emergent | Black Coffee Reflections

Reclaiming Paul – Post 3

October 23, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

From Phil 3.

– Paul of what he can boast

– People can be grabbed by Christ and dedicated their lives in reaching back and grabbing at Christ.

– After encountering Christ, he still sees his life as participating in the ongoing drama of God’s salvation.

– The World is God’s creation

– not something that his pagan contemporaries would have agreed with.

– The world is/was God’s shalom.

– it didn’t last too long

– in some ways, creation is damaged

– but God is committed to redeeming it

– So he calls Abraham and establishing an everlasting covenant.

– Paul connects Abraham to Jesus. He asserts that Jesus is Lord.

What this means for the Philippians (and Paul’s audience in general) learning to find and inhabit one’s place in the drama of redemption. Then to live accordingly.

Thus, one needs to understand Christ and see what He has done.

You cannot do this (understand/live the way of Christ) by yourself – it requires community to travel with you.

To inhabit this narrative together.

If there is one sensitive on Paul on Philippians 1:27 – order your common life in a manner worthy of the gospel.

This again requires community.

– This requires you to be more of an apprentice then a student imitate others (like Paul) in your own particular way.

** – A lot of attention was paid here by Steve and then in the talk back which was very interesting to listen too. Here is where the notes fail you as a reader but when audio comes out, this was a highlight for me that I look forward to listening to again and mediating on.

Filed Under: Conferences/Events, emergent, Theology Tagged With: Reclaiming Paul Conference

Reclaiming Paul Conference – Post 2

October 23, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

Day 1 – Partial premise of our gathering.

I’d like to think that I am going to come back and fix these notes but given my track record, I probably won’t. So these posts will be rough, and serve the purpose of reporting to the handful of my friends who wished they were here.

This was said in the opening of Mike Grossman’s presentation. Like most, I appreciate the context.
Why Reclaim Paul?
1. The Proof-texting that has gone with Paul
2. Privatization of Paul
   – those that have turned Paul into only being concerned with the individual/personal salvation only.
3. The primarization of Paul – what it means to be Protestant, Christian and not Catholic
   – The need for a more ecumenical Paul
4. De-privatization of Paul, De-Protestantation of Paul
   – Number of post-liberal, post-conservatives who feel they own Paul.
5. Paradigm shift – a number of scholars have shown interest in Paul. (He is in vogue)

He went on to say that there are a number of similarities of between Paul and us. He and others would continue also to emphasize the number of differences as well. Both were important discussions.
1. Pagan idolatry
2. Multicultural world with competing ideologies
3. living in a time of great ethnic conflict
4. Competing soteriology
5. The offer of Imperial Reality
In what sense do we living in an imperial context and how does that affect our reading of Paul?

For more check out Jake’s Bouma first post, Erik’s day 1 post, Daniel Kirk’s, and of course, Steve Knight’s post on the Emergent Village blog.

Filed Under: Conferences/Events, emergent, Theology Tagged With: Reclaiming Paul Conference

Reclaiming Paul Conference – Post 1

October 22, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

For my friends who were interested in the Reclaiming Paul Conference here at Jacob’s Well, in Kansas City. Very interesting stuff. It’s impossible for me to live blog this but I have something even better for you.

Follow Daniel Kirk on his twitter for the play by play. I’m not kidding, it’s play by play. http://twitter.com/jrdkirk. Homeboy is a freak.

Also, Jake Bouma has some kind of audio streaming going here. he also has a post that lists who’s blogging/twittering. He said he’s not sure about the quality but I’d give it a go. He’s sitting pretty close and the room is amplified well. Also, check out my new friend, Erik Ullestad’s blog “godisnowhere”.

Photo is of Mike Gorman, first plenary speaker and he entiled it, “Reclaiming Paul – An Invitation”. Will try to post my notes soon.

Filed Under: Conferences/Events, emergent, Theology

Headed to Kansas City for the Reclaiming Paul Conference

October 22, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

I plan on blogging from the Reclaiming Paul Conference in Kansas City. Looking forward to this. Click here for more info.

Filed Under: Conferences/Events, emergent

Thomas has some good weekend reading for you

September 27, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

Thomas Turner has some good weekend reading. Some of it were the articles I was going to link to. We get some of the same emails apparently. Now wonder we get along. In fact, I’d ask him and Sarah to be godparents but his obsession with the national league is scarier than his interest in visiting North Korea.

Anyway, check some of the other stuff on his blog as you read a couple articles from Christianity Today on Brian McLaren written by Scot McKnight, an article from Dave Ramsey concerning the bailout and some fun from Culture 11. Here’s the link

Filed Under: emergent, Misc. Fun

Responding to the Out of Ur post, "RIP Emerging Church"

September 26, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

On the Out of Ur blog, there is a post entitled, “RIP Emergent” that spells out its demise. Lol, what is that … seriously? Is “reformed theology” dead? Is the charismatic movement dead? What about the prosperity gospel … uhh, not sure what the noun is there btw? Well is that dead? Isn’t that a little rude, to wish death on someone else’s great interest (even if it is only a ‘term’)? RIP? LOL – I’m sure the writer didn’t mean it literally.

