The Culture of our Religious Belief

This weekend I attended both a Roman Catholic and a Greek Orthodox Worship service with the Foundations of Worship class I teach on Tuesday nights. Wonderful services... very rich with symbol, ritual, and the gospel. If you listen to the liturgy... if you stay "attentive" as the orthodox priest kept telling us - the gospel is there.

For my students it was a mixed bag. One told me after both services... "not my style of worship". Which is totally fine and good. It surely isn't for everyone. But I was struck by something as I sat in the basement of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church eating a bounteous spread of bagels and Greek treats with honest to goodness Greek immigrants... Religion is such a cultural thing. We make such a big deal about our own religious traditions - about believing the right things. We split churches over it... and yet it seems what we believe and how we practice that belief on Sunday morning is primary influenced by the place and time and people into which we are born.

The priest told me he gets grief from his congregants if there isn't much Greek in the service. So he gives them more Greek. Yet... he realizes there is a generation of people in his church that doesn't know a lick of Greek. Tradition... All of our churches have them. And how many of them are rooted in cultural expression? Not all of them... but for sure there are a few. We hold on to them as if they are divine law... as if God spoke Greek or Latin... or Dutch. Yet, for the sake of the Church, for the sake of the next generation, for the sake of the world... tradition needs change. We need to speak the cultural language or we are rendered insignificant.

That being said... one of the beautiful things about Orthodox worship is that on a given Sunday morning... whether you are in Sioux City, Moscow, or Jerusalem... the liturgy is the same. The language, the culture, the place and the people may be different... but it's the same Divine liturgy and has been for quite some time.

Go figure...

Darkness

Last night I preached a sermon on Job 3. It's a dark text... shockingly dark. Job had just lost everything and he opens his mouth to curse his very existence. He wishes he had never been born - or at least that he had died in infancy. In our church we follow the reading of scripture with the traditional "This is the Word of the Lord"... 'Thanks be to God". I was struck as we said these words... "Thanks be to God"? Really...? For this?

I began my sermon by affirming our thanks for such a word. We need to hear about the darkness. We need to read Job 3 corporately... because there are so many people sitting in the pews who are caught in the darkness. Cancer... sickness... the death of a loved one... the loss of a job... depression... loneliness... all reminders of the continued presence of brokenness.

We live with a cultural Christianity that is obsessed with glossing over the difficulties of life... Christians aren't supposed to struggle. Christians aren't supposed to get depressed, be anxious... Christians aren't supposed to mourn or lament the loss of loved ones... after all "they're in a better place" we are told. Yet... here sits Job. Lamenting... crying out... wishing he hadn't been born. Here sits Job calling God out... demanding an answer... wanting God to give an account of Himself.

We need to acknowledge the darkness. We need to name it... call it what it is. Only then will we begin to see the work of God... the one who call forth the light that shatters the darkness. The one who brings forth life where there once was nothing... The one who brings forth creation from the depths of chaos. Thanks be to God...

Christ our mother...

During last week's Foundation of Worship class we discussed the development of worship during the medieval period.  We talked about the changes to the mass, monophonic and polyphonic chant, and mysticism.  I read a selection from the visions of Julian of Norwich - a 14th century English mystic - which made some people uncomfortable.

The mother may give her child suck of her milk, but our precious Mother, Jesus, He may feed us with Himself, and doeth it, full courteously and full tenderly, with the Blessed Sacrament that is precious food of my life; and with all the sweet Sacraments He sustaineth us full mercifully and graciously. And so meant He in this blessed word where that He said: It is I that Holy Church preacheth thee and teacheth thee. That is to say: All the health and life of Sacraments, all the virtue and grace of my Word, all the Goodness that is ordained in Holy Church for thee, it is I. The Mother may lay the child tenderly to her breast, but our tender Mother, Jesus, He may homely lead us into His blessed breast, by His sweet open side, and shew therein part of the Godhead and the joys of Heaven, with spiritual sureness...

Christ our mother... you can see why there was squirming in the seats.   My purpose here is not to address her use of mother as a metaphor for Christ - although the more one reads what she has to say I'm convinced the less squirming there need be.  What fascinates me is that Julian was never kicked out of the Church - she was never labeled a heretic.  At times the medieval church represented a "big tent" orthodoxy.  People held different perspectives... whether it be the nature of the Eucharist, mystical visions of union with God, or how God relates to the created world... there was room for all of it.  This is not to say things were perfect, or that there were never times when people were taken to task for what they believed, but there seemed to be more generosity regarding belief - more generosity regarding the expression of those beliefs.

So how do we reclaim such generosity?  How do we become less concerned with drawing lines that determine who's in or out?  How do we become open to differing expressions of belief while still holding on to faithful orthodoxy?  I think we need people like Julian of Norwich - people on the fringes.  Reminding us that we can never control or manage the Word of God... pushing us to see our faith in radically refreshing ways.

The Glory of God...

I hear it all the time.  "For the Glory of God".  "For God's Glory".  Over and over again... yet no one ever defines what they mean.  It's a catch phrase... Christian lingo.  If you want to sound pious... theological... orthodox... end what your saying with "For the Glory of God".  

The other day a presenter put a quote up on the power point screen - a quote by Descartes - something to the effect of the end of science is the health of people.  Of course, the quote was quickly dissected and deemed lacking in truth.  After all the end of science is the "glory of God" not the health of people.  I interjected.  My point?  What if the health of people is the glory of God?  What if loving our neighbor as our self is loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind...?  Didn't Jesus say what you do to the least of these you do unto me?

Don't get me wrong - I believe in the glory of God.  I just think that God loves what he has made.  That in Jesus Christ God has demonstrated his glory by moving out of himself to be for the other - to be for his people - to be for his creation.  God is glorified by rocks being rocks... and cows being cows... humans being humans.  Therefore, when we use our God given ability to make sick people well... when we use science and technology to help people be people we are glorifying God.  After all - God wants us to be human and Jesus died on the cross to prove it.

Maybe I'm a bit weary of all the grandeur... the lofty theological definitions that make God into the big narcissist in the sky.  All of our definitions, terms, propositions, and doctrinal statements are blown up by the scandal of the manger and the cross.  God loves us - he loves all of creation - and he wants us to be what we have been created to be. He wants our humanity. Glory be... 

Pacific Northwest

I knew I would love it... Obvious I would love it. Lately I've been looking like a lumberjack. I would say it's a "projection of my digital self" but it's not digital. I have this big beard... and long hair. So I fit right in at the local cafe with a view of the Pacific... eating Clam Chowder and a Roast Beef sandwich.

