Here's an interesting article.

“It seems that the central problem with the emerging church ... is that in its zeal to respond to postmodern culture in a way that is evangelistically effective and personally and ecclesiologically refreshing, they have not yet carefully critiqued postmodernism,” Hammett continued. “Without such critique, there is a real danger that the movement will appropriate elements of postmodern thought that cannot be integrated into a genuinely evangelical Christian worldview.”

So - I ask you - what is a genuine evangelical Christian worldview?

Is there such a thing?

Here's a thought, "Don’t try to do better; just become the you that's you."

But isn’t the Christian life supposed to be about becoming a better Christian?
Reading the Bible more.
Praying more.
Not swearing.
No drinking.
Don't smoke.
Be nice.
Be good.
Be better.

Kind of like that classic Adam Ant song, "Goody Two Shoes?" Don't drink, don't smoke - What do you do? Sudden inuendo follows, must be something inside.

I don’t know about you, but that's not particularly inspiring to me.

It lack's that certain 'freedom' appeal.

Is life really supposed to be about doing the right things? Have we slipped so far as to think a God following lifestyle is all about being percieved as a better Christian?

I'm pretty sure God wants us to know that He never intended for our lives to be this dutiful pursuit of morality - paying pennance for all the world to see.

He designed us to live from our hearts and to follow after the desires He placed there. This ‘do everything the right way’ gospel seems to more accurately reflect the way of the Pharisees – the religious folk of the day - whom Jesus enraged with his message of grace, love and forgiveness.

Anyone who trys to appear like all is good and right, so that everyone around them feels they are a righteous dude is quite contrary to the point. The message Jesus spoke about was having a heart inwardly right before God.

Look what it says here: You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something. You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds. – Matthew 23:25-28 from The Message translation

The Pharisees were all about duty – do this, but don’t do that.

Jesus’ message was all about desire, freedom, and hope.

Which sounds more appealing to you?

The real message of Christianity is the ability for man to enjoy an intimate relationship with his creator. It's about heart to heart.

What happened to that message?

It’s so simple. We know in our heads it's true, and yet we continue to live by the ‘be better’ gospel.

Salvation is not and never will be by anything we do. Nothing we can do will ever change God's thought, opinion, or acceptance of us.

He loves us just the way he made us.

So - it's much less about doing the right things. It's about being that person He made you to be. If you can master that, then you'll always be the best you... you'll ever be.

I like radio as much as or more than the next guy. One thing that peeves me is dead air. That and when a DJ starts yapping and there’s no music bed behind him. If it’s talk radio, then by all means, I expect to hear just voices. But any self-respecting radio station should know better than just to talk without a little music dribbling through in the background.

But maybe it’s just a preference thing. I prefer the music in the background.

So today, I’m scanning through stations and happen upon a local Christian radio station. They are having a fund drive for supporters of the station. And the DJ’s are yapping, “we’ve just received a challenge – in the next hour Dr. So-n-So has pledged to match dollar for dollar up to $1000!”

They then interviewed him to ask why he supports local Christian Radio (which is mostly satellite feed from Nashville anyway, but I digress). His reasoning? “When a patient walks through my reception area and comments they heard me on the radio, that’s when I know it’s working.”

Notice the rationale here. He is being noticed. His practice is being noticed. Nothing about whether religious radio is actually helping anyone. No talk about pitching in so the poor can pay rent. Not even lip service for housing for the homeless. No, in the real world, this is called advertising. But in Christendom, it’s re-packaged as “support or contribution.” May I be the one to cry, “8u11 $h1t!” on this?

This man is an advertiser just like all the other “sponsors” or "contributors" who donate to various endeavors just so their name will be seen or heard. Their company is being promoted. Their cause for supporting is justified in their own eyes.

