On "God and Jesus", Marcus Borg
As a very logic minded person, Borg's theology is very tempting, and it frankly frightens me a little bit. It would make things so much easier, to put God into a smaller box, but the implications of that box would mean no salvation in my eyes, so I must run for the hills.
Borg's box does not include much of the mystery of Jesus and God. He really wants to be able to rationalize it, as do I. But we are simple humans, and I am willing to accept on faith that there is more to God that I can understand. I feel that Borg combines some of the early church heresies by claiming that Jesus was not devine (or fully man) before he died, and then either became divine after death, or not at all. He is the anti-Gnostic, denying ALL mystery of God!
He says "I want to emphasize that as a Christian, I think these affirmations about Jesus are true. But they are true as metaphors. The recognition that this metaphorical language is crucial. When we do not see this, we take the language literally. Unfortunately, this has often happened within the Christian tradition. Very early on, we metaphorized our history, and since then we have often historicized our metaphors, with their rich resonances of meaning."
Poor Borg. While he thinks we have boxed up God taking what Jesus said seriously, he thinks we are missing out on beautiful metaphors. This is very eloquent and nice to think about, until you realize the limits you are putting on God. If what Jesus says is taken literally, the mystery of God becomes so much more beautiful.
Faith is hard to have. For some more than others. I have faith that Jesus said what he meant, and meant what he said. It is when we water it down that we begin to struggle as a church.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Ruminations on John Amstutz' Sermon on Going!
Hey coach?
Yeah?
Hey how come I'm on the bench? I want to be out on the court.
You tell me! I want you out there on the floor.
Well then why am I not out there? Why aren't you using me?
Again, you tell me! I told you to go, but you just stood there.
Well, yeah... but I feel like you've been ignoring me.
Really? Because I'm constantly keeping my eye on the whole team. I really want us all to play.
Ok.
So why don't you go in?
Well, I... I don't think I'm ready yet.
Sure you are.
But what if I fail? What if I don't make the shot?
It will be okay. I got you. We trained for this, and I'll help you along the way.
But failure is real, and I don't want to.
Last time I played, I only made 11 out 12 baskets. And come on, I'm your coach. If you don't make it, its not always your fault. And we'll get through it.
But...
Son, all authority in the school and on this court has been given to me. Therefore, go out there and make some shots for me, using everything I have taught you. Surely I am always here on the sideline, till the end of the game. Get out there. I have faith in you.
But....
---
Our faith in ourselves can be so tiny. I would fear playing, even with the confidence of a coach. I fear the Great Commission, even with the strength and faith of One much greater than I.
I want to be better.
Yeah?
Hey how come I'm on the bench? I want to be out on the court.
You tell me! I want you out there on the floor.
Well then why am I not out there? Why aren't you using me?
Again, you tell me! I told you to go, but you just stood there.
Well, yeah... but I feel like you've been ignoring me.
Really? Because I'm constantly keeping my eye on the whole team. I really want us all to play.
Ok.
So why don't you go in?
Well, I... I don't think I'm ready yet.
Sure you are.
But what if I fail? What if I don't make the shot?
It will be okay. I got you. We trained for this, and I'll help you along the way.
But failure is real, and I don't want to.
Last time I played, I only made 11 out 12 baskets. And come on, I'm your coach. If you don't make it, its not always your fault. And we'll get through it.
But...
Son, all authority in the school and on this court has been given to me. Therefore, go out there and make some shots for me, using everything I have taught you. Surely I am always here on the sideline, till the end of the game. Get out there. I have faith in you.
But....
---
Our faith in ourselves can be so tiny. I would fear playing, even with the confidence of a coach. I fear the Great Commission, even with the strength and faith of One much greater than I.
I want to be better.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Skuvbalon
Prompts: How do you feel about the "garbage" that has come your way so far in life? Which happens more often- the garbage influences your view of God, or your view of God influences your view of the "garbage?"
There has been a lot of garbage. Lots and lots of garbage. From having to deal with early deaths and close betrayals, many have told me that I've already had to deal with too much. But I am a firm believer that God would not let us be tortured with more than we could handle. I am often encouraged by the faith that Job shows when God allows Satan to utterly destroy everything He holds dear on the earth, from the trivial to the most dear. Still He hung on to God, because what else is there. I feel the same way. Rarely do struggles make me want to reject God, though it does happen, and I certainly question Him, but I hold onto Him and trust. Each difficult experience has been manageable because I know that something good will always come from it, and this has been shown to be true every time, even if it takes a long time to see how. God works in amazing ways, and when it comes down to him, my trust of him allows me to see each bit of garbage as a blessing in disguise... eventually..... with a lot of difficult processing.... but hey, I'm not perfect at all.
