9.29.2006

Studio 60

I have been watching the new hit show Studio 60. It is witty and pushes the envelope. On the first episode, it made references to the evils of the 700 club and the violence produced by Christian Fundamentalists.
In the midst of this, Josh McDowell and Ron Luce advertise Teen Mania's youth rally about War-- well at least a Battle Cry and battle plans, etc. Although I like some of what this movement stands for, there is much that is very wrong with it and that frightens me. American Christianity wants to be a force to be reckoned with. Jesus instead gave his life freely over to the powers-- he fought through weakness and humility rather than pride and power.

9.27.2006

Jesus Camp

I just watched a preview of a documentary entitled Jesus Camp. Frightening. It amazes me that American Christianity is actually becoming this. So many evangelicals that I talk to believe that this country is coming to ruin because of secularism and liberalism. They believe that this country is ruled by godless people. And yet... these same evangelicals rule the white house, congress, the supreme court, most of the gubenatorial places in the states, etc. These same evangelicals a part of a growing movement around the country.... This definately scares me. We need a faith of love and hope rather than hate and fear. We need a faith of humility and peace rather than one focused on power and violence. We need a faith that cares about all people-- no matter what race, religion, gender, etc, rather than one of bias. Jesus Camp shows us the world of evangelical "Christian" America and where it is going wrong.

9.14.2006

Sexuality As Christian Practice

My senior pastor and I have been in conversation about sexuality. Our conversations have revolved around teenagers and their parents because of its relevance to our context, as well as the topic of homosexuality because it is such a divisive issue in our denominiation. In our conversations, we have come to some conclusions. These conclusions are not new nor are they simplistic-- they do not solve the complex problems. However, they are very true theologically & psychologically. As well, they provide the right kind of language by which to understand ourselves as made in the image of God.
First, our job as the community of faith is to form Christians who see their "selfs" as made in the image of God and are able to understand their bodies and sexual being as a gift to be cherished, guarded, and guided. The reason for this is that sex is such a good and poweful aspect of humanity. We want our students (and all our congregants) to cherish self and cherish the other-- to revere, honor, dignify self and other. Such a practice and habit has the ultimate effect of turning sexuality into a virtue. A virtue goes beyond practice or habit to being an instictual way of living out core convictions. As such, sexuality as virtue cannot possibly injure self or other. What we are after with our young people is to help form sexual practices in them that create virtues. Indeed, sexuality is a practice of Christian virtue.

9.07.2006

Published Article

The Journal of Student Ministries has published an article that I wrote. You can check it out here.