Isn’t this just a load of rhetoric crap? The Religious world is pawning off “contributions” as a way to help our community, as in, “we are reaching” our listeners. Helping with what? Leveraging flawed belief systems? Unfortunately, the scheme plays into hapless lemming propaganda – they march off embracing the radio station (or whatever the religious flavor of the day is) and parading all of its benefits!

I’m sorry, but I can’t stomach it.

Here me on this, readers – The way of Jesus’ teaching had nothing to do with Marketing, Branding, Product Placement, Advertising, or Corporate Imaging. Nothing was mentioned in the, “giving to get” department. He abhorred public recognition – there are instances where he requested of those he helped not to tell anyone.

Can we look at this for what it is?

Whenever we are contributing to something in the hopes of receiving recognition or endorsement, we are dead wrong. The Christ-like believers are charged with giving our lives away. The right hand is never to know what our left hand is giving. Our “giving” is to be made for God’s eyes only, with a priority for the Lost, the Last and the Least of society – yet our Christian marketplace caters to the wealthy, the camera-friendly, and morally astute.

It’s as if Jesus were a bought and paid for Republican. He is not. Nor is He a Democrat for that matter. He stood for justice, equality, integrity, selflessness, authenticity and compassion, but strayed from political affiliations.

Remember this little snippet, “bless those that persecute you or despitefully use you?”

“Love your neighbor as much, or more than you love yourself?”

Or another timeless classic, “take care of the fatherless and the poor.”

That’s the music we should be playing in the background. They will know us by our love for one another, not for the packaging of lifeless, hollow words.

Ok. So what's up with these ads on our blog?

How come they are all so "enlightened?"

For a good time call 1-900-psych-me-out.

Dude. Church Jesus God Bible Christian Christianity Prayer

Has anyone ever watched this show? First of all, let me say, I am not a frequent viewer - but - as I was channel surfing last night, I came across this reality show about two completely different families who essentially, "trade spouses."

One wife was an overweight, screaming lunatic holy roller from the swamps of Louisiana while the other was a quite lovely looking astrologer/life coach. She was what some would call "new age." I think you know where I am going with this...

I was reading posts in the spirituality section of craigslist and came across some chit chat regarding this same show. Most of these individuals were atheists. AND they saw this show. AND they saw this screaming lunatic calling herself "God's Spiritual Warrior" on national television. They also saw the "new age" woman -- clearly sane, loving her family and seemingly innocent to her "dark ways," (which is how the raving lunatic described her). Obese holy roller woman is a poster child for what religion, over time, does to well intentioned control freaks.

Sigh. What her poor husband wouldn't do for a good ol' skinny shag.

I may have to side with the athiests on this one.

Dear Obese Holy Rolling Lunatic Spouse,
Thanks for providing the faith community with a healthy example of the extreme "God Warrior."

E to tha M. Peace Out.Church Jesus God Bible Christian Christianity Prayer

Today my wife and I have had some really good conversation about our thoughts and observations regarding church. I realize the last couple of posts are purely overviews reprinted from other sources, and you may think we are subscribing to every jot and tiddle written here.

Keep in mind; we’re just trying to open things up to conversation. There are more conversations to have and many angles not seen yet.

This week, I’ve had two dear friends happen upon their need for God in their life, as all of us sometimes do. The difference being this – God found them.

So often we try to talk to people about our spiritual experiences and persuade them to “try God”, as if we are introducing them to taste a new oriental cuisine. Now more than ever, I am realizing that this is a pointless exercise. It’s as if I were to say to someone, “Here’s God!” and I make my little list of what God is, how He operates, and “Oh yeah, here’s the list of do’s and don’ts you’ll have to live up to for God to have any effect on your life.”

Who am I to take God anywhere, like some sort of missionary taking Jesus to the world? Is that to say He wasn’t there before I showed up? Does God only travel with those who are his followers of the “moral code?” And if God does move like this, does he leave forwarding addresses for the rest of his followers?

No. God was always there. It’s just that sometimes, we don’t recognize His movements. We may not see His handywork in action.

