With only eight days until the close of the election the race seems to be tightening and people on
both sides are getting increasingly nervous about the outcome of the election. This election is certainly one of the most historic races ever but for what reasons? Do you think this election is one of the most important elections ever—as many are saying— and if so, for what reasons? Do you think that major policy issues that you care about hang in the balance? Is this election more symbolically important for the image and direction of the country? Let me know what you think?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Justice Is as Justice Does by Joshua Beckett and Jeff Liou (featured in The Graduate Scrawl)
Justice Is as Justice Does?
A Conversation between Friends
Josh: Ok, Jeff, I hear you talk a lot about social justice, but what do you actually mean when you say that? It sounds really grand and, to be honest, maybe a bit self-important. But I’m unclear as to what this concept entails; it seems kind of vague.
Jeff: Yeah, it can be vague. Many who use the phrase don’t tend to define it. Instead, some will mention a list of issues – like racism, gender discrimination, classism, etc. But that’s not a definition. Still, any definition should be broad, if not vague. Therefore, Christopher Wright has written about mishpat (“justice”) in the “broadest terms” as actions undertaken to set things write – like they will be in heaven.
Josh: All right, but how is that any different from love? When I think of interpersonal relationships, shouldn’t love be what is primary? What is so significant about justice?
Jeff: In Luke 11:42, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting “the justice and the love of God.” The two are certainly related, but not identical. It seems that justice places certain demands on us pertaining to others in our society. But if I’ve heard you correctly, Josh, your question makes it sound like you think of justice merely as a subcategory of love.
Josh: Yeah, I guess that is where I was coming from. But I see your point – both love and justice do have social implications. I do care about these values; and I am sincere when I pray for God's kingdom – with all of the justice and love that it brings – to come on earth. But I guess I’m wondering what that looks like for me here and now. What am I supposed to be doing? I can’t save the world, and it irritates me when people like Bono preach at me as if I am to blame for the world’s problems because I’m not doing enough.
Jeff: Ugh, I hear you. Vocal, Bono-quoting Christians who wear their commitment to end poverty on their sleeve are often dismissed as “liberals,” or “guilt-trippers.” I should be more careful. But my instinct is that here at Trinity, we should, at least, be preparing ourselves to engage a world fraught with injustice. Let me ask you this: do you think that when you graduate you’ll be ready to lead your church – whether you’re in the suburbs or the city – to address urban poverty?
Josh: Not really. Back in undergrad when I was living in Knoxville, I used to talk with homeless people quite often in a given week; but it seems like since I’ve moved to the suburbs, I’ve forgotten how to interact with poor people, let alone lead a congregation to minister to them. I know that God has a heart for the poor, and I care too; but there’s only so much time, and my main priority must be preaching the gospel and addressing spiritual poverty.
Jeff: I’m certainly not asking you to “neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” What I am seeking is that we become ready to comfort the Chicago mothers who lost their children in the drive-by shootings this summer. How is “Christ died for sinners,” Good News to them? Frankly, one of my annoyances is the way that people forget that sin isn’t just a private matter between “me and God”; it affects every part of society. So, how could the complicated injustices be solved simply by preaching good theology?
Josh: Point taken. Evangelism and practical deeds of compassion and justice are linked; and I haven’t forgotten James’ warning about a dead faith that says, “Keep warm and well fed,” and then does nothing about someone’s physical needs. But my concern comes from looking at church history. I remember with sadness how the social gospel replaced the message of the cross and how acts of justice and mercy supplanted an emphasis on saving faith. Even today, I have noticed how my friends can get really excited about “being agents of social justice” and then lose their passion for Christ and him crucified.
Jeff: I’ve got friends who’ve gone that way, too. I’ll be up front. I don’t have a good answer. But John Stott’s quote haunts me: “Evangelical Christians during this century have tended to be in the rearguard, instead of in the vanguard, of social reformers.” That’s us. And I think we need to talk about these things.
