Rob Bell: THE GODS AREN'T ANGRY: Part 2

What is your label?

Ever since my college undergraduate experience I have had to contemplate whether or not to proceed with any form of ordination or licensure as a "professional minister" [if such a person can even really exist (see next entry)]. Having earned my B.A. in Theology and being in process with my M.A. in Religion (Missional Leadership) I well exceed the educational "requirements/qualifications" to be a "licensed" minister in the Church of the Nazarene. There remains something unsettling, however, every time I consider officially affiliating myself with any given denomination. To an even greater degree I find it problematic to own a certificate labeling myself as a "minister" (once again, see next entry).
Why do we insist on methods of labeling and categorization?
Can we not be followers of Jesus / teachers of the way of Jesus without "credentials?"
Why do we adhere ourselves to certain denominational tribes?
What labels are healthy or unhealthy?
How do you label yourself?
How do others label you?
How do you label others?
Please leave your thoughts and check out the survey tool to the right.

A Confession for the Church.

There were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling while circling the San Diego Bay on a dessert cruise. Cheesecake and chocolate truffles had been served along with coffee and much remained to be eaten. The cruise was a type of celebration or at least a designated time to relax and enjoy company after several days of meetings and meals in dialogue about leadership, strengths, and vision for student leadership in the way of Jesus on college campuses. After consuming the freshness of the crisp air, the sweet flavored delicacies, the lights of the city, and the warmth of relationship the boat docked.
Upon descending from the ramp connecting the boat to the city sidewalk and proceeding to the shuttle for the return trip to the hotel, there were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling while three individuals prepared their separate "beds" on cold, hard, street-side benches. One had a shopping cart with some blankets and cardboard. As he laid down and covered up there were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling who WALKED RIGHT BY.
The "religious elite" composed of student leaders and staff members from a theological seminary and eight "Christian" colleges WALKED RIGHT BY.
I... WALKED RIGHT BY.
Not a word spoken.
Only a glance.
I... WALKED RIGHT BY.
I thought for only an instant... "I should stop. I should ask if there is something I could do to help. I could catch a cab back to the hotel after having a conversation with this man."
"But everyone will see me. I don't want to appear hyper-religious or provide a poor representation of engaging people with the love of Jesus."
So I continued on.
I was part of the "religious elite" who had better things to do or at least a certain image to maintain. Meanwhile, I was hyper-religious and provided a poor representation of engaging people with the love of Jesus.
On behalf of the Church.
To the church.
I apologize.
Grace.

"Emerging" and "Emergent"

Tony Jones was asked a question that I continually hear: "What is the difference between 'Emerging' and 'Emergent?' I have never had a very good response for all of those who seek my opinion/input about issues of ecclesiology but Tony has an :: OUTSTANDING reply :: that I suggest all read. Thank you Tony for giving my reply that I could not articulate.

"Everything is Spiritual."

If everything is spiritual then nothing is spiritual because nothing is by its own existence something and therefore has to be part of everything. To say that nothing is spiritual is to affirm to a greater degree that everything is indeed spiritual.

Our Lives and Minds on Film.

Coming soon to a Subversive Reformation near you.
Opening Saturday, March 1.

Subversive Reformation will be posting a series of entries dedicated to the screen play writing, the cinematography, the digital editing, and the acting that is the religious and culturally formative film industry. I will be composing several posts that include the competitive ranking of films in pliable labeling systems including:

Most Intellectually Stimulating Film
Best Picture on Reality
Most Inspiring Monologue
Best Character Development
Most Meaningful Film
High Entertainment Value

Please post your film recommendations for any of the above categories and also suggest other categories.

Geometric Philosophy.

The actually title of this post is:
"Geometric Philosophy (and the theological implications therein; as if there can't be theological implications)"
I didn't have a very good geometry teacher in high school. In fact, my best friend and I sometimes actually taught the class. Geometry and philosophy are things that have always just "clicked" for me.
There is a somewhat commonly used phrase cited as, "It (meaning something) comes full circle." Can something really "come full circle?" What does that even mean? If a circle is not a full circle then it is not even a circle at all. A not full circle would be an arc (not to be confused with anything involving Joan, the Covenant, or Noah). The entire concept of a circle, however, may only be accepted if one presumes that an infinite number of points between two other points can proceed infinitely to connect with yet another point.
Confused? Try to understand God.

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.

4th Sunday in Advent Reading.

Though my personal readings and reflections are, indeed, very personal and private, I find it timely and necessary to share a portion from yesterday's invocation from "A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants." Please excuse the King James-like Old English. It is a beautiful prayer.

"Bestow upon us, we beseech thee, that most excellent Christmas gift of charity to all, that so the likeness of thy Son may be formed in us."

My personal translation (or, rather, paraphrase) reads:

"We beg you. Give us the greatest gift of all. Give us hearts and minds for giving to all so that we may reflect the very gift given to us: salvation, freedom, liberation, life."

ARROGANCE AND AUTHORITY II.

Can arrogance be equated with speech or an action that is one's own claim of his/her authority? In other words, is it "the pot calling the kettle black" for someone to tell another that he/she is arrogant?

ARROGANCE and AUTHORITY.

Can an arrogant person admit his/her own arrogance? If so, then isn't his/her own admittance arrogant because he/she views himself/herself as authoritative enough to make that decision?

JUXTAPOSITION / TOUR / CONSUMPTION / SUBSEQUENT.

This post is to provide a perspective of the direction that my blog will progress for an undetermined amount of time. The next several posts will include thoughts and questions on:

• giving and the juxtaposed consumerism of the supposed celebration of Jesus entering earth in the form of man.
• the neo-lecture given by Rob Bell as introduced in the post below entitled "THE GODS ARE NOT ANGRY TOUR."
• philosophical wonderings that consume much of my mind.
• life experiences and the subsequent production of community, journey, and revelation of truth.

Please excuse the effect that modernism has had on me as revealed by my use of bullets in the above list.