Check out this minister’s blog entry in which he details some reasons for wanting to get a bit healthier. The last reason especially:

I want to be able to kick the crap out of other pastors….if I felt the need too. – Before giving my life to Christ, I liked to drink AND fight. With my mouth, I was somehow in a lot of situations that required me fighting. It has been a while, but I think I could throw down if I had too but I need to have the energy in case the dude is ripped up like Steven or Perry. That probably seems like a crazy reason but it motivates me.

Now, do you get the idea that this was written in either anger or seriousness? I don’t get that idea at all. You know what tipped me off at first? THE TWO FRICKIN’ SMILEY FACES!!!! Of course there’s also the rest of the post in which he jokes about his wife being buffer than he is, his desire to get tatted up, a (out of context) verse about taking care of our bodies, and having energy to play with his kids. Does any of that sound angry? Absolutely not.

So, here’s a question for you. If you have the inability to understand what someone is communicating when that someone lives in the same time as you, lives in the same country as you and speaks the same native tongue as you, what makes us think they can possibly interpret the scriptures which were written by men living thousands of years ago, in a totally alien culture speaking completely different languages?

It may be we’ve been approaching this from the wrong angle. Instead of pointing out the deficiencies of their arguments we should be urging them to go to some sort of socialization therapy that will train them to pick up on clues as to the mindset of the speaker or writer. Perhaps, this isn’t a problem of intellectual differences, but one of social skills.

What’s up with pews? Does it matter what we sit in on a Sunday morning? Can I be at church and sit in a bar stool, movie theatre seat, cushy chair, sofa, etc? Does it matter what the material is, whether it’s wood, cloth, or plastic?

According to Wikipedia, the pew wasn’t even invented until the Protestant Reformation and the rise of the sermon.

Jesus and his disciples never sat in pews. However, since some think that uncomfortableness equals godliness and the human body is a bad thing, it seems that this becomes a way of self punishment. Do critics actually think they are more holy because they have sore backs and sore bums? Are they less holy if they have padded pews? And where is this in scripture, that sitting on hard wooden benches is a requirement in being a member of God’s army? Is it ok to sit on the ground?

Too many questions and so little answers.

Erwin McManus’ latest book Soul Cravings has been receiving a lot of heat at CRN in some recent posts.  The writer at 9 Marks Review took offense with this quote from the book.

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within us….It seems what he is implying is that we have a better chance of finding God in the universe within us than in the one that surrounds us. And it is on this path that I invited you to walk with me. I invite you to engage in an exploration of the human spirit, to journey deep inside yourself and search out the mystery of the universe that exists with you…

He had this to say

The problem is, it’s patently untrue that all human beings are all really seeking God, as you put it. Mr. McManus, please, find me one verse in the entire Bible—just one!—that says human beings in the flesh are seeking God.

The problem with this is Mr. McManus never said “that all human beings are all really seeking God” within the quote.  In fact, in the podcast that the author refers to earlier in this letter, Erwin talks about how many people are seeking after other elements to satisfy their soul cravings.  The basic premise of the book is not that all humans are seeking God.  The premise of the book is that God has placed within human beings certain cravings that can only be satisfied by Him.

This reveals a huge problem in much of the finger pointing and hostile rumors that run all over the internet.  If we have a preconceived notion about what an emergent or purpose-driven or fundy believes, then we can add to and twist a person’s writing to fit that notion.  It’s something we all need to be careful with, especially when you have placed yourself in a position of influence.  After reading an article by Alex S. Leung citing this letter, one commenter wrote

I love it when you bring up these types of topics for me to think over and learn how to pick out heresy when I see it… Excellent. Keep this kind of stuff up.

I wonder how many people are now walking around thinking Erwin McManus is a heretic due to one man’s bad exegesis of his work.

Does something become inherently sinful because of it’s roots or heritage? A while back we had a huge discussion on Christianity and yoga. Some suggested that yoga is bad because of it’s Hindu roots. The same arguments have been used for rock and rap music, Christmas, Halloween, marathons, etc. Can something’s roots poison it beyond Christian use and enjoyment?

At what point do we cross the line of syncretism, where we are blending our historical Christian faith and other cultures or religions? And can we appreciate work done by nonChristians (like a Van Gogh painting) without endorsing Van Gogh’s lifestyle?

