At this time of year, thoughts turn again to the wonder of God-with-us. If you're looking to dig a little deeper into the theology of the Incarnation, here is a great resource page from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
http://www.ccel.org/node/7393
December 3, 2010
November 18, 2010
New Pentecostals post
Here's a new blog post over at New Pentecostals:
http://newpentecostals.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-talk-pneumatology.html
http://newpentecostals.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-talk-pneumatology.html
November 4, 2010
New blog project on Pentecostalism
Come on over to New Pentecostals, a new blog project Josh Singh and I have begun. We're sharing our thoughts on Pentecostalism and opening it up for discussion. It's going to be fun!
August 30, 2010
Samuel Lee - New Kind of Pentecostalism?
Here's a guy that's advocating for change in Pentecostalism as we know it . . . take a look:
(This is from his blog, samlee.org )
The New Kind of Pentecostals are:
1.Those who do not claim exclusivity of the Holy Spirit to a particular denomination or church.
2. Those who respect other Christian denominations and traditions and are willing to fellowship, share and cooperate with them.
3.Those who believe that the unconditional love that is inspired & directed by the Holy Spirit in believers is the greatest sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Those who share the Good News with all mankind, but in a manner full of grace and love and not through arrogance and “the-we-know-better-than-you-mentality...”
5. Those who believe that miracles, signs and wonders are still possible today, but one should not elevate these above the humility and the message of Jesus Christ. They are those who are against commercializing and merchandizing the gifts and signs of the Holy Spirit.
6. Those who do not tolerate any form of fear-theology and manipulation techniques in the name of the Holy Spirit in order to gain wealth, even for the ministry.
7. Those who believe in the grace that is in giving tithes and offerings but are against abusive and manipulative forms of preaching/using Malachi 3:8... Tithes and offerings should not be controlled and must come from the heart of the giver and not from the fear preached from the pulpit.
8. Those who may disapprove of the non-heterosexual lifestyle, but are not witch-hunting homosexuals. Instead of using hateful vocabulary toward homosexuals, they listen to and pray for them.
9. Those who are balanced in their theology on Israel/Zionism. New Kind of Pentecostals are those who aim to play the role of bridge builders between the Jews and Palestinians. For God loves both…
10. Those who are not only concerned with miracles, signs and wonders, but are also concerned with social justice, and with the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows and the immigrants.
11. Those who respect other cultures’ and people’s convictions and even religions, and are willing to enter into a mutual dialogue with them, without any hidden agendas.
12. Those who respect and have a dialogue with other cultures, yet when it comes to any form of inhumane practices within these cultures, the New Pentecostals are willing to address them.
13. Those who are concerned with the environment and are willing to bring in Pentecostal input in caring for the creation.
14. Those who believe in the Bible as the inspired collection of Holy Scriptures, yet they use the scriptures to bring forth grace and mercy and offer blessings instead of doom and gloom theology.
15. Those who believe that leadership should be servant hood; that leaders should serve instead of being served. Leaders should sacrifice instead of demanding sacrifice. Leadership should be based on love and fellowship and not on spiritual rank.
16. Those who respect traditional churches, or organized churches, but believe that the real church is built of people and their relationship with God and with each other. They are those who believe that the church is not a “building”, but it is a part of God continually fulfilling kingdom.
(This is from his blog, samlee.org )
The New Kind of Pentecostals are:
1.Those who do not claim exclusivity of the Holy Spirit to a particular denomination or church.
2. Those who respect other Christian denominations and traditions and are willing to fellowship, share and cooperate with them.
3.Those who believe that the unconditional love that is inspired & directed by the Holy Spirit in believers is the greatest sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Those who share the Good News with all mankind, but in a manner full of grace and love and not through arrogance and “the-we-know-better-than-you-mentality...”
5. Those who believe that miracles, signs and wonders are still possible today, but one should not elevate these above the humility and the message of Jesus Christ. They are those who are against commercializing and merchandizing the gifts and signs of the Holy Spirit.
6. Those who do not tolerate any form of fear-theology and manipulation techniques in the name of the Holy Spirit in order to gain wealth, even for the ministry.
7. Those who believe in the grace that is in giving tithes and offerings but are against abusive and manipulative forms of preaching/using Malachi 3:8... Tithes and offerings should not be controlled and must come from the heart of the giver and not from the fear preached from the pulpit.
