lawyer for the human being

Mr. Q, it is unlike me to create two posts in one day, but I feel like I must respond to your comment.

I'm having some trouble understanding your argument for the following reasons:
a) They contradict what I have been posting.
b) You don't have any materials to back up your arguments.

Now, forgive me if I'm sounding harsh, but "works" are exactly what Alma Heights has been teaching us. Works, works, works. If you want a first-class education on works, go to Alma Heights. I have been hearing zero gospel, and zero gospel application. What is the gospel? What does it mean for me? How do I become a Christian? Do my works play any part in my salvation? These are all questions that fail to be answered, constantly. If Bono is fighting for the cause of AIDS in Africa and seeking comfort and peace for a broken world, good for him. I'd consider that a lot more worthwhile than debating whether or not I should listen to certain genres of music, or whether my hair is too long, or whether I swear on occasion. Perhaps, rather than focus on "works," we can focus on the gospel, and how best to communicate it.

What is your definition of serving the kingdom? Is it only listening to Christian music, or only reading Christian literature, or only watching Christian films? Is it making sure our pants aren't too tight or are shirts are too small? Or is it understanding the gospel, communicating it fearlessly and accurately, and using one's high status to effect change?

When Bono says that music should be an expression of the mind of the artist, he is absolutely right. His mind, obviously centered on the gospel, is shown in his music. Sure, he doesn't include John 3:16 or give altar calls in his albums, but he expresses how deeply his life has been affected by it. I believe there is a Psalm (or multiple Psalms) that expresses the writer's utter frustration and anger with God. Does that sound like something God likes? Obviously, since it has been included in his written Word. Of course, the Psalmist submit's to God's will by acknowlegding that he is omnipotent and will have His way, which sounds very similar to what Bono does. Sorry if Bono isn't writing the 57th version of "Open the Eyes of My Heart", but he isn't wasting his time.

And so what if Bono swears? He's expressing how he really feels. I think that's better than having a clean mouth but only exposing your external self (as many artists, even Christians, do). Is someone not a Christian or have a "lower status" with God because they swear? Certainly not. Is a person who has been a Christian for ten years less of a sinner than a person who has been a Christian for five minutes? Certainly not. We are all of us sinners, equally in need of God's grace, because his grace alone is what satisfies his judgement.

So if you want to be nitpicky, narrow-minded, and determined to condemn Bono, then go ahead, keep seeing what he does wrong. I guarantee you it doesn't stop there. I'm sure Bono has done many wrong things in his lifetime. He is a Christian, which means he isn't perfect, but he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who is daily accomplishing his good work in him. Bono is a human being. Give him a break!!!

more from bono

Here's a review of U2's latest CD, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. I thought this guy was very insightful. It's kind of a long article, but excellent and worth reading.


U2 lead singer Bono was the highlight of the election season for me. The Republican Convention was in full swing with Arnold, Rudy, ‘W’ and the gang pitching a message of hope and freedom. I’d heard similar things from the Democratic Convention - Hillary, Bill and the guy who lost. At the former, Stephen Baldwin tells us that ‘W’ is the Christian candidate. At the latter, Rev. Sharpton tells us that the guy who lost (what was his name?) is the only candidate who keeps the faith. Hope, freedom, good, evil, faith, morality, progress, prosperity…these were the words that were supposed to provide comfort and security for me and my kids, for future generations. Trust us…we’ll give you everything you want. Trust us. “Yeah right,” I muttered under my breath, “you’ve given me a lot of reason to trust you.”

By now, I was numbed by my cynicism, wishing the election could just come and go and free us from the relentless repetition of image-makeovers (the John Kerry tan, the improved George Bush scowl in later debates), political advertisements (“swift boat” became this election’s “hanging chad”), bizarre political alliances (Zell Miller as the most passionate Republican at the Convention?), Hannitization and Rush and the guy who played ‘Pat’ on Saturday Night Live. I was numb, done. And then he appeared like an angel…Bono, the lead singer of U2, on the O’Reilly Factor, live from the Republican Convention. He spoke about love and justice and debt relief and Jesse Helms support and a Christianity that redeems a broken world. Even O’Reilly was taken aback. “I must say,” O’Reilly mused, leaning back in his cozy leather chair, “I agree with what you’re saying. I respect your faith.”