For us, we think God is in the black and white of life – and all the while he’s been lurking in the shadows. Waiting for the right time. The right place to reach out – and create an undeniable moment.

Understand that the Bible is not about judgment, wrath and moral obligation. It’s a story. A story of pain, anguish and disappointments. A story of hope, love and redemption. But mostly, it’s a story of a creator, reaching out to His creation – asking them to love Him the way that He loves us.

That’s the good news.Church Jesus God Bible Christian Christianity Prayer

Modernism is often pictured as pursuing absolute truth, linear thinking, rationalism, certainty, the cerebral as opposed to the emotional, in turn, which breeds arrogance, inflexibility, a lust to be right and the desire to control.

Postmodernism, by contrast, recognizes how much of what we “know” is framed by the culture we live in – it’s controlled by emotions and aesthetics and heritage, and can only be intelligently held as part of a common tradition, without overbearing claims to being true or right.

Modernism tries to find unquestioned foundations on which to build the house of knowledge and then proceeds with inflexibility; postmodernism denies that such foundations exist and insists that we come to “know” things in many ways, not a few of them lacking in firmness. Modernism is hard-edged and, in the domain of religion, focuses on truth versus error, right belief, confessionalism.

Generally speaking, Postmodernism is gentle and, in the domain of religion, focused upon relationships, love, shared tradition, integrity and authenticity in discussion.

Emerging leaders see a very clear contrast between modern culture and postmodern culture and attempts to connect the divide by questioning frames of context, source of knowledge, and of particular concern; foundation, scope, and validity.

Because of these questions, critics characterize Emergents as protestors against traditional Evangelicalism and, all that it understands as modernism. In Dan Kimball’s The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations, he points the way forward to reach a new generation of people who have moved on, whether generationally or culturally. Emergents are motivated then, by a desire to reach people who have no interest in traditional approaches and stances.

Kimball’s book offers a profile of what postmodernism might embrace: it accepts pluralism, embraces the experiential, delights in the , and is comfortable with narrative, with what is fluid, global, communal/tribal, and so forth.

He believes worship should be multi-sensory, symbolic, and an emphasis on the visual. Suggestions include crosses and candles, incense, communion services without sermons, changing the geography of the room, different expressions of worship at any one time, and perhaps going off to do a bit of journaling. “Worship in the emerging church,” Kimball writes, “is less about looking out for what is on the cutting edge and more about moving back into our spiritual center with Jesus as our sole focus.”

Of note, the sermon is only one part of the worship gathering. Here the preacher teaches how the ancient wisdom applies to kingdom living; the preacher emphasizes and explains the experience of who the truth is. The scriptural message is communicated through a mix of words, visual arts, silence, testimony, and story, and the preacher is a motivator who encourages people to learn from the Scriptures throughout the week. Such preaching will be deeply God-centric rather than human-centered, and care should be taken not to insult people’s intelligence.

And finally, most preaching takes place outside of the church building in the context of community involvement and authentic relationships.

We have been approached to provide a definition for what The Emergent Church might be. As such – it may not be possible to write one explanation that would cover all interpretations and appease every believer who subscribes to the Emergent movement.

But all who are a part of the movement would agree, the term “Emergent” is nothing more than a working title. There is no one Emergent Church, nor is there one Emergent Movement. But there are many emergent conversations going on, and each has some commonalities.

As such, those who subscribe to this mindset choose to describe their religious experience as a journey – that we are all fellow travelers having conversations along the way. Part of that conversation involves the deconstruction of modern faith. Each element of one’s personal faith experience is reassembled in light of his or her own unique journey. By holding no belief sacred and forcing every assumption to be reevaluated, many Emergents have found themselves rekindling their faith based on precepts that were once ignored or left out of their equation of western faith.

