http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/05/true-story-or-removing-offense-of.html
Above is a link to a critique of one of the books i was thinking of when writing that last post. It is very interesting and well-founded. It states much of what Monika commented about as well. Check it out and see what you think, especially the part where Trevin talks about how we can "completely miss the boat" when sharing the gospel in the way described in the book.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
By grace through faith or a "spiritual journey"
Hello again, fellow bloggers! I must apologize for my absence as i have been somewhere between Canada and lake Huron on the very tip of the U.P. for InterVarsity training camp. During the camp i took my student leadership team through a week-long study of James. It's a great book. We especially enjoyed the context of the writing of James, how he is addressing a schism between Jewish social classes and oppression of the lower classes. James was well known as a friend of the down-trodden in society. Partly in response to this, we decided to engage our campus next semester with the question "Where is God?" in response to social injustices, like slavery, poverty, sex trafficking, etc... We want to show God's desires for these areas through our words and actions, but also proclaiming a Christ-centered and justification-centered gospel. I had to stress that last point because often it seems that recently we have put so much emphasis on how we should act as Christians in "reconciling all things" that reconciling them to Jesus gets lost in simply trying to make things right. By that i mean we try to make life better for everyone because we think that is our duty and that is why Christ died and rose again.
There are many books written, many by my own beloved IVP, proclaiming what we know as the social gospel, and it seems that sometimes Jesus is thrown in as an afterthought, if at all. There is a huge emphasis on this thing called a "spiritual journey" that "everyone is on together." Part of that spiritual journey is doing good things for people because Jesus came to set the captives free and heal the blind and help the oppressed. So that is what we should do.
Before i get too far here i want to ask if anyone else has noticed this trend, and if so, what do you think? Is it good? Bad? Just misguided? A step in the right direction? Must we line up on a side, chosing to emphasize only either personal justification or declaring Christ through merciful acts? I hope a few people are still reading this blog and can comment. I'd like to look at the newer Belhar confession in this discussion as well, since it addresses this and my denomination has adopted it as an additon to the 3 forms of unity for anyone who knows what that means (Kyle). Let's get the discussion started!
There are many books written, many by my own beloved IVP, proclaiming what we know as the social gospel, and it seems that sometimes Jesus is thrown in as an afterthought, if at all. There is a huge emphasis on this thing called a "spiritual journey" that "everyone is on together." Part of that spiritual journey is doing good things for people because Jesus came to set the captives free and heal the blind and help the oppressed. So that is what we should do.
Before i get too far here i want to ask if anyone else has noticed this trend, and if so, what do you think? Is it good? Bad? Just misguided? A step in the right direction? Must we line up on a side, chosing to emphasize only either personal justification or declaring Christ through merciful acts? I hope a few people are still reading this blog and can comment. I'd like to look at the newer Belhar confession in this discussion as well, since it addresses this and my denomination has adopted it as an additon to the 3 forms of unity for anyone who knows what that means (Kyle). Let's get the discussion started!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Jesus used a boat
Here's something i've been thinking a bit about lately:
What are our most important ministry tools? We have God fighting for us, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and the Bible- the Word of God. Those are pretty impressive weapons in contending for the gospel, and i would say they trump anything that the enemy has up his sleeve, that's for sure. But what about other resources and materials? More specifically, what do we use to engage the culture and the people around us? One front up here in Stevens Point is definitely the outdoors. EVERYBODY fishes, and if my evangelism did not include some kind of outdoors-based strategy i would literally miss out on well over half of the student population, as environmental issues come far ahead of even humanity issues on my campus. So i'm hoping to buy a boat. And i have a guide license for WI. I want to be able to take out students and men from the community on guided fishing trips and share the love of Christ with them, as well as do discipleship. I know this works, as several people have become Christians while in a canoe with me or standing on shore next to me. Having a boat will serve to multiply that kind of fruitful ministry.
Is this the correct course of action, or am i fooling myself into taking on "unspiritual practices" and attempting to load the gospel into places it shouldn't belong? I worry when my students would rather hang out with non-Christian guys because they have boats or cooler equipment than hang out with me because i don't have any of that stuff. Some of it is their mindset, i know, but i'd love to get rid of any limiting factors if i can. Is that the right way of thinking?
What are our most important ministry tools? We have God fighting for us, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and the Bible- the Word of God. Those are pretty impressive weapons in contending for the gospel, and i would say they trump anything that the enemy has up his sleeve, that's for sure. But what about other resources and materials? More specifically, what do we use to engage the culture and the people around us? One front up here in Stevens Point is definitely the outdoors. EVERYBODY fishes, and if my evangelism did not include some kind of outdoors-based strategy i would literally miss out on well over half of the student population, as environmental issues come far ahead of even humanity issues on my campus. So i'm hoping to buy a boat. And i have a guide license for WI. I want to be able to take out students and men from the community on guided fishing trips and share the love of Christ with them, as well as do discipleship. I know this works, as several people have become Christians while in a canoe with me or standing on shore next to me. Having a boat will serve to multiply that kind of fruitful ministry.
Is this the correct course of action, or am i fooling myself into taking on "unspiritual practices" and attempting to load the gospel into places it shouldn't belong? I worry when my students would rather hang out with non-Christian guys because they have boats or cooler equipment than hang out with me because i don't have any of that stuff. Some of it is their mindset, i know, but i'd love to get rid of any limiting factors if i can. Is that the right way of thinking?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Battleground InterVarsity
Hey ya'll, sorry it's been so long since i posted here-i've been in Indiana and what feels like all over the country the past week or two for IV. It's fun, but as i wrote before it kinda stinks working so much and then coming back to campus tired out a week later and realizing that i did almost nothing with the students i love back home. But that's the way the cookie crumbles.