For two decades, the spiritual journey of U2 has taken fans on a roller coaster. In the 80’s, their music and lyrics were soulful and prophetic, culminating in The Joshua Tree, best known for the line that marked that decade’s pilgrimage: I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. After a long break and a reappraisal of the band’s purpose and mission, U2 burst in to their second decade with a second act, a new look, a new sound, beginning with Achtung Baby, a wild experiment in the budding electronic sound of German techno music, celebrating the end of the Cold War and the opportunities of one world, free of disharmony and injustice. U2’s political bent had always been known to fans, exemplied in popular songs like Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day, but they had always been balanced with the hymn-like anthems of Joshua Tree, 40 (a lament Psalm that became the closing song of virtually every concert in the 80’s), Pride (In the Name of Love) or the visionary new earth ballad Where the Streets Have No Name. Christians wondered if U2 had succumbed to industry pressures, and traded faith for politics. For skeptics, the 90’s would prove their hypothesis, with controversial albums like Pop and Zooropa, and concerts that became highly symbolic critical statements on culture and politics. Loyal fans saw through Bono’s showmanship, recognizing veiled references to the writings of CS Lewis, well-tuned Gospel critiques of market-driven faith and televangelism, and powerful prophetic language about a culture that sells it soul for the sake of image and appearance. This was the Gospel alright, but the Gospel gone prophetic and underground, subversively questioning the dominant paradigm, all out of continuing loyalty to the narrow way of Jesus.

Then U2 went silent… with a kind of intertestamental silence. Back to the dressing room they went, preparing for Act 3. Just as our Old Testament ends with chaos and power struggle, leaving the fate of Yahweh’s people in question, so the 90’s ended with the shadowy symbolism and disruptive anticipation of the time between the failed Second Temple period (which, like U2’s critique of 90’s culture, featured a selling out of true faith) and the emergence of Yahweh in the flesh, Jesus. The last album of the 90’s, Pop, had ended with Wake Up Dead Man, a plea of Jesus to rise and vindicate himself in the midst of the pain of life.

Jesus, Jesus help me
I'm alone in this world
And a [screwed] up world it is too
Tell me, tell me the story
The one about eternity
And the way it's all gonna be
Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

Jesus, I'm waiting here, boss
I know you're looking out for us
But maybe your hands aren't free
Your father, he made the world in seven
He's in charge of heaven
Will you put a word in for me?
Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

He did awaken, in the first new album of the 90’s, the long-awaited answer to Joshua Tree’s lament: All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Opening with Beautiful Day and Elevation, the album bursts with hope and new life. Songs like Grace, Peace on Earth and Walk On convey a sense of anticipation, expectation, and longing, as if John the Baptist himself were singing “Prepare the way in the wilderness for the Lord.” You hear the band’s hope as Bono sings, “Home, I can't say where it is but I know I'm going.” Still waiting, still seeing through a veil, but hoping, All That You Can’t Leave Behind re-awakened a spiritual conversation among fans. In their concerts, Bono would break out in to spontaneous worship, quoting Scripture, meshing songs from past and present, rousing a chorus of fans singing, “Hallelujah,” as if he were sending a message: The Kingdom of the God is at hand.

In How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, anticipation becomes revelation, breaking out with apocalyptic glory in the opening song Vertigo. Vertigo might be a response to a 90’s U2 hit song called Numb, describing the mindless and heartless life the world expects us to live. In that song, The Edge sings in a monotone and trancelike voice: “I feel numb…Don't project, Don't connect, Protect, Don't expect, Suggest, I feel numb, Don't struggle, Don't jerk, Don't collar, Don't work, Don't wish, Don't fish, Don't teach, Don't reach, I feel numb. “ During that time, the band lamented the happy, shiny consumerism of 90’s Christianity, which pretended of a life without struggle or pain, which replaced holy desire with mindless duty, which replaced soul connection with lonely isolation. Vertigo, however, re-orients the world and hopes of a better day, a new creation. The spinning sensation of Vertigo hints at a whirlwind that re-structures reality, that opens up the possibility of a faith and life pervaded by deep feeling and emotion once again. Bono sings, “Lights go down and all I know is you give me something I can feel…I can feel your love teaching me how to kneel.”

