May 3, 2008
The more you know…(da da da da)
Did you know that “unicorns” are mentioned nine times in the KJV Bible? (modern 1611 version…I have one)
Numbers 23:22, 24:3, Deuteronomy 33:17, Job 39:9, 29, Psalm 22:21, 29:6, 92:10, and Isaiah 34:7.
Did you know that “unicorns” are mentioned nine times in the KJV Bible? (modern 1611 version…I have one)
Numbers 23:22, 24:3, Deuteronomy 33:17, Job 39:9, 29, Psalm 22:21, 29:6, 92:10, and Isaiah 34:7.
I just got an email that says that “a LARGE pulpit with the C&MA logo on it is available for anyone who might be interested”.
I must say, it does sound tempting!
Okay, so in the last year, I have had about 10-15 people mention the exact same quote by an author that they have never read, never researched, and cannot even site where the quote comes from that they are so enamoured with telling everyone about so that they can be warned of apparent ”wolves in sheeps clothing”. I get emails about it, I attend sermons where preachers are quoting it, blah blah blah… and I had another person today quote it to me. So I wanted to blog about it once and for all, so that I can just start emailing links to people when I get nasty emails.
The Author in question is none other than the infamous Brian McLaren (about whom I WOULD consider myself qualified to talk about having read all of his books and met and listened to him preach in person about 3 weeks ago). And the quote in question goes a little something like this “…it sounds like divine child abuse…” this comment was made regarding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Now, if you’ll look at the quote, you will see little dots (…) do you know what the dots mean? It means that the entire quote is not there, and some of the (presumably) unnecessary words have been omitted for “easy consumption” (a very dangerous phrase in and of itself, always leading to propaganda for the purpose of swaying peoples minds).
If you don’t know where this phrase comes from, lets look at it together shall we? It comes from a book of his by the title of “The Story We Find Ourselves In”. And it is found on page 102.Now, if you are not familiar with Brians “New Kind of Christian” trilogy, let me fill you in a little. It’s called “creative non-fiction”. In other words, it’s written in story form. Fictional characters drive the plot line and are having deep theological discussion that emulates much of what you will hear in coffee shops near christian campuses all over america today. On page 102, there is a conversation going on between a character name “Kerry” and another named “Neo”. It is the character “Kerry” who is talking about the atonement when she says this paragraph:
“I know that’s supposed to mean something to me, and I suppose I can see it, but it raises so many questions. . . . For starters, if God wants to forgive us, why doesn’t he just do it? How does punishing an innocent person make things better? That just sounds like one more injustice in the cosmic equation. It sounds like divine child abuse”
Nowhere in this book is this idea actually promoted or even addressed. And most of the conversations in this book were obviously modeled after actually theological dialogue that has taken place in the last half century.
The paragraph I just quoted in particular, is obviously modeled after a statement in a book by the author/kingdom-theologian Steve Chalke in his book “The Lost Message of Jesus”, in which he refers to the substitutionary atonement as “cosmic child abuse”.Mr Chalke is an advocate of the “Christus-Victor” theology of atonement as opposed the the idea widely accepted in the US known as “Penal-Substitution”. (Surprise, people in america predominately have different views of the scriptures than the rest of the world… welcome to the global conversation about God, start paying attention!). Most peoples theology comes from where they were raised, not from their actual biblical study. And most peoples view of many of the current theological authors really depends on who got to them first. If they just picked up a book and read it, they will probably be blessed by it. But, if they were given a list of people who were considered heretics by someone they know, they will probably never read or understand the postmodern culture (which they are living in wether they want to or not). And views on Brian Mclaren, Rob Bell, NT Wright (who is far from new), and many other current thinkers of our generation are usually predetermined and never actually challenged from a fair viewpoint.
I grow very weary with people questioning the ideas of people whom they have never read, and do not even know enough about them to rightfully make an accurate assumption. I guess this is what happens when we rely on our forefathers to sift through theology for us and tell us what the scriptures say. Seriously, what did Martin Luther have that we don’t have today? The truth is that we have SO MUCH more useful tools for understanding scriptures, yet most people will never go any deeper than what has already been laid out for us.
We seem to have forgotten that our forefathers studied the scriptures and came into their theological beliefs because that is how they worship the Lord. And what do we do? We say “Thanks for doing all the work for us!” and we just drink the juice. I have to assume that our fathers would be furious with us that we have taken them at their word and have not challenged a thing that they have written.We have stopped studying, deconstructing, dissecting, poking and prodding and these are the exact things that brought about the reformation!
At what point do we stop insulting our previous generations of theologians by patronizing every word that they have written. Most of them wrote rebellious ideas that were considered “dangerous” and “liberal” in their day, but are now considered to be the very fundamentals of Orthodoxy.If you disagree, disagree for a reason. Not because your dad told you this, or your pastor told you that, or your proffessor told you to “stear clear of them”. Read the books, and state what you disagree with and why. Don’t let others do it for you (I know that’s the western way to do things, but easy isn’t always right!).
