Arguably Pertinent, Though Perhaps Random, Thoughts

• Poll finds Americans most patriotic. If I was more patriotic, I might say that this is because the United States is the greatest nation on earth. But I won’t. Am I proud of my American heritage? Sure. But my ultimate loyalties lie elsewhere. And I’m concerned that many American Evangelical Christians flirt with nationalistic idolatry in their patriotism.



• Eight teams left in the World Cup tournament. I predict England through to the final and Brazil to be defeated by France.



• Built to Spill are here in the Springs on July 9th. After feeling let down that Pearl Jam were going to be in Denver after we left for Ireland, and then feeling excited that they’ll be in Denver before we leave, and then feeling completely anguished at the $100+ ticket price . . . I’m ready to see a great show for 13 bucks. I’ve always heard that Built to Spill are incredible in concert, but I also think that their latest album isn’t quite as conducive to a live show like Keep it Like a Secret was. We’ll see.



• Africa: While the world watches Sudan with fragile hope for the future, another British reporter gets in with Ugandan rebel and war criminal, Joseph Kony. The Lord’s Resistance Army has allegedly murdered 10,000 innocent people, abducted around 25,000 children to turn them into gun-slinging killers, and has driven approximately 2 million Ugandan villagers into refugee camps. The situation has been documented brilliantly by three college students in order to raise awareness of the situation in Uganda. Head over to the Invisible Children web site to learn more. (In particular, check out the video report on the Global Night Commute. Amazing.)



• It’s not “Ireland.” It’s “Éire.” It may be a little difficult for the rest of the world to get used to that one.

Technorati Tags: American culture, World Cup, Built to Spill, Uganda, Africa, Ireland

Fun with Diet Coke

Too much fun. Keep an eye out for them on Letterman.

HT: Fernando

Thoughts on Contextualizing the Gospel

Kristy and I hosted her sister and brother-in-law over the weekend while they searched for a home. And, by the way, they’ve begun the process of purchasing in beautiful Monument, just north of the Springs. It was a lot of fun to be able to hang out with them during their search and give our feedback and support.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across this Pentecost meditation by Doug Pagitt and was very blessed by it. He summed up the invitation in Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 this way: “Invert your life to the way of God. Tell this story to yourself and others. Be part of the life of God under the influence of the Spirit.”

Also encouraged by Jonny’s thoughts on engaging false spiritual ideologies and contextualizing God’s truth, rather than merely writing them off and condemning them as pagan practices. This is the kind of missional mentality that the church needs to adopt more.

Click here for another example of this in Northern Ireland, where believers are trying to respond to the gay community in a compassionate way and opposing Christian protest marches. There may be some syncretism going on here, but I think the fundamentalist Christian group protesting the gay parade need to think seriously about the Christ-likeness of their approach (or lack thereof).

Are there any groups/churches in Northern Ireland who recognize homosexuality as a sin but do not target homosexual people differently than anyone else guilty of sin?? Why don’t we have any coalitions being formed to protest heterosexuals sleeping together outside of marriage?

U.S. Football Team Go Home

The U.S. are out of the 2006 World Cup after a decent effort against Ghana, especially in comparison to their first loss against the Czech Republic. A big mistake by the U.S. captain led to an easy first goal for Ghana and a bad call by the ref gave Ghana their second on a penalty kick. Hmmm . . . . combination of mistakes and bad calls by the officials. Sounds like a recent Super Bowl.

The one goal that the American side did score was beautiful, especially on the assist from Beasley. After that, the U.S. passed up a few great opportunities to score. McBride was the closest with a header that ricocheted off the post and Landon Donovan botched an opportunity on an ideal free kick position.

It’s been fun to watch the U.S. team and learn some names. I knew a lot more about European teams coming into this tournament. Maybe in South Africa, U.S. football will have figured out how to get a little farther on the world stage.

Now I’m looking forward to a rematch between England and Portugal, in light of the last Euro Cup. But first, the next round on Sunday: England have to get past Ecuador and Portugal must beat the Netherlands. I think England have a better chance against Portugal than they do against the Netherlands. (bracket)

Technorati Tags: football, soccer, World Cup, U.S, England

Oh, the Fund Raising Drama

Yesterday, Kristy and I set off early to check out the Denver botanical gardens. It was a free day (usually $8.50 per person!!) and I felt like it was an opportunity to make a big sacrifice to show Kristy just how much I loved her. It wasn’t too painful, despite the extra droves of day camp kids (who would do such a thing to kids?), and I even kinda enjoyed the big tropical greenhouse bit that had some pretty cool jungle plants. We both agreed that shelling out $17 to see it all would’ve bordered on financial negligence, punishable by written apology to every one of our financial partners.

