“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
-St. Paul, Epistle to the Romans
I don't know where to start.
As somebody that professes a low view of the human condition, I shouldn't be surprised. People are scared, and when people are scared, they bark.
And what are we scared of?
From what I can tell we're scared of the collapse of the Republic, a nuclear war with Russian, the Islamic State, and green frogs.
Now, being trained in history and having a history of being emotionally constipated, I try to not let myself get swept into believing every accusation that is thrown every which-way. Of course, this makes me look like a supporter of some current oppressive culture of the week. It's great for finding truth but terrible for virtue signaling, which of course, is the seventh love language.
But again, where do I start?
Well first, let me start with my own generation. We are no longer voting for a candidate, but against one. The Christians that I know via the Internet are wont to want to be seen as #woke and/or culturally sensitive. Well, of course there's rape culture. Why yes, of course blacks, I mean, people of color, are treated terribly. Well, of course, the Gospel(TM) should transform the way we view culture.
The great thing about this is that we get to bind the consciences of men and women everywhere in the name of God while we feel self-righteous in the process. Indeed, the same people who will chew out a conservative for not wanting to "bake the cake" will espouse love. The people who see certain candidates as advancing women's agendas will shrug when a boy is sexually abused by his teacher. Indeed, we won't grab them by cat but we will cut off their sacks. It's all banter, woman's talk after all.
Also for God's sake, posting and reading memes is a not a valid way of having reasoned discourse and/or learning about the world. Stop reading this post and read a book instead.
Then we get to Generation X. Clueless was a great film, don't get me wrong, and I'm also a fan of STP and Depeche Mode, but you're just as bad, aren't you? You have no thoughts of your own. You follow the Boomers' claims because you're incapable of thinking for yourself and yet, because you're not that old yet, you indulge in some idealogy without commitment. Yes yes, rape is bad. Yes yes, we should end poverty. But I'm going to live in my suburb, but I'm going to not believe that story because he'd never do that.
I'm just as annoyed at you, X-Christians, by the way. I go to your blogs, to your websites. You contribute nothing but regurgitated evangelicalism, the same Christianity that almost ruined me.
I can keep going of course. The edgy ones are the worst. The ones with the podcasts. The ones who think they're going to solve Christianity by going forward. The ones who have no degrees in theology, but because they're musicians, because they have money, they have the right to an opinion.
Disgusting, a pox on your house.
But finally, we get to the Boomers. I know, I know, you didn't start the fire, but this is your fault you know. You sold out the conservative movement. You sold out the poor to corporate interests in the name of progress.
But my God, your behaviour towards the Church! Condemning a man as a heretic before he publishes a book, and I think that man is a douche bag too! Defending an errant view of the Trinity in the name of gender roles! Pushing the church growth movement without understanding that the model hurts the inner city! Trying not to be the Religious Right by being Gospel-Centered(TM) but, in the end, binding the consciences of the Leftists and the Libertarians! Peace peace when there is no peace!
How can I respect you when you come into the room? How can I take you seriously if you need to go to your safe space after being criticized? How can I care for you when you pretend to be normal?
But that's me isn't it?
Paul's talking about me, isn't he?
Monday, October 10, 2016
Monday, September 5, 2016
A long, meandering reflection on Christian singing
In my attempt to keep myself educated about, well, everything, I've been reading books on the history of Christian music and worship.
One is Oxford's History of Christian Worship and the other is a volume edited by a Tim Dowley called Christian Music: A Global History. But why the history Christian worship and music?
Because I think I'm right about how things should be done, but I want to see how other people think they're right about how things should be done so I can feel more comfortable thinking and feeling that I'm right.
Basically, I want to win arguments.
Petty, I know.
But something's that struck me as interesting are two remarkable consistent strands in the history of these subjects which are:
1) The Church's historical commitment to a form of liturgical worship.
2) The Church's battle between music that is pretty but un-singable v. music that is ugly but suitable for the vulgar tongue.
The first is unsurprising to me. I've always known that liturgical worship was existent in the Church and that America was wrong. Of course, nobody ever believes me because they want to have their feelings affirmed on a Sunday morning. I do too, but it's the difference between eating chocolate cake and eating your vegetables. I get satisfied knowing I get all my vitamins on a Sunday morning. A lot of Christendom my age in the West get satisfied getting diabetes.
But that's not the meat (no pun intended) of this "article". No, the meat of this article is a quote. From Dowley's volume:
""Palestrina: saviour of church music" is a frequently repeated myth that was even used as the the plt for the opera Palestrina... According to this legend, the Council of Trent was about to ban polyphonic music completely, and only relented after hearing a piece by Palestrisa... The Council of Trent aimed to reform the Catholic church, and as part of this policy a strong impetus built up to reject polyphony and return to the sole use of the chant. In 1562, the council ordered authorities to "banish from church all music that contains, whether in singing or in organ-playing, things that are lascivious or impure" and to reject the trend for complex vocal pieces: the text had henceforth to be clearly intelligible to all."