I'm in Lynden, Washington for the weekend - Jim Schaap's hired thug. (Actually I think he wanted me to come along so I could drive through Seattle.) This morning I spoke in chapel at Lynden Christian... (I had to follow a representative of the Seattle Seahawks giving away jersey's... you can imagine... Seahawks or some college prof coming to "blah blah blah".) But it went well. Then I had free time. Schaap is the rock star... he's the one who has to do the hard work. I just get to drive a rental (new, black, ford mustang) up and down the coast - eating, drinking, and talking with locals. Funny when they find out I'm from Iowa... they are surprised... I'm not sure why.

Northern Minnesota with mountains... that's how I describe northwest Washington state. Wonderful... I'm tempted to have my wife and kids fly out - and stay for awhile. The colors, the smells, the gray clouds and cold damp air. My idea of the new creation... only with a little more snow. Hey, I'm from Minnesota... what would you expect?

What this says about me...

My wife and I have become Soprano freaks. Because we didn't have cable (or HBO) we didn't have the opportunity to watch the show when it was originally aired. So we decided to start watching it through netflix - and both of us are hooked. We are up to season three... the episode we just watched the other night was fascinating.

Tony's therapist is brutally attacked in the parking garage. The attacker is caught - but because of a technicality he has to be be released. A moral dilemma ensues... should she tell Tony about the attack - knowing full well the attacker will end up "sleeping with the fishes"? Or should she trust in the social contract... civilization. I found myself through the entire episode longing to hear her tell Tony... to put into motion what is after all - justice. The episode ends with Tony asking her... "Do you have something to tell me?" "No." She responds - and the credits roll.

What does it say about me that I was disappointed? I couldn't quit thinking about it... just say "yes". Tell him... Part of the episode, I think anyway, struggles with this question: Do we need the Tony Soprano's of this world? Do we feel a sense of security because they are there... those who are willing to do the dirty work? Reminds me of Jack Nicholson's character in the film A Few Good Men: "You want me on that wall... you need me on that wall..."

And yet I profess to follow the crucified Christ... the one who tells those who follow him to "turn the other cheek" and to "take up our cross and follow". So what does it say about me that I find myself drawn to the Tony Soprano character? I'm not really sure...

Escahtological Inbreaking of Time

Last night in the worship class I teach we discussed the significance of "God's time". It was very difficult to have this conversation without sounding like a dualist (a 4-letter word at Dordt college... I was waiting for the "dualism" police to break down my door...) We talked about heavenly time, divine time, and our time, all in the context of our visit to the Catholic church. Father Klein walked us through the Catholic mass, commenting and explaining, when he said something about the relationship between the book of Revelation and Roman Catholic liturgy. During the hour worshippers engage the liturgy - they are no longer solely experiencing temporal time... but they are mystically immersed in divine time. In this context worship becomes truly "catholic". The boundaries of minutes, hours, and years are shattered as the martyrs, the faithful - all of creation past and present- worships the one who sits on the throne and the lamb.

In class I referred to this as the eschatological inbreaking of divine time. The cycle of weekly worship. The liturgical year. Praying the hours. All glimmers of this eschatological inbreaking.

Wednesday I came home from a meeting and I could feel it in my knees. I was in trouble. Whenever I get sick I feel it in my knees first. I laid down "just for awhile"... and I was out for the count. Chills, aches...sleep. And sleep I did. I really hate being sick. Classes to teach, papers to grade, sermons to write... all of it comes to a screeching halt. The eery movement in and out of true consciousness - attempting to get up only to be sucker punched in the stomach. Down again.

I couldn't help but reflect upon the conversation from class... the eschatological inbreaking of divine time. Our culture is obsessed with time management. We break time into nanoseconds so we can squeeze out every ounce of productivity. Even at a college - which is supposed to be a place of reflection - our protestant utilitarianism merges with our capitalist tendencies and we cram as much stuff as we can into every ounce of time. Students and faculty alike...moving at warp speed. So maybe we should be thankful for colds...for those minor bouts of sickness that throw wrenches into the gears of our managed time - forcing us to stop whether we like it or not. Getting clubbed over the head with the eschatological time of God. Just a thought...

Chaos Theory

One of the books I have students read in Foundations of Worship is by Harold Best - Unceasing Worship.  In the chapters for tonight's class he claims the God of the Bible is not just a God of order... but a God of chaos.  God is an abstract artist... creating out of nothing.  No where in creation do we find a perfect circle or straight line.  No where in creation do we find a complete replica of a tree or a blade of grass.  Each is different... predictable yet unpredictable.  Similar but not the same.  The God of the Bible is a God who cannot be figured out or fully anticipated.  While he is faithful... he also surprises us.  While he is the "same yesterday today and forever"... we dare not box Him in.  Did Elijah expect to experience God in the silence?  Did orthodox Jews expect to experience God in a wandering rabbi?

Which has me thinking more and more about so called "orthodoxy".  Now please don't get me wrong... I believe in truth... that God has revealed Himself.  Yet... when does doctrine and right belief trump the Spirit of God that moves untamed like the wind?  When does order and structure become the idolatry of the status quo?  When does law become rigid and unforgiving... when does orthodoxy become judgmental and graceless?

I'm not advocating we embrace total chaos or relativity.  I'm advocating a movement to the middle... a paradoxical tension that doesn't have a nice tidy resolution.  While we must proclaim the truth about God as revealed in the testimony of scripture... we must also proclaim the good news of grace and forgiveness  - God bursting into our lives in unpredictable ways.

A Risk Worth Taking

One of the courses I teach is called Gen 300.  Last week I got up on my box... I sermonized... passionately describing the God of the Bible as a God who can't help but create.  A God who exists in community - Father, Son, and Holy Spirt.  When John says that "God is Love" I believe he is saying that God exists as this trinitarian community.  Thus... creation is the outworking - the outpouring - of this love.  

But love is a risk... creating is risky.  Bringing forth life with the capacity for love is to bring forth beings with the capacity to say "no".  Parents understand this very well.  Thus... the God of the Bible took a risk - a risk he deemed worth taking.

Not everyone appreciated my perspective.  How can God risk?  Is not God omniscient?  Doesn't he know what will happen before it happens?  Excellent questions...  but they are questions that originate outside the biblical story.  We all do it... start with a philosophical proposition concerning such things as "omnipotence" and "omniscience" and read them back into the text.  But what happens if we let the text speak?  Where does the Biblical story lead?

Lately in my other classes I have been emphasizing reading the Bible as narrative.  Allowing the Biblical story to inform our doctrine.  Easier said then done... I realize.  I believe when we approach the Bible this way God speaks to us... he pulls us into the Trinitarian life... allowing us to see what he has made from his perspective.  Allowing us to experience the suffering of the cross for what it is... God's desperate search for Adam... for us.  God's willingness to enter hell itself - God forsakenness - for the sake of a people and creation he loves.  