Romans 12:9-16
How does this passage related to your responses to life's challenges?
What connections could you make between the life (and birth and death) of Jesus and this passage?
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
This is very difficult to do when things get difficult, but that is what I try to do. I think the most difficult part is the "loving your enemies" part. I can often trust God to get me through difficult things, but that does not mean that I do not harbor resentment, and have a difficult time with forgiveness. Jesus, on the other hand, with the insult of every sin against God (himself) ever, got the ultimate punishment for the ultimate forgiveness. Wow. He is the ultimate embodiment of this passage.
There has been a lot of garbage. Lots and lots of garbage. From having to deal with early deaths and close betrayals, many have told me that I've already had to deal with too much. But I am a firm believer that God would not let us be tortured with more than we could handle. I am often encouraged by the faith that Job shows when God allows Satan to utterly destroy everything He holds dear on the earth, from the trivial to the most dear. Still He hung on to God, because what else is there. I feel the same way. Rarely do struggles make me want to reject God, though it does happen, and I certainly question Him, but I hold onto Him and trust. Each difficult experience has been manageable because I know that something good will always come from it, and this has been shown to be true every time, even if it takes a long time to see how. God works in amazing ways, and when it comes down to him, my trust of him allows me to see each bit of garbage as a blessing in disguise... eventually..... with a lot of difficult processing.... but hey, I'm not perfect at all.
Romans 12:9-16
How does this passage related to your responses to life's challenges?
What connections could you make between the life (and birth and death) of Jesus and this passage?
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
This is very difficult to do when things get difficult, but that is what I try to do. I think the most difficult part is the "loving your enemies" part. I can often trust God to get me through difficult things, but that does not mean that I do not harbor resentment, and have a difficult time with forgiveness. Jesus, on the other hand, with the insult of every sin against God (himself) ever, got the ultimate punishment for the ultimate forgiveness. Wow. He is the ultimate embodiment of this passage.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Musings on "Seeing Jesus"
I find the culture clash between "American" or "contemporary" or "secular" culture and "Christian" culture. This is the focus of my Liberal Arts and Christian issues class, and the difficulty of the topic is probably one of the main reasons that so many students and professors find it frustrating to different degrees.
This chapter started to touch on some of the ways that our secular culture has severely distorted our understanding of Jesus, and therefore how we should live as Christians. After reading this chapter, I have realized something a little disappointing about modern church as I have experienced. We often have sermons that just teach on solid points based off of a few verses, but rarely do we even discuss the context, meanings, or lenses in which the text can be or should be read. This is probably one of the reasons that I personally struggle so much with reading the Bible. I just don't always get the context. I don't always know what is to be taken literally, which is metaphorical, which is supposed to be applied to everyone, or which is only applicable at the time. It is all well and good to learn some of that in college courses, but what I would like to see is a little more academic approach given by the church, so that church members can be more knowledgeable.
Discussion afterward:
takethezeppelinJan 16, 2012 09:09 PM
I totally agree with your assessment about context (or lack thereof, in many sermons). One of my favorite authors, John Green, has an opinion that has essentially turned into a mantra: no text can be thoroughly understood without its context. I think applying a little -- just a little, but still -- academic thought to sermons would make people pay more attention, ask more questions and understand their faith, their Bibles and their God more clearly.
I am curious, though, of your opinion on the other side of this argument. That is, what part (or which parts) of the Bible/gospel stand on their own? On the one hand, I one hundred percent believe a contextual understanding of the Bible is beneficial. On the other hand, something about the gospel clearly speaks to thousands, to millions, who read and believe without any context at all. If context is important, *how* important is it? And is it "more" important for understanding different parts of the text (law, history poetry, epistles, etc.)?
Brendon Perkins Jan 16, 2012 10:02 PM
On it's own? Oh plenty of the wisdom stands alone, but, probably from my background in education, I think that we need to learn how to properly read the Bible. I believe that God accomplishes this when His followers study, teach, and learn together, and of course through the Holy Spirit.