8. Those who may disapprove of the non-heterosexual lifestyle, but are not witch-hunting homosexuals. Instead of using hateful vocabulary toward homosexuals, they listen to and pray for them.
9. Those who are balanced in their theology on Israel/Zionism. New Kind of Pentecostals are those who aim to play the role of bridge builders between the Jews and Palestinians. For God loves both…
10. Those who are not only concerned with miracles, signs and wonders, but are also concerned with social justice, and with the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows and the immigrants.
11. Those who respect other cultures’ and people’s convictions and even religions, and are willing to enter into a mutual dialogue with them, without any hidden agendas.
12. Those who respect and have a dialogue with other cultures, yet when it comes to any form of inhumane practices within these cultures, the New Pentecostals are willing to address them.
13. Those who are concerned with the environment and are willing to bring in Pentecostal input in caring for the creation.
14. Those who believe in the Bible as the inspired collection of Holy Scriptures, yet they use the scriptures to bring forth grace and mercy and offer blessings instead of doom and gloom theology.
15. Those who believe that leadership should be servant hood; that leaders should serve instead of being served. Leaders should sacrifice instead of demanding sacrifice. Leadership should be based on love and fellowship and not on spiritual rank.
16. Those who respect traditional churches, or organized churches, but believe that the real church is built of people and their relationship with God and with each other. They are those who believe that the church is not a “building”, but it is a part of God continually fulfilling kingdom.
August 27, 2010
sacred space
I was having a conversation with friends last night, and a certain comment revealed an ecclesiological conflict within. Perhaps it's the Pentecostal and the Anglican in me duking it out.
I had said at some point in the discussion that if I wasn't a Pentecostal, I would probably be an Anglican. Now there are many things about Anglicanism that I admire and appreciate, but one of them would be beautiful stained glass windows and a sense of sacred space. The physical, material dimension reflects spiritual realities in some way.
Not two minutes later I made another comment about how silly it was that we get uptight over what happens in a church building, as if God somehow lived in the building and not in his body, the people of the church.
It was my husband who caught me and reminded me of my previous statement, revealing this inner conflict of interest. Part of me craves that beauty of the sanctuary, part of me wants to push down the walls.
The issues:
- how do we view the material/physical element of our lives and our faith?
- how does the material/physical correlate to the spiritual? does it or should it at all?
- where is the support for sacred space in the New Testament?
- does our view of sacred space affect our concept of mission?
- where do we locate God's presence/Spirit in the church?
~lg
I had said at some point in the discussion that if I wasn't a Pentecostal, I would probably be an Anglican. Now there are many things about Anglicanism that I admire and appreciate, but one of them would be beautiful stained glass windows and a sense of sacred space. The physical, material dimension reflects spiritual realities in some way.
Not two minutes later I made another comment about how silly it was that we get uptight over what happens in a church building, as if God somehow lived in the building and not in his body, the people of the church.
It was my husband who caught me and reminded me of my previous statement, revealing this inner conflict of interest. Part of me craves that beauty of the sanctuary, part of me wants to push down the walls.
The issues:
- how do we view the material/physical element of our lives and our faith?
- how does the material/physical correlate to the spiritual? does it or should it at all?
- where is the support for sacred space in the New Testament?
- does our view of sacred space affect our concept of mission?
- where do we locate God's presence/Spirit in the church?
~lg
Single-handed Theology - Parenting
Typing with one hand is a little tricky. Arden sits on my lap and watches me tap this strange little contraption. I was just thinking about God’s mandate to the first humans – He tells them to become parents. There’s a big world that needs to be filled. God could have done it Himself. He could have created a whole human population. But He gives the fun of procreating and the charge of parenting to these two inexperienced creatures. Create more life! He says. See this beautiful world? Fill it up!
Perhaps in parenting we are able to mirror God’s image in a new way. We create something that is of us, yet wholly other. We learn to love someone who will bring us great joy and great pain.
This whole parenting enterprise is part of the plan. In one sense, it is what we were created to do. Create more life. Then love it.
I keep coming back to this question for some reason. Why life at all?
It must be because participating in God’s image is something worthy. It must be because love is better than non-existence.
