Creation, Science, and Tim Keller

As a pastor, and more particularly, as the pastor of a church wherein many people push back on Christian orthodoxy (a fact which I absolutely LOVE), I think that more than any other question in the past ten years, I have been asked about the relationship between science /evolution and biblical theism. Many Christians find the whole relationship between biblical revelation and scientific truth to be hard to reconcile. More to the point, it often becomes a bit dicey for Christian leaders to admit where their leanings are on this particular topic because even the appearance of consideration of evolutionary biological principles is tantamount to heresy.

A more balanced and reasoned approach tot he topic is often needed - and who better to present that view than Tim Keller. Presbyterian pastor by day, Keller tackles the thorniness of the topic with a clarity that is enviable. I know, I know - I have already admitted in the young life of this blog to being a lover of Keller's work, but, when its good its good. So, for those that might be interested, here's a link to Keller's white paper on the topic as presented at a workshop this past November entitled,  "In Search of a Theology of Celebration.  

http://www.biologos.org/uploads/projects/Keller_white_paper.pdf

Enjoy

A beautiful day . . .

It was a beautiful day! Not much for the profound or deep thoughts, just a day in which I was very thankful for the place I live, and the family with which I can share the day.

I was struck tho by how much difference time spent together means to people. Take my daughter for instance. Yesterday we went for a hike in the mountains, and the toboganning afterwards. For the previous day or so she had been moping around the house, asking to watch tv and generally feeling restless. Then yesterday we went to the mountains. And, by the end of the first hour out there together she was grabbing me arm and repeatedly telling me how much she loved me. It was almost as if you could see gauge of our relationship going up by the hour! The more time we spent together throughout the day the more we all seemed to be "feeling the love." So much so that when I tucked her tired little self in to bed that night she squeezed me in a hug, long and hard, and told me that she loved me looooooooootttttttttttttttttttttts, and that I was the best daddy in the world.

In the end, on the way home, I commented to my wife that it was the best way to spend the afternoon - together, doing an activity, sharing time and laughs. I know, I know, I know - sounds too simple.  I know we can't do that every day, but I think we really did make an investment in our family yesterday.

Here's a shot or two of the day.

Dave Cooks the Turkey

Christmas is only a day or two away. That having been said, I have to admit that a dream of mine is to one day be in the audience for the Vinyl Cafe Christmas Concert. I think that it is perhaps one of the best pieces of Canadiana that there is. Stuart McLean is the master story teller and makes me laugh out loud most of the time.

So, I thought I would share a favourite of mine - the tory of Dave Cooking the Turkey! It's well worth the listen. So, laugh away and check this out! (Oh, and after clicking the link you actually have to download the file - sorry, its not available for free in a streaming format. So, click the link, go to the top right of the page you get directed to and then follow the download instructions)

http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=2332622&song=Dave+Cooks+The+Turkey

Martyn Joseph in Calgary

Earlier this year one of my favourite folk singers, Martyn Joseph was here in Calgary. Here are some clips of two songs from that fantastic show.

Enjoy!

"Turn me Tender"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg8tpgTBDX0&fmt=18

"Sing to My Soul"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAjtmSTPWVQ&feature=related&fmt=18

http://adrianwarnock.com/2009/03/preach-to-change-them-in-their-seats/

I said I was a Tim Keller fan - so, here's a link to a piece well worth listening to. It's about the act and art of listening to people who are preaching/ speaking publicly about God, Jesus and stuff like that.

This is War

(Click the link and watch the video of Dustin Kensrue's song, "This is War." But, before you do, be forewarned that it is not the most suitable viewing for kids, and even some adults might find it hard to stomach)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0RbWg0UCKE&fmt=18

So, I was sent this link the other day. It's a link to a youtube vid done by a singer I have never heard of until now. His name is Dustin Kensrue.

There is a lot that could be said about it I supposed. But, for now, I thought it was enough to simply throw it out there. This is certainly NOT the typical take on Christmas. Not by any means. But, perhaps for the first time in my 39 + years this sort of tone resonates with me.

Jesus, fighter.

Jesus battler of all the pain and brokenness of this world.

Jesus, just by showing up declares war on the messed up parts of the world.

The militaristic sense of Jesus is still hard to swallow for me (even moreso in the vid). But, the notion of battling, of engaging in a life or death struggle - and the ironic beauty of a child coming into this world to lead the charge - all of that has some resonance to it for me . . .  at least this year.

What do you think?

Does Design Matter?

Does design matter?

What I mean is, does the way you design something have any impact on its effectiveness? When I put the question that way, I think most of us answer "yes." But, think about it a bit more. What if there is a more efficient way to design something - is that always the best thing? What if the more efficient way gets you 90% of your desired outcome - is that worth the sacrifice? SOme will say yes to 90%, but what about 80%? 75%? 60%?

