"The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man." - G. K. Chesterton
 

J. C. Ryle Online!

By Rusty on Mar 27 2010

I was very excited to discover that J. C. Ryle’s expositions of the gospels are available online. These were some of the first “commentaries” (not at all technical) that I read as a growing Christian. As a teenager, I was impressed with Ryle’s application of the Bible to my life, and consequently was incredibly shocked when I found out he lived during the nineteenth century! An Oxford educated Anglican Bishop, Ryle blessed the church with many years of faithful preaching and prolific writing. I strongly encourage anyone wanting to read through one of the gospels to do so with Ryle close by.

Here are links to his Expositions of the Gospels:

Expository Thoughts on Matthew
Expository Thoughts on Mark
Expository Thoughts on Luke
Expository Thoughts on John

Posted in | Leave a response

Glorying without Worshipping

By Rusty on Mar 12 2010

11788239_galMy wife and I just recently sat down to watch Julie and Julia, and I must say that I was surprisingly entertained.  Meryl Streep truly gives a masterful performance of Julia Child.  The movie captures the lives of two women looking for something to give their lives meaning, and they find it in the same place–the kitchen.  This movie beautifully celebrates the creative capacities given to humanity, along with glorying in the pure goodness of food.  And rightly so.  Watching Julia Child prepare her infamous french cuisine was to observe an artist at work–stirring, smashing, cracking, cooking.

Unsurprisingly, the characters sweet savoring of flavors, along with Julia’s masterful skill, quickly morphed into worship.  The script indiscreetly describes Julia Child as a “savior” who delivers Julie from her despair.  She is portrayed as the perfect example and the epitome of politeness and class.  Julia and her french recipes achieve god-status, to the extent that a “food offering” is placed before a large portrait in the Julia Child museum.

How easy it is to worship what satisfies for the moment.  Sometimes it truly feels like a chocolate mousse can provide more comfort than God.  But the problem is it can’t last.  God gave us wonderful and creative cuisine to feed our stomachs, not our souls. Anything that can’t keep for 48 hours outside a refrigerator is a sad excuse for a god.

Posted in , | Tagged , , , | Leave a response

Celebrate the Season of Giving by Receiving

By Rusty on Dec 16 2009

I propose that we do something a little different this Christmas.  Let’s focus on receiving well.  A first glance this may seem backward from our traditional Christmas-time giving campaigns and perfect-present shopping trips.  And perhaps it is.  However, it seems to me the whole thing started by a bunch of people receiving a gift—a baby, a savior, a king.  The whole purpose of Christmas is the world receiving God coming in skin, and the only fitting response is thanksgiving.  The ironic thing about being thankful is that when we are not, it is one of the hardest things in the world to muster up. Yet, when we are thankful, responding that way is one of the easiest things to do.  Maybe the first place to start this year is praying for grace to have a thankful heart that looks with wonder toward the well rehearsed story that so often falls dead in front of us.

Receiving Jesus well is the beginning of receiving well from others.  Only when the desires of our hearts have been satisfied by the gift of God himself can we release that burden from every other gift placed in our hands.  For adults, the personal temptation to allow the holiday to swirl around one particular must-have present has long subsided.  However, the tradition is often swiftly perpetuated to the next generation.  I want to teach my children to receive well, and fearfully I know that means doing so myself.  Now for the disclaimer:  I am not opposed to giving gifts, and I plan to do so this Christmas.  However, my focus through the holiday is going to be on receiving presents from others with a thankful heart and letting that be an exercise for my spirit in receiving Jesus once again as my newborn King.

Posted in | 2 Responses

Review: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

By jeff on Dec 8 2009

★★★★¾ 


bluelikejazz
In a sea of Christian theological books, it’s hard to take seriously one that is as simple as Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz. Without a single footnote or Biblical cross-reference, Miller manages to simmer the core principles of Christianity into a 250-page memoir that bounces around from short essay to shorter essay, meandering through MIller’s own life, drawing wisdom where it can. But amid the reflections, which sometimes seem like they were recorded by a fifth grader, Miller effectively presents the simplicity of Christian spirituality in a very profound way.

What’s most remarkable about Miller’s life is how truly unremarkable it is and yet his story is still compelling. There are no near-death experiences, no tragic losses to build a stronger man. Miller grew up with out a father, sure, but his father left so early in Don’s life that he hardly seemed missing. Instead we have the first-hand account of a fairly regular guy trying to figure out what it all means. I think what’s so appealing about Blue Like Jazz, is that it represents a journey that we all take and doesn’t try to explain it away with Biblical analysis, but instead lets the journey explain itself.

