On Bible reading...

Here is a direct quote from another blogger, an administrator of another denomination:

"When I was in seminary, I got the impression that my job as a pastor was to help lessen the gap between the Bible and the 'modern world.' [T]here was the Bible, mired in the First Century. Here was the skeptical, critical modern world. The pastor, through preaching and various acts of pastoral ministry, labored to lessen the gap, to bring the gospel close to where modern Americans lived. Since then I have come to the conclusion that today's faithful pastor ought to clarify, accentuate the gap between the Bible and the modern world rather than lessen the gap. Evangelism calls people, not to agreement, but to conversion, detoxification, the adoption of practices meant to save them from the deceits of the 'modern world.'"

In seeing the gap between myself and the Bible, I am able to hear its voice calling to me all the clearer. I am not able to say, "I am not much different from the person God is seeking to make through this story," but have to come to grips with how odd and different I often appear next to Jesus. Notice that the emphasis is on "clarifying" and "accentuating" the gap; not making the book as difficult to understand!

What do we think? How does this tie in with the discussion below? What do we like/dislike about this position?

Spiritual formatilities

Well, since no one wants to talk about unity :), let's try something else. I read this earlier in the week about personal spiritual formation. People have been seeking more historical and "outside the box" ways to connect with God. (Nothing off-base or "goofy." Just things that were common, but are not anymore.) A couple of examples are burning candles and incense; celebrating weekly communion; doing lectio divina (divine reading--reading the Bible and meditating on a short passage to see what God speaks to you). What do we think about this? Any practices that anyonre here uses?

Question this week: What unites us?

I have been thinking and hearing about unity lately. People talk of John 17, and Jesus' prayer that his followers would be one as he and the Father. In other words, we are to be unified. [Realizing that some smaller questions could--and likely should--be asked here (Who are the 'we'?, What does 'unity' actually mean?, How do we know if we are/are not unified?, etc.), I prefer to jump ahead and ask a bigger question!] :)

What is it that unites us? Doctrine/belief? Mission? Creed? History/tradition? Place?
Something else?

Question of the Week: Is the Church like a Hospital?

Is the Church like a hospital? If yes, how so? If not, why not?

Some things to consider:
o What is the Church's mission?
o Does being a Hospital describe all/part/any of the Church's mission?

Everyone's a Theologian

Some of you are thinking, "I’m a Christian, but I am not a theologian." Let me tell you a secret: Everyone is a theologian. There is no question that you are a theologian; the only question is whether you are a good or bad theologian! Let me explain.

I have a three year old nephew named Calvin. Calvin is energetic, inquisitive, and friendly. You can spend several afternoons being bombarded by his questions. "What is that?" "Why?" "Who’s that?" "Why?" Asking questions helps him find out of the whats, whys, whos, and hows that enter his mind. He even asks questions about Jesus, prays, and says grace before meals. This means that Calvin is a theologian! The questions he asks and the prayers he prays show how his theology is forming—that he believes things about God.

So, everyone is a theologian. Why? Because everyone has questions and beliefs about God, and many people pray. Even atheists have beliefs about God, and not just that he doesn’t exist. It is often poor theology that leads to disbelieving in God. How we pray shows many things about our theology: what God cares about; that he listens; that he is alert through the day and night; even that he understands English! Yes, everyone is a theologian. If you pray to, have questions about, or believe things about God, then you are a theologian.

Many times people don’t care how they learn about God. Radio, TV, Oprah, Dr. Phil, friends, the President, and others all form some people’s theology. Our goal is to learn on purpose about God, combining devotion and theology to read Scripture better, and to live more faithfully. Ask questions! Share thoughts! We’ll become better theologians—better prayers and Bible readers—together.