Following Vertigo, Miracle Drug and Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own speak of the need for help and rescue outside ourselves. Hinting at the human tendency to control life through science and medicine, the songs strike similar themes in their tone of humility. “God I need your help tonight,” Bono cries out, but leaves us only for a moment in our despair, answering, “I was a stranger and you took me in.” In Love and Peace or Else, we see, as in many of their songs, a faith for a groaning creation, a kingdom song that takes political concerns as a matter of Christ’s work of creation-restoration. But again, Bono finds that the solution is found in prayer: “I don’t know if I can take it, I’m not easy on my knees, here’s my heart you can break it, I need some release. Lay down your guns all your daughters of Zion, all your Abraham’s sons…we need love and peace.”

But “blessings are not just for the ones who kneel…luckily,” Bono sings, as he ends City of Blinding Lights. Like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, Bono finds himself captured by the city of this world, a city “advertising for people like us.” Reality is, life is lived amidst the neon lights of the city with its false allure, a city rewarding the one enticed by her tantalizing beauty. Like Solomon, or like Christian in Vanity Fair, sometimes life on our knees is harder than we know. Luckily, there is grace.

Re-orientation, humility, and grace culminate in All Because of You, a wonderful prayer and poem of thanks and praise. The continual refrain is powerful: “It’s all because of you…I am, I am.” He laments the ugliness of Vanity Fair, of the city of this world, singing, “I was born a child of grace, nothing else about the place, everything was ugly but your beautiful face, and it left me no illusion.” Like a baby faced with the harsh reality of the outside world, he cries out, “I want back in.”

And “back in” is a vision of what once was, Eden, the pure love of Bride and Groom, the “mysterious” love of a man and a woman. In A Man and a Woman, U2 is at its most nostalgic. The song envisions a sacred romance, to borrow the title of a favorite book of mine, between a man who meets a woman on “rue St. Divine” and realizes “she’s already mine.” Bono plays the part of the Bride, singing, “And you’re the one, there’s no one else, you make me want to lose myself, in the mysterious distance between a man and a woman.” Play it next time you read Song of Solomon or Ephesians 5. You’ll cry like I did.

In Crumbs from Your Table and One Step Closer, we’re taken back to reality as it is now, in all its pain and glory. The first admits of the difficulty of believing the truth about life and love. In a world of broken hearts, it’s hard to believe in visions of Eden and restored hearts, it’s scary to risk love, it’s more comfortable being numb. Bono’s prayer echoes the human struggle and hopes for manna along the way: “You speak of signs and wonders, but I need something other, I would believe if I was able, but I’m waiting on crumbs from your table.” The second reminds us how close we are. “I’m across the road from hope,” Bono sings, “I’m one step closer to knowing, knowing.” If he still quite hasn’t found what he’s looking for, we know that he’s much closer than he was 20 years ago.

The final two songs are brilliant, musically and lyrically. Original of the Species speaks of true identity and the beauty of love. Bono moves beyond veiled references and subversive ways of speaking, as if he just can’t keep the love in anymore. We’re told, “Everywhere you go you shout it, you don’t have to be shy about it, no, and you’ll never be alone, come on now show your soul, you’ve been keeping your love under control.” The tune will capture you, and you’ll be singing it as you drive the kids to school…with hands raised. With this new boldness, Bono and the Edge each take an octave on the final song Yahweh, a song destined to be this generations 40. With the lyrical flavor of a Take My Life and Let it Be and the musical flavor of a worship anthem, Yahweh is a worship song, plain and simple. It is a prayer and an invitation for God to turn “clenched fists” in to open hands, to “kiss” and heal a critical mouth, to restore the “city shining on a hill” if it “be your will,” to “take this heart and make it break.” That’s where the album ends, in fact, with those lovely, humble, prayerful words…take this heart and make it break. By now, your hands are raised, and you’re calling Ticketmaster for front row seats to what is sure to be another incredible worship experience – U2’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb tour.