- Christian Music: A Global History, 77-78.
The book goes on to say that the genius of Palestrina was in having polyphonic music that was singable for the average person (78).
A different time (the Renaissance), a different genre (polyphonic chant), but the same complaints (is it appropriate for worship?).
History doesn't repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme.
This got me to thinking, or at least, to clarifying my objections to much of contemporary Christian music. We play electric guitars that are amplified and thus the voices are unable to be heard. Heck, when I visited the "traditional" service of a Presbyterian church in South Florida, I complained that the choir and organ were too loud. And talking to a missionary to Haiti helped me sharpen the fact that I'm not opposed to all instrumentation per se but rather I am opposed to bad texts and inappropriate settings for said texts.
Now, it just so happens that I think most contemporary Christian music (CCM) is bad and that I cannot be convinced otherwise.
Likewise, I share a commitment to a church singing the Psalter and appropriate hymns. A Psalter-Hymnal can go a long way in doing this.
But again, chocolate cake versus vegetables. Everybody loves cakes. Nobody loves vegetables. Like, at most, but not love.
But here we are, facing the same problems that the Church faced so many years ago.
Do I have a solution? Sure. Stop being electric, be creative with instrumentation to help enhance congregational singing, and stop writing such terrible songs.
Of course that will never happen. Because cake.
With no cake,
-SJG
One is Oxford's History of Christian Worship and the other is a volume edited by a Tim Dowley called Christian Music: A Global History. But why the history Christian worship and music?
Because I think I'm right about how things should be done, but I want to see how other people think they're right about how things should be done so I can feel more comfortable thinking and feeling that I'm right.
Basically, I want to win arguments.
Petty, I know.
But something's that struck me as interesting are two remarkable consistent strands in the history of these subjects which are:
1) The Church's historical commitment to a form of liturgical worship.
2) The Church's battle between music that is pretty but un-singable v. music that is ugly but suitable for the vulgar tongue.
The first is unsurprising to me. I've always known that liturgical worship was existent in the Church and that America was wrong. Of course, nobody ever believes me because they want to have their feelings affirmed on a Sunday morning. I do too, but it's the difference between eating chocolate cake and eating your vegetables. I get satisfied knowing I get all my vitamins on a Sunday morning. A lot of Christendom my age in the West get satisfied getting diabetes.
But that's not the meat (no pun intended) of this "article". No, the meat of this article is a quote. From Dowley's volume:
""Palestrina: saviour of church music" is a frequently repeated myth that was even used as the the plt for the opera Palestrina... According to this legend, the Council of Trent was about to ban polyphonic music completely, and only relented after hearing a piece by Palestrisa... The Council of Trent aimed to reform the Catholic church, and as part of this policy a strong impetus built up to reject polyphony and return to the sole use of the chant. In 1562, the council ordered authorities to "banish from church all music that contains, whether in singing or in organ-playing, things that are lascivious or impure" and to reject the trend for complex vocal pieces: the text had henceforth to be clearly intelligible to all."
- Christian Music: A Global History, 77-78.
The book goes on to say that the genius of Palestrina was in having polyphonic music that was singable for the average person (78).
A different time (the Renaissance), a different genre (polyphonic chant), but the same complaints (is it appropriate for worship?).
History doesn't repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme.
This got me to thinking, or at least, to clarifying my objections to much of contemporary Christian music. We play electric guitars that are amplified and thus the voices are unable to be heard. Heck, when I visited the "traditional" service of a Presbyterian church in South Florida, I complained that the choir and organ were too loud. And talking to a missionary to Haiti helped me sharpen the fact that I'm not opposed to all instrumentation per se but rather I am opposed to bad texts and inappropriate settings for said texts.
Now, it just so happens that I think most contemporary Christian music (CCM) is bad and that I cannot be convinced otherwise.
Likewise, I share a commitment to a church singing the Psalter and appropriate hymns. A Psalter-Hymnal can go a long way in doing this.
But again, chocolate cake versus vegetables. Everybody loves cakes. Nobody loves vegetables. Like, at most, but not love.
But here we are, facing the same problems that the Church faced so many years ago.
Do I have a solution? Sure. Stop being electric, be creative with instrumentation to help enhance congregational singing, and stop writing such terrible songs.
Of course that will never happen. Because cake.
With no cake,
-SJG
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Are Black churches apostate?
"If the church was being the church, Troost wouldn't be at the state it is today"
-An EPC minister at a Bible church, speaking about the "ghetto" in KCMO
"If the church is able to be the church, we can bring transform this city!"
-A PCA Minister
"Our vision is to see the body of Christ in center-city New York triple to 15%—which we believe might amount to a tipping point that does more than change individual lives, but enhances the long-term life of our city for everyone in it."
-Tim Keller, Head of Redeemer City to City, Former Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Gee whiz, I really hope those black ministers are listening. They should try harder so they can transform the city, even though there are a mix of issues as to why such a thing as the ghetto exists.
If you can't tell, the above sentence was sarcastic.