The truth as I see it:  The biblical story proclaims the good news of a God who searches... the story of how the Divine "yes" overcomes our rebellious "no".  A God who is for His creation...

Good news indeed.

Superheroes, Fantasy, and the Christian Imagination

When I was young my mother would take me along to the grocery store.  She would make her way through the aisles and I would sit by the magazine rack reading comic books.  Spiderman, Superman, X-men… until finally it was time to go.  I grew up immersed in superhero mythology.  I would tie bath towels around my neck, jump off picnic tables and fly around the yard, doing battle with imaginary bad guys.  Now as a college professor, I’m supposed to be into more academic and scholarly things.  Yet when the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, came out – I couldn’t help myself.  I had to see it on the big screen.  So a friend and I went – and we were not disappointed.

There has been much interest lately in the fantasy realm.  Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Spiderman and now Batman.  They represent a mythical world – an alternate reality where magic and super powers are possible.  Lately, millions of people, especially young people, have been drawn in.  What are we to make of this?  Some see these stories as a form of escape; people projecting themselves into the more interesting and heroic lives of Harry Potter, Frodo, or the masked Bruce Wayne.  Some see them as childish nonsense…a way to relive childhood fantasies.  Others admittedly just don’t get it… nor do they want to.

Such perspectives fail to address the purpose and function of all narrative – to help us make sense of the world.  We read or watch films to be drawn in to a story… not for the purpose of escaping our lives, but so we might makes sense of the world we inhabit.  Walter Wangerin Jr, in his book The Orphean Passages, writes:  

In order to comprehend the experience one is living in, he must, by imagination and intellect, be lifted out of it.  He must be given to see it whole; but since he can never wholly gaze upon his own life while he lives it, he gazes upon the life that, in symbol, comprehends his own…  Myth is just a symbol…And when the one who gazes upon that myth, suddenly, in dreadful recognition, cries out, ‘There I am!  That’s me!’ Then the marvelous translation has occurred: he is lifted out of himself to see himself wholly.

A primary theme of The Dark Knight is the manifestation of evil that is the Joker.  There is no explaining the Joker.  Even when you think you have some insight into the reason for his evil ways, you discover he is just playing with you.  He is evil.  He has no overarching plan; no grand scheme.  He is not after power or money, his only purpose is to unleash chaos.  How does one defeat this type of evil?  How can Batman, a symbol of morality, of truth, of law and order, overcome him without becoming part of the chaos…without compromising?  How does he defeat terrorism without becoming a terrorist?  As we contemplate the chaos in our own world – economically, politically, culturally – as we think about 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - how do we answer this question?

The biblical story tells about the unleashing of chaos in the world.  From Eden, the flood, and Babel; through Egypt, Babylon, and Rome… the bible reveals there are principalities and powers at work in this world.  They are at work in us – unleashing a chaotic, Joker like, violence.  Often we take up arms against this chaos by voting for the right political party, by enacting laws, or erecting fences to keep “others” out.  Or we put our trust in power – dealing with the threat of death by inflicting death.  Yet, in the end none of these methods work.  As Christians we follow a crucified Christ, one who stood face to face with chaos - with the Joker’s of this world - and died.  Willingly giving himself, hanging on the cross, taking the full brunt of the demonic onslaught without resistance.  He calls us to do the same.  We are called to become peacemakers - to not resist an evil person - to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  We are called to take up our cross, taking the chaos upon ourselves, so we might be awakened to a new reality firmly rooted in Christ’s resurrection.

While each Sunday Christians celebrate the presence of Christ’s kingdom, the world in which we live more often resembles the world of the Joker.  How often Christians succumb to his maddening taunt “Come on… hit me!” finding ourselves caught in an endless violent cycle which the Joker wins every time.  How do we see the Kingdom of God amidst this chaos, violence, and hatred?  Through transformed and engaged imaginations.  With imagination we make sense of our experiences, piecing them together to discover meaning and purpose.  With our imagination, shaped by the biblical story, we are able to see beyond the way things appear to the reality of the way things are and will be.  

Here we discover the importance of films like the Dark Knight or stories like Harry Potter.  At a time when distorted views of science, technology, and capitalism have deadened our imaginations, fostering a fatalistic understanding of the world, these stories sharpen our imaginations by providing an alternate picture of reality.  We enter into the world of hobbits and superheroes, not to stay there - not because they are worlds we can inhabit.  We enter them to learn about the world in which we live… to see this world “rightly”.  Going, as Bilbo Baggins puts it, “there and back again”.

Does this mean that all Christians have to like these types of stories? - Of course not.  But as Christians, we must exercise our imaginations.  We need to be reminded, whether through caped crusaders, the cooing of a new born baby, or the rising of the sun… that this world is a magical place.  There are forces of chaos still present in the world, but God sits on the Throne and he makes all things new through the blood of the lamb.  We come to experience this newness through Spirit bathed imaginations which remove the scales from our eyes, allowing us to see the miraculous and magical presence of Christ’s kingdom.

Vikings football and Liturgy

I hate to admit it, but I am a Minnesota Vikings fan.  Yes, I know that sports has gotten out of whack in our culture.  I realize how absurd it is to pay grown men millions of dollars to but balls in holes or carry a ball across fictitious lines.  In my mind I understand all of these things.  But this time of year, I start checking the websites to see how the Vikes are going blow it this year.  I get excited for fall... in part because I enjoy making myself miserable watching the Vikings.  Its a family tradition ... begin watching with hope, end by turning the TV off in disgust.  Hopefully I will pass this wonderful tradition on to my kids...

What sports does well is bond people.  Communities gather together around their young warriors... identifying themselves with the name on the jersey, the mascot, and the colors.  I'm from Minnesota - Scandinavian through and through.  The Vikings are my team...

What intrigues me about sports - specifically high school sports - are the liturgical movements that organically develop.  Student sections have certain cheers they do at certain points in the game when certain players perform specific actions.  There are cheers, songs, symbols... a liturgical dance which allow the spectators to participate.  They become part of the action.  Not always in a positive way - but that's not my point.

When we get rid of liturgy in Church... we only end up creating new ones elsewhere.  When we get rid of our holy days... we create new ones.  I find it interesting that the protestant church in North America seems to be falling over itself to shed what are perceived to be archaic litrugies for new seeker friendly approaches.  Thus, instead of being greeted with "Grace and peace to you from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ..." we get "Good morning and welcome to (fill in the blank).  We are so glad your here..."  Instead of passing the peace.. "peace be with you"... we get "Good morning - how are you?  Did you see the game last night?"  Valentines day and Super Bowl Sunday replace Ash Wednesday, All Saints day, or Easter Saturday...  Our services become friendly, casual, and seeker sensitive... but for what?  To what end?  

