I am currently reading Idols for Destruction by Herbert Schlossberg. It is an older book but seems to be very relevant for the 21st century. I have finished the first chapter and plan to post a review later upon completion of the book. However, at this time I would like to share a quote that I think is pertinent for our postmodern age. The quote comes at the end of Schlossberg's discusson regarding the idol of historicism, which is a reference to the idea that history really has no meaning or purpose. The end result is that there is no room for God on the linear line of history.
Schlossberg references Herbert Butterfield by saying, The great task of the prophets was to show Israel that God was still active in history, just as he had been in the time of Moses. Without that, their denunciations of evil in the two kingdoms would be little more than an exercise in finger-wagging. Judgment for them was not an intellectual activity but a word denoting God's action against evil. The church, too, is custodian of the prophetic message that, after twenty-five hundred years, God is still active in history and still makes himself known in blessing and judgment. The message is as unpopular now as it was then, and there are many places in wihch the church is faithless to its charge, preferring to preach on popular themes that find ready acceptance among those who have rejected the first principles of the Christian faith.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Book Review - The Convergent Church: Missional Worshipers in an Emerging Culture
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending our state's missional ministry conference. The focus was on how to reach younger generations and/or the emerging generation. The key speaker for the two-day conference was Dr. Alvin Reid, professor of evangelism at Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina. Dr. Reid did a phenomenal job. I am looking forward to hearing him again next year along with J.D. Greear from Summit Church in North Carolina.
During the conference Dr. Reid's latest book, which was co-authored with Mark Liederbach, The Convergent Church: Missional Worshipers in an Emerging Culture, was on sale. Since I am always looking for books, especially those on sale, that address the rapidly changing nature of culture, I bought one. It is here that I would like to provide a short review along with pertinent quotes that might offer some piece of the framework needed in order to penetrate the cultural wasteland that lies before our eyes.
The outset of the book offers an understanding of the nature of a convergent church. In the mind of Reid and Liederbach a convergent church is one that takes the best of conventional convictions relating to doctrine and truth and the best from the Emergin Church Movement (ECM) regarding cultural engagement and relevance. They propose that because cultural is changing so rapidly the church needs to adopt those aspects that assist in being relevant without losing the historical doctrines of the faith. The outcome of a convergent church will be a convergent Christian who will spend more energy on combining strengths rather than expend energy on the minute differences.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one, which are chapters 1-4, address the present cultural situation and its arrival. In these chapters, the worldview of modernity and postmodernity are constructed by discussing the works of Descartes, Hume, Kant, who represent modernity and Wittgensteing, Foucault, Derrida, who represent postmodernity. Understanding the influence of modernity and postmodernity upon the culture, a discussion regarding the ECM follows. It is here where Reid and Liederbach attempt to provide a working framework of the ECM. Next is an evaluation of the ECM. It is in this portion that the authors address those aspects that are strengths within the ECM and those that are weaknesses.
Part two, which are chapters 5-7, offer a discussion on converging missional worship. The purpose in these chapters is to provide a scriptural basis for the direction the church should be moving. There three aspects: worship, missions, and doctrine. The case is made that each of these are beacons that shine the light in the direction the church should move as it exist in a sea of modernity/postmodernity.
The final section of the book, chapters 8-12, address the practical aspect of living out missional worship. The authors offer a large discussion on the aspect of ethics. First, the difference between right and good. Secondly, the social gospel. The final three chapters are concluding thoughts on evangelism, discipleship, and culture. All three are discussed within the framework of convergence.
Let me provide a few quotes that may wet your appetite for a timely, relevant and well-written book attempting to address the need for relevancy and doctrinal integrity amidst a culture of relativism and pluralism.
"A convergent Christian is less concerned with reacting to what is wrong with the conventionals in their practice or with fussing about where the ECM misses the point theologically than with identifying the strengths of each of these movements and amalgamating them to bring maximum glory to the King of the universe and make the maximum possible impact on the world for Christ" (p.26).
"An overemphasis on orthodoxy can lead to an underemphasis on orthorpraxy. We must not make either/or what is meant to be both/and" (p.48).
"When viewed correrctly the shift from modernism to postmodernism is less an obstacle and more an opportunity for Christianity" (p.69).
"The reason we must move is not because the old house is broken down or useless or old-fashioned; we must move because there is a new and exciting context of life ahead of us" (p.114).
"A missional worshiper is measured by the unsaved people he or she influences daily for the glory of God, not by the church members he or she impresses weekly for the glory of self" (p.156).
"The reason the evangelical community is having so little transformative impact on society is not because we emphasize doctrine. It is because we do not emphasize it enough and do not disciple well in the application of it" (p.170).
In closing, I would like to offer two thougths regarding the book. First, I think the book has a great premise. It is imperative that the church learn how to be culturally relevant witout losing doctrinal truth. I think the book provides an adequate framework in how to do this. Secondly, I did not find the evaluation of the ECM greatly effective. There seemed to be more agreement than disagreement on certain aspects the ECM does. In the end, the book is very readable, immensely relevant and contributive in giving a framework in how to continue to reach our world for Christ.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Empty Idolatry
A few months back, I began reading through God, Revelation, and authority, Vol. 1 by Carl F.H. Henry and came across this wonderful quote regarding the thinking process of modern/postmodern man.