Blue Like Jazz follows Miller’s life as he leaves his Texas home to find purpose. On the way he lives with hippies in the woods for a bit, works at a Christian youth camp, and ultimately decides to take classes at Reed College, a liberal northwestern college, which is supposedly home of some of the most godless students in the country. One of the most intriguing scenes of the book comes when MIller and a small band of Reed College Christians decide to set up a confessional booth during the most depraved party of the year. But the twist is that if they convinced any of the partying students to step into the booth, they wouldn’t ask them to confess, instead, they would ask them to receive a confession of Christianity’s failures.

Blue Like Jazz is full of insights wrapped in the most surprisingly simple anecdotes. There are times when I read Miller’s words and think “is this guy for real?” because he often seems to have such a simplistic outlook. But by the end of the book, I was left with such a hopeful feeling of resolve about the simple truths behind Christianity. Apart from 5-inch-thick biblical commentaries, apart from greedy televangelists, apart from the Christian marketing machine, it is possible to see the simple truth and I think Donald Miller sees that truth, and articulates it well in Blue Like Jazz.

For something so simple and seemingly disarming, Blue Like Jazz has stirred its share of controversy. Conservatives have labeled Miller a liberal post-modernist, while liberals have labeled him a rehashed fundamentalist. If you have read the book, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Posted in | Tagged | 3 Responses

Obesity: The New “Racism”

By Rusty on Dec 6 2009

fat-shirtless-guy-eating-cheeseburger-2_3America eats too much.  We all know that.  I don’t think anyone is surprised when we see staggering food consumption statistics comparing the U.S. to other countries.  Yet, ironically we are a nation who loves food and hates fat people.  With the recent political surge addressing healthcare reform, I have heard congressional representatives talk about overweight people as if they are the bane of our nations existence.  It seems these irresponsible slobs are the ones costing us billions in hospital bills–all because they can’t say “no” to a twinky attack (an interesting question is “Can what’s on my plate affect the common good?”).  The political aspect provides only part of the new-found fashion and love affair with healthy living.  I know people personally who actually have a difficult time talking with someone who is obese.  And what are we to do about airplain seats for crying out loud!   

I am not overweight nor do I defend bad eating habits (my wife curbs mine), but as a Christian I am uncomfortable with this trend.  Overeating, gluttany in Bible-speak, is a sin in Scripture.  However, it is no greater sin than drunkeness, lust or gossip.  Whether someone seeks satisfaction in beer, pornography or Ben and Jerry’s, Jesus promises forgiveness.  I pray that the church would withstand this judgmental and “racist” ethos that is swriling around our culture.  Unlike many other sin issues in our day, I dare say you will meet many obese people who don’t already know they are obese.  May Christians interact with these suffering individuals with a love, encouragement and hope that characterizes the Gospel.

Posted in | 3 Responses

Is “Christmas-friendly” the Message We Want to Proclaim?

By Rusty on Dec 1 2009

The Christian ministry Focus on the Family has provided concerned consumers with an interesting service this holiday season.  On their website standforchristmas.com, researchers have “evaluated the advertising of major retailers and assigned ratings based on their level of ‘Christmas-friendliness,’” (www.standforchristmas.com).  Also, the website functions as a forum where spiritually sagacious shoppers can rate their experiences on the “Christmas-friendly” scale.

I generally like Focus on the Family.  I love their radio theatre productions, have used some of their small group materials, and have personally benefitted in my marriage and family because of their ministry.  But, I cannot help feeling like this idea is amiss.  What is the desired message that is to be communicated?  ”You better say ‘Merry Christmas’ when I come through the door or I’m taking my money elsewhere!”?  It’s a show!  American Eagle, Lowe’s and Best Buy will say whatever they need to, play whatever music and hang up whatever posters will raise their sales.  It is about the bottom line.  I feel like this tactic at its worst is nervy and not very gracious with a lost community, and at its best incredibly naive to the forces at work.

