19 November 2009
I Came Out Of Hiding To Post This...
This is great, and I hope it's real because its so ridiculous: http://www.masswepray.com/.
30 March 2009
The Archbishop, Grace and Sex
I can't help but post after reading this article in the Atlantic Magazine. Being a member of the Church of England, or the Anglican Church, I am concerned, and a bit amused by the situation/crisis/bugaboo that surrounds my archbishop. This article by Paul Elie does a fantastic job of setting the tense scene that the bishop enters each and every day. I can't imagine being the head of a group that has so many differing opinions on one issue. He is constantly being pulled and tugged each and every way.
But, Mr. Elie reveals the Archbishop's real stance on the issue even though he (the Archbishop) has ridden the fence since he took office. In this section, Elie is addressing the issue of grace, but not grace as most Christians would know it. He is speaking of sexual grace: "Gay people, too, deserve to be wanted sexually-deserve the body's grace."
He is responding to Rowan Williams'(the Archbishop) own statement about grace: "It is this (sexual) discovery which most clearly shows why we might want to talk about grace here. Grace, for the Christian believer, is a transformation that depends in large part on knowing yourself to be seen in a certain way: as significant, as wanted."
Mr. Elie goes further to explain that "sexual fidelity is akin to religious fidelity...For the church to stand in the way of such relationships, straight or gay, is to stand in the way of God's grace." Since when was sex so important that it merited the attention and devotion of the faithful? Hasn't sex been abused, used and lowered enough that people have used it as a tool to get what they want out of life? Why is this author (and others) putting sex on a pedastal? It doesn't deserve the attention we give it. Plain and simple.
I once heard someone say that the downfall of the gay rights movement is the fact that they are defining themselves by who they have sex with. That's it. There is nothing else that defines them. Most likely they feel persecuted (even if they haven't experienced it themselves) and they feel abandoned by the church (even if they've never tried to enter one). Some just assume that Christians will reject them based on their own stereotypes.
Mr. Elie concludes his argument for the ordination of gay bishops by saying: "the ordination of openly gay people as bishops was not only permissible, but full of grace." Again, Mr. Elie is using sex as a tool to get what he wants. He, and others are creating new definitions of grace (now including sex, which I don't think the authors of the Bible intended) so as to usher in a new age in Anglican Church.
He also insulted the African church by saying that their opposition to the ordination of gay bishops was not their own agenda, but was imported from the US, in a new form of "imperialism against the global south". In other words, the global south can't think for itself yet. Again, very typical behavior and language from the liberal left against their own African brothers and sisters.
As of now, the Anglican church will split. Conservative churches like mine have aligned with Africa and are forming our own diocese here in America apart from the Episcopal Church. This debate is no longer a "wedge" issue for us. But, I still feel for the church as a whole as this issue continues to split it apart. I hope that people will stop reinterpreting the Bible and theology to suit their own needs.
But, Mr. Elie reveals the Archbishop's real stance on the issue even though he (the Archbishop) has ridden the fence since he took office. In this section, Elie is addressing the issue of grace, but not grace as most Christians would know it. He is speaking of sexual grace: "Gay people, too, deserve to be wanted sexually-deserve the body's grace."
He is responding to Rowan Williams'(the Archbishop) own statement about grace: "It is this (sexual) discovery which most clearly shows why we might want to talk about grace here. Grace, for the Christian believer, is a transformation that depends in large part on knowing yourself to be seen in a certain way: as significant, as wanted."
Mr. Elie goes further to explain that "sexual fidelity is akin to religious fidelity...For the church to stand in the way of such relationships, straight or gay, is to stand in the way of God's grace." Since when was sex so important that it merited the attention and devotion of the faithful? Hasn't sex been abused, used and lowered enough that people have used it as a tool to get what they want out of life? Why is this author (and others) putting sex on a pedastal? It doesn't deserve the attention we give it. Plain and simple.
I once heard someone say that the downfall of the gay rights movement is the fact that they are defining themselves by who they have sex with. That's it. There is nothing else that defines them. Most likely they feel persecuted (even if they haven't experienced it themselves) and they feel abandoned by the church (even if they've never tried to enter one). Some just assume that Christians will reject them based on their own stereotypes.
