On being a Christian and Doing Theology:

We theologians love to discuss and argue the finer points of how God works, what orthodox doctrine is, how scripture should be read and interpreted, how we should be in relation to God, et cetera. Often this dialectic is good and beneficial, but it can be risky. While an appropriate knowledge and understanding of Truth is a great cause in the faith, theology can be a grave distraction, not just from exhibiting virtue, but also from being obedient. Take for example the five-century-old discussion on the seemingly different doctrines of justification between Protestants and Catholics – Sola Fide vs. Faith and Charity.

Eugene Peterson points out something peculiar about Jesus in Mark’s Gospel that I would like to show in a different light. In this shortest Gospel narrative, Jesus makes three imperative statements in chapters one and two. He gives three essential commands that we hear today. He calls men to 1) repent, 2) believe in the good news of the Kingdom of God, 3) and to follow him. Every Christian and Christian theologian (novice or professional, must remember these three imperatives. Following Jesus, that last one, is crucial to EVERYTHING for the theologian of today.

The entire reason we have a mission as Christians is because Christ desires followers – the central issue of evangelism is gaining disciples. If salvation is inherent in being a disciple, then halleluiah! But repenting alone, believing alone, and following alone do not please Jesus. Even the Pharisees followed Jesus around sometimes. The rich young ruler believed that Jesus was Lord. Judas repented. But these things alone weren’t enough for any of them.

When we do theology, we must remember that it is to be done only because we are people who are repenting, believing, and following. Otherwise we engage in a risky practice. I might also suggest that this is not a formula, but does include some necessary features for what a Christian looks like (perhaps it even gets at that justification question … but that’s for a different day).

Poetry Slam 2.0

So I have kind of gotten into writing poems since I have been taking this Introduction to Poetry Writing Course. It has been cool to see how a class that is mostly female "art types" respond to my poems about faith (not to be stereotypical, but ... honesty and brevity).

Here is a poem I was inspired to write while at North Florida InterVarsity's Spring Conference.

Abandon All Hope

Ye who enter here, it says on those other gates.

Abandon the hope of this world

He says to us here.

Abandon your chest of desires

And have no more angst.

Division, be gone!

Soldiers, to arms!

Abandon the dreams

Of a selfish past.

We fight,

We battle,

An enemy without flesh or blood.

The victory is ours!

So stay and be courageous.

For true life only exists in abandonment.