I read this on Internet Monk's blog and thought it was an interesting but true assessment of Bibles and believers.
Scott Mcknight recently came right out and said it: We do translations by tribes:
“NRSV for liberals and Shane Claiborne lovers;
ESV for Reformed complementarian Baptists;
HCSB for LifeWay store buying Southern Baptists;
NIV for complementarian evangelicals;
TNIV for egalitarians;
NASB for those who want straight Bible, forget the English;
NLT for generic brand evangelicals;
Amplified for folks who have no idea what translation is but know that if you try enough words one of them will hit pay dirt;
NKJV and KJV for Byzantine manuscript-tree huggers;
The Message for evangelicals looking for a breath of fresh air and seeker sensitive, never-read-a-commentary evangelists who find Peterson’s prose so catchy.”
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Justification
N.T. Wright offers a sweeping review of the controversy surrounding him concerning the doctrine of justification in his latest book published by IVP Academic. Wright's book is in response to many of his critics including John Piper and D.A. Carson, but it is much more than an experiment in self-defense. Wright succinctly presents his own understanding of justification, arguing that his definition is more true to the Pauline writings of the New Testament. I will admit that my knowledge on this debate is limited, but one would be hard pressed to argue that Wright has varied from Christian orthodoxy. What he has done is to "out-Reform the neo-Reformed" as Scot McKnight phrased it. He has pushed those who consider themselves Reformed and anyone else who is a Christ follower to dive deep into Scripture and allow it to be our framework for theology rather than our specific theological systems and beliefs being imposed on Scripture.
I was blown away by the power of such an immanent scholar to approach this subject with the skilled hand of a surgeon as over half of the book is simply exegesis of major portions of the Pauline corpus. At the core of Wright's motivation is a pastoral desire for his own congregation and all who call Jesus Lord to allow scripture to dictate our beliefs and lives.
I will share a couple of favorite quotes: one serious and one light-hearted. I hope to share more in the days ahead, so many of them are lengthy excerpts as opposed to one-liners.
We must read scripture in its own way and through its own lenses, instead of imposing on it a framework of doctrine, however pastorally helpful it may appear, which is derived from somewhere else. There are many things which are pastorally helpful in the short or medium term which are not in fact grounded on the deepest possible reading of Scripture. That is simply a testimony to the grace of God: we don't have to get everything right before anything can work! But if the church is to be built up and nurtured in Scripture it must be semper reformanda, submitting all its traditions to the Word of God. And when we bring the doctrine of "imputed righteousness" to Paul, we find that he achieves what that doctrine wants to achieve, but by a radically different route. In fact, he achieves more. To know that one has died and been raised is far, far more pastorally significant than to know that one has, vicariously, fulfilled the Torah.
From Romans 6 we leap straight into Romans 8. For a lifelong exegete to skip over Romans 7 is like a thirsty Irishman ignoring a pint of Guinness.
Both of the quotes above are from page 233. I think they capture the warmth of Wright's writing while at the same time communicating the implications that one's understanding of justification has for living the Christian life.
I was blown away by the power of such an immanent scholar to approach this subject with the skilled hand of a surgeon as over half of the book is simply exegesis of major portions of the Pauline corpus. At the core of Wright's motivation is a pastoral desire for his own congregation and all who call Jesus Lord to allow scripture to dictate our beliefs and lives.
I will share a couple of favorite quotes: one serious and one light-hearted. I hope to share more in the days ahead, so many of them are lengthy excerpts as opposed to one-liners.
We must read scripture in its own way and through its own lenses, instead of imposing on it a framework of doctrine, however pastorally helpful it may appear, which is derived from somewhere else. There are many things which are pastorally helpful in the short or medium term which are not in fact grounded on the deepest possible reading of Scripture. That is simply a testimony to the grace of God: we don't have to get everything right before anything can work! But if the church is to be built up and nurtured in Scripture it must be semper reformanda, submitting all its traditions to the Word of God. And when we bring the doctrine of "imputed righteousness" to Paul, we find that he achieves what that doctrine wants to achieve, but by a radically different route. In fact, he achieves more. To know that one has died and been raised is far, far more pastorally significant than to know that one has, vicariously, fulfilled the Torah.
