The Meat of Choice

Thanksgiving brings about choices. Traditionally, a turkey is served with the feast. Even the most powerful leader in the world (the President) selects a turkey for the table at the White House. Talk about being on death row. Anyway, I digress.

I've never been much for turkey. It always seems a bit dry to me. In our family, there is always a ham that is available as well. There's nothing better than a boneless ham cooked slowly in Pepsi. The last few years, we've also enjoyed a fried turkey. It seems to keep it's juices a little more and who doesn't love anything if fried?

What's your meat of choice? If you haven't decided yet, may I suggest something (even though I haven't indulged yet)?

The largest item on any menu in the world is probably the roast camel, sometimes served at Bedouin wedding feasts. The camel is stuffed with a sheep's carcass, which is stuffed with chickens, which are stuffed with fish, which are stuffed with eggs.
- The Amazing Book of Useless Information

1) Is anyone in the West brave enough?
2) Where would I obtain a camel to roast?
3) My family is quite big. But just how many can you serve with this meal?
4) Any idea of who the original chef might be? I haven't seen Emeril Lagasse attempt anything so extravagant.

Anything you want to add? Have a Happy Thankgiving. Enjoy your family and friends. But more importantly, recognize where your blessings come from.

Brother's Keeper

I deeply desire to be the man God wants me to be. From time to time, I hear someone accuse the Church or individuals within the church to be less than genuine. If I had a choice of what my legacy might be, I'd wish for people to say, "He was genuine, sincere, or real."

I pray often for accountability. I truly believe God places within our lives someone to walk with us hand-in-hand. Our spouse can be that person within certain areas in our lives. However, I need a man or men to know me more than just a casual acquantaince. Men understand how other men are "wired". Men can say things that women don't always understand. I'm sure it's the same for our sisters as well. Leonard Sweet mentions this type of friendship as few and far between. In fact, many times these relationships can be counted on one hand.

Recently, I was invited to a small group for men. I went for the first time this morning. Different churches are represented. Diversity is obvious. And the only motivation for those in the group is to help one another grow closer to Christ. It's what I think a picture of the Church looks like. I'm not sure my time with these guys will grow into the relationship Sweet describes. I pray that the group or within the group there's an answer to prayer.

In Genesis 4:9, Cain inquires of God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Read in context, it seems to me that he is. Cain is. And I am as well.

What do you have to add/subtract in regards to accountability?

Friday Fodder - Service

I'm attempting to get FCC (the church I pastor) to be more outward focused. For the most part, the people here are mission-minded. In the six months I've been at the church, I've attempted to "push" a little harder in this area. In other words, many churches I know are concerned about caring for themselves, rather than caring for those outside the church. They're good at fellowship dinners. Many of them have beautiful buildings. They've got $$$ in the bank for a rainy day. They have four-part harmony while singing the old hymns. And "service" or "worship" is 1-2 hours on Sunday.

I may be accused of over generalizing. But is it really? Haven't most who define themselves as "church" really become a social club?

I live in what used to be considered part of the Bible Belt. In other words, this place was saturated with the Church and ministry was going strong. And just the other day, I hear about a bussinesswoman (raised in this area) who admitted to not understanding the reason for Christmas until she was seventeen. So much for saturation. What if a church would have served her in some way?

(At the time of writing), I've just returned from a meeting with a non-profit ministry in town. The ministry is a parachurch organization with a clothing store, education classes, drug recovery groups, and a furniture store. Their mission is to help people meet Jesus and allow Him to restore their lives. I went there for the purpose of partnering with them to reach our community. Even though we disagree on some minutia, we agree on Christ. The ministry has been in town for about 3 years. And the sad thing: Only 3 (of about 30) churches in town have made an effort to determine what they could do to help.

...But whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:44-45 (NRSV)

Lord, teach us to serve!

The End Of Election

This will be the last of the series on the views of election presented by Chad Owen Brand in Perspectives on Election.

<<<<<< Time for some to celebrate >>>>>>>>>>>

Okay. Welcome back. The last essay in the election series is written by Clark H. Pinnock, Professor Emeritus at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario. Pinnock argues for election being seen as corporate, open, and vocational. According to Dr. Pinnock, "Election is not about the destiny of individual persons for salvation or damnation but about God's calling a people who in the New Testament setting live according to the faithfulness of Jesus Christ and proclaim good news to the world" (279). In other words, election is open to all and missional.