I learned some interesting stuff about some objectives of InterVarsity over the past week. It was stated that one of the greatest contributions of InterVarsity and the publishing company associated with us is that we further the discussion on a lot of controversial issues. This hurts in some ways, because someone might read one IVP book or one article written by an IV staff and think "If IV believes this, then it is evil." InterVarsity may not believe something like that at all, the organization just enjoys almost being an antagonist sometimes in order to further important discussions on important topics.
One example of this is publishing some of Greg Boyd's stuff, as well as Basinger and Rice and a few other open theists. My reactionary response is to think that here is a case in which we should absolutely not "further the discussion," but instead do everything we can to kill it. However, perhaps in not acknowledging some of these works we would fail to see the argument to it's end, but instead only sweep it under the rug. That may not be a good way of dealing with it, either. What should we do? Are there topics with which we should "further the discussion" and other topics which we should not? Should we attempt to create a para-church org that has a purestrain theological system, or should we acknowledge many ways of thinking about things in order to debate them? What are your thoughts?
I learned some interesting stuff about some objectives of InterVarsity over the past week. It was stated that one of the greatest contributions of InterVarsity and the publishing company associated with us is that we further the discussion on a lot of controversial issues. This hurts in some ways, because someone might read one IVP book or one article written by an IV staff and think "If IV believes this, then it is evil." InterVarsity may not believe something like that at all, the organization just enjoys almost being an antagonist sometimes in order to further important discussions on important topics.
One example of this is publishing some of Greg Boyd's stuff, as well as Basinger and Rice and a few other open theists. My reactionary response is to think that here is a case in which we should absolutely not "further the discussion," but instead do everything we can to kill it. However, perhaps in not acknowledging some of these works we would fail to see the argument to it's end, but instead only sweep it under the rug. That may not be a good way of dealing with it, either. What should we do? Are there topics with which we should "further the discussion" and other topics which we should not? Should we attempt to create a para-church org that has a purestrain theological system, or should we acknowledge many ways of thinking about things in order to debate them? What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Saved by faith?
Here is an interesting question posed in the comments on the last post. I wanted to discuss it a little bit here if that's ok with you. Are we saved "by" faith? Ephesians 2:8-9 was touched on a bit already, but i think we need to take a closer look at it. How do we get faith? What exactly does faith "do?" What is the relation between our faith and salvation?
I don't think this will take long to talk about, but I wanted to get some thoughts out there. Thanks ya'll!
I don't think this will take long to talk about, but I wanted to get some thoughts out there. Thanks ya'll!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
debtor's ethic
What comes to mind when we think of "righteousness?" Being a good person? Doing righteous deeds? In our small group this morning we talked about righteousness, grace, and a debtor's ethic. Much of our conclusions mirrored what John Piper said in his book Brothers, We are Not Professionals. It was so good to think of serving God as a gift that He enables us to do, rather than a servive we provide Him. We can live as a Christian only by His power and grace.
In fact, every time we do anything "worthy of our calling," we become even MORE indebted to God's grace. And that is the way God wants it. Helplessly falling more and more into His grace, with no way to dig ourselves out of the hole. He doesn't want us to. God doesn't only give us grace when we mess up, or when we have a big test or a talk coming up. He gives me the grace to wake up in the morning, to serve students on campus. No amount of preparing on my part can cause Him to deal out less grace, and no amount of good stuff i do causes the stream of grace to lessen. Oh the gratitude that springs up when we see it this way! We are debtors, ever increasing in debt, and our Giver wants it to be that way! We respond in joy not to even attempt to pay God back but because we are eternally grateful!
In fact, every time we do anything "worthy of our calling," we become even MORE indebted to God's grace. And that is the way God wants it. Helplessly falling more and more into His grace, with no way to dig ourselves out of the hole. He doesn't want us to. God doesn't only give us grace when we mess up, or when we have a big test or a talk coming up. He gives me the grace to wake up in the morning, to serve students on campus. No amount of preparing on my part can cause Him to deal out less grace, and no amount of good stuff i do causes the stream of grace to lessen. Oh the gratitude that springs up when we see it this way! We are debtors, ever increasing in debt, and our Giver wants it to be that way! We respond in joy not to even attempt to pay God back but because we are eternally grateful!
Monday, March 31, 2008
scary stories
One time i was downtown with some friends and we were trying to get into what we called "spiritual conversations" with people- talking about the excellencies of God and sharing His gospel. We talked with a guy who went off on us for 15 minutes about how the Catholic Church was the only church instituted by Jesus and the rest are all cults. It was awesome, i'd never seen anyone so adamant about this. There was no reasoning with him.
Smoetimes i enjoy sharing horror stories about sharing Christ with people. The truth is, it doesn't always go that well and it isn't always our fault. We shouldn't be scared to share with others the hope that we have just because it didn't go well once before. Does anybody out there have any scary stories about evangelism? I'd love to hear them.
Smoetimes i enjoy sharing horror stories about sharing Christ with people. The truth is, it doesn't always go that well and it isn't always our fault. We shouldn't be scared to share with others the hope that we have just because it didn't go well once before. Does anybody out there have any scary stories about evangelism? I'd love to hear them.
Friday, March 28, 2008
fun day
Well, this morning i found 5 quarts of oil spilled on the parking lot under Joanna's car. To make a long story a little shorter, we needed a new oil filter. So i figured i'd run to Wal-Mart since good ol' Fleet Farm doesn't carry the right filters. On the way there, my truck ran out of gas while the gauge told me i had about 5 gallons left. Thankfully my mentor Ben and his wife bailed me out. That was not fun. Cleaning up the oil was the worst part.