I’ll be there, and I hope to see you, and in the end we’ll sing 40 and Yahweh as we dance where the streets have no name back to our homes. By the way, what is that atomic bomb anyway? My hunch is that it is a state of the heart, possibly the fate of a generation bent on self-reliance, science and medicine, Dr. Phil books, Oprah-ology, political solutions to spiritual problems, an entrenched narcissism, and a deeper belief in the power of a military than the power of prayer. How do you dismantle an atomic bomb? U2 offers very biblical hints, beginning with the most obvious – get on your knees, and ask that your heart be broken first. Someway, somehow, in the brokenness that results, something of a “dismantling” of sin might just take place, might just lead you with hands raised to Yahweh, might just lead you to shout in the streets, or on the O’Reilly Factor, or wherever God gives you a voice, that “the sun is coming up on the ocean.”

U2, with God’s help, has done it again.

BTW, Mr. Q, what did you mean by that comment? Do you think Bono is the antichrist? Is he putting on an act and pretending to accurately communicate and understand the gospel? Forgive me if I'm being cynical about this, but I need a little explanation. I've never heard that nickname for him in my life. I'm pretty sure "Bono" is his most popular nickname, last time I checked.

nitrogen ice cream

Hey guys, haven't posted in a while. Thought I'd paste this conversation between Bono and an interviewer. Just some brain stimulus. We all need that from time to time:) There is some mild language, but nothing to write home about. I actually like the fact that he swears, it makes him seem like a more geniune person. Not that I would encourage swearing from anyone (hehe).

Bono:I really believe we've moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Assayas: Well, that doesn't make it clearer for me.

Bono:You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff.

Assayas: I'd be interested to hear that.

Bono:That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep shit. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.

Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono:But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled… . It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Assayas: That's a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it's close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world's great thinkers. But Son of God, isn't that farfetched?

Bono:No, it's not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: "I'm the Messiah." I'm saying: "I am God incarnate." And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You're a bit eccentric. We've had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don't mention the "M" word! Because, you know, we're gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you're expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he's gonna keep saying this. So what you're left with is: either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. I mean, we're talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we've been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had "King of the Jews" on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I'm not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that's farfetched …

waltzing with bears

Tomorrow is the carwash for our class. If you have a car, bring it! I'm very pleased, because we have enough help this time, as opposed to last time, where most people who helped us weren't even in our class. Please pray for no rain tomorrow! The forecast says it will rain tonight, and that it will be windy tomorrow (I still haven't decided if that's a good thing, although the cars will dry faster:), but who knows what the weather will bring.

Today was our biology test, and I think I did well...am I correct in thinking that, Mr. Q?:) I always study for all of my school subjects and diligently complete my homework, of course; especially for biology, because Mr. Q is the best *cough* *cough.* Actually, I do like biology. Which is shocking, because I've always hated science. Maybe it's all those years of taking the same physical science that was boring me to death. I also never thought I'd appreciate algebra as much as I appreciate it now. I would rather take five algebra classes than take geometry. I hate it. Mr. Gross is a good teacher because he explains everything, but geometry is just one of those subjects that's impossible for me to like.

Mr. Q is right, I'm very random on my blog, but every now and then I might stick to the same subject. As you can probably tell, this isn't one of those.

Your description of the three types of students at our school is intriguing. I would have to question them, though. In case the comment hasn't been read, I'll paste the three types of students according to Mr. Q.
1) Those that are not saved and need to accept Christ.
2) Those that are saved, but not serving Him.
3) Those that are saved and serving Him.

Now, this sounds accurate, but the second one strikes me as odd. Is it really possible for one to be truly saved, yet not serving God? My position on this "no." James 2:14, 17 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Perhaps by now you are saying, "Exactly. That's why we need to tell them to continue to act, and serve God, so that their faith can be complete." That seems logical, doesn't it? Not to me:)

If we must perform works in addition to our faith, doesn't this imply that works are necessary for salvation? My position is that those who claim to be saved but are not serving God are, in fact, not saved at all. This doesn't mean that those who are saved cease to sin and do everything right. But there is a difference between a life that has been powerfully influenced by a higher power and is driven by it, and a life that neglects. One who has truly been saved is greatly influenced, driven, and motivated by the Holy Spirit, and this is what causes them to do good works. Good works are not just something we start doing. Conviction must first take place. In other words, good works are not possible without God, and access to God is not availabe except through faith and his Grace, and access to faith is not possible without a change of heart, which can only be brought about by God. God, by his Holy Spirit, can work through us (those who are already saved) to change the heart of those who are unsaved, but we ourselves are not the ones who bring about that change of heart. This is important for us to remember, because we start trying to hard to change someone, when we ourselves can't really do anything about it. If it's not God's timing, then it's not God's timing.