Where would you draw the line?

When we are talking about say, an investment we might be happy with any of the above. But, what about when we are talking about the church?

The common thought these days it seems to me is that the Church, at least in its local expression(s), can take almost any form. Call it a house church, a mega church, a coffee house church, a Gen X church, Gen Y, church, a Boomer church, a community church, (you get the picture) - the most prevailing trend seems to be to say that all of them are fine in and of themselves - let freedom reign when it comes to this sort of thing!

Is that really the case?

I know I am not thinking any new thoughts here. There are all sorts of people out there that have thought these sorts of things before this post. So, call me late to the game - whatever. But, it seems to me a worthwhile question with which to wrestle nonetheless.

Here it is in a nutshell: What, if any, is the relationship between the biblical commands, expression and design of the local church as seen in the early church, and the church as it is being lived out in our North American context?

When the book of Acts describes the church and its activity (read Acts 2: 42-47) is it being prescriptive or descriptive?

Are there certain objective things that MUST happen for something to be considered a church?

Are there certain things that are completely negotiable?

And what of this whole question of design: When we set out to plant or start a new church - does it matter how we design it? Does the creation and the Holy Spirit "grove" to certain designs because they have the fingerprints of God on them, and, conversely have less to do with designs that in some way are ill fitting with the gospel message?

Or, is it simply the case, as a good friend told me the other day, that, "the Spirit of God blows wherever it wants" so don't even worry about it.

hmmmmmmmm.

Who do you identify with?

I have a friend by the name of Kerwin. Kerwin is a great guy with a lot of insights, passions and skill. He works in the health and wellness field and as such tries his best to stay abreast of the sorts of things that make for healthy living. To that end, as long as I have known him he has always shown an interest in what he calls, "religious stuff."

Kerwin is straight up about where he stands. As far as he is concerned organized religion has corrupted the message of the gods. I say "gods" because Kerwin is indescriminate in his assessment. In his mind, whether its Buddha, Allah or Jesus, the same plight has affected them all - people have messed up the message of every religion.

Obviously that made me think about the life I have been given, the church I belong to and the people who are part of my life and learning with me to follow Jesus. Are we following Jesus? Really? How would someone know? Would it show up here and there in my life? Would everything I do be drenched in some sort of "Jesus wash?" Isn't it enough to simply admire Jesus and his teaching? Can't we simply laud him for his courageous stands and ethical positions on things? Or, is more required?

Lately, I have been trying to think a lot about the imitating of Jesus that the Bible talks about. For the most part, in our North American culture, to mimic someone is not always the most positive thing we can do. A friend told me that in her opinion mimicking someone "leans towards the negative." Yet, it seems to me that one of the expectations that Jesus has of you and I is that we literally become more like Jesus, that we identify with him, his words, actions and deeds - that we become "little Jesus'."

Not sure what I am talking about? (that is certainly possible!) Go grab your Bible and try reading Luke 8: 40-46. Read it quietly the first time noting what's strange or odd. Then read it again and pay attention to what it is that strikes at your heart and life. Then, read it again a third time and ask yourself: Who is this story do I identify with the most? Is it the leader? Is it the woman? Is it the crowd?

Strangely enough, when this exercise took place under the direction of Harvey Cox (he's a missiologist/ professor and all around really smart guy) only 10 out of 600 people identified with the person of Jesus in the story. Think about that - only 10 out of 600 people identified with Jesus in the story. And yet, we are supposed to be his followers. We are supposed to do what he does, say what he says, act the way he acts in this world.

What would it take for you to identify more with Jesus - and by that I mean to literally start making different decisions that are more reflective of his teaching, his life, his words, etc.? What would it take to move him from a person you admire and study - to one that you actually mimic?

Donald freakin' Miller

Donald freakin' Miller. That's right. I intimated that I have a problem with the man. Sure, its a polite, attention drawing problem, but its a problem nonetheless.

If you have never heard of Don (no, we aren't on a first name basis and have never met, but I am sure he wouldn't mind), you should get to know at least his most (in)famous work, "Blue Like Jazz." He has other books, the titles of which I forget, but that's the one that put him on the map.

Anyway, today I was doing some research (that's what pastors call time surfing the web when they should be doing other things - and, provided the stuff you are looking at is in some way related to Christianity, you CAN call it research and feel good about it) for a message I am trying to get together for Sunday. As I was poking around, I came across a 20 minute video clip of him talking at some convention somewhere. So, since I had worked my way to lunch time, I thought I could listen/ watch and eat my lunch (again, this is pastor language for multi-tasking).