Truth be told, I am open to all sorts of styles of worship.  I really don't care if we sing "Holy Holy Holy" or "Shine Jesus Shine"... I'm not a stickler for organs, guitars, or spoons...  I just wish we would quit fooling ourselves.  Quit acting as if liturgy doesn't matter.  Quit equating liturgy with snobbery and "high churchiness".  We all have liturgy... we all participate in and create liturgy.  The real question is... to what end?  How do our liturgies form and shape us?To which community do we belong?  Do we find ourselves immersed within the Divine narrative of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  Or immersed within the ebb and flow of North American consumerism...  

Hellboy

A friend sent me a link to this interview with Guillermo Del Toro ... good stuff.  Check it out.  If you want...

Leaving Ruins

For the last two days a friend and I have been treking through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Grasslands, so called Satanic towers, and mountains... lots of mountains. I've seen a Buffalo closer then one should ever see a Buffalo... elk, moose, but sadly no bears. Being my first time in the area I've been overwhelmed by beauty.

The last few weeks I've been reading a book by Stanley Hauerwas called The State of the University. One of his main points is that Christians must create culture... a material culture of work, worship, and play - formed and shaped by the gospel. But in creating this material culture, Christians will also necessarily leave ruins. Change is inevitable - even within the Christian community.  Its a part of how God created things. We go about the business of creating ... living, experienceing, expressing our existence at this particular time and place. All the while knowing one day it will end.  But we leave ruins... markers of faithfulness... A sign which reminds us the gospel must be lived out in the world - reminders for those who come after us.

Today we drove through parts of Eastern Idaho, following the western edge of the Titons up into Montana. It was an unbelievable drive. On the way we came across both an abandoned barn and an old abondoned school house. We stopped and snapped some pictures - exploring a bit. We talked about the memories these places held... the people, the events, the moments. They serve as markers - reminders of a different time, a different group of people in a different world - calling us to remember a different way of life, prompting us to think about how we live our own...

As I spent the last few days surrounded by young people - it struck me.  The last thing they need is to be wowed with new technology or media.  The last thing they need is the newest entertainment...  What they need - what we all need - are examples of faithfulness.  We need to explore the ruins of Christian faith.  Not to stay there... but to be reminded of who we are and who we are called to be.  Being reminded of what it means to be the Christian community in the world...existing for the world.

Breathe on me Breath of God

Lately I've been thinking about the importance of "place". When we live in a place for awhile, it becomes a part of us. Our memories become intertwined with it...and it doesn't take much for past, dormant ones to be awakened. A smell, a familiar sight or sound... and we are sucked back to a different time and place.

While we loved our trip to California, there was a sense of relief for my wife and I as we got off the plane to thick July humidity and the wonderful smell of ... corn. The smell of water always reminds me of trips to all sorts of lakes growing up in Minnesota. Swimming, fishing, throwing rocks... This morning I had one of those moments. Walking with my daughters... the humidity dripping from the air... and the sweet breeze blowing in my face. Exhilarating...

A few months ago my daughter asked me where the wind came from. "The wind is God's breath" I replied. Why is said this... I'm not sure. Maybe because I didn't want to get into air masses and high / low pressure gradients. Or, maybe I still hold this strange idea that kids should find the world to be a magical place... Regardless, I said it, and as far as I know she still believes me. This morning...I believe me.

"Precious blessings from Jesus..."

(What follows is a Plumbline that will be airing later this month on Dordt's radio station - KDCR. It connects to my earlier post about our California trip...)

Plumbline - Juno

During the latter part of June, my family spent 10 days in sunny southern California on a “working” vacation. Our first time in California, we planned to do the kid stuff – Sea World and Disneyland, while also seeing the sights. In our minds it would be a fun trip filled with trips to the beach, Shamu and the Princesses. The first day our 10 month old daughter wouldn’t stop crying. The kids, tired and cranky, fought terribly. The night before Sea World, my son became sick. We drove toward San Diego with two kids complaining of stomach aches, not sure if we should keep going or turn around. We pushed on. Sea World entailed waiting in line, trips to the bathroom, and maneuvering strollers through crowds of people… awaking the next morning to more sickness. By the next night, our daughter joined in. We postponed Disneyland for a day, opting to drive through LA and Hollywood – stopping a few times along the expressway to empty the big bowl we had taken along “just in case”. A few years ago a friend told me to have an Aristotelian Christmas, referring to the Greek philosopher Aristotle. He meant have a “real” Christmas, not an “ideal one”. We certainly had a real family vacation - but I’m ok with it. Through all the sickness, crying, and crabbiness – we ended up having a fun, memorable, time.

Our culture works hard to sell us images of the “ideal” life – the ideal spouse, ideal children, the ideal vacation. And for some reason, the Church has bought into it. We make people feel guilty for not having an ideal faith, an ideal prayer life – for not being ideal Christians. So books are written, seminars are given, tons of money is spent out of guilt – seeking the “ideal” spiritual life we think we should have. All the while missing out on real life, the ordinary moments of faith and spiritually. The times you hold your kids head over the toilet, consoling him, and wondering if the trip to Sea World is a good idea.

This is why I love the movie Juno. As far as movie’s go, it’s not earth shattering, it’s not even one of my favorites. But it’s a good dose of reality. The film follows a 16 year old girl named Juno who discovers she is pregnant. She contemplates an abortion, but decides against it when a classmate, who is picketing the abortion clinic, tells her “it has fingernails”. Juno decides to put the baby up for adoption, finding a couple “desperately seeking spawn” via an ad in the Pennysaver. As the story unfolds, we discover a life, a family, a world that is far from ideal. Becoming pregnant at 16 isn’t what Juno, or her father, had planned. Yet, there is a wonderful line in the film delivered by Juno’s step mom, who responds to the situation by saying, “somebody else is going to find a precious blessing from Jesus in this garbage dump of a situation.” Isn’t that the truth for all of us? Out of the messy reality of our lives, come daily “precious blessings from Jesus”.
Too often we equate “sin” with “imperfection”. We blame long lines at Sea World, teen age pregnancy, or vomiting children on the fall. Now I’m not trying to minimize sin… after all…I’m a Calvinist, and one thing we’re good at is acknowledging the problem of depravity. But maybe, just maybe, there are some imperfections that are not “sin”, but a beautiful part of being human. Recognizing that God has created so many different types of creatures, so many different types of people, that don’t measure up to the world’s “ideal”. Like the beauty of two unique individuals who finally find each other, or the congregation of cantankerous oddballs, who sing off pitch, and nod off during sermons. The one place you would expect this reality to be celebrated is the church. The Biblical story is full of misfits imperfectly carrying out their tasks with moments of humor and unexpected twists. Historically, churches have been full of quirky rejects who don’t fit the world’s “ideal” standard. Lately, it seems, the church has become more concerned with the “ideal”, with nicely packaged presentations and slick, hip, pastors, who look and sound so relevant. Providing emotional experiences and spiritual jargon that help us think we’re on our way to finally getting it all together. Reducing Sunday morning to a game of spiritual make believe…

Towards the end of the film, Juno’s father gives a bit of advice regarding relationships. He says “Look, in my opinion the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what-have-you.” This is good advice for the church as well. Let’s quit seeking some unrealistic ideal, and embrace reality – let’s embrace our humanity, this world, our experiences for what they are… and who God is creating us to be in Jesus Christ. Believe me… when much of Disneyland and Sea World are long forgotten, the memory of my wife standing alongside the expressway dumping out the remnants of my daughters breakfast will vividly live on into old age, undoubtedly bringing much joy and laughter.