Speaking of finances. When we arrived back at the house early in the afternoon, we discovered that GEM had increased our support need by a few hundred dollars. And this just moments after we had concluded that we were only in need of about $40 a month to be at 90% – the magic “airplane ticket buying number.” As it stands now, on Tuesday afternoon, we are in need of $200/mo. to get back to the magic departure number.

The reason for the increase is the weakening not-so-almighty dollar. I don’t understand how the dollar could be decreasing in value against the Euro when reports on the American economy are so positive, but then again, I never have been completely able to wrap my head around issues of global economics.

So after shedding a few tears and praying together – or rather, looking up to heaven with shrugs and utterly flabbergasted looks on our faces as if God Himself had adjusted our entire nation’s currency value for the sake of teaching two of us a little lesson in patience and faith – we’re shaking it off and moving forward, trusting God to provide, as has been case all along.

So if you’re a friend, family member, financial partner, prayer warrior, or all of the above, please continue praying that we would be able to discover the monthly funds that we need to get to Ireland around the first weekend in August. As you can imagine, it’s turning out to be quite an emotional roller coaster ride as we strive to get through this final stretch of fund raising. Intercession pointed in that direction would also be much appreciated.

U.S. Football Team Still in It

The U.S. looked much better against Italy today. Granted, their only point was an Italy own goal, but aside from that they played like they wanted it. They were tired at the end, with only nine men on the pitch. Bad officiating? Maybe. But just like as in any sport, you have to be able to play well enough that a bad call or two won't hurt you.

Now the U.S. have to get a win against Ghana on Thursday to have any hope of getting through. If they do, and Italy beats the Czech Republic, they're automatically through to the Round of Sixteen.

England will automatically go through to the Round of Sixteen but they need a win or a draw against Sweden on Tuesday to stay on top of Group B. My hunch says they'll win the group and play Ecuador in the next round, though Ecuador have been strong. If Ecuador beat Germany and win the group, England would have to play Germany.

All that to say, plenty more excitement to come in Germany this week!!

Technorati Tags: football, soccer, World Cup, U.S, England

Documentary on the Current State of the Music Industry

Before The Music Dies Trailer

Read about this documentary in the latest issue of Paste magazine. Looks to be a special treat. And hopefully and eye-opening one as well. (Click here for more.)

Technorati Tags: music, recording industry, documentary

God is Bigger Than My American, Evangelical, PROTESTant, Reformed, Dogmatic Constructs

Some great stuff over at Mark Berry’s blog regarding the Blah event in Manchester. Mark was particularly spurred on by Pete Rollins, whom I was able to see in London just over a year ago. What I appreciate most about Rollins is his ability to articulate how much bigger God is than our theology or our attempts to describe him and conceive of him. As Mark and the discussion in his comments section points out, the constructs that we use to describe and explain who God is fall short. From what I can tell, Rollins points out that, rather than starting with the presupposition that we can get a complete and accurate understanding of God by observing His revelation of Himself in scripture, we must start with the fact that our human constructs will, by nature of God’s transcendence, be incomplete.

While this does not give us reason to abandon our attempts to know God and to understand Him better, it does shake our confidence in our theological constructs. I think it also allows mystery and a more appropriate sense of awe to enter back into the picture, where once our Enlightenment confidence (and, dare I say, pride?) in human reason seemed to mitigate the mystery and replace it with a smug satisfaction that we had God all figured out. Along with the recovery of that sense of mystery and awe, I think it more effectively gives way to the transformational power of theological truth because it isn't as likely to be domesticated and tamed by our human constructs.

Of course, there are a myriad of questions and implications that this raises within modern day evangelicalism, especially the more fundamental versions. It certainly broadens one’s list of negotiable doctrinal issues (the likes of which I won’t attempt to articulate or flesh out for myself here). However, it does not “water down” truth or conviction. Rather, I think it waters down human ego in the context of wrestling with and searching for a better grasp on theological truth.

More on Blah over at Jonny Baker’s blog, as well as Sanctus1, who hosted the event (I think?).

Technorati Tags: God, theology, Enlightenment, Blah, Rollins, evangelical

Greater Europe Mission Video Online

Just came across this video online over at the Greater Europe Mission website. It's only 3 minutes long, and about six megabytes in size. If you're interested in ordering a DVD version of the video, let me know. (It's probably been posted there for a while and I know the DVD has been out for well over a year as well.)

