Minimal.

Should I seek to be a minimalist? Not just for the sake of being a minimalist but for the sake of simplicity, the purging of possessions, and giving of what I have so that those who do not have might have?

Deconstructing Orthodoxy?

A friend of mine recently created a blog that he entitled "Deconstructing Orthodoxy." The definitions provided for each term in the title are as follows:
Deconstruct (de·con·struct): 1. to take apart or examine in order to reveal the basis or composition, often with the intention of exposing biases, flaws, or inconsistencies.
Orthodoxy (or·tho·doxy): 1. a belief or orientation agreeing with conventional standards.
I have spent a fair amount of time with Derrida, Raschke, Brueggemann, and Ward "deconstructing." Not much time or energy is necessary to initially recoginize the biases, flaws, and inconsistencies of the systems and standard of church. Only in one's own recognition of the brokenness and messiness of church is the ideal community actually discovered. I don't agree with the "conventional standards" of American "church." However, I would propose that orthodoxy is not what needs deconstructed when considering that orthodoxy in its truest, most unadulterated state is the standard set by Jesus. Unfortunately, the way of Jesus is not the standard so to deconstruct orthodoxy may, in fact, be appropriate and necessary.
Visit www.deconstructingorthodoxy.blogspot.com. The author is constructing a life in the way of Jesus.

The Word Dwelling as Image // MVNU Podcast

I was asked to teach for one of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University chapel services. I presented an untitled message that could possibly be called, "The Word Dwelling as Image." Hopefully I will be able to post the video soon. There were elements of imagery that enhance the learning experience.
CLICK HERE to listen to the itunes podcast teaching. Texts included are John 1:1, 14; Phil. 2; John 9 regarding the concept of the word, its transition to image, and the emergence of compassion.

Sleep and Time.

If I didn't have to sleep I would have enough time. That is a problem.

Blessed Glycerine.

I just realized that the tune "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman is a bad version of Bush's "Glycerine." I like the lyrical progression and fluctuation of "Glycerine" much better. I grew up on "Christian music." My early days of adolescence were filled with DC Talk, Audio Adrenaline, and Newsboys. I have since discovered that there is actually good music out there. I would highly suggest Iron & Wine, Matt Nathanson, Radiohead, U2, Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Jack Johnson, Dashboard Confessional, Pedro the Lion, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, The Fray, and others that deserve to be listed but would result in exhaustive list making.
Please include your recommendations in a comment.
Thank you.
SHAME ON ME: I nearly forgot James Taylor.

Re: IMAGINING logos.

In the beginning...
Was the Word...
The Word was with God...
And the Word was God...

And the Word became flesh...
And dwelt among us.

Political Involvement 1.0.2.

I am restating a question from a previous post:
It is the task of the follower of Jesus to attempt to understand the political climate of first century Israel while considering Jesus' involvement or lack thereof in said arena. Based on such study, if Jesus were to show up in America in 2008, would he involve himself in the American political system? If so, to what degree? If not, what we he do instead and why?

Emergent Top 10 / 80%

I found a mildly humorous Top 10 list to determine if I am "Emergent." I edited it slightly to transition it to a level of somewhat humorous.

You might be Emergent if...

10. ... you have never read one of the "Left Behind Books" or prayed the "Prayer of Jabez" or led the "40 Days of Purpose."

9. ... you know that a megachurch only belongs on VH1's "I Love the '80's."

8. ... you wouldn't be surprised to see Gandhi in heaven but you would be floored to see Jerry Falwell.

7. ... you argue that the Beast is America and the Anti-Christ is Pat Robertson.

6. ... your mentor just used profanity and it seemed appropriate.

5. ... you honored your pastor with a box of fine cigars.

4. ... your hair looks like a bad midwestern version of Ryan Seacrest's.

3. ... you carry a Nalgene water bottle in a North Face backpack while complaining about consumerism.

2. ... you purchase your church supplies from a Buddhist book shop.

1. ... your favorite Carson is Daily but definitely not Don.

Based on the above list I am 80% Emergent. Which two do not apply to me?

Political Involvement.

Should followers of Jesus be involved in American politics? If so, to what degree? If not, why?

Slippery when following.

Tony,
Well said. Thanks, Adam, for including this post.
There is nothing unslippery about Jesus, that is of course, if we allow the real Jesus to be the one we follow. Following Jesus is risky and disenchanting to popular, comfortable life. If we are daring enough to follow we may slip and fall away from empire worship including the state-nation and the doctrines that suppossedly define the church.
Travis

The preceding was a comment I posted in response to a post by Tony Jones included on Pomomusings.

Uncomfortable Habit.

"The longer you look at Jesus, the more you will want to serve him in this world. That is, of course, if it's the real Jesus you're looking at. Plenty of people in the church and outside it have made up a 'Jesus' for themselves, and have found that this invented character makes few real demands on them. He makes them feel happy from time to time but doesn't challenge them, doesn't suggest they get up and do something about the plight of the world. Which is, of course, what the real Jesus had an uncomfortable habit of doing."
Carl Raschke, The Next Reformation.

One final thought for the coming year...

... the Church will be subversively reformed. Part II of the Protestant Reformation is in process and is moving. There is no individual leader. No Martin Luther. That is where the subversiveness enters.

In the Year 2008...

Though I do not claim to be a fortune-teller, prophet, palm-reader, astrologist, or tarot card expert I thought I should mock the aforementioned and the bringing in of a new year while simultaneously honoring Conan O'Brien by looking into the future.
In the year 2008...
... the United States of America will celebrate it's first female or African-American president.
... I will learn through failure and success both through grace.
... regular unleaded gasoline will reach $4.00/gallon.
... Verizon will introduce a global calling plan.
... AT&T will change its name back to Cingular... again.
... my daughter Kyla at age (1) will state her first sentence, "Church is the missional, covenant community of followers of Jesus marked by incarnational compassion."
... Mariah Carey will attempt to make a comeback with an atrocious release entitled, "Sparkle."