I just got back from the mailbox where i got to talk about the Lord with the mailman. He started talking about how in the end everyon will be saved. He looked it up in Strong's concordance, apparently. He had some interesting ideas, so i asked him what church he went to. He doesn't. I invited him to ours, but he responded by saying Luther and Calvin and Zwingli came out of the organized church, and that's what he is doing. A very interesting guy. I hope future talks will happen. But i've been thinking and reading, and as it turns out- he's wrong. There will be a time when God will cast unbelievers into eternal hell and usher those found in Christ into heaven eternal. Part of me wishes that guy was right, but it's just not the truth. God's plan stands forever, and that plan includes vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and also vessels of mercy.
I just got back from the mailbox where i got to talk about the Lord with the mailman. He started talking about how in the end everyon will be saved. He looked it up in Strong's concordance, apparently. He had some interesting ideas, so i asked him what church he went to. He doesn't. I invited him to ours, but he responded by saying Luther and Calvin and Zwingli came out of the organized church, and that's what he is doing. A very interesting guy. I hope future talks will happen. But i've been thinking and reading, and as it turns out- he's wrong. There will be a time when God will cast unbelievers into eternal hell and usher those found in Christ into heaven eternal. Part of me wishes that guy was right, but it's just not the truth. God's plan stands forever, and that plan includes vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and also vessels of mercy.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
justice and justification
Sorry it has been a while since i've written. I just got back from leading a trip to the inner city of Milwaukee, one of InterVarsity's short term mission trips. There were about 40 students on the trip, and it was a great time! I got to meet a lot of cool people, have lots of interesting discussions, and serve in many helpful ways.
A big part of our trip were bible studies looking at why the city needs Jesus, and what God says about serving the poor and doing justice. The term "justice" has been a difficult one for me. It is true that God loves justice and calls His people to carry out justice- we see that in Isaiah 58 and 59. Also perhaps in the kind of religion that God finds pure and faultless. So what is my problem with justice? Justice is scary to me because if God is a just God, which He says He is, then my sin should be punished, which it either will be or has already been. How do we distinguish between the justice God wants for His people to execute, and the justice God gives? Someone I look up to explained to us last week that justice was a horizontal action (man to man), while justification was a vertical action (God to man). My problem with this is simply i don't think we can think of justice as only a man to man thing. God is just, and does not only deal out what we know as justification. If justice is "getting what we deserve," then justification would be 100% grace. Well, i'm tired, so to prevent from dragging this on further; do we need different definitions of justce and justification? Can we see justice as a horizontal act while justification is the vertical one? What do the two have to do with the other? Does God use justice to proclaim justification, or does He desire them both equally? What't the deal? Thanks for your input on this poorly written post.
A big part of our trip were bible studies looking at why the city needs Jesus, and what God says about serving the poor and doing justice. The term "justice" has been a difficult one for me. It is true that God loves justice and calls His people to carry out justice- we see that in Isaiah 58 and 59. Also perhaps in the kind of religion that God finds pure and faultless. So what is my problem with justice? Justice is scary to me because if God is a just God, which He says He is, then my sin should be punished, which it either will be or has already been. How do we distinguish between the justice God wants for His people to execute, and the justice God gives? Someone I look up to explained to us last week that justice was a horizontal action (man to man), while justification was a vertical action (God to man). My problem with this is simply i don't think we can think of justice as only a man to man thing. God is just, and does not only deal out what we know as justification. If justice is "getting what we deserve," then justification would be 100% grace. Well, i'm tired, so to prevent from dragging this on further; do we need different definitions of justce and justification? Can we see justice as a horizontal act while justification is the vertical one? What do the two have to do with the other? Does God use justice to proclaim justification, or does He desire them both equally? What't the deal? Thanks for your input on this poorly written post.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A different angle
The recent discussions on body image were amazing and i feel like we came to some good realizations, however i don't think we're quite done. I want to ask one more quick question that should come at the issue from a bit of a different angle. Should we be content with our bodies? Contentment is a "rare jewel" among Christians today. Is it right to be content with the bodies that God gave us, or should we look at them as a manifestation of the effects of sin? Should we be content when we are in good physical shape only, or discontent with phyisical bodies as a whole because we are longing for new heavenly bodies? What do you think?
Sunday, March 9, 2008
the art of debate
I don't even know if we had a debate team at my high school, but sometimes i wish i would have done debate. I think philosophy and Christian ministry have made me into a person who loves God-centered discussion and argumentation. It is something that has sharpened me and challenged me to dive into God's Word and test my reasons for what i believe. I thank God for the friends and family that have challenged and encouraged my thoughts and beliefs through debate, discussion, and, dare i say, argumentation. For example, my old roommate Jeremy and i argued and debated things until we felt we came under God's Word to a conclusion. We are both stubborn, but we found that over the years our views were molded to be so similar there are few things that we do not agree on. Thankfully, there are still some edges that we are working on, like some intricacies of the doctrine of limited atonement and how far reaching Christ's sacrifice is. Anyway, some recent discussions have gotten myself and some others wondering about how to effectively debate. The question is, "where is the line of taking something too far?" Is understanding each others' points all we need to do in debtate? What should be our goal for debating someone, specifically a Christian sister or brother? Let's have a rousing discussion!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Letters
Last night i took a break from writing about how awful the current book i am reading is and picked up a book i bought recently. It is called Letters of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. It is a compilation of hundreds of letters written by the pastor to all kinds of people. I read it with the same joy and voracity as i read Frost's poems. It was good for my soul, and i loved reading what Spurgeon had written to encourage his loved ones to press on and grow in the faith of their Almighty God. Writing letters was a central ministry of Spurgeon's. I'm bad at being consistent, but i want to be a letter writer too. I'll try to write a God-centered letter a day to my friends, family, students, missionaries, ect... and use that as part of my ministry. On a secondary note, if you all aren't done thinking and talking about the last post, the discussion is continued (and furthered) on the Wenzel's blog, so please check that out.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
i need your thoughts!
