This is a fascinating read on why women are out-performing men in today’s economy.
As I read it, I couldn’t help being a pastor, researcher and communicator that there might also be connections to why the Christian Church has historically tended to grow the most when it was in a position of least influence. Perhaps there really is something to being “strangers in a strange land,” or to use biblical phrasing, “aliens and exiles.”
I am an avid reader of Seth Godin (books, blogs, anything really). I love his ability to crystalize and disseminate wisdom that can be applied to creative (writers, artists) and organizational leaders (marketers, managers, etc.). In this short blog, he writes on the importance of “less is more” and the danger of following after the masses.
My friend Daniel Siedell has written another excellent article over at Patheos discussing the intersection of faith, grace and life through art (see below). It is well worth your time to read what might be the best perspective I’ve heard on Serrano’s Piss Christ. And his thoughts on what it means to be a Cultural Theologian are even better.
I remember my first exposure into both topics – Piss Christ and being a Cultural Theologian – came from my dad. He is an artist, and I have benefited greatly from growing up in a home where art was celebrated and questions were asked that forced us to think, not just regurgitate or rearrange preconceived prejudices. When I fist came to know Christ, I remember one such question my dad asked: “What would you do if you saw a picture of Jesus in a toilet [or jar or urine] as a work of art?”
My answer then was somewhat astute for someone my age and maturity in Christ. I answered, “Well, Jesus was crucified in a trash heap which was the equivalent of a toilet back in his day. Whether the artist meant it or not, I think it’s an excellent picture of the beauty and grace of God in the midst of the crap of life.”
My response has not changed to this day, and thanks to Daniel, I know now that I was on to something back then.
Addendum: To learn more about how to see and perceive art with eyes of faith, and not through culture-war jargon, I highly recommend Daniel Siedell’s book God in the Gallery(Kindle edition here) Also, for something philosophically similar but addressing cinema and movies, I would encourage Brian Godawa’s Hollywood Worldviews(Kindle edition here).
People ask me often, “What is a good book to read to better understand the Bible as a whole?”
My answer has been for the past five years, “The best single book to better understand the Bible as a whole is Sally Lloyd-Jones’ The Jesus Story Book Bible.”
And you can Pre-Order it for Kindle for only $3.99 by clicking the link below (this is a steal, trust me).
I recently received this question, and have yet to respond to the person’s email (please forgive me Jamie!). But it is a great question, and one that I think is worth sharing with a broader audience.
Below I will share a quote from Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church Seattle and the link to an article he wrote on the subject, as I have found it to be the most helpful and satisfying response to the question at hand.
But before I do, here is my initial two cents to contribute:
Santa Clause is an amalgamation of a lot of stories concerning a real, historic person. Over time, these stories have made it difficult to separate the truth of who he was, what he did, and why he did it, from the false accounts, reasons and motivations. Because of this, I am more prone to give grace on the subject rather than demonize the caricature or squash the spirit of finding joy in such a person.
So, like Driscoll, I hope and aim to redeem Santa for my kids. This means that I do not tell my kids that “Santa doesn’t exist,” or “Santa is the enemy” or that “Santa is just a marketers’ scheme to get parents to spend money on toys they can’t afford to please their children who will forget about them in a week.” I do tell them that Santa Clause is really a way for us to dress up, remember and celebrate a man who was so captivated by God’s love for him, that he couldn’t help but share it with others by loving them in return. This looked like giving others gifts as a way of showing that love.
At Christmas time, we celebrate the greatest gift ever given out of love, the birth of the God-man, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. And we too celebrate just like St. Nicholas by giving gifts to others. Its ok to dress up and pretend (we do it all the time), but we are not visiting the real Santa when we go get pictures at the mall, nor do we think if we leave some cookies and a Coke, Santa will be refreshed as he goes from house to house delivering toys.
There is one area where I am likely to drop the hammer of error when it comes to Santa. That is the damnable lie that there is a list and if you’ve been good you will be rewarded, and if you are naughty, you won’t get anything. This is not how gifts work. Gifts are all of grace, or they are not gifts at all. This is the greatest lie surrounding Santa, and I believe it needs to be corrected and confronted at every turn. God did not give His greatest gift to the world because the world was more good than it was bad. He gave it (His Son, the greatest gift) because He so loved the world! (John 3:16). Anything else that reeks of receiving a gift because I’ve earned it is merit, not grace, and it has nothing to do with Santa, God or the reality of Christ’s birth during this holiday season.
So, as the parents of five children, Grace and I have taken the third position to redeem Santa. We tell our kids that he was a real person who did live a long time ago. We also explain how people dress up as Santa and pretend to be him for fun, kind of like how young children like to dress up as pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a host of other people, real and imaginary. We explain how, in addition to the actual story of Santa, a lot of other stories have been added (e.g., flying reindeer, living in the North Pole, delivering presents to every child in one night) so that Santa is a combination of true and make-believe stories….We do not, however, demonize Santa. Dressing up, having fun, and using the imagination God gave can be an act of holy worship and is something that, frankly, a lot of adults need to learn from children.