From Romans 6 we leap straight into Romans 8. For a lifelong exegete to skip over Romans 7 is like a thirsty Irishman ignoring a pint of Guinness.
Both of the quotes above are from page 233. I think they capture the warmth of Wright's writing while at the same time communicating the implications that one's understanding of justification has for living the Christian life.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Claire's Birthday Party
Wow!! What a day!! We had a great time celebrating Claire's 4th birthday today with the help of so many wonderful friends! The kiddos enjoyed some delicious cake, cupcakes, and ice cream plus an attempt at some silly games. I have come to the realization that my gift for thinking up fun, gross, silly, messy games doesn't apply to 4 year olds. I guess that's why God called me into youth ministry and not children's ministry. Kate Foil, a dear friend of ours came to the party and had the official job of being the photographer...she uploaded some pictures from today on her blog, http://www.katefoil.blogspot.com/.
What a great day! I can't believe that my baby girl is turning 4!
What a great day! I can't believe that my baby girl is turning 4!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Liberal Protestantism Being Labeled as Fundamentalism
I first learned of Riverside Church as a college student when I heard then Pastor, James Forbes do a series of lectures at Mercer Univeristy. I thought this was an interesting article on the nature of things in one of the bastions of liberal Protestantism. Here's the link, http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=7785
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Repost
the following is a repost from Jesus Creed Blog by Scot McKnight. It made me laugh!
Class of 2013
Monday August 24, 2009
Categories: Education
The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2013.
Most students entering college for the first time this fall were born in 1991.
1. For these students, Martha Graham, Pan American Airways, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis, The Dallas Times Herald, Gene Roddenberry, and Freddie Mercury have always been dead.
2. Dan Rostenkowski, Jack Kevorkian, and Mike Tyson have always been felons.
3. The Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.
4. They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
5. Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister.
6. Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
7. Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.
8. Tattoos have always been very chic and highly visible.
9. They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.
10. Rap music has always been main stream.
11. Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream has always been a flavor choice.
12. Someone has always been building something taller than the Willis (née Sears) Tower in Chicago.
13. The KGB has never officially existed.
14. Text has always been hyper.
15. They never saw the "Scud Stud" (but there have always been electromagnetic stud finders.)
16. Babies have always had a Social Security Number.
17. They have never had to "shake down" an oral thermometer.
18. Bungee jumping has always been socially acceptable.
19. They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
20. American students have always lived anxiously with high-stakes educational testing.
21. Except for the present incumbent, the President has never inhaled.
22. State abbreviations in addresses have never had periods.
23. The European Union has always existed.
24. McDonald's has always been serving Happy Meals in China.
25. Condoms have always been advertised on television.
26. Cable television systems have always offered telephone service and vice versa.
27. Christopher Columbus has always been getting a bad rap.
28. The American health care system has always been in critical condition.
29. Bobby Cox has always managed the Atlanta Braves.
30. Desperate smokers have always been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.
31. There has always been a Cartoon Network.
32. The nation's key economic indicator has always been the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
33. Their folks could always reach for a Zoloft.
34. They have always been able to read books on an electronic screen.
35. Women have always outnumbered men in college.
36. We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
37. Amateur radio operators have never needed to know Morse code.
38. Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Estonia have always been independent nations.
39. It's always been official: President Zachary Taylor did not die of arsenic poisoning.
40. Madonna's perspective on Sex has always been well documented.
41. Phil Jackson has always been coaching championship basketball.
42. Ozzy Osbourne has always been coming back.
43. Kevin Costner has always been Dancing with Wolves, especially on cable.
44. There have always been flat screen televisions.
45. They have always eaten Berry Berry Kix.
46. Disney's Fantasia has always been available on video, and It's a Wonderful Life has always been on Moscow television.
47. Smokers have never been promoted as an economic force that deserves respect.
48. Elite American colleges have never been able to fix the price of tuition.
49. Nobody has been able to make a deposit in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).
50. Everyone has always known what the evening news was before the Evening News came on.
51. Britney Spears has always been heard on classic rock stations.
52. They have never been Saved by the Bell
53. Someone has always been asking: "Was Iraq worth a war?"
54. Most communities have always had a mega-church.
55. Natalie Cole has always been singing with her father.
56. The status of gays in the military has always been a topic of political debate.
57. Elizabeth Taylor has always reeked of White Diamonds.
58. There has always been a Planet Hollywood.
59. For one reason or another, California's future has always been in doubt.
60. Agent Starling has always feared the Silence of the Lambs.
61. "Womyn" and "waitperson" have always been in the dictionary.
