A Biblical Nation?

From our nation’s beginning we have been heavily influenced by the Bible. Yet to what extent should America be labeled a Biblical nation? Our Presidents throughout the years have all been seen carrying a copy of the Bible and have even quoted Scripture, yet does this make American a “Biblical nation”?

As history looks back on our forefathers each one used (and misused) the Scriptures in various ways. Thomas Jefferson (who’s personal library consisted of more books on the Bible than any other president) translated his own copy of the Bible. Dubbed “The Jefferson Bible”, this translation focused on the life and teachings of Jesus but was completely devoid of miracles (or anything supernatural). On the one year anniversary of September 11. President George W. Bush, gave a speech in which he said, “The ideal of America is the hope of all mankind…That hope still lights our way. And the light shines in the darkness. And the darkness shall not overcome it.” (here President Bush mixes portions of John 1:4-5 with a nationalistic fervor in such a way that what is created is nothing short of syncretistic and idolatrous).

What emerged throughout the development of our nation was a predisposition to read Scripture through the lens of America nationalism (ex. in 1777 Benjamin Franklin proposed the national seal be illustrated as Moses leading Israel to safety through the Red Sea).

Mark Noll writes: “...although the Bible had worked itself into the foundation of national consciousness, it contributed little to shape the structures built upon that foundation – except for the conviction that the structures were as sacrosanct as the biblical foundation itself.” – The Bible In America

In this sense Noll points out that America (and its policies) has become intertwined with our Biblical identity to such a degree, that just as the Bible is venerated and held sacred so then is our national identity.

Where do you see examples of America as a “Biblical Nation”?
Where do you see example of America act apart or “outside” of the Biblical narrative?

Church and Culture (pt. 1)

Disagreements (even arguments and church splits) arise in church circles over what is “appropriate” by way of dress, worship music, and even social policy as they relate to culture. Is there a proper relationship between the Church and culture? Richard Niebuhr’s classic theological discourse “Christ & Culture” articulates 5 different relationships between Christ (or the Church) and Culture that we’ll take a look at over a series of blog posts.

Some questions to get us thinking: Where have you seen examples of a dysfunctional relationship between the Church and culture? Where have you seen examples of a functional (or healthy) relationship between the Church and culture?

Interpreting The Bible

Questions for you today surrounding Biblical interpretation:

What must one consider when interpreting the Bible?

What must one guard against when interpreting the Bible?

What in our culture works for proper Biblical interpretation? What in our culture works against proper Biblical interpretation?

Can one know what the “Bible says”?

Avatar: A Shift In Culture

Last weekend my family and I went to go see the latest James Cameron blockbuster: Avatar. With large buckets of popcorn and our 3-D glasses we were ready to be taken away to another world…another reality.

The movie was amazing; filled with special effects that would make George Lucas want to re-re-release the Star Wars franchise.

Yet lying beneath the layers of CGI is a storyline that serves as a sign post to our shifting culture. Avatar tells the story of exploration, discovery, conquest, and the progress that emerges from such conquests. This story is nothing new; it is found all through the history of cinema as well as through our collective American history. This is the story of how Columbus “discovered” America and “how the West was won”. The difference here is that a shift in how the story is being told is taking place.

Both Columbus and the expansion of the West (and the other “stories” like them) have been told through the prevailing worldview of a single perspective…the perspective of the majority (the group that holds the most power and influence). This is what modernity has brought us: a single story.

However the pitfall of modernity is that it claims only one story (the story of the majority) and in effect silences (through violence, oppression, or ignorance) all of the “other” stories that are speaking from different vantage points. Avatar serves as an indicator to the shift from a modern to a postmodern culture as it tells the story from the alternative vantage point (in relation the prevailing story).

One could easily recognize that the alternative story has always been there (Native Americans have always had an alternative story to the expansion of the West) but what points to a cultural shift is that this alternative story is being heard.

Middleton and Walsh write: “It is not just that the ‘Columbus story’ is being questioned or retold; more fundamental is the fact that aboriginal voices now have a significant hearing among us.” (p.12 Truth Is Stranger Than It Used to Be)

The shift in “story telling” can become unsettling and disorienting for many, particularly those who have ascribed to the prevailing story (more on this in another blog post). However I also can’t help but grow increasingly hopeful that in the midst of this shift there lies the great possibility that the God story might weave itself among us in new and surprising ways.

As the telling and hearing of the alternative stories increases, what is lost and what is gained?
How might the “alternative story” shape the way we think about and communicate the Gospel?

From Chucks to Vans

Velcro-low-top-black-converse-all-stars...

These are the shoes of my 8 year old Luke. Well worn, he has gotten a lot of mileage out of these bad boys. These kicks have climbed trees, skated up and down streets, and chased his little sister.

Sadly these shoes are worn beyond wear and no longer can keep up with Luke's action-packed-hyper-fast life style. We had to say "good-bye" to the Chucks and opt for something sleeker, faster, newer.

Luke's choice:

Old-school-low-top-slip-on-vans-with-flames (insert Scorpions metal tune "Rock You Like a Hurricane").

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes currently or from your childhood?

Anyone still own a pair of L.A. Gear or British Knights?

The Bible In Our Life

The Bible is present in every courtroom and every presidential inauguration taking on an “iconic” status, while serving as the foundational book for those of the Christian faith. Further, within the Christian framework there are those who uphold a venerated view of the Bible (without error, without question, literal in every way) while others in the faith take a different posture. These differing views of the Bible lead to a varying array of practices reflected in both our personal living and our corporate politics. Over the centuries perhaps no other book as been used and abused than that of the Bible. It has been used to both defend the institution of slavery in the United States while at the same time serving as a beacon of hope for those looking for freedom from such an oppressive system.

