seeing in a mirror dimly » Uncategorized

The Word became Flesh

Mark — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:30 +0000

Christmas: God and Man. Inconfusedly, Unchangeably, Indivisibly, Inseperably.

The Crux of Karl Barth’s Ecclesiological Problem

Mark — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:49:55 +0000

… according to Michael Horton. He is absolutely spot on though, and this type of thought is what most of my project revolves around:

‘In terms of [Barth's] ecclesiology, the parallel and never-intersecting lines of divine and creaturely action mean an absolute duality between the visible and invisible church.’ (People and Place, 175)

This is the reason why Barth would liken the visible church to the ‘Church of Esau’, and say that the visible church is only the crater left over after the explosion. Further, it is the reason for his self-proclaimed ‘Neo-Zwinglian’ view of the sacraments.

Von Balthasar would rightly comment that ‘Too much in Barth gives the impression that nothing much really happens in his theology of event and history, because everything has already happened in eternity.’

How can we avoid this problematic view of ecclesiology, without going the opposite direction into a Christus Prolongatus? …. That’s my project. The pneumatological nexus between the Opus Dei and Opus Hominum in theological descriptions of church.

Now to write the darn thing!

The Weighty Duty of a Deacon

Mark — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:54:17 +0000

Sorry for the absence in posting – it’s been a busy year. Have worked on The Church of England in South Africa, Cardinal John Henry Newman, and Dyotheletism! Anyway, my mate Andrew showed me this little application where I can post via my Blackberry!

God willing, in a few months time, I’m to be ordained into the Church office of Deacon. It’s a weighty and hefty call of God and I thought I’d share some of the text from the Ordination service:

Bishop says: ‘It pertains to the office of a deacon, in the church where he is appointed to serve, to assist the priest in divine service, and help him in the administration of the holy communion; to read the holy scriptures in the church; to give instruction to young people in the Christian faith as contained in the Church-Catechism; to baptize infants when the priest is absent; and to preach, if he is licensed to do so by the bishop. In addition, it is his duty, where provision is so made, to seek out the sick and needy of the parish and inform the priest so that they may be assisted by the parishioners and others. Will you do this gladly and willingly?’

Answer: ‘I will do so, by the help of God.’

What an undertaking – exciting, but weighty.

CBE International :: 14th June 2010 :: Cheryl Catford – Riding the 3rd wave: Biblical Equality in the 21st Century.

Mark — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:27:56 +0000

Introduction

1^st wave feminists in Oz wanted a voice in society. Emphasis on the differences between men and women and the positive contribution that women could bring (eg., alcohol etc). Theologically, the first wave was concerned to bring access to women in public ministry.

2^nd wave in the 60′s was a more academic movement – women to gain access to all areas on public function (eg., the pill, equal pay, equal work, positions of power in politics etc). Emphasis on similarities between men and women (boys got dolls, and girls got trucks!). Within the church, the ordination of women came to the fore. Theological arguments ranged from feminist theology (hermeneutic of suspicion) to biblical basis such as CBE.

3^rd wave today. This is characterised by change at a dizzying rate. Primarily in Gen X and Gen Y. Deconstruction and postmodernity. Women enjoying the changes of 2^nd wave feminism. Ideals of feminism are now non-political. Interested in personal empowerment. Women from ‘Sex and the city’ are 3^rd wave icons. They like Paris Hilton and watch ‘America’s top model’.

Some quick characteristics (ME: there were ten, but I seem to have merged a couple together somewhere):

Individualism reigns. No defined path or role. Each woman is to determine her own path, resisting value judgments. Eg., women who left their job to come home and be a mother. Don’t like to be labelled a feminist.
Believe you can’t have it all – at once. But you get to choose what you want at any given time. Marie Claire did a survey of 5000 women – 64% of women said they want it all in life, but believe they can’t have it all at once. This group reverted to what they called ‘conversative values’ Even Julia Gillard herself questioned whether a mother could be Prime Minister.
Relationships are important. Not only focused on career. Men are not the enemy. Don’t feel like they have to rebel and choose homosexuality, but freedom to choose sexual preferences. 75% of women believed that having a happy family and relationship determined happiness in life (Marie Claire). 82% of women would opt for love over a career (Marie Claire).
3^rd wavers hold themselves to very high standards. Major stresses: am I making the right choice?, role models are too perfect (Kate Blanchet was the most popular role model in Marie Claire survey), raising children, unrealistic expectations of marriage.
Women seek to be free in the workplace. Not prepared to be ‘male’ at work. They are allowed to express themselves in this. But the ideal and the actual don’t always match. But scared of being perceived as a feminist. She wants to ‘play the game’ even though it sounds like a complete sell-out
Believe that they can be the top of the field – if they choose to be. But, in reality women don’t hold the top jobs in Oz. (4 in the top 100 of ASX companies – CEO’s and CFO’s). (CC finds it wrong that women don’t fill those places)
You can express your sexuality anyway you choose. Whereas women used to burn their bras, now young girls are dressing like playboy bunnies. Sex and the city are their icons. Also, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus.
The world is their area – global village. Condemn the 2^nd wave of feminism of not being interested in non-white, non-western women around the world.
Consumerism and pop-culture as the source of identity. Increasingly through online social networks. ‘Finding youself’ is the catch-cry – eg., overseas travel, collective experience, music, role models. 3^rd wave luxury afforded by the wealthy, not non-western world.

