As you know (how presumptuous!), my wife is doing a residency with a faith element. Today they discussed faith. Well, they always do that, but something stuck out.
There is a general discontent with the Christianity they grew up with. Some express feeling ahng-st about not sharing the Faith enough. Others wonder why Christians have always done the altar call (hint: they haven't). One person was especially upset that non-Christians are seen as "the Other".
This leaves me in a strange place.
On the one hand, I didn't grow up in church per se. I grew up a nominal Catholic, which I consider a blessing in disguise. I wasn't exposed to American religion when I was young and I had the pleasure of listening to all the "pagan" music a dial up connection could afford a young person. My soundtrack was Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, Cream, and Muse. My friends listened to Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and early Kanye West. Also R. Kelly.
On the other hand, I am what sociologists would consider a conservative Christian. I don't have much hope for any authority (read: government) figure fixing anything, I affirm the Nicene Creed, I have "traditional" sexual values, and I'd like to be a Presbyterian minister one day. What are Presbyterians famous for? Not for outward displays of emotions, but we burned a guy in Geneva once. We're Scottish, but whatever.
As a result, I have no problem hanging out with "pagans", because I grew up one. Yet I was surrounded by enough sacred imagery to know what Christianity might have been in the past. And when I did encounter American religion's claim on me, I did what any historian does: ad fontes. And what do you know, the Church in the States are Protestants without a Reformation, to steal a quote. Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you're "that guy" in a ministry setting. I suppose I have nobody to blame but myself, but I can't stand people being wrong.
At the same time, I'm still a Christian. I will have bad motivations imputed to me. I will be seen as an anti-freedom, poor hating, racist bigot. Maybe even sexist. Mind you, I don't think I'm any of those things, nor am I mad about this. It's part of the story of the Church in the States. It's my fault for saying "I want this to be my story".
It's even more awkward when you empathize more with dead Europeans than folk your age and ethnicity.
Mind you, I think there is a solution for the ahng-sty evangelical. Give up your faith and join a tradition that takes the Bible and history seriously, warts and all. But that's for another time.
Judging American coffee,
-SJG
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Sergio and the Confusing Techni-theo Earthchurch
Dolly Parton not included.
My wife and I are on the hunt for a church. We haven't found one yet, though we'd like to. We've visited three so far, and for all the problems that the one back home had (like all churches), it does leave a hankering for home.
We visited three.
I guess I should tell you.
The first was a Dutch Reformed church. So Dutch that the minister had a Dutch name. We sang Psalms. The sermon was on Exodus. Typological. Decent. My wife died on the inside looking at the sad architecture but we could adjust.
There was a problem of course, well, two. Number one it's far, though I suppose that's not excuse. Number two, there was a severe lack of understanding of the concept of "non-Christian" in the congregation.
That's not to say the congregants weren't nice. They were. But rather, some could not believe how "pagan" the center of the city was, nor could some folk have any compassion on a person who voted for Obama. And I'm an anarchist.
I just. I just wouldn't feel safe inviting somebody who is not a Christian there.
Eh.
The second was an independent fundamentalist Baptist church. Some people do drugs when they visit a new city, me? I go to churches that I would never join but hey the girl we met at the coffee shop was nice enough.
We sat in on a class about Bible interpretation. It was mostly right. The problem was, the people were so focused on seeing what the Bible tells them to do that they forget all the stuff that God did. You know, part the Red Sea, lead Joshua into the promised Land, die on the cross- woops.
Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've taught the difference between Law and Gospel, but I mean, who does that right? Law and Grace? What is this, the Reformation? What is my life?
No typology.
The third was an Anglican church. ACNA. Evangelical, catholic, and charismatic. I don't know how those three hold together but the Presbyterian church we wanted to visit (okay I wanted to visit) was thirty minutes away and the road was covered in snow. Better to drive five minutes in the snow and receive the Lord's Supper than die.
And hey, the homily wasn't half bad. Sure they played Oceans for seven minutes (ugh) but I could look past that. It was the wedding at Cana and the priest talked about the eschatological wedding feast and all sorts of Johannine themes. Plus, the liturgy was in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer, which I can live with.