I am sure that the writer is a good man who loves the Lord. My criticism of the post is that he uses the term “emergent” and the movement it represents interchangeably. Quoting Kimball (who later posts in the comments), and Tall Skinny Kiwi, I felt he either twisted or perhaps he misunderstood the intention of those words. Who cares about the word, or the term? Like Jones, I’ve heard other leaders of the “emerging church” say that perhaps “emergent village” will evolve or transform into something else years ago. So if whatever is supposed to be announced soon is an extension of it – praise God, most emergents I know hold such things with open hands. Sorry to say use a cliché here, but the whole idea of “emergent” does not believe it has arrived, but journeying. It pretty much is the idea of the word itself, right?

I am not annoyed really, but I wonder if the mic is really on. Please understand, that as far as I am concerned, the emergent brand can come and go as it pleases. I believe most of my friends feel this way and they can speak for themselves. But those interested in the conversation will most likely continue to dialogue. Among the issues and topics that are discussed in the books, blogs, and yes, the conferences (as if the “emergents invented them and btw, they are pretty affordable comparatively speaking), there is also a very deep and rich friendship that is growing and all are welcome – even you. I think this is why when I read the title, I kinda smiled. To me it’s like asking, “Uhhh, so when are you two breaking up?”.

For a better reply, check out Scot McKnight’s comment (about six or seven comments down) and the post on his blog.

And Doug Pagitt’s youtube video discussing emergent/emerging church.

Filed Under: emergent Tagged With: emergent

A late night reflection on emerging church, power, and conversation …

September 22, 2008 by Tim 1 Comment

Evan has a put up a reflection that starts with Phyllis Tickle, and continues by sharing his impressions of the emerging church movement, it’s effect on Christendom, power, and the Church itself. I always enjoy talking to Evan so you might enjoy reading his post.

That said, I’m not sure I can commit to the reduction of “us versus them”. One of the pleas of the postmodern mindset, is the idea of both or more and being careful of the idea of exclusivity. As one who connects with the emergent church, I see it “many against us” while emergent-thinking types ask, “Why not us too?”.

Thus, I don’t see this as a fight for power. Feel free to call me naïve. Further, I think most who consider themselves to be emergent don’t want “power” in the traditional sense. Influential, maybe, but only by those who want to be influenced. Speaking for myself, I want to engage in conversation with whoever is interested in hearing my voice. Either as a fellow child in the Lord or if one does not recognize themselves as a child of the Lord, then as whoever you’d identify me as. Just like I am willing to listen and converse with the voices of others. This is not universalism, and it’s only conversation and if we have such a great gospel, then let us refrain from only sharing it on our turf and terms. You can have the “power”, I just want conversation. For the record, I have not interpreted Evan’s post to extend this far, he just got me thinking so do not read this as a rebuttal.

Back to the church context, Paul seems clear to me that we cannot all share the same convictions. We don’t have to agree on even majority of our points. (Certainly the essentials and I realize that we may differ on what we may identify as essential). You don’t have to read my books either. Frankly, I cannot see certain people reading writers like Jones, Pagitt, McLaren, (or even Bell!). Emergent/emerging/whatever is not a new brand of evangelism but it is dialoguing with new people and some of them are people would have never stepped foot in my church. Now, my brother Evan does not imply that he thinks this but I firmly suspect that others do. Among the evidence is instead of brotherly discussion, many of us have been attacked, punished, and rejected as apostates. That said, don’t try to burn my books either, just as I have never damaged a single copy of any of the Left Behind, Prayer of Jabez, or WWJD books, bracelets, or refrigerator magnets. For that, I think you owe me one.

Filed Under: Christianity, emergent, Reflective

Reflecting on "What Is Emergent?"

September 18, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

Most days I don’t think that I am the ideal youth pastor. Partially because I’ve never dyed my hair but some of the other stereotypes apply. Anyway, I don’t think I make a good conservative, liberal (theologically, politically), whatever. And though I’m very interested in the emergent conversation, I’m probably not that good of an emergent (haven’t read enough Descartes, Barth should I go on?).

Regarding the emergent interest, aside from sharing these thoughts with my circle of friends, I’ve tried to keep it low-key. Not in a shameful sense but because sometimes the conversation itself seems to become too much of a distraction. That and I don’t feel “qualified” to speak about it. (Which hasn’t really stopped me if I am being truthful).

I’ve been in two conversations this week basically asking, “Where do I get started in wanting to know if this thing is biblical/right/good/____ or not?” I almost felt like Peter when the jailer asked P&S, “What must I do to be saved?”. One was in my church hallway, the other was in class (I attend Biblical Seminary). Those that were there can testify that I tried not to say anything, but after 10 minutes, it was like a “fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary of not holding it in.” (Yes, people like me, read, apply and love the Scriptures).