On a side note, I have a good Christian friend who goes to yoga at her gym once a week. She hasn’t been asked to do anything outside of her faith and she has a vibrant walk with Christ. If there were things that her instructor asked her to do that weirded her out, like transcendental mediation, then she’d just not participate in that exercise.

In his book, Bible Study Methods, Rick Warren writes that a haphazard study of the Word of God is an insult to the sanctity of Scripture. It is a slap at the holiness of God, who gave us that Word (p. 17). In chapter 10 on the chapter analysis method he emphasizes the importance of:

• Observation: What does the text say?
• Interpretation: What does the text mean?
• Correlation: What do other passages say?
• Application: How does this text apply to me?

With regard to interpretation, he underscores that we should always start with “context”. He writes: “Always interpret a passage in light of the context (p. 193)” Unfortunately, sometimes Rick forgets to look at context. Ingrid pointed out an instance of that the other day in her post: Rick Warren Does It Again (no longer available on the new Slice). She points out that using Psalm 2:4 as evidence that God has a sense of humor is clearly an example of eisogesis and not exegesis.

I suspect God does have a sense of humor but that fact cannot be argued from Psalm 2:4 where God is laughing at those political leaders who arrogantly believe that they can encroach on the throne of God. This is not about “ha ha, isn’t that a funny joke” kind of laughing. This is about how ridiculous it is to think that God can be overthrown. To finish the verse: “The Lord holds them in derision.”

So it would seem that sometimes when all of us take on a pet theme, whatever it might be, we have a tendency to force Scripture to support the theme instead of what we should always do, making sure Scripture is driving the theme.

Ingrid has a tendency to make the same mistake when it comes to any hint of “contextualization” or cultural/moral relevance. Case in point is her disdain for Craig Gross of XXXChurch. In her rush to judgment recently in her post, Pornography in the Pews (no longer available on the new Slice), she writes: “I would say that based on Holy Scripture, you’re no Christian (my emphasis) if you have X-rated addictions. How can I say this? Let me tell you how.

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:4-6

Ingrid would do well to correlate this passage in her John MacArthur study Bible with what MacArthur notes on John 3:4: “Whoever commits sin” according to MacArthur should be understood as the idea of “making sin a habitual practice”.

As a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 11 plus years, I have an x-rated addiction but I have been freed from that compulsion in accordance with 1 Cor. 6:11: “And such were some of you (a long list of x-rated addictions are mentioned in verses 9-10) but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

Most Christians aren’t perfect, they’re just forgiven. And the process of sanctification is just that, a process. Ingrid seems to have forgotten Romans 7 and Paul’s very own struggle with the flesh when she says that it’s impossible to be a Christian and have an x-rated addiction.

The point is this: we all have pet peeves, pet themes, axes we want to grind, etc. As Christians in a society that is very familiar with spin, let’s all make sure that we are faithful to the context of Scripture, especially when we seek to reference that Holy Book as a guideline for how we should live our lives as salt and light in the community of mankind.

Why is it that some things outside of scripture are considered inherently evil? Rock music, playing cards, dancing? The common thought that some believers have is that at one time, these things were used for ill gotten sake, therefore they can not be redeemed. Rock music came from Pagan Africa, it is forever tainted, cards may have come from tarot cards or used for gambling, dancing leads to sex (or is it the other way around?). What about smoking? The verse I most often hear against that is “our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” However, in context, that was about prostitutes, not tobacco. And what about comic books?

There are several issues I have with school of thought which says “_____ is inherently evil”. Issue 1) This mindset seems to find something wrong with anything, especially if it hasn’t been done before. Issue 2) There is a fear of anything that might be enjoyable. Enjoyment, in this way of thinking, equals pleasing the flesh. Issue 3) Confusion about a style being sinful instead of an actual sinful behavior. Issue 4) Often, this is accompanied by a lack of education on a subject matter being criticized.

So what does this have to do with comics?

Manga Bible is a Japanese-style comic book of the New Testament printed in the UK. Siku, the artist, is quoted in an interview as saying “The Jesus character the book portrays is ‘not cuddly. I’ve deliberately made Jesus more imposing than anyone else throughout the story, and darker. He’s creepier.”

Some critics (who haven’t seen the book since it isn’t available in the U.S. yet. See my Issue 4), complained that Siku incorrectly depicted Christ. They are looking for reasons to hate him (see my Issue 1). Siku, who happens to be a Christian, responded to the criticisms of his work.