Mr. Elie concludes his argument for the ordination of gay bishops by saying: "the ordination of openly gay people as bishops was not only permissible, but full of grace." Again, Mr. Elie is using sex as a tool to get what he wants. He, and others are creating new definitions of grace (now including sex, which I don't think the authors of the Bible intended) so as to usher in a new age in Anglican Church.
He also insulted the African church by saying that their opposition to the ordination of gay bishops was not their own agenda, but was imported from the US, in a new form of "imperialism against the global south". In other words, the global south can't think for itself yet. Again, very typical behavior and language from the liberal left against their own African brothers and sisters.
As of now, the Anglican church will split. Conservative churches like mine have aligned with Africa and are forming our own diocese here in America apart from the Episcopal Church. This debate is no longer a "wedge" issue for us. But, I still feel for the church as a whole as this issue continues to split it apart. I hope that people will stop reinterpreting the Bible and theology to suit their own needs.
08 March 2009
The Monster Of Christian Rock
Even though I have posted about the demise of the Christian music industry before, I never imagined that I would be an eyewitness. Then I went to Winter Jam 2009.
Our youth group went together. I went to show my support for the kids and be supportive and to generally support their activities. Earlier in the week I attended a play that one of our youth was in. A nice, quiet, play. Winter Jam was jammed with about 20,000 kids from all over Kentucky. They really love their Christian music, I guess. I wasn't too excited about the evening's lineup, but I went to support the kids.
The show started with a group of 3rd graders called "Pure NRG", awesomely enough. They pretty much danced around stage with a soundtrack playing in the background. They could've been singing, but I couldn't be sure. They sounded too good for elementary school kids. I was pretty disgusted with this Disney-esque display of talent and then realized that these kids are getting pulled out of school and touring the country to do this. Made me even sicker.
Then this Italian woman came out and sang for us. She was very talented and displayed her great vocal abilities at different times, but her music was uninspiring. I've heard these songs before from other female christian artists. There was nothing unique about her or her music. When she did give the audience a glimpse of her real talent, everyone cheered and squealed like they do on American Idol. I started counting down the minutes until the speaker got up.
But not yet. There was more music to be had. The group NewSong was on stage. These guys have been around for a long time. They just sing. That's it. They started off with some standard church hymns that people here in Kentucky would know, and then they sang some of their signature tunes. One of them had a line that said, "This world has nothing for me". They kept repeating this over and over and over. And then they had us sing it back to them. I felt like I was in Jonestown waiting for the kool aid to be served. I can understand the intent of the message, but the idea that we as Christians have nothing to do with the world, is well, unbiblical. Then they ended the show by making fun of one of their bandmembers from California and sang "Sweet Home Alabama". Awesome.
Finally, I could get a rest from the crappy music when the speaker took the stage. Or so I thought. He replaced crappy music with crappy theology. But before the theology, this middle-aged white guy took a stab at being funny and cool by using phrases, words and gestures that most teens would use these days. He was the typical "Middle Aged Youth Pastor Trying To Get the Attention of the Kids Around Him". It was embarrassing to watch, even when people were laughing at his jokes.
And then, like most speakers, politicians and salesmen who manipulate our emotions, he turned on the audience and talked about death. Specifically, the horrible death that awaits you on your drive home from Rupp Arena. He told stories of teens that died after this and similar events and urged all of us not to make the same mistake they made: "don't leave this room until you know you're going to heaven. This is your last chance".
This was the entirety of the message. No mention was made of what to do with your life in the event that you actually survived the drive home. He was only interested in getting you to heaven, not in helping these kids become solid, dedicated Christ-followers for life.
After this embarrassment, I left to go do something else (I walked around a bit and then called my sister). I missed most of the Jonas Brothers look-alike Disnefied "punk" band (thank God), and then left again to stand in line to eat something. I toyed with the idea of ordering a beer to see what they would do, but I balked. Then "Some Nameless Guy That Sounded Like Every Other Solo Singer You've Ever Heard" sold us his wares and left the stage after a few songs. Apparently one of his songs made it on "Grey's Anatomy". It only made me loathe him all the more. I hate that show.