Those that know me well know that I am a rather consistent conservative. Indeed, I've been compared to Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, and it is a comparison I'm rather proud of. I am not one to speak of systemic anything and I am usually the first to speak against my community (Cubans and Latins in general) for fornicating and becoming a "statistic". Now, while those that know me well might disagree with how our peoples can best be lifted up, those that disagree with me would say "Our people need to be lifted up".
Where it gets awkward are when ministers want to play politics.
Specifically, so called "conservative" ministers.
Now, let me paint an image with my words. You are visiting a church in the inner city. It's black, or it can be a minority church. The pastor preaches a mediocre sermon (by your standards) but the people eat it up. The worship isn't quite your style, they're doing Gospel songs. The liturgy is subpar, at best, but darnit the people love it.
Unfortunately the neighbourhood around it shows no change, clearly this church is apostate.
Clearly.
Let's visit St. James' Episcopal Church in generic black part of down that is poor. The minister just said that it is a wonderful thing that God works outside of Christ in order to expand their kingdom. By the way, vote for Hillary/Stein!
Apostate, going to Hell, that priest is a false teacher.
By your standards anyway.
See, let's pretend that churches are able to transform neighbourhoods. Let's also pretend that it's part of the mission of the church to encourage "human flourishing". Will a progressive white person, saddled by theories of privilege and white guilt, go into a poor church and state that these churches are failures because the neighbourhoods haven't changed?
Of course they won't. Their multicultural education won't let them.
So why do they keep stating that churches can change neighbourhoods? And more importantly, why do people say churches should change neighbourhoods?
Now, I can't speak to the black church experience. I'm just using the example of the black church experience because being black will get you more media than being brown. And even than, I'm not brown. But that's a different post.
Now if minister wants to say "Christians should be involved in loving their neighbours and doing the best they can, with wisdom", than sure, I can agree with that!
But if a minister says that the church needs to change the city, I'm just going to assume that they think poor people churches are apostate.
That is the logical conclusion of that thought no?
I'm just some guy though.
Always Confused,
-SJG
-An EPC minister at a Bible church, speaking about the "ghetto" in KCMO
"If the church is able to be the church, we can bring transform this city!"
-A PCA Minister
"Our vision is to see the body of Christ in center-city New York triple to 15%—which we believe might amount to a tipping point that does more than change individual lives, but enhances the long-term life of our city for everyone in it."
-Tim Keller, Head of Redeemer City to City, Former Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Gee whiz, I really hope those black ministers are listening. They should try harder so they can transform the city, even though there are a mix of issues as to why such a thing as the ghetto exists.
If you can't tell, the above sentence was sarcastic.
Those that know me well know that I am a rather consistent conservative. Indeed, I've been compared to Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, and it is a comparison I'm rather proud of. I am not one to speak of systemic anything and I am usually the first to speak against my community (Cubans and Latins in general) for fornicating and becoming a "statistic". Now, while those that know me well might disagree with how our peoples can best be lifted up, those that disagree with me would say "Our people need to be lifted up".
Where it gets awkward are when ministers want to play politics.
Specifically, so called "conservative" ministers.
Now, let me paint an image with my words. You are visiting a church in the inner city. It's black, or it can be a minority church. The pastor preaches a mediocre sermon (by your standards) but the people eat it up. The worship isn't quite your style, they're doing Gospel songs. The liturgy is subpar, at best, but darnit the people love it.
Unfortunately the neighbourhood around it shows no change, clearly this church is apostate.
Clearly.
Let's visit St. James' Episcopal Church in generic black part of down that is poor. The minister just said that it is a wonderful thing that God works outside of Christ in order to expand their kingdom. By the way, vote for Hillary/Stein!
Apostate, going to Hell, that priest is a false teacher.
By your standards anyway.
See, let's pretend that churches are able to transform neighbourhoods. Let's also pretend that it's part of the mission of the church to encourage "human flourishing". Will a progressive white person, saddled by theories of privilege and white guilt, go into a poor church and state that these churches are failures because the neighbourhoods haven't changed?
Of course they won't. Their multicultural education won't let them.
So why do they keep stating that churches can change neighbourhoods? And more importantly, why do people say churches should change neighbourhoods?
Now, I can't speak to the black church experience. I'm just using the example of the black church experience because being black will get you more media than being brown. And even than, I'm not brown. But that's a different post.
Now if minister wants to say "Christians should be involved in loving their neighbours and doing the best they can, with wisdom", than sure, I can agree with that!
But if a minister says that the church needs to change the city, I'm just going to assume that they think poor people churches are apostate.
That is the logical conclusion of that thought no?
I'm just some guy though.
Always Confused,
-SJG
Monday, July 11, 2016
You Don't Want God's Kingdom to Come
And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”
So Joshua and all the fighting men arose to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out by night. And he commanded them, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you remain ready. And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them. And they will come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city. For they will say, ‘They are fleeing from us, just as before.’ So we will flee before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will give it into your hand. And as soon as you have taken the city, you shall set the city on fire. You shall do according to the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.” So Joshua sent them out. And they went to the place of ambush and lay between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai, but Joshua spent that night among the people.
