“30 for 30″ #10: Jesus Used to Be My Homeboy. Then I Realized That’s Stupid

In American culture Jesus has become another private commodity: He’s “my boyfriend,” “my CEO,” “my co-pilot,” or “my homeboy.”

But in all reality, he is not “my” anything. He is “ours.” Or more specifically, “We are his.”

When we only see Jesus in light of our private relationship with him, we miss the point. This is not to deny that we have a relationship with him, but this relationship is anything but private.

Jesus’ salvation transcends me. It transcends us. He desires to redeem all of creation. His plans are bigger than just saving me and having a relationship with me. I am included in those plans, but I am not the sole goal of those plans.

When we privatize Jesus, we not only miss the point about his redemption all creation, but the whole idea also suggests that, ‘Me and Jesus got our own thing going.’

But this is bad theology. I most certainly have a relationship with Jesus, but there’s nothing in that relationship that’s just between us. I am not beyond rebuke. I am not beyond correction. It is a modern, American notion that Jesus and me and Jesus have got our own thing going.

In scriptural Christianity there’s nothing completely private or individualistic about our relationships with Jesus. Our relationships with him always happen in the context of community, of creation, seeing his face in the poor, finding his grace as we seek for justice in the world – none of this is private. None of it is individualistic.

In other words, all Jesus’ intentions are bigger than just me.

He does love us individually, just as he did Lazarus. He does desire to be in a relationship with us, just as he did Peter. But his plans are bigger than that.

We can’t keep him to ourselves. He won’t let us. He shouldn’t.

QoD: The Strangest Thing About Being in Ministry

Quote of the Day:

That’s the strangest thing about this life, about being in the ministry. People change the subject when they see you coming. And then sometimes those very same people come into your study and tell you the most remarkable things. There’s a lot under the surface in life, everyone knows that. A lot of malice and dread and guilt, and so much  loneliness where you wouldn’t really expect to find it, either.

Marilynne Robinson, Gilead. 6.

This is How it Should Be Done

I’m preparing to take over the Wed. night pastor’s Bible Study at my church.

I’m going to be teaching through the book of Jonah, but my emphasis will mostly be on developing good Bible reading skills (hermeneutics).

Someone from my church sent me this video. I think it’s a prime example of great engagement with the book of Jonah and great oral delivery of the book’s story…and all that from a little kid. This is how it should be done, friends.

The Fuerst Best of the Week: 12.24.2010

My good friend Chad books reflects on God and the smell of his father’s briefcase.

Francis Chan leaves his mega-church and goes to Asia. How many mega-church pastor’s would walk away from it all? Read some of the comments on this one, they’re interesting. HT: Rudy Olivo

Nancy Pearcy on the necessity of critical thinking for Christians.

When you reflect on all that’s transpired since January 1st, what stand out as the top ten most sacred concerns of Americans? This is the question raised in this fantastic piece by Religion Dispatches. It matters not what we say we hold sacred; what we consider sacred is manifest by what we do. Admittedly, you will find it a bit slanted to the political left. Nevertheless, there are a few things in here everyone needs to hear.

On a related note, Matt Rassano makes the case that Consumerism is our true religion. I think you will find he makes a compelling case.

Michael over at Here to Lead has a great piece on Setting Up the Offering – practical steps to making the offering part of your worship service meaningful.

For a little subversive Advent art:

 

 

A Demented Manger Scene

This photo was taken outside the our church secretary Joanna’s office. If you thought Phoebe and I created a demented manger scene, consider this photo where Joanna has slain a baby sheep and a daddy sheep, letting the mamma sheep stay alive and mourn her losses, while baby Jesus looks on in glee.

Notice the mamma’s broken leg and the other random sheep body parts strewn about.

And notice, worst of all, the crack in Jesus’ neck from a violent decapitation.

O Come, O Come…Again

HT: Tim Challies

When Bein a Thug Goes Too Far

Sometimes when you’re trying to be a thug, you end up just blinding yourself.

 

 

 

 

The Fuerst Best of the Week: 12.19.2010

Roger Olson, one of my favorite theologians, has written a fantastic piece, Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Arminian. Admittedly, the piece is over 10 years old, but since I just came across it this week, it’s “new to me.” I love the article’s conviction and fairness, both of which are reflective of the author.

The Theology Master’s blog has a list of their top 50 theology and biblical studies blogs. Might be worth your time picking through them, thought I think a few of them are out of order.

15 Gut-Checks for Leaders, by Perry Noble.

Set Godin, Mr. Practical, has some awesome advice on organizing a retreat.

Want to know about the time my daughter rushed the stage at church like she was attending a Nickelback concert? Phoebe in Big Church.

Sayings of a Daddy Sage: Endangered Species Edition

Daddy: Phoebe, that’s a California Condor.

Phoebe: Ooooohhhhhh.

Daddy: Do you know what sound a Condor makes?

Phoebe: (silence)

Daddy: Do you know what sound an endangered species makes?

Phoebe: Owwww.

Daddy: Couldn’t have said it better myself

Too Old for Shaggy Hair?

I got my hair cut yesterday. I was beginning to wonder if 30 years old is too old to have long, shaggy, fro-ish hair. But then I came across this photo of author Phillip Yancey and I realized I still got a little time left to sport my Jew-Fro. I’ll be making another run at it again in a few months!