The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller – This one comes highly recommended by numerous people. I am just beginning it, but I can already tell it is going to be a worth while read.

Real Marriage – Mark and Grace Driscoll – This book has already generated quite a bit of publicity and controversy. I am reading it because of my desire to engage in conversations about sexuality and marriage. I don’t want to comment on it just by what others say about it. I am pretty sure I will have issues with the approach of this one, but I am working to have a very open mind going in. I am especially interested to contrast it with Keller’s book.

Preaching in the Inventive Age – Doug Pagitt – This one I picked up for $.99 on sale a couple of weeks ago. I meant to read it when it came out and never did. So I am glad to do so now almost for free.

The Church is Flat – Tony Jones – This is the work Tony created for his PHD program at Princeton. It is one of the most thorough accounts of the emergent church, its origins, and practices. Knowing that Tony invested a tremendous amount of his life into this, I want to give it a shake.

A Public Faith – Miroslav Volf - I am actively engaged in this book and there is a tremendous amount of excellence here. I need to really carve out some intentional time to finish reading it and really wrestling with it. A big recommendation.

The King Jesus Gospel – Scot McKnight – I am most of the way through this book and it is not only really good but really important. Scot hits this one out of the ballpark with his presentation of the gospel and what it means to gospel in our world.

Untitled – Blaine Hogan - This book is focused on the creative process. I am excited about its potential for writing, sermonizing and ministry ideas.

Quitter – Jon Acuff – Jon is the writer of Stuff Christians Like, which is the most consistently humorous and creative blog in Christendom. This book should be very entertaining and challenging. It is focused on the idea of why we never complete the dreams we set out to accomplish.

Veneer: Living Deeply in Surface Society by Tim Willard and Jason Locy - This one came highly recommended and seems like a good companion to the discipleship work I am doing right now.

Those are the ten for right now, what are you working on?

(I)n our world today sex sells, and the reason sex sells is because it has become intrinsic to who we are, except not in a good way.

Paris describes the root of this problem when she says “Whether it’s in the area of shopping, sports, jobs or sex, Western values encourage people to discover what they really want and then go for it; the happy person is one who can freely do what he or she wants to do. Desire and action are closely linked, so harmony between wanting and doing is believed to bring fulfillment” (pg 126). This understanding may be the norm for us living in the Western world, but it shouldn’t be the norm for those of us who want to live in the kingdom. Everything about Christianity involves giving up what we want and doing the will of God instead – sexuality is included here. Human desires are fleeting, but God’s intentions remain firm.

The issue of sexual identity and its overpowering role in our culture is at the root of most of our struggles within the church in exhibiting and teaching a Godly sexuality. We make sex too big a deal in some regards and not nearly a big enough deal in others. We overvalue what it means to us personally and undervalue what it means to our spiritual life. I will definitely start digging into this book soon. Has anyone out there read it?

In the second half of the book he makes the important shift from his deconstruction of biblicism to his recommendations for the reading of the Bible. At the core of Smith’s ideas for how to read scripture is to read all of scripture through the lens of Christ. This Christocentric reading of scripture allows us to interpret and understand everything in scripture based on the reality of the living word of God. A Christ centered reading of scripture allows the gospel the necessary prominence in our lives for our reading of scripture to affect our daily living.

A truly evangelical reading of scripture confronts us with a particular story and message that, if taken seriously, blow the doors off every assumption, outlook, and experience that we have ever had apart from Jesus Christ. The evangelical message of scripture shakes loose from us every misguided and idolatrous preconception about everything, literally everything, that we thought we knew, and then begins to rebuild us in light of the singularly radical fact of who God really is and therefore who we really are in relation to God and what he has done for us. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing we will ever need to hear and know, and it has the power to reframe and transform everything else.

Smith, Christian (2011-08-01). Bible Made Impossible, The (p. 85). Brazos Press. Kindle Edition.

This is not a new idea with Smith and I think many evangelicals, including those who Smith would classify as biblicists in fact have a Christ centered reading of scripture. What I found helpful in his suggestions was his alternative to a flat reading of scripture. For many biblicists scripture is flat, that is all passages carry equal weight. We see this in extreme examples with those who want to take verses in Leviticus about homosexual behavior and put them on signs to display for the world. Most of us look at that and know immediately that such actions are in direct contradiction to the gospel. But for those with a flat reading of scripture that is a reasonable action.

For those of us who preach and teach scripture, helping our people to begin their scripture reading always focused on the gospel can be a valuable tool. Many of our people struggle to take Levitical law and make sense of it compared to the gospel. But by helping them start with Christ and then read the gospel back into such passages we can help them at least come to a point where they don’t feel conflict between the two.