Typology.
I guess I should include that we felt like we could invite normal folk over.
But what is it with Presbyterian churches being in the suburbs? And why are hipsters attracted to Baptistic fundamntalism? Seriously I saw so many girls with bowl cuts and bangs and they could be out there having bowl cuts and bangs. Plus the guys' mustaches were so well trimmed. Ayyy.
We are making friends, though. Or at the very least I'm not always cooped up in bed. But if there's one thing I've noticed in all of this, it's the fact that there seems to be a church for every niche.
Though for the love of God I wish people would stop recommending me to the Acts29 church near my house. Just because I'm a Calvinist doesn't mean I like Acts29. Gawsh. Rude.
Plaid on the mind,
-SJG
My wife and I are on the hunt for a church. We haven't found one yet, though we'd like to. We've visited three so far, and for all the problems that the one back home had (like all churches), it does leave a hankering for home.
We visited three.
I guess I should tell you.
The first was a Dutch Reformed church. So Dutch that the minister had a Dutch name. We sang Psalms. The sermon was on Exodus. Typological. Decent. My wife died on the inside looking at the sad architecture but we could adjust.
There was a problem of course, well, two. Number one it's far, though I suppose that's not excuse. Number two, there was a severe lack of understanding of the concept of "non-Christian" in the congregation.
That's not to say the congregants weren't nice. They were. But rather, some could not believe how "pagan" the center of the city was, nor could some folk have any compassion on a person who voted for Obama. And I'm an anarchist.
I just. I just wouldn't feel safe inviting somebody who is not a Christian there.
Eh.
The second was an independent fundamentalist Baptist church. Some people do drugs when they visit a new city, me? I go to churches that I would never join but hey the girl we met at the coffee shop was nice enough.
We sat in on a class about Bible interpretation. It was mostly right. The problem was, the people were so focused on seeing what the Bible tells them to do that they forget all the stuff that God did. You know, part the Red Sea, lead Joshua into the promised Land, die on the cross- woops.
Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've taught the difference between Law and Gospel, but I mean, who does that right? Law and Grace? What is this, the Reformation? What is my life?
No typology.
The third was an Anglican church. ACNA. Evangelical, catholic, and charismatic. I don't know how those three hold together but the Presbyterian church we wanted to visit (okay I wanted to visit) was thirty minutes away and the road was covered in snow. Better to drive five minutes in the snow and receive the Lord's Supper than die.
And hey, the homily wasn't half bad. Sure they played Oceans for seven minutes (ugh) but I could look past that. It was the wedding at Cana and the priest talked about the eschatological wedding feast and all sorts of Johannine themes. Plus, the liturgy was in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer, which I can live with.
Typology.
I guess I should include that we felt like we could invite normal folk over.
But what is it with Presbyterian churches being in the suburbs? And why are hipsters attracted to Baptistic fundamntalism? Seriously I saw so many girls with bowl cuts and bangs and they could be out there having bowl cuts and bangs. Plus the guys' mustaches were so well trimmed. Ayyy.
We are making friends, though. Or at the very least I'm not always cooped up in bed. But if there's one thing I've noticed in all of this, it's the fact that there seems to be a church for every niche.
Though for the love of God I wish people would stop recommending me to the Acts29 church near my house. Just because I'm a Calvinist doesn't mean I like Acts29. Gawsh. Rude.
Plaid on the mind,
-SJG
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Stupid Observations on a Road Trip
Below is a list of observations and thoughts I made and had while driving and riding to Kansas City MO:
-The South reminds me of Miami in as much as family is valued and there is a warmness to the culture, minus the Miami aversion to strangers.
-The South, like much of Latin America, has a complex history with good and bad. I guess I'm too far removed from the issues to have a passionate opinion either way.
-Cracker Barrel has excellent customer service.
-Mountains are great.
-I've yet to experience culture shock. The part of Kansas City MO we're at is hipster-ridden and things are familiar to me. There are coffee shops and vegan restaurants. We have those in Miami. Men have beards. I have a beard. The "hicks" were very kind to me. Perhaps the Americans have exported more culture than they think they have. Whatever man, I like Starbucks.
