1. In this PM world I agree that all students who are going through seminary need to be aware of the challenges that they will face. Regardless of what denomination you come from or are going into, unbelievers are still just unbelievers. I think that a seminary would not be setting its graduates up for success if it did not educate them on how to approach and overcome the challenges that await us all out in the real world. But, it is not only the real world, because as our churches enter into this PM world there are new challenges that arise. Therefore pastors need to be aware of them and how to over come them as well.
2. To ask if the Hindu's are saved is a very ambiguous question. That would be like asking if the Jehovah Witnesses are saved, or the Latter Day Saints. "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."" (1 Sam 16:7, NIV) In this verse we see that God does not look at the same things man does. Instead, God looks at the heart of man. Also, there is no way for you to claim that any one group of people will or will not be save. This is because our salvation is a personal thing. Therefore, whether or not a person who practices Hinduism is found right in God's eyes during the final judgement is up to him. Take Gandhi for instance, he practiced Hinduism, however he said this about religion, "by religion, I do not mean formal religion or customary religion, but that religion which underlies all religions, which brings us face to face with our Maker." (www.mkgandhi.org) You can see that Gandhi himself believed in a higher Being and being in a relationship with him. Gandhi goes on to say "to me, [Jesus] was one of the greatest teachers, humanity has ever had. To his believers, he was God's only begotten Son." (www.mkgandhi.org) Is this quote saying that Gandhi believed in Jesus and therefore is going to be saved? We will never know until the end times. We might just run into Gandhi in heaven. In fact we might be surprised who we do and don't run into up in heaven.
3. For me growing up as a white male from a middle class family, my culture has greatly impacted my views and thoughts about the gospel. For me, I did not understand the need for slavery or racial tensions. I never understood why people couldn't just get along. But as I grew older the thoughts and ideas of my parents rubbed off onto me. It was not until my mother made a comment about me hanging out with a friend of mine, who happened to be black, that I realized she had some prejudice. After marrying my wife, we tried several different types of churches. It was only after she pointed it out to me that I in turn was showing prejudices toward other believers if they weren't exactly like what I grew up with. Thankfully, my wife has helped me to open my mind and learn to accept new and different things. It is only through my experiences and continual growth that I am able to see and learn new things. So, in this manner I am overcoming my culture because, as it says in Acts 9:18 "something like scales feel from Saul's eyes, and he could see again." (NIV) I too continually feel the scales falling from my eyes, in order that I might see things thru God's wave length and not the worlds.
4. In Genesis we read about how man lived in perfect harmony with God in Eden. But, after man sinned, God kicked them out of Eden. So, here are man and woman, creations of God. As mad as he was with them he could not simply take them from one extreme (Eden) to the other (out of Eden). Therefore, God the ultimate author of everything, created balance within the world. This is why even though the powers are never going to win , they are allowed to rule and reign. When Christ died on the cross he forever sealed the powers fate, however, only God knows when the end is coming and until them Satan and his minions are allowed to rule the earth. Augustine said, "For if every sin were now visited with manifest punishment, nothing would seem to be reserved for the final judgement; on the other hand, if no sin received now a plainly divine punishment, it would be concluded that there is no divine providence at all. And so of the good things of this life: if God did not by a very visible liberality confer these on some of those persons who ask for them, we should say that these good things were not at His disposal; and if He gave them to all who sought them, we should suppose that such were the only rewards of His service; and such a service would make us not godly, but greedy rather, and covetous." (The City of God) From this quote we can start to see a possibility into why the powers are allowed to remain, even though in the end we believers win!
5. Obviously, Newbigin is revered and honored in the Christian community. So, why hasn't there been a movement or more of a shift towards what he wrote about in this book by that community?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Session #10 & #11, Kimball (Due April 10)
[To lighten your load and have time for worship and reflection during Holy Week, consider the following post assignment.]
1) Reflect upon the philosophy, spirituality, and ministry in PM-->PC era of the future. How we think this next ideological era will pan out impacts our missiology and ministry strategy today (pp. 57-77).
2) Discuss your response to the Celtic/Roman strategies of evangelism (pp. 197-211).
3) Design a EC worship service, explain your rationale. If you have time, experiment with a small group in experiencing your design (share your experiences).
1) Reflect upon the philosophy, spirituality, and ministry in PM-->PC era of the future. How we think this next ideological era will pan out impacts our missiology and ministry strategy today (pp. 57-77).