Resurrection... A Sequel?

Very interesting article making the rounds... I read bits and pieces in the online version of Time.  Archeologists have supposedly found a Jewish inscription predating Christ that predicts the messiah would rise after three days in the grave.  Fascinating.  The only problem I have... do people really doubt the Jewish roots of Christianity?  Of course Jesus was Jewish... and both the Old Testament and the New Testament are firmly rooted in the promises God made to Israel...   We can't understand the message of the gospel unless we understand the New Testament in the light of the Old Testament themes.  Not just that the Old predicts the new - it goes much deeper then that.  The New Testament stories are in many ways the retelling of the Old Testament stories... fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Israel - reduced to one, the messiah, the king, the representative of his people.  His death and resurrection is the exile and restoration of Israel...the people of God.

The absolute best discussion of this I have found is N.T. Wright's The New Testament and the People of God.  He does an excellent job of unpacking these connections.  I strongly recommend it.  Or for a less academic treatment, check out his Simply Christian.

Keeping it real...

My family just returned from 10 days in southern California.  We spent a few days at the beach, experienced tide pools, drove through LA, spent some time in Hollywood, and hit both Sea World and Disneyland.  A wonderful trip - made possible by the good people at Long Beach CRC who asked me to come and preach, teach, and do some youth ministry stuff.  We knew about the trip for a while - back in April already... so of course we started planning and envisioning the ideal vacation...

The first few days our 10 month old wouldn't quit fussing.  Our kids, tired from the long day of flying, fought terribly.  Things started to get better by Sunday... until my wife noticed our son didn't look so good.  All through the night he... I'll spare you.  We started out for sea world on Monday not knowing if we would actually go... we did... and he only got sick once, in the aquarium, into the garbage can.  By Tuesday night he was feeling better... but now our daughter was complaining of the "tummy ache".  (By the end of the trip those two words made me sick...)  Sure enough, all night long... and for good measure my son joined in one final time.  The Disneyland portion of our trip would be postponed.  Instead we drove through LA, Beverly Hills, and looked around Hollywood - things our kids really didn't care that much about.  By the next morning everyone was feeling better - and Disneyland went well.  We survived.

What's my point?  So often we long for the "ideal".  Believe me - in my mind our vacation went much differently.  No sunburns, no sickness, no fighting or crying... just kids frolicking through the sand, the skies parting, and rays of light shining down in heavenly bliss.  How boring! Don't get me wrong, there were a few moments when in my mind I had my wife and kids on a plane back to Sioux Center... and I know my wife did too.  But as we look back on the trip, a few memories stick out.  The beauty of the ocean, the euphoria of our daughter meeting Ariel and asking her about breathing under water... and my wife pouring out a bowl of my daughter's vomit along the expressway in the heart of Los Angeles.

I admit - and my wife will tell you - I am always idealizing the way such trips should go.  Hallmark moments in my mind...  But they never go the way I want them to, and I'm starting to figure out that's ok.  If only we quit chasing after these ideal moments, we wouldn't miss out on the real ones... and that's where memories are made.

Baby and the Subway

A few weeks ago we took a trip to New York City for a good friend's wedding.  Our older kids stayed with grandpa and grandma, but our youngest came along.  Savannah - all of 9 months old - hit the Big Apple.  While we were somewhat nervous about lugging a stroller around the subway - it went very well.  We took her to central park, times square, and the Statue of Liberty... being sure to take pictures given she won't remember a thing.

I've been to New York a few times now.  The rule of thumb I've always gone by... just act like I know where I'm going, don't monkey in other people's business, and avoid eye contact on the subway.  But this time was different...  Not that I got in other people's business, but they got in ours.  Our daughter was a magnet.  Almost everyone who saw her on the subway smiled and cooed.  There were two women speaking some form of Eastern European language... talking and playing and laughing... baby talk seems to transcend the language barrier.  People we passed would point and smile... and many were eager to help carry our stroller (with child) up the stairs.  Old people especially would stop and talk ... one guy even gave us a free umbrella when we were caught in the rain.  It was truly remarkable.

I will say my daughter is terribly cute... but I think it goes beyond just my daughter.  There is something about kids... babies especially... that bring us to a happy place.  Maybe it's the innocence, maybe it's parental instincts... I'm not sure.  But maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said we must have faith like a child.  Whatever it means ... I think we experienced it on the New York subway.

(Click below for a few pics of Savannah's trip... ) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTaBBT05hmM

Pans Labyrinth

What follows is something I developed for a Plumbline radio broadcast:

Christian Imagination:  Reclaiming Perspective

Pans Labyrinth, the 2006 film by Mexican director Geuirmo Del Torro, tells the story of a young girl named Ofelia who travels with her mother to live at a military outpost with her new step father, a captain in Franco’s military shortly after the Spanish Civil war.  There she discovers a garden labyrinth which leads to a strange, and magical world, in which she encounters a faun.  Believing Ofelia to be a long lost princess, the faun gives her three tasks to perform so she might prove her identity.  The film moves between Ofelia’s struggle to survive the oppressive life with her step father, and her quest to complete the three tasks to prove her identity. Eventually we discover the two stories are actually one ... the magical world of the Labyrinth is Ofelia’s other worldly perspective of her struggle to survive the harsh reality of living with her step father. 

Pans Labyrinth is an excellent film.  The story is moving, the cinematography is beautiful - the film is well done.  But is it Christian?  That depends.  Some Christians think films should pass both a moralistic and evangelistic litmus test.  Films with no sex, violence, or profanity, which include a wholesome, usually Christian, message, are deemed acceptable.  Using this criteria, Pans Labyrinth probably wouldn’t make the cut - too much violence, and there is nothing explicitly Christian about it.  But should this be all we look for?

