Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Coming Back to "Reality"
I just returned yesterday from leading a group tour to Israel. It was an amazing experience, and even though this was my seventh time, I never cease to learn and to experience wonder while there. One thing we all commented on was the chance to take it in, to study our Bibles along the way, and to talk about so much without the intrusions of pop culture or the news.
Then we flew home.
On our flight, we had our choice of a few hundred movies, TV shows, video games, or a moving map of our plane's route on our personal screens.
At the Atlanta airport, we watched a tearful governor confess that he may have run on family values, but he didn't live them. Surprise--a national profile, plus stupid (not to mention immoral) behavior, will indeed destroy your career aspirations, at least if you are trying to appeal to those who believe in morality. If not, don't worry (think Bill Clinton)unless you break the law (think Eliot Spitzer).
Getting home, I checked my email and my home page news was in mourning over the death of Farrah Fawcett. Her ubiquitous poster and once universal hairstyle notwithstanding, she was not one of our great actresses, she was a celebrity.
Then last night, Michael Jackson's death shocked us all--especially those who, like me, remember his trifecta of hits that dominated pop music--Billie Jean, Thriller, and Beat It, all from the Thriller album of 1982. They were the soundtrack of the early 80s, and that doesn't seem so long ago to me. The media is going into the same hagiographic mode it did when another musical king, Elvis Presley, died (I remember that, too). Both were stars whose time had passed and were trying to recapture their lost glory. In death, Presley became bigger than he was when he died. Jackson will probably do the same.
But as I think about this today, I wonder if life was better during those days when we were in Israel thinking about the flow of God's plan through history, instead of being inundated with commentary about people and events at a level that far exceed their importance. I don't want to get caught up in all the "drama" people seem intent on creating about these things, or acting as if I am overly connected to them (look at all the Twitter and Facebook postings of people who never saw "Charlie's Angels" about Farrah, or those who go on and on about Michael Jackson but never paid much attention to his music, only his rather strange and malleable public persona over the years).
Politicians' failures should be a reminder (and an encouragement) that our trust is not in people, but in God who rules the affairs (no pun intended) of men. The death of celebrities reminds us that the applause of people does not make anyone immortal, and whatever is achieved in this life will be measured by an eternal standard. And when someone whose life has been so much larger than life passes away, we should remember that he, she, and all of us will stand before the righteous judge, and either be vindicated by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, or condemned by our own unrighteousness.
Let current events be reminders, or signposts, pointing us to the paths of biblical truth.
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil. 4:8)."
Then we flew home.
On our flight, we had our choice of a few hundred movies, TV shows, video games, or a moving map of our plane's route on our personal screens.
At the Atlanta airport, we watched a tearful governor confess that he may have run on family values, but he didn't live them. Surprise--a national profile, plus stupid (not to mention immoral) behavior, will indeed destroy your career aspirations, at least if you are trying to appeal to those who believe in morality. If not, don't worry (think Bill Clinton)unless you break the law (think Eliot Spitzer).
Getting home, I checked my email and my home page news was in mourning over the death of Farrah Fawcett. Her ubiquitous poster and once universal hairstyle notwithstanding, she was not one of our great actresses, she was a celebrity.
Then last night, Michael Jackson's death shocked us all--especially those who, like me, remember his trifecta of hits that dominated pop music--Billie Jean, Thriller, and Beat It, all from the Thriller album of 1982. They were the soundtrack of the early 80s, and that doesn't seem so long ago to me. The media is going into the same hagiographic mode it did when another musical king, Elvis Presley, died (I remember that, too). Both were stars whose time had passed and were trying to recapture their lost glory. In death, Presley became bigger than he was when he died. Jackson will probably do the same.
But as I think about this today, I wonder if life was better during those days when we were in Israel thinking about the flow of God's plan through history, instead of being inundated with commentary about people and events at a level that far exceed their importance. I don't want to get caught up in all the "drama" people seem intent on creating about these things, or acting as if I am overly connected to them (look at all the Twitter and Facebook postings of people who never saw "Charlie's Angels" about Farrah, or those who go on and on about Michael Jackson but never paid much attention to his music, only his rather strange and malleable public persona over the years).