Thanks all for the thoughts on body image, i needed it. I've been reading the Wenzel's blog (side bar link) about some of the same stuff. I have to ask an interesting question here, and hope to get some good responses.
How does sin affect God's creation of our bodies? He "knits us together in our mothers' wombs," but does He create something imperfectly then? If he creates babies with what we would call "severe defects," and they are loved by God and He has a plan for their lives, how do we avoid God's act of creation being tainted by sin? Everything He does is perfect, right? Have at it!
How does sin affect God's creation of our bodies? He "knits us together in our mothers' wombs," but does He create something imperfectly then? If he creates babies with what we would call "severe defects," and they are loved by God and He has a plan for their lives, how do we avoid God's act of creation being tainted by sin? Everything He does is perfect, right? Have at it!
Monday, February 25, 2008
self-image
Man, i think i've been humbled this week. I've been asked to speak on the topic of the "idol of body-image," and i realized that i don't know much at all about that. I'm speaking on Thursday and that's coming up, so does anyone have any ideas?? I know this is lame to ask on a blog, but all i've got are some statistics about dissatisfaction with physical appearance and Psalm 139 and some great stuff about our bodies being a temple of the Holy Spirit. 80% of women are satisfied with their physical appearance, so i know it is a huge problem, but can someone help me understand how the idol affects someone? I mean, why is is such a problem, why is it so hard to get rid of...that kins of thing. Thanks in advance!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Idolatry
What exactly is idolatry? This is a question that came up at a Vision Team meeting last night. We thought about it as far as scritpure goes, and what it really looks like to worship something other than God. How many images and idols do we make for ourselves as American Christians?
I am speaking on idolatry, specifically the idol of body image next week in Platteville, and need some more thought on this. How infected are we with idolatry? Owen and Spurgeon and Comfort will go so far as to say even having a crucifix or picture of Jesus is idolatry. I propose that almost anything can become an idol, whether it be our bodies or seeking approval/affection of other people or video games or television, many things can and do become idols for us. So I wonder how much idolatry the typical American Christian is enslaved to. Any thoughts?
I am speaking on idolatry, specifically the idol of body image next week in Platteville, and need some more thought on this. How infected are we with idolatry? Owen and Spurgeon and Comfort will go so far as to say even having a crucifix or picture of Jesus is idolatry. I propose that almost anything can become an idol, whether it be our bodies or seeking approval/affection of other people or video games or television, many things can and do become idols for us. So I wonder how much idolatry the typical American Christian is enslaved to. Any thoughts?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Does God Care?
Here's a question i've found most helpful in the past few years, and am having a great time with it now. "Do you think God cares about this?" IV at UWSP is sponsoring a fundraising drive to help "The Thailand Project," which aims to put an end to child sex trafficking in Thailand. Many people these days think that Christians are mostly self-absorbed and close-minded and thinking about their own affairs (which is understandable when i think about the best-selling Christian books and Christian TV programs...). Anyway, people seem to be taken aback when i ask if they think God cares about child sex trafficking or the AIDS crisis or the environment or their souls. Their answers are often something like "I'm sure God cares, but I don't think most of His 'followers' do."
Maybe they're misinformed, but maybe they have a good point. Anyway, i think here in Stevens Point environmental issues take a front seat, even more than humanity issues. So i think i'm going to work on caring for the environment here some more, maybe get some students on board. I can't think of a better way to build some relationships and begin sharing the gospel than that. We should care for God's creation and be good stewards, especially since so many around these parts enjoy it.
Maybe they're misinformed, but maybe they have a good point. Anyway, i think here in Stevens Point environmental issues take a front seat, even more than humanity issues. So i think i'm going to work on caring for the environment here some more, maybe get some students on board. I can't think of a better way to build some relationships and begin sharing the gospel than that. We should care for God's creation and be good stewards, especially since so many around these parts enjoy it.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
it's cold
I love winter, but for the first time in my life i'm getting sick of it. It all started on our wedding day, when it snowed so much that about 70 people who thought they would be there couldn't make it, and the ones who did make it had to stay at camp since the roads were closed. Joanna and i made it a little ways down the road and stayed at a very interesting hotel for the night. Then i had a trip to St. Louis, and was meeting up with people in Madison. It was snowing badly and took me 4 hours to get to Madison. On the way back up from St Louis there was ice and fog, and a 50 car pile-up near Madison. That was a long trip. Travel over Christmas was awful. We had to leave a day early to stay ahead of a storm to get to my parents house, but still drove through snow to get there. Then we drove through a storm to get to Joanna's family's place, and had to stay a day late because of a snow storm and still drove through snow to get home. Perhaps the worst was a few weeks ago driving down to Chicago for training. Ice and snow made for a bad combination, and there were 40 accidents between Stevens Point and the state line on I-39. That was a bad 8 hour drive to Chicago. I'm sick of driving in the snow.
I'm also sick of the -30 degree wind chills. The air temp hasn't been above zero again for a few days here. That makes it difficult to get outside, and i'm not happy being inside all the time. My cabin fever is better this week though, thanks to being able to take the canoe out on Friday. It was above zero, and there was a little bit of open water below the dam. I realized that there was a lot of current, and a lot of big ice chunks floating down the river to dodge. I figured that since i was married now i should not die, so i just paddled in a big circle and went back home. It sure helped though. I never thought i'd say this, but i'm ready for summer now.