~lg
Perhaps in parenting we are able to mirror God’s image in a new way. We create something that is of us, yet wholly other. We learn to love someone who will bring us great joy and great pain.
This whole parenting enterprise is part of the plan. In one sense, it is what we were created to do. Create more life. Then love it.
I keep coming back to this question for some reason. Why life at all?
It must be because participating in God’s image is something worthy. It must be because love is better than non-existence.
~lg
Single-handed Theology - I've got a craving . . .
Single-handed theology: theology inspired by motherhood and often carried out with one hand on the baby.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:2-3
Ever had a craving? Maybe for chocolate, or Frosty Treat ice cream, or a Big Mac, or that morning cup of coffee . . . mmm, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
I have a new appreciation for the word now that I’ve seen a newborn in action. When a newborn is hungry, you’ll know. If not by the frantic rooting and finger sucking, then by the inconsolable screams that are soon to come if you don’t get the milk in her mouth fast enough. A newborn’s craving for milk is not something that can be ignored. It’s all consuming.
So when I read this verse now, I wonder if I have the same sort of craving for soul food. Do I start to get a little crazy when I miss out on spiritual nourishment? Does my mouth water when I think of the Lord’s goodness, and does it make me search desperately for more? Of course, the craving is based in the first taste. Yes, you may have been hungry before that first experience of Jesus, but once you tasted, the pure goodness should keep you coming back for more. Have you tasted, truly drank in His goodness? And if you have, do you have that all consuming desire for more?
Too often I’m guilty of pacifier Christianity. I get a little hungry, a little dissatisfied, but instead of reaching out for the good stuff, I get distracted by something easier, the quick fix. How easily I am soothed by sticky sweet pop-culture, by the endless menu of entertainment paraded before me, and my salty self-rationalization. But it’s only temporary. There’s no long term satisfaction. So why do I keep stuffing myself with empty calories, or even a Christian-flavoured soother, when what I really need is a good long feeding from the source?
It’s time to grow up. Time to get a little frantic and drink deep.
~lg
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:2-3
Ever had a craving? Maybe for chocolate, or Frosty Treat ice cream, or a Big Mac, or that morning cup of coffee . . . mmm, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
I have a new appreciation for the word now that I’ve seen a newborn in action. When a newborn is hungry, you’ll know. If not by the frantic rooting and finger sucking, then by the inconsolable screams that are soon to come if you don’t get the milk in her mouth fast enough. A newborn’s craving for milk is not something that can be ignored. It’s all consuming.
So when I read this verse now, I wonder if I have the same sort of craving for soul food. Do I start to get a little crazy when I miss out on spiritual nourishment? Does my mouth water when I think of the Lord’s goodness, and does it make me search desperately for more? Of course, the craving is based in the first taste. Yes, you may have been hungry before that first experience of Jesus, but once you tasted, the pure goodness should keep you coming back for more. Have you tasted, truly drank in His goodness? And if you have, do you have that all consuming desire for more?
Too often I’m guilty of pacifier Christianity. I get a little hungry, a little dissatisfied, but instead of reaching out for the good stuff, I get distracted by something easier, the quick fix. How easily I am soothed by sticky sweet pop-culture, by the endless menu of entertainment paraded before me, and my salty self-rationalization. But it’s only temporary. There’s no long term satisfaction. So why do I keep stuffing myself with empty calories, or even a Christian-flavoured soother, when what I really need is a good long feeding from the source?
It’s time to grow up. Time to get a little frantic and drink deep.
~lg
more to come
I've not been very consistent with this blog! A new baby and new house under renovation have taken up much of our time so far this year! But I'm hoping to wade back in to some theological thought. I'm reposting a couple of entries from red letters that have a theological element to them for a start.
January 27, 2010
Sola scriptura
I came across this blog today about 'sola scriptura' and thought it was worth the read. The interrelation of Scripture and tradition is something I've been thinking about lately, especially since I've (finally) got around to getting back into Congar's The Meaning of Tradition. I don't have any cohesive thoughts on the issue at the moment, but wanted to post the link for consideration.
http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/theological-interpretation-and-sola-scriptura%E2%80%94is-it-even-possible/
~lg
http://theologyforum.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/theological-interpretation-and-sola-scriptura%E2%80%94is-it-even-possible/
~lg
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