Haven't blogged for ages.
Had a 20.5 hour day yesterday, even though the body is weak, the mind is still active.
These are some of the things that i have thought about:
1) Does the Ascent of the Gen Ys mean the death of Preaching?
Gen Ys and post 80s has been teh subject of many studies.
One of the more interesting one is to see the similarities and contrasts between them in America and China:
http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/7/1/8/3/p271830_index.html
The typical picture of older people on Gen Ys are that they are apathetic unmotivated hedonist that are Tech Savvy, bombarded with information and looking for instant gratification.
Obviously Gen Ys don't see themselves that way.
At times though one wonders what is the place of preaching to this generation. There is an information overload.. Does preaching still work?
2) Politics and the rise of the new poet and new heroes?
I have observed politics for a while, and it seems that with the new generation comes new emphases. I'll try to succinctly draw on some interesting political phenomena.
These are the leaders that has risen to/given power (and my opinion of some of the traits that appeal in particular to Gen Y):
America - Obama, the charismatic poet
Australia - Rudd, an eloquent visionary
China - Wen Jia Bao - A man of action (esp seen in the Yunnan Earthquake). (Though i don't know enough about chinese politics or politics in general to assess him or others that closely) Look at his fan club:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/-Wen-Jia-bao/13823116911?sid=079b77cf8f1af487900477e4d694eeac&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fs.php%3Fref%3Dsearch%26init%3Dq%26q%3Dwen%2Bjia%2Bbao%26sid%3D079b77cf8f1af487900477e4d694eeac&ref=s
The Gen Y's turn out for the American Election is surprisingly high. When inspired by a poet and a vision, Gen Ys do great things and are motivated. What does it mean for Christian ministers?
3) Implications for ministry
a) Preaching is not dead, in fact, it's needed more than ever.
Given the rise of Charismatic men of action and eloquence, Gen Ys and many others are more than ever inspired by words.
b) A new Portrayal of Jesus?
There is a picture of Jesus that we don't look at much. Graeme Goldsworthy in Gospel and Wisdom sees Wisdom fulfilled in Jesus (Duh, it's Goldsworthy book, i suppose it can't go anywhere else!). But Jesus is seen as a wise man, a sage.
The Charismatic hiddenness of Jesus teaching (and its wisdom) that motivates the crowd is a good piece of rhetoric, motivating the crowd, giving the poor hope and the nation of Israel a new hero and Messiah. Obviously we need to bridge the hermeneutical gap between the gospel times and now given that we are not the nation of Israel, etc.. But having said that, is this the portrayal of Jesus (amongst many others) required of this generation?
Qn: can you think about what Gen Ys want (felt needs) and what area of the gospel relates to that?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Benediction - Jude
Another mysterious tradition (other than HC) is the bendiction. why have it at all.
from looking at jude we can learn about about the bendiction:
1) context of Jude:
warn against false teachers
the importance of contending for the gospel
need to encourage weak/ snatch the perishing.
Implication: If we realise the context and danger of the situation - it will be natural to ask God for blessing, and the right type of blessing - not just for posperity, but preservation and power to live for and contend for the gospel.
b) Why does Jude end with v24-25
this Prayer of Benediction asks God for the power to contend for the gospel.
c) Basis of benediction
God’s salvation is not only justification. It’s preservation. We often think that we are given a task (e.g. Matthew 28:18-20) then we need to do it. He is able to keep us from falling. and power to last... and contend.
d) Attitude in praying.
Most church services end with a benedction.
at times i just stand up and do a strectch before going to lunch.
but if we are asking God to bless us to face the world, there should be a humle, revenant, but exceeding joy.
e) Insights for benediction passages.
it's interesting that Numbers 6:23-27 (context - Israel encamped about to conquer land) and jude 24-25 (contending for the gospel) both are in fighting contexts. THis has implications of what we ask God to bless us for. (cf a) )
hope this gets you thinking...
from looking at jude we can learn about about the bendiction:
1) context of Jude:
warn against false teachers
the importance of contending for the gospel
need to encourage weak/ snatch the perishing.
Implication: If we realise the context and danger of the situation - it will be natural to ask God for blessing, and the right type of blessing - not just for posperity, but preservation and power to live for and contend for the gospel.
b) Why does Jude end with v24-25
this Prayer of Benediction asks God for the power to contend for the gospel.
c) Basis of benediction
God’s salvation is not only justification. It’s preservation. We often think that we are given a task (e.g. Matthew 28:18-20) then we need to do it. He is able to keep us from falling. and power to last... and contend.
d) Attitude in praying.