I'm also sick of the -30 degree wind chills. The air temp hasn't been above zero again for a few days here. That makes it difficult to get outside, and i'm not happy being inside all the time. My cabin fever is better this week though, thanks to being able to take the canoe out on Friday. It was above zero, and there was a little bit of open water below the dam. I realized that there was a lot of current, and a lot of big ice chunks floating down the river to dodge. I figured that since i was married now i should not die, so i just paddled in a big circle and went back home. It sure helped though. I never thought i'd say this, but i'm ready for summer now.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Timothy
I didn't want to put a new post up because there was so much coming from the last one. So i decided to post something related to what people were commenting on the past few days here.
1 Timothy 4:12 states "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Now this verse gets used often in various kinds of youth ministry (including campus ministry) in some interesting ways. Keeping in mind that Timothy had been taught good doctrine and instructed in the ways of Christian living for probably about 15 years (some of that teaching by the apostle Paul, no less!), and he was surely not younger than 35 years of age when Paul wrote this letter to him, in what ways can this verse be useful in my work with students? I am convinced it should be used, but i want to use it properly. What does it really say about being in leadership? I am looking forward to having knowledge bestowed upon me. Thanks in advance!
1 Timothy 4:12 states "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Now this verse gets used often in various kinds of youth ministry (including campus ministry) in some interesting ways. Keeping in mind that Timothy had been taught good doctrine and instructed in the ways of Christian living for probably about 15 years (some of that teaching by the apostle Paul, no less!), and he was surely not younger than 35 years of age when Paul wrote this letter to him, in what ways can this verse be useful in my work with students? I am convinced it should be used, but i want to use it properly. What does it really say about being in leadership? I am looking forward to having knowledge bestowed upon me. Thanks in advance!
Friday, February 1, 2008
comments on a controversial issue
I'm assuming that Kyle was giving us a link to someone's notes on InterVarsity heading up some Catholic/Prostetant reconciliation work. IV has become more involved with Catholicism over the past few years, and there are books and articles written by IV about the topic. My friend, Scott Bessenecker, is working a lot with the Catholic/Protestant reconciliation initiatives despite his reasoning against much of the Catholic faith. I don't quite understand the reasons behind why we are straining toward a goal of reconciliation, but would like to have some healthy dialogue about it here. I got to attend a seminar by the writers of the articles linked to earlier in the post, and came away a little more confused than when i went in. It seemed a little too experiential to me, as in the reasons why the person converted to Catholicism were basically because it felt good even though they still don't understand Catholic apologetics, and the reason one of them likes Catholicism even though they left the Catholic Church is because of an experience he had in mass. Seriously, we've got to have a better reason for this than an emotional or pragmatic one. I think there are better reasons out there, but i'm looking forward to some blogage on this!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Yesterday
Yesterday was a long day. It was my first marathon campus day of the semester, with 11 hours with students. Thanks to training in IL last week, it was a must to catch up with key students.
At about 5:00 i was sitting in the new University Center in the "Brewhaus," wondering "what happened over break?" How did all this stuff happen with my leaders and i didn't know about it. I learned 2 things; 1. Close Christian fellowship is EXTREMELY important. 2. Regular face-to-face contact is a must when serving a student. I guess Facebook won't take over campus work, after all.
To make a long story short, i went to our first large group meeting a little down in the dumps, and not excited because i had no idea what was going to happen at the meeting. We were in a new room, we just asked the speaker a week before hand, i scrambles with student to find stuff we needed for large group (stuff like a projector and screen that the university said we would have but that wasn't true), and i hadn' talked to the worship team at all before last night.
Something happened that was good for me to see. I was expecting large group to only be as good as the effort i had put into it, but that was thankfully not the case. The students were excited about the new venue. The worship band was awesome, the speaker was great, several new transfer students came, students brought their unbelieving friends, and it was the biggest greatest large group i've ever seen or heard of at Stevent Point. Praise God! Hopes are very high for the semester, now i just need my large group coordinator to get his act together and find speakers!
At about 5:00 i was sitting in the new University Center in the "Brewhaus," wondering "what happened over break?" How did all this stuff happen with my leaders and i didn't know about it. I learned 2 things; 1. Close Christian fellowship is EXTREMELY important. 2. Regular face-to-face contact is a must when serving a student. I guess Facebook won't take over campus work, after all.
To make a long story short, i went to our first large group meeting a little down in the dumps, and not excited because i had no idea what was going to happen at the meeting. We were in a new room, we just asked the speaker a week before hand, i scrambles with student to find stuff we needed for large group (stuff like a projector and screen that the university said we would have but that wasn't true), and i hadn' talked to the worship team at all before last night.
Something happened that was good for me to see. I was expecting large group to only be as good as the effort i had put into it, but that was thankfully not the case. The students were excited about the new venue. The worship band was awesome, the speaker was great, several new transfer students came, students brought their unbelieving friends, and it was the biggest greatest large group i've ever seen or heard of at Stevent Point. Praise God! Hopes are very high for the semester, now i just need my large group coordinator to get his act together and find speakers!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
coffee makes me happy
I've been drinking more coffee this past year than ever before. I don't drink it all the time, just when i have to get up early enough that it is difficult to get going. That's usually before 6:30, but it depends on when i get to sleep.
My brother can drink coffee like no other. The guy gulps it down from the time he gets up into the afternoon, and seems to still sometimes be tired. Maybe it's because he works so hard, but i can't drink coffee like that even if i work hard. 1 cup does me for the day.
So i've come to a conclusion. It's not the caffeine that stimulates me, but all the stuff i've come to associate with coffee. Getting up early usually means i am going duck hunting or fishing for trout or muskies. Maybe ice fishing, or, if it's the right week of the year, deer hunting. Each time i sip a cup of coffee my brain is getting itself ready to outsmart a wily trout or preparing for a boatside strike of a muskie or the whistling wings of ducks. That'll wake me up every time. It's not the caffeine, just the coffee. Maybe my wife is right and it isn't good for me, but it sure makes me happy early in the morning!