Joshua arose early in the morning and mustered the people and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai. He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. So they stationed the forces, the main encampment that was north of the city and its rear guard west of the city. But Joshua spent that night in the valley. And as soon as the king of Ai saw this, he and all his people, the men of the city, hurried and went out early to the appointed place toward the Arabah to meet Israel in battle. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled in the direction of the wilderness. So all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and as they pursued Joshua they were drawn away from the city. Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel.
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it. And they hurried to set the city on fire. So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. And the others came out from the city against them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side. And Israel struck them down, until there was left none that survived or escaped. But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him near to Joshua.
When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open wilderness where they pursued them, and all of them to the very last had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it down with the edge of the sword. And all who fell that day, both men and women, were 12,000, all the people of Ai. But Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had devoted all the inhabitants of Ai to destruction. Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as their plunder, according to the word of the LORD that he commanded Joshua. So Joshua burned Ai and made it forever a heap of ruins, as it is to this day. And he hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening. And at sunset Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree and threw it at the entrance of the gate of the city and raised over it a great heap of stones, which stands there to this day.
(Joshua 8, English Standard Version)
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (The Revelation 19:11-21, ESV)
I don't think Christians know what they mean when they speak of bringing God's kingdom here.
Now, as far as I gather, according to many of my brothers and sisters in the faith, God's kingdom involves a sort of pro life welfare state where every person has emotional stability and the arts are celebrated, for some reason. Also there is no racism, sexism, ismism, and well, you name a societal ill and you got it removed.
Well that just makes reading the Bible so much more awkward, I would imagine.
Every time I see God's kingdom coming into Earth in a substantial way in the Bible, people seem to die. When Israel marched into Canaan, a lot of people died. When Jesus is spoken of coming back to "set the world to rights", his robe is covered in the blood of his enemies.
I wonder how most of Christendom deals with that.
Then there's the problem of asking every Christian to bring the kingdom on Earth. Again, my autistic (and I mean that as an insult as well) brain goes to work. So every Christian must bring the kingdom? What happens if they don't bring the kingdom, are they excommunicated from the local church? Eh probably not because nobody believes in church membership anyway and in the States we have the blessing/curse of switching church according to our eccentricities.
Whatever.
Let me keep going. So let's say we can discipline Christians that strictly (ha ha ha). So how does bring the kingdom down here look like? Well, good Christians vote for Trump/Hillary/Sanders/Johnson/do not vote/vote for "liberal" policies/vote for "conservative" policies.
Oh boy, so now we're telling people how to vote. That's not even in the Bible.
Whatever.
Wait, you tell me. We're trying to transform the culture, we're not telling people how to vote.
Ah, yes, because when I read the Bible, I see that God supports a multi cultural welfare state/free market anarchist policy that happens to coalesce with your particular vision of things.
Every time God's kingdom comes, people die. When God's kingdom came in a substantial way, Jesus died. When God's kingdom will come, there will be a great judgment.
Why do Christians want to bring this violence upon themselves?
I mean, they don't. But every time I hear a Christian talk about bringing God's kingdom on Earth, I get scared. I get scared because if I disagree with them, would they be willing to kill me or silent me? I speak of "both sides" of the political cultural divide.
And when I hear pastors talk about it, that's when I get most annoyed.
I get annoyed because when I see pastors using that language, they mean starting a church in a rich part of town (not in the hood or a rural part of the States) or they follow whatever the Gospel Coalition(TM) is pushing.
After all, Christians must engage the culture.
Now here's the thing. I do want God's kingdom to come. I'm tired of evil existing and I'm tired of people dying for no good reason. But, at the same time, I don't know how God's kingdom is going to look like other than it's going to be "Life" and all things will be made right. The political program is irrelevant to me, in a sense, other than the fact that Jesus will be made to be seen as Lord.
But if it's going to come through people pushing a certain political or cultural agenda, I don't want that. I don't want to be told how to make political decisions or think about cultural issues with God's name attached to it.
I'm looking at you, Sojourners/TGC.
Of course, I don't this blog post will change anybody's mind. Nor do I think I'm that important of a person to listen to.
But it's either write it down or annoy my poor wife with my thoughts.
Maranatha,
-SJG
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (The Revelation 19:11-21, ESV)
I don't think Christians know what they mean when they speak of bringing God's kingdom here.
Now, as far as I gather, according to many of my brothers and sisters in the faith, God's kingdom involves a sort of pro life welfare state where every person has emotional stability and the arts are celebrated, for some reason. Also there is no racism, sexism, ismism, and well, you name a societal ill and you got it removed.
Well that just makes reading the Bible so much more awkward, I would imagine.
Every time I see God's kingdom coming into Earth in a substantial way in the Bible, people seem to die. When Israel marched into Canaan, a lot of people died. When Jesus is spoken of coming back to "set the world to rights", his robe is covered in the blood of his enemies.
I wonder how most of Christendom deals with that.