This is probably my finally post on The Bible Made Impossible. Finally getting to Smith’s suggestions for how to read scripture, following his deconstruction of biblicism, I find his suggestions helpful if not revolutionary. In fact I would say most of my pastor friends already practice much of what he proposes because we have already found real issues with full fledged biblicism. Over all the book is very helpful in identifying issues within evangelicalism and our treatment of scripture and at least fairly helpful in offering some alternatives. I haven’t delved deeply into all of Smith’s reading suggestions here because I don’t think it necessary. The best take aways from the book are its insights into the practices of scripture reading of our people and how to focus our instruction to help them overcome these deficiencies. In all I found this book helpful, insightful, well researched and challenging. It didn’t rock my world but it did put to words many thoughts and experiences that I have had. I would gladly recommend it to any of you looking for a challenging book with good insights.

Today I want to delve into a bit more of Smith’s deconstruction of our beliefs about the Bible before moving on to his ideas of how to better view scripture. One of the things Smith challenges us to consider is this.

Most biblicists carry on with unperturbed confidence in biblicist assumptions and beliefs, paying little attention to the ramifications of multiple counterclaims about rival biblical teachings. Why and how can this be?

Smith offers a couple of possibilities for why this may be.

1. Our Social Networks – In essence, birds of a feather flock together. We naturally gravitate towards other like minded people and as a result we don’t actually deal with the differing theologies of our Christian brothers and sisters that much. We stay clustered and don’t pay much mind to what others believe or teach. (Here he uses the word homophily to describe this phenomenon)
2. A tendency to minimize the real differences of interpretation and the significance of these differences – Our natural response to the question about differing interpretations of scripture by other evangelicals is often a belief that the differences are minor and that we mostly believe the same things. In fact these differences may be much larger than we are ready to admit.
3. We benefit by emphasizing our differences from each other – Somewhat going against the earlier idea, we gain a strong sense of identity within our particular theological spheres by emphasizing our uniqueness from other groups. These differences reinforce our connection to denominations and theological clusters. This has obvious benefits for us personally and corporately.Our identity is shaped as much by who we are as by who we aren’t. (Think of Duke and Carolina for a powerful example of this. They are both greater because of the other)
4.  Overcoming biblical and theological differences toward Christian unity sounds like “ecumenism”. Ecumenism sounds like liberal Protestantism. And liberal Protestantism is bad. Better to be divided in absolute commitment to truth than to be unified in flaccid, liberal compromise. In this way being divided is almost a badge of honor.

Smith is quick to say that these are just possible explanations for why we aren’t more uneasy about the wide array of interpretations that those within evangelicalism hold to. As a sociologist Smith does hit on some interesting ideas here. I for one will quickly jump on point 3 as a characteristic of the Church of the Nazarene. There is such a strong identity within the church of having a unique or peculiar understanding of holiness. This holiness badge insulates us from the interpretations of others and keeps us from having to seriously interact with the theological work of others. We can hold to our own interpretations like a great security blanket because to let go of them enough to interact meaningfully with others is to dance on the slippery slope of compromise.

Do you see merit in these ideas? What can you identify with in Smith’s observations? Have the groups that you have been a part of been marked by significant openness to conversations outside of their normal theological parameters? What are the benefits or drawbacks from these stances?

Those are some of the really difficult questions I have already encountered in the new book The Bible Made Impossible by Christian Smith. In this book Smith unpacks the idea of Biblicism and the way that we as evangelicals interpret and use scripture. At the core he is challenging our culture of the Bible and investigating its effects on our faith. I can already tell this is going to be a very challenging book to read.

One of the first things he does in the book is to look at what we as evangelicals claim about the Bible and whether or not these claims make sense. For example, we espouse a belief in the authority of scripture, its God-breathed origin, its inspiration, and for many its inerrancy. And yet, despite the authority and inspiration of scripture there are wildly divergent interpretations of scripture on virtually every issue by the group of people who all agree on its centrality to our spiritual life and its unique place as a revelation of God. Why doesn’t this bother us?

Here is a quote from the book.

So the question is this: if the Bible is given by a truthful and omnipotent God as an internally consistent and perspicuous text precisely for the purpose of revealing to humans correct beliefs, practices, and morals, then why is it that the presumably sincere Christians to whom it has been given cannot read it and come to common agreement about what it teaches? I know of no good, honest answer to that question. If the Bible is all the biblicism claims it to be, then Christians – especially those who share biblicists beliefs – ought to be able to come to a solid consensus about what it teaches, at least on most matters of importance. But the do not and apparently cannot

Wow that is a statement that should make you stop and think today. I am only a couple of chapters in on this book, but my mind is already churning. Any thoughts or responses?