2) Discuss your response to the Celtic/Roman strategies of evangelism (pp. 197-211).
3) Design a EC worship service, explain your rationale. If you have time, experiment with a small group in experiencing your design (share your experiences).
Friday, March 23, 2007
Session # 9: Rock Daddy
1. Newbigin asks "what does it mean to write or to tell history? It cannot mean the recording of all the uncounted millions of things which have happened int he past. It involves selection." (pg 89-90) That selection he speaks of is the key to understanding the Bible and how it acts as the universal history for the world God was the one who selected what would and would not be included in the Bible. He was the one that directed and told the writers of the Bible what to write. If you look at the Old Testament, you see primarily historical events and happenings that lay the ground work for the Jewish religion. From archaeological digs and other writings we see that what the Bible speaks about was accurate and thereby was recording what was going on in the world at that time. The New Testament can be viewed initially as the telling of Jesus' life, but then it continues on with more historical events that happened afterwards. It concludes with the recording of a dream or prophecy. Again, through physical evidence we find that the Bible is proven correct and accurate. I once heard a radio evangelist comment that people question things about the Bible, specifically some of the details that are omitted. He commented that someone had asked him what he thought Jonah did while in the belly of the great fish. His response was, if it was important enough for me to know, God would have included it in the Bible. Since it is not there, I don't spend time thinking about it or arguing about it. I really like this train of thought and often use it and share it with others.
2. The PM the mind set is that there are no absolutes, that what is good for you might not be good for me. However, as Christians and especially as an ECM, we need to stick to our guns, so to speak and present only the gospel and what it represents. PM's will view the gospel as a truth and will therefore accept it. However, the challenge comes when we continue to stress that the gospel is the only truth. Newbigin references how Marxism, Communism and Islam all tend to spring up where Christianity begins to grow and show strength. If this isn't a blatant attack by Satan to create confusion then I don't know what is.
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " (Rom 14;11, NIV) In this scripture we see that every knee will bow. Now whether that means that we will bow humbly or whether it means we will bow because we are forced too, every knee will bow. Knowing this we need to heed Newbigins words, "patient endurance."
3. Newbigin speaks on both sides of the Mission in word vs. the Mission in deed. One side feels like they should merely be building up the Church by "preaching the gospel of salvation from sin and offering eternal life." (pg. 135) This is all well and good because how can nonbelievers be saved if they are not told the Good News? How can the church increase its numbers if it isn't out converting others?
On the other hand the other sides feels that this is not kingdom work and therefore focuses their energies on helping the poor, healing the sick and freeing the enslaved. This too is all well and good, but how can those who are sick or poor or enslaved every truly rise above their situation if they are only helped out of their predicament and not taught how to over come it? It reminds me of a saying I learned in the Special Forces, "give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
Just as Newbigin suggests, both sides need to take a step back and include some of what the other side is doing. A church should be spreading the gospel of salvation, but they should be doing it while helping someone who is bed ridden. For Christians there are no absolutes, except Jesus. Everything else needs to be taken in stride.
4. Kaufman's argument is based on the fact that in his mind unity means everyone and everything getting along and not fighting. This is where his flaw is and therefore, why he doesn't believe that the Christian gospel can furnish the center for unity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines unity as "the state, quality or condition of accord or agreement; concord." To me this means that everyone is in an agreement. If we travel ahead to the end of the time, when Christ comes back everyone will be in an agreement. Those that have accepted Christ and his gift of salvation will have entered into an agreement with him. And those who have rejected Christ and his gift of salvation will also have entered into an agreement. For the first set of folks that agreement includes eternal life and getting to live with God. For the others their agreement includes eternal damnation and getting to live separated from God. Either way, they are still in an agreement.
2. The PM the mind set is that there are no absolutes, that what is good for you might not be good for me. However, as Christians and especially as an ECM, we need to stick to our guns, so to speak and present only the gospel and what it represents. PM's will view the gospel as a truth and will therefore accept it. However, the challenge comes when we continue to stress that the gospel is the only truth. Newbigin references how Marxism, Communism and Islam all tend to spring up where Christianity begins to grow and show strength. If this isn't a blatant attack by Satan to create confusion then I don't know what is.
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " (Rom 14;11, NIV) In this scripture we see that every knee will bow. Now whether that means that we will bow humbly or whether it means we will bow because we are forced too, every knee will bow. Knowing this we need to heed Newbigins words, "patient endurance."
