as more than series of mutations. As such, the class was unable to discuss Darwin's The Origin of Species and any possibility for analytical thinking was kept out. Since then, Georgia schools are required to use a disclaimer stating that evolution is nothing more than a theory and may contain some flaws. After my sophmore year, I moved to Kansas, where a similar debate has been ongoing for nearly eight years. In 2005, the Board of Education decided that ID had a place in the biology classroom (I know a few parents who were key in arguing for this move). Now, the BoE is shifting back to only teaching evolution.
For those who are unaware, there are a few things that evolution cannot explain. For example, we have yet to find the so-called "missing link" between apes and men. ID claims that these wholes can be filled in by an intelligent creator (most of the time, he's called God). But what scientific (or even philosophical) evidence is there for this? The kalam cosmological argument posists an intelligent designer but merely a statement and not proof. God cannot be proven or disproven (to do so would be to put God under the laws of logic and physics, the very things that He created). The existence of such a designer must be taken purely on faith.
I accept that God is the designer. I also accept that evolution was his method of choice for creation. Do these contradict? Are God and Darwin against eachother? Absolutely not.
Rock on.
08 February 2007
Power Behind the Crucifixion
I can't help but wonder if the powerful images of the Crucifixion of Christ are lost on my generation. Even to modern believers, I think that the Passion isn't as well understood as it was in times past, even up to the 1800s (though I would suspect that the power started to trail off after the fall of the Roman Empire).
Keep this in mind: I am not saying that the Crucifixion is not important. I hold to the belief that Christ suffered, died, was buried, and resurrected as payment for the sins of Man. All I claim is that the power behind the images don't have as much of an effect on my generation (for the sake of argument, let's group anyone below the age of thirty in here).
Christ was humiliated, tortured, and hung on a cross to essentially drown in his own bodily fluids. One of the reasons that this doesn't have much impact on us today is that in what we consider the civilized world, that type of thing doesn't happen. In the US and other western nations, punishment, especially capital punishment, are no longer public events. It used to be that the entire town turned out for hangings, but this is seen as barbaric now (and for good reason). People cannot grasp the idea that Christ was mocked on his way to die. The most recent example of this was Saddam Hussein, and most people claim that he deserved it. In the times of public executions, and in places where this travesty still occurs, the humiliation and suffering of Jesus might have a more tramatic impact. But not anymore.
The second reason that people fail to grasp the power behind crucifixions is that it was torture. Western, civilized societies aren't supposed to do this. We get up in arms about water boarding and the abuses at Abu Grahib and Gitmo (again, for good reason). We as a civilization cannot bring ourselves to imagine the pain of being whipped, beaten, nailed to a tree, and left to die. Modern executions, as horrible as they are, are nothing compared to the ways of old. Lethal injection, electrocution. All seem horrible ways to go, but there are worse ways, and chief among them is crucifixion.
Last, but certainly not least, is our tolerance of violence. Even when executions were public, the idea behind it was not entertainment but enforcement. The message sent was, "Be a good citizen and this won't happen to you." Now violence is fun. First-person shooters, slasher movies, and internet videos have made violence something to be enjoyed and laughed at rather than feared. My neighbors spend most of their free time playing games like Counter Strike and Soldier of Fortune and watching videos of police shootings and plane crashes. Few things are outside of the realm of public pleasure.
While a few things still pop up to scar the minds of westerners (the beheadings of Americans in Iraq, murder of missionaries), most things are considered to be too unrelated to us for us to care. Cases of genocide (Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda, and the Sudan) are ignored because the populace cannot relate to the victims. If that is the case, how are we expected to relate to the torture and murder of a Middle Eastern rabbi nearly two thousand years ago?
Rock on.
Keep this in mind: I am not saying that the Crucifixion is not important. I hold to the belief that Christ suffered, died, was buried, and resurrected as payment for the sins of Man. All I claim is that the power behind the images don't have as much of an effect on my generation (for the sake of argument, let's group anyone below the age of thirty in here).
Christ was humiliated, tortured, and hung on a cross to essentially drown in his own bodily fluids. One of the reasons that this doesn't have much impact on us today is that in what we consider the civilized world, that type of thing doesn't happen. In the US and other western nations, punishment, especially capital punishment, are no longer public events. It used to be that the entire town turned out for hangings, but this is seen as barbaric now (and for good reason). People cannot grasp the idea that Christ was mocked on his way to die. The most recent example of this was Saddam Hussein, and most people claim that he deserved it. In the times of public executions, and in places where this travesty still occurs, the humiliation and suffering of Jesus might have a more tramatic impact. But not anymore.
The second reason that people fail to grasp the power behind crucifixions is that it was torture. Western, civilized societies aren't supposed to do this. We get up in arms about water boarding and the abuses at Abu Grahib and Gitmo (again, for good reason). We as a civilization cannot bring ourselves to imagine the pain of being whipped, beaten, nailed to a tree, and left to die. Modern executions, as horrible as they are, are nothing compared to the ways of old. Lethal injection, electrocution. All seem horrible ways to go, but there are worse ways, and chief among them is crucifixion.
