Artifacts of a Life Once Lived

THE DoCTRINE of Reconciliation : Who needs to be reconciled? Mankind. Why do we need reconciliation? Because we have chosen in our rebellion and pride to break from our Creator who will judge our actions righteously. How are we reconciled? By Christ - God made man. Who is inherently worthy of reconciliation? No one. Why does God reconcile? Because he loved before the foundation of the world. Who benefits from reconciliation? Only mankind.   Emanuel, God is with us. The doctrine of reconciliation begins with the action of God: an action which God determined before the foundation of the world, an action taken on behalf of all mankind, and all mankind alone. Christ, the Work and Word of God, became one of us on behalf of us not because of compulsion or duty, but because of His gracious goodness and redeeming love. God is with us in that He is “for” us, in that He became “one of” us, in that He “took” our place in judgment.  ...

Apparently more women than men currently go to church in America . Apparently some Baptists are taking note, and may be concerned (though that’s not stated). I remember the male presence being a big deal back home at my home Baptist church. It was not uncommon for some men to be sporting around a “Real men love Jesus” t-shirt or even better, a “Real men Sing” t-shirt. It was all the rave! It’s as if to Baptist’s, and other evangelicals (think “ Cowboy Church ”), that Christianity must be associated with a “manly” physique. It’s almost like being a spiritual Christian requires that you be a Republican, a Capitalist, and a MAN! Dirty hands, black stuff under your fingernails, chest hair, pick-up trucks… Come on MEN, step up! It’s weird to me, because Jesus’ ethic wasn’t all that manly. Actually, I think it was somewhat wimpy… “Turn the other cheek,” “Love one a...

This was emailed to me today from a close friend back home in Rochester who fought with death square in the face.   “I was waiting for my food with MJ when this guy came in with one leg. When he came in he was at the counter when he took two breaths and hit the floor. I attended to him when he fell and he was not breathing nor did he have a pulse. So I told the cook to call 911 and I started to do CPR and rescue breathing, for about 7 minutes until the ambulance arrived.. Everyone was watching me do this I had to rip off his shirt and put some wrap around his mouth so I would not get anything, and did CPR. When the ambulance arrived I was still going and he said keep it up your doing a good job, then they attached the AED which I put on, and we looked at the heart rate, which was flat. We shocked him and nothing, and I continued CPR again and we shocked again and got a heart beat. They loaded him on the board and he went into arrest again and so we shocked him again an...

Find the above titled article HERE : First Things is a culturally intuitive theological journal published by Roman Catholics intellectuals. Their mission statement is "to advance a religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society." The article written by Joseph Bottum presents a case that cannot be ignored, that is, the unified voice of "Mainline Protestants" is no longer influencing the political realm of the American politosphere, consequently leaving that space open to be filled. Unfortunately, as Bottum points out, it will be filled by whatever philosophy (secularism, environmentalism, feminism, etc.) is "en vogue" at the time. He suggests that the Mainline Denominations (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Church of Christ, etc) are not only dying, but they are in fact as good as dead since their voice does not speak to our society today. Their social influence is zero, nilch, nada, etc... They have neither cultural, spir...

My good friend Jefferson coined the phrase “fungelical” last evening while we sat pondering the essence of our identity as Christians. “Fungelicals” are exactly that: Fun – Fundy – Evangelicals.   Let me explain: we are fundamentalists at heart (we are NOT liberals! Like these people…) who pretend we’re culturally relevant (we live near Uptown in Dallas ! Does it get any more relevant than that?), and we like to have fun (sometimes we skip church !).   P.S. - Fun usually involves an object whose form is cylindrical in shape, long in length, narrow in width, and completely organic (because we are very concerned about the environment and healthy living)! Oh, and of course, good old American cuisine at Henks European Deli! Wait… America hasn’t conquered Europe yet… well, we will soon though... uhmmm, Russia's in Europe right? !