So in conclusion, I would say that there are two types of students at Alma Heights (or, just people in general):
1. Those who are unsaved.
2. Those who are saved.

I think, even in serving God, the gospel is applicable. Without the gospel, works are nothing. They talk about serving God in many places, but not all places preach the gospel of Christ. As Christians, we constantly need to be remembering how our beliefs are unique, and that we are saved by Grace, and not by works.

I agree completely, that worship is the entertainment of God and not of man. It's enjoyment for man to worship, of course, but we must strive to honor God in our worship, since it is him that we are pleasing. I also agree that it would be great to get some old hymns alongside the contemporary ones, which is what they are starting to do, apparently.

I would have to say that thought it is mathematically true that more and more people are going to hell, it is also mathematically true that more and more people are going to heaven. Now, perhaps it's just me, but the thing that always fails to motivate me is finding out how many people exactly are going to hell. Seeing the numbers actually makes me feel depressed and smaller. Like when we had a missionary presentation last year, and he had a programmed his computer to count how many people died every minute, and by the second day it was over 1400 or something like that. When I saw that, it made me sad, and mad. Hell is a word we use try to use as motivation, but it is always seen as manipulation (which it is). What motivates me is hearing how much God loves everyone, and how much he desires me to do his will. Knowing that he has sacrificed so much for me, it gives me joy to do his will. It's not always easy, but it's definitely easier than trying to be effective with Hell as your motivation. In the same way, Christians do not believe the gospel simply to "stay out of hell," but to be united with God, which is an experience of endless bliss. Should we not, then focus on the joy and mercy and grace and gospel, rather than seeing it as an emergency exit from the fire?

Ok, so that's all. I've posted quite a bit more than I normally do in the past week. Btw, Mr. Q, I think you'd like Coldplay! You should check them out! Let me know if you want me to burn you a CD. I just downloaded Switchfoot's new album today, and so far it's pretty great. I particularly like "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine."

whirring electrons

Today we took the PSAT, which was pretty easy. Nothing much to report there. I'm not a fan of testing, so I'm glad it's over at last.

It's funny how stuff works, I find that I have this craving to go against the mainstream and have my opinions about things, but at the same time, this mentality is a mainstream mentality. EVERYONE wants to have their own unique outlook on different subjects. So really, it's impossible to avoid the mainstream, I've recently concluded. In other words, it's mainstream to try to avoid the mainstream, if that makes any sense.

Let's look at Coldplay for example. They've gone mainstream. It's pretty obvious. Because of this, I haven't been listening to them a lot lately; but more and more I hear people saying the same thing, "I like Coldplay, but they've gone mainstream." What's up with that? Now, I'm listening to Coldplay again. Their latest album is actually great, contrary to recent mainstream opinion. I like it a lot, especially since I'm taking the time to really listen to the songs, which for some reason I haven't already done. So it's not really a matter of "avoiding" the mainstream, it's a matter of choosing a mainstream. Eh, whatever, I'll just listen to Coldplay, and settle contentedly into whatever mainstream I drift in.

So today, we had chapel. Yeah, I know, I have to comment on chapel. Matt even predicted it. Plus points for Matt. So I will say that I LOVE Come Thou Fount, so I was really pleased about that. Great job Brian. The only thing I would have to critique in worship is that the guitar solos from Rodney are AWESOME, but seem to be a little distracting and out of place. Perhaps it's just my opinion, but I think it's important that we avoid the feel of a concert, and make it more like worship. I'm not trying to be nitpicky about this, but I'm sorry if I seem like it. I think our worship team is very talented, and like every musical group, has room to improve.