What sort of things to be aware of when working with young Christian women:

Intense individualisation – call they need to heed. Expect to fulfil this/help them achieve it.
Many Christian women are seeking the same as their secular sisters – marriage. Unreal expectations; can lead to a compromise on their Christian standards. (Love above all else)
Acknowledge and embrace differences between men and women.
Strong cognitive dissonance on homosexuality – find it hard to accept that it isn’t part of God’s plan, or approved of by God.
Simpler lifestyle – community and respect for the environment. But also consumeristic and materialistic.
Concern for social justice.
Sexualisation of women. Modesty on dressing. (difficult to challenge about dress standards)

How should we respond?

The church has responded in two ways (Pentecostals & Mark Driscoll). Pentes say: find you own individual calling and seek to fulfil your destiny. Identity linked to cultural norms of beauty, princesses or God-chicks. Mark Driscoll’s theology taps into gender differences – the desire for a simple life in family and relationships., taps into disquiet that men feel off the back of the 2^nd wave of feminism.
Leadership within the church still belongs to those who belong to the generation during the 2^nd wave of feminism. Yet, Christianity is rapidly declining in Australia and the under-30′s hardly darken the doors of church. Need to engage seriously with this generation.
Need to engage with the serious issue of Biblical illiteracy. Astonishing rates of biblical illiteracy are stifling progress.
Women must find their own identity in Jesus Christ, not pop culture.
Empowerment is necessary, but comes from the Holy Spirit.
Teamwork is on the basis of mutual submission and sober judgment of ourselves.

Pilgrim’s Podcast #30: Col Marshall, MTS, The Trellis and the Vine, and Cricket!

Mark — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:37:09 +0000

Well, here’s a really great podcast interview. The only thing missing is Steve, who was in the Holy Land at the time.

Nevertheless, I managed to sit down with Col Marshall, who is a really lovely older brother in the Lord, and someone who has been a great encouragement and comfort to me personally.

Col, a cricket tragic, was one of the founders of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) which has taken off all around the globe. It’s a great way for ministers to integrate the training of young guys and girls in Christian ministry (Uni, Parish etc.). After many years in the ministry, Col has recently co-written a book with Tony Payne entitled The Trellis and the Vine (Matthias Media). It’s a great book about disciple-making, and calls on ministers of the Gospel to think carefully about who are the people under their care, and what gifts and personalities do they have for Christian ministry. The subtitle of the book is: “The Ministry Mind-Set that Changes Everything.” It is part of Col’s latest initiative to begin the “Vinegrowers” ministry. Check it out here for more details!

In this interview we discuss the Navigators ministry, the beginnings of the Ministry Training Strategy, and how the thinking behind the Trellis and the Vine can help your ministry. Oh, and of course we talk cricket. Col was the ex-chaplain to the NSW Blues, so he’s always up for a bit of cricket banter. Enjoy!

Update: Click here to be taken to Col Marshall’s Vinegrowers ministry. Dates for training, workshops and resources available!

More MTS Resources: Click Here.

Listen:

Jelly and the New Calvinism

Mark — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:51:00 +0000

There’s a certain slipperiness and jelly-like quality to what’s being called The New Calvinism. Terms like Reformed and Calvinist are wobbling around like they’ve been served up for dessert. But is this a bad thing?

Even Brian McLaren’s getting in on the act and calling out the Calvinists (there must be some low-flying pigs – he’s even citing John Frame!). Why?

Well it seems that with the growth in the Young, Restless and Reformed types, there’s an umbrella-like movement rising with seismic results – just ask Time magazine. Embracing Baptists, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed types, other traditions, and even Anglicans (yep, that’s me) – this movement seems to have a fairly large theological scope. The main bounds are the 5 points of Calvinism (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistable Grace, and Perserverance of the Saints). So, the main ingredients are the same for these types, but it wobbles around a bit depending on things like baptism etc.

Others, like R. Scott Clark, have preferred the more stable dessert of Calvinism. It’s a solid jelly (and no, I wouldn’t go as far as to say a frozen chosen jelly!), a one size and colour fits all jelly. In the above-linked article, Clark says:

“If Mark Driscoll presented himself for membership in St Peter’s in Calvin’s Geneva, he would have been rejected. Why? He doesn’t believe the faith confessed by the church. He would have been rejected by the consistories and synods in the Netherlands, France, and by the sessions in Scotland. They would not have recognized his confession as Reformed.

The ugly truth is that too many Reformed folk are too excited that a prominent leader in evangelicalism, someone with increasing visibility in the media, identifies himself as Reformed. Pastor Driscoll feels comfortable co-opting the adjective “Calvinist” because real Calvinists, those who actually believe and practice what Calvin believed and practiced, let him use it.“

So, should the New Calvinism be a hard or soft jelly? A wobbly, yet palatable dessert for many – or a harder and more refined treat? Or bluntly, must one go beyond TULIP and sign up to a certain bunch of confessions in order to use the word Calvinist or Reformed?