Q1. If you were to be in ministry 10 years from now (whether you're in ministry now or not) what would you like to be doing and where? Q2. If you could wake up tomorrow with a degree and all the learning that would have gone with it from any seminary which one would you pick and why? Q3. What's your poison: donuts, beer, wine, pizza, chocolate, twinkies, key-lime pie? 1. In my crazy mind I see myself either A) functioning in a ministerial role (non-denominational or denominational?) or B) functioning in an educational administrative role in a Christian School (high school or college?) 2. Truett Seminary (Baylor University) because I would like to study Christian History with D. H. Williams. 3. Djarum Blacks (literally, they're killing me...) I tag: Matt Woodard Patrick Mitchell Ethan Welch Joel Reemstma

   

This is my mother’s response to my previous post: “I understand what you mean about there being little we can know ‘purely and objectively’ when it comes to God and what the Bible teaches, but after almost a lifetime of ‘living by faith,’ I feel I have come to KNOW the Lord more than just intellectually. Of course, I don't know everything there is to know, but He has made Himself known to me in too many ways to live by faith anymore, not only because of the creation itself, but because of all the things that He has done in my life, your father's life, and the lives of others that cannot be explained by mere coincidence. I wonder if I even live by faith anymore and just accept the FACT that GOD IS because of my experiences with Him, but that's something only someone who knows the Lord can attest to, although in my human frailty, I may be put to the test many times before I die since Satan is still seeking to devour the weak! Unfortunately, anyone living outside God's re...

I also join Ryan with my 100th post. Congratulations, to myself on behalf of myself! I would like to thank first and foremost, my dedicated readers. [applause] A very special thank you, I couldn't do it without you! And, secondly, I would like to thank Blogger for making this opportunity available. You guys are great![major applause] Lastly, I thank the internet for providing the services necessary to self-publish. [triple major applause, standing ovation] Thank you, one and all! God Bless. I love you, Mom! (The one below is the 100th official post)

A few guys from DTS have agreed to meet on two Mondays a month at a local joint to discuss a particular theological topic which we will be reading about during the weeks. The "organizer", Aaron, has also set up a blog called The Theology Reading Group . He got the idea from a group theological students over in the UK who are doing a similar thing. He writes concerning the purpose of the group, "We are an informal, inclusive group in Dallas. We read and dialogue inside a variety of traditions: Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox. German, English, American. Liberal, conservative. Ancient, medieval, reformation, modern." I'm excited to see the desire among all of the prospective groupies to continue developing their theological acumen. I am excited because most of the guys (I don't know if any women are considering participation) are graduates from Seminary. I, speaking for myself, know that going through Seminary is a particularly overwhelming time in one's ...

MOM: Thought you might like this one [essay from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries] - have you read any of Os Guinness? I've heard his name before, but haven't read anything by him - is he on the same plane as C.S. Lewis? Who is your favorite author? ME: Ya, I’ve heard him speak before… He’s very intelligent. He was mentored in part by Francis Schaeffer of L’Abri in France. He’s a evangelical cultural critic. Though he is a smart guy and very respectable, he should never be placed on the level of C. S. Lewis. Lewis was a Theologian and a Writer and a Scholar on a level which very few people ever reach. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. I’ve never thought of who would be my favorite author, but I really enjoy reading Mark Noll, George Marsden, John Henry Newman, G. K. Chesterton, and various others… Go to this link and see a lot of the books on my shelf: http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=s_grace MOM: Wow, that's a lot of books - does that mean you r...

I tell you the truth, I lie not. I bought a car for $1 (and yes, it runs perfectly well) and then I sold it for $1 to my desperate roommate . Technically, I didn’t buy it, since the title was never in my name, but it was a verbal agreement and I did write a check which included the $1 (which this guy still owes to me).   What have you bought for $1 that beats a car??

Life has been a bit strange the past couple months: Graduation, Girls, Employment, Future, etc., etc. I can’t really explain all that’s going on, but I learned in a counseling class once about “stress points.” When you have high stress points, you have a higher chance of slipping into depression or some sort of psychological ailment. I told one friend, “I think where I’m at is not a point of trust or “out of God’s will”, but rather a point of impatience. I’m tired of living like a college kid. I’m tired of living with boys. I’m tired of being insignificant. I gave the last 8 years because I believe God has a purpose and now for what? Where is it? I’m being shortsighted. I’m being impatient. I’m complaining. I’m dissatisfied and discontent. It’s immature and is teaching me who I really am deep down inside which is saddening, to say the least.” My other friend whom I have been talking to responded to my remark: “Dude…we are broken people, living in a broken world. We believe in a benevo...

  Since were on this subject anyway, check out the post at The Fire and the Rose .   Randal Balmer is perhaps one of the most level-headed people and he should be given ear.