As far as the message, I can't say much about that. I didn't really feel like I could take something away from that; in other words, I don't know how I can really apply that. I sometimes get the feeling that people think God is some passive, desperate, frail person who begs us to be nice to him. I always see God as this guy who is gentle and merciful, but powerful and unchanging; in other words, he's not begging us to fulfill our purpose, He is using us as instruments to fulfill His purpose. Does a god who says things like "Ok, now, not to be harsh or anything, but I think it's kinda time for you to start considering following me. Please say yes. I'll be very sad if you say no..." sound like the God of the Bible? Not in my opinion. The God I recall has everything in the palm of his hand, and directs all of the forces of the universe, including even the smallest details, such as human beings. When God calls a person, he's not whispering gently in their ear, he tugs at the heart strings and arouses something in the person that can not be aroused otherwise. He opens the eyes of the blind, makes the deaf hear, and causes the mute to speak.

That's what I love about God. He has a will and purpose, and it doesn't matter how much I screw up, He still loves me and will accomplish his purpose through me no matter what; he knows my future, and has it all planned out already, and everything will go according to his great plan. That's very comforting. I'm taken care of, so I can just live my life in peace knowing that it's ultimately going to be fine.

What can be emphasized a lot more is the gospel, I think. One of the best ways to avoid the gospel is actually by good works. I'll say that again. Good works are one of the best ways to avoid the gospel. If we get confident in our good deeds and feel "proud of ourselves" that we are doing so well and that we are getting better and better at being kind and nice, we avoid the gospel. So many times I make this mistake. The whole point of the gospel is that our works are nothing to be proud of. The only good works sufficient for God's justice are those of Jesus, who takes our place before God, righteous and perfect. If we focus on what we do, we lose focus on what Jesus has already done.

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Hasta luego.

Oh yeah, and feel free to comment on this one.

miscellanious happenings (updated)

Today was the Flea Market, and it was pretty fun, hanging out with people there. Disappointed in our sales, though; there was a small turnout today, so we didn't sell as much cotton candy as we normally would. The process was pretty painless, thanks to Mrs. Moreno, who saved us by letting us use her machine. I don't think I'll ever eat cotton candy again. I had so much of it today; just goes to show that too much of a good thing is never a good thing. I always seem to learn that lesson the hard way:)

Now, I'm looking forward to 2 days of rest (after I finish the poster assignment from Miss Herber, which I'm hoping will be enjoyable rather than tedious), and then next weekend we have a car wash. Somehow I'll have to convince my classmates that unless almost everybody helps, we won't be able to pull it off. In fact, I'm not going to go through the same thing as last time. If not enough people sign up, I'm just going to cancel it. Last time was chaotic, for various reasons; one of which was the fact that most people who helped weren't even in our class.

So now, I guess it's time to post about my "feelings." Well, "opinons" is probably a more accurate word. Yes, you all know what that means. This is going to be one of those "weird Presbyterian" posts. Actually, "Reformed" is probably a better term for my theology. There are actually many Reformed Baptists, along with other denominations. But just a reminder: All Christian organizations, whether they be Reformed or Fundamentalist, Presybterian or Baptist, etc., all believe in the same Gospel, and that is what unites them. Their ways of communicating the Gospel are different, however, and I pick Reformed because I believe it depicts the gospel very accurately.

