Monthly Archives: January 2015

RACISM, EMOTIONAL HEALTH, AND THE GOSPEL

7. A slowed down spirituality to lead with integrity. Our first passion is Jesus, not reconciliation. Reconciliation is a byproduct, an essential outworking of our following of Jesus. At New Life, we invite people to leave the world, along with the cultural American church, to radically follow Jesus. Reconciliation is a core theological outworking of the gospel, not an addendum. Slowing down for a deep, beneath the surface spirituality with Jesus is the only way our us to do this with integrity.

The rest is here: http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/racism/

RELEVANCE AND THE BIBLE

Will Willimon is insightful and has an ability to cut through a lot of fog:

Unfortunately, too often Christians have treated the modern world as if it were a fact, a reality to which we were obligated to adjust, rather than a point of view with which we might argue.

When we speak of reaching out to our culture through the gospel, we must be reminded that the gospel is also a culture. In the attempt to “translate” the gospel into the language of the culture, something is lost. We are learning that you have not said “salvation” when you say “self-esteem.” “The American Way” is not equivalent to “the kingdom of God.”

The rest is here: https://stertin.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/william-willimons-the-culture-is-overrated/

HT: Trevin Wax

 

HIGHBROW MEETS LOWBROW

Getting to spend time with William F. Buckley was a great blessing.  I had a couple of meals at his home. One was with some friends and our film crew.  The other one was just the two of us.  At both, peanut butter could be found.  Bill liked to put it on this wonderful toast his cooks made. 

My dear friend, Kurt Richardson, sent me this piece yesterday.  It brought back some fond memories:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/14/dining/how-red-wing-became-william-f-buckley-jrs-favorite-peanut-butter.html?_r=0

A GREAT SONG BUTHCHERED

My wife, Doreen, teaches high school worldview.  Doreen recently played this for them.  Yes, God is in His glory through eternity, but He is triune!  Listen carefully to this beautifully, but badly adapted version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Correct lyrics below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qCmtUhiKcA

Holy, Holy Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art,and evermore shalt be.

Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see:
Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power in love,and purity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!