Last, but certainly not least, is our tolerance of violence. Even when executions were public, the idea behind it was not entertainment but enforcement. The message sent was, "Be a good citizen and this won't happen to you." Now violence is fun. First-person shooters, slasher movies, and internet videos have made violence something to be enjoyed and laughed at rather than feared. My neighbors spend most of their free time playing games like Counter Strike and Soldier of Fortune and watching videos of police shootings and plane crashes. Few things are outside of the realm of public pleasure.
While a few things still pop up to scar the minds of westerners (the beheadings of Americans in Iraq, murder of missionaries), most things are considered to be too unrelated to us for us to care. Cases of genocide (Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda, and the Sudan) are ignored because the populace cannot relate to the victims. If that is the case, how are we expected to relate to the torture and murder of a Middle Eastern rabbi nearly two thousand years ago?
Rock on.
05 February 2007
Life of a Freshman
What can be said about being a feshman at the University of Georgia? I imagine that all 5,000 of us have our own versions of how this year went. What can be said about being a freshman at CCF? Probably a lot. I know that my fellow freshman never cease to amaze me with how talented, inciteful, creative, excited, and caring they can be. During a recent brainstorming session, I was astounded by some of the ideas put forth. We were even trusted with the planning and execution of the CCF Superbowl party.
One of the things that we (the freshman) hear quite often is how great this year's group is. While I cannot objectively compare us to freshman of years past, I can testify that any success that the class of 2010 has had or will ever have is due to our interns (random shout out to Becca to keep her attention), staff (even that funny, short South Affrican that we call Fledge), and those older than us. To any who stumble upon this, thank you for your love and time.
Shalom,
Drew
One of the things that we (the freshman) hear quite often is how great this year's group is. While I cannot objectively compare us to freshman of years past, I can testify that any success that the class of 2010 has had or will ever have is due to our interns (random shout out to Becca to keep her attention), staff (even that funny, short South Affrican that we call Fledge), and those older than us. To any who stumble upon this, thank you for your love and time.
Shalom,
Drew
30 January 2007
The Temple
The Lord God promised David that from his lineage would come one who would build the Temple of the Lord. Before this, though, God had told David that only God could build the House of God. Which is why it is so odd that Solomon was allowed to build the temple.
But consider the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. It was destroyed twice. Surely the House of the Lord cannot so easily be removed from this world.
Enter a man named Jesus. When asked about the Temple, he said that if it was torn down, he could undo the damage in three days' time. He was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day, he rose again.
The temple was made to, among other things, make sacrifices as atonement for sins. Christ's body was sacrificed as atonement for the sins of all humanity.
As mentioned in my post "Jewish Views on the Messiah", there were two views on the Anointed One: that it would be God or that it would be a king. I state that Christ fulfilled both of these views. This is further proof of that: Jesus is man in that he is the descendant of David who could build the true Temple and he is God for the very same reason.
This post is inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who wrote, "The temple which the Jews were looking for was the Body of Christ, of which the temple of the Old Testament was but the shadow. Jesus was speaking of his human body. He knows that the temple of his earthly body will be destroyed, like the temple of Jerusalem. But he will rise again, and the new temple, the eternal temple, will be his risen and glorified body."
Rock on.
But consider the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. It was destroyed twice. Surely the House of the Lord cannot so easily be removed from this world.
Enter a man named Jesus. When asked about the Temple, he said that if it was torn down, he could undo the damage in three days' time. He was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day, he rose again.
The temple was made to, among other things, make sacrifices as atonement for sins. Christ's body was sacrificed as atonement for the sins of all humanity.
As mentioned in my post "Jewish Views on the Messiah", there were two views on the Anointed One: that it would be God or that it would be a king. I state that Christ fulfilled both of these views. This is further proof of that: Jesus is man in that he is the descendant of David who could build the true Temple and he is God for the very same reason.
This post is inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who wrote, "The temple which the Jews were looking for was the Body of Christ, of which the temple of the Old Testament was but the shadow. Jesus was speaking of his human body. He knows that the temple of his earthly body will be destroyed, like the temple of Jerusalem. But he will rise again, and the new temple, the eternal temple, will be his risen and glorified body."
Rock on.
The Simple Beauty of Salvation
Ephesians 1 and 2
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is my third time (give or take) reading through Ephesians. It's an amazing letter. Every time I read it, I feel "my heart strangely warmed". One of the best parts of this letter is the first two chapters. Paul expresses salvation so simply and beautifly that I can't help but be overcome with joy.
"For it is grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast," (2:8,9).
And what does this salvation include? "In him we have redmption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding," (1:7,8).