A Conversation between Friends
Josh: Ok, Jeff, I hear you talk a lot about social justice, but what do you actually mean when you say that? It sounds really grand and, to be honest, maybe a bit self-important. But I’m unclear as to what this concept entails; it seems kind of vague.
Jeff: Yeah, it can be vague. Many who use the phrase don’t tend to define it. Instead, some will mention a list of issues – like racism, gender discrimination, classism, etc. But that’s not a definition. Still, any definition should be broad, if not vague. Therefore, Christopher Wright has written about mishpat (“justice”) in the “broadest terms” as actions undertaken to set things write – like they will be in heaven.
Josh: All right, but how is that any different from love? When I think of interpersonal relationships, shouldn’t love be what is primary? What is so significant about justice?
Jeff: In Luke 11:42, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting “the justice and the love of God.” The two are certainly related, but not identical. It seems that justice places certain demands on us pertaining to others in our society. But if I’ve heard you correctly, Josh, your question makes it sound like you think of justice merely as a subcategory of love.
Josh: Yeah, I guess that is where I was coming from. But I see your point – both love and justice do have social implications. I do care about these values; and I am sincere when I pray for God's kingdom – with all of the justice and love that it brings – to come on earth. But I guess I’m wondering what that looks like for me here and now. What am I supposed to be doing? I can’t save the world, and it irritates me when people like Bono preach at me as if I am to blame for the world’s problems because I’m not doing enough.
Jeff: Ugh, I hear you. Vocal, Bono-quoting Christians who wear their commitment to end poverty on their sleeve are often dismissed as “liberals,” or “guilt-trippers.” I should be more careful. But my instinct is that here at Trinity, we should, at least, be preparing ourselves to engage a world fraught with injustice. Let me ask you this: do you think that when you graduate you’ll be ready to lead your church – whether you’re in the suburbs or the city – to address urban poverty?
Josh: Not really. Back in undergrad when I was living in Knoxville, I used to talk with homeless people quite often in a given week; but it seems like since I’ve moved to the suburbs, I’ve forgotten how to interact with poor people, let alone lead a congregation to minister to them. I know that God has a heart for the poor, and I care too; but there’s only so much time, and my main priority must be preaching the gospel and addressing spiritual poverty.
Jeff: I’m certainly not asking you to “neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” What I am seeking is that we become ready to comfort the Chicago mothers who lost their children in the drive-by shootings this summer. How is “Christ died for sinners,” Good News to them? Frankly, one of my annoyances is the way that people forget that sin isn’t just a private matter between “me and God”; it affects every part of society. So, how could the complicated injustices be solved simply by preaching good theology?
Josh: Point taken. Evangelism and practical deeds of compassion and justice are linked; and I haven’t forgotten James’ warning about a dead faith that says, “Keep warm and well fed,” and then does nothing about someone’s physical needs. But my concern comes from looking at church history. I remember with sadness how the social gospel replaced the message of the cross and how acts of justice and mercy supplanted an emphasis on saving faith. Even today, I have noticed how my friends can get really excited about “being agents of social justice” and then lose their passion for Christ and him crucified.
Jeff: I’ve got friends who’ve gone that way, too. I’ll be up front. I don’t have a good answer. But John Stott’s quote haunts me: “Evangelical Christians during this century have tended to be in the rearguard, instead of in the vanguard, of social reformers.” That’s us. And I think we need to talk about these things.
Create an Overnight Bag for a Child Entering Emergency Foster Care!
Join Community Impact in serving abused and neglected children by creating an Overnight Bag for kids entering emergency foster care! These children are often forced to leave their home without the opportunity to take any belongings and would benefit greatly from your donation!
Listed below are some of the items that you may chose to fill your overnight bags with. For the toiletry items, travel size or regular size items are acceptable. You do not have to include the entire list in each bag; this is just an example of the types of things to be included.
Please do not include any medications or products that contain alcohol.
The children range in age 11 – 17 years.
