Man it feels good to be back in Canada.
The above title was the convo @ the church planters gathering in Bellingham (Hothouse). Some of the attention was turned on me as those gathered knew about my recent heartache of closing down a church. And so I was queried about how I felt and if it was a loss or waste. It was therapeutic to be a bit narcissistic and talk about my angst but at the end the question was on the table and still stands: Read more…
Thoughts galvanized by David Park re: Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Granted, the need for liberation amongst Asian-Americans is not really a pressing concern – after all, what do we need liberating from? But I think David is spot-on with his assessment of the future of Asian-American religion. Do we remain the strong, silent, passive types or do we have it in us to be aggressively assertive when it comes to relevance in American society today? I quote: Read more…
I was listening to some radio preacher here in VA and thinking “preaching is so different out here compared to the west coast”. It was refreshing, until I realized it was John MacArthur. Isn’t he from LA?
At any rate, whenever I return to the Big Apple I see the pointed differences between East and West sides. A decade has changed me. People dress differently, even to church, think differently, work differently (you can’t get by on a single-income in metro NY). Music tastes are different. I won’t go into the nuances but one of the things I’ve noticed is even the theology – it would seem people on the east coast are more grounded, erudite, and historically educated on things theological, whether Arminian or Reformed, but especially the latter. Any West coasters beg to differ?
Grenz is waxing eloquent on the ecclesiological practice of baptism.
I’m understanding more not only the theological and sacramental significance of the act, but more so the sociological significance of it. Being a Protestant of the “Reformed” strain, I don’t place heavy emphasis on the sacramental side as if the act itself were the mediator of the intrinsic grace; rather I see it as a symbol of heavenly realities. But still more I am discovering the deep sociological implications of the act of baptism. It is an act of belonging and identification, precisely that which a fragmented, over-individualized society yearns for today. In this sense baptism is an exciting, celebratory symbol of being part of something. Isn’t that what culture at large is looking for today? So, how do u do it? Are you into dunking, sprinkling, or pouring?
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