Be sure to take note of the Irish leaders at the end of the clip. I think what they have to say is particularly important. It'd be nice to see the thoughts of Billy Swann in particular fleshed out more in the video. GEM missionaries don't go to Europe as superior Christians from a nation that has arrived spiritually. Rather, our job and our vision (at least for Kristy and I) is to come alongside European Christ-followers as fellow travelers on the journey to offer our God-given gifts and abilities to the mission of the Church in Europe. Assuming this posture in our ministry is critically important, especially as Americans, who are seen by the rest of the world as obnoxiously arrogant and ignorant.

Categories: Europe

Miserable U.S. Team

Just finished watching the U.S. get hammered by the Czech Republic. Granted, the Czech Republic are high ranked coming into this World Cup, but even the American ESPN commentators agreed that the U.S. team barely even showed up, completely aside fromt he 3-0 outcome. The next match for the U.S. is gonna be tough against the usually brilliant Italian team. However, Italy have had scandal issues and will be playing with distraction.

Bring on the World Cup Action!

Most entertaining 5 seconds from sub-par World Cup 2006 American commentators, during the England v. Paraguay match.

Dave O’Brien: “After Prince William made a surprise appearance at one of the England practice sessions, an England player said that the Prince was ‘a nice relaxed geezer.’”
[a few seconds of silence]
Marcelo Balboa: “What’s a geezer?”
O’Brien: “I don’t know. I was hoping you could help me with that.”

American English Translation: “geezer” = cool guy

After Beckham’s goal in the first 2 minutes (which was actually a Paraguay own goal), England didn’t seem like they wanted it enough, though they did seem to control the game for the most part. It wasn’t nearly as exciting a match as the opener between Germany and Costa Rica and England did not play like one of the favourites to win it all. After seeing England play in the Euro Cup two years ago, it seems that the England side usually step up the intensity when they need to against the better teams. Hopefully that will be the case against Sweden.

For now, England will take the 3 points!

The U.S. is up against the Czech Republic on Monday. Hopefully that match will feature European commentators.

Adidas Commercial

Categories: WorldCup, football, soccer

Thoughts in the Direction of Death Cab & Linford Detweiler

Last night, Kristy and I finished off my 32nd birthday celebration by watching Directions, the short film anthology inspired by the songs of Death Cab for Cutie's latest album, Plans. It's really good for the most part, with some films stronger than others. By the end, Kristy and I were discussing which ones were our favourites.

I’d seem the film for "What Sarah Said" over on YouTube, but was a little perplexed by the French words showing up throughout. Sure enough, on the DVD, an explanation is given by the director. It’s the French version of “he loves me, he loves me not.” Only, in French, it’s a bit longer “he loves me / a little / a lot / passionately / insanely / not at all.” It’s a fascinating video interpretation of a beautifully written song. One of my favourites.

Crazy enough, Death Cab are going to be in Ireland on July 8th, maybe three weeks before Kristy and I move to Dublin. Of course, in early August, just as we’re arriving in Ireland, they’ll be playing up the road in Denver. *this is where I throw up my hands and gnash my teeth in utter frustration*

In other music news, I recently came across some poetry written by Over the Rhine’s Linford Detweiler. Some pretty amazing stuff. My favourite, entitled “Praise”:

I cannot say it with mere words
Convincingly
So
I sing it with the life I live
Unflinchingly

Here’s another one that blew me away. Makes me wish I could do poetry!

Technorati Tags: music, art

World Cup Magic

Beginning this Friday, most of the world will slow down and even, in some instances, stop altogether. This video is a beautiful explanation of why. The world's greatest sporting event. I only wish I could be in Europe for it!!

Tall Skinny Kiwi Partnering with the Church in Ireland

Andrew Jones continues to offer his wisdom and expertise to our friends in Ireland, both Irish and American ex-pat. In this recent blog post, Andrew remembers the good time he had in Ireland when he met with Phil Kingsley (GEM Ireland field director) and several Irish church planting leaders. During that particular visit, just as he and his family were leaving, Kristy and I were arriving to meet with Phil and other Irish leaders to consider the possibility of serving alongside them. We're almost there, Phil!

Categories: Ireland, life

The Insufficiency of Inerrancy

I had chance to listen to the final podcast of Doug Pagitt’s debate with Bob Dewaay over the weekend. I began listening to the debate back at the end of April (click here for my thoughts). The same trends in the first 2 parts of the discussion carried in to the third part, though the third part of the podcast is a Q&A time.

