So Boston is still kinda boring, but things have shown some promise. Monday night I met up with this guy that used to live in my apartment, Ramos, and about 15 or so other people at some bar called the Wild Horse. People there were pretty cool. I didn't drink anything; instead I just kinda chilled. I got there late so I only got to talk to people for like 45 minutes or so. It was nice to get out. Tonight I went out with my roomate Dave and met up with some people and got wings. Again, just for like an hour or so. Its nice getting out some.
So one interesting note is that everyone I have met here so far from the seminary drinks. I am completely fine with casual drinking or whatever, but it is kind of weird having it as a part of the culture here. Not that I haven't been around much drinking, but so many believers going out and drinking all the time just seems kinda odd to me at times. I mostly haven't done it at all cause its expensive and high in calories, but the whole image thing is in my mind too. We will see how it develops. Its interesting for sure.
So I didn't have to wake up today until around noon on Friday, but I still woke up and I watched some True Life and then saw The Number 23 with Jim Carrey that I had rented. Talk about a crazy movie. It was pretty sweet. I like weird unique movies, and it was def that. After wings and such tonight I watched Garden State, which I bough like a year ago and never got around to seeing. It was also uber sweet.
Blogging is weird cause I know its more public than journaling so I don't really wanna expose myself much, but I know like 3 people read this so, oh well. So Garden State reminded me a lot Hannah. The main character is completely weird and has a lot of stuff screwed up with him emotionally and he falls in love with this completely nuerotic and unique weird girl.
Hannah is completely insane and nuerotic and I loved it. She is unique...shes an individual. I never realized how important that is. I don't want a perfect girl. I want someone I can share how screwed up I am and who can understand my insane family life blah blah blah. I think a lot of people look at me and see a smart kid who has a lot going for him, but I also have so many rediculous weaknesses and a lot of issues in the background, and I want to be able to share that with someone and have them understand what that is like. And yea. I had a dream that I bought Hannah coffee and when I brought it back to her she was making out with Matt. It was kinda odd. I don't know what is up with me having weird dreams lately. I'm sure the Hannah phase will pass, especially since I am forced to move on. I would love to hold on and fight for it, but I don't think that will do any good. Thats all I am saying about that for awhile. Maybe once I start meeting some cute girls here :)
I am hoping spiritually things go well here. Spiritual life up here seems to be completely different than in Lynchburg or even DC. Its kind of cool that people here aren't trying to impress each other spiritually like in Lynchburg, but I just hope people are genuine.
The Redskins won their first game and I missed it for that church interview. I love the skins way too much. People here are obsessed with the Sox and Pats. Pretty crazy. Anyways, I have a long day ahead of movies and playstation and maybe, if I get to it, classwork.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Service and Slashed Tires
So things have been interesting since my last post. Friday was my first day of classes, which was exciting. I have Systematic Theology I with Anders, who has written some commentaries that I've used so he is fairly well published. I got to class 10 minutes late. Luckily that was early, because Anders never showed and we just took attendance and left. His assistants didn't know why he didn't show. Guess I'll meet him next Friday (all my classes are just once a week).
All of Saturday was spent setting up my room. The complete hazard zone that had formed from me unpacking was completely wrenching on my OCD all week so it was great to get everything set up, which literally took like 8 hours and I was unable to go downtown and hear my roomate's cousin rap. Which stinks because he sounded really good when Dave played his stuff for me. Actually even sounded black.
So today has been a little nuts. I was woken up this morning repeatedly at 4 or 5am by literally the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my life. Not just loud, but long and creepy. Like literally rolls of thunder lasting 6-10 seconds. It was the craziest thing I had ever heard in my life. Then I had an incredibly bizarre dream that I killed Doug Gibson's mom (I haven't seen Doug in like five years). Super weird. Then I woke up and came out to the church I am interviewing with talk to them about worship and get a feel for things.
The church is pretty cool. Incredibly theologically sound, with expositional preaching and Christ-centered worship. It is also dress-up and traditional, which kind of wigs me out and reminds me of church when I was a kid and didn't know Christ. I'm used to things being laid back and chill, so I don't know if it will be a good fit. It is also an hour away, which would be tough, so we will see what happens. It is hard to find churches here that are conservative at all (like believing in the deity of Christ), so I don't know if I should turn down a paid worship position at such a solid church because of ties and stained-glass. We will see how the Lord works. I went out with the pastor and assistant pastor/current worship leader to Chillis and we talked and I urned to be watching the Skins game, but it was good.
