“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 1

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Jay F Guin

This is my favorite one so far because Vander Laan so powerfully enriches my understanding of some familiar passages. And because I’m an elder trying to be a shepherd.

This is short lesson, and I have more thoughts on it than we’ll have time to cover in class. But I like to be over-prepared, maybe because I so enjoy the preparation.

Who is a shepherd?

Shepherds are often very young, often children, especially girls. But the father will be watching them work, often at a distance. There was no presumption that shepherds are boys.

Who are goats?

Goats wander away from the herd first and then the sheep will follow the goats. Therefore, a shepherd will not allow many goats in his herd. This surely is part of the reason in Matthew 25 Jesus refers to the damned as goats and the saved as sheep. The goats wander away, leading others to go with them.

Who is the shepherd? Continue reading →

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God’s Transforming Word, Defining Some Terms, Part 2

Posted on October 26, 2008 by Jay F Guin

“Inerrant”

Now denominations have split over the meaning of the non-Biblical word “inerrant.” While many pretend that it’s a black-and-white question, it’s really filled with shades of gray, so that many people who claim to believe the Bible to be inerrant are considered outside the inerrancy camp by others also in the inerrancy camp. Let me explain … Continue reading →

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God’s Transforming Word, Defining Some Terms, Part 1

Posted on October 25, 2008 by Jay F Guin

When we discuss inerrancy, it’s critical that we avoid treating some very different ideas as the same. There are, in fact, very many positions within the not-inerrant camp, some of which are indeed heresy and some of which, I think, are not. But our history of debates and polemics can lead us to treat all non-inerrant viewpoints as heresy.

Let me explain. Continue reading →

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Ironic Faith: Homosexuality

Posted on October 24, 2008 by Jay F Guin

It’s no surprise that the emerging churches have a special concern for homosexuals.

Emergents are not so much pro-gay or pro-lesbian as they are convinced that sexuality is more complex than many acknowledge. They are committed both to the Bible, which has strong denunciatory language for homosexual practices, and to live alongside gay and lesbian friends and family members. Continue reading →

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“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: Lachish and God’s Wrath, Part 2

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Jay F Guin

* How can God’s people make a truly significant difference in the culture of this country?

* One teacher suggested: We should get with the other churches in town (not just Churches of Christ) and combine our efforts to do good works, getting into the lives of the poor and needy, changing this community. We may not be able to change the nation all at once, but we can change our community if all the churches work in concert, rather than going it alone and competing with each other.

* Is he right? Continue reading →

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Ironic Faith: Pluralism

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Jay F Guin

McKnight next raises the question of whether Christianity is exclusive —

Fifth, public schools drilled the messages of multiculturalism and pluralism into emergents’ heads and hearts, while their churches were teaching them that all those without explicit faith in Christ were doomed. Possessing both a faith that is particular and an intimate knowledge of religious pluralism produced a tension that was nearly intolerable. For many, it results in a commitment to Jesus Christ alongside a more pluralistic view of world religions, or a broadening of what it means to be a “Christian.” Continue reading →

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“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: Lachish and God’s Wrath, Part 1

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Jay F Guin

[I’ve been writing lessons to go with “Faith Lessons” DVD series by Ray Vander Laan. At first, I thought the lessons would only work for those with the DVDs, so I’ve just been posting them by adding to the original post.

But I’ve found myself summarizing Vander Laan’s lesson and think this approach makes the lessons more generally applicable. Therefore, I’m going to post the lessons along with the regular posts. I doubt the rest will be quite this long.]

Lachish

The city of Lachish is a tell (abandoned site, now an archaeological dig) located southwest of Jerusalem. It was destroyed during the reign of King Hezekiah — a godly king of Judea (the Southern Kingdom). Pictures of Lachish may be found here. Continue reading →

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New Policy — the End of Ad Hominem Arguments

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Jay F Guin

[I’m reposting this from March. Just a reminder of a standing policy that I’ve been too busy to reiterate until now.]

star.jpgI’ve lost patience with ad hominem attacks. Christians should know how to debate issues and not attack motives or personalities. I will be editing them out.

For now, I’ll still not be moderating comments — that is, they’ll be posted as written without any pre-approval by me, as has been my policy from the beginning. But as I have time, I’ll take ad hominem arguments out, indicating the deletion with “[ad hominem argument deleted].”

I’m hoping this policy will encourage discussion the scriptures and the issues in lieu of character assaults and motive questioning.

My doctor told me to get my blood pressure down, and this will be a good start.

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Moving On Down the Road, Part 2

Posted on October 22, 2008 by Jay F Guin

Sorry that I’ve not been responding to posts and emails lately. We closed on our new house Monday, meaning that I spent the weekend disassembling my computer and library. And since Monday, well, I’ve not been able to find anything — like clothes, hot water, TV, or a wireless network.

But things are returning to normal — in much the same sense that purgatory is normal. It could be worse.

I’m sitting at my desk, listening to TV — listening because the view is blocked by boxes.

The plumber came this morning and fixed the hot water (I took a VERY fast shower this morning!) Continue reading →

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Ironic Faith: The God of the Old Testament

Posted on October 22, 2008 by Jay F Guin

McKnight now delves into even tougher territory —

Sixth, emergents sometimes exercise a deconstructive critique of the Bible’s view of God. Sometimes I hear it in ways that are no more interesting that Marcion’s old (and heretical) critique of the violent God of the Old Testament. Yet upon close inspection, the rumblings are subtler and more sophisticated, and the struggle is palpable and genuine. For some emergents, the Bible includes portrayals of God that cannot be squared with their understanding of a God of love. For a group less concerned about traditional understandings of inerrancy, such portrayals are interpreted as the way ancients talked about God, with later biblical revelation seen as clearly presenting a God who is altogether gracious and loving.

It’s an old argument — that the God of the New Testament is more loving than the God of the Old Testament. After all, the Old Testament God wanted the Canaanites killed — men, women, and children. Continue reading →

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