Jason's Blog

We are living in challenging times and the storm is still rising.  We have yet to see the full fury of our Post Christian culture (Yes, Hurricane Gustav is on my mind).  Wondering what a Post Christian culture really is?  This is the topic of the new Sunday series that I’ve started in the chapel.  Let me make two additional points to illustrate our Post Christian culture1. In class, I mentioned that the spirit of the age challenges any view that there is objective truth.  Even mathematics, which most are sure is an objective discipline is based on agreed upon rules.  Nancy Pearcy has reported that in Minnesota teachers are instructed to be tolerant of “multiple mathematical worldviews” (see Total Truth, (2004): 44).   If you would like to see more about her source Connected Mathematics, click HERE.  This curriculum is based on the theory social constructionism– the theory that concepts and practices that may appear to be self-evident are in actuality the invention of societies and cultures.2.  Last night, I found this piece that illustrates the dismissive spirit of our age.  I was reading a blog that I look at regularly (usreligion.blogspot.com) and I ran on to this comment about John McCain’s new running mate: 

“As many readers will know by now, almost two years ago the hot potato issue of creationism came up in the Alaska governor race. Running as the Republican candidate Sarah Palin responded with something like the old teach-the-controversy chestnut: “Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.”   (Teach both, you know. . . Flat earth theory vs. round earth theory; aliens built the pyramids vs. humans constructed them; stars are holes in the canopy of the sky vs. stars are massive, luminous balls of plasma; thunder is caused by God bowling vs. thunder is the sonic shockwave from lightning.)”

Yes, you read that right!  The idea of intelligent design is compared to flat earth, aliens, and gods that bowl.  The Post Christian culture that acts as a platform for most thinking in America has a smug “objectivity” to it.  The very idea that intelligent design might be taught in public as a reasonable “scientific” theory is shot down before any discussion begins to take place. How will we speak the truth in love to such an audience?  This is the task that we will continue to tackle together. 

 

 Challenges of a Post Christian Culture 01 : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have a great slate of Wednesday offerings for adults that I am excited to tell you about. More to come later, but here are the highlights:

• Motherwise – Danita Slaten, Rhonda Brock, and Suzanne Richardson – Chapel

This women’s class is going to be terrific. There is a workbook that you can purchase to help you get into the Scriptures. If you’re looking for encouragement, resources for building a godly marriage, and obtaining some mothering advice you’ve found the right place.

• Gospel of John – Jason Fikes Parlor

This will be a textual study of John chapters 5-12. In these chapters, Jesus really defines his identity and mission in the face of stiff opposition. These passages can be a great resource for us because we face a world that does not share our values and is even openly hostile toward those who would follow after Jesus.

• Biblical Considerations - Foree Grove – Conference Room

This is a continuation of Foree’s study from last semester that challenges us to really think about our faith and how we apply the Bible to our daily lives.

• Jesus Across the Ages – James Warner Room 201

Jesus of Nazareth is the dominant figure of the last twenty centuries. Yet each age has attempted to recast His image in light of its own historical events and cultural influences. In what different ways has Jesus been viewed over time? What accounts for these differences? Why do we continue to hear new things about Jesus and His early followers? An awareness of the historical and cultural influences which have been at work to cloud the perception of Jesus can help clear away some of the distortions of His message to the world.   Class to begin Sept. 10.

• Home Ministry Resources - Jim Murphy Room 209

This class will provide resources and encouragement for small group leaders and participants. Class to begin Sept. 10.

• Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Byrl Brockman Room 227

This is a textual study of one of the most powerful letters in the Bible. 

• Heartfelt Creations - Mary Ann Ivey Room 214 

 We will be creating homemade cards using rubber stamps and scrapbook paper. One of a kind cards will be created for those who are on our prayer list. We will also have women writing special messages inside. Come create or share your pen as we brighten someone else’s day and get to know each other. This craft is very forgiving. No experience needed. 

• Prayer – Warren Heffington Room 215

Devotionals, stories, and much prayer. A time in the middle of the week where we can look at some stories in the Bible, share our stories and prayer needs, and pray together.

• Faith Matters – Paul Jackson & Don Sweeney Room 225

This is a continuation of a class from this summer that explores living faith in action. What does it mean to be a Christian in the workplace? Come and hear others explain how they bring their faith to life.

Do you believe in mercy and grace? Hear again the wonderful parable of Jesus as he teaches about the nature of kingdom (as translated by Clarence Jordan more than 30 years ago). 

“The God Movement is like a farmer who went out early in the morning to hire some field workers.  Having settled on a wage of ten dollars a day, he sent them into the cotton field. Then about nine he went to town and saw others standing around idle. So he said to them, ‘Y’all go on out to the fields, and I’ll pay you what’s right.’ And they went. He did the same thing about noon, and again around three. Then about an hour before quitting time, he saw some others just hanging around. ‘Why have y’all been knocking around here all day doing nothing?’he asked. ‘Because nobody has hired us,’ they answered. ‘Okay, then y’all can go out to the cotton fields too,’ he said.   At the end of the day the   farmer said to his field boss, ‘Call the workers and pay them off, starting with those who came last and continuing to the first ones.’ Well, those who came an hour before quitting time were called up and were each paid ten dollars. Now those who got there first thing in the morning supposed that they would get much more, but when they were paid off, they too got ten dollars. At that, they raised a squawk against the farmer. ‘These latecomers didn’t put in but one hour, and you’ve done the same by them as you did by us who stood in the hot sun and the scorching wind.’ But the farmer said to one of them, ‘Listen buddy, I haven’t mistreated you. Didn’t you and I settle on ten dollars a day? Now pick up your pay and run along. I’m determined to give this last fellow exactly the same as you. Isn’t it okay for me to do as I please with what’s mine? Or are you bellyaching simply because I’ve been generous?’ That’s the way it is: Those on the bottom will be on the top, and those on the top will be on the bottom.”

Here is an audio file of our bible class on Sunday (August 10). All the commotion at the beginning of class happens as one of our “resident artists” draws a peach on the board. I guess I would title this class peaches and tangerines: Jesus and the World Religions. I think the metaphors are really helpful as we consider the “common core” or lack of common core between the world’s religions. – JF

 

 Jesus and World Religions.mp3: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download