These are my quick bullet point thoughts regarding an intro into the emergent conversation. (Though there’s always more then three points, I’m being a good Bible preacher by only giving you three).

1. If all you know of postmodernism is from Chuck Colson, Ravi Zacharias (men who I respect very much and I am not being sarcastic) and others then try to either unlearn the idea that postmodernism equals the relativism described by that mentality. As I found, you must expand your education of postmodernism in order to appreciate it and gain an understanding of it.

2. Try not to think of it in terms of conservative versus liberal. Some have accused it of being today’s liberalism repackaged. I consider myself to be generally conservative (as in belief in literal resurrection, embrace the idea of inspiration, love the trinity) and I’d like to say that part of the problem is that whenever we, conservatives, encounter a liberal, we are too quick to break fellowship. We leave the table, thereby creating a “liberal table”. This is a conversation and it’s one that participation is encouraged, welcomed, and needed. On a side note, one of the hallmarks is the desire not to break fellowship – I love that.

3. So much more to say, but there’s a beautiful humility that you need to experience.

For a brief intro, I encourage you to read, Scot McKnight’s “5 Streams of the Emerging Church”.

If you have $20, pick up Tony Jone’s New Christians at Barnes and Noble or here at Amazon. It’s a user-friendly, honest perspective of the emerging church movement. Read it twice, have every intention of blogging by perspective about it. Til that day, you are encouraged to read it for yourself.

Filed Under: emergent Tagged With: Emerging Church, The New Christians, Tony Jones

Phyllis Tickle & The Great Emergence

September 18, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

Phyllis Tickle is a name that you should know. She wrote a couple of books and her new book the Great Emergence. There will also be a conference by that name December 5 & 6 in Memphis. If you go, register here through Adam Cleveland’s blog, pomomusings, to help send him for free.

If you’re like me, and you are either not rich enough to buy every book that is suggested on a blog, you can check out some of her writing here that she did for belief net during Lent.

To hear the kindness in her voice, listen to this podcast when she was interviewed by Tony Jones. After listening to this it, I have renewed my infatuation with wanting to host a theology discussion group that meets occasionally in some tavern/pub. In some ways, it’s the emergent cohort. But for those not interested in the emergent conversation (you don’t have to be and that’s part of what makes it emergent and a conversation), I’d love to do this in some future season of life.

from pomomusings.com

Filed Under: emergent Tagged With: Phyllis Tickle, The Great Emergence

Worship at Sojourn Community Church

August 26, 2008 by Tim Leave a Comment

During our mission trip to New Orleans, we worshipped at the Sojourn Community Church. Found out about it since the Church Basement Road Show Tour stopped there. On the top floor in a cool part of town on Magazine Street, Sojourn shares space with the Convergence Center for the Arts.

We entered the loft area and saw two sets of 3 rows of chairs facing each other. Each row may have had 12 chairs or so. Nothing was exactly in the middle space and the communion table sat to the left (in the middle. Picture 3 o’clock if you were sitting next to me). No projection screen, no coffee bar, no band set-up Hmmm, I was starting to wonder if we could have church with only a communion table, a stool, and some chairs! Not only that, but the pastor was late. Which wasn’t a big deal, I just thought it was funny because I assumed he must have been a youth pastor at some point (that and he was knowledgeable, relevant and spoke well, obviously a former youth pastor).

The pastor welcomed us and explained that the church laptop was stolen and therefore they were unable to print out the morning handout. He bantered a bit, gave a few announcements and explained the vision of Sojourn.

Seriously, I think we all found peace in its simplicity. I’m told in the good old days of church ministry, the pastor’s wife played the worship music. This was true for Sojourn. There were a couple differences. She looked cool, played guitar, and most of us would have listened to her voice wherever she was playing.

We sang, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” and an original of hers. The chorus had “You Oh Lord are my resting place”. We segued into a time of time of silence and prayer.

The pastor began by referencing NT Wright’s Surprised by Joy and Dawkin’s God Delusion. He gave Einstean’s theory of absurdity as repetition expecting different results. We needed to acknowledge our brokenness. He mentioned our common good and how has to extend to other truly otherwise it only benefits you and leads to self-righteousness.

He told the story of the two men that were healed by Jesus. One was uncomfortable and the other acknowledged his brokeness. The pastor asked, “Can you acknowledge your brokenness? the world’s? Acknowledging leads to humility.

The conclusion was that we needed to shed some of our layers that hide the Gospel story of redemption. We cannot find our identity in our sin. Instead, we need to find it in Christ as his beloved bride.

I was blessed by the message. I had to pause and think about one of the more challenging things he said, “sometimes postmodernism doesn’t want to acknowledge something is wrong”. I’ll post about that soon.

Filed Under: emergent, Reflective, The Church Tagged With: Sojourn Community Church