62. Members of Congress have always had to keep their checkbooks balanced since the closing of the House Bank.
63. There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.
64. CDs have never been sold in cardboard packaging.
65. Avon has always been "calling" in a catalog.
66. NATO has always been looking for a role.
67. Two Koreas have always been members of the UN.
68. Official racial classifications in South Africa have always been outlawed.
69. The NBC Today Show has always been seen on weekends.
70. Vice presidents of the United States have always had real power.
71. Conflict in Northern Ireland has always been slowly winding down.
72. Migration of once independent media like radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer has never amazed them.
73. Nobody has ever responded to "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."
74. Congress could never give itself a mid-term raise.
75. There has always been blue Jell-O.
Comments (7)
posted by Scot McKnight @ 3:03pm Permalink email icon Email This arrow Add to »
Class of 2013
Monday August 24, 2009
Categories: Education
The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2013.
Most students entering college for the first time this fall were born in 1991.
1. For these students, Martha Graham, Pan American Airways, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis, The Dallas Times Herald, Gene Roddenberry, and Freddie Mercury have always been dead.
2. Dan Rostenkowski, Jack Kevorkian, and Mike Tyson have always been felons.
3. The Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.
4. They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
5. Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister.
6. Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
7. Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.
8. Tattoos have always been very chic and highly visible.
9. They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.
10. Rap music has always been main stream.
11. Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream has always been a flavor choice.
12. Someone has always been building something taller than the Willis (née Sears) Tower in Chicago.
13. The KGB has never officially existed.
14. Text has always been hyper.
15. They never saw the "Scud Stud" (but there have always been electromagnetic stud finders.)
16. Babies have always had a Social Security Number.
17. They have never had to "shake down" an oral thermometer.
18. Bungee jumping has always been socially acceptable.
19. They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
20. American students have always lived anxiously with high-stakes educational testing.
21. Except for the present incumbent, the President has never inhaled.
22. State abbreviations in addresses have never had periods.
23. The European Union has always existed.
24. McDonald's has always been serving Happy Meals in China.
25. Condoms have always been advertised on television.
26. Cable television systems have always offered telephone service and vice versa.
27. Christopher Columbus has always been getting a bad rap.
28. The American health care system has always been in critical condition.
29. Bobby Cox has always managed the Atlanta Braves.
30. Desperate smokers have always been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.
31. There has always been a Cartoon Network.
32. The nation's key economic indicator has always been the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
33. Their folks could always reach for a Zoloft.
34. They have always been able to read books on an electronic screen.
35. Women have always outnumbered men in college.
36. We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
37. Amateur radio operators have never needed to know Morse code.
38. Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Estonia have always been independent nations.
39. It's always been official: President Zachary Taylor did not die of arsenic poisoning.
40. Madonna's perspective on Sex has always been well documented.
41. Phil Jackson has always been coaching championship basketball.
42. Ozzy Osbourne has always been coming back.
43. Kevin Costner has always been Dancing with Wolves, especially on cable.
44. There have always been flat screen televisions.
45. They have always eaten Berry Berry Kix.
46. Disney's Fantasia has always been available on video, and It's a Wonderful Life has always been on Moscow television.
47. Smokers have never been promoted as an economic force that deserves respect.
48. Elite American colleges have never been able to fix the price of tuition.
49. Nobody has been able to make a deposit in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).
50. Everyone has always known what the evening news was before the Evening News came on.
51. Britney Spears has always been heard on classic rock stations.
52. They have never been Saved by the Bell
53. Someone has always been asking: "Was Iraq worth a war?"
54. Most communities have always had a mega-church.
55. Natalie Cole has always been singing with her father.
56. The status of gays in the military has always been a topic of political debate.
57. Elizabeth Taylor has always reeked of White Diamonds.
58. There has always been a Planet Hollywood.
59. For one reason or another, California's future has always been in doubt.
60. Agent Starling has always feared the Silence of the Lambs.
61. "Womyn" and "waitperson" have always been in the dictionary.