Wait is this what rest feels like?

One of my main goals for this summer was to rest. Without a lengthy vacation planned I knew that I needed to dial back the activity for the summer and let my mind, body, and soul rest. Entering August I feel like that goal has been realized in a number of ways. The first area where rest became a priority has been at church. Looking towards the next year I can see the array of tasks, trips, and new ventures pastoring will require of me. So this summer I have tried to do as little as possible. I mean that. I have scheduled almost no activities at church. I have not led any small groups. I haven’t scheduled any committee meetings. I have gone home a bit earlier. I have used my vacation days to take extra days off during the weeks. I have spent more time reading, writing and praying at work. I have rested. And the result is that I am excited and beginning to feel ready for what this fall has for our church.

The other part of rest has been intentionally carving out time with people. At home, taking trips, walking around the neighborhood, stopping by on friends, this summer has been a time for social connection and being with people I love. It is amazing how full your heart becomes simply by being with great people. This is a form of rest in and of itself. It is nourishing and beautiful.

Have you found any rest this summer? Do you schedule rest in your life? Do you rest from work or try the far more Biblical approach of working from rest? It is never too late to discover better balance for your life.

Next on the Reading List

During the summer I often invest a couple of months into reading fiction. After working my way through the entire Game of Thrones collection this summer and various other fiction works, I am shifting my reading. Today two books I pre-ordered for my Kindle have been delivered. For the next month I am digging into A Public Faith by Miroslav Volf and The Bible Made Impossible by Christian Smith. I will, as usual, offer my reviews as I read them.

What book recommendations do you have for me for the next couple of months? I am a bit burned out on “the church should be missional books” of a theoretical nature. If you have any practical ones to suggest I would be eager for those. I am also hungry for some spiritual depth and theological works. I need to read a classic or two, everything lately has been too contemporary. What might you suggest?

We should have a lockout every year!

No one enjoyed the prolonged NFL lockout, but the frenzied reality of packing in three months of off-season activity into two weeks is a football fans dream. Every five minutes there is another piece of NFL news. It makes me happy. Thus far the big winners of the off-season are the Philadelphia Eagles. Their defense is formidable, with a terrific secondary, an active front line and lots of playmakers. As a Redskins fan I am terrified of this team that already beat down my Skins in a historic fashion last year.

As far as the Skins go, I am very pleased. Coach Shanahan hit the reset button on some of his decisions from last year, such as McNabb and the Haynesworth bungling, and he has overhauled the roster. The roster is younger, fits the system better, and reflects that kind of players Shanahan likes. The Skins aren’t going to be Super Bowl contenders with John Beck at QB, but the added some nice pieces thus far that would suddenly look even better if they had a franchise QB attached to them. Next year’s draft will be deep at QB so maybe our answer lies there.

What about your team? Are you pleased with the moves they have made? Who are your early favorites?

**** Spoiler Alert – If after all this time you still haven’t read the books or seen the final film yet, come back and read this after you do****

Harry as a Christ Figure – It isn’t until this final movie where Harry really evolves into a true Christ figure. All along his arrival is much like the prophesied arrival of the Messiah. He is a child who carries great expectations of deliverance. But here in the final film he becomes a Christ figure not through power but through sacrifice. He isn’t a pseudo-figure using redemptive violence, ultimately he is the sacrificial lamb that must give up his own life to save those he loves. This final movie brings that to light, especially in the flash back scene with Snape and Dumbledore where Snape accuses Dumbledore of having simply raised the boy so that he could die. Harry does then have the final battle scene with Voldemort, but the end of that is predetermined by his death and resurrection as it were. Of the Christ figures in recent films that I have encountered I am most intrigued by Harry.

I also enjoyed the parallels between Harry’s last scene in the forest before his death and the garden of Gethsemane. Harry’s struggle to drink the cup before him and his desire for those closest to him to remain near are so reminiscent of Jesus in the garden, the night before his death. That was a really well done scene.

Dumbledore as John the Baptist – This is one theme I have at least podcasted about before. Dumbledore is a great John the Baptist figure. In the sixth book that features his death, Dumbledore emerges as the one preparing the way for Harry. He is a mentor and guide throughout the first 5 books, but here in six he is the one who must become less so that Harry can become more. Dumbledore is a beloved but ultimately very flawed character. His flaws lead to his demise. For John the Baptist it was much the same. He ultimately was beheaded not because of his work preaching repentance but because of his prophetic voice in politics, bringing accusations against the king for his sins. Without Dumbledore’s death Harry cannot fully emerge as the leader of the resistance he is born to be.