Then there's the problem of asking every Christian to bring the kingdom on Earth. Again, my autistic (and I mean that as an insult as well) brain goes to work. So every Christian must bring the kingdom? What happens if they don't bring the kingdom, are they excommunicated from the local church? Eh probably not because nobody believes in church membership anyway and in the States we have the blessing/curse of switching church according to our eccentricities.
Whatever.
Let me keep going. So let's say we can discipline Christians that strictly (ha ha ha). So how does bring the kingdom down here look like? Well, good Christians vote for Trump/Hillary/Sanders/Johnson/do not vote/vote for "liberal" policies/vote for "conservative" policies.
Oh boy, so now we're telling people how to vote. That's not even in the Bible.
Whatever.
Wait, you tell me. We're trying to transform the culture, we're not telling people how to vote.
Ah, yes, because when I read the Bible, I see that God supports a multi cultural welfare state/free market anarchist policy that happens to coalesce with your particular vision of things.
Every time God's kingdom comes, people die. When God's kingdom came in a substantial way, Jesus died. When God's kingdom will come, there will be a great judgment.
Why do Christians want to bring this violence upon themselves?
I mean, they don't. But every time I hear a Christian talk about bringing God's kingdom on Earth, I get scared. I get scared because if I disagree with them, would they be willing to kill me or silent me? I speak of "both sides" of the political cultural divide.
And when I hear pastors talk about it, that's when I get most annoyed.
I get annoyed because when I see pastors using that language, they mean starting a church in a rich part of town (not in the hood or a rural part of the States) or they follow whatever the Gospel Coalition(TM) is pushing.
After all, Christians must engage the culture.
Now here's the thing. I do want God's kingdom to come. I'm tired of evil existing and I'm tired of people dying for no good reason. But, at the same time, I don't know how God's kingdom is going to look like other than it's going to be "Life" and all things will be made right. The political program is irrelevant to me, in a sense, other than the fact that Jesus will be made to be seen as Lord.
But if it's going to come through people pushing a certain political or cultural agenda, I don't want that. I don't want to be told how to make political decisions or think about cultural issues with God's name attached to it.
I'm looking at you, Sojourners/TGC.
Of course, I don't this blog post will change anybody's mind. Nor do I think I'm that important of a person to listen to.
But it's either write it down or annoy my poor wife with my thoughts.
Maranatha,
-SJG
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Me and the Grown Male
I've observed an interesting phenomenon about myself, as you do when you indulge in the vice of naval gazing.
That phenomenon is rather simple. The phenomenon is this. The phenomenon is that when I speak, people listen, especially older men, and that when I speak, I inspire a feeling. This feeling seems to be one of anger, insecurity, or fear.
I honestly don't know what they're so scared of to be honest.
Look at me, I have a mustache. I am easily killed: I don't own a gun and I have terrible motor skills. I take medication for depression and anxiety and I am on the autism spectrum. I think about killing myself twice a month. I am slightly overweight. I have to wear glasses to see lest I don't see. I am poor.
And yet.
And yet.
I have gift/curse. When I speak, people listen. Never mind the fact that it never occurs to me that people take me seriously because of the above, no. I am not a successful male accord to new or old world standards. I have not fornicated with a variety of women, I don't have a brood serving me hand and foot, I don't make a six figure income, and I am too hairy to be understanding of today's virtue signaling.
And yet here I am.
I suppose I should write of some examples.
Here's one. When I spoke to a (Presbyterian!) minister of catechesis to encourage "spiritual" growth, I am mocked for using a big word, a big word that is part of our tradition. Heck, it's part of every major Christian tradition.
Or, when I am asked if I think everybody should agree with me, I answer "Of course". I'd like to think I am honest. Everybody wants them to agree with them. If a person agrees with you, they love and accept you right? Well, no, but this is the life we life.
But more than that, if I think I'm right, wouldn't I want another person to be right too?
Now to be fair, I ended up walking away enraged because I was running on vomit instead of sleep, but still. It would be nice if these older men I talk to had more self awareness.
Not that I have much either, to be honest.
More recently I voiced my disagreement during a meeting. The older man asked me afterwards that I should have not spoken up because my disagreement was too nuanced and that the people there might take me seriously.
God forbid.
I spoke about this to my wife.
I have a deep voice and I speak confidently. She tells me that when I speak, it doesn't sound like an opinion, it sounds like a fact. I told her that when everybody speaks, they think it's a fact even though it's an opinion. She agreed with me, but she also advised me that people don't understand that when I speak, I (hopefully for the most part) invite conflict and refutation, according to the rules of the game, whatever those rules may be.
But other people don't want conflict. They want to be affirmed and told they are right.
So it confuses me when a grown man seeks this from somebody as weak as me. I am a nothing, in the larger scheme of things. I would hope God continually reminds me of this. Even writing this makes me feel I'm humble bragging.
And these grown men? They are always successful. They have kids, they have money, they usually have a loving wife, and they have a job. Why are they threatened by me? What power do I hold?