God is not cuddly, he is fearsome. He is one of absolute integrity and ‘happens’ to love us; this causes us not to understand that he is also ‘dangerous’.

I have presented Jesus as the God of Sinai. When he comes from the desert in blazing darkness he comes to bring judgment on Satan. They tremble! This is why I have Christ dark and ‘creepy’, because the world should tremble, for this is the ‘terrible’ (Hebrews 12:21) God and Satan knows his time is up.

However, I have not made this unbalanced. Christ is also gentle and kind and in fact beautiful too. The problem is that we have imposed our anglosised, androcentric and modernist preconceptions on God. I have challenged this, challenging the old guard while preaching to the lost. The lost will not understand why our work is being criticized. They’ll just be grateful that someone tried to communicate with them. I think they’ll sense our warmth towards them because our method is the ‘outstretched arm’, reaching out to them without thumping them on the head.

For those who support our work, our utmost thanks. For those who think we are in the grip of the enemy- someday, we’ll have common ground. To those who think Manga has satanic origins, may I remind you that Manga was response to the apocalyptic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The creator of Manga sought a peaceful response that differed from Japan’s previous militaristic mindset. This does not sound demonic to me.

Love and respect to ya’ll.
Siku- Author of The Manga Bible

I love the gracious way he closes his statement. We do have common ground. I think many will be surprised when, in heaven, we are standing next to the Sikus, the Rob Bells, and the Ingrid Schlueters. What heavenly good does it do to tell everyone that a comic book depicting Jesus is wrong? They haven’t even seen it yet.

What’s the difference between themed worship done the way you like it and using the specific gifts God has given you to create worship that is different from what other people create with the gifts God has given them?

I’m really asking, because, other than having a whole bunch of different types of worship in one location, I’m not sure what the difference is between the two.

From yesterday’s news, here’s a perfect example of what happens when we make our enemies out of flesh and blood.

MANILA, Philippines — Five members of a Protestant church in Taguig City, including its pastor, were stabbed by a 27-year-old man, who found the sermon last Sunday objectionable, according to the police.

The victims were rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City and were in stable condition, though three remained under observation as of yesterday.

Still confined are Susie de Asis, 30, and Emelita Dominguez, 47, both vendors, and Jonathan Marquez, 23, a church worker. The other two, Pastor Armando de Vera, 49, and Rosalinda Decena, 55, also a vendor, have already checked out of the hospital.

The suspect, Jerry Relacion, a jobless man, was arrested but not before taking a beating from the mob that chased him after the attack, the police said.

The incident occurred on Sunday noon as members of Jesus King of Glory Christian Church at Purok 4, Bagong Tanyag in Taguig City were talking after the worship service, investigators said.

Chief Insp. Celso Rodriguez, head of the criminal and investigation division, said Relacion, wielding an ice pick, suddenly began running after De Vera and the people around him.

He stabbed the five in various parts of the body before trying to flee. But the people who saw what happened blocked his path and repeatedly punched and kicked him, Rodriguez said.

In the official report, the Taguig police listed the motive behind the stabbing as “differences in religious belief/faith.”

Case investigator PO1 Melvin Garcia said the suspect listened to the sermon and was angered after hearing the pastor’s words.

“He kept saying that the pastor was wrong,” he told the Inquirer.

Here’s a link to the article.

Have you ever thought that we’ve got that whole idols problem licked? I mean, there’s no golden calves around to bow down to, or kings making giant statues that everyone has to worship when the band starts playing. But consider for a moment that an idol isn’t strictly a formed image, but anything we place above God. In that way every sin falls in some way into that first commandment. Martin Luther in “Treatise Concerning Good Works” wrote:

All those who do not at all times trust God and do not in all their works or sufferings, life and death, trust in His favor, grace and good-will, but seek His favor in other things or in themselves, do not keep this [First] Commandment, and practice real idolatry, even if they were to do the works of all the other Commandments

In other words, idolatry is a sneaky, sneaky thing because God has given us many good and excellent gifts which can be used as idols. One of those good and excellent gifts is the scriptures themselves. There’s a thin line we walk with the scriptures between respect and idolatry. Without respect for the scriptures we miss the whole point of why God blessed us with them (primarily, though not exclusively, to communicate the gospel with the world) and strip the scriptures of their authority and truth. However, if we go so far as to make the scriptures an idol we miss the gospel completely. We don’t enter the kingdom of God by what we believe about the Bible, we enter the kingdom of God by the work of Christ which is communicated by the Bible. I believe that once we reach the point where the Bible can’t be used as an inspiration for art we’ve reached the point where the Bible has become our golden calf.