Upon my return to the church I played some songs for them and they liked it and I walked to my car, only to find all four tires flat. I was a little taken back, but somewhat prepared for it considering this kind of thing seems to happen to me all the time. Me and cars do not seem to go well together. However, no one can get four flat tires, even with the rocky roads here in Boston. I looked closer and there were about 4 or 5 knive slits per tire. Someone slashed all four of my tires in the church parking lot. Pretty insane. Not a rough area or anything, I was in the suburbs. I was a little concerned but the church really blessed me and went and bought me four new tires and there was a mechanic there who put them on for me, so now I am riding on four new tires. Pretty sweet. Still kinda crazy.
Today was my first class. History and Archaelogy of the Ancient Near East. I am almost positive that my teacher is Borat, and I was fully expecting him to say, "Archaelogy is very nice." But he didn't. Seems like it'll be a pretty boring class, but maybe I will learn some interesting stuff. The teacher says the 1500 pages of reading aren't a part of the grade for the course, unless you don't do it all and then it hurts your grade. So sweet of him. It was three hours. The rest of the day was spent getting my tux fitted for Bre and JR's wedding and getting stuff worked out with Starbucks.
It sucks not having people to call and hang out with. I don't really know how I am going to make friends, mostly because I don't know where I will meet people and if I don't meet people through my roomates I'm screwed. I should've lived on campus but it was too expensive. So that could use prayer.
I'm kind of going through a "what the crap am i doing" mood. Why am I in grad school. Do I really wanna be a teacher. Is there anything I would rather do? Why don't I go focus on music or go into ministry or become a plumber or something. I dunno. Everyone goes through these times. Regardless, I really need to do a better job of seeking the Lord here, which I haven't been doing much. Anyways, hopefully things will turn around. Still thinking about stuff from back home some and just learning to get over Hannah, which is annoying and something I don't want to do. I'm really glad we are still friends though. I still have lingering feelings though and I don't really know why.
I literally have no class or anything until Friday. Ha. Oh, and I found out I have lost 20 pounds! HAHA. So I weigh like 155 now. Pretty crazy. I'm happy about it. Anyways, until next time.
All of Saturday was spent setting up my room. The complete hazard zone that had formed from me unpacking was completely wrenching on my OCD all week so it was great to get everything set up, which literally took like 8 hours and I was unable to go downtown and hear my roomate's cousin rap. Which stinks because he sounded really good when Dave played his stuff for me. Actually even sounded black.
So today has been a little nuts. I was woken up this morning repeatedly at 4 or 5am by literally the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my life. Not just loud, but long and creepy. Like literally rolls of thunder lasting 6-10 seconds. It was the craziest thing I had ever heard in my life. Then I had an incredibly bizarre dream that I killed Doug Gibson's mom (I haven't seen Doug in like five years). Super weird. Then I woke up and came out to the church I am interviewing with talk to them about worship and get a feel for things.
The church is pretty cool. Incredibly theologically sound, with expositional preaching and Christ-centered worship. It is also dress-up and traditional, which kind of wigs me out and reminds me of church when I was a kid and didn't know Christ. I'm used to things being laid back and chill, so I don't know if it will be a good fit. It is also an hour away, which would be tough, so we will see what happens. It is hard to find churches here that are conservative at all (like believing in the deity of Christ), so I don't know if I should turn down a paid worship position at such a solid church because of ties and stained-glass. We will see how the Lord works. I went out with the pastor and assistant pastor/current worship leader to Chillis and we talked and I urned to be watching the Skins game, but it was good.
Upon my return to the church I played some songs for them and they liked it and I walked to my car, only to find all four tires flat. I was a little taken back, but somewhat prepared for it considering this kind of thing seems to happen to me all the time. Me and cars do not seem to go well together. However, no one can get four flat tires, even with the rocky roads here in Boston. I looked closer and there were about 4 or 5 knive slits per tire. Someone slashed all four of my tires in the church parking lot. Pretty insane. Not a rough area or anything, I was in the suburbs. I was a little concerned but the church really blessed me and went and bought me four new tires and there was a mechanic there who put them on for me, so now I am riding on four new tires. Pretty sweet. Still kinda crazy.
Today was my first class. History and Archaelogy of the Ancient Near East. I am almost positive that my teacher is Borat, and I was fully expecting him to say, "Archaelogy is very nice." But he didn't. Seems like it'll be a pretty boring class, but maybe I will learn some interesting stuff. The teacher says the 1500 pages of reading aren't a part of the grade for the course, unless you don't do it all and then it hurts your grade. So sweet of him. It was three hours. The rest of the day was spent getting my tux fitted for Bre and JR's wedding and getting stuff worked out with Starbucks.