While the Christian community should be concerned with morality, rejecting films that glorify violence, gratuitous sex, and vulgarity for it’s own sake, we should also judge films by other criteria.  A good film has a story to tell, creating a space for the audience to wrestle with important themes and ideas.  A good film is one that creatively and imaginatively invites us into other worlds, into the experiences others.  This is not escapism, but an opportunity to see reality from a different perspective.  Here we discover the significance of artistic expression - to frame the world in such a way we are able to rediscover vitality and meaning in the ordinary aspects of human life.

The Christian community needs good films.  At the very core of Christianity we find a narrative -  creative accounts of real people and events which reveal God’s redemptive acts in history.  The gospels are inspired accounts of God’s saving work in the person of Jesus Christ... detailing the miracles, the teachings, the confrontations with rulers and religious leaders, acts of love and compassion, all climaxing with Christ’s death and resurrection.  The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles reveal the bursting forth of the kingdom of God through the proclamation of the gospel, and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.  Through His written Word God speaks to us ... creatively, and imaginatively, beckoning us to see the world through the lens of Christ’s death and resurrection.  

Sadly, it seems the imagination of the Christian community has become dull.  How often we approach scripture as if we’ve heard it all already, as if it has nothing to say to us.  How often we approach the Bible as a deposit of abstract rules and principles, that if followed, programatically lead to a better life.  We must reclaim our imaginations.  We need the arts - film, music, poetry - to stretch us, to stoke the flames of creativity, so we might learn to see differently.  We must approach scripture with our imaginations fully engaged, so that through the redemptive story we might experience the risen Christ, and have our eyes opened to the presence of his kingdom.  

  In the book of Revelation, John addresses the issues facing the churches of Asia Minor.  He gives them a glimpse of the divine perspective, pulling back the curtain to reveal that emperors and kingdoms are really beasts and harlots in allegiance with the dragon at war with God and his people.  While the world sees Christ’s death, and the suffering of the church, as weakness, John reveals that from the throne room of God, this suffering proclaims the power and victory of God over the beasts and dragon.  In the final chapters, John imaginatively describes creation as seen from the perspective of Christ’s resurrection; a new heavens and new earth, a new order of peace and justice, the dwelling place of God and the Lamb.  In the same way, Pans Labyrinth offers a similar perspective - a young girl understands her horrible circumstances as an unfolding fairy tale, as she sacrificially fights evil monsters in order to save her baby brother.  We need films like Pans Labyrinth to stretch our imaginations, to help us remember there is more to the world then meets the eye.  That if we truly believe the gospel there is no place for fatalism... because there is more to the story.  As Christians we need the arts...we need theater, music, and poetry.  We need good movies, because we need to hear stories that remind us to look at the world differently.  Stories that point us back to the Biblical story, which calls us to see the world not as it is...but as it is and will be because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For the love of old people...

This morning I preached at the CRC church in Sanborn, Iowa - a small farming community in northwest Iowa.  It's a small church trying to recover from a split a few years back.  I would say the pews were about half full.  The church is an older congregation, but there is a growing number of young people and families... this morning the youth led most of the service.  Overall, it went very well.  

I have to admit I love preaching in these types of churches.  Good, honest, hard working people... no frills, no nonsense...  They want to hear the word preached - and then go eat some good food with family and friends.  They support Christian schools, and mission trips to other parts of the world.  They have pictures of missionaries on their walls... and support them with both prayers and offerings.  Many of them show up faithfully every Sunday - twice.  They love God, are generous with others, and try to live faithful lives.

I'm ok with that.  At a time when so many believe that Christian spirituality must be accompanied by radical manifestations of signs and wonders, it's refreshing to run across good old fashioned faithfulness.  In a recent conversation some college students expressed the belief that if you don't feel like going to church, you are just being a hypocrite by going.  Faith needs to be felt... experienced... there needs to be radical signs of transformation, and the power of the Spirit at work in your life if you claim to follow Christ.  I get that too... But the church can learn many things from the veterans, the more experienced Christians, among us... such as duty.  There are many days we don't feel like doing what needs to be done.  There are many Sunday's (more then I would like to admit) when I don't feel like going to church.  I sit in the pew thinking about the confrontation with my 4 year old son regarding his morning attire... or reflect upon the stressful events of the past week.  But does that mean I shouldn't go?  I am being a hypocrite?  Nope... I don't think so.

There are many things in life we do because they need to be done.  Loving someone like your wife or child doesn't mean you always "feel it".  Love in this instance is something you do... you work at...  Is it hypocricy to change a kids diaper when you don't feel like it?  Is it hypocritical to tell your wife you love her even if your irritated as ...never mind.  Of course not!  So why do we assume that our relationship with God will be any different?  There are things we do because we are supposed to... it's what you do when you are in a relationship.

Now, I understand there needs to be times when you do feel it... when you are overwhelmed with love and gratitude.  Often these experiences come upon us in the ordinary moments - they cannot be manipulated or manufactured.  They tend to flow out of duty  - when we are faithfully doing what we are supposed to.

I'm all for different forms of worship... I realize we are all unique, and often these differences manifest themselves in our styles of worship.  Great... it's a part of being human.  Let's just lay off the old people... 

Graduation

Today was graduation.  300 and some former students ready to get on with it, all sitting on the stage, waiting...  They are waiting for their names to be read, to walk across the stage, grab with the left and shake with the right.  They are thinking intently about every step...self conscious about every move.  Trying not to smile...but then completely failing to hold it in.  One girl grabbed her diploma, shook hands, smiled... and then gave the "rock on" sign... complete with protruding tongue.  You know... the index finger and pinkie hook'em horns.  The ones that just can't remain still as a palm muted, grungy E5 chord continuously plays with a 4/4 back beat.  Though she was eyeing her family siting behind me, it seemed as though she was looking at me... and if I would have had a lighter under my academic attire I surely would have raised it in salute.

The service was nice... the speaker was wonderful.  She spoke about the importance of names...of naming things rightly.  Calling things what they are - identity.  A wonderful send off for a group of young people ready to take on the world.  The whole thing set me off thinking about this and that.  About the beauty of the different stages of life.  The youthful optimism and hope embodied by this group of impatient 20 somethings just ready to get on with it already.  I thought about my kids... and the emotions I will feel when, God willing, I hear my daughter Naomi's name read, and I see her walk proudly across the stage.  I wondered how long my son's hair will be under his graduation cap...and what my daughter Savannah might have with her to remember her twin sister.  Hope... freedom... possibility... these are the emotions I felt this morning watching the students do their thing.

And I was also glad to be where I was sitting.  Middle aged, with a wife and kids... and an out of control beard that is getting more grey by the day.  Life is good.  Don't get me wrong, it's tough from time to time.  But that's a part of it - it's what makes life "life".  

I won't forget the girl who gave the "devil horns" sign.  In the midst of a service full of pomp and circumstance... there were little windows of life.  Rock on young lady... and may your life be as full and complete as a Led Zepplin classic blaring over the car stereo on a warm summer evening.