3. Newbigin speaks on both sides of the Mission in word vs. the Mission in deed. One side feels like they should merely be building up the Church by "preaching the gospel of salvation from sin and offering eternal life." (pg. 135) This is all well and good because how can nonbelievers be saved if they are not told the Good News? How can the church increase its numbers if it isn't out converting others?
On the other hand the other sides feels that this is not kingdom work and therefore focuses their energies on helping the poor, healing the sick and freeing the enslaved. This too is all well and good, but how can those who are sick or poor or enslaved every truly rise above their situation if they are only helped out of their predicament and not taught how to over come it? It reminds me of a saying I learned in the Special Forces, "give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
Just as Newbigin suggests, both sides need to take a step back and include some of what the other side is doing. A church should be spreading the gospel of salvation, but they should be doing it while helping someone who is bed ridden. For Christians there are no absolutes, except Jesus. Everything else needs to be taken in stride.
4. Kaufman's argument is based on the fact that in his mind unity means everyone and everything getting along and not fighting. This is where his flaw is and therefore, why he doesn't believe that the Christian gospel can furnish the center for unity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines unity as "the state, quality or condition of accord or agreement; concord." To me this means that everyone is in an agreement. If we travel ahead to the end of the time, when Christ comes back everyone will be in an agreement. Those that have accepted Christ and his gift of salvation will have entered into an agreement with him. And those who have rejected Christ and his gift of salvation will also have entered into an agreement. For the first set of folks that agreement includes eternal life and getting to live with God. For the others their agreement includes eternal damnation and getting to live separated from God. Either way, they are still in an agreement.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Session #10, Newbigin
Our journey up the "Newbigin River" continues to be an adventure with lots of twists and turns. Missiology incorporates all the theological disciplines and more (sociology, psychology, anthropology, and more). The MACD degree program is step in the missiological direction.
1) In PM, perhaps we should be preparing pastors to be pastoral missiologists? What do you think?
2) Are the Hindus saved? (Chapter 14)
3) Self-awareness missiology examination, how has your culture impacted, distorted, or uncovered the gospel? (Chapter 15)
4) Reflect upon the topic of the powers (Chapter 16). If they are disarmed, but not removed from their place in the "excluded middle" until the consummation, why?
5) Ask your question for the class and me to discuss.
1) In PM, perhaps we should be preparing pastors to be pastoral missiologists? What do you think?
2) Are the Hindus saved? (Chapter 14)
3) Self-awareness missiology examination, how has your culture impacted, distorted, or uncovered the gospel? (Chapter 15)
4) Reflect upon the topic of the powers (Chapter 16). If they are disarmed, but not removed from their place in the "excluded middle" until the consummation, why?
5) Ask your question for the class and me to discuss.
Session # 9, Newbigin
Newbigin is perhaps a 20 century Wesley who is eclectic and masters many skills and disciplines to become a powerful ambassador of the gospel.
1) On page 89, Newbigin quotes a Hindu scholar that Christians have misrepresented Christianity as another religion. Reflect upon this theological concept that the Bible is universal history for the world.
2) The logic of mission, explain the relationship of the gospel and the meaning of history as it relates to pluralism (p. 122). This is a vital perspective that connects to PM & ECM.
3) Discuss the polarities and resolution of Mission in word, deed, and new being (p. 135-136).
4) Respond to Kaufman's position of modern historical consciousness that Christ is not unique--the God/Man. (p. 159).
1) On page 89, Newbigin quotes a Hindu scholar that Christians have misrepresented Christianity as another religion. Reflect upon this theological concept that the Bible is universal history for the world.
2) The logic of mission, explain the relationship of the gospel and the meaning of history as it relates to pluralism (p. 122). This is a vital perspective that connects to PM & ECM.
3) Discuss the polarities and resolution of Mission in word, deed, and new being (p. 135-136).
4) Respond to Kaufman's position of modern historical consciousness that Christ is not unique--the God/Man. (p. 159).