My brother can drink coffee like no other. The guy gulps it down from the time he gets up into the afternoon, and seems to still sometimes be tired. Maybe it's because he works so hard, but i can't drink coffee like that even if i work hard. 1 cup does me for the day.
So i've come to a conclusion. It's not the caffeine that stimulates me, but all the stuff i've come to associate with coffee. Getting up early usually means i am going duck hunting or fishing for trout or muskies. Maybe ice fishing, or, if it's the right week of the year, deer hunting. Each time i sip a cup of coffee my brain is getting itself ready to outsmart a wily trout or preparing for a boatside strike of a muskie or the whistling wings of ducks. That'll wake me up every time. It's not the caffeine, just the coffee. Maybe my wife is right and it isn't good for me, but it sure makes me happy early in the morning!
Monday, January 21, 2008
A sermon we all need to hear
This past weekend i spent a bunch of time listening to sermons, because faithful exposition of the Bible is a tool God uses mightily to proclaim His Name. I am excited for a sermon, or an "exhortation" my best friend Jeremy is going to give soon. All i know about it right now is that it is about the faithfulness of God. That makes it good already.
It seems when we as Christians think about faithfulness we tend to think about our faithfulness to God. I don't want to downplay that, because it is important, but when i look through the New Testament scriptures, faithfulness seems to be attributed to God most often. In fact, man seems to be called "faithless" more often than he does "faithful." A quick glance at a few passages highlights this- "God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability" 1 Cor. 10:13; "He who calls you is faithful.." 1 Thes 5:24; "..the Lord is faithful." 2 Thes 3:3; "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful." 2 Tim 2:13; "Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son." Heb 3:6; "He who promised is faithful" Heb 10:23; "if we confess our sins, He is faithful" 1 John 1:9; and one of my favorites, "The rider of the white horse is called Faithful and True..." Rev 19:11.
Hebrews says it is by "unchangeable things" that God's promise stands. We have full assurance of faith ultimately because of God's faithfulness, not ours. "There is no shadow of turning with Thee," as the hymn says. Revelation 19 depicts Christ coming in strength. We should all read that passage over today. This is a Christ with purpose and steadfastness. "Faithfulness" is His name, even more than just an attribute he has. There truly is power in His redemption.
So if anyone is near La Crosse on February 3rd, it would be worth your while to stop in and hear Jeremy at Christ Covenant Church, it will be a sermon we all should hear.
It seems when we as Christians think about faithfulness we tend to think about our faithfulness to God. I don't want to downplay that, because it is important, but when i look through the New Testament scriptures, faithfulness seems to be attributed to God most often. In fact, man seems to be called "faithless" more often than he does "faithful." A quick glance at a few passages highlights this- "God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability" 1 Cor. 10:13; "He who calls you is faithful.." 1 Thes 5:24; "..the Lord is faithful." 2 Thes 3:3; "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful." 2 Tim 2:13; "Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son." Heb 3:6; "He who promised is faithful" Heb 10:23; "if we confess our sins, He is faithful" 1 John 1:9; and one of my favorites, "The rider of the white horse is called Faithful and True..." Rev 19:11.
Hebrews says it is by "unchangeable things" that God's promise stands. We have full assurance of faith ultimately because of God's faithfulness, not ours. "There is no shadow of turning with Thee," as the hymn says. Revelation 19 depicts Christ coming in strength. We should all read that passage over today. This is a Christ with purpose and steadfastness. "Faithfulness" is His name, even more than just an attribute he has. There truly is power in His redemption.
So if anyone is near La Crosse on February 3rd, it would be worth your while to stop in and hear Jeremy at Christ Covenant Church, it will be a sermon we all should hear.
Friday, January 18, 2008
what is a mudpuppy?
It's taken me about 14 hours to discover that mudpuppies are just about the coolest creatures God created. I had been catching them while ice fishing in a particular spot, and got two last night and brought them home. I tred to shrug off the looks my wife gave me, but i think it might just take her a little longer to come around. It may have something to do with how they look like a huge brown slimy salamander with gigantic fluffy gills. And they bite. And are always trying to get out of the aquarium and get revenge on us while we are sleeping. But i think they are kind of cute.
The things are also called "waterdogs," and i found out this morning that they got their name because they bark. Yup, that's right. They poke their heads out of the water and make a niose that is more like flatulence than barking, but i guess "mudpuppy" does sound better than "mudfarter" or some other alternative.
I named one "Ehud," because he appears to be a left-handed man, and the other i think i'll call "Ithai the son of Ribai," because he looks like a mighty warrior mudpuppy. I'll write again soon, i promise.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Stuck
It's snowing like crazy. Last night they said we might get an inch of snow today. I woke up this morning with more than that on the ground and it's still falling. They just issued a storm warning and it's going to snow all day. Our area pastor's prayer meeting was cancelled, and it doesn't look like i'll be able to drive to Fond du Lac tonight to visit with one of the missionaries Joanna and i are blessed to support. Right now i'm just happy Jay and I got out fishing on Tuesday (62 walleyes), so i got my outside fix for the week.
Today I am humbly reminded of something my student leaders said during a large group meeting a month ago. They were showing their appreciation for Joanna and I for our first semester of work with them, and the chapter president said something about how amazing it was to know that we are "praying hard for them by name every day." I hope the conviction didn't show on my face too much. I've been thinking, the most important parts of my job are to help students find a local church, lead them into scripture, get them reading and talking about good books, and then pray for them. There is no better way for them to grow than to have them be shepherded by a church family, nourished by the Word of God, learn from John Piper, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and then lean on God to make them grow. So I'm going to set aside some extra time for prayer and hope that i will do it on other days, even when i am not stuck inside. What could me more important?