Of course I'm not innocent in all this. I agree that tone is such that it sounds disrespectful.
Maybe I need to start treating grown men like human beings and like people who are hurting, like I do everybody else.
Maybe grown men need Jesus too.
If that's the case, it is a comedy that grown men, men who I see as pillars of society, are just as weak as I am.
Or maybe I think too highly of myself and I'm just a disrespectful jerk that needs a good smacking.
Who knows.
Pressing the wrong buttons,
-SJG
P.S.
I hope to write something more positive in the future. Even I get tired of tearing down.
That phenomenon is rather simple. The phenomenon is this. The phenomenon is that when I speak, people listen, especially older men, and that when I speak, I inspire a feeling. This feeling seems to be one of anger, insecurity, or fear.
I honestly don't know what they're so scared of to be honest.
Look at me, I have a mustache. I am easily killed: I don't own a gun and I have terrible motor skills. I take medication for depression and anxiety and I am on the autism spectrum. I think about killing myself twice a month. I am slightly overweight. I have to wear glasses to see lest I don't see. I am poor.
And yet.
And yet.
I have gift/curse. When I speak, people listen. Never mind the fact that it never occurs to me that people take me seriously because of the above, no. I am not a successful male accord to new or old world standards. I have not fornicated with a variety of women, I don't have a brood serving me hand and foot, I don't make a six figure income, and I am too hairy to be understanding of today's virtue signaling.
And yet here I am.
I suppose I should write of some examples.
Here's one. When I spoke to a (Presbyterian!) minister of catechesis to encourage "spiritual" growth, I am mocked for using a big word, a big word that is part of our tradition. Heck, it's part of every major Christian tradition.
Or, when I am asked if I think everybody should agree with me, I answer "Of course". I'd like to think I am honest. Everybody wants them to agree with them. If a person agrees with you, they love and accept you right? Well, no, but this is the life we life.
But more than that, if I think I'm right, wouldn't I want another person to be right too?
Now to be fair, I ended up walking away enraged because I was running on vomit instead of sleep, but still. It would be nice if these older men I talk to had more self awareness.
Not that I have much either, to be honest.
More recently I voiced my disagreement during a meeting. The older man asked me afterwards that I should have not spoken up because my disagreement was too nuanced and that the people there might take me seriously.
God forbid.
I spoke about this to my wife.
I have a deep voice and I speak confidently. She tells me that when I speak, it doesn't sound like an opinion, it sounds like a fact. I told her that when everybody speaks, they think it's a fact even though it's an opinion. She agreed with me, but she also advised me that people don't understand that when I speak, I (hopefully for the most part) invite conflict and refutation, according to the rules of the game, whatever those rules may be.
But other people don't want conflict. They want to be affirmed and told they are right.
So it confuses me when a grown man seeks this from somebody as weak as me. I am a nothing, in the larger scheme of things. I would hope God continually reminds me of this. Even writing this makes me feel I'm humble bragging.
And these grown men? They are always successful. They have kids, they have money, they usually have a loving wife, and they have a job. Why are they threatened by me? What power do I hold?
Of course I'm not innocent in all this. I agree that tone is such that it sounds disrespectful.
Maybe I need to start treating grown men like human beings and like people who are hurting, like I do everybody else.
Maybe grown men need Jesus too.
If that's the case, it is a comedy that grown men, men who I see as pillars of society, are just as weak as I am.
Or maybe I think too highly of myself and I'm just a disrespectful jerk that needs a good smacking.
Who knows.
Pressing the wrong buttons,
-SJG
P.S.
I hope to write something more positive in the future. Even I get tired of tearing down.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
I saw God at a rock concert
You know, if this were a Relevant magazine article, I'd say that God is at work through all things. If this were Christianity Today, I'd say grace perfects nature.
Alas.
I enjoy listening to rock. Though, enjoy is not a word strong enough to convey the dedication I have for the genre. If one were to look for my Spotify, one would notice a large number of music that requires a guitar. There is something (something) in me that smiles when I hear Bill Joel "It's all rock n' roll to me" or Dire Straits' soft guitar leads on "Sultan of Swing".
How happy I was when I heard one of my favorite bands was coming to town.
Mogwai is one of my favorite instrumental bands. Their songs names are rather silly (I'm Jim Morrison and I'm Dead, Autorock, Glasgow Mega-Snake) but they have a way of making the heavy sound beautiful.
Therefore.
My wife and I went to see them live in concert. I saved money and we went into the middle of Downtown Miami. They had just released their latest album at the time and I was a big fan of it.
I walked in and felt self conscious, as always. People were smoking cigarettes and the guys had pants on that would leave me with no oxygen. Still, I didn't come to make friends. I came to say a rock band that I liked.
Then they got on the stage.
I was so happy. It was probably one of the happiest times in my life that didn't require alcohol. They had a smoke machine and lasers, it was was all rather cheesy. Yet they played songs that I knew. They played the riffs that I had memorized long ago. When they went into the first drop of Fear Satan I screamed my lungs into oblivion.