It sucks not having people to call and hang out with. I don't really know how I am going to make friends, mostly because I don't know where I will meet people and if I don't meet people through my roomates I'm screwed. I should've lived on campus but it was too expensive. So that could use prayer.
I'm kind of going through a "what the crap am i doing" mood. Why am I in grad school. Do I really wanna be a teacher. Is there anything I would rather do? Why don't I go focus on music or go into ministry or become a plumber or something. I dunno. Everyone goes through these times. Regardless, I really need to do a better job of seeking the Lord here, which I haven't been doing much. Anyways, hopefully things will turn around. Still thinking about stuff from back home some and just learning to get over Hannah, which is annoying and something I don't want to do. I'm really glad we are still friends though. I still have lingering feelings though and I don't really know why.
I literally have no class or anything until Friday. Ha. Oh, and I found out I have lost 20 pounds! HAHA. So I weigh like 155 now. Pretty crazy. I'm happy about it. Anyways, until next time.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
My Big Move
Hey everyone,
Ok so I now live in Massachusetts, a state that I just literally had to look up the spelling of. I had several weeks of extended good-byes, which began to wear on me, so Sunday rolled around and I saw everyone at church and heard Dale preach, which, was very good, and then went home to pack my car. I thought I had a lot packed up before hand, but it took me and my mom three or more hours to pack my car and then she took me and got my hair trimmed up (which was much needed) and I got dinner with her and my dad. It was nice to spend some time with them before I left. So I got home, and it was around 8pm and I decided I didn't want to deal with sleeping in an empty room and how depressing that would be and waking up early so I rolled out of town, barely able to see out of my windows.
My ride was surprisingly pleasant, although I was exhausted. I was expecting driving alone in the middle of the night with all that has been going on in my life this summer and leaving home to be depressing, but it was a nice drive. It kinda sucked that my ipod died halfway through, but then I heard the Delilah song that I have somehow gone the last few months hearing about but never hearing. It’s charming. I pulled up to my apartment at 6am (just for the record, I do not live in Boston, I live in Ipswich, which is like 45 minutes north of Boston)
So I walked into my apartment and immediately realized I lived in a dump. My house is from the 1700's and is pretty run down, something I expected considering my ridiculously reasonable rent. Though that morning I had a small panic attack, it has grown on me. It is awkward that there is a roommate of mine whose room cuts through mine, so my privacy is incredibly infringed upon, but I have some ideas of hanging sheets and such to get around that. It is going to be interesting for sure (that roommate is in his 30's, married with 4 kids and lives in Connecticut, but for some reason works at the school and maybe goes to school. My roommates have met him twice in 3 months, but the guy came in last night and woke me up then and this morning walking through Weird. ADVENTURE!
Waking up the first day, I was excited to learn my roommates are 23 and 24, not 46 and Asian. They are cool guys. They smoke pipes and drink beer and are pretty laid back, but I don't think they are liberal Christians. They seem solid; I haven't talked to them yet about it.
Most of the week I have been doing orientation and trying to gather furniture (sorry this post is so long, just a lot going on). I took and OT and NT assessment that I passed. I realized I don't have to decide my degree path this semester and got signed up for classes. Also, whatever degree path I choose doesn't necessarily lock me into the same PhD program, so a lot of pressure has been taken off my shoulders (I am deciding between OT and Theology, and maybe NT). My courses this semester are as follows: Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology I, Intro to Islam, and History and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East. Pretty cool stuff.
I miss my friends. Not like a ton, that'll come later as I am so focused on getting settled. It seems like it will be difficult to meet people living off campus. I hope to meet people from the undergrad through my roommate that went there. Certain people are obviously on my mind here, and I for sure miss serving at the church and having the encouragement of Dale and Kent and everyone.
The future is that I start class tomorrow with Systematic Theology, and I try and get a bed. I may see JR and Bre tonight as JR just flew into Boston to go to Maine for the wedding and such. I also interview with that church about being their worship leader this Sunday. I'm getting lunch with the pastor and current worship leader after service, so you can pray for that! My other prayer request is just for godly friends here, and maybe like a 20-year-old Christian model who is incredibly attracted to artsy, intellectual and sometimes-awkward seminary students. God is sovereign, and can do what he wants. Miss you guys!