Friday, March 16, 2007
Session #7: Rock Daddy
1. To truly understand how I have domesticated the gospel, I first reflected on what it means to domesticate. To me, to domesticate means to take something that is wild and free and make it tame and enslaved. For me, growing up in the church I saw the Bible and all of its stories as wild and exciting as a child, however, as I continued to go to church and grow up, it lost some of its appeal. In fact I often would try to use it to help convince myself or prove that whatever I was doing or not doing at the time was okay with God. For instance in college I remember my friends giving me a hard time about drinking beer, because that is not what Christians are suppose to do, so after reading the story of how Jesus turned water into wine, I drank only red wine that weekend. So, when my buddies asked me about it, I told them that Jesus drank wine and so it was okay for me to do the same. The difference, however, was the fact that Jesus didn't drink an entire bottle of wine in one night. Needless to say I found no relief for my headache the next morning in the Bible.
Thankfully, through God's grace and eternal love, I have found the passion of the scriptures once again and can't wait to share it with others.
2. I believe that the gospel itself is not public truth and I say that because I honestly don't believe that the majority of nonbelievers have ever been told the gospel and what it means. I think for the most part people in America know about the Bible, and who God and Jesus are, but I think that knowledge of whats in the Bible exponentially decreases after that. I recently spoke with a friend about this very same topic and he commented that the ladies he works with knew about Noah and the flood and maybe a couple of other stories, but after that they were clueless. He went on to tell me how he used that situation as a evangelizing tool and was able to witness to them. Due to the fact that Darwin's theory is taught in school is no wonder that it is considered public knowledge or truth. I am willing to go one step further and say that unless a church is growing spiritually and stretching its members, then I would wager a guess that even believers don't truly know what the gospel says. Sure they will know more of the stories, but do they truly understand what is being said? Or do they take scriptures out of context in order to prove or disprove a point?
3. In order for the ECM to be effective, according to Newbigin, the ET must be "more compelling..., a vision of reality which commends itself by its beauty, rationality and comprehensiveness." (pg 47) What this means is that how we present and represent the Good News, must be done in such a way as to cause those in society to stop what they are doing so they can get a better look. It doesn't mean we need to try to convert them there on the spot, but rather act, speak and behave in such a way as to cause them to take a double take at what we are doing. Once we have their attention, again we don't go in for the conversion, but rather for the meaningful relationship. And we continue to do that, hoping that someday we will be given the opportunity to share with them what Christ has done for us and how he can do the same for them.
Picture this, the world is in black and white and shades of grey. As the ECM we take the gospel which is a bright, vibrant yellow item and we carry it around with us. Someone from the world is used to seeing only black and white and shades of grey, when suddenly they see we have a bright yellow item. So, they stop what they are doing and come over to see what we have. Being of the world they are skeptical so they never mention the yellow item and much to their surprise neither do we. We merely become friends with them. Hanging out together, eating together, spending time together. And every time we come around we have that yellow item. Finally, they can't stand it anymore and ask us about the yellow item, at which time we tell them all about it and how they can get one too.
4. Logic of election almost sounds to me like a title that man has come up with for something that God has created. It makes me think of the Pharisees and how they couldn't just live with God's command of keeping the Sabbath holy. They went and detailed it out to include the fact that if a man had a needle in his robe pocket and walked over a certain distance that was considered work and therefore, violated the law. God's gifts are so simple and uncomplex, but for whatever reason we as humans feel the need to complicate them. I love what Newbigin says on page 85, "Gods grace is free and unconditional." That means that we have no right to make people pay for it or feel like if they receive it they are now in some binding contract. I also like how Newbigin emphasized the importance of receiving salvation thru someone else. This thought totally supports the need for us to come together as a body and to reach out to those who are not yet part of the body. All in all I have enjoyed reading this book. I do find that Newbigin tends to repeat himself, but I think he is merely trying to hammer home his thought or idea. Since the Bible as the Universal History is part of next weeks reading, I will respond on that chapter then.
Thankfully, through God's grace and eternal love, I have found the passion of the scriptures once again and can't wait to share it with others.
2. I believe that the gospel itself is not public truth and I say that because I honestly don't believe that the majority of nonbelievers have ever been told the gospel and what it means. I think for the most part people in America know about the Bible, and who God and Jesus are, but I think that knowledge of whats in the Bible exponentially decreases after that. I recently spoke with a friend about this very same topic and he commented that the ladies he works with knew about Noah and the flood and maybe a couple of other stories, but after that they were clueless. He went on to tell me how he used that situation as a evangelizing tool and was able to witness to them. Due to the fact that Darwin's theory is taught in school is no wonder that it is considered public knowledge or truth. I am willing to go one step further and say that unless a church is growing spiritually and stretching its members, then I would wager a guess that even believers don't truly know what the gospel says. Sure they will know more of the stories, but do they truly understand what is being said? Or do they take scriptures out of context in order to prove or disprove a point?