As many of you have already suspected I am a huge nerd, and I like nerdy things. Things like comic books. Recently there was published a comic called “Testament“, that was based on the stories of the Torah. The basic concept was to use the Biblical stories as a framework, but to set them in the future. The writer, from what I could tell from an interview he gave to the Fanboy Radio Podcast (yes I am that nerdy) is Jewish, and I believe is only Jewish by genetics, as he seemed to have a secular worldview, even going so far as to say something along the lines of “it doesn’t matter that these stories didn’t actually happen”. So, needless to say this was not a work of worship to the living God, nor was it meant to evangelize, or do anything other than to create a compelling work of art. And that doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I praise God that its happening.

When it comes to the scriptures, and how they’re viewed by the critical mass of the unchurched there’s only three options:

When works of art like Testament are drawn from the scriptures, even in the cases where its art for the sake of art and there is nothing evangelical, or worshipful about it the appreciators of that art are naturally moved from aversion or apathy towards the Bible to respectful appreciation, and so I praise God when secular artists draw their inspiration from the scriptures. And I especially praise God now because it has been quite some time since the scriptures were viewed this way by non-Christian artists.

But I would take even take it a step further. I would say that if you believe that when a non-Christian uses the Bible to produce art that it is somehow an affront to the scripture themselves you are dangerously close to turning the Bible into an idol. If you believe that non-Christians taint the scriptures just by the act of picturing Biblical events, or singing scriptures then it may be time to take a step back and put Christ back at the center of your faith instead of the scriptures.

The last two days I’ve been off enjoying a piece of God’s creation, and it gave me the opportunity for conversation about a person who has been spoken of in the past tense for quite a while now: Rich Mullins.

One of the few things I share in common with Rich is Cincinnati Christian University. We both attended that institution, albeit roughly 30 years apart. He was unceremoniously told to never come back, while I graduated. But something odd had happened in those thirty years: Rich had gone from a failed student, to an ignored musician to a celebrated figure by the administration of CCU, even going so far as to host a benefit concert in his name. So what happened?

It does seem odd doesn’t it? When you look back at his career and you see all the music he wrote for other artists, and all the work he put out himself, you’d think that any school that could have any claim to him at all would be putting his name on their website, putting it in their pamphlets, maybe naming a wing of a building after him to try to capitalize on one of their products. Well, here’s the bit that doesn’t show up on University websites (or even wikipedia articles from which it was posted at one point) Mullins was known for showing up to concerts and other events looking rather scruffy, was known to smoke, drink, and even say the odd naughty word from time to time. As a result CCU would rather ignore him and put as much distance as possible between them and him.

So, here we are, nearly 10 years after Mullins’ death. His legacy has been cemented by his work, and his overall philosophy of ministry rather than by his virtues, vices, and his sense of personal style. And so CCU, seeing the change in the winds has emerged from the Rich Mullins Witness Protection Program to officially embrace the life of Rich Mullins. Now that he’s dead, he’s not a problem. He can’t embarrass them by lighting up on their non-smoking campus. He can’t show up for a benefit concert attended by prominent alumni with 5 days of stubble, and a wardrobe from Goodwill, and he won’t be spotted having a beer at the Golden Fleece Lounge afterwards. In other words, now that he’s dead he’s been sterilized, nothing icky, dangerous, wrong or passionate about him.

Sadly, I think many Christians do exactly the same thing with the past. Maybe it’s dead theologians or preachers, or eras that have long been passed by, but whatever it is they’ve sterilized the giants of the past. They don’t have to worry about a wrong word, or moment of weakness embarrassing them, they can allow the years and the legacies of their heroes to emphasize the strengths and the bits of their lives they agree with while completely ignoring the parts of their lives and theology they disagree with.

This may not seem like such a bad thing (other than that whole truth thing of course), after all it brings to our mind the best of the past. The problem is that it sours the present. The present never stacks up to the past, today’s preachers and writers are all heretical, fallen, and adolescent, and everything, generally, is just plain crappy compared to yesteryear. In other words, because of an aggrandized view of the past, the life, church, and fellow Christians that God has blessed them with to be enjoyed and useful has become a constant source of disappointment and bitterness. And that’s a tragedy.