Today I am humbly reminded of something my student leaders said during a large group meeting a month ago. They were showing their appreciation for Joanna and I for our first semester of work with them, and the chapter president said something about how amazing it was to know that we are "praying hard for them by name every day." I hope the conviction didn't show on my face too much. I've been thinking, the most important parts of my job are to help students find a local church, lead them into scripture, get them reading and talking about good books, and then pray for them. There is no better way for them to grow than to have them be shepherded by a church family, nourished by the Word of God, learn from John Piper, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and then lean on God to make them grow. So I'm going to set aside some extra time for prayer and hope that i will do it on other days, even when i am not stuck inside. What could me more important?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Justification and performance issues
Talking about Paul Washer has been a reminder of one thing his preaching has taught me, not to worry about "success" in the earthly sense of the word.
It's difficult to explain what i do with my life. I am constantly bombarded by "When are you going to get a REAL job?," "I don't see why you have to raise your salary yourself," "Just make sure you do something else when you finish your mDiv," "You left the toilet seat up AGAIN!"... and the list goes on.
James 2 contains a controversial verse about faith and works, but it basically shows that we are not saved by grace through a faith that would not produce good works. My problem comes when i feel i must be justify myself, at least to those around me, based on what i do. I've noticed this idea creeping up on me several times since i began working for a well-known organization. Sometimes ministers run themselves ragged because we aren't justified by grace, we're justified by our ministry. That is not good. Especially when our positions are generally not well-respected to begin with by society's standards.
I've felt an echo from Luke 12:4-5 that states "...do not fear those who kill the body...But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" The thing that has hit me is that I am far too concerned about whether my InterVarsity co-workers or my students think i am doing a good job when i am speaking or teaching or at meetings. My test instead should be "Is this honoring to God? Is it proclaiming His glory and power to those who are listening?"
We get to a point where we are worried so much about what our supervisors think about our talks and presentations that we forget to serve the Living God with it. Maybe if we would more and more fix our eyes upon the light of Jesus and God's Word the things of this earth (including the respect and admiration of our peers and supervisors) would grow dim. If i believed in New Year's resolutions maybe that would be mine. I'll try it and see if i can practice it through the rest of this evening for starters.
It's difficult to explain what i do with my life. I am constantly bombarded by "When are you going to get a REAL job?," "I don't see why you have to raise your salary yourself," "Just make sure you do something else when you finish your mDiv," "You left the toilet seat up AGAIN!"... and the list goes on.
James 2 contains a controversial verse about faith and works, but it basically shows that we are not saved by grace through a faith that would not produce good works. My problem comes when i feel i must be justify myself, at least to those around me, based on what i do. I've noticed this idea creeping up on me several times since i began working for a well-known organization. Sometimes ministers run themselves ragged because we aren't justified by grace, we're justified by our ministry. That is not good. Especially when our positions are generally not well-respected to begin with by society's standards.
I've felt an echo from Luke 12:4-5 that states "...do not fear those who kill the body...But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" The thing that has hit me is that I am far too concerned about whether my InterVarsity co-workers or my students think i am doing a good job when i am speaking or teaching or at meetings. My test instead should be "Is this honoring to God? Is it proclaiming His glory and power to those who are listening?"
We get to a point where we are worried so much about what our supervisors think about our talks and presentations that we forget to serve the Living God with it. Maybe if we would more and more fix our eyes upon the light of Jesus and God's Word the things of this earth (including the respect and admiration of our peers and supervisors) would grow dim. If i believed in New Year's resolutions maybe that would be mine. I'll try it and see if i can practice it through the rest of this evening for starters.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
dangerous speakers
Joe Arant is one of my heroes. Apparently Joe has sent in a request to have Paul Washer speak at the next Urbana conference in 2009. As an InterVarsity missionary, i think it would be dangerous to have Paul Washer speak there. Paul Washer is an extremely passionate and gifted missionary pastor, with a heart to wake up the North American evangelical church.
If this helps give an indication of where he is coming from, A.W. Tozer mentored a preacher named Leonard Ravenhill, and Ravenhill mentored Paul Washer. When listening to sermons by these three one can trace a passion for theology and spiritual revival. I just came from a conference where one of the speakers, Dr. Isaac Canales, called InterVarsity "a theological moonwalk." I can't moonwalk, but i can tell you that a moonwalking person looks to be sliding backwards. I love InterVarsity, but if Isaac Canales called it a theological moonwalk i think Paul Washer would have many more words to say, since he doesn't separate sound doctrine and good theology from doing ministry.
Listen to this link to hear a talk by Washer to a youth conference. I have a feeling his words to a huge group of college students would be no less harsh, and would leave a lasting impact of a heart to love God's people and God's Word. Maybe we should all send in requests for Paul Washer to speak at Urbana '09. I just hope he would come.
On a side note, here is a link to an article written by Wayne Grudem in response to the book mentioned in the last article, Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. I found it helpful in understanding the other side of the debate on evangelical feminism.
If this helps give an indication of where he is coming from, A.W. Tozer mentored a preacher named Leonard Ravenhill, and Ravenhill mentored Paul Washer. When listening to sermons by these three one can trace a passion for theology and spiritual revival. I just came from a conference where one of the speakers, Dr. Isaac Canales, called InterVarsity "a theological moonwalk." I can't moonwalk, but i can tell you that a moonwalking person looks to be sliding backwards. I love InterVarsity, but if Isaac Canales called it a theological moonwalk i think Paul Washer would have many more words to say, since he doesn't separate sound doctrine and good theology from doing ministry.