Personally, I like John Frame’s (as usualy, such a helpful and gracious theologian!) stance towards these sorts of issues:

“I look forward to the time when God will equip his church to write new confessions. The Reformed confessions of the 16th and 17th centuries are wonderful documents that have served the church well. But we need confessions that speak to the issues of our own time: abortion, postmodern ideology, egalitarianism, new spiritualities, ecumenism, the gifts of the Spirit, common grace, the precise role of the Mosaic law the status of non-Christian religions, the obligation of Christians to the poor, the nature of worship, biblical standards for missions and evangelism, and, indeed, the nature of confessional subscription. We need confessions also that can state the old Reformed and biblical doctrines in contemporary language and support those doctrines with the biblical scholarship that has developed over the last 400 years. Perhaps we are not ready yet to write new confessions, granted the spiritual immaturity of the contemporary church and the proliferation of denominational division. But if we are ever to reach the point at which new confessions can be written, we need to train pastors and teachers for the church who are able to develop doctrinal formulations from the Word of God itself. And we need to graduate students who understand that the 16th and 17th century confessions are not the final word, that there is much more that God calls us to say to the church and to the world.”

Perhaps we can settle for a slowly hardening jelly?

Supporting some OzHipHop

Mark — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:06:00 +0000

After posting a few videos up on Dave’s blog about hiphop, I thought I’d share something in the way of Australian hiphop. True to the accent, not much MTV backing, and no bling = Australian hiphop. This is one of the best and oldest hip hop crews in Australia, the mighty Brethren.

Wizdm is a married father of three, and is an amazing popper and emcee.

Mistery is a great all round fella, and excells in graffiti (Bounty Hunterz Crew), bboying and emceeing. Check out this interview done with Maya Jupiter, Wizdm, Mistery and Chez done on ABC’s Compass. Also, if you live around Marrickville, Petersham or Newtown you’re sure to have seen Mistery’s murals on walls. Here’s a few photos you might recognise.

Oh, and did I mention they’re committed Christians? Yes, these guys are great witnesses to Christ in the Australian hiphop scene.

Here’s the clip, Intercepta from their last album, Beyond Underground:

INTERCEPTA by brethren from Mustard Empire on Vimeo.

Anti-Abstractionism

Mark — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:36:00 +0000

What’s with the following phrases?

“X isn’t Christocentric enough”

“X isn’t Trinitarian enough”

“X is too Aristotelian“

“X is too systematic”

“X is too Scholastic”

“X is too intellectual”

These examples are different from one another, but I’ve been thinking a bit about this sort of rhetoric lately.

What are the following turns of phrase are getting at? What’re they trying to preserve? What sort of assumptions lie behind them?

“You can’t see the atonement in abstraction from the trinity”

“You can’t see Holy Scripture in abstraction from God’s redemptive acts”

“You can’t see revelation in abstraction from history”

“You can’t see election in abstraction from redemptive history”

I’m going to have a crack at throwing some amateur thoughts down on the topic of theological method soon, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on this sort of thing!

Alice Russell – Hanbury Ballroom

Mark — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:59:00 +0000

Somehow, doing NT Greek seems easier with a bit of Alice Russell in the background! In case you haven’t heard of her, check her out – she’s amazing!

Exiled Preacher: An Interview with John Frame

Mark — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Just came across this wonderful interview in which John Frame gives brief thoughts on topics like: blogging, systematic theology, Kevin Vanhoozer’s work, Inerrancy, classical music, and Scripture. Check this one out for sure!

He’s a great and humble theologian, whose book on the Doctrine of the Knowledge of God has been really helpful for me this year at Bible college.

Here’s a few small quotes to get you started, and I’ve bolded out a few things which I found interesting:

“GD: Why should pastors be interested in systematic theology?

JF: As I said, systematics, rightly understood, deals with the real questions about thought and life that pastors have to deal with. This includes questions about theological controversies, but also about ethics, evangelism, church order, contemporary religions and ideologies, social order, and so on. Now of course if you understand systematics as a more abstract and academic discipline, its connection to the pastorate is less direct. But even then the pastor should be able to draw on the writings of traditional systematicians to draw applications for his own ministry and his own people.”

“GD: In both Peter Enns’ Inspiration and Incarnation and Andrew McGowan’s The Divine Spiration of Scripture, serious Reformed theologians have called into question the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. Is the inerrancy of Scripture still worth fighting for?

JF: I would not live or die for the term “inerrancy,” which is an extra-biblical term and is often used in confusing ways today. But as I understand it, the main idea behind the term is that Scripture, being God’s word, is completely true in everything it teaches. Scripture explicitly affirms that it is true (as in Ps. 119:160, John 17:17). So when God speaks to us, we dare not find fault with anything he says. Our responsibility is simply to believe what he says and to do what he tells us to do. That principle is still worth fighting for. In fact it is the watershed issue of our time: will we believe God, or will we follow human wisdom? This is nothing less than the question of whether God in Jesus Christ is Lord.”