Sorry for the rant. I’m done.
By Preson Phillips
Oh my soul, has come to be an instrument of hope,
My Lord, has made me useful
Come now child, Lay your burdens down
and trade for rest Your debt. And be made well.
God of Light shine down,
I am overwhelmed,
Grace and Peace
To the weary soul who’s heart is full of holes
Grace and Peace
To the fatherless and widow we declare
Grace and Peace
To the prodigal who’s traded love for gold
Grace and peace
From a God who’s yoke is easy and His load is light
Oh my Lord, I am set me apart, please let me not be still
Find me in your will,
Take myself, I offer up this empty cup,
let it be filled with your life
I cannot be still
I cannot be still
Grace and Peace
To the weary soul who’s heart is full of holes
Grace and Peace
To the fatherless and widow we declare
Grace and Peace
To the prodigal who’s traded love for gold
Grace and peace
From a God who’s yoke is easy and His load is light
I was hopeless,You led with light
I was lifeless you gave me life
I was drowning you cast a line
I was useless, now I’m alive in you!
LARRY NORMAN 4/8/47 - 2/24/08Larry Norman died yesterday, this was posted on his website by his brother. He left a great legend behind.
Hello everybody. Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. Kristin and I were with him, holding his hands and sitting in bed with him when his heart finally slowed to a stop. We spent this past week laughing, singing, and praying with him, and all the while he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art. Several of his friends got to come and visit with him in the last couple of weeks and were a great source of help and friendship to Larry. Ray Sievers, Derek Robertson, Mike Makinster, Tim and Christine Gilman, Matt and Becky Simmons, Kerry Hopkins, Allen Fleming and a few more. Thank you guys. Larry appreciated your visits very much. And he greatly appreciated the thoughts, wishes, support and prayers that came from all of you Solid Rock friends on a daily basis. Thank you for being part of his small circle of friends over the years. Yesterday afternoon he knew he was going to go home to God very soon and he dictated the following message to you while his friend Allen Fleming typed these words into Larry’s computer:
“I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home. My brother Charles is right, I won’t be here much longer. I can’t do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help. My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you. I’d like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again. Goodbye, farewell, we’ll meet again Somewhere beyond the sky. I pray that you will stay with God Goodbye, my friends, goodbye. Larry”
Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years. Kristin and I will post funeral information in the next day or two. Right now we’re not able to function very well, but the whole family is here… our mother Margaret, our sisters Nancy and Kristy, Mike Norman and his new wife Tiffany, and Silver. We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything. Peace to you all in Christ, Charles Norman
By: [Tommy] Preson Phillips
Of the souls that have been justified
Who’s dark clouds have been opened up wide
Blessed beyond measure
There is none quite as thankful as I
To eat from your table
Living water and bread satisfy.
If I had seen what great tarnish was rendered
By my actions and selfish ambitions,
Would I have changed?
I was brittle and crumbling like pottery
I was useless and broken and bare
But your living water
Made me moldable useful and fare
The hands of the potter
Bearing love with with the scars that he bears
If I could be made a great vessel of clay
Round and beautiful, a worthy display,
Would you fill me?
Oh, I was the grape on the vine and you picked me
I was crushed by the weight of your law
But you gave me purpose,
as you press me under your feet,
Yes… you sought to change me,
Yes… you knew of the prize I would be!
Now am the wine, and you are the wine glass,
I am the coveted work of your hand,
And father you hold me, And without you Lord, I would be spilled.
I’d be ruined and wasted, but you carry me proudly and still.
If I had known where this story was heading
If I could see the great work to unfold,
Would I have fought?
Would I have struggled?
Would I’ve surrendered?
Or would I have run?
Would I’ve found Jesus?
Would I know pleasure?
Would I know purpose at all?
My Grandfathers name was Preson P Phillips Jr. He was a professor at Tennessee Temple University for many many years, and a Presbyterian minister for a while, he is now buried at a national cemetery in Durham. I was excited today to find that a blogger mentioned him, and named him as their favorite professor. I love to hear stuff like that. Anyways, the link is right here. Thanks Brian, for remembering my grandfather.
This was the best read I have found in months. Apparently, Frank Pastore thinks that the emergent church is undermining the security of “uh-mer-ih-cuh”. You can read his post here! I could have sworn this was a joke, but it’s not. I knew all of this “love your enemies” stuff would kill us all, that’s what you get for following Jesus. (yes… it’s satire).
My Worship band and I will be playing at the Sustainable faith conference this weekend.It’s being put on by the local emergent cohorts and emergent village.
All the money is going to support the ministry of Bruce Wright and his homeless ministry (the Refuge). He is a great guy who blessed my life growing up and now attends my church. The speakers are going to be amazing, allot of local friends and national writers will be their, giving their views on faith, community and sustainability.
Please come out, if you don’t know anyone, contact me and we can go together.