Excellent Critique of the Emerging Church Movement

I just finished reading an excellent paper by Brett Kunkle from Stand to Reason on the Emerging Church Movement (ECM) presented at last weeks Evangelical Theological Society. While I consider myself a participant and friend to the Emerging Church movement at large, I too see reason to be hesitant towards all of what men like Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones, and Spencer Burke are saying.

Mostly, I am interested in the ECM and more particulary Emergent Village because of its successful capability to capture and engage ecumenical theologians from all theological spectrums. As is the case, and as you would all agree, you can look favorably upon something and still be hesitant to adopt all of its principles. While I would agree with 80% of ECM literature and teachings, there are a few logical conclusions (which this paper brilliantly presents) to be weary of.

This paper, presented by Kunkle is handsdown the most sincere, balanced, and fair critique to the ECM I have read thus far. Normally, any talk of the ECM within evangelical gets relegated and reduced to discussions on the nature of truth, thus presenting a rigid and knee-jerk reaction to the ECM (which, to some agree, I cannot blame them). What bothers me is the widespread inability to offer any form of Christian charity towards those in the ECM (if you are interested, please visit apprising.org to see how not to engage in the conversation).

With all of this said, I encourage all of you to visit read this brilliant 15 page paper. It is excellent.

Why RELEVANT magazine really annoys me

I have been a subscriber to RELEVANT Magazine for about the last two years, and sadly, I just happened to renew my latest subscription. Month to month, the style of RELEVANT never changes, and I have gotten to the point to which I can actually predict what will be in the magazine. I am considering sending this into RELEVANT to see if they would post it in their reader feedback.

The mathematical formula for your average 20+ something Christian magazine, or just plainly RELEVANT:

+ good looking white, male pastors of suburbia writing some cliche’ editorial
-substantive depth
x by music reviews of non-Chrisitan albums in an attempt to make us look cool and trendy
+ the token emerging “pop” theology
x numerous repetitive books, offering the key to life through the mask of uncertainty
+ numerous conferencesadvertisements that “engage the culture”
x by atleast three articles about social justice
/ chiding evangelical cynicism with a discussion of postmodernism

Here, this is how you can be successful in creating your own evangelical subculture magazine called, “RELEANT.” Or should it be perhaps called, “CLICHE?”

I fear that if I continue to read Christian media outlets, I will only become more irritated. RELEVANT is the standard Christian message in a Rolling Stone image.

Please Pray

My soon-to-be-Bride, Christian is graduating on December 15 with her B.S. in Elementary Education. As you could imagine, she is very excited and I am very proud of her completing an education degree in 3 1/2 years which can normally take some students 4 1/2 years.

With that said, there is a teacher in the Bolivar district, a 3rd grade teacher to be precise, who is going on medical leave for 2nd semester. And not to be presumptuous, but this would be an excellent position for Christian to be in should she get the job. She would not be a substitute teacher and thus would qualify for regular full-time teacher salary and benefits. So, I am asking everyone to please pray for Christian and I as we go through the application process. Her interview is on Friday at 10:00 AM. It would absolutely wonderful for her to get this job seeing that it would provide us with a stable income.

Now, on the over-analysis on my part: To be honest, I am not sure how to pray for this situation. I believe the natural human inclination is to pray selfishly that she would get the job. But though, is it selfish to ask God to honor a request? This whole predicament has really gotten me thinking about the motives of our prayer. Am I really more interested in God meeting the needs of our financial situation or should I be more interested in how will God actually supply the need, whether that comes in the form of a job, or perhaps something different. What I recognize above all is that God knows what Christian and I need more than what I think we need. Being human means being selfish and being fallible, thus we can only trust in God for our certainty.

As it relates to the job, I feel guilty praying for it because of recognizing my recent hardheartedness as it relates to giving and tithing. Perhaps, God will show us the condition of our heart above all. Why do I feel as though God should honor my request when I feel as though I have not been faithful to him with my own giving.

Regardless, I ask that all of you would pray for Christian on Friday and that above all, we would trust God at all stops along the journey, in the times of abundance and in the times of uncertainty.

Thanks,
Andrew

If you’re a conservative evangelical Christian in …

If you’re a conservative evangelical Christian in America, then you are most likely going to have a bad day today as your gather the results from yesterday’s balloting.

Scott McDaniel

Alright, well, things are going well. The first 15 page paper is about done and tests have gone well. Please pray for Christian and I as the wedding nears and also as she will be applying to teach full-time starting second semester.