While we were sinners, paying with our lives, seperating ourselves from God, Christ came to make us alive. When we die with Christ, we live in God, through the grace of the Cross. And in this new life, we "are no longer foreingers and aliens, but fellow citizens of God's household," (2:19).
As Bonhoeffer phrased it, "Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son....Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us."
Rock on.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is my third time (give or take) reading through Ephesians. It's an amazing letter. Every time I read it, I feel "my heart strangely warmed". One of the best parts of this letter is the first two chapters. Paul expresses salvation so simply and beautifly that I can't help but be overcome with joy.
"For it is grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast," (2:8,9).
And what does this salvation include? "In him we have redmption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding," (1:7,8).
While we were sinners, paying with our lives, seperating ourselves from God, Christ came to make us alive. When we die with Christ, we live in God, through the grace of the Cross. And in this new life, we "are no longer foreingers and aliens, but fellow citizens of God's household," (2:19).
As Bonhoeffer phrased it, "Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son....Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us."
Rock on.
28 January 2007
This God Guy...He's Kinda Awesome
Over the past week, God has shown how truly amazing He is. I went to church last Sunday (on a side note, this is becoming a regular occurence now, so huzzah) and the sermon was about Christ at the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30). However, it focused mainly on the quote from Isaiah (61:1,2) and related God's promise in Isaiah to Christ's earthly ministry and our responsibility as Christians and disciples. As a hopefully-someday-preacher, this really spoke to me. On Thursday, at CCF, our campus minister Tim spoke about the need to serve and suffer to be great like Jesus (using the text of Mark 10:35-40) and the hardships of being servant of Christ (and relating them to his life in the ministry). In spite of the challenging theme of the sermon (seriously, suffering? Not so much fun), the sermon made me even more eager to get out in the world and preaching. Today's sermon was along the same theme as last weeks (same text), and focused more on reaching the gentiles.
I guess what I'm really trying to say (albeit in the form of a journal entry) is that this week, it has really felt like God is pushing me more and more towards the ministry. And given sudden strong feelings, I'm thinking after college, I'm headed for either Seattle or Portland.
Rock on.
I guess what I'm really trying to say (albeit in the form of a journal entry) is that this week, it has really felt like God is pushing me more and more towards the ministry. And given sudden strong feelings, I'm thinking after college, I'm headed for either Seattle or Portland.
Rock on.
25 January 2007
Now Even Taggier
I'm going through my posts and tagging them for topics. I'm done with the first twenty, I think, and will catch up when I have more time.
Shalom,
Drew
Edit: Tagging's done and apparently, it's a very good thing. Yesterday: 2 visits. Today: 21
Shalom,
Drew
Edit: Tagging's done and apparently, it's a very good thing. Yesterday: 2 visits. Today: 21
20 January 2007
Come Together
Galatians 6:1-10
In the fifth chapter, Paul tells us to do good. He follows that train of thought into chapter six. He states that we should do good to all, but especially fellow believers. His suggestion for doing this is accountability.
When I was younger and more immature, I thought that having a set accountability "partner" was among the dumbest things ever. My reasoning was focused around the facts that a) telling someone about your sins doesn't make you stop and b) you could always just lie. However, as I grew older and ever so slightly more mature, I began to see that as you grow in Christ, you also grow closer to other Christians, both changes making you unwilling to lie. While talking about sinning doesn't mean you'll stop (if only, if only), discussing where you're stumbling and how your fellow believers can help you make a massive difference (and extra prayer never hurt either).
One of the best ministries that CCF has going for it is what they call "Crash Groups", or accountability groups of two or three other people close to your age. Not only are they great for accountability, but they also help you grow in Christ and closer to other Christians. Hey, lookie how that turned out.
Rock on.
Post Script: And yes, I am listening to the Beatles as I type this. I'm on an old (and oh so good) music kick.
In the fifth chapter, Paul tells us to do good. He follows that train of thought into chapter six. He states that we should do good to all, but especially fellow believers. His suggestion for doing this is accountability.
When I was younger and more immature, I thought that having a set accountability "partner" was among the dumbest things ever. My reasoning was focused around the facts that a) telling someone about your sins doesn't make you stop and b) you could always just lie. However, as I grew older and ever so slightly more mature, I began to see that as you grow in Christ, you also grow closer to other Christians, both changes making you unwilling to lie. While talking about sinning doesn't mean you'll stop (if only, if only), discussing where you're stumbling and how your fellow believers can help you make a massive difference (and extra prayer never hurt either).
One of the best ministries that CCF has going for it is what they call "Crash Groups", or accountability groups of two or three other people close to your age. Not only are they great for accountability, but they also help you grow in Christ and closer to other Christians. Hey, lookie how that turned out.
Rock on.
Post Script: And yes, I am listening to the Beatles as I type this. I'm on an old (and oh so good) music kick.
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