Politicians' failures should be a reminder (and an encouragement) that our trust is not in people, but in God who rules the affairs (no pun intended) of men. The death of celebrities reminds us that the applause of people does not make anyone immortal, and whatever is achieved in this life will be measured by an eternal standard. And when someone whose life has been so much larger than life passes away, we should remember that he, she, and all of us will stand before the righteous judge, and either be vindicated by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, or condemned by our own unrighteousness.
Let current events be reminders, or signposts, pointing us to the paths of biblical truth.
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil. 4:8)."
Article on "The Science of Sex"
A good brother forwarded this article to me about new research on the physiological impact of sexual activity on the brain, and how that impact, when added into the lives of teens and others engaging in "casual sex," will have devastating emotional and physical consequences. It is very thought-provoking.
While our God's commands are enough to let us know his will, once again we see that what he commands is always for our good, as well as for his glory.
Posted using ShareThis
While our God's commands are enough to let us know his will, once again we see that what he commands is always for our good, as well as for his glory.
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Piper, Wright, and Justification
The HUGE debate among evangelicals over justification continues. N.T. Wright, a British Anglican bishop and evangelical scholar, is the leading popular proponent of what has been called the "New Perspective" on Paul. Among other points, this view redefines justification as the ground whereby we claim our place among God's people. Present justification is by faith in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit's power to transform us and produce a life of good works. Future justification before God at the end of the age is based on our good works, not on faith alone. Wright uses Romans 2 to establish this--instead of being an argument against works righteousness, Wright says "the doers of the law will be justified" is a true statement of what will happen in the end.
John Piper has been the most popular (and gracious) opponent of this view, arguing for the historic Reformational idea that justification was, is, and will be the act of God declaring the sinner righteous by faith in the finished work of God in Jesus Christ. He says Wright is wrong, but not heretical. His book, The Future of Justification is his summary critique.
Wright has answered with Justification: God's Plan and Paul's Vision. I am going to be reading this soon, after skimming its contents already, and having some strong questions arise in my mind about Wright's view.
Part of my concern stems from a summary critique of the content in Wright's book, found in two parts here and here. If these summary statements are true, I'm in for a bumpy ride while reading Wright.
I'll keep you posted (pun intended).
John Piper has been the most popular (and gracious) opponent of this view, arguing for the historic Reformational idea that justification was, is, and will be the act of God declaring the sinner righteous by faith in the finished work of God in Jesus Christ. He says Wright is wrong, but not heretical. His book, The Future of Justification is his summary critique.
Wright has answered with Justification: God's Plan and Paul's Vision. I am going to be reading this soon, after skimming its contents already, and having some strong questions arise in my mind about Wright's view.
Part of my concern stems from a summary critique of the content in Wright's book, found in two parts here and here. If these summary statements are true, I'm in for a bumpy ride while reading Wright.
I'll keep you posted (pun intended).
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Advance 2009 Media and Photos
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jon & Kate, Plus the California Supreme Court, Plus Other Stuff
The following have warranted a paragraph or two because they keep popping up in my world, or on my computer, or on Facebook, or in discussions...
To Jon & Kate...
Jon & Kate Gosselin, of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" fame, need good pastoral counseling. Could I ask if those Christian publishers who gave them their book deal would use some of the wealth generated by the project to bring some sort of pastoral counseling intervention into their lives before we have a much more public and painful tragedy? I don't know if Jon and/or Kate have been unfaithful to their vows, and we don't need to know. But they need help. They need prayer. And they need someone to do more than profit from their lives. Their TV network is milking this for all the publicity that they can get. Maybe the Gosselins (or one of the Gosselins) is, too. Isn't there anyone who can speak truth, grace, love, and perhaps a call to repentance into their lives? Jon & Kate, save your marriage by putting it and each other ahead of yourselves. Give your eight children the example of parents strong enough to do what is both good and right. Call me if there is no pastor available to you.