To escape the shattering emptiness of a life unyielded to the living God he resorts to idolatry in his quest for an unconditioned ultimate that will give direction to his existence and hopefully assure his destiny. His frantic self-striving to invest existence with meaning and security is an idolatrous response to God's revealed purpose for mankind (p.150).
To escape the shattering emptiness of a life unyielded to the living God he resorts to idolatry in his quest for an unconditioned ultimate that will give direction to his existence and hopefully assure his destiny. His frantic self-striving to invest existence with meaning and security is an idolatrous response to God's revealed purpose for mankind (p.150).
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Book Review - A Quest For More: Living for something bigger than you
Paul David Tripp has attempted to write a book that addresses the emptiness and meaningless that life often brings. He begins by pointing out that each individual has been created to be a part of something bigger than themselves. He states, "There is woven inside of us a desire for something more-a craving to be part of something bigger, greater, and more profound than our relatively meaningless day-by-day existence." He uses this as the launch point to discuss that each individuals purpose is tied to God's glory. This forms the foundation for his discussion that sin has wrecked havoc in a persons heart and therefore purpose and meaning is sought apart from God's glory.
In chapters three thru seven Tripp discusses how sin affects the individual in attempting to create their own purpose and meaning. He notes that these affects are most often seen in each individual building their own little kingdom rather than being a part of God's kindgom. He notes, "The little kingdom is a way of living that will shape the way I respond to everything God has placed in my life. Little kingdom living turns life into an endless search for earthly treasures and an unending focus on personal need."
Tripp points out that not only do people attempt to build little kingdoms but often times in the process build civilizations. And the primary civilization is a civilization of self. The characteristics of the civilization of self are: self-focus, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, self-reliance, and self-rule, and self-glorification. The civilization discussion ends by pointing out that the work of Christ destroys the cycle of civilization building.
Tripp's final kingdom discussion is the costume kingdom. In short, the costume kingdom consist of externally living for the kingdom of God but internally the kingdom of self is the driving force. He states, "It is quite possible for you to be convinced that you are living for the transcendent glories of the kingdom of God when you are, in fact, living for yourself."
Tripps discussion in chapters eight thru seventeen are built around a life that is centered on living with Christ at the center. He states, "In the little kingdom, self is always at the center. In the big kingdom, the kingdom of God, the center is the one place self can never be. The fundamental difference between the two kingdoms can be seen in who resides in the center."
Tripp moves toward the end of the book with a discussion regarding the death of the self. He states, "In calling us to die, Christ is actually rescuing us from death and giving us real life." This is the beginning point for Tripps discussion of living with Christ at the center which is characterized by: groaning, harmony, forgiveness, anticipation, sacrifice, anger, and hope. In each characterization Tripp connects how Christ overcomes the desire to live for self.
The book is very readable and enjoyable. Tripp does a wonderful job of getting to the inner crevice of heart issues. He does not hold anything back. He recognizes the decetifulness and wickedness of the human heart, whether it be a believer or a non-believer. Tripp upholds Christ as the only hope to overcome the sinful heart of an individual. He states, "Only love for Christ has the power to incapacitate the sturdy love for self that is the bane of every sinner, and only the grace of Christ has the power to produce that love." I would recommend this book to any reader.
In chapters three thru seven Tripp discusses how sin affects the individual in attempting to create their own purpose and meaning. He notes that these affects are most often seen in each individual building their own little kingdom rather than being a part of God's kindgom. He notes, "The little kingdom is a way of living that will shape the way I respond to everything God has placed in my life. Little kingdom living turns life into an endless search for earthly treasures and an unending focus on personal need."
Tripp points out that not only do people attempt to build little kingdoms but often times in the process build civilizations. And the primary civilization is a civilization of self. The characteristics of the civilization of self are: self-focus, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, self-reliance, and self-rule, and self-glorification. The civilization discussion ends by pointing out that the work of Christ destroys the cycle of civilization building.
Tripp's final kingdom discussion is the costume kingdom. In short, the costume kingdom consist of externally living for the kingdom of God but internally the kingdom of self is the driving force. He states, "It is quite possible for you to be convinced that you are living for the transcendent glories of the kingdom of God when you are, in fact, living for yourself."
Tripps discussion in chapters eight thru seventeen are built around a life that is centered on living with Christ at the center. He states, "In the little kingdom, self is always at the center. In the big kingdom, the kingdom of God, the center is the one place self can never be. The fundamental difference between the two kingdoms can be seen in who resides in the center."
Tripp moves toward the end of the book with a discussion regarding the death of the self. He states, "In calling us to die, Christ is actually rescuing us from death and giving us real life." This is the beginning point for Tripps discussion of living with Christ at the center which is characterized by: groaning, harmony, forgiveness, anticipation, sacrifice, anger, and hope. In each characterization Tripp connects how Christ overcomes the desire to live for self.
The book is very readable and enjoyable. Tripp does a wonderful job of getting to the inner crevice of heart issues. He does not hold anything back. He recognizes the decetifulness and wickedness of the human heart, whether it be a believer or a non-believer. Tripp upholds Christ as the only hope to overcome the sinful heart of an individual. He states, "Only love for Christ has the power to incapacitate the sturdy love for self that is the bane of every sinner, and only the grace of Christ has the power to produce that love." I would recommend this book to any reader.
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