This census seems to only include "denominational" Baptist church bodies and does not include the blessed "Independent-Fundamental-Bible-Believing" Baptist churches. Any way, this map portrays what we are already thinking. The evangelical/fundamentalist movement is directly associated with conservative politics. My good friend Joel asks, "In a more general sense, is conservative, American thinking bound up tightly in the Christianity of Baptists?" I would answer emphatically in the affirmative.

The ORIGINAL POST which first describes the situation that happened to me. I left Rochester, NY (ROC) on Sunday at 2PM on AirTran to Baltimore (BWI) and then from BWI to Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW). I arrived at BWI almost on time. My flight from BWI to DFW was to arrive at 8:45 PM on Sunday. About 5PM the flight was delayed due to weather in ATL to about 10PM. I sat. I watched the monitors. 10PM... 11PM... 12AM... and then finally at 1AM the plane which we were to board to DFW arrived. I watched the people de-plane and then the crew. The lady said we would be depart within 30 minutes. 30 minutes passed and the lady said then the lady called out, "Flight XXX to DFW has been CANCELED." There is a sigh of exhaustion for a while as the people quickly realize what is happening. The lady (ONE employee to care for 104 passengers who had been working for 14hrs at that point)then gets on the intercom and says, "I am going call each person by their last name and get you booked on the...

The bind between American political allegiance and Protestant evangelical conservatism is a key which unlocks the door of much early American civil history especially during the antebellum era through the early 20th century. To be conservative and American meant that you must regard a Protestant form of Christianity, namely the revivalistic, moral gospel which declared a morally conservative view of the socio-political system as king. In fact, not to be Protestant and politically conservative was in line with defaming the stars and stripes. Hart describes a situation in the early 20th century where the state of Utah elected and appointed a Mormon Apostle, Reed Smoot, to the U.S. Senate. Smoot underwent serious investigation from a Senate appointed committee to deliberate upon the ability of a Mormon to function in the place of a Senator given his religious views. The conservative Protestant ethos of the age was skeptical of any other religious conviction in its ability to be “American”...

My co-worker Ryan makes a poignant observation: “I saw a billboard for Celebrate Freedom the other day and the thought crossed my mind, “What freedom are they celebrating? Freedom from Sin? Freedom of religion? Freedom from Britain? Ah, yes, freedom as in Independence Day. Duh. Based on the chapter summaries you’ve been posting on your blog, the following thought just occurred to me… No indictments here, just observations…Celebrate Freedom = 2 days. 3 stages. 40+ musicians and speakers. It is the largest Christian Music festival in North Texas which typically occurs on the weekend before Independence Day. Is it ironic that one of the largest Christian gatherings in the metro-plex occurs around the same time that our Country celebrates itself? No irony here. What is ironic is the sponsor list, which includes the likes of the following: Interstate Batteries, Verizon, Capital One, CBS Channel 11, Gospel Music Channel, Dr Pepper, Texas Power, David McDavid Auto Group, DBU, Nati...

Our nation is in crisis, or so says the pre-revival advertisement published by www.thecall.com. The advertisement I picked up this morning proposes (or foretells???) an upcoming revival to be held on August, 16th 2008 at the nation’s capital in Washington, DC. With all good advertising mediums there is provoking graphic design along with the “hook” which tells the “buyer” that he or she cannot live without the advertised product. In this case, the “buyer” is most likely an evangelical middle-class semi-affluent white-suburban young-to-middle-aged American who will be “buying” revival for our nation. Revival too what, I don’t know, it doesn’t say. The “hook” of the advertisement states that there is a “crisis” in the once God-favored land of America (not the world mind you, only in the blessed land of U-mur-ca). The “crisis” is subtly tied to the American political system on the 2"x 2" poster-card as a photo of the White House and George Washington (?) on his horse decorates ...

I love my job, especially working for a “Christian” company. My favorite part of the day is when the mass emails intended to inspire, to lift office moral, and to make you just feel good pop in unexpectedly to my little outlook box! This one came forwarded to me from a co-worker. I couldn’t really tell if this was taken from The Flying Eggroll’s fortune cookies or if Joel Osteen coined the thought… but, realistically either is a likely explanation. Here’s what it said: “ When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close .” (emphasis mine) Nonetheless, I am reminded every day of the superstitious nature of the average person’s folk-theology. I don’t know the religious history ...