All purpose overnight bag or small size duffel bag
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Journal and pen or pencil
Bath Soap
Shampoo & Conditioner (or two-in-one product)
Wash cloth
Non-perishable snack (such as fruit roll-ups)
Chewing gum
Playing cards
Easy crossword puzzle or word puzzle
book
It would also be great if you could include a note of encouragement for your foster child to make the bag more personal and meaningful in reminding them that they are loved and cared for, despite how alone they might feel.
Commuters can drop off their bags in the Student Ministries Office (in the Lew) or at the coffee house on October 24th from 9:00 pm - 1:00 am in Johnson Hall and receive a free dessert!
Students living in residence halls can create bags together with their floors or give bags to their RA! The floor that creates the most bags will be given a Ice Cream Float party! The winner will be announced at the coffee house!
Listed below are some of the items that you may chose to fill your overnight bags with. For the toiletry items, travel size or regular size items are acceptable. You do not have to include the entire list in each bag; this is just an example of the types of things to be included.
Please do not include any medications or products that contain alcohol.
The children range in age 11 – 17 years.
All purpose overnight bag or small size duffel bag
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Journal and pen or pencil
Bath Soap
Shampoo & Conditioner (or two-in-one product)
Wash cloth
Non-perishable snack (such as fruit roll-ups)
Chewing gum
Playing cards
Easy crossword puzzle or word puzzle
book
It would also be great if you could include a note of encouragement for your foster child to make the bag more personal and meaningful in reminding them that they are loved and cared for, despite how alone they might feel.
Commuters can drop off their bags in the Student Ministries Office (in the Lew) or at the coffee house on October 24th from 9:00 pm - 1:00 am in Johnson Hall and receive a free dessert!
Students living in residence halls can create bags together with their floors or give bags to their RA! The floor that creates the most bags will be given a Ice Cream Float party! The winner will be announced at the coffee house!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Jeff Liou Reflects on War Analogies in Today's Context
I just finished watching the HBO miniseries, Band of Brothers (BoB).
War movies are a guilty pleasure of mine. I confess; I like explosions. But BoB was so full of character development, ethical questions, and other things that make you go, "hmmmm..." For example, short interviews of the actual WWII veterans depicted in the show introduce every episode. This series REALLY makes you admire the "Greatest Generation" for their selfless sacrifice and high idealism. The episode where they first stumble across the concentration camps will haunt and inspire me to justice for a long time. (I'm willing to bet that public sentiment about WWII made popular the use of war analogies in Sunday sermons for years to come!)
I've also been watching HBO's Generation Kill. It is a smart, critical look at the Iraq war that is irreverent and sardonic. High ideals are hard to come by. In fact, the producers parade the moral depravity of scornful, racist troops in ways designed to churn the viscera. Generation Kill makes BoB look like kindergarten. Present-day attitudes about war, in general, and about Iraq, in particular have even reached Trinity where war illustrations are met with some tentativeness in preaching classes.
So, when Ralph Winter writes that we should adopt a war-mentality about the allocation of material resources for the "war" (i.e. missionary) effort, what would you do? How would you contextualize that one in this day and age? What is the best use of war analogies today? Are there any?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"Who is My Neighbor? Part 2 by Mark Hershey
“Who is my neighbor?” – Luke 10:25-37 – Part 2 of 2
Luke 10:30-37 The story continues…
Jesus tells a story about a man who, going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, falls into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
In the man’s helpless state, we find three people in the story that are able to him.
A priest happened to be going down the same road…
When he saw him, he passed by on the other side (v.31)
So too, a Levite…
When he came up to the place and saw him, he passed by on the other side (v.32)
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was…
When he saw him, he felt compassion for him (v.33)
Each of these three men saw the same thing. They saw someone who was beat up, bloody, half-dead, with no possessions. They each noticed the same exact thing. They looked at someone who was in desperate need, a breath away from death, unless someone intervened. The first two had the exact same reaction, choosing to pass by on the other side of the road. But it was the least likely of the three, the Samaritan, whose reaction was much different. Upon seeing the person in need, he felt compassion!
