Today's Rant...Vent...Eruption

My good friend, Bob, over at plungefaith responded to one of my previous posts and it provoked this response from me (in case some of you don't backtrack everyone's comments in an OC sort of way like I do!)...

So Bob...have you read Brian's books? Because I'm really not even going to have serious conversations with anyone who's just taking a "he said, she said" or Len said approach to someone's writings. What happened to Leonard anyway? I haven't heard a peep out of him for 2 or 3 years now.

Can you explain this newly packaged version of liberation theology and what's theologically or biblically unsound about it? And I'm not sure any of us white American males should even raise a blood-stained finger towards someone for which liberation has been a serious issue.

If I only agreed with what comes out of Christianity Today's religious spin machine...I certainly wouldn't even be reading Brian's stuff.

Polarization? The religious and theological landscape is already as polarized as possible...my take on Brian's approach in "Generous Orthodoxy" is that he genuinely wants these polarized camps to meet on as much common ground as possible.

Now, first of all, Bob and I are pretty good friends. We haven't seen each other in awhile...but it's one of those friendships that tends to pick up right where it left off from those good ol' college days.

But it's not even a personal response meant to challenge Bob's comments as much as it is a general response to these kinds of tendencies....which is why I'm making a point this year to read from just about every controversial author I can think over the next year. Heck, I may even throw in something from John MacArthur to be fair...or James Dobson...who knows!

But one of the things that is so sad to me is how we can dismiss someone and whatever they have to offer the community and body of Christ because of hearsay or because we disagree with them on one particular topic (like liberation theology).

Okay...I feel a little better.

Hey, Let's Try Out Theocracy

I've let some of the political scenery pass me by over the past couple of weeks, but my interest is renewed as I was reading one of my favorite pastor/teach blogs by Greg Boyd.

Check it out here.

What a great perspective Boyd adds to this often blind 'Christian' zeal which is easily ignited by some conservative evangelical ear-tickling rhetoric.

Most of us who fall into that category of evangelical Christianity are SO selective when it comes to the kind of Christianity we want to see advanced. Because it's typically not so much like Jesus as it is like American Christians.

I wouldn't be surprised if America's Civil Religious version of Christianity becomes our downfall(from an historical perspective many years from now).

Reflecting on "A Generous Orthodoxy"

I was inspired, by not just one or two friends, to set a goal of reading 52 significant books in 2008. By significant, I simply mean books that have real potential to shape my thinking and experiences. (For example, a friend has recommended a book by Ted Dekker...which may be an entertaining and/or intriguing read...but I don't consider it "significant"...sorry, Ted).

The first book I selected was "A Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian D. McLaren. I've owned the book for over a year and it's literally been on my "to read" shelf at home...but it remained there until now. Perhaps the risk of identifying with McLaren and other folks 'emergent' has drawn me in since I hear plenty of attacks from the religiously conservative. In an attempt to speak intelligently of Emergent writings, narrative theology, and various other postmodern approaches to spirituality I continued being compelled to relieve the shelf of its weight. Finally, the selfish desire to know if I truly identified with Brian's writings and ideas along with the pursuit of a first-hand knowledge of his words would serve me well in an attempt to respond to many complaints aimed at similarly emergent leaders. Some of these critiques include universalism, relativistic pluralism, pantheism, and other cool words I can't remember right now.

To sum up my perspective on this book...I highly recommend it. As Brian concludes the book, I think he makes some great statements regarding what it means to even pursue orthodoxy (right or straight thinking). Here's a great paragraph from his final chapter:

"To be a Christian in a generously orthodox way is not to claim to have the truth captured stuffed, and mounted on the wall. It is rather to be in a loving (ethical) community of people who are seeking the truth (doctrine) on the road of mission (witness, as McClendon said) and who have been launched on the quest by Jesus, who, with us, guides us still....That to me is orthodoxy--a way of seeing and seeking, a way of living, a way of thinking and loving and learning that helps what we believe become more true over time, more resonant with the infinite glory that is God."

