Boots and Bibles

An Open Letter to a Former Friend

Dear Sandy,

Quick Thought Re: Exodus 20:7

All right, go read it real quick.

Now, proposal: could one definition of blasphemy be using God's name to justify ungodly things?

Please discuss.

Open the Eyes of Our Hearts

There's a good deal of bellyaching about the "post-modern" or "emergent" movements in Evangelicalism. Some of it is quite necessary; other parts, not so much. The "I'm Okay - You're Okay" theology moving along within that sect and the glorification of old church traditions and rituals that still aren't old enough to accurately reflect the beliefs or practises of original Christians are two examples that come to mind. To be sure, a great deal of what they're resurrecting within Protestantism might be some of the most nefarious examples of syncretism that set Jesus' movement down the wide and comfy path that leadeth unto Constantine.

But not all of it is...

A few criticisms in particular strike me as burning the body to fix the warts. While "messy spirituality" has become a codeword for cheap grace, and the "solidarity" with the felt needs of unbelievers seems like the new wave of seeker sensitivism (which the emergent movement supposedly goes against) – not to mention an easy out on ever having to stand for anything, other aspects of the emergent church could probably use re-assessment from some of those so thoroughly opposed to it.

What troubles me more is that some of these aspects seem so integral, so utterly biblical that it boggles my mind how the theological intelligentsia has come to have such grave issues with them. Particularly, I keep hearing about the evils of "mysticism", "contemplation" and "spirituality".

Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to pick these notions apart right now, and point out that while the emergent toffs still probably get it wrong, these matters in themselves are absolutely vital in experiencing God, and living out the Christianity fully.

Christ is Died - Christ is Risen

Aμην ναι ερχου κυριε ιησου!

A Friday That Really Wasn't So Good - Not at the Moment, Leastwise

Remember, kids – without crucifixion, there is no resurrection

Thanatopsis

I have never seen someone die.

This should be a good thing, right? I should count myself lucky that the face of our own mortality has never stared back at me, never beckoned to me, never said “You’re next.” I’ve had friends and family who have died, sure, but I see them after the fact. Their faces are made up all pretty; serenity and calm encompass their features. It’s death, but it’s a very cleansed, refined sort of death. It’s like death done by Disney.

I feel strangely cheated by the fact that I've never seen anyone die.

Despite the prevalence of animated violence on televisions and cinema screens, I get the feeling that few people in the Industrialised World – excuse me, certain well-to-do and influential segments of the Industrialised World – would be able to look at death and maintain any calm or sensibility. This is something of an oddity, from an historical standpoint. Death is a part of life; it’s as much a part of life as sex, eating, drinking and pursuing happiness. To be sure, one could technically go through life without engaging in any of these matters – but death is an experience everyone gets to take in. Eventually.

Basic Notifications

The Friday night Bible study has been going exceedingly well, and I'm glad for all of you who have been able to make it out for this. We're still reading through Luke 21 right now, though we should be finishing this the next time we meet for the Bible study.

We will not, however, be having the Bible study this Friday.

Instead, we're having a Pesach seder at Chelsea Simon's gaff!

You might wonder, what's Pesach, and why should I care? Isn't next Friday Good Friday? Shouldn't I, as a good Christian, be celebrating that Christian holiday of Easter?

Well, in case you haven't been reading this blog long enough, let it be known that I answered both of those questions a little more than a year ago.

However, since we will not be having the Bible study this Friday at Christine Kim's place, here's how to get to the Pescah Seder we will be having at Chelsea Simon's place:

THE ADDRESS:
345 Cumberland St.
Brooklyn, NY 11238

(I don't know what the apartment number is – it's not on the Facebook invite.)

Either take the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 or 5 trains to Atlantic Ave./Pacific St., walk down Atlantic Ave., take a left on Cumberland St. If you walk by 3rd Ave., you're going the wrong direction.

Or take the G to Fulton St., or the C to Lafayette Ave. and walk to Cumberland St. and take a right. If you come across St. Felix St. or Ashland Pl., you're going the wrong direction.

If you have a car, just Google map it because I'd have no clue what to tell you anyway...

THE TIME:
5:00-10:00, evidently, but, errm, that ain't rock-solid, y'know?

THE CONTACT INFO:
Look, I'm not so sure how happy Chelsea would be if I just put her personal info up on my website, so just contact me if you have any questions.

Anyway, after this Friday though, it'll be business as usual at Christine's place (directions here) until she deserts us and buggers off to Philadelphia.

Hope to see you there!