What I read had a lot to say about how the ideas of secular society infect our viewpoints so that misunderstand a lot of the Bible in some pretty critical ways. I believe that sin and the resulting corruptions of society have clouded our minds throughout history, leading to continual heresies, schisms, disagreements, great wrongs and confusion within and outside of the church.
This chapter started to touch on some of the ways that our secular culture has severely distorted our understanding of Jesus, and therefore how we should live as Christians. After reading this chapter, I have realized something a little disappointing about modern church as I have experienced. We often have sermons that just teach on solid points based off of a few verses, but rarely do we even discuss the context, meanings, or lenses in which the text can be or should be read. This is probably one of the reasons that I personally struggle so much with reading the Bible. I just don't always get the context. I don't always know what is to be taken literally, which is metaphorical, which is supposed to be applied to everyone, or which is only applicable at the time. It is all well and good to learn some of that in college courses, but what I would like to see is a little more academic approach given by the church, so that church members can be more knowledgeable.
Discussion afterward:
takethezeppelinJan 16, 2012 09:09 PM
I totally agree with your assessment about context (or lack thereof, in many sermons). One of my favorite authors, John Green, has an opinion that has essentially turned into a mantra: no text can be thoroughly understood without its context. I think applying a little -- just a little, but still -- academic thought to sermons would make people pay more attention, ask more questions and understand their faith, their Bibles and their God more clearly.
I am curious, though, of your opinion on the other side of this argument. That is, what part (or which parts) of the Bible/gospel stand on their own? On the one hand, I one hundred percent believe a contextual understanding of the Bible is beneficial. On the other hand, something about the gospel clearly speaks to thousands, to millions, who read and believe without any context at all. If context is important, *how* important is it? And is it "more" important for understanding different parts of the text (law, history poetry, epistles, etc.)?
Brendon Perkins Jan 16, 2012 10:02 PM
On it's own? Oh plenty of the wisdom stands alone, but, probably from my background in education, I think that we need to learn how to properly read the Bible. I believe that God accomplishes this when His followers study, teach, and learn together, and of course through the Holy Spirit.
What I read had a lot to say about how the ideas of secular society infect our viewpoints so that misunderstand a lot of the Bible in some pretty critical ways. I believe that sin and the resulting corruptions of society have clouded our minds throughout history, leading to continual heresies, schisms, disagreements, great wrongs and confusion within and outside of the church.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Friend Spotlight #2
My last post on friendship and Jesus got me thinking a lot, and I would like to highlight another friendship that has meant a lot to me. This is my tribute to Danielle Buchanan.
Most of my friendships start with pleasant acquaintanceship. This one, however was somehow salvaged from silly drama and misunderstandings through a good portion of K12 education. (What was God thinking when He decided that puberty would be a stage of life?) I think it speaks to both of our characters that we moved beyond silly squabble and into a meaningful friendship.
Danielle is just one of those friends who doesn't know it, but is occasionally wise beyond her years. (I've had this said about me as well, and I often just refuse to believe it.) One of the things that I look for in a friend is the ability to listen and empathize, but Danielle does what the numerous self-involved won't. She asks. People who take the time to really ask the meaningful questions about your life are the ones who REALLY listen like it's important and take this to give wisdom in return.
Now let me bring this back to Jesus. I could give all the credit to ourselves for the quality of our conversations and the impact we have in each other's lives, but I really think the credit goes to Jesus. Our friendship is a reflection and action of Jesus' love, and I believe that a lot of the good that we do for each other comes from us listening to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work through us in each other's lives. Having such a meaningful relationship requires a lot of mutual trust, respect, compassion, and integrity. For these things, I would like to add Danielle to the list of people who fit the role of "Best Friend in Life" from the previous assignment.
Most of my friendships start with pleasant acquaintanceship. This one, however was somehow salvaged from silly drama and misunderstandings through a good portion of K12 education. (What was God thinking when He decided that puberty would be a stage of life?) I think it speaks to both of our characters that we moved beyond silly squabble and into a meaningful friendship.
Danielle is just one of those friends who doesn't know it, but is occasionally wise beyond her years. (I've had this said about me as well, and I often just refuse to believe it.) One of the things that I look for in a friend is the ability to listen and empathize, but Danielle does what the numerous self-involved won't. She asks. People who take the time to really ask the meaningful questions about your life are the ones who REALLY listen like it's important and take this to give wisdom in return.