John
Ok so I now live in Massachusetts, a state that I just literally had to look up the spelling of. I had several weeks of extended good-byes, which began to wear on me, so Sunday rolled around and I saw everyone at church and heard Dale preach, which, was very good, and then went home to pack my car. I thought I had a lot packed up before hand, but it took me and my mom three or more hours to pack my car and then she took me and got my hair trimmed up (which was much needed) and I got dinner with her and my dad. It was nice to spend some time with them before I left. So I got home, and it was around 8pm and I decided I didn't want to deal with sleeping in an empty room and how depressing that would be and waking up early so I rolled out of town, barely able to see out of my windows.
My ride was surprisingly pleasant, although I was exhausted. I was expecting driving alone in the middle of the night with all that has been going on in my life this summer and leaving home to be depressing, but it was a nice drive. It kinda sucked that my ipod died halfway through, but then I heard the Delilah song that I have somehow gone the last few months hearing about but never hearing. It’s charming. I pulled up to my apartment at 6am (just for the record, I do not live in Boston, I live in Ipswich, which is like 45 minutes north of Boston)
So I walked into my apartment and immediately realized I lived in a dump. My house is from the 1700's and is pretty run down, something I expected considering my ridiculously reasonable rent. Though that morning I had a small panic attack, it has grown on me. It is awkward that there is a roommate of mine whose room cuts through mine, so my privacy is incredibly infringed upon, but I have some ideas of hanging sheets and such to get around that. It is going to be interesting for sure (that roommate is in his 30's, married with 4 kids and lives in Connecticut, but for some reason works at the school and maybe goes to school. My roommates have met him twice in 3 months, but the guy came in last night and woke me up then and this morning walking through Weird. ADVENTURE!
Waking up the first day, I was excited to learn my roommates are 23 and 24, not 46 and Asian. They are cool guys. They smoke pipes and drink beer and are pretty laid back, but I don't think they are liberal Christians. They seem solid; I haven't talked to them yet about it.
Most of the week I have been doing orientation and trying to gather furniture (sorry this post is so long, just a lot going on). I took and OT and NT assessment that I passed. I realized I don't have to decide my degree path this semester and got signed up for classes. Also, whatever degree path I choose doesn't necessarily lock me into the same PhD program, so a lot of pressure has been taken off my shoulders (I am deciding between OT and Theology, and maybe NT). My courses this semester are as follows: Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology I, Intro to Islam, and History and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East. Pretty cool stuff.
I miss my friends. Not like a ton, that'll come later as I am so focused on getting settled. It seems like it will be difficult to meet people living off campus. I hope to meet people from the undergrad through my roommate that went there. Certain people are obviously on my mind here, and I for sure miss serving at the church and having the encouragement of Dale and Kent and everyone.
The future is that I start class tomorrow with Systematic Theology, and I try and get a bed. I may see JR and Bre tonight as JR just flew into Boston to go to Maine for the wedding and such. I also interview with that church about being their worship leader this Sunday. I'm getting lunch with the pastor and current worship leader after service, so you can pray for that! My other prayer request is just for godly friends here, and maybe like a 20-year-old Christian model who is incredibly attracted to artsy, intellectual and sometimes-awkward seminary students. God is sovereign, and can do what he wants. Miss you guys!
John
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Book Review: Velvet Elvis (Part I)
This should be my first of many book review posts. The purpose of this type of post is to analyze different literature, almost entirely in the realm of Christian work, in order to give the reader a good synopsis of the book’s content and usefulness in the life of the believer. The reviews will be scrutinized under the authority of Scripture, and the theological soundness of the book will be attacked or defended. I will also analyze other aspects of the books I read here such as whether or not the book was interesting, or whether the book was relevant to most readers. I hope these posts will keep you up to date on some popular books and encourage or discourage you to read some of them.
Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”
Overall - D+
Creativity – B
Ability to Hold Interest – B+
Theology – D-
Reliability – D
Useful – D
Final conclusion – If you only read a few books a year, don’t waste one on this book. If you are grounded in your theology and want to read from the perspective of a new age church movement, read it.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s a cliché expression. Problem is, this saying holds an exact opposite truth than generally intended by that saying. This book has a great looking cover that was obviously designed by a talent graphic designer. However, once you get past the cover, “Velvet Elvis” not only has shoddy theology, by many of its ideas are dangerous.