It's interesting that Pinnock would place election in the category of ecclesiology rather than soteriology (Calvin) or Theology Proper (Barth). In other words, he maintains election is inclusive, rather than exclusive, (281). Within the common texts of election, Pinnock interprets them not as individualistic but as speaking of a "class" of people. As an example, Dr. Pinnock points out Exodus 19:5-6. Now therefore, if you (Israelites) obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation... (NRSV) "Israel was not called to an exclusive salvation but to a priestly vocation intended to bring the whole world to God" (Pinnock 287).

When God does call individuals, he does so for service to others. In the Old Testament, God chose/elected Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, David, and the Prophets for specific tasks within or for the community at large. In the New Testament, Pinnock points out Jesus chose the apostles to carry out God's mission throughout the world (294).

As you might imagine, the views of Dr. Pinnock are quickly dismissed by Ware, Reymond, and Talbott.

Now it's your turn. Any thoughts?

Information You Can Uh....Use?

Congrats goes to Cheryl who used the printing of the Eskimo Bible in a conversation. Here's the next challenge:

Being that it's the Fall season, did you know...

"The number of seeds in a pumpkin can be accurately determined, give or take 10 seeds, by multiplying the number of fruiting sections by 16."
- The Amazing Book of Useless Information

1) Impress the produce manager with your new found knowledge.
2) Consider who has time to check out the validity of this claim.

Have fun!

Friday Fodder- The Problem of Evil

I picked up Evil and the Justice of God last weekend. Honestly, I was looking for N.T. Wright's The Challenge of Jesus. I've looked for a few months now to no avail. The bookstore had only one Wright book. I've learned in times past, when given the chance, don't pass it up. I'm a huge N.T. Wright fan and it seems that many others are as well.

Eventually, I'll post on the book. But here I wanted to introduce those of you who haven't read the work to the particular sections.
1. Evil Is Still A Four-Letter Word
2. What Can God Do About Evil?
3. Evil And The Crucified God
4. Imagine There's No Evil: God's Promise of a World Set Free
5. Deliver Us From Evil: Forgiving Myself, Forgiving Others

It's been my experience that when tragedy strikes, people ask the question of "Why?". Last week, our church experienced a twelve year-old boy from our community and his Father killed in a motorcycle accident. In 2001, thousands of innocent people were killed in a place known now as "Ground Zero". In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast causing destruction, misplacment of individuals, and even death. I could go on an on. But you get the point.

People realize we live in a world that's not right. Even atheists and agnostics will acknowledge some sense of good and bad. The problem is, even when we acknowlege the turmoil, we don't quite understand it. The questions we all ask are valid. But we become frustrated when the answer is not readily available. Here's your chance to help.

1) What are your thoughts of evil in general?
2) What or Who is the origination of evil and does it make a difference as to who originates it?
3) Any thoughts on evil such as natural disasters (that affect many) compared to evil within the life of an individual? Do people seem to notice one over the other?
4) Anything else you want to share?

Talbott's Election (Continued)

Before we move to universalism, my friend Ted has posted an interesing post on predestination and election. You can find it here. I'm sure he would enjoy some feedback. Now on to Talbott's view of universalism.

First of all, Talbott bases his opinion of universalism largely on Romans 8:38-39. According to Dr. Talbott, Romans 5:12-21 is clear that all mankind will eventually be saved, because of God's mercy and due to mankind being created in God's image. God will annihilate all evil short of those created in His image (248). Talbott is clear that Christ will be victorious. "As some Arminians might contend, he brought to all people something less than full justification and life - an offer of salvation, perhaps, or a possibility of some kind that each individual remains free to reject - then the possibility of an ultimate defeat remains" (ibid). Of course, this view would hold that Paul's thoughts in Romans 5 (especially vv.15-18) would carry the possibility of Adam (or the affects thereof) being victorious as opposed to Christ Jesus.

Talbott goes on to point out 1 Cor 15:20-28. According to Dr. Talbott, when verse 27 states "For he has put everything under his feet...", it implies man's will corresponding with the will of God. Because Christ will eventually be victorious, all of mankind will eventually volunteer their will to God's purposes (252-253).

Arminians believe (although available to all) only some of mankind will accept the love of God and therefore be reconciled to Him. Talbott again maintains the view as defeatist on behalf of a loving God (254). In other words, if God wills all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) then that is the only thing that will happen.

Finally, Dr. Talbott turns to the question: If salvation is the destiny for all, what causes one to live with any morality? Talbott then turns to Romans 11:22 and argues that salvation is not an issue. In other words, because all mankind will eventually be saved, the passage is about consequences for man's actions. Mankind's decisions lead to a life of turmoil or a life of peace (258). "Our free choices, then, have real consequences in our lives and they determine how we will encounter God's grace in the future; but whichever way we choose, God's perfecting love will meet our true spiritual needs perfectly" (ibid).