And then it was time for Toby Mac. I had never seen him perform, so I was anticipating being entertained and enlightened and uplifted above all the mediocrity that had come before. Sadly, He did none of those things. Much like sports teams from the city of Cleveland, he disappointed me greatly. Sure, there was energy. Sure, there was music. But yet again, there was no creativity. He and his "crew" suffer from the same malady as do most Christian bands: they don't produce anything that deserves our attention. It's the same music and the same message that the industry has been pedalling for 15 years, and it's pretty old. But, we're buying it.
All in all, it was pretty crap-tacular. The kids had a great time, and that's important, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. They were short changed by these people. They were given a message that probably scared them rather than inspired them. And sadly, this music will go on forever and ever. Toby Mac has been around for 20 years. His audience has not grown with him. He has always attracted teens and continues to do so. I don't know of any adult who follows his career or listens to his music. Probably because its the same stuff he put out when they were kids. I could tell that all of these artists were talented, but they were "handcuffed" by the music that is selling right now.
Our youth group went together. I went to show my support for the kids and be supportive and to generally support their activities. Earlier in the week I attended a play that one of our youth was in. A nice, quiet, play. Winter Jam was jammed with about 20,000 kids from all over Kentucky. They really love their Christian music, I guess. I wasn't too excited about the evening's lineup, but I went to support the kids.
The show started with a group of 3rd graders called "Pure NRG", awesomely enough. They pretty much danced around stage with a soundtrack playing in the background. They could've been singing, but I couldn't be sure. They sounded too good for elementary school kids. I was pretty disgusted with this Disney-esque display of talent and then realized that these kids are getting pulled out of school and touring the country to do this. Made me even sicker.
Then this Italian woman came out and sang for us. She was very talented and displayed her great vocal abilities at different times, but her music was uninspiring. I've heard these songs before from other female christian artists. There was nothing unique about her or her music. When she did give the audience a glimpse of her real talent, everyone cheered and squealed like they do on American Idol. I started counting down the minutes until the speaker got up.
But not yet. There was more music to be had. The group NewSong was on stage. These guys have been around for a long time. They just sing. That's it. They started off with some standard church hymns that people here in Kentucky would know, and then they sang some of their signature tunes. One of them had a line that said, "This world has nothing for me". They kept repeating this over and over and over. And then they had us sing it back to them. I felt like I was in Jonestown waiting for the kool aid to be served. I can understand the intent of the message, but the idea that we as Christians have nothing to do with the world, is well, unbiblical. Then they ended the show by making fun of one of their bandmembers from California and sang "Sweet Home Alabama". Awesome.
Finally, I could get a rest from the crappy music when the speaker took the stage. Or so I thought. He replaced crappy music with crappy theology. But before the theology, this middle-aged white guy took a stab at being funny and cool by using phrases, words and gestures that most teens would use these days. He was the typical "Middle Aged Youth Pastor Trying To Get the Attention of the Kids Around Him". It was embarrassing to watch, even when people were laughing at his jokes.
And then, like most speakers, politicians and salesmen who manipulate our emotions, he turned on the audience and talked about death. Specifically, the horrible death that awaits you on your drive home from Rupp Arena. He told stories of teens that died after this and similar events and urged all of us not to make the same mistake they made: "don't leave this room until you know you're going to heaven. This is your last chance".
This was the entirety of the message. No mention was made of what to do with your life in the event that you actually survived the drive home. He was only interested in getting you to heaven, not in helping these kids become solid, dedicated Christ-followers for life.
After this embarrassment, I left to go do something else (I walked around a bit and then called my sister). I missed most of the Jonas Brothers look-alike Disnefied "punk" band (thank God), and then left again to stand in line to eat something. I toyed with the idea of ordering a beer to see what they would do, but I balked. Then "Some Nameless Guy That Sounded Like Every Other Solo Singer You've Ever Heard" sold us his wares and left the stage after a few songs. Apparently one of his songs made it on "Grey's Anatomy". It only made me loathe him all the more. I hate that show.
And then it was time for Toby Mac. I had never seen him perform, so I was anticipating being entertained and enlightened and uplifted above all the mediocrity that had come before. Sadly, He did none of those things. Much like sports teams from the city of Cleveland, he disappointed me greatly. Sure, there was energy. Sure, there was music. But yet again, there was no creativity. He and his "crew" suffer from the same malady as do most Christian bands: they don't produce anything that deserves our attention. It's the same music and the same message that the industry has been pedalling for 15 years, and it's pretty old. But, we're buying it.