One of the things that comes up in this 3rd part is the issue of scripture and how to explain or characterize the Bible in terms of its authority and credibility. Pagitt gives a brilliant statement about the term “inerrancy,” which has been the buzz word for evangelicals over the last 25+ years or so in describing the Bible. He says this: “The Bible is better than the word ‘inerrant’ allows it to be. I’m more comfortable talking about the Bible as it talks about itself than using words like ‘inerrant.’” Pagitt then goes into a brief description about the power of scripture to infiltrate hearts and change us. Dewaay, however, seems to completely miss Pagitt’s conception of the power of scripture and goes straight back to defending the term “inerrant” by trying to say that Jesus was arguing for “inerrancy” when He said that not the least stroke of a pen would pass from the Law. The problem is, as Pagitt points out in the discussion, the term “inerrant” is insufficient – especially in summarizing what Jesus said in Matthew 5!

“Inerrant” is a term that applies to facts and data – “without error.” Is the Bible “without error?” Well, if you’re talking in terms of everything being in the Bible that God wants to be in the Bible, then sure – it’s “without error.” And if you’re asking if the Bible describes God’s character and is never wrong about who God is, then yes – it’s “without error.”

But here’s where the problem arises. The Bible isn’t a book of facts and data. When I read the Psalms, for example, I’m reading poetry and it seems very inappropriate to ask if poetry is “inerrant.” With that in mind, I have to agree with Pagitt that the term “inerrant” is insufficient. Sure, where there are facts and information that can be true or false, scripture is “without error.” But the Bible isn’t just full of facts and data. It’s so much more than that!! It’s alive and effective and active in bringing about supernatural change and Divine connection to humanity, as the author of Hebrews attests and which people like Bob Dewaay would affirm. So if we can agree on how Hebrews describes God’s communication of Himself to us, why would we want to limit scripture with a term such as “inerrant?” Because “the liberals” were attacking the Christian faith in unprecedented ways in the mid-20th Century and biblical scholars were compelled to give an answer.

However, I think that if the Evangelical church can get beyond these reactions to modern day liberal attacks on faith (which is really where terms such as “inerrant” come from), the picture of God and of faith that we portray will be so much bigger. When we argue for the “inerrancy” of scripture, we’re playing their game. It’s the game of Enlightenment confidence in rationality, in the scientific method, and in a philosophy that says, “There is no mystery or problem in the universe which we humans cannot solve or overcome.” It’s that very worldview that begins with the assumption that there is no God. Not only has the Christian faith withstood the tests and attacks of such historical ideologies and worldviews (such as the Enlightenment), but it has thrived, though at times and in different regions of the world, limping along. There are sufficient answers in the defense from attacks on the Christian faith, as the last 50+ years has demonstrated. But the Christian faith (indeed, God Himself) is not limited to those answers nor those questions.

Technorati Tags: church, Bible, inerrancy, theology, mission, Pagitt, DeWaay

Raised from the Dead

Yesterday, my PDA miraculously (albeit randomly) came back to life, without any memory loss or anything. I just happened to be putting something in the case, which I use as a wallet when it came back to life. The only explanation I have is that maybe there’s a loose connection inside, which just means that it will go dead again sometime soon.


My wife thinks I should go back to good ol' 20th Century paper. Sometimes I think she's a heretic. Other times I think she's right.

Anyway, back to stuff that matters. . . .

Random Links

NetSquared.org - Think tank with a mission to make the internet useful for social and non-profit work.

YouthNoise.com - Giving young people a place in cyberspace to initiate change in their world.

ElectricSheep.org - Screensaver that actually interacts with other computers across the globe over the internet to create evolving digital art. I am in awe of this kind of creativity!

Your Irish Name Is...

Quintin MacDermot

What's your Irish Name?

Find out what your Irish name is and let me know in the comments section of this post! (Use the link below my Irish name.)

Death of a 10-Month-Old Palm Tungsten

Kristy and I spent most of the day helping our friends, Cary and Ashley, pack their belongings into a moving truck bound for Tennessee. When we got home this afternoon, I found that my Palm had completely died. No power. No response to recharging. No response to re-setting. Zip. Nada. Could be a bad battery, could be a bad connection. Who knows. After wrangling with the folks at Best Buy and over the phone with Palm, the only thing I've been able to come up with are these options:

1. Send it in to Palm to be repaired for about $140 (ridiculous for a $200 unit).
2. Use the 20% discount offered to me by Palm to replace the thing for $160.

Not sure what I'm going to do just yet. Tomorrow I should hear back from the bank that issued my credit card to find out if I have any sort of extended warranty for purchases with them. For now, a lesson learned: DON'T BUY PALM without some sort of extended warranty. When the battery does go bad (and it will go bad, though I'm not sure that's the problem with mine), there's no way for you to replace it without sending it in to the manufacturer and being charged almost as much as a new unit.