Most church services end with a benedction.
at times i just stand up and do a strectch before going to lunch.
but if we are asking God to bless us to face the world, there should be a humle, revenant, but exceeding joy.
e) Insights for benediction passages.
it's interesting that Numbers 6:23-27 (context - Israel encamped about to conquer land) and jude 24-25 (contending for the gospel) both are in fighting contexts. THis has implications of what we ask God to bless us for. (cf a) )
hope this gets you thinking...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wothy manner in the Holy Communion
In our church, there is a tradition to refeclt deeply about our sin when we conduct the Holy Communion. (cf 1 Cor 11). I think though for us now the context is different and we should observe the HC differently.
Let us look at various aspects and its implications
1) Corinthian Context:
People are treating this as a free feed and is ignoring Jesus death, hence Paul rebukes them for their behaviour
2) Incomplete application
since they are sinful in their behabiour -> we should consider our sins a lot.
3) right applicaiton
obviously one should examine oneself whether they are observing HC in a manner worhty of the Lord.
But I aruge that the right manne is:
a) think about our sin
b) think that Jesus has paid for our sin (Christianity that focusses our sin instead of the saving magnificence of Christ usual produce a guilt driven debtor response to the gospel. A Christ focus reflect help us priase God and proclaim his wonder)
c) Think about his return
d) celebrate community - love feast.
Let us look at various aspects and its implications
1) Corinthian Context:
People are treating this as a free feed and is ignoring Jesus death, hence Paul rebukes them for their behaviour
2) Incomplete application
since they are sinful in their behabiour -> we should consider our sins a lot.
3) right applicaiton
obviously one should examine oneself whether they are observing HC in a manner worhty of the Lord.
But I aruge that the right manne is:
a) think about our sin
b) think that Jesus has paid for our sin (Christianity that focusses our sin instead of the saving magnificence of Christ usual produce a guilt driven debtor response to the gospel. A Christ focus reflect help us priase God and proclaim his wonder)
c) Think about his return
d) celebrate community - love feast.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Motive for Ministry, Bonhoffer and Implcation for Chinese
There are several views that are widely held in the Sydney Evangelical Circles (and a few other places) about the motives for ministry:
* Servanthood
* Entrusted with the gospel
How do these views interact with the (mainland) Chinese views?
there are classics that are widely available in China - including the works of Bonhoffer. (It's a bargain! Cost of discipleship is sold at about $60 AUD (in aus), and less than 20 RMB in China.)
It has been available for a while. ( how i deduced that: the publisher is Chinese, the cover is very plain, and the cost is very low)
It makes me think: why is this work so popular, and what are the implications for ministry? (both the Chinese view of Ministry, and how we minister to Chinese?)
If you read books like Back to Jerusalem, I have no doubt that you'll be inspired by the miracles, dedication, sacrifice and passion of the Chinese.
Some random thoughts i have as a result of these observations:
1) To what extent is the passion of ministry derived from
a) Cultural norms and values (e.g. collectivism, high power distance) - you can see that china ranks very high in the world in the above attributes:
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/
b) Political /historical factors (e.g. a call for sacrifice for the country is countered by a sacrifice for the gospel)?
2) How much do books form Bonhoffer and the like inform/echo/reflect their theology of ministry?
given the cultural factors mentioned above, one can see why sacrifice (whether from Bonhoffer's writings, or Jesus example of suffering) is a great source of motivating for ppl
3) What can we learn from the (older) Chinese Christians in this area?
We can learn from their understanding of servanthood and discipleship. They are willing to give up all for Christ. We are very unwilling to do that by comparison. THey really do know what it means ot tkae up the cross, and suffer for the gospel, and see the Lordship and example of suffering of Christ very importantly.
4) What area(s) of theology is difficient in the Chinese Christians' understanding of suffering?
From my (limited) understanding, the teaching of eschatology, or indeed, anything about the future (The end Times, Heaven and Hell, BT/Revelation) is limited. This will be a problem for the later generation that are move inidivudalistic/spoilt
5) How does this create a cultural clash for ministry to younger Chinese?
From all the above factors combined, this will be a challenge. In some countries persecution is still a factor, so people ar sharpened in their faith.
In australia, i think we need to be motivated both by the carrot and stick
stick : Lordship of Christ, suffering example
carrot: the Glory of God, the saving power of the gospel both for us and the hearers.
* Servanthood
* Entrusted with the gospel
How do these views interact with the (mainland) Chinese views?
there are classics that are widely available in China - including the works of Bonhoffer. (It's a bargain! Cost of discipleship is sold at about $60 AUD (in aus), and less than 20 RMB in China.)
It has been available for a while. ( how i deduced that: the publisher is Chinese, the cover is very plain, and the cost is very low)
It makes me think: why is this work so popular, and what are the implications for ministry? (both the Chinese view of Ministry, and how we minister to Chinese?)