I will let you know what drew me to this book. My friend from school loves Rob Bell to death, probably because my friend loves graphic design and all that cool stuff. For months I ripped on him about Rob Bell because of what I had heard about him from others. Finally, after a few months, I decided that instead of being a hypocrite, I would read the book. At times, the book is inspiriting and encouraging to the believer. However, if someone is not firmly grounded in Biblical theology, it can also lead to some dangerous ideas. I decided to post on this book because it has sold over 100,000 copies. Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos and other books, such as “Sex God”, have gathered him a national audience, and I think it is crucial for people in the church to use the lenses of Scripture to analyze all things, especially trendy or popular movements, such as the emergent movement Bell is tied to. I will try and make this review as brief as I can, but the books popularity makes me tend to what to analyze it in depth. For today, I will go over chapter 1, which is titled “Jump”.
CHAPTER 1 - JUMP:
Anyone who has written anything knows that you should try and begin and end well. This is crucial. Bell’s first and last chapters are nightmarish compared to the rest of his book. The overarching analogy in chapter one is that of a trampoline. He encourages everyone to follow with the fluid movement of Christianity, which he claims is constantly changing, adjusting, and growing. Bell states that God has not left us alone in human history, and that “As a part of this tradition, I embrace the need to keep painting, to keep reforming (12).” He goes on to say that by this he does not mean “better lights, sharper graphics, and new methods…I mean theology (12).”
Bell goes on to make the analogy of a trampoline. The springs of the trampoline represent doctrine. Like springs, theology has room to move (22). Bell claims doctrine has an importance to it, that it helps us put to words reality (25). He says that many of us wrongly make theology like bricks, where if one is removed, it damages the sturdiness of our faith (26). Then, he goes on to his famous statements on the virgin birth.
He says that if tomorrow, the virgin birth was disproved, one could keep “jumping”, could keep on with the faith and believing in God. “But if the whole faith fall apart when we reexamine and rethink one spring, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place, was it (27)?” He says that in brick world (those who believe doctrine is essential) are stuck to defend themselves, and that he would much rather enjoy the trampoline and invite others to enjoy jumping with him.
The problem with Rob Bell’s argument is that it is completely unbiblical. There is a problem called sin (which is tip toed around a lot in this book), and if Christ was born of a man, he would have imputed a sin nature. If Christ had imputed a sin nature, his sacrifice would have been worthless. And then me, Rob Bell, Jerry Falwell, Bill Graham and every other believer in history would have to account for their own sins, and would ultimately fall short and go to hell. It seems to me that the spring of the virgin birth is very important. I don’t think I can go “jumping” on the trampoline without it. You see this in the Bible with other doctrines.
Speaking about the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Without the resurrection, we not only are not saved, but our entire lives on earth are to be pitied more than all men! We are the most pitiful creatures on earth if this doctrine is not true! Bell is correct that some beliefs about the Bible are not vital. That if certain springs broke (for example, if our views on the end times are wrong, the different views on miraculous gifts), we could continue jumping. He seems to forget that a doctrine about God changing over time means that God changes, that the Bible's claims of the immutability of God (theological term meaning He doesn't change) are untrue. He also seems to undermine the authority Scripture holds, aluding to theology changing even though the Word of God is the ultimate authority to the believer. Bell's ignorant, sweeping statements are completely heretical. There is no way around that fact.
Bell then goes on in this chapter and tells us to embrace doubt. Jesus never sponsored this type of thinking. He was always questioning his disciple’s faith, telling them they doubted too much. Yes, there is a time and a place for investigation, study, and research. However, I think there is healthy “doubt” and unhealthy doubt. One should not just accept everything they hear in the church or in a book blindly. They should always question and turn to the Word. And everyone goes through times where they do doubt, and those are times we need to have faith and trust in God and His character when things seems to make no sense. However, encouraging doubt seems to be pointing people to question God by our own standards. This is rebellion, and it is sin. There is a fine line. We should never hold ourselves above God like we can question Him.
I agree with him as he later says that seeking out truth will always lead to more questions, and we will never come to conclusions on everything. However, it is strangely absent that here Bell does not emphasis that we should turn to and lean on and desperately cling to the Bible for truth. I do like what he says on page 35, that many times we just try and convince people to believe the same things we do. With this, may people end up intellectually affirming these truths but never bowing their hearts to Christ or loving Him. This is not salvation, and this strategy of telling people that if they just agree with us in the truth that they are saved. Salvation always will result in a love for Christ, not just an ability to explain who He is.
In the end, the first chapter leaves the reader who embraces Bell’s teaching doubting doctrine, questioning God, and mostly focused on the experiential “jumping” of the Christian faith, which Bell encourages us to change and “repaint” as it continually changes. Not the best start to a book I have read. I will review the next few chapters in my next post.