Link to “What we tell our kids about Santa” by Mark Driscoll
REEL Conversations is what I refer to as a ministry of seeing the theme of redemption in modern stories, namely cinema. This is a brief write-up of a group discussion on the redemptive themes in the movie Toy Story 3. This was used for a movie night we had at our church. Enjoy and feel free to share! For a PDF version, click here.
Toy Story 3: Unwanted Junk or Precious Personalities
Toy Story 3 from Disney/Pixar
“He called us ‘junk’!” yells Mrs. Potato Head in a healthy mix of indignation and shock. This is the feeling at the very beginning of Toy Story 3. And that sad assessment of the toys reality send them on a journey to find a new owner, a new home, where they would be appreciated for who they were.
“Welcome to Sunnyside!” This is the siren’s call of a place where they will never have to worry about anyone using them only to discard them later. At last, the toys have found a place where they are promised to be played with, and never abandoned again. They are free to be who they are and can enjoy their lives as it was meant to be lived.
Or are they?
Is this really what we want?
In their quest to find happiness they find themselves trapped and enslaved by one who cannot be happy unless others are miserable. How will they escape? And what would happen to them if they did?
This movie, the third installment of the hugely successful Disney/Pixar animated film company and Toy Story franchise, delves into the pervasive longing for “home”, for a place to belong and be loved, a place where a toy can be free to be a toy. They ultimately find their answer not in a perfectly orchestrated system of manufacturing “kids” who replace other “kids” (Sunnyside), but in the loving arms of a “person” who embraces them (Andyà Bonnie).
Questions to consider:
How did the toys feel at the beginning of the movie: like precious toys, or unwanted junk? What made them feel this way?
Why did they go to Sunnyside? What did they like about it?
How do you think Woody felt trying to explain things to the other toys? Was he right? Why wouldn’t the others listen to him?
What happened to them at Sunnyside? Was Lots-O a good guy or bad guy? What made him so?[1]
Did you like the end of the movie? Why or why not? Was the redemption found in the movie satisfying? Would you say it might even be biblical? (Read quotes below for more on this)
"The the black man has to fly to get to something the white man has to walk to." - Chris Rock
I’ve been sitting here watching a Chris Rock special on Comedy Central. I like the guy. I think he’s hilarious on so many fronts.
I also find him thought provoking.
There was a minute long sketch where he goes into talking about his neighbors. You can watch it below if you want (Disclaimer: I make no judgments on use of language, so if you do, don’t watch. Or watch. Just don’t be offended and tell me about it later. This is your warning.)
Here’s the gist.
Chris Rock has three well-known and widely recognized as pinnacles of success in their respective careers black neighbors: Mary J. Blige (R&B Singer), Jay-Z(Hip-Hop, entertainment mogul), and Eddie Murphy (actor who specializes in talking, animated donkeys). Of course, he includes himself, a very successful comedian. The other neighbor, who is white, is a dentist.
And not a famous dentist. Not a “top-in-his-field” dentist. Just an ordinary dentist.
His next statement I latched onto as something worth sharing:
“The black man has to fly to get to something the white man has to walk to.” – Chris Rock
His logic is reasonable for sure. You have award winning artists. Entertainment trail blazers. People who have hosted the Grammy’s. And then you have a regular dentist.
I’m not into suggesting that all “white” people are to blame for this disparity, but I do think that Chris Rock is identifying something that everybody may take for granted: What does somebody have to do to be able to live in your neighborhood?
This happens in myriad of ways. For example. I live in a part of Santa Fe, NM known as Eldorado. It is very much a granola neighborhood. In fact, it was developed as the first solar energy community in the country back in the 70′s. Now its a typically nice place to live in Santa Fe. The school is quite good. Its only a 15 minute drive into town. It takes a certain income level to live out here (but that’s true of any neighborhood). But it also requires an All-Wheel or 4-Wheel drive vehicle. Or a monstrously huge truck with a snow plow latched on the front…because we get snow.
Lots of it. I’ve been shoveling it all day. Why?
Because I’m one of those guys who don’t own a Subaru with All-Wheel/4-Wheel drive. Nor am I the guy with a big truck and snow plow attachment. So that means I shovel, and stay stuck regardless.
Every neighborhood…every city…every culture and sub-culture…has this aspect. There are certain things that make it viable, or not viable, to live, work, play and be a part of the culture. That is the ever present problem of context – we all live, work, play in a context.
And unfortunately, we all breathe in the air of the context to such an extent that we may be “nose-def” to the problems, concnerns and interests of others who may or may not share that same context.
Now, what I’m left pondering after watching Chris Rock, is not just so mono-lithic as to say that the cultural plight of black america is still subject to the whims of white america (What about Asian, Hispanic, or dare I say it, Native American cultures? In other words, there is a history for sure, but its also broader than any one culture or ethnicity over/against another singular culture or ethnicity?). Nor am I trying to be self-absorbed and say “I feel it too! Look here..”
But these issues are more indicative of how we live and relate as human beings, that has ethnic, cultural, socio-economic implications. We tend to never think about what it would take to let someone else live in our neighborhood, because, well, that’s their problem, not mine? I can’t be concerned about someone else’s needs, that’s their responsibility?
And all the while we just recycle the same sad, sorry and pathetic excuses at the expense of developing a more gospel-centered mindset – a mindset that embraces and embodies all that Jesus has done for us. In a nutshell, this is taking on the interests of another upon himself (cf. Philippians 2), and so bridging the way for two opposing groups to be reconciled and live in relationship with one another. That would be God and man, by the way.
So, the gospel, if we truly embrace all of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us, makes Chris Rock’s insight something we should consider.
What would somebody else – somebody who is not like you, somebody who is maybe antagonistic toward you, or someone who has been truly hurt by you or someone like you – have to do, to be able to move into your neighborhood?
Or live in your city?
Or your group of friends?
Or visit and connect with your church?
If we don’t wrestle with this issue, nothing will ever change. And that’s something the gospel is all about.
Well this officially begins my attempt at a running journal on my adventures and happenings while adjusting to life in Santa Fe, NM. We have been here now for nearly 4 weeks. So far the family and I have been looking for a home (which we found) and trying to figure out how to do life here. It is certainly different than what we are used to in St. Louis. Or the South. Or anywhere we can imagine. In some ways it feels like living in a Croatian village – except where you nearly get run down by Aston Martins down tiny little side streets or you meet a guy who played a speaking part in Lethal Weapon 2 (very small role) and doubles as Josh Brolin’s stunt guy.
Weird. But cool.
So far our favorite time of day is twilight – and its not because we both like the Stephanie Meyer novels (hey, read them then you can give me a hard time about it) – but because it is absolutely gorgeous. The colors of the sunset mixed with the otherwise semi-desolate look of brown sand and sandy green bushes (not trees) as they come over and around the mountains are breathtaking. There are times where the clouds look surreal and almost as if God took his hand and accidentally brushed it against them giving them an abstract painting quality to the otherwise pristine cloud formations in the sky. So far we both have said that it reminds us of South Africa.
The people are a dichotomy. Sometimes overboard nice; other times extremely rude. Maggie says it reminds her of New Yorkers but I disagree. I have spent some time in New York (Manhattan at least) and I did not once meet a “rude” person. I met lots of focused and preoccupied people who looked like they didn’t want to bothered but when you asked a question of needed something they were more than happy to help. Not here. Even if your job depends on it you may not meet a nice person here – at least not in most of the service industries.
Even though that’ a gross oversimplification it is the initial impression though we have received. To be fair, we have met lots of great people out and about, but the overall flavor has been one of mild interest, at best.
The reason we moved here was the church. It really is a great place. It’s a great place to land right out of seminary for sure. I continue to be thankful that God led us here and that I am getting to learn from a guy like Martin Ban. He seems to be the real deal. A seasoned church planter, with lots of experience and lots of wisdom to impart. Not only that but he is willing and eager to impart it. I have met lots of guys who probably have similar experience and wisdom, but don’t see it as their role or place to give it. Martin on the other hand sees it so much that he created this position of Pastoral Intern it seems for the sole purpose, and I am grateful for that.
The people at Christ Church Santa Fe are incredible. I have been serving as the pastor now for 3 weeks I would say nad it has been an adventure. I have found myself in the midst of counseling appointments, staff meetings, benevolence requests and several other meetings with folks from Christ Church SF. And I have appreciated it. I have been getting a flavor of what it means to be a pastor. I’ve even been able to preach which was amazing. So far people seem to really like us and are excited about us being here. We hope that lasts a long time. We have loved everyone we have met and look forward to getting to know them better, as well as more people.
Now, the real reason why I wanted to write this journal.
Martin tasked me with two things to do these next few weeks of settling into life and ministry in Santa Fe. One is to read two books. The one I am working on now is The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George Hunter. I will be posting some thoughts on this book via my blog later. Perhaps a few highlights from each day or reading.
The other is to find a 3rd place. I appreciate being able to do this. Its important to figure out where I can go to learn and love this city and the people in it. Here’s what I’ve experienced today:
First stop – The Santa Fe Post Office. Probably not a place I will go regularly to make it my 3rd place. There was one guy working the counter for 15 of us waiting around. Needless to say, that won’t be the best place of a healthy “witness” on my part.
Second stop – Downtown Subscription. It’s a local coffee shop off the beaten path but still close to the action of downtown. I like the look and feel. Kind of like a Chipotle turned coffee shop and magazine stand. I ordered a sandwich that was way overpriced and not very good (Chicken Curry sandwich). The person at the counter wasn’t very friendly, or helpful. I asked her for her opinion about a good sandwich and I basically got a “whatever” answer and look. I ate my sandwich, finished my chapter in the book and left. The positives – it looked like a place where people hang out, and the parking was free. The negatives – not good food, and not the friendliest of service. Chances of it being a regular third place – at this point I’d say 50/50. I need to give it another shot.
Third stop – Ecco Espresso & Gelato. Its another local coffee shop this time closer to the heart of the action. Its on Marcy St. and I kind of like the vibe. Free wireless so there’s a few Mac-dudes here (I am one of them by the way) working on “stuff.” There’s a few touristy types popping in and out, but for the most part its largely locals. It doesn’t seem like people are here to socialize though. I wonder what it would be if I had regular meetings here; would it be distracting and disconcerting for folks who frequent this joint, would it be kosher? This might be a good place to come when I need some focus work time. I will have to watch out for the Gelato – it looks good and probably not the most helpful for my waistline or losing weight efforts. On the upswing, the service was great. The guys making my Vanilla Latte actually engaged me in conversation. And he made the nice frothy milk-looks-like-a-leaf-in-my-latte, so he definitely has a Linchpin approach to his trade. I like that. A lot. The positives – great service, great coffee, and otherwise “cool” environment to work on stuff. The negatives – may be an awkward place to meet people or have general conversations and no free parking. Chances of it being a regular third place – I’d say 70/30.
The book The Celtic Way of Evangelism so far is great. Like I said I will have to post some regular reflections at a later time. So far, one thing I have benefited form while reading it is the difference between Roman and Celtic Christianity in regards to the approach of mission. According to Hunter, the Roman model of Christianity saw mission as having a dual focus. One obviously being to convert pagans to Christ. But the other was to civilize them into Roman culture. The thought process went that a Barbarian (i.e. pagan, non-Roman) had to have a certain measure of civility in order to comprehend and embrace the Christian gospel. The problem comes in when you define civility. The Romans thought that meant you read and spoke Latin. There was more for sure, but that right there is a huge hurdle to overcome. In addition to language, one had to behave a certain way, dress a certain way, live and do life a certain way. Only when a Barabrian could do those things, would it then be appropriate to talk about Jesus.
The Celtic way stood apart from that. Rather than see the missionary task of civilizing another country, St. Patrick and his missionary entourage embraced and loved their Celtic mission field and saw that the gospel could go forth and convert an entire nation, while embracing and utilizing its own cultural forms and norms.
Where do we today try to civilize others either before, or in order, for them to hear and be receptive to the gospel?
Its being talked about alot these days. In Christian ministry circles there’s no little debate on the issue of contextualization- how much should we try to reflect our specific context it in order to speak into it – as well as original context – what was happening in the setting that the Biblical authors were writing into.
I find it interesting that often times, there are people who can speak intelligently into this conversation who often times have no direct tie in to it. One such person is David Brooks, a New York Times Op-Ed Columnist. Yes, that David Brooks, who as you all know wrote Bobos in Paradise and On Paradise Drive, and who I undoubtedly heard about from, you guessed it, Tim Keller).
You can see this reality in everything – from the debate of Christians regarding the role and place of culture in the context of ministry, to Oprah falling off the wagon of her diet and physical transformation of six years, to the current financial state our country finds itself in.
What amazes me about Brooks’ piece is that he bases his argument in human nature, not financial policy or historical trend. Maybe one way of contextualizing the “cultural mandate” is to say that everyone is responsible for and a responder to their cultural environment. Or, everyone is subject to external and internal triggers that stimulate a response, of which, only reason can be considered one such trigger.
I wonder, if this is universally held to be true, how this would effect our understanding and appropriation of older models of codified knowledge, such as systematic theology, or matters of contemporary contextualization?
I’m asking this as a guy who loves his Christian heritage of the Reformed tradition, even the formulations of Christian doctrine found in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
I do believe, however, that noting is context-less, and these invisible stimuli are more important and impactful then perhaps we have historically assented to, both in discerning the original context within which various issues and doctrines were raised and formulated, as well as their current usage and appropriation.
Great thoughts by Timmy Brister over at Provocations and Paintings on Obama’s win and what it means for American evangelicals. Read the whole thing here. Here’s a quote:
This is a fascinating read on why women are out-performing men in today’s economy.
I recently received this question, and have yet to respond to the person’s email (please forgive me Jamie!). But it is a great question, and one that I think is worth sharing with a broader audience.