WWLS...What Would Luther Say?

I have a deep respect for the Roman Catholic Church.  For 6 years I was a part of the Newman Catholic school system in Mason City, Iowa.  I wasn't Catholic, but I have this strange suspicion the priest and nuns were brainwashing me.  To this day I have this urge to say "and also with you"... or "thanks be to God"... (Which thankfully we say at the Christian Reformed church I attend)

A few days ago I watched the news coverage of Pope Benedict's visit to the White House, and I had a "this is why I am a protestant" moment.  I have a deep respect for Pope Benedict, but I had a difficult time stomaching the pomp and circumstance.  There was the Pope, next to President Bush, watching a military parade being put on in his honor.  The glitz, the glamour, the power and prestige, the "papal protocol" (which Mrs. Bush apparently broke by wearing white...)...  And all I could think was:  What would Martin Luther say?  Then I chuckled... That's why I love Luther...

The contrast was too much.  Here was the head of the Catholic church, the "representative of Jesus Christ on earth" as one reporter put it, at the center of a media circus.  And yet, the one he represents had an entirely different experience.  Instead of power and glamour, he experienced shame and forsakeness.  Instead of presidents and prime ministers, he associated with fishermen and prostitutes - the sick, the lame, the suffering.  Instead of Papal protocol, he had no place to lay his head...  The essence of Biblical Christianity is  the Lamb who has been slain, and the testimony of the martyrs proclaiming the gospel through their suffering.  A confrontation with the powers of this age... not a part of the program.  Sadly, it seems, too often both protestants and Catholics want to be part of the show.

What would Luther say?  I think we know...

Slaying Dragons

So I teach this class - New Testament studies - covering both Acts and Revelation. Although it may seem a weird combo, the deeper you go the more it makes sense. (At least for me ... not sure for my students...) This post is based upon our class discussion today...

Today we had a good discussion ( at least I thought it was good...) about the purpose of Revelation, and what it means to live prophetically. As the discussion progressed we realized there needed to be a clarification of terms - specifically what we mean by "prophetic". How is John's apocalyptic vision prophetic? And how is he calling the church in the first century to live prophetic lives in the face of Roman power and persecution?

Certainly, John is giving first century Christians a word of hope in a time of immense suffering... but he is doing much more. He is calling them to a way of life. He is calling them to be washed in the blood of the lamb, which, at least in the context of Revelation, isn't about being saved from personal sins, it's about a life of faithfulness and discipleship. To follow the lamb who has been slain, taking our place in the struggle against the beasts and dragons, parallels the call of the gospels to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It's more then just an intellectual ascent, a belief or a hope, it's a call to a different way of life.

So what does this way of life look like? And how is it prophetic? An all encompassing biblical definition of "prophetic", from my perspective, it this: to proclaim the Word of God through speech and action. In Jesus Christ, God has spoken... he has revealed Himself, and he has revealed who we are. In Jesus Christ, we know who God is, and we know what it means to be human for in him we find both divinity and all created reality (Chalcedonian definition). Therefore the call to follow Jesus is the call to become who God wants us to be. Through faith we are united to Christ - his death and resurrection - discovering who we were created to be.

In Revelation 17 and 18 John calls first century Christians out of "Babylon"...out from the "beasts and dragons". He calls them out from the powers that dehumanize and destroy... from the powers that symbolize the inward turn... the glorification of the self, the essence of idolatry. In the same way, John calls Christians of the 21st century out from the powers of this world...powers that dehumanize, control, and destroy. He calls us out of idolatry... out of self glorification... self worship... and into the worship of the true God and the Lamb. Through this prophetic word, I would argue we are being called to be truly what we were created to be...human. In a world obsessed with power, with wealth, with status... we are being called back to a human life, an "ordinary life". A life of love, simplicity, generosity, and sacrifice... a life of giving ourselves for the other... pouring ourselves out in love, even for those who would hate and destroy us.

With regard to Revelation we must remember the imagery John uses to communicate his message. How does John speak of the death and suffering of Christ? What does the "weakness" of the cross look like from the perspective of the throne? Victory... power... the Son of man coming on the clouds. What does the "ordinary" life, the human life, we are called to in Christ look like from the throne? The faithfulness of the little old lady in the back pew, pouring herself out in prayer, in service, in the love and embrace of those she ministers too, what does this look like? A dragon slayer - the great multitude that no one can count... singing the song of Moses, to the One who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. This is a life lived in the Spirit.

This is not first and foremost a call out of complacency, it is a call to faithfulness, a call to discipleship. This is a call to live as the Christian community, in allegiance to the risen Lord, in opposition to the powers of this world. This is call to proclaim the presence and reality of the Kingdom of God to the world, reminding them of who they are, and what the world is becoming, and ultimately will be, at the second coming of Christ: "The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)

Cable is Evil

The other night there was a meeting.  A revival meeting of sorts...to cast out a demon from our college campus.  Cable Television.  I wouldn't have been involved if I hadn't been asked to speak.  I think I was supposed to talk about the evils of cable TV...but ended up re-telling an episode of the Simpsons - you know, the one where Marge helps get Itchy and Scratchy taken off the air...

The thrust of the meeting consisted of arguments concerning the "problem" of cable "addiction".   A part of me was a little uncomfortable with the way the word "addiction" was thrown around.  Should we start a support group?  Is there a 12 step program?  I'm not denying the power and allure of the "idiot box"...but just turn the thing off, for Pete's sake!

Just for the record, I originally supported the motion to get rid of cable - but not because I think cable is evil.  The so called cable problem is a symptom of a deeper issue:  What is the purpose of college education?  More and more it seems we are running a hotel / resort - a very expensive hotel / resort.  Academics just seem to get in the way of the more important things going on.  Oh, yeah, I shouldn't use the word "academics" - it wreaks of intellectualism.  I guess I can't use the word "scholar" either...when suggested that a student's role for four years is that of scholar - eyes roll.  We are America, after all, a democracy...and what's more democratic then cable TV.  On cable TV all ideas are equal...and the TV watcher has the ultimate power of veto - the channel changer.  There is nothing more un-American as the notion of "academics" or "scholar".  Such language reflects a "youthinkyourbetterthenmeism".  And we certainly can't have that.

 

I realize that getting rid of cable is not the cure all.  There are many other avenues of distraction, some even more influential then cable TV.  Such distractions are not always a bad ... we need them from time to time to get some perspective, or just be entertained.   But when I hear of students  threatening to transfer if cable TV is taken away?  Hmmmm...I have to wonder.... 

 

Horton hears the gospel?