Posted by John Carlson at 7:02 PM 0 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
Academic Works
Academic Works
http://savefile.com/projects/1080352
This is a link (also on the right of my home page here) to some of my papers I have written during my undergrad/grad school work. They all fall under the categories of either Biblical Studies, Theology, or Church History. They do not all represent my best work, and some of them have many errors. They should be used to supplement learning, not for copying for academic dishonesty. Make sure when you click on the link to scroll down to see where they are to download. They will not be put as their own posts as most of them are at least 10 pages in length. Enjoy!
John
Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”
Overall - D+
Creativity – B
Ability to Hold Interest – B+
Theology – D-
Reliability – D
Useful – D
Final conclusion – If you only read a few books a year, don’t waste one on this book. If you are grounded in your theology and want to read from the perspective of a new age church movement, read it.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s a cliché expression. Problem is, this saying holds an exact opposite truth than generally intended by that saying. This book has a great looking cover that was obviously designed by a talent graphic designer. However, once you get past the cover, “Velvet Elvis” not only has shoddy theology, by many of its ideas are dangerous.
I will let you know what drew me to this book. My friend from school loves Rob Bell to death, probably because my friend loves graphic design and all that cool stuff. For months I ripped on him about Rob Bell because of what I had heard about him from others. Finally, after a few months, I decided that instead of being a hypocrite, I would read the book. At times, the book is inspiriting and encouraging to the believer. However, if someone is not firmly grounded in Biblical theology, it can also lead to some dangerous ideas. I decided to post on this book because it has sold over 100,000 copies. Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos and other books, such as “Sex God”, have gathered him a national audience, and I think it is crucial for people in the church to use the lenses of Scripture to analyze all things, especially trendy or popular movements, such as the emergent movement Bell is tied to. I will try and make this review as brief as I can, but the books popularity makes me tend to what to analyze it in depth. For today, I will go over chapter 1, which is titled “Jump”.
CHAPTER 1 - JUMP:
Anyone who has written anything knows that you should try and begin and end well. This is crucial. Bell’s first and last chapters are nightmarish compared to the rest of his book. The overarching analogy in chapter one is that of a trampoline. He encourages everyone to follow with the fluid movement of Christianity, which he claims is constantly changing, adjusting, and growing. Bell states that God has not left us alone in human history, and that “As a part of this tradition, I embrace the need to keep painting, to keep reforming (12).” He goes on to say that by this he does not mean “better lights, sharper graphics, and new methods…I mean theology (12).”
Bell goes on to make the analogy of a trampoline. The springs of the trampoline represent doctrine. Like springs, theology has room to move (22). Bell claims doctrine has an importance to it, that it helps us put to words reality (25). He says that many of us wrongly make theology like bricks, where if one is removed, it damages the sturdiness of our faith (26). Then, he goes on to his famous statements on the virgin birth.
He says that if tomorrow, the virgin birth was disproved, one could keep “jumping”, could keep on with the faith and believing in God. “But if the whole faith fall apart when we reexamine and rethink one spring, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place, was it (27)?” He says that in brick world (those who believe doctrine is essential) are stuck to defend themselves, and that he would much rather enjoy the trampoline and invite others to enjoy jumping with him.
The problem with Rob Bell’s argument is that it is completely unbiblical. There is a problem called sin (which is tip toed around a lot in this book), and if Christ was born of a man, he would have imputed a sin nature. If Christ had imputed a sin nature, his sacrifice would have been worthless. And then me, Rob Bell, Jerry Falwell, Bill Graham and every other believer in history would have to account for their own sins, and would ultimately fall short and go to hell. It seems to me that the spring of the virgin birth is very important. I don’t think I can go “jumping” on the trampoline without it. You see this in the Bible with other doctrines.
Speaking about the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Without the resurrection, we not only are not saved, but our entire lives on earth are to be pitied more than all men! We are the most pitiful creatures on earth if this doctrine is not true! Bell is correct that some beliefs about the Bible are not vital. That if certain springs broke (for example, if our views on the end times are wrong, the different views on miraculous gifts), we could continue jumping. He seems to forget that a doctrine about God changing over time means that God changes, that the Bible's claims of the immutability of God (theological term meaning He doesn't change) are untrue. He also seems to undermine the authority Scripture holds, aluding to theology changing even though the Word of God is the ultimate authority to the believer. Bell's ignorant, sweeping statements are completely heretical. There is no way around that fact.