In conclusion, Talbott returns to the themes of God's victory in the end through Jesus Christ and the unmatchless love of God. "...neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:39 NIV).

Any thoughts?

FYI

Just a bit of useless information today:

The first Eskimo Bible was printed in Copenhagen in 1744.

This according to The Amazing Book of Useless Information. Try to use this new information in a conversation today. Good luck!

A Story Full of Grace

The year was 1986. I was playing football for THE Lovington (N.M.) High School Wildcats as a Senior. The team was undefeated going into the next playoff game against a noble St. Pius X team from Albuquerque. Because of a higher seed in the playoffs, Lovington had won the right to host the game on a Saturday afternoon. Rabid fans in the stands were painted blue and white (young and old with few exceptions). There's nothing like playoff football in Lovington. Anyone ever heard of Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher? Enough said. Anyway, I digress.

In the third quarter of the game, things were going well for the home team. Lovington found things to be going as planned (28-0). St. Pius had the ball on their own fifteen. Our coach felt it was still too early to substitute for the starters. Although a little "winded", I was still rushing the quarterback (as defensive tackle) play after play.

The quarterback dropped back to pass and was hit by my fellow defensive tackle, causing the quarterback to drop the football. Only grass separated me from the football and 6 points for the Big Blue. This was my chance to be a hero, garnish some All-State votes, be written about in the paper, have Division I schools calling to offer great scholarships, and be carried off the field by other teammates. I exagerate a little. But do you know what goes through the head of a seventeen year-old when things like this happen?

I reached down and gathered the pigskin around the 8 yard line. This would surely put the game away. I could hear the fans yelling for a few seconds before everything went quiet. It seemed like everything began to move in slow motion. I was on my way to stardom! And then...

It must have been a blade of grass around the 5. Who was supposed to mow anyway? Shouldn't this grass have been mowed recently? After all, this is a playoff game. Maybe it should have been mowed this morning. No! There's no maybe to it. This grass should have been mowed. And it wasn't! The grass caused me to stumble toward the goal line and eventually land on the football at the 2. Slowly, sound came back to my ears. I opened my eyes to notice I was short of a touchdown and being a hero. The offense would have to come in and complete what we started.

I laid on the field longer than usual. I was hurt. It wasn't my arms or legs. I hadn't had the wind knocked out of me. I had been brought back to reality. I would eventually have to go back to the sidelines and be harassed for "tripping over my own feet" and not being able to score. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to the experience.

A few teammates picked me up and congratulated me on the "Great play!". But they were encouraging me to get off of the field. Eventually the game would have to resume. Upon reaching the sidelines, there were a few jibs. But there were more chest bumps, congrats, and pats on the back than I'd expected. In fact, no one on the sideline had expected me to score. After all, I was a defensive tackle. I'd received grace. My actions on the play have also been described as "graceful."

Any stories you want to share?

Talbott's Election (Continued)

I'd planned to post regarding Dr. Thomas Talbott's view of Romans 9-11 and his idea of Paul's theology today. Unfortunately, it's taken me more time to get my head around what Talbott is saying. I apologize for the delay. Hopefully, next week...

I really want to understand, prior to posting. Although I know that's not fully possible with some things (one's view of election might be a good example), I don't believe I can honestly do Dr. Talbott justice here. In other words, what good would a shallow post on election do if the "meaty" parts of Dr. Talbott's theology were left out?

We've all wanted to sit with some intellectual at some point and "pick their brain." I'd love to do that with all of these guys regarding election. But I'm not as familiar as I should be about Universal Election (Talbott's view). For that reason, I've chosen to err on the side of safety. I'll do my best next week.

For those of you sitting on pins and needles about the post :), I appreciate your understanding. And if anyone can fill me in on what they know about Universal Election, I would be grateful.

A New President

The "call" was made just after eleven Eastern time. Finally, after the longest Presidential campaign in the history of our country comes to an end, we have a President Elect. The campaign has inundated our lives for the last five hundred days.

Senator Barack Obama (D-Il.) will be sworn in as the forty-fourth President of the United States in January 2009. He made his victory speech just after midnight (Eastern) on November fifth. President Elect Obama gained more of the popular vote than any Democratic candidate since Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Many people will be estatic about promised change. Others will be disappointed for days, weeks, and even months. Both feelings are nothing new. They're collectively felt, at least every four years.

When the emotions wane and life begins to happen again, it's important to take hold of what we believe. Even though the future is unclear, we serve the One who is firmly in control!

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the foundations were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
Psalm 90:1-3 (NIV)

Of this we can be sure!

Today's The Big Day!

Be responsible. Pray. Vote. Pray again!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Prov. 3:5-6