A few weeks ago I took my kids to see Horton Hears a Who.  For the last year or so I have been reading the book to my kids.  They like it because it rhymes and has silly words...and I think they find the story interesting.  The film was very good...the best kid's movie we've seen in quite awhile.  My kids snoozed through Ratatouille...really, do 3-5 year olds really care about French chefs, or rats who can cook?  The Veggie Tales "The Pirates who don't do anything" lived up to it's title.  Horribly bad.  Come on...mutant cheese curls?  To quote Southpark..."dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb".  So we were excited to finally see Horton, and it lived up to our expectations.  My kids loved it.

I have to admit there is something about the Horton story that intrigues me as a theology guy.  I'll never forget watching the old video version of Horton...it came on our VHS copy of The Grinch.  I hadn't read the book in awhile, so I had forgotten the story.  As I watched the video with my kids it struck me...we were watching the gospel.  Not in an allegorical sense, but in a thematic sense.  There was this world...floating along on a dust speck.  Most of the inhabitants oblivious to the fact there existed anything outside their world...oblivious to the fact they were being watched over by a huge elephant.  But watch over them this elephant did.  He cared for them, had compassion on them, fought for them, and  searched for them.  Too me, the search is the most powerful part of the story.  Vlad Valdikoff dropping the clover into a field full of clovers...and Horton endlessly searching, one by one, until the 3 millionth flower...he finds them.  

One of the images I try to impress upon students who take Theology 101 is the image of God, in the Garden of Eden, calling out for Adam.  Genesis 3:9 "But the Lord God called to the man 'Where are you?'"  The biblical story reveals a God who endlessly and tirelessly searches for his creation...a search ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.  A God who was willing to be caged, and beaten...all for the sake of his people, for the sake of humanity.  "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."  A world, saved by the smallest and weakest of all...saved by a child. 

I know, I know...why ruin a nice story with all this theologizing.  Fine...experience the story for what it is...a wonderful story, that just so happens to parallel the biblical story in so many ways.  Coincidence?  I didn't think we believed in coincidences....? 

The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead and The Dead keep it.

Today in Acts - Revelation we began working our way through the book of Revelation.  Chapter 1 is jam packed with imagery...so much we didn't get through it all.  We did get to the greeting which contains the following:  "...and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead..."  The part I didn't get to, but wish I had, is later in the chapter... "I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

When I arrived home this evening I went through my rituals.  I greeted my kids, my wife, grabbed something to eat...and headed out back to the deck for some peaceful "meditation".  I ended up calling my friend in New York, who had some bad news to share.  One of his friends, who was diagnosed with cancer a few years back, had taken a turn for the worse.  She was in the hospital, a mere shadow of her prior self.  Her body frail, malfunctioning, the only part still recognizable were the eyes.  I could tell he was pretty shook up as he told me she most likely wouldn't last the week.  She doesn't get many visitors, and the flowers sent to her room reveal a sad denial of her situation.... the card reads "We love you...get well".  

Death has reared it's ugly head too much lately.  Pictures daily remind me of the daughter we helplessly watched die last August.  Aunts and uncles prematurely gone...loved ones left to try and pick up the pieces.  So as I prepared for today's class, the words of chapter 1 prophetically pulled me in.  I went to the library and found The Return of the King - the scene where Aragorn and company enter into the realm of the dead.  I can't help but think of the Creed... "and he descended into hell".  "The way is shut.  It was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it."  If there is any cinematic representation of hades...this is it.  The realm of the dead, invaded by a king in disguise, who displays his blade, the symbol of power and authority,  and reveals his true identity.  

This is the hope of Easter.  In Jesus Christ God has entered into the depths of hades...throwing the gates open...leading his people out.  So we need not fear...we can look death straight in the eye... staring it down.  We can stand at the graves of our loved ones... weeping and mourning... with the assurance that death does not get the final word.  

"I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Back from the Dead

On Tuesday I brought Kurt Cobain back from the dead.  I sensed his presence...along with Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Elvis.  It happened in the middle of Gen 300...I told the students that I could sense something...that Kurt was with us.  They told me to prove it...so I did.  I conjured up a spell...went to my little magic box...and "poof"...there he was.  You can imagine the surprise...

Kurt talked about New Wave music in front of the Seattle skyline...wondering if Nirvana was on the brink of bringing New Wave and break dancing back in vogue.  The little black box was my lap top...and the spell was "youtube".  So what's my point?  Technology and Magic are not that different from each other.  Both are an attempt to manipulate forces at work in the world.  With the right word, or the click of the computer, we can magically bring people back from the dead...having them appear in the most unlikely of places.  Both cause people to live forever...something Radiohead wrestles with in the song "Video tape"...as we all live forever in "red, blue, green".  Students magically disappear right in the middle of class.  Totally sick of what I'm saying...they enter into the mysterious worlds of Facebook and MySpace...never to be seen again...or at least not until it's time for class to be over.  Sure, we use different words to describe it...we don't call web addresses or binary code "spells"...we have made the lingo all scientific and rational so we don't freak out.  But...the truth of the matter is what we experience through technology is on par with ancient magic.  Do some research on Sir Isaac Newton sometime...see what he REALLY spent his time doing...

In this way the gospel confronts technology in the same way it confronted Magic.  The magicians Paul confronts in Acts used magic to control...to gain power...economic gain...for the glorification of the self.  This led to oppression...to dehumanization...In the same way the use of technology can often be driven by power and the desire to control. Manipulation...oppression...dehumanization.  Think about Facebook and MySpace...we erect idols to the gods we worship...making ourselves in our own image...or the image of what we wish our self could be.  Morpheus's' "projection of our digital selves".  

I know, I know....HYPOCRITE!  Here I am using blogspot...using technology to write this

 diatribe against technology.  Touche.  I never said technology is evil - period.  Technology can be used well and appropriately for the benefit others.  (Even Facebook?) What I am calling us to think about are the unintended consequences of technology...and the motives, the power, that lies beneath the surface.  To work at reclaiming our humanity in the midst a mad technological orgy. 

 

Next time you talk to Kurt...tell him hello... 

Skin and Bones

Well...I made it back from my excursion down the rabbit hole called Foo Fighters.  Good show...great time.  We were able to get pretty close to the stage...although I'm getting old!  I didn't feel like moshing it up or taking a ride...so I managed to not hurt myself.

The former lead singer of System of a Down...(I can't remember his name) was ok...surprisingly not much of a showman.  They came out in top hats and he bugged his eyes out every once and a while...but he looked 

extremely bored.  Interesting world though...you could definitely tell who was there to see him...when he was done the crowd totally changed from Goth to suburban.  You'll have to excuse my analysis...I am fascinated by the sociological elements of concerts.

  

The Foo Fighters were great...rockin...although I think Dave had a cold.  They opened with a few of the better new ones and then some standards.  Then a whole new stage dropped out of the sky and they did their acoustic set.  All in all - a pretty sweet night.