Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Church as Polis

Sometimes we figure the way to “change” things is to engage an existing culture (like America), adopt all of its particularities and structures and just hope we can sprinkle a little God (as if He were a consumable good) here and there. This happens as we try to “get our people in office” or superimpose something like the 10 commandments on people who don’t have the context to understand them. Another thing we might do is insulate ourselves from the “evils” of culture and end up building fences to keep things out in the name of holiness. I’ve participated in both of these erring worldviews. The kingdom of God is not passive or content to be relegated to an invocation at the super bowl. Rather, the kingdom of God involves an alternative (if you will) way of living and dying. Rodney Clapp and others have described this as the church being “culture-forming.” This alternative way is nothing fancy or a series of formulas, but a simple liturgy of worship, meals, Scripture, and baptism. Participating in this way of life truly creates something solid that people can see, touch, wonder about, and join in.

One way we are seeking to do this as a seminary by common readings. Each day, everyone has a chance to steep in the same passage of Scripture and ancient reading. This is one way we can move forward as a life-giving community. The reader is online as of today for this particular season, so anyone is welcome to share in this time!


You can find the Asbury Reader here.

Adios-

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

beans for the bachelor

The girls are back home for a few days with all of the family. I got a few pictures from my mom of Morgan...I sure miss listening to her throughout the day. It's funny the other things i miss, like watching her walk around carrying cups and pitchers from the kitchen or hearing the "crunch, crunch" of the latest item that she pirated from the (in a prior day unreachable) table.



Fernando Ortega was a guest at the seminary today as a part of Kingdom Conference (which began today). He played in chapel this morning as well as in a concert this evening. He has written many songs and has something like 14 albums out. He told us this evening that he was from New Mexico...turns out his family farmed in the Las Vegas area. Nice to hear some stories from the "homeland." (this tribute pic is for you, Fatty.)



It's time for me to read a little more now...adios