All in all, it was pretty crap-tacular. The kids had a great time, and that's important, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. They were short changed by these people. They were given a message that probably scared them rather than inspired them. And sadly, this music will go on forever and ever. Toby Mac has been around for 20 years. His audience has not grown with him. He has always attracted teens and continues to do so. I don't know of any adult who follows his career or listens to his music. Probably because its the same stuff he put out when they were kids. I could tell that all of these artists were talented, but they were "handcuffed" by the music that is selling right now.
06 February 2009
Things That Are Disappearing In America
Here's a great article on Crunchy Con that'll make you think about how fast our culture is changing. I'm relatively "young" and can't believe the changes that have occurred in the last 15 years. What if I would've had a cell phone and the interweb when I was in high school?
09 January 2009
Quote Of The Week
"But of course these conjectures as to why God does what He does are probably of no more value than my dog's ideas of what I am up to when I sit and read." CS Lewis, Reflections On the Psalms
As I try to figure out what God is doing in my life, these words are somewhat comforting to me. It means that I really don't and can't know what God is up to. Not because I'm a dog, but because I just have no idea of God's plan. And I don't think I'm supposed to. Some think we can know, but I don't. I guess we just have to keep trusting God even though nothing is happening. I could go on with dog analogies, but it's Friday and I'm tired and I just don't feel like writing about dogs.
As I try to figure out what God is doing in my life, these words are somewhat comforting to me. It means that I really don't and can't know what God is up to. Not because I'm a dog, but because I just have no idea of God's plan. And I don't think I'm supposed to. Some think we can know, but I don't. I guess we just have to keep trusting God even though nothing is happening. I could go on with dog analogies, but it's Friday and I'm tired and I just don't feel like writing about dogs.
01 January 2009
Happy New Year! Here's Some Banned Words And Phrases
Every year, Lake Superior State gives us a list of words and phrases they would like to ban. Here's the list:
• Perfect storm.
• Webinar.
• Waterboarding.
• Organic.
• Wordsmith/ wordsmithing.
• Author/authored.
• Post 9/11.
• Surge.
• Give back.
• 'Blank' is the new 'blank.'
• Black Friday.
• Back in the day.
• Random.
• Sweet.
• Decimate.
• Emotional.
• Pop.
• It is what it is.
• Under the bus.
Here are my additions to their list:
"Pwnd" (for those of you who don't know, this is pronounced, "poned")
"The ATL" as an abbreviation for Atlanta
"Radical Shiite Cleric" in front of Muqtada Al-Sadr every time his name is mentioned
"Evangelical Christian/s/ity"
"Progressive"
"Out Of This World" when describing a space shuttle/station story. We get it.
"Former Soviet Republic" in front of Georgia/Ukraine/Kazahkstan, etc. They've been divorced for almost 20 years now.
"Eight-time Olympic gold medal winner" Michael Phelps.
• Perfect storm.
• Webinar.
• Waterboarding.
• Organic.
• Wordsmith/ wordsmithing.
• Author/authored.
• Post 9/11.
• Surge.
• Give back.
• 'Blank' is the new 'blank.'
• Black Friday.
• Back in the day.
• Random.
• Sweet.
• Decimate.
• Emotional.
• Pop.
• It is what it is.
• Under the bus.
Here are my additions to their list:
"Pwnd" (for those of you who don't know, this is pronounced, "poned")
"The ATL" as an abbreviation for Atlanta
"Radical Shiite Cleric" in front of Muqtada Al-Sadr every time his name is mentioned
"Evangelical Christian/s/ity"
"Progressive"
"Out Of This World" when describing a space shuttle/station story. We get it.
"Former Soviet Republic" in front of Georgia/Ukraine/Kazahkstan, etc. They've been divorced for almost 20 years now.
"Eight-time Olympic gold medal winner" Michael Phelps.
12 December 2008
Christmas In 30 Seconds
This is the winning video from a contest in England. The challenge was to effectively communicate the message of Christmas in 30 secs.
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