We read a lot in our house. Sometimes we read fat biographies (Hannah is reading Bonhoffer by Metataxas) but also tounge-in cheek blog posts (like whatever Matt Walsh has to say about the trending social media topic.) I habitually read multiple books at once. Here is the overview of themes in our combined summer reading:
Christianity will never be cool. Jesus promised that His disciples would be hated by the world (John 15:20, 16:2). This is not an ideal of antiquity. Martyrs throughout Christendom stand witness to the truth that Christianity is counter to prevailing culture. Look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer's legacy. Still relevant today? Read Next Christians by Gabe Lyons, or if you have less time, read this blog post.
A Christianity that conforms doesn't fit with previous summer reading list picks (Radical by Platt, Fast Living:58 by Todd, Bruchko by Olson.) More importantly, "cool" Christianity doesn't fit with the directives Paul records in Romans:
"Do not conform any longer to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."-Romans 12:2 NIV
Those of us who grew up with flannel-grams, WWJD bracelets, and WOW! That's what I call music are more than a little excited to finally be considered "cool". The hipster trend is timely, especially for us in communities with a missional flavor. I intentionally say "us" because my church is full of hipsters... and I am wearing a hand-me-down sweater that is suddenly fashionable again.
Christianity, though, is more than wearing a summer camp t-shirt. Instead, Christians are to wear virtues that identify us as belonging to the Savior. Holy means to be set-apart, to be saved for a special purpose.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."-Colossians 2:12-14
Facts change. Truth doesn't. It's only on the reading list still because I didn't finish it over Spring Break, but Samuel Arbresman details the Half-Life of Facts. What we know about the world through science...changes. Adam lent me a book about black holes that is flat-out crazy (Black Hole War by Susskind.) Our understanding of truth can change, with a sudden new event (Flatland by Abbott) or because of measurable differences within our personality (Quiet by Cain). This does not mean that truth changes!!! Just because I cannot understand an infinite God does not mean that He must have limits. It only means that I have limits.
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."--Job 42:2-3 NIV
Sin is the bigger problem in the world. I don't care about Hobby Lobby or 50 Shades of Gray or the Bachelorette, although my facebook newsfeed insists I should. Yesterday's post referenced a number of news stories about recent global tragedies. News stories are full of bad people doing bad things, around the world. Plane crashes, gas field attacks, plagues and famines. Life is fragile, broken by sin. As long as people are alive to hear about Jesus, what else would we need to talk about?
After a year and a half, I'm finally in the home stretch of Les Miserables by Hugo. It's the good part, too. Action. Integrity. Redemption. Following through on plans for battle. Life is a constant war against death.
The latest read in our house is a little dry (Senator Ryan's budget report) but meaningful in the quest of loving our neighbors. Our literal neighbors lend tools that we don't have, and in return we bring flowers and produce. Maybe that's how poverty ends? Supernatural love transforming communities.
I have nothing left to say tonight. It seems fitting to end this point and post with Gospel:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."--Romans 6:23
Saturday, July 26, 2014
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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