I recently started inching through J. Kameron Carter’s book Race: A Theological Account. I’ve found him to be an extremely insightful scholar and theologian as he discusses the origins of racial classification through a theological framing. He’s a heavy weight, but I promise his insights are worth it. Here is a video of him giving a lecture a Columbia, let me know what ya think.
WAKE UP – John Legend and the Roots
What a great album… I’ve been jamming to it all week, and it keeps getting better. I’ve always liked John Legend, and will definitely have love for Philly’s Roots crew… but the combination together is right on point, in this socially conscious fuse of soul, hip hop, and gospel. It’s time to Wake Up!
My Latest Sermon is available online for download – Limited Time Only
My latest sermon entitled “You Are Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, and Naked” is available for download through the GOGF ministries server. You can download it here, let me know what you think. It is a 460MB sized file, in WMV file format. Enjoy, and let me know what ya think about it after you get a chance to listen.
Funny Chic-Fil-A Video
Just got a new Chic-Fil-A restaurant in our neighborhood (really on the edge of the city, but momma always said beggars can’t be choosers!). Stopped in for lunch, and it was banging as always. Here is a funny chic-fil-a video a friend sent me in honor of our new fast food joint!
Postcolonial Church???
I’ve been wondering what a post-colonial church would look like. What would it look like if Christian communities freed themselves from western cultural captivity. Any thoughts?
You are Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked!
The third chapter of the book of Revelations Jesus writes a letter to the church of Laodicea. This community is a relatively wealthy community that seems to have all the material possessions one could want. The letter written to them speaks into their context of financial security and wealth, greed, complacency, and self reliance. Sounds a bit like America in my opinion. This is what is the letter says…
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
(Revelations 3:14-22, TNIV)
What is interesting is that this is a familiar passage in many churches in America, yet I have hardly heard it exegeted in consistency with the message and main point addressed there. Many either isolate the section about being hot or cold from the rest of the passage… or some grab vs. 19 about Jesus knocking oustside on the door and wanting to come in, using it as a evangelistic verse to ask unbelievers to “let Jesus in”. The reality is that this verse is written to the church, to those who already believe, not unbelievers.
These folks were wealthy and self reliant, not fully following after Jesus. Apparently, Jesus is not present at their community and fellowship according to the passage. They have been enticed by the things of this world, and have tried to chase after those things while attempting to follow Jesus. The reality is that they can’t have both and so really all they have is the temporal wealth of this world. They are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Lord, forgive us for our self reliance, pride, arrogance, and greed that continually pulls us, and has us chasing after things other than you. Help us to truly see our brokenness and poverty without you. May we follow after only you, may you be at the center of our gatherings, may you shape and mold us to be more like you, may we be good stewards of your stuff, may we become generous and compassionate like you, and may we be fully committed to you.
Isaiah 1:11-17 (NET Translation)
“Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am stuffed with burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want. When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this – animals trampling on my courtyards? Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and onvocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.
Wash! Cleanse yourselves! Remove your sinful deeds from my sight. Stop sinning! Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!
An Interview With John Perkins
Watcha think???
The Cat and the Toaster
This is a great book I’m reading… this is the second book in a row that I have posted without finishing it. Nonetheless it is a great read. I do plan to finish, but I also have school stuff I’m working on now that class has started back that will “distract” me from the real important stuff 🙂 Definitely check it out and let me know what you think. It is a christian writer talking about the complexity of living and social organisms, and how we can apply Christian principles to address solutions within our society. Sounds dull when I describe it but he is a great writer and has great insight into Kingdom work.
Does Simplistic Opposition Against “the Other” ever work?
Can we all just stop for a moment? Amidst all the yelling and arguing, finger pointing, partisan-political emails, TV News propaganda, YouTube video conspiracy theories, and anger, we must all ask ourselves one little question… has any of this helped in anyway other than to strengthen the resolve on both sides that the other is the enemy???
Can’t we see that when you aggressively oppose the agenda or act of “the other” we actually end up strengthening their cause. The end result is always the opposite of what one’s original motivations were. This cycle of madness is done on both sides of the aisle, and we are all to blame. In a desire to see one movement stop we simplistically oppose it and in return strengthen the resolve and tactics of the other side. It’s time to step back from these simplistic oppositions and begin to engage in healthy dialogue as though we are all created in God’s Image.
People are complex, issues are complex, society is complex. When you apply simple answers to a complex world, you do not always get the results that you originally intended. If you want someone to change their mind on an issue… probably yelling at them while holding mean signs is not going to get it done. If you somehow miraculously convince one out of a thousand people through those means, the other 999 will develop greater resolve and become more organized in responding to your tirade.
Here’s an idea… why don’t we try the slow yet proven method of REAL conversation. Sit down over a cup of coffee, a beer, or a sweet tea and share your stories, experiences, and how the issue that you are passionate about hits home for you. Uh but wait, remember that conversation takes two to work, so you need to allow the other person to share their own stories and experiences.
Now I know that crusading around opposing everything may feel more like the right thing to do, but in the end we look back and must ask ourselves what have we really accomplished. No, for those who actually want to see change come are going to have to do it the old fashioned way… by rolling up those sleeves and investing yourself and much time in people and communities as you begin building bridges of mutual trust, respect, and understanding.
If not we are destined to the continuing escalation of resistance, tension, and division that has defined us as a people in America.
I’m Just Sayin!
Drew G. I. Hart 