And I saw God.
At least that's what my body told me.
Fast forward a few years later and I'm married. I am looking for a new church and I encounter Christians of different stripes. They are not different because there are all sorts of Christians in Kansas City, they are different because they disagree with me. More than that, they're different because they're not from Miami. At least in Miami, I had the pretense of a common cultural experience. I don't have that luxury in the Midwest.
Now.
Something I've noticed is that Christians seek God. A no brainer, one would say. But track with me. Christians seek God the same way a wine taster seeks new wine, a coffee drinker seeks a better ground, a man seeks a prettier woman to validate his existence.
I suppose what I am trying to say, is, that, Christians, do not like mediocrity. If I had to compare it to something else, Christians are trying to have better sex with God.
Yes yes, I know, #NotAllChristians, but it's about me right now.
But yes I suppose it's not Christians, it's humans. They're always trying to find something new to keep them going. Something new to spark the mind. Something new to say that "they were there". Boredom is verboten.
Why talk about sex? Well, why not? The Bible uses the marriage analogy to describe how God relates to His people. I might as well talk about sex. Specifically, orgasms. People seek better orgasms. They get close to the edge, back off, and arrive at destination.
Christians want better orgasms. They do this by committing themselves to a pastor's vision, to proclaiming that they are bringing God's kingdom, by praying for revival, by wanting to love on more and more people, by praying harder, by reading their Bible more, by getting involved in politics, by attaching themselves to the latest trend (we are not long purpose driven, but missional), I mean, I can go on.
But the problem is, I experienced this better orgasm at a rock concert.
Most humans experience better orgasms at a rock concert.
And really when a Christian tries to experience a better orgasm within a "spiritual" sphere, they fail. They fail because gravity will always win. Those Christians that don't fail, succeed, but they become insufferable to be around. They hate being around me because I am such a downer, and I hate them because I wish they'd see my humanity and tell me my pain is real.
It doesn't stop Christians, of course.
I don't know how many Christians I've met trying to get closer to God when they don't realize that God has communed with us in His Son. They find bread, wine, water, and sound boring though they are what give life. What feeds us, feeds us. But I suppose a revival is more exciting than an old man wearing a suit.
But as for me and my house? I see God every Sunday when His words are spoken by broken men. I see God when I commune with Him through the bread and the wine. I see God when I am reminded of the water that washes my dirt away as the blood washes my sin away.
My body might not feel like it's taken to the third heaven every Sunday, but at least I know my God is with me.
Marantha,
-SJG
Alas.
I enjoy listening to rock. Though, enjoy is not a word strong enough to convey the dedication I have for the genre. If one were to look for my Spotify, one would notice a large number of music that requires a guitar. There is something (something) in me that smiles when I hear Bill Joel "It's all rock n' roll to me" or Dire Straits' soft guitar leads on "Sultan of Swing".
How happy I was when I heard one of my favorite bands was coming to town.
Mogwai is one of my favorite instrumental bands. Their songs names are rather silly (I'm Jim Morrison and I'm Dead, Autorock, Glasgow Mega-Snake) but they have a way of making the heavy sound beautiful.
Therefore.
My wife and I went to see them live in concert. I saved money and we went into the middle of Downtown Miami. They had just released their latest album at the time and I was a big fan of it.
I walked in and felt self conscious, as always. People were smoking cigarettes and the guys had pants on that would leave me with no oxygen. Still, I didn't come to make friends. I came to say a rock band that I liked.
Then they got on the stage.
I was so happy. It was probably one of the happiest times in my life that didn't require alcohol. They had a smoke machine and lasers, it was was all rather cheesy. Yet they played songs that I knew. They played the riffs that I had memorized long ago. When they went into the first drop of Fear Satan I screamed my lungs into oblivion.
And I saw God.
At least that's what my body told me.
Fast forward a few years later and I'm married. I am looking for a new church and I encounter Christians of different stripes. They are not different because there are all sorts of Christians in Kansas City, they are different because they disagree with me. More than that, they're different because they're not from Miami. At least in Miami, I had the pretense of a common cultural experience. I don't have that luxury in the Midwest.
Now.
Something I've noticed is that Christians seek God. A no brainer, one would say. But track with me. Christians seek God the same way a wine taster seeks new wine, a coffee drinker seeks a better ground, a man seeks a prettier woman to validate his existence.
I suppose what I am trying to say, is, that, Christians, do not like mediocrity. If I had to compare it to something else, Christians are trying to have better sex with God.
Yes yes, I know, #NotAllChristians, but it's about me right now.
But yes I suppose it's not Christians, it's humans. They're always trying to find something new to keep them going. Something new to spark the mind. Something new to say that "they were there". Boredom is verboten.
Why talk about sex? Well, why not? The Bible uses the marriage analogy to describe how God relates to His people. I might as well talk about sex. Specifically, orgasms. People seek better orgasms. They get close to the edge, back off, and arrive at destination.