Now you're probably saying to yourself, "Great, John Mark. Thanks for your little lecture on theology. Now get to the point; this blog is more boring than observing the reproductive habits of colonial bacteria." Ok, ok! So what's up with this "visual Bible" thing? At least, all the ones I've seen are poorly funded and almost completely inaccurate, and sometimes just completely bizarre. I mean, call me crazy, but I don't think Jesus smiled and chuckled to himself as he rebuked Satan for tempting him after starving for 40 days in the desert. I also doubt that he wore white all the time, and that he looked like he just came from the beaty salon everywhere he went. And since when does Jesus have a British accent? I mean, a common accent would probably be more appropriate, since he tended to hang around the common people. I like the "Gospel of Matthew" visual Bible for that reason, but the problem is that everyone else has a British accent, so it puts him out of place. In fact, why use English at all? I like Mel Gibson's movie because of that, I will admit, but I don't really regard his as a "visual Bible", since it goes beyond the literal interpretation. Also, trying to do an altar call at the end of a movie is definitely not a good idea. I mean, how stupid does it make us sound? "So yeah, this movie PROVES that Jesus is real and that He is the Son of God. So believe now, and be saved!" Now, the movie itself proves absolutely nothing, to begin with, and I do believe that Jesus is real and that He is the Son of God, and that if you believe you will be saved, but people need more proof. What they really need is not the "visual Bible" or a simple tract that will revotionize their outlook on life. They need the Bible, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, who often manifests himself in a friend or pastor. Now, God can use the "visual Bible" for His own good purpose, but God can use anything for his purpose. I guess you can think of God as a skilled repairman. He can use any tool you give him, but why give him poor tools? I think one of the problems with modern Christianity is that we try to "mass produce" converts. This method of "get-saved-quick" can be compared to the food quality of McDonald's. We can try all sorts of new ideas, but all the food items remain under the heat lamp for hours at a time, and the ingredients are mostly from the waste product. The Gospel is not something generic. It affects everyone in the same way, but how can we expect all sorts of complex, unique people to change from the result of one tract? There is a passage in the Bible that immediately comes to my mind, and it can be found in the fourth chapter of Mark, which is the parable of the sower. When a crowd of people claims to accept Christ from a short description of the Gospel, how many of them will actually keep it with them? Jesus says in Mark 4:14, "The farmer sows the word...[some], like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. (17)But since they have no root, they last only a short time." How can we expect to lead a person to a life-long commitment to Christ if we are giving them no root?

So, some of you are probably very frustrated and can't wait to put a comment that reads something like, "Ok, GENIUS, what are we supposed to do then? What's your brilliant idea?" It's actually very simple. Get to know people. See what their interests are. What their faults are. What their practical needs are. Love them and pray for them, and ask God to show you how best to communicate his Grace to them. Now, there are times when we are called to just say what we know in a situation when a person asks us about it. Probably the most effective means of communicating a point is not by making statements; rather, it is by asking questions. So, for example, if someone asks you what a Christian believes, it would perhaps be wise to ask them in return about their conception of Christianity. Depending on their answer, you may want to present the gospel to them in a certain way. A pastor or speaker, who is one put into a situation where he is always presenting the gospel to large groups of people, communicates the Gospel in terms of a certain subject that he has chosen to talk about. But, part of being a pastor or speaker is answering questions. That's why I think it may be wiser to omit altar calls in a service, but rather have people speak with the minister when they feel comfortable to do so.

I hope all of this make sense. I sort of started with a subject, but branched out into a different, much larger one. As a final note, I think it is always important to be communicating the gospel at all times, no matter what we speak about. I have a feeling may people will disagree with me on this stuff, but I hope I am not confusing all of you. I am open to disagreement. Feel free to leave comments/hatemail:)

**UPDATE**
My apologies for not making the proper distinction. I meant to communicate that there are many denominations that fall under the Fundamentalist and Reformed category, but I put it into the wrong words. I would also like to note that Reformed theology does address all of those same topics, but in different ways than Fundamentalist theology. Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Q:) I've re-worded my statement about that above, hopefully that will clear the confusion. One of the key distinguishing marks of Fundamentalist theology is the literal interpretation of certain parts of the Bible, whereas others would argue that those certain parts of the Bible are meant to be taken figuratively and not literally. Fundamentalists do not literally interpret the whole Bible, however. An obvious example would be a passage in the Psalms when the writer weeps a "bed of tears." Obviously, this is simply a poetic way of saying that he cried a lot for a long time. An obvious example of the Bible that is to be taken literally is the death and resurrection of Christ. One controversial passage in the Bible is the first chapter of Genesis. Many interpret it literally, saying that God created the world and all that is in it in seven literal days, which is possible of course. However, there are many implications that Genesis one is a poem, because of the arrangement and versing, and conflicting accounts in chapter two (if chapter one is to be taken literally, it says that the vegetation came right after land and seas, and before the creation of man; in chapter two, it says that "no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground"). There is no conflict in accounts, of course, if the first chapter of Genesis is taken as a beautiful poetic work of literature. I don't know if God made the world in seven days, or in seven billion years. But He did create it ex nihilo, and has complete loving control over all of His creation.