There were a lot of things that were striking about the video. For one thing, since whatever time this was filmed and now Miller has lost a few lbs. Apparently the Christian writer's speaking is not immune to some measures of vanity. Beyond the cosmetic observations however, Miller did have something interesting to say. Most particularly, he talked about stories and the power that they have.

The North American "story" claimed Miller was something like, "Go make lots of money. Use that large amount of money to buy stuff. Gather enough stuff and you will be happy." There were other examples, but that's the one that sticks in my mind.

The observation he made next was simple, but unsettling. The gospel "story" is about God's work in this world to undo all the messy broken stuff - bringing an end to war, famine, injustice, personal pain, insults, gossip, death, etc., etc., etc., More than that, you and I have a role to play in this massive story. In fact, we have a particular piece that God has designed for us to play in this redemptive drama.

As an example, he talked about a friend who was involved in feeding the hungry in the third world. In fact, when this friend was effective, entire communities were fed and prospered. Conversely, if this person "checked out" of the thing God had made them to do, if they died, if they simply gave up there would be a whole, a gap if you willing the work that God wants done.

Have you ever thought about your life and purpose as part of God's dream for this world?

What part of the undoing of this world's brokenness would cease if you died/ gave up?

I just finished this book. If you don't know Pat Lencioni, you might want to pick this book up anyway. More often than not, Lencioni is commenting on organizations, structure, leadership, vision, etc., etc., etc. But, this time he takes aim at something we all have been a part of in some form or another: a family.

I don't want to spoil the book as it is a pretty simple, and easy read. However, in the end, Lencioni says that families ought to view themselves as organizations, and as a result ask themselves a couple of important questions.

First, what makes your family unique? That is to say, what sets your family apart from every other one on the block? What is the unique blend of values, goals, aspirations, etc., that you share as a family unit

Secondly, Lencioni asks people to consider the question: What is our rally cry? Essentially, he is saying that if even for only a short period of time, each family has a goal, a focus, a common set of priorities that ties them all together.

Finally, Lencioni asks people to consider how their own family shares the answers to the first two questions.

In the end, I have to say that I like the book. Do do think that it lends itself to some version of a family unit that exists only in the suburbs of North America. However, that having been said, there are certainly a shwack of families that fit that criteria be they blended, traditional, mixed in some way, same sex, - whatever. In each case, it would seem to me that the questions he poses, at least for this segment of our society are worth thinking about.

So, what is it that makes your family unique? What is the unique constellation of values, goals, shared experiences and objectives that all combine to make the family that you are a part of?

What's God like?

A few months ago, someone asked me if I had met "Bob." I replied that "no," I hadn't even heard of him. The person then proceeded to tell me how lucky I was to have missed this introduction. After all, "Bob" was this that and the other thing.

The other day, I met Bob in person. And you know what happened in me? I couldn't help but think of the description I had already heard from months before. Better people would have forgotten - but no me. I remembered what I had heard about Bob and used it as an evaluative grid for my interaction with him. Needless to say, poor Bob was working from a deficit that he wasn't even aware on in our conversation. Ironically enough, over the course of the conversation I actually discovered that Bob was a pretty good guy. I have even enjoyed the couple of subsequent conversations with him since that initial exchange.

Lately I am becoming convinced that the same thing happens to God now and then - and I gotta think that he gets frustrated by it. Over the course of a lifetime people get impressions, data, teaching, information about God that shapes their pre-disposition towards Him, and for the most part this shapes any introduction that they might have with him for the rest of their lives.

I know how the rest of this post is supposed to go. At this point I should remind readers who are followers of Jesus that they are making impressions on God's behalf all the time. I could even end with some rhetorical flair and ask Are you making impressions that help or hinder others in their coming to know God?

I could write that, but I think it would make me vomit all over my keyboard.

These days what is more and more capturing my thoughts is where my own images of God come from and what impact they are having on my relationship with God? I know the question is pretty elementary at one level. There is a lot of common conversation about how our impressions of our earthly dad affect our relationship with our heavenly Father, that sort of thing.

I guess what I am thinking about is more like the fine brush strokes of a painting. What are the small things, the intricacies of my impressions of God? Where did these come from? On their own, each one isn't that big of a deal. No one really sees the single brush stroke in the grand landscape. But, what if there are five odd ones? ten? 50? On their own each brush stroke isn't fatal - but collectively, on the entire canvas of one's spiritual life, the combination of all of them could be devastating.

For this my first post, I feel some compulsion to wrap it all up in a neat package and put a bow on it.  But maybe not. This blog is called "Life in Process" for a reason. For now, I am going to go away and ask God about which impressions I have of him that he would like a shot at changing. Who knows, maybe stroke by stroke the whole picture could change.

What about you?