God's Mission, Not Ours

"We are advocates for God before we are advocates for others (Wright)." Engaging in issues of justice may be important components of God's grand narrative, but we must be God's advocates in the world first. "Otherwise everything peters out into social activism and aimless programs (Wright)." Much can go wrong when we take our focus off of God. I experience this personally when I elevate issues of justice above God's plans. Mission is God's, not ours. Often the church, and individuals, have made the mission of God about themselves.

Bogged Down

What did I learn today? I am learning that literary genres in the Bible are crucial to interpretation. Context, both historical and literary, are crucial factors in interpreting the Scriptures. Also important are asking the right questions and using the right tools to bring about understanding.

The breadth of information covered so far in this course is important to me as a student of Scripture because I am in many ways building a foundation for understanding and Biblical interpretation. I have always loved the Bible and had an interest in learning more, but I have never really had to lean into the content in this depth.

For instance, I am hoping that learning to understand the different genres in Scripture will help to trigger a renewed interest in reading what I have often perceived to be the more “difficult” books of the Bible. Authors Fee and Stuart in "How to Read the Bible for All its Worth" describe how many people get “bogged down” in books such as Leviticus, Jeremiah, or Proverbs. That often happens to me. As a good student of Scripture, I don’t want to get bogged down anymore.

Do you find yourself getting "bogged down" anywhere in the Bible, or perhaps developing a bias for reading what seem to be more "applicable" books like the New Testament letters?

Justice and Beauty

Perhaps because of the power of justice, it seems to take a strong hold in my life. I have a hard time turning it on and off... it seems to just be there all of the time as a part of the DNA of my life. Sometimes in comes in handy in speaking up for things when that voice is really needed. Other times it gets me into trouble, rubs people the wrong way, or just generates confusion if I am unable to articulate the cause of justice clearly. Sometimes I feel like I am a mouthpiece for justice when I spend so much time living with and working among the urban poor. I wouldn't trade it for any other passion, though.

I am really learning to see God's beauty in the midst of brokenness in the city. I am learning to experience places of brokenness as holy ground. This has been a big learning curve for me, because I come from a background which emphasized finding beauty in nature or the cleanliness of well-ordered systems.

Do you have any thoughts on justice? And, what are your thoughts on finding beauty in this world?

Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, and Beauty

Today I listened to an audio presentation by author N.T. Wright about the four “internal voices” that all human beings are drawn to: we are all drawn to justice, spirituality, human relationships, and beauty. We are not able to experience the fullness of all four things in this world because we live in a fallen world (evil is present). However, Wright made the point that these four things are “the echoes of Jesus,” meaning Jesus dealt with all of them once and for all when he dealt with evil through the cross.

In looking at the four things, I would say that I am most drawn to justice and beauty. I long for things to be just in our world (on many different levels), and I long for beauty (I may not always quantify it that way, but I do). However, Wright also pointed out the importance of understanding historical context in Scripture as a way of understanding our “internal voices.” If we don’t understand what Jesus did on the cross, or if we rely on our own understanding, then we as humans will come up with all kinds of ways of thinking to find meaning in life (the Enlightenment, modernity, agnosticism, or postmodernity are examples). I thought Wright did a great job of describing the power of what Jesus did for us, and how we can act powerfully as followers of Christ in this postmodern era.

Which of the four things are you most drawn to in your life: justice, spirituality, relationships, or beauty?

Historically and Devotionally Informed

Today I learned that most people who read the Bible are either historically or devotionally informed. Historically informed readers of the Bible focus on understanding the text in its historical context. Devotionally informed readers look for a present word from God in the text for life today. I am learning that a balance of both ways of reading Scripture are necessary to properly understand what God is communicating.

I have long been a devotionally informed reader of Scripture. Although I am interested in historical aspects of the text, I have not always seen it as integral to my life as a follower of Christ. One of my big takeaways from this course so far is that I need to integrate these two components of Scripture. I have always believed that God speaks through Scripture, and that He still speaks today (even through different forms other than Scripture).

Also, I am definitely guilty of reading the Bible through a fragmented lens. I even communicate God’s Word through fragmented forms without much regard for context. One of the reasons I have looked forward to this course so much is that I want to have a more contextual approach to reading and communicating God’s Word.

God's Grand Narrative

I covet your prayers today (and over the next four months) as I begin a new DMin course at BGU called Theology: God's Grand Narrative. Here is the course description:

"This course will help the DMin student relate to God's Grand Narrative, the Old and New Testaments and Hermeneutics, while thinking and reflecting about global and urban contextualization. It is presented online using a "social constructionist pedagogy," which suggests that students actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment where the student is constructing something for others to experience where collaboratively a group creates a small culure of shared artifacts. The course follows Tom Wright's (Bishop of Durham) five-act-play model as a way of presenting Scripture for a better read and a way of thinking about living in the Story that Scripture presents. The course provides the gluing themes of Covenant in the Old Testament and Kingdom of God in the New Testament, which are two ways of saying the same thing: God has invaded this present evil age with his Rule. The course is presented from Genesis to Revelation set in chronological fashion. It will take into consideration how one interprets the Grand Narrative in present ministry."

Sounds fun, huh? I'm sure I'll be posting a lot over the coming months. Please pray specifically for:

• My focus as I integrate what I am learning into my ministry context in Pittsburgh.
• My health (I've learned that these courses can take a physical and spiritual toll on me if I don't manage my time well).
• Julie and Kyra and Sierra (they make many sacrifices so that I can work, study, and live out incarnational leadership in Homewood).
• The LAMP and MICAH ministries at North Way (everything I am learning I plan to pour back into others who are engaged in these ministries).

Thanks!

Acting Dreams With Open Eyes

I'm a dreamer. My wife is a planner. So of course, God united us together to take on this adventure called life! Not to oversimplify things, but most of the decisions that impact our family can be broken down into these two categories (dreamer versus planner). I think that it can lead to a healthy set of checks and balances, or it can lead to tension and frustration with the other person. Thankfully, Julie is also my best friend, and it usually ends up just being a healthy balance. I always want to go out to eat, and Julie usually wants to stay at home to consume the food which was carefully planned out as a part of our grocery budget each month. If we have a few hours together as a family, I usually want to go out on a family adventure (museums, exploring, trying new things), and Julie likes to find creative activities to do together at our house. The word "budget" usually causes a painful reaction from me and a warm reception from Julie.

I can't speak for Julie, but I can speak into what it is like to be a dreamer. My mind is constantly on the prowl for the next adventure. Some of the adventures feel like they are just written on my heart, and I "can't not" think about taking on new risks and challenges. On a day to day basis, I have a hard time sitting still. I could never work in a cubical every day! I need to be out and about, taking on new things with each passing moment. On a long term basis, I really struggle with predictability. Our family has moved seven times in eleven years. Even though we are settled in Pittsburgh, I feel like I need to travel as an outlet for my dreamer personality (i.e. Maui, Seattle, California, Costa Rica, and Mexico City over the past couple of years). I don't know why... my mind just seems to "go there."

I know God designed me this way. T.E. Lawrence said, "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did." I want to live life like that... to act my dreams with open eyes. Full out, wreckless abandon for God. I want to be dangerous for God. With Jesus leading the way, I want to make a huge impact for the Kingdom before all is said and done. I believe that being a dreamer suits me well for work in urban ministry. The drawback, of course, is focus. I need to surround myself with folks who will hold me accountable to keeping focused on things. I am glad for the planners in my life.