I'm interested to read more of Brian's books in order to uncover any sufficient evidence for some of the labels which so far seem to be wrongfully attached to him (such as universalist etc). My goal here is not to present a formal 'review' of each book but just to give a quick reflection and reaction to it. There are highlights and scribbles and underlines on nearly every page, so it would be impossible to share a comprehensive report on everything that impressed, impacted, and challenged me.

This book has given me hope for a new way (not so polarized or exclusive) to lead people in the way of Jesus. I would describe this 'generous orthodoxy' as an humble approach to the mission of sharing the Good News. It's not that the truth is up for grabs, but our culturally embedded and institutionally conditioned perspectives and interpretations are NOT the Gospel. Simply stated...Jesus and His ways ARE the Gospel.

"FREE" Is a Matter of Perspective

I recently got suckered in to sharing some information in order to win a couple of free iPods. In the past week, I've had AT LEAST a dozen unsolicited phone calls for various offers etc along with loads of spam in the email in box. By the time I realized what a hoax the offer was, I had already given my information.

In our current culture of information and technology...the access to one's time, email, phone, and online space is often for sale. Although I wouldn't mind having a couple of extra nano's to give away or sell on ebay...the cost of informational encroachment was too high. Here's the most recent "FREE" offer I received...and I've gotten many of these from friends, family, etc. But again...this little mp3 file will not actually be free. It comes with a price tag of an untold amount of annoying emails and other solicitation. What if their music sucks?! Was it worth it? I don't think so.

Farewell Schultz & Company

Yes, the founder and prior CEO of Starbucks is back to turn the ship back in the right direction...but it coincides with my departure. I have continued to hone my barista skills 1 or 2 days per week for the past few months until now.

It's time to cut back on the black gold and focus my attentions elsewhere...like family, ministry, and overall chronological margin.

I'm not going to lie though...it's been tough to cut the apron strings and let go of my "coffee master" identity. Yet another battle with pride which needs to be lost...or won...depending on how you look at it.

It's the last time I'll be doing this...












For Starbucks anyway! ;~)

A Case of Local Warming

Interesting weather on this 7th day of January, so interesting that I declared a "sabbath" and launched out in the kayak. My put-in point was a few miles north of Loveland at this scenic bridge...my excursion of "rest" began at about 12pm and I landed in Milford at the Jim Terrel Park access spot at 4pm. Probably about 13-15 miles of paddling worked my shoulders over, but my soul was refreshed (while my lap was doused several times with the chilled waters of the Little Miami. Besides the physical benefits of a few hours' worth of paddling, the spiritual and emotional gains made the trip equally worthwhile. I was listening to Andy Stanley recently share a bit of his own personal approach and application of taking a sabbath each week and it challenged me. I have always tried to faithfully take that day off each week...although there's always more to be done in ministry and life in general. But I haven't always been great about making that a sabbath. Apparently, God was pretty serious about His people taking an entire 24-hour period of rest each week. It came early in the 'big ten' was followed with more explanation than any other commandment.

I would say that the takeaway from my time of prayerful paddling today had to do with bringing others along on the journey. Too often, my prayers can turn into some pathetic whining to the Lord...like "Why can't so-and-so get it?" or "How long is this going to take?" or "When is the church going to see it my way?!" You know...real spiritual drivel.

But the analogy occurred to me today that I wouldn't try to bring someone in on the experience of kayaking by just talking about my own trips down the river. Mere recountings and descriptions of kayak experiences I'VE had would not suffice. I would need to actually take the person with me on the water. Now, I don't totally understand how to do that spiritually, but I'd like to just invite people along on this simple way of following Jesus. Let's not just sit around and talk about it, or figure out which character we'd one day like to play in God's story...let's live it. Let's go get our feet wet and start making some waves. No beached kayaks please!