I am not convinced that standing for Christmas (in this sense) and standing for Christ are the same thing.  In fact, making secular businesses pander to our powerful Christian dollars while we lavishly buy their goods for each other and all in the name of Jesus does not seem to preach the same message the angels and the shepherds did.  Spend your money where you want to and shop so that your conscience is clear, but we don’t need to rest satisfied at the end of a long day of shopping at “Christmas-friendly” stores thinking we have done our part in sharing the message of Christmas.

Posted in | Tagged , | 3 Responses

Science Roundup

By Rusty on Nov 29 2009

Continuing our focus on faith and science, professor and scholar John Collins has recently reviewed John Walton’s highly touted new book The Lost World of Genesis 1: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate.  Collins holds post-grad degrees from MIT in engineering and the University of Liverpool in Archaeology and Oriental Studies.  Consequently, his eight page review is very helpful is summarizing Walton’s work and knowledgeably interacting with the gamut of issues presented.  I think it is interesting to hear the thoughts of well-studied evangelical scholars on the difficult issue of interpreting chapter one of Genesis.  Check out the reviewThe Lost World of Gen 1 here.

Posted in | Tagged , , , | 1 Response

Technology: Obeying God in the Sciences

By Rusty on Nov 25 2009

sustainable-technology-gadgetsFollowing Jeff’s post, it has become evident to all that we need more math and science in our schools.  Two days ago in South Korea President Obama made a statement regarding new education initiatives, “Specific programs include a two-year initiative on “Sesame Street” to teach kids about math and science, an after-school program focusing on robotics and a national “lab” day to provide millions of students with hands-on scientific learning,” (www.cnn.com).  All of this is to build a next-generation technological army to address issues like bio-fuels, global warming reports, and mutating influenza viruses to name a few.  I am pleased to read of the new emphasis in science and math education, and surely science teachers around the country are congratulating the current administration.  However, in the midst of this current science surge and microchip mania, I wonder if scientists and politicians realize that they are obeying an ancient biblical command?

At its foundational level technology is simply “the process by which humans modify nature to meet their needs and wants,” (National Academy of Engineering, www.nae.com).  Men from the beginning of the time have been exercising power and wisdom over the world they daily encounter for their purposes.  Genesis 1:26 says it like this, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth.”  The psalmist reiterates this while marveling over the place of mankind in God’s created order, “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet” (Psa. 8:6).  It seems our insatiable desire for new technology could be understood as a modern expression of an ancient mandate.  This does not fit the common stereotype that technology equal evil, which almost explicit in Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings.  At time technology appears evil because it can become a twisted scepter in the hand of a self-exalting, throne-grasping usurper—man.  We were made to have dominion as second in command, but in the garden our first parents demonstrated the fact that we all by nature hate to play second fiddle.

Technology, mankind’s dominion over the natural world, can indeed be redeemed for God’s glory.  Airplanes allow the missionaries to quickly travel all over the world with the gospel.  The Internet exponentially increases the amount of Christian materials available to people around the world.  Christians must not run away from science and technology, but seek to develop it in a way that exercises dominion for the reign of the true King.

Posted in | Leave a response

150 Years of “Origin of the Species”

By jeff on Nov 24 2009

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the first edition of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species, and we have discussed it enough here on Spiritual Discourse, that I would be remiss to let it pass by without mention.

There is no question that Darwin’s book has stirred more controversy than the man himself would ever want to be party to, having sat on his own theory for nearly 20 years before finally publishing.  Darwin himself was a man of faith when he first made these discoveries.  He had planned to become a cleric before turning to biology and geology on his famous voyage on the Beagle, that ultimately led him to the understanding that species may not be fixed.  What’s sad to me is that Darwin allowed his discovery to destroy his faith, because he held to such a hard-and-fast view of God’s nature, that when his scientific discovery didn’t fit with that nature, he had no choice but to abandon his faith.

As scientific discovery continues, we will find more and more people, like Darwin, abandoning faith in God for faith in science.  Atheists like Richard Dawkins teach that current scientific knowledge leaves no room for God and thinks that people of faith should fear science:

“If I was a person interested in preserving religious faith, I would be very afraid of the positive power of evolutionary science to inspire and enthrall, precisely because it is atheistic.” — Richard Dawkins1

Dawkins further explains the wide divide between science and faith:

“Not only is science corrosive to religion, but religion is corrosive to science. It teaches people to be satisfied with trivial, supernatural, non-explanations. And blinds them to the wonderful real explanations we have within our grasp. It teaches them to accept authority, revelation and faith, instead of always insisting on evidence.”