Severus Snape as the alternative Judas – This is one theme that really intrigues me. A couple of years ago I blogged about Peter Rollins book The Fidelity of Betrayal. In that he looks at Jesus’ call for us to demonstrate our faithfulness through betraying the things of our life. He asks some very intriguing questions about Judas in this book. In many ways I see Snape as the alternative Judas. It is through his betrayal that Snape ultimately proves his love and commitment to Harry’s mother. He has to walk the most difficult path in the story as the ally that works as a double agent. Without his apparent betrayals, however, Harry would never have the opportunity to fulfill his role. Throughout history many have wondered if Judas was actually trying to help Jesus in a misguided way with his betrayal. Was it really about greed or was he trying to force Jesus’ hand? I am not saying that is the case, but especially in light of Rollin’s book Snape plays the alternative role of Judas beautifully.

Wizards and Muggles a view of Christ and Culture – One of the dominant themes of the book, and one of the major reasons for conflict is the differing view of wizards in regards to non-magical people or what they call muggles. The Death Eaters view muggles as inferior and wish to rule over them. The Order of the Phoenix see muggles as having as much value as they do and wish to protect them. Some of the wizards, such as Harry and Hermione live in the muggle world when they aren’t with the wizards. They have no problem interacting with both wizards and muggles alike. Others who live fully in the wizarding world view muggles with great fascination. The Weasleys are the prototype for  those so ingrained in their subculture as to not be able to interact with another culture. I see the Weasleys as the separatist Christians who form their own community and have a very difficult time relating to those outside of their bubble. Harry and Hermione on the other hand are able to relate back and forth to both. They do so, however, with a tension that leaves them often longing for the place where they fully belong. This interplay between wizards and muggles carries far more racial/ethnic overtones than religious, but it is illustrative about the need for incarnational ministry and the ways we limit our ability to impact those who are different than ourselves.

Those are the themes that jump out to me this morning. What others might you add?

For the past several weeks we have been discussing David Fitch’s new book The End of Evangelicalism? You can see the earlier parts of this conversation here and here.  Today we continue by examining the “Decision for Christ”, how our theology of conversion developed and how it effects the way we live out our faith.

The decision for Christ is one of three master signifiers that Fitch identifies as part of the developed ideology of evangelicalism. (The previous post talks more extensively about the significance of a master signifier) The decision for Christ emerged in the 20th century as a defining characteristic of the evangelical church. As many mainline churches moved away from the atonement language of salvation and focused more on inviting people into their efforts at creating a better society evangelicals began to focus on the moment of personal salvation.

No one illustrates this more than the wonderful Rev. Billy Graham. Dr. Graham has spent his life bringing people to a moment of decision. His radio programs was called The Hour of Decision. Tens of millions have been blessed by Dr. Graham’s ministry and who knows how many people came forward in a moment of decision at one of his crusades. These crusades show the theology of conversion at work in evangelicalism. Dr. Graham did not pastor a church. He came into town, held a large event, brought forth an articulate presentation of the gospel and then called those in attendance to a moment of individual decision. After the decision there was an attempt to attach this individual to a local church or at least get them some materials to begin to study and grow with as they now learned to follow Jesus.

The results of this theology on evangelicalism and our practices is significant. Here is what Fitch says.

Yet we are still under the spell of “the decision”. The practices of the evangelical megachurch movement, for instance, testify to the reality that these most visible of evangelicals still operate under assumptions of “the decision”. “The decision” assumes salvation is individual, begun through a voluntary act, and then nurtured through individually acquired learning and worship.

How then has our theology of conversion adversely effected our mission as the church? For one it seems to have distracted us from our calling to make disciples. We have developed a fascination with the number of people we can mark down as having prayed a prayer of salvation. We then only secondarily consider how many of them actually grow in their faith or show true transformation. In addition we have increasingly separated out salvation and sanctification into two distinctly different events with a multitude of adverse effects. We have a generation of Christians who are immature in their faith and view holiness and sanctification as some sort of higher calling that only super Christians seek after.

We also have placed far too much emphasis on a cognitive choice brought about by effective preaching. We have lost a sense of the vitality of the church as community in the process of salvation and in developing disciples. We have lost the power of experiencing God’s love as a primary part of our witness to the gospel and replaced it with well articulated gospel presentations, tracts, and altar calls. I think Fitch is right in identifying “the decision” as often being an empty ideology. We use it to convince ourselves we are doing the work of the church but it is leading us too often away from the work of the church.

This is a complex issue for us evangelicals. What do you think about “the decision” and its effects on mission? How do we balance out our theology and practice of conversion?