Christians want better orgasms. They do this by committing themselves to a pastor's vision, to proclaiming that they are bringing God's kingdom, by praying for revival, by wanting to love on more and more people, by praying harder, by reading their Bible more, by getting involved in politics, by attaching themselves to the latest trend (we are not long purpose driven, but missional), I mean, I can go on.
But the problem is, I experienced this better orgasm at a rock concert.
Most humans experience better orgasms at a rock concert.
And really when a Christian tries to experience a better orgasm within a "spiritual" sphere, they fail. They fail because gravity will always win. Those Christians that don't fail, succeed, but they become insufferable to be around. They hate being around me because I am such a downer, and I hate them because I wish they'd see my humanity and tell me my pain is real.
It doesn't stop Christians, of course.
I don't know how many Christians I've met trying to get closer to God when they don't realize that God has communed with us in His Son. They find bread, wine, water, and sound boring though they are what give life. What feeds us, feeds us. But I suppose a revival is more exciting than an old man wearing a suit.
But as for me and my house? I see God every Sunday when His words are spoken by broken men. I see God when I commune with Him through the bread and the wine. I see God when I am reminded of the water that washes my dirt away as the blood washes my sin away.
My body might not feel like it's taken to the third heaven every Sunday, but at least I know my God is with me.
Marantha,
-SJG
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
How to have a successful church in Miami FL
1) Be an attractive pastor. Nobody wants to watch an ugly pastor preach. Even if you're elderly, wear Ed Hardy or at least something that can travel well. Ed Young is very good at this. He is a very old man but he dresses well.
2) Have a vision. It can be a vision from God, it can be a vision you can prooftext using the Bible, but you need a vision. Some visions can include transforming the city, healing people, telling people about Jesus, finding people's God potential, connecting people to God, others, ministry, and the World. It doesn't need to mean anything, really. You just need a catchy slogan for the common people. People find Word and Sacrament ministry boring, and we don't want to be boring.
3) Have an elaborate worship style. Now, some people will tell you to get a praise band, but that's not true. What you need to do is learn about the musical tastes of the demographic you wish to reach. Some people want rock bands, others want choirs with orchestras. You need talented people to replicate the sounds of the demographic and era you're in. Now, being in Miami FL, nobody wants choirs. That reminds them of dead religion. You want a rock band with no ugly people. Remember, to be ugly is to not be in Christ.
4) Be open to moves of the Spirit. I mean, look, as we know, having a successful Christian church implies disobeying the words of Scripture and the traditions of those who have come before us. All you have to do is tell people that the Holy Spirit told you to do something and people will submit. Nobody wants to sin against the Holy Spirit, after all.
5) Be a-political. Look, the culture war is dead. Now, I know you want to bring healing to the city, but the great part about not having any depth to what your church does is that you don't have to talk about legislation.
6) Be political. Those Leftists/Nazis are ruining this great country and you need to use your platform as a minister of God's word to get them to vote for Trump/Clinton/Sanders/Johnson.
7) Use words that are popular in academia. Angst, existential, post modern. These needs to be in your repertoire. I mean, I don't think anybody in philosophy departments take the post modern movement seriously anymore, but your congregation is too ignorant to know that.
8) Don't use big words. Look. Your congregation is dumb. That's why they're called sheep. Keep it simple and don't talk about justification by grace through faith. That'll get you crucified upside down.
9) Say that you're for social justice. Look, it's really cool to be an economist right now. Or at least pretending you care about social causes. Affirming the Belhar Confession can go a long way.
10) Only meet with rich people. Look, poor, mentally ill people have nothing to offer the Church. Look at Paul. He went from city to city and only met with the rich. That's how he got his church plant in Ephesus started. They're still going today!
11) Doctrine is not important when it comes to staffing decisions. Look, whether you call it being Gospel centered or following Jesus, nobody cares if your executive pastor is a semi Pelagian or if you hire a guy who thinks Left Behind is a great exposition of how the world will end. The point is, you're looking for talent, not thinkers.
12) Pretend to admire Latino culture. Look, you're in Miami FL. You have to be for diversity. I know that Latino culture has its problems (abusive men, sexual promiscuity, boys with mother issues), but you need their money! Besides, if it's for Jesus it's fine.
13) Pray for revival. Look, I know, that the revival two revivals ago was started by a heretic and the revivals afterwards have led to churches with pastors that they've caught a vision from God. But don't let that stop you. Sometimes God repents. It's in Genesis!
14) Celebrate every civil holiday as often as possible. If you're not celebrating Mother's Day at church you're gonna get fired. Especially in Miami.
15) Don't be evangelistic, be missional. In fact if you can find a cooler word than what's available in the Bible, that's the word to use. Communitas, living together, missional, being for the city. Loving your neighbour, nope. Nuh uh, no way. Nein.
15) Don't be evangelistic, be missional. In fact if you can find a cooler word than what's available in the Bible, that's the word to use. Communitas, living together, missional, being for the city. Loving your neighbour, nope. Nuh uh, no way. Nein.
...
I'm so sorry.
-SJG
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