Internet Monk Radio Podcast #117

podcast_logo.gifChastened evangelicals need to have a little talk; Rerunning my post-election chapel talk content.

One CORRECTION: The Treasury of Daily Prayer uses the ESV. My mistake.

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Andrew Peterson
Concordia Press Treasury of Daily Prayer
The Glory of the Nations: How Common Grace Redeems Nationalism

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iMonk 101: The Tactics of Failure: Why the Culture War Makes Sense to Spiritually Empty Evangelicals

From 2006, this is my diagnosis of why evangelicals are increasingly drawn to the culture war. It’s not, contrary to what the rhetoric wants us to believe, because we have a Jesus shaped mission to the world, caring passionately about the issues Jesus cared about. No, it’s a bit less flattering.

I’m suggesting that spiritually empty, poorly led and poorly taught evangelicals are mistaking the Kingdom of God on earth for the victory of their political and cultural preferences. The Culture War is a poor replacement for the mission of the church as a Jesus shaped community, pointing to the eschatological Kingdom of God.

Read: The Tactics of Failure: Why the Culture War Makes Sense to Spiritually Empty Evangelicals.

Congratulations and Prayers for Our President-Elect, Barack Obama

HT to 22 Words. A wonderfully symbolic illustration.

I Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. …8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

I Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Bob is Angry on Election Day

UPDATE: How did Jesus Fight The Culture War?

UPDATE II: Why angry Bob is angry?

Today being election day, and many of my evangelical friends being in somewhat of a foul mood, for reasons that, as of 12:28 p.m., are suspected and not yet clear, I found myself thinking about a fellow I’ll call Bob.

I met Bob while I was on sabbatical. He was a very dedicated conservative evangelical, and a pleasant enough fellow….when he wasn’t angry. And Bob was angry. Angry, afraid, frustrated and ready for a fight.

Bob was your stereotypical culture war evangelical. He was a Jesus follower, but his passion was what was going on in America, particularly the issues we broadly call the culture war: atheistic advances in the public schools, restrictions on Christian practice in the public square, the aggressive agenda of homosexual rights advocates.Continue reading “Bob is Angry on Election Day”

Thoughts on “Hell House:” An Evangelicalism Eager To Leave

I just completed watching the documentary Hell House with a group of my advanced Bible students. It’s giving us an opportunity to ask and discuss important issues about our own experiences of Christian evangelism. Several students have participated in Hell Houses, while others find it to be offensive and disturbing.

If you don’t know what a Hell House is, you might read this review of the film, which is much better than the wikipedia entry.

Hell House shows evangelicals at their most honest: We live in a world filled with demonic forces seeking to overwhelm us in a sea of despair, violence, destructive sexuality, abuse, divorce, homosexuality, AIDS and suicide. And it shows evangelicals at their most purpose-driven: Save people from hell by doing anything you can to get them to pray a prayer that indicates they have “accepted Jesus as their personal savior.” Anything including an amusement park quality haunted house depicting all the evils listed above in graphic, emotion-shaking live theater.Continue reading “Thoughts on “Hell House:” An Evangelicalism Eager To Leave”

Riffs 11:03:08: Justin Taylor Models Critical Engagement With John Piper

Over the last two years, I’ve raised the issue of the need for positive, level-headed, analytical and appreciative critical engagement with the theology of John Piper. I believe such a need is pressing, particularly as more and more future pastors and ministers take in Piper without any awareness that other solid evangelicals may appreciate him AND disagree with him at points.

While N.T. Wright’s theology has been examined from all sides almost as a test of reformed loyalty, Piper, arguably the most influential conservative/reformed evangelical pastor-theologian of the last decade, has seen almost no scrutiny of his theology and its application. Despite the fact that Piper is a major innovator in theological vocabulary, almost no one in good standing within the reformed camp has disagreed with Piper in print.Continue reading “Riffs 11:03:08: Justin Taylor Models Critical Engagement With John Piper”

Recommendation and Review by Ryan Cordle: The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight

Trevin Wax doesn’t like the book very much.

I’d like to welcome Ryan Cordle as guest blogger today with this review of Scot McKnight’s new book. In addition to his recent graduation from Ohio Christian University and joining the faculty where I teach as an English teacher, Ryan is my son-in-law. He’s a fine writer and communicator. Hopefully, you’ll be reading him more in the future. Welcome Ryan.

Faithful readers of Michael Spencer’s “dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness” will likely have read one of his finest essays, “A Conversation in God’s Kitchen.” In this essay, Michael lays out how he has learned to read the Bible as one great conversation in which human authors share unique literary contributions about