This newfound belief system requires a change in terms & values that most Emergents will hold near & dear. These might be stated as Holistic, Missional, Community, Justice, Equality, Caring for the poor, Feeding the hungry, and Stewardship. Because of these values there is an escalating tone demanding the future faith community to be one of action. Where the modern western culture has created a faith evolved from knowledge, intellect and general Greco-Roman principle, the Emerging Movement is seeking purpose and fulfillment by being, doing and acting out the role of Jesus in everyday living.

Tomorrow’s Lesson – Post-Modernism and Protest
inspired or regurgitated from Scot McKnight's postings

We began this website with the thought that others would contribute. Since that time, several readers have offered their vote of approval - which is always nice and encouraging.

At the same time, the last two days have contained some of the most meaningful, thought-provoking and honest conversations we've had in quite some time. Not just between ourselves, but with those around us. Perhaps it has to do with the recent change in mindset or attitude we've had. Perhaps our eyes are being opened to new ways of thinking. Or maybe we've learned the value for open dialogues -- not as tools to push agendas, but as a means to grow, learn and truly engage each other.

The point being this: Church Jesus God Bible Christian Christianity Prayer

We are offering you a glimpse into our spiritual walk as we wrestle with different ideas and beliefs. We are making this offer as a starting point for conversation. So, rather than us taking on the role of tour guide and showing you all around, it may be better for us all to share our part of this journey -- As fellow travelers

Tell us your story. What's on your mind? What aspect of your faith might we struggle about together? We're not afraid to post your input, in fact -- we're inviting you to do so.

Let's put it out there and sort through it together as one big collaborative effort.

This is an excerpt from the book, “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell.

T’SHUVA

The remaking of this world is why Jesus’ first messages began with “T’shuva, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The Hebrew word t’shuva means “to return.”  Return to the people we were originally created to be.  The people God is remaking us into.

God makes us in his image.  We reflect the beauty and creativity and wonder of the God who made us.  And Jesus calls us to return to our true selves.  The pure, whole people God originally intended us to be, before we veered off course.

Somewhere in you is the you whom you were made to be.

We need you to be you.

We don’t need a second anybody.  We need the first you.

The problem is that the image of God is deeply scarred in each of us, and we lose trust in God’s version of our story.  It seems too good to be true.  And so we go searching for identity. We achieve and we push and we perform and we shop and we work out and we accomplish great things, longing to repair the image. Longing to find an identity that feels right.

Longing to be comfortable in our own skin.

But the thing we are searching for is not somewhere else.  It is right here.  And we can only find it when we give up the search, when we surrender, when we trust.  Trust that God is already putting us back together.

Trust that through dying to the old, the new can give birth.

Trust that Jesus can repair the scarred and broken image.

It is trusting that I am loved.  That I always have been.  That I always will be.  I don’t have to do anything.  I don’t have to prove anything or achieve anything or accomplish one more thing.  That exactly as I am, I am totally accepted, forgiven, and there is nothing I could ever do to lose this acceptance.

God knew exactly what he was doing when he made you.  There are no accidents.  We need you to embrace your true identity, who you are in Christ, letting the new awareness transform your life.

That is what Jesus has in mind.

That is what brings heaven to earth.

I was having breakfast with my dad.  We were finishing our meal when I noticed that the waitress brought our check and then took is away and then brought it back again.  She placed it on the table, smiled, and said, “Somebody in the restaurant paid for your meal.  You’re all set.” And then she walked away.

I had the strangest feeling sitting there.  The feeling was helplessness.  There was nothing I could do.  It had been taken care of.  To insist on paying would have been pointless.  All I could do was trust that what she said was true was actually true and then live in that.  Which meant getting up and leaving the restaurant.  My acceptance of what she said gave me a choice: to live like it was true or to create my own reality in which the bill was not paid.

This is our invitation.  To trust that we don’t owe anything.  to trust that something is already true about us, something has already been done, something has been there all along.

To trust that grace pays the the bill.

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Rob Bell is the Pastor of Mars Hill Community Church, and producer of the thought provoking video series NOOMA.