Bell then goes on in this chapter and tells us to embrace doubt. Jesus never sponsored this type of thinking. He was always questioning his disciple’s faith, telling them they doubted too much. Yes, there is a time and a place for investigation, study, and research. However, I think there is healthy “doubt” and unhealthy doubt. One should not just accept everything they hear in the church or in a book blindly. They should always question and turn to the Word. And everyone goes through times where they do doubt, and those are times we need to have faith and trust in God and His character when things seems to make no sense. However, encouraging doubt seems to be pointing people to question God by our own standards. This is rebellion, and it is sin. There is a fine line. We should never hold ourselves above God like we can question Him.
I agree with him as he later says that seeking out truth will always lead to more questions, and we will never come to conclusions on everything. However, it is strangely absent that here Bell does not emphasis that we should turn to and lean on and desperately cling to the Bible for truth. I do like what he says on page 35, that many times we just try and convince people to believe the same things we do. With this, may people end up intellectually affirming these truths but never bowing their hearts to Christ or loving Him. This is not salvation, and this strategy of telling people that if they just agree with us in the truth that they are saved. Salvation always will result in a love for Christ, not just an ability to explain who He is.
In the end, the first chapter leaves the reader who embraces Bell’s teaching doubting doctrine, questioning God, and mostly focused on the experiential “jumping” of the Christian faith, which Bell encourages us to change and “repaint” as it continually changes. Not the best start to a book I have read. I will review the next few chapters in my next post.
Posted by John Carlson at 7:02 PM 0 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
Academic Works
Academic Works
http://savefile.com/projects/1080352
This is a link (also on the right of my home page here) to some of my papers I have written during my undergrad/grad school work. They all fall under the categories of either Biblical Studies, Theology, or Church History. They do not all represent my best work, and some of them have many errors. They should be used to supplement learning, not for copying for academic dishonesty. Make sure when you click on the link to scroll down to see where they are to download. They will not be put as their own posts as most of them are at least 10 pages in length. Enjoy!
John
Saturday, March 17, 2007
An Update on Life/Random Thoughts
Ok, so for the four of you that might check this out, I am sorry for the lack of posting as of late. I have a few posts primed and ready, but have not gotten to them yet. I will be posting a book review of Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis" this week (I hope), and soon after hopefully one on "Fool's Gold" by John MacArthur.
So an update. February has been a rough month. This is the reason for a lack of inspiration here. It was a month where I allowed a lot of different things to take priority of the Word of God in my life, and struggle has ensued. I am hoping that is progressively changing. Sanctification is a process, unfortunately, and I can't just flip a light switch and become the person I want to be. The problem is, if I let that discourage me, it will get me nowhere. The beginning of March, however, began with a great weekend. The leadership in the youth group I lead Junior High worship for and volunteer with had a retreat in which we studies systematic theology and worshipped the Lord together. Now, coming from Liberty and having a Biblical Studies degree, I could have just acted like an arrogant fool as if I knew systematic theology like the back of my hand, but (for once) I was humble and really allowed God excite me with the truths of His Word again.
Rather than the details, one principle stands out to me. Proper theology should result in a passionate, Christ-exalting response of praise, rather than a general puffing up of knowledge. This is hard for me to keep in the forefront of my mind as I pursue degrees and write papers and take tests. This is not about knowledge. My pursuits are not about degrees, or about academia. Every time I approach my studies or my time in the Word or at church like this, I am wasting an opportunity to praise and exalt Christ in my heart. It’s a shame, because it happens too often.
The analogy goes like this. If you start dating someone, you can probably name a few reasons that you like that person (if you haven't known them too long). You could have been attracted to them because of their looks, or their kindness, or maybe the fun-loving attitude. But as your relationship matures, you begin to draw in a wide knowledge of who that person is. As time progresses, the reasons you like that person, or love them, is probably vastly more complex and beautiful than the original reason. The same goes for our relationship with the Lord. So many only know a small amount about who the Lord is, and they genuinely praise and glorify Him for these few things. However, there is a vast plethora of characteristics about the Lord and doctrine concerning our relationship for Him that can result in vastly deeper and more meaningful form of worship (not just with music) than the original. Too many of us just like the Lord (if we are honest), and this is only because we know so little about Him. If we know Him well, the only response is a deep and passionate love for Him. To many of us are still in the stage where we know about the Lord what a high school couple knows about each other. However, if you ask a wife why she loves her husband, it’s not because of the smile or his charm (if it is a healthy marriage), but rather probably because of his integrity, faithfulness, and his constant care under distress. We should aspire to know so much about God.