A Temporary Sanity
The California Supreme Court, by at 6-1 decision, has upheld the voter approved Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state. This came after that same court unanimously ruled that California's earlier ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional. I honestly am surprised, not on the merits of the decision, but given the flow of events lately and the seeming momentum such a reversal would have followed. This does not settle matters, but it is an encouragement nonetheless.
It Might Be Worse
That may not be too encouraging, but that was my thought in hearing about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to be our newest Supreme Court justice. I knew it would be a minority pick, and I also was guessing it would be a woman, but the "tokenism" factor was exacerbated by the President's making such a point of her status as a female Hispanic, a Puerto Rican raised in public housing, etc. Early reports on her decisions and reversals are not encouraging to many conservatives. However, I keep thinking it could have been worse. After all, the most liberal (based on voting record and publicly voiced positions) president with a near unstoppable 59 votes in the Senate has suggested someone first made a federal judge by George H. W. Bush. Yes, he also gave us David Souter, but if all that happens is we get a Souter-like nominee, we've escaped a far worse fate. Imagine giving the position to the liberal equivalent of an Antonin Scalia!
To Jon & Kate...
Jon & Kate Gosselin, of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" fame, need good pastoral counseling. Could I ask if those Christian publishers who gave them their book deal would use some of the wealth generated by the project to bring some sort of pastoral counseling intervention into their lives before we have a much more public and painful tragedy? I don't know if Jon and/or Kate have been unfaithful to their vows, and we don't need to know. But they need help. They need prayer. And they need someone to do more than profit from their lives. Their TV network is milking this for all the publicity that they can get. Maybe the Gosselins (or one of the Gosselins) is, too. Isn't there anyone who can speak truth, grace, love, and perhaps a call to repentance into their lives? Jon & Kate, save your marriage by putting it and each other ahead of yourselves. Give your eight children the example of parents strong enough to do what is both good and right. Call me if there is no pastor available to you.
A Temporary Sanity
The California Supreme Court, by at 6-1 decision, has upheld the voter approved Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state. This came after that same court unanimously ruled that California's earlier ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional. I honestly am surprised, not on the merits of the decision, but given the flow of events lately and the seeming momentum such a reversal would have followed. This does not settle matters, but it is an encouragement nonetheless.
It Might Be Worse
That may not be too encouraging, but that was my thought in hearing about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to be our newest Supreme Court justice. I knew it would be a minority pick, and I also was guessing it would be a woman, but the "tokenism" factor was exacerbated by the President's making such a point of her status as a female Hispanic, a Puerto Rican raised in public housing, etc. Early reports on her decisions and reversals are not encouraging to many conservatives. However, I keep thinking it could have been worse. After all, the most liberal (based on voting record and publicly voiced positions) president with a near unstoppable 59 votes in the Senate has suggested someone first made a federal judge by George H. W. Bush. Yes, he also gave us David Souter, but if all that happens is we get a Souter-like nominee, we've escaped a far worse fate. Imagine giving the position to the liberal equivalent of an Antonin Scalia!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ralph D. Winter, Influential Missiologist and Founder of U.S. Center for World Mission, Dies
Just read this article in the Christian Post on the passing of Dr. Ralph Winter. Dr. Winter's work at the U.S. Center for World Missions, along with his insightful and sometimes controversial editorials in the Center's Mission Frontiers journal,was monumental in reshaping the cause of global missions. He was at the forefront of the shift from thinking solely about going to countries, and instead targeting people groups.
His leading role in popularizing ideas like "hidden peoples" and the 10/40 Window have led many churches and individuals to rethink their strategies and approaches.
I personally heard Dr. Winter speak a number of times, and was always impressed with how "unimpressive" he was--never trying to be more than a straightforward, passionate advocate for doing ministry in a smart and strategic way. Sometimes I disagreed with his conclusions, but could not fault his spirit.
I rejoice that he is resting from his labors and rejoicing in the Lord's presence. And I think those of us left behind can honor his memory by looking for new ways to complete that final task over which he labored for his Savior--getting the gospel to all peoples.
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