In “The Bible in America” Nathan Hatch and Mark Noll write: “…Scripture has been nearly omnipresent in the nation’s past…however, the actual use of the Bible in American life has been attended with considerable complexity and decided ambiguity.”

Because of this I would like to have some conversation (over several blog posts) that revolve around the Bible; how we use/misuse it; its impact on our life/politics; and the message it brings.

Where do you see the Bible’s impact on our culture (either positive or negative)?

The Big Story

What do you think of the way in which James Choung illustrates the Gospel? (play video)

What does this illustration highlight about the Gospel that other illustrations often miss?

Are there things about the Gospel that are failed to be communicated in this illustration?

Ash Wednesday

O God, your mercy is infinite and in your will is our peace. We learn your way so slowly; we choose your will so reluctantly. In this season of learning the limitlessness of your love, help us through the guidance of your Holy Spirit to learn the meaning of our Lord's suffering and to choose his example of humility. Enable us to experience and to proclaim that you are might to save, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Happy Birthday George, Here's A Mattress"

Today is President’s Day (formally celebrated as Washington’s Birthday) and I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than by giving the gift of a mattress.

Really?...

Macy’s, I’m sorry for your marketing team.

Balloon Jesus Video

A couple of weeks ago I was in Denver and spent a few evenings at the Paramount Cafe' with friends. It was pushing 12:30am on our last night in town and a girl in her early 20's was making balloon animals in order to earn a few bucks. She told me her name was Amy and then I asked her to make me a balloon animal.

She had a large portfolio of balloon animal creations (from a toilet bowl, to Bill Cosby, to things that for reasons of good taste, I can't mention on this blog). She said "how about a balloon Jesus". I agreed and then Amy asked if I wanted the "Crucifixion Jesus" or the "Robe Jesus".

I opted for the "Robe Jesus" because he was a bit more cheerful.

During her 15 minutes of Jesus creation Amy shared with me all sorts of things she experienced and thought about in life. I was glad to hear her story and impressed at her balloon creation.

I shot some video with my phone and put this video together...enjoy.

Conan's Last Words

"All I ask of you, especially young people . . . is one thing. Please don't be cynical, I hate cynicism. It's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere."

-Conan O'Brien on leaving the Tonight Show

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

In his first State of the Union address, President Obama said he would work to repeal the law that kept people from serving in the military based on sexual orientation. While the military does not ask recruits to state their sexual orientation they do actively investigate whether the enlisted are gay (since 1994 12,000 service members have been dismissed because of their sexual orientation). read more from TIME

My questions are simple:

What do you think of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy?

Should those who are gay be allowed to serve in the military?

Is this a "moral" issue?

As always be gracious in your postings.

"Do You Like American Music?"

Folk-Punk-Americana...oh how I love the Violent Femmes. I remember the 1st time I heard the song "Out Of the Window"...I was hooked. Then it was Blister In the Sun, Add It Up, American Music, Gone Daddy Gone, Old Mother Reagan, and Waiting for a Bus.

This Milwaukee trio showed me what was possible with an acoustic guitar and a tight rhythm section. Yet it was Gordon Gano's perverse lyrics ("wait a minute honey gonna add it up...) filled with teenage angst ("you can all just kiss off into the air...") and sung like an 11-year old that brought me both relief and laughter...the Femmes were a breath of fresh air to teenagers everywhere.

Never too complicated in their chord charts the Femmes taught me that the G, C, D combo was king and soon I found myself down in the basement with my friend Duffy playing every Femmes tune as if we had written it ourselves. The energy they recorded in their songs was channeled in their live performances (still one of my "all time shows" 1993 Chicago's Aragon Ballroom).

Although my guitar skills may not have advanced too far beyond the basic three chord progression, the landscape of American music is better because of the Femmes.

When to Leave a Church

I came across this conversation on the Jesus Creed blog and felt like it was worth discussing. Here are the questions to consider:

When is it appropriate to leave a church? When is it harmful?

What influences our decisions to leave a church?

Does our consumer driven culture influence our decision to leave a church? How?

What are the wrong reasons to stay at church?

Do we (21st century Americans) view our relationship with our local church like a "family" or like a "club"...what's the difference?

Bonhoeffer On Building the Church

Although Dietrich Bonhoeffer did not live during the era of the "Church Growth Movement", the remarks of this Lutheran pastor are well worth noting:

It is not we who build. [Christ] builds the church. No man builds the church but Christ alone. Whoever is minded to build the church is surely well on the way to destroying it; for he will build a temple to idols without wishing or knowing it. We must confess–he builds. We must proclaim–he builds. We must pray to him–that he may build.

We do not know his plan. We cannot see whether he is building or pulling down. It may be that the times which by human standards are the times of collapse are for him the great times of construction. It may be that the times which from a human point of view are great times for the church are times when it is pulled down.

It is a great comfort which Christ gives to his church: you confess, preach, bear witness to me and I alone will build where it pleases me. Do not meddle in what is my province. Do what is given to you to do well and you have done enough. But do it well. Pay no heed to views and opinions. Don’t ask for judgments. Don’t always be calculating what will happen. Don’t always be on the lookout for another refuge! Church, stay a church! But church, confess, confess, confess! Christ alone is your Lord; from his grace alone can you live as you are. Christ builds.

(No Rusty Swords, as cited in TDP, p. 841)