Regardless, I was challenged by the weekend, and had some leaders really speak truth into areas in which I am struggling and NEED to work on. I got to spend so much time with people much more godly than myself, many of them younger, and it was very challenging and encouraging.
Please pray for me, as I am contemplating a lot of issues in my life, mostly associated with my church and worship and my role there, as well as some other things. Though the request is ambiguous, I think that is specific enough to pray for. I will update you all on this if the need arises.
Now, as I get off of my soapbox, and attempt to live what I am talking about, I have a few more, less important thoughts.
On is that March Madness has begun, and it is great. I won my pool last year and hope to again. My final is Georgetown over Florida. Hope I pull that one off.
I have developed a slight addiction to espresso since I began working at Starbucks two months ago. I crave it when I have days off.
I don't believe global warming is legitimate (30 years ago at the peak of industrialization many scientists believer we were going to enter a global ice age), but IF IT IS REAL, I say bring it...it is too stinkin' cold. I hate the cold. People who like it are lying to try and impress you. That should not be something you like about them.
Ok, there is the update. Please be on the look out for my book reviews coming up and leave comments on what you think! Thanks!
So an update. February has been a rough month. This is the reason for a lack of inspiration here. It was a month where I allowed a lot of different things to take priority of the Word of God in my life, and struggle has ensued. I am hoping that is progressively changing. Sanctification is a process, unfortunately, and I can't just flip a light switch and become the person I want to be. The problem is, if I let that discourage me, it will get me nowhere. The beginning of March, however, began with a great weekend. The leadership in the youth group I lead Junior High worship for and volunteer with had a retreat in which we studies systematic theology and worshipped the Lord together. Now, coming from Liberty and having a Biblical Studies degree, I could have just acted like an arrogant fool as if I knew systematic theology like the back of my hand, but (for once) I was humble and really allowed God excite me with the truths of His Word again.
Rather than the details, one principle stands out to me. Proper theology should result in a passionate, Christ-exalting response of praise, rather than a general puffing up of knowledge. This is hard for me to keep in the forefront of my mind as I pursue degrees and write papers and take tests. This is not about knowledge. My pursuits are not about degrees, or about academia. Every time I approach my studies or my time in the Word or at church like this, I am wasting an opportunity to praise and exalt Christ in my heart. It’s a shame, because it happens too often.
The analogy goes like this. If you start dating someone, you can probably name a few reasons that you like that person (if you haven't known them too long). You could have been attracted to them because of their looks, or their kindness, or maybe the fun-loving attitude. But as your relationship matures, you begin to draw in a wide knowledge of who that person is. As time progresses, the reasons you like that person, or love them, is probably vastly more complex and beautiful than the original reason. The same goes for our relationship with the Lord. So many only know a small amount about who the Lord is, and they genuinely praise and glorify Him for these few things. However, there is a vast plethora of characteristics about the Lord and doctrine concerning our relationship for Him that can result in vastly deeper and more meaningful form of worship (not just with music) than the original. Too many of us just like the Lord (if we are honest), and this is only because we know so little about Him. If we know Him well, the only response is a deep and passionate love for Him. To many of us are still in the stage where we know about the Lord what a high school couple knows about each other. However, if you ask a wife why she loves her husband, it’s not because of the smile or his charm (if it is a healthy marriage), but rather probably because of his integrity, faithfulness, and his constant care under distress. We should aspire to know so much about God.
Regardless, I was challenged by the weekend, and had some leaders really speak truth into areas in which I am struggling and NEED to work on. I got to spend so much time with people much more godly than myself, many of them younger, and it was very challenging and encouraging.
Please pray for me, as I am contemplating a lot of issues in my life, mostly associated with my church and worship and my role there, as well as some other things. Though the request is ambiguous, I think that is specific enough to pray for. I will update you all on this if the need arises.
Now, as I get off of my soapbox, and attempt to live what I am talking about, I have a few more, less important thoughts.
On is that March Madness has begun, and it is great. I won my pool last year and hope to again. My final is Georgetown over Florida. Hope I pull that one off.
I have developed a slight addiction to espresso since I began working at Starbucks two months ago. I crave it when I have days off.
I don't believe global warming is legitimate (30 years ago at the peak of industrialization many scientists believer we were going to enter a global ice age), but IF IT IS REAL, I say bring it...it is too stinkin' cold. I hate the cold. People who like it are lying to try and impress you. That should not be something you like about them.
Ok, there is the update. Please be on the look out for my book reviews coming up and leave comments on what you think! Thanks!
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