-Eeeevangelicalism is just as annoying on the Left just like on the Right. Nothing kills the vibe like a theology of glory.
-My wife is wonderful.
-Bickering is to be expected.
-Too many churches in the South.
-Many churches in the South are Baptist. Where are the Reformed churches in small towns? Perhaps we need to get the missionary impulse and minister in the small towns.
-Cuban coffee is superior to all coffee.
-I miss rice and beans.
-Being Presbyterian is almost like being Amish, in the sense that nobody knows what that means other than "Muh Calvin!"
-The doctrine of Two-Kingdoms is good at reconciling issues of faith and vocation.
-Most people don't know what the doctrine of Two-Kingdoms is.
-Those that do (usually) critique it for being quietist. I like it because I don't want to be a legalist about Christian worldview.
-I hate putting my opinions on the Internet because there is no way to provide nuance outside of providing a book.
-People don't like to read books.
-People don't like to read books by theologians.
-People don't like to read books by Reformed theologians.
-People that claim to reject historic Protestantism usually aren't rejecting historic Protestantism, but usually, eeeevangelicalism.
-I'm horribly insecure.
-Winter's fun because I look good in winter clothes.
That's it.
I'm sorry,
-SJG
-The South reminds me of Miami in as much as family is valued and there is a warmness to the culture, minus the Miami aversion to strangers.
-The South, like much of Latin America, has a complex history with good and bad. I guess I'm too far removed from the issues to have a passionate opinion either way.
-Cracker Barrel has excellent customer service.
-Mountains are great.
-I've yet to experience culture shock. The part of Kansas City MO we're at is hipster-ridden and things are familiar to me. There are coffee shops and vegan restaurants. We have those in Miami. Men have beards. I have a beard. The "hicks" were very kind to me. Perhaps the Americans have exported more culture than they think they have. Whatever man, I like Starbucks.
-Eeeevangelicalism is just as annoying on the Left just like on the Right. Nothing kills the vibe like a theology of glory.
-My wife is wonderful.
-Bickering is to be expected.
-Too many churches in the South.
-Many churches in the South are Baptist. Where are the Reformed churches in small towns? Perhaps we need to get the missionary impulse and minister in the small towns.
-Cuban coffee is superior to all coffee.
-I miss rice and beans.
-Being Presbyterian is almost like being Amish, in the sense that nobody knows what that means other than "Muh Calvin!"
-The doctrine of Two-Kingdoms is good at reconciling issues of faith and vocation.
-Most people don't know what the doctrine of Two-Kingdoms is.
-Those that do (usually) critique it for being quietist. I like it because I don't want to be a legalist about Christian worldview.
-I hate putting my opinions on the Internet because there is no way to provide nuance outside of providing a book.
-People don't like to read books.
-People don't like to read books by theologians.
-People don't like to read books by Reformed theologians.
-People that claim to reject historic Protestantism usually aren't rejecting historic Protestantism, but usually, eeeevangelicalism.
-I'm horribly insecure.
-Winter's fun because I look good in winter clothes.
That's it.
I'm sorry,
-SJG
Saturday, January 2, 2016
What is this (a) Blog?
Who I am isn't important, if you're here, it's due to Divine Providence.
And if anything, I can tell you more about myself later.
What's more important is that you know what this foolishness is.
This foolishness is a blog. But what is a blog? A blog is a place where un-refined vomit is thrown onto a page, and that's being generous. At least it can be refined. Most likely, however, this is a place where my musings on existence will be posted for my friends (and you, mostly anonymous reader) to read.
In other words, mediocrity.
If you are expecting a paradigm shift, I bid you to the Great Tradition.
If you are expecting tips for living, you can watch reality television and do the opposite.
If you are expecting a solution to social ills, why aren't you giving my wife money to paint?
Saying/writing that, welcome to my obscure corner of the Internet. Ignore the mess.
From me to you,
-SJG
From me to you,
-SJG
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