If you read books like Back to Jerusalem, I have no doubt that you'll be inspired by the miracles, dedication, sacrifice and passion of the Chinese.
Some random thoughts i have as a result of these observations:
1) To what extent is the passion of ministry derived from
a) Cultural norms and values (e.g. collectivism, high power distance) - you can see that china ranks very high in the world in the above attributes:
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/
b) Political /historical factors (e.g. a call for sacrifice for the country is countered by a sacrifice for the gospel)?
2) How much do books form Bonhoffer and the like inform/echo/reflect their theology of ministry?
given the cultural factors mentioned above, one can see why sacrifice (whether from Bonhoffer's writings, or Jesus example of suffering) is a great source of motivating for ppl
3) What can we learn from the (older) Chinese Christians in this area?
We can learn from their understanding of servanthood and discipleship. They are willing to give up all for Christ. We are very unwilling to do that by comparison. THey really do know what it means ot tkae up the cross, and suffer for the gospel, and see the Lordship and example of suffering of Christ very importantly.
4) What area(s) of theology is difficient in the Chinese Christians' understanding of suffering?
From my (limited) understanding, the teaching of eschatology, or indeed, anything about the future (The end Times, Heaven and Hell, BT/Revelation) is limited. This will be a problem for the later generation that are move inidivudalistic/spoilt
5) How does this create a cultural clash for ministry to younger Chinese?
From all the above factors combined, this will be a challenge. In some countries persecution is still a factor, so people ar sharpened in their faith.
In australia, i think we need to be motivated both by the carrot and stick
stick : Lordship of Christ, suffering example
carrot: the Glory of God, the saving power of the gospel both for us and the hearers.
How to form good habits from QT
I have recently added a facebook app abnout my personality:
http://apps.new.facebook.com/mypersonality/index.php?who=757100787
And the outstanding result is my % (or lack thereof) of conscientiousness.
At the same time, i have been thinking about why and how many of us find it hard to take our QT into our daily lives.
the main reason is that we don't reflect on it.
I have thought of a weird method to help us apply our QT. Try to punch holes in this theory.
method:
1) do your normal QT,
2) at the end of the week, look thru what you learnt, summarise all the passages, and pick out a pair of verbs, something that God has done, and something that i do:
3) set your mind on doing it for 1-4 weeks
for example:
Through my QT and the time at Engage conference, i have reflected upon these verses:
Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
John 10:11 The good shepherd (Jesus) lays down his life for the sheep.
John 21:15 Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jude 3 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints
How does this affect me?
Since God hears prayers, I wait (actively) (Trust a lazy butt like me to choose 'waiting' as something that i have to do :) )
Since Jesus die for his sheep, I fight to feed the sheep (esp. since there's no pastor/older model at church)
Since the truth is entrusted, I contend.
2. Reason and Implications:
I think this is effective since
a) it still helps us to have good bible reading practices. (reading, understanding, summarising, )
b) it makes application concrete
c) habits form when you keep doing it for a month (e.g. AA asks people to quite drinking for a month)
d) Verbs about what we do increases application in our actions and motives, and verbs about what God has done increases our affection for HIm.
What you do guys think? does it work for you?
if you want to try this out, you can post a few pairs of verbs here to encourage each other.
http://apps.new.facebook.com/mypersonality/index.php?who=757100787
And the outstanding result is my % (or lack thereof) of conscientiousness.
At the same time, i have been thinking about why and how many of us find it hard to take our QT into our daily lives.
the main reason is that we don't reflect on it.
I have thought of a weird method to help us apply our QT. Try to punch holes in this theory.
method:
1) do your normal QT,
2) at the end of the week, look thru what you learnt, summarise all the passages, and pick out a pair of verbs, something that God has done, and something that i do:
3) set your mind on doing it for 1-4 weeks
for example:
Through my QT and the time at Engage conference, i have reflected upon these verses:
Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
John 10:11 The good shepherd (Jesus) lays down his life for the sheep.
John 21:15 Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jude 3 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints
How does this affect me?
Since God hears prayers, I wait (actively) (Trust a lazy butt like me to choose 'waiting' as something that i have to do :) )
Since Jesus die for his sheep, I fight to feed the sheep (esp. since there's no pastor/older model at church)
Since the truth is entrusted, I contend.
2. Reason and Implications:
I think this is effective since
a) it still helps us to have good bible reading practices. (reading, understanding, summarising, )
b) it makes application concrete
c) habits form when you keep doing it for a month (e.g. AA asks people to quite drinking for a month)
d) Verbs about what we do increases application in our actions and motives, and verbs about what God has done increases our affection for HIm.
What you do guys think? does it work for you?
if you want to try this out, you can post a few pairs of verbs here to encourage each other.
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