You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May, 2006.
I first heard of Gnarls Barkley from my friend Adam Lamoureux, and since then I got their CD, heard them a few times on the current and heard a lot of buzz about these guys. I really enjoy their music, and last night they made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Let’s just say this; it was as good as it gets for TV appearances goes. They performed their hit song “crazy”. It was quite a bit slower than the CD version with more dynamic changes and a wonderful climax at the end. I was loving every minute of it! Plus they were all wearing bath robes, and many of them were sporting the shower cap as well. the significance? Who knows.
If you haven’t heard this incredible music, check out Gnarls Barkley here or at their myspace page.
A couple of weeks ago, I was on the phone with my Dad and he informed me that my grandma was getting married, and beating me to the altar! So this past Sunday, My Grandma was married to Paul. My Grandfather died when I was in grade school, and then Chuck, her second husband, died a few years ago. It is great to see that God has brought another companion into her life and I look forward to getting to know Paul more. Only 10 more days until Jenna and I join these two newlyweds in marriage!
Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God
It is our understanding of how we connect our world to the world of God. Some are suggesting that we are going to continually come up with temporary explanations that bridge these 2 worlds, and thus theology is temporary. Is not theology ultimately a human enterprise? Isn’t it an activity engaged in by rational Humans that live in systems and structures? Or does it descend to us from on high?
It has been taught to us as 2nd order discourse in classrooms, seminaries, church’s, etc.. by professors and theologians who retreat from life and reflect on God and human interactions. What some are suggesting is that it is also 1st order discourse. In other words, it is not just a step removed reflection on divine human interaction, but also the actual experimentation of divine/human interaction. The very choices we make, and things we say and do, are theological.
Is theology temporary?
I have been thinking about this and reading a bit on it, and so I thought I would ask the question. I don’t know where I am at completely on this, so i will attempt to re-tell some of the things I have been reading and thinking about, and open it up to anyone who wants to comment.
The assumption is that theology is temporary. We can look at theology of a previous age, but it doesn’t all carry over to today. We can look at augustinian theology (choose your theologian) and say that he was brilliant, did the best he could do, and was right in his suggestions for the construct/system he lived in, but it does not necessarily carry over to today.
First disclaimer: this doesn’t mean that all theology in the past is thrown out, but rather built upon, sometimes resulting in varying suggestions about how we interact with God.
It’s like an adapter for a laptop. We used to use adapters to connect to the internet, but now we still use laptops, and we still connect to the internet, but now we have a wireless card and no longer need the adaptor. The system has changed and so does the way we connect to the internet. *note that we would not have the wireless card had we not first come up with the adaptor.
now, we could continue to carry around this adapter with us, or tape it to the laptop or whatever because that’s how it’s been for “x” amount of years, but it really doesn’t do us any good for the current laptop.
Second disclaimer: this is simply an analogy, and obviously breaks down just as all analagies do, so please don’t argue about it.
I am not saying that theology of a different time is worthless, but I am suggesting that since we live in a different construct or system, so maybe we should rethink things from time to time. We are supposed to be able to profess it. If it doesn’t make sense to explain it in our system, then how useful is it? How does it engage in culture? Is it Local? Is it relational, or a system? These are questions that I have been trying to wrestle through lately.
Today Jenna and I were going to see a movie and were wanting to grab something to eat before hand, and we stumbled upon this little restaurant called “Duc’s Vietnamese & Chinese”. So we decided to check it out, and let me tell you I will definitely be going back. They had by far the best eggrolls I have ever had! The rest of the food was great too, but man, those eggrolls! So, if you are ever in Maplewood, I highly reccommend going to Duc’s!
Check out thier website: http://www.ducsmaplewood.com
Jenna’s car died the other day, so I have been searching high and low for a good deal on a reliable car. Anybody know of one?
so, I am sitting in Dunn Bros (the best coffee shop), sippin on a caramel macchiato, and reveling in the fact that Jesus, who was with God from the beginning and through whom all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made; That the same God that sits on high and is ruler over all things, came and dwelt among us!
Last night at our bible discussion group, we talked about John 1:14-51. It was an encouraging time to sit around in a living room and talk about John the baptist, and his preparation for Jesus entry, as well as the calling of disciples. I am challenged to look at myself and ask, how would I have reacted to this had I lived then. It is truly a crazy story when you think about how it all happened, and yet it makes it works seamlessly when you can step away and see the big picture.
It is amazing to be a part of the best possible way of life!
wilco
cold war kids
andrew bird