Listen to this link to hear a talk by Washer to a youth conference. I have a feeling his words to a huge group of college students would be no less harsh, and would leave a lasting impact of a heart to love God's people and God's Word. Maybe we should all send in requests for Paul Washer to speak at Urbana '09. I just hope he would come.
On a side note, here is a link to an article written by Wayne Grudem in response to the book mentioned in the last article, Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. I found it helpful in understanding the other side of the debate on evangelical feminism.
Friday, January 4, 2008
National Staff Conference
Hey ya'll, sorry it's been so long since i've written, but i've got some time now that i am in St. Louis at InterVarsity's National Staff Conference. I'm truly enjoying the conference so far, which, i'll be honest, is a bit of a surprise. I'm feeling grateful for the organization, and am enjoying hearing about how God has been at work through IV. I'm grateful for the conference because it gathers together many wise and knowledgable people. I get to eat with and talk to many men who have written books and are full of great ideas. In an hour, i have an appointment with Will Metzger, who wrote a book called Tell The Truth. It got wonderful reviews from Philip Graham Ryken, Edmund Clowney, John Piper, John McArthur, and J.I. Packer, if that gives you any idea about the content. I'm a little excited to ask him about his dual supervision over his staff work between his IV supervisors and the elders of his church.
Books. InterVarsity Press is celebrating its 60th year of existence this year, and i'm grateful for them. Publishing everything from Francis Schaeffer to F.F. Bruce to C.S. Lewis and thousands more, they have been a forerunner in Christian publishing companies. Their service to campus staff is amazing, and often times i wonder how they stay in business when they are giving away to staff so many books and offering countless other materials at about half of the printing costs. I bought 13 books yesterday (since Joanna didn't answer the phone when i called to ask if it was ok). InterVarsity gave us some food money for the week, but i figured books are more of a feast than soggy burgers and fries.
Some people have been inquiring about books i am reading or want to read. If i were more computer savvy, i'd try to set up a book discussion on the blog. Maybe i'll work on that next week and see if it works. Anyway, on the bus ride to St. Louis, i read a wonderful book titled The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. It was amazing writing on the Christian life and God's work in saved souls. Both philisophical and theological, it is written in classic Puritan style. The work supposed aided in Whitefield's salvation and gave fuel to the Great Awakening.
I am also finishing a book called Irresistable Revolution, which has some very interesting ideas but is a little off-the-wall, talking about voting for Jesus for President and rallying against the government. I wouldn't normally recommend it. Another book i am reading is Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. If anyone out there has also read it, i could use a little help trying to understand it. The book is trying to explain God's heart for some controversial teachings in scripture, but is rooted deeply in a kind of liberation theology that flies off into the realm of positing all sorts of theories to explain what scripture "really means." Instead of good hermaneutics, the book seems to start with a goal in mind and wind its way around until it comes to the conclusion people like to hear. For example, the apostle Paul speaks of slaves in the New Testament because slaves existed in those times. But God's ultimate goal (based in His character and desires)is that slavery would end, so that is what Christians need to work toward. By the same reasoning, Paul cautioned against women leading the church, but God's ultimate goal is to empower women to teach and lead in any context, and that is what Christians need to work toward. Maybe i'm too close minded, or my mind is still stuck in 1665, but i can't separate gender from role that easily. God did create gender with role, didn't He? It was created that way to display His majesty and portray God's relationship with us, wasn't it? Hopefully someone reading this has read the book and can help me understand. I'll write again soon.
Books. InterVarsity Press is celebrating its 60th year of existence this year, and i'm grateful for them. Publishing everything from Francis Schaeffer to F.F. Bruce to C.S. Lewis and thousands more, they have been a forerunner in Christian publishing companies. Their service to campus staff is amazing, and often times i wonder how they stay in business when they are giving away to staff so many books and offering countless other materials at about half of the printing costs. I bought 13 books yesterday (since Joanna didn't answer the phone when i called to ask if it was ok). InterVarsity gave us some food money for the week, but i figured books are more of a feast than soggy burgers and fries.
Some people have been inquiring about books i am reading or want to read. If i were more computer savvy, i'd try to set up a book discussion on the blog. Maybe i'll work on that next week and see if it works. Anyway, on the bus ride to St. Louis, i read a wonderful book titled The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. It was amazing writing on the Christian life and God's work in saved souls. Both philisophical and theological, it is written in classic Puritan style. The work supposed aided in Whitefield's salvation and gave fuel to the Great Awakening.
I am also finishing a book called Irresistable Revolution, which has some very interesting ideas but is a little off-the-wall, talking about voting for Jesus for President and rallying against the government. I wouldn't normally recommend it. Another book i am reading is Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. If anyone out there has also read it, i could use a little help trying to understand it. The book is trying to explain God's heart for some controversial teachings in scripture, but is rooted deeply in a kind of liberation theology that flies off into the realm of positing all sorts of theories to explain what scripture "really means." Instead of good hermaneutics, the book seems to start with a goal in mind and wind its way around until it comes to the conclusion people like to hear. For example, the apostle Paul speaks of slaves in the New Testament because slaves existed in those times. But God's ultimate goal (based in His character and desires)is that slavery would end, so that is what Christians need to work toward. By the same reasoning, Paul cautioned against women leading the church, but God's ultimate goal is to empower women to teach and lead in any context, and that is what Christians need to work toward. Maybe i'm too close minded, or my mind is still stuck in 1665, but i can't separate gender from role that easily. God did create gender with role, didn't He? It was created that way to display His majesty and portray God's relationship with us, wasn't it? Hopefully someone reading this has read the book and can help me understand. I'll write again soon.
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