It is interesting that the priest is the first to come onto the scene. He is a man who, on earth, represents piety to its fullest extent. He is the one who offers sacrifices to God in behalf of others, yet he does not act in behalf of this man during this scene. This compassionate act that the Samaritan man made, as many compassionate acts do, involved a concrete price that the Samaritan was willing to pay. Compassion is not easy. Check out Luke 9:57-62 as this relates to the cost of discipleship. (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Luke, Darrell Bock, 1033)
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper.
“Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”
After finishing the story, Jesus asked, “which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (v.36)
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus uses many different verbs to describe all of the Samaritan’s actions on behalf of the man in need: “he goes to him; bandages him, pours oil and wine on his wounds; puts him on his donkey, carries him to the inn, and takes care of him, even to the point of leaving enough money behind to make sure the man has two weeks lodging to recover” while also promising to return to cover any extra costs. (NIV Application Commentary: Luke, Darrell Bock, 301)
Notice Jesus’ question to the man in verse 36. Most English versions state “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor…?” But the Greek actually has Jesus asking, “who became (gi÷nomai) a neighbor to this man?” This is so huge!! “Thus, compassion, response, and love make a neighbor, not locale or race. One should not seek to narrowly define who is a neighbor so as to limit ones responsibility. The obligation is not to see what can be avoided, but to render aid when it can be readily supplied.” (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Luke, Darrell Bock, 1034)
Prayer:
Lord, please open our eyes to those in need. Whether it is someone who is lying by a road or someone who is sitting next to us in class. Help us see the world through Your eyes, feel with your heart, and make our faith alive as your hands and feet. Amen.
Luke 10:30-37 The story continues…
Jesus tells a story about a man who, going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, falls into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
In the man’s helpless state, we find three people in the story that are able to him.
A priest happened to be going down the same road…
When he saw him, he passed by on the other side (v.31)
So too, a Levite…
When he came up to the place and saw him, he passed by on the other side (v.32)
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was…
When he saw him, he felt compassion for him (v.33)
Each of these three men saw the same thing. They saw someone who was beat up, bloody, half-dead, with no possessions. They each noticed the same exact thing. They looked at someone who was in desperate need, a breath away from death, unless someone intervened. The first two had the exact same reaction, choosing to pass by on the other side of the road. But it was the least likely of the three, the Samaritan, whose reaction was much different. Upon seeing the person in need, he felt compassion!
It is interesting that the priest is the first to come onto the scene. He is a man who, on earth, represents piety to its fullest extent. He is the one who offers sacrifices to God in behalf of others, yet he does not act in behalf of this man during this scene. This compassionate act that the Samaritan man made, as many compassionate acts do, involved a concrete price that the Samaritan was willing to pay. Compassion is not easy. Check out Luke 9:57-62 as this relates to the cost of discipleship. (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Luke, Darrell Bock, 1033)
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper.
“Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”
After finishing the story, Jesus asked, “which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (v.36)
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus uses many different verbs to describe all of the Samaritan’s actions on behalf of the man in need: “he goes to him; bandages him, pours oil and wine on his wounds; puts him on his donkey, carries him to the inn, and takes care of him, even to the point of leaving enough money behind to make sure the man has two weeks lodging to recover” while also promising to return to cover any extra costs. (NIV Application Commentary: Luke, Darrell Bock, 301)
Notice Jesus’ question to the man in verse 36. Most English versions state “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor…?” But the Greek actually has Jesus asking, “who became (gi÷nomai) a neighbor to this man?” This is so huge!! “Thus, compassion, response, and love make a neighbor, not locale or race. One should not seek to narrowly define who is a neighbor so as to limit ones responsibility. The obligation is not to see what can be avoided, but to render aid when it can be readily supplied.” (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Luke, Darrell Bock, 1034)
Prayer:
Lord, please open our eyes to those in need. Whether it is someone who is lying by a road or someone who is sitting next to us in class. Help us see the world through Your eyes, feel with your heart, and make our faith alive as your hands and feet. Amen.
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