62. Members of Congress have always had to keep their checkbooks balanced since the closing of the House Bank.
63. There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.
64. CDs have never been sold in cardboard packaging.
65. Avon has always been "calling" in a catalog.
66. NATO has always been looking for a role.
67. Two Koreas have always been members of the UN.
68. Official racial classifications in South Africa have always been outlawed.
69. The NBC Today Show has always been seen on weekends.
70. Vice presidents of the United States have always had real power.
71. Conflict in Northern Ireland has always been slowly winding down.
72. Migration of once independent media like radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer has never amazed them.
73. Nobody has ever responded to "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."
74. Congress could never give itself a mid-term raise.
75. There has always been blue Jell-O.
Comments (7)
posted by Scot McKnight @ 3:03pm Permalink email icon Email This arrow Add to »
This and That
Do you ever have those moments when it seems that life has sped by you so fast that you don't really know what happened? That's been the last few weeks for us. I don't really like it when blogs say, "It's been a while since I last posted..." I would like to think that my life and my thoughts on life are important enough that people check this blog once or twice a day, but I know that the chances of that are slim to none, heavy on the none side. So let me catch you up if you still care enough to read on...
Cyd had a birthday last week that we celebrated in style at the new Carey Hilliard's in Statesboro. We both grew up going to the Hill, as we affectionately called it after football and basketball games, church events, and any time a group of teenagers went out to eat in Savannah. Hilliard's is a Savannah Icon and Institution. I can't really think of better place to eat in Savannah! The sweet tea is amazing! So we celebrated in style at the Hill and then had not one but 3 birthday cakes at our house for dessert, two of which I made. We had a great time celebrating another year on the calendar.
A few weeks ago we enjoyed some time as a family at Tybee before spending some time with the 2009 seniors at Tybee as well. We took a ton of pics, so I will get those uploaded soon. We did NOT see Miley but man was Tybee buzzing with the film.
This weekend we got a new swing set for the girls. Todd and Karen and Abbie and Anna Deal gave us a swing set that we moved and set up on Saturday. The girls absolutely love it!!!
Lots more to share but I've got to get to Starbucks to hang out with students, I love my job, because I get to work with the greatest bunch of teenagers anywhere!!
Cyd had a birthday last week that we celebrated in style at the new Carey Hilliard's in Statesboro. We both grew up going to the Hill, as we affectionately called it after football and basketball games, church events, and any time a group of teenagers went out to eat in Savannah. Hilliard's is a Savannah Icon and Institution. I can't really think of better place to eat in Savannah! The sweet tea is amazing! So we celebrated in style at the Hill and then had not one but 3 birthday cakes at our house for dessert, two of which I made. We had a great time celebrating another year on the calendar.
A few weeks ago we enjoyed some time as a family at Tybee before spending some time with the 2009 seniors at Tybee as well. We took a ton of pics, so I will get those uploaded soon. We did NOT see Miley but man was Tybee buzzing with the film.
This weekend we got a new swing set for the girls. Todd and Karen and Abbie and Anna Deal gave us a swing set that we moved and set up on Saturday. The girls absolutely love it!!!
Lots more to share but I've got to get to Starbucks to hang out with students, I love my job, because I get to work with the greatest bunch of teenagers anywhere!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Youth Week 2009
Youth Week 2009 was the best one yet!! We had great participation from our students and wonderful times of fellowship and worship. Christian George, author of Godology and Sex, Sushi, and Salvation came and shared his life with us for four days. Christian and I went to the same seminary but didn't really connect there. I read his books earlier this year and through Facebook contacted him about coming to our church to speak to our students. The greatest thing about Christian is that he didn't just show up and speak, then leave. He literally came and hung out with our students at a BBQ at my house, went to Six Flags with us, and genuinely got to know our students. It was a great time for our students to be challenged to stop carrying a "cross of Styrofoam" and pick up the true cross of Christ, radical discipleship and a raw faith to follow God wherever he leads them. Of course we had a blast at the Redneck Olympics and Six Flags but the highlight was the way God worked and spoke in the lives of our teenagers. Even two weeks after youth week I am hearing from students about what God is doing in their lives as a result of that week...God is so good isn't He!
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