Now, for the real reason I am posting, for which it could not be ignored. Below, you will find a music video by the Oak Ridge Boys “It’s hard to be cool (in a minivan).” And yes, country music does suck, but that is not what is at interest right here. In the video, the main character throughout the video is a guy that I know very well. His name is Scott McDaniel and he was our coordinator for Centrifuge and above all, just a fantastic all-around guy. So, please check out this video. It’s hard to think that I have a friend that is in a well-known music video.

Taking a break for November

I have decided to take a break or perhaps a fast from my blog for the month of November for several reasons:

1) I feel as though I need to take the time I dedicate to blogging and apply it to my personal devotion time. I have this subtle hint that Novemebr is going to a rather important month as it relates to my spiritual formation.

2) The Cardinals have won the World Series which completes the need to post on any complaints about Kenny Rogers (that is for John Hume).

3) I have an incredibly busy November ahead of me: two 15+ pg. papers are due, 2 class presentations, tests, etc.

4)I should really start focusing on the marriage details that need to be me made.

I have started Dr. Greg Boyd’s book, “The Myth of a Christian Nation” and it surely a book that is going to prove foundational to my core theology as an individual. I am only 50+ pages into it and have already found myself captivated and inspired. One qoute to think about from the book, “Kindom-of-the-world-people care about what people do whereas Kingdom-of-God-people care about who people are and their potential to become.” Last nite, as I read, I almost came to tears with the vision and beauty of Jesus’ seemingly irrational kingdom which urges me to sacrifice and contemplation.

Anyway, until Dec. 1, goodbye! For some good reads, please consult my links. Perhaps even dedicate yourself to particular blog for the month of November (then you might see how bad mine actually is).

Till then,
Andrew

ok, can anyone tell me how to get a REAL picture i…

ok, can anyone tell me how to get a REAL picture in the profile space. This has been annoying me for about a year now.

Countering Emotionalism with Truth

I hesitate to even get started in this debate because most likely there will be an arrogant tone birthed from my mouth. I first seek not to offer any character assassination on Michael J. Fox. His disease is tormenting and it pains me to watch him. But I fear that Micheal J. Fox may only be looking at the superficial situation and the short term effects. Is it fair to offer his emotionalism in the issue when there is little said about the emotionalism of the women who will be exploited by money to get ther eggs? Surely, as Michael J. Fox would agree, that this issue is about safety and health, not exploitation. But there are always consequences of our decisions. And as Matt Creath has offered into the discussion, there are alternate ways to do stem cell research without destroying embryos. With that said, why should it take 28 million dollars to get an amendment passed that characterizes itself as a cause for the “common good?” If it were truly good, then little money should be used to jumpstart a campaign for it.

At any costs, Rush Limbaugh should be ashamed of himself for his latest comments directed at Michael J. Fox. As always, be cautious of the extremes in any situation. Alignment with extremism is very tempting because it bathes itself in a cloud of irrational certainty (which is also synonomous with arrogance).

What are we coming to?

I just visited the drudgereport.com and found an article that absolutely wiped me out. Usually, as tragedies happen, we have this built-in coping mechanism that allows us to somehow disconnect ourselves due to distance. Well, reading this article only left me in anger. I only ask the question: what is this world coming to? After reading the article, please scroll down to the comment posted by the man from Japan.

With the new found emphasis on social justice within evangelical Christianity, let us never forget that limiting abortion is social justice, sought after by the Heart of God.

good news on this whole ‘loving your enemies’ idea that Jesus talked about

Today, I was riding my bike back to my apartment when some van pulled up along side of me and said, “watch out, bitch.” My first instinct was not to respond, which I am thankful for. The next instinct was one of me wanting to find where they live and taking a golf club to their van windows (okay, I know, that’s a little harsh, but if you’re a guy, you understand). Anyway, I took the conscious effort not to react in a sinful manner, but to actually try to understand the situation. In fact, a little voice inside (Hmm, perhaps the Holy Spirit?) said, “Andrew, put down your sword.” I kid you not, I really felt as though this idea was pulsating through me. And after a few moments, I was calm, cool, and composed. So, I guess today was a great day in learning a spiritual truth. In an odd way, I think that I am thanking God for those guys calling me a b*tch. I find that putting down our sword actually takes more power than reacting in a negative manner. I believe the kingdom was within me today (luke 17.21).

“(Insert name), put down your sword”-Jesus Christ