3. In order for the ECM to be effective, according to Newbigin, the ET must be "more compelling..., a vision of reality which commends itself by its beauty, rationality and comprehensiveness." (pg 47) What this means is that how we present and represent the Good News, must be done in such a way as to cause those in society to stop what they are doing so they can get a better look. It doesn't mean we need to try to convert them there on the spot, but rather act, speak and behave in such a way as to cause them to take a double take at what we are doing. Once we have their attention, again we don't go in for the conversion, but rather for the meaningful relationship. And we continue to do that, hoping that someday we will be given the opportunity to share with them what Christ has done for us and how he can do the same for them.
Picture this, the world is in black and white and shades of grey. As the ECM we take the gospel which is a bright, vibrant yellow item and we carry it around with us. Someone from the world is used to seeing only black and white and shades of grey, when suddenly they see we have a bright yellow item. So, they stop what they are doing and come over to see what we have. Being of the world they are skeptical so they never mention the yellow item and much to their surprise neither do we. We merely become friends with them. Hanging out together, eating together, spending time together. And every time we come around we have that yellow item. Finally, they can't stand it anymore and ask us about the yellow item, at which time we tell them all about it and how they can get one too.
4. Logic of election almost sounds to me like a title that man has come up with for something that God has created. It makes me think of the Pharisees and how they couldn't just live with God's command of keeping the Sabbath holy. They went and detailed it out to include the fact that if a man had a needle in his robe pocket and walked over a certain distance that was considered work and therefore, violated the law. God's gifts are so simple and uncomplex, but for whatever reason we as humans feel the need to complicate them. I love what Newbigin says on page 85, "Gods grace is free and unconditional." That means that we have no right to make people pay for it or feel like if they receive it they are now in some binding contract. I also like how Newbigin emphasized the importance of receiving salvation thru someone else. This thought totally supports the need for us to come together as a body and to reach out to those who are not yet part of the body. All in all I have enjoyed reading this book. I do find that Newbigin tends to repeat himself, but I think he is merely trying to hammer home his thought or idea. Since the Bible as the Universal History is part of next weeks reading, I will respond on that chapter then.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Session #7, Newbigin
Newbigin presents a thick theological, philosophical missiology that is thorough and universal in nature. He and John Stott were knocking heads with the "Church Growth Movement--McGavran & Wagner" over vital missiological issues in the 70's-90's; both camps were concerned about awakening an inward-focused Western church. There is a decidedly European/Anglo flavor to Newbigin & Stott while their American counterparts had valid arguments on some issues on missional intentionality. The sad part of this story is they were both right & wrong, and they really needed each other. The CGM has lacked the necessary theological depth to launch a long-term movement, CGM has veered too far down the pragmatism trail where models and programs are presented as "quick fixes" for an American entrepreneurial church market that is hungry for "nickels and noses." So as you read Newbigin, be patient; it will take a lot of pages and reflection but eventually the missional connections will emerge. (Your local Inter-Library Loan will have access to a-v's of Newbigin; as I read him again I can still his voice which is rich with spiritual wisdom and kingdom vision. His voice is missed.)
1) Domesticating the gospel (p. 3) is an issue which Newbigin corrected in his life. Perhaps, it's Newbigin's humility and forthrightness that I really appreciate. How have you domesticated the gospel? (Connection to CS Lewis, untamed but safe Aslan the lion.)
2) What is your reflection on the gospel as public truth? (p. 23)
3) Apply Newbigin's perspective about paradigm shifts to the ECM.
4) Discuss your theological reflections on the logic of election and the Bible as universal history. Differ, critique, or affirm as you process these thick and rich chapters (#7 & #8).
1) Domesticating the gospel (p. 3) is an issue which Newbigin corrected in his life. Perhaps, it's Newbigin's humility and forthrightness that I really appreciate. How have you domesticated the gospel? (Connection to CS Lewis, untamed but safe Aslan the lion.)
2) What is your reflection on the gospel as public truth? (p. 23)
3) Apply Newbigin's perspective about paradigm shifts to the ECM.
4) Discuss your theological reflections on the logic of election and the Bible as universal history. Differ, critique, or affirm as you process these thick and rich chapters (#7 & #8).
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