Now let me bring this back to Jesus. I could give all the credit to ourselves for the quality of our conversations and the impact we have in each other's lives, but I really think the credit goes to Jesus. Our friendship is a reflection and action of Jesus' love, and I believe that a lot of the good that we do for each other comes from us listening to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work through us in each other's lives. Having such a meaningful relationship requires a lot of mutual trust, respect, compassion, and integrity. For these things, I would like to add Danielle to the list of people who fit the role of "Best Friend in Life" from the previous assignment.
Jesus the Friend
Part 1: My best friend in life.
Nick Culbertson has been a best friend of mine through thick and thin for as long as I can remember. (Not really, but as long has been important, a.k.a middle school.) His friendship has meant more to me than most. Friends come and go, but Nick has been a constant in my life to some degree pretty much since I've met him, even though we've come from kind of different walks of life. Throughout our friendship, we have only grown more close, as we've come to change each other in small, but important ways and to absorb some of the better (and maybe worse) qualities from each other. Our friendship takes less effort than many others, because we generally get along. Of course, it wouldn't be a good friendship if we didn't challenge each other and take on each others' burdens, but we can do that with civility and grace. Nick has shown me a constancy and integrity that I find to be rare, and that is what I appreciate most.
Part 2: Philippians 2:5-13
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
What does being like Jesus mean?
This passage brings up one of the most difficult to understand and emulate about Jesus. After stating His glory and power, it acknowledges how He refused to use it for His benefit but instead became a servant to others and to die for us. It's an astounding and impossible example.
What did Jesus do for you? How does that make you feel?
Jesus gave up much more than I have, and certainly more than I would be willing to give up as a selfish sinner. Although it makes me feel guilty, it also makes me feel loved.
Write about your current relationship with Jesus.
I am not perfect with relationships, and my relationship with the Savior can be strained just like any other. He's always there, but I'm sometimes vacant. Jesus was an outcast, and sometimes I treat him like that too, because I don't always want to talk to him either. Not always, but sometimes.
I also get busy. Ugh. I complain a lot about relationships in which one person does all the work. And yet, I'm ont he wrong side of that all the time with Jesus. He's always there, and always cares, but I let myself be too busy. Part of the reason I have this blog in the first place is to give myself some time with Jesus. Sure this blog is reflective, but it's also relational. [Ed. note: This post was written originally in my primary blog.]
I love Jesus, but no matter what, he will always love me better. I guess that's what happens when I'm human, and he is the embodiment of love.
Nick Culbertson has been a best friend of mine through thick and thin for as long as I can remember. (Not really, but as long has been important, a.k.a middle school.) His friendship has meant more to me than most. Friends come and go, but Nick has been a constant in my life to some degree pretty much since I've met him, even though we've come from kind of different walks of life. Throughout our friendship, we have only grown more close, as we've come to change each other in small, but important ways and to absorb some of the better (and maybe worse) qualities from each other. Our friendship takes less effort than many others, because we generally get along. Of course, it wouldn't be a good friendship if we didn't challenge each other and take on each others' burdens, but we can do that with civility and grace. Nick has shown me a constancy and integrity that I find to be rare, and that is what I appreciate most.
Part 2: Philippians 2:5-13
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
What does being like Jesus mean?
This passage brings up one of the most difficult to understand and emulate about Jesus. After stating His glory and power, it acknowledges how He refused to use it for His benefit but instead became a servant to others and to die for us. It's an astounding and impossible example.
What did Jesus do for you? How does that make you feel?
Jesus gave up much more than I have, and certainly more than I would be willing to give up as a selfish sinner. Although it makes me feel guilty, it also makes me feel loved.
Write about your current relationship with Jesus.
I am not perfect with relationships, and my relationship with the Savior can be strained just like any other. He's always there, but I'm sometimes vacant. Jesus was an outcast, and sometimes I treat him like that too, because I don't always want to talk to him either. Not always, but sometimes.
I also get busy. Ugh. I complain a lot about relationships in which one person does all the work. And yet, I'm ont he wrong side of that all the time with Jesus. He's always there, and always cares, but I let myself be too busy. Part of the reason I have this blog in the first place is to give myself some time with Jesus. Sure this blog is reflective, but it's also relational. [Ed. note: This post was written originally in my primary blog.]
I love Jesus, but no matter what, he will always love me better. I guess that's what happens when I'm human, and he is the embodiment of love.
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