This is the growing sentiment that our children will grow up with. Science and religion don’t mix. As Christians, we should celebrate science, not vilify it. After all, it is the understanding of how our Maker assembled the universe.

Darwinism itself is not the final answer. Many discoveries coming to life are disproving aspects of Darwinism. There will be further scientific discoveries that are going to test our faith in what we have always held to be true. I hope Christians have the faith and courage to not run from science, and I hope scientists don’t, as Darwin did, allow science to displace God.

1Richard Dawkins quotes are taken from his talk on “militant atheism” at TED Feb. 2002

Posted in | Tagged , , | 2 Responses

Review: Stockholm Syndrome by Derek Webb

By jeff on Nov 23 2009

Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon’s Call, has enjoyed a prolific solo career, but one that has certainly ruffled feathers in the Christian community.  Webb’s bluntness in dealing with some of the tougher issues facing the church today often put him at odds with the very vehicle that delivers his music to the masses.
Such is the case with his latest release, Stockholm Syndrome.  It seems Webb pushed the envelope too far with one particular track on the album, causing the label to boot the song off of the album.  The song in question, “What Matters More”, which is available as a free download from Derek Webb’s website, discusses the Christian response to homosexuality.  Attempting to put homosexuality into proper context, Webb says “we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face about the language and tradition that He’s coming to save; Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit about fifty-thousand people who are dying today.”  Supposedly, it was the profanity that Webb’s label took issue with.
This is perhaps Webb’s most political release yet, with a lot of attention given to equality and compassion toward homosexuals.  Webb pens a message to Fred Phelps (godhatesfags.com) in “Freddie, Please.”  But perhaps the most political song on the album is “The State” in which Webb punctuates the danger of trying to tie one’s conscience to civil law.  Does it really create a crisis of conscience when the government allows legally things that the Bible does not?  Webb asks, “Right and wrong were written on my heart and not just in the laws that condemned me; But now with Caesar satisfied I can even do the things that should offend me.”
In addition to being a very bold album lyrically, Derek Webb is treading in very different waters musically.  Opting to explore more electronic beats and sounds in favor of his traditionally stripped-down acoustic sound. It shows a willingness to musically step out of the comfort-zone and really create something new.  I think that helps give momentum to the message.
Stockholm Syndrome is a very challenging album.  I’m not sure how Caedmon’s Call fans, or even earlier Derek Webb fans would receive it.  It’s musically very different, but ultimately I think it works well.  There is a very important message that at least needs to be heard.

51+HipBb3wL._SL500_AA240_Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon’s Call, has enjoyed a prolific solo career, but one that has certainly ruffled feathers in the Christian community.  Webb’s bluntness in dealing with some of the tougher issues facing the church today often put him at odds with the very vehicle that delivers his music to the masses.

Such is the case with his latest release, Stockholm Syndrome.  It seems Webb pushed the envelope too far with one particular track on the album, causing the label to boot the song off of the album.  The song in question, “What Matters More”, which is available as a free download from Derek Webb’s website, discusses the Christian response to homosexuality.  Attempting to put homosexuality into proper context, Webb says “we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face about the language and tradition that He’s coming to save; Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit about fifty-thousand people who are dying today.”  Supposedly, it was the profanity that Webb’s label took issue with.

This is perhaps Webb’s most political release yet, with a lot of attention given to equality and compassion toward homosexuals.  Webb pens a message to Fred Phelps (godhatesfags.com) in “Freddie, Please.”  But perhaps the most political song on the album is “The State” in which Webb punctuates the danger of trying to tie one’s conscience to civil law.  Does it really create a crisis of conscience when the government allows legally things that the Bible does not?  Webb asks, “Right and wrong were written on my heart and not just in the laws that condemned me; But now with Caesar satisfied I can even do the things that should offend me.”

In addition to being a very bold album lyrically, Derek Webb is treading in very different waters musically.  Opting to explore more electronic beats and sounds in favor of his traditionally stripped-down acoustic sound. It shows a willingness to musically step out of the comfort-zone and really create something new.  I think that helps give momentum to the message.

Stockholm Syndrome is a very challenging album.  I’m not sure how Caedmon’s Call fans, or even earlier Derek Webb fans would receive it.  It’s musically very different, but ultimately I think it works well.  There is a very important message that at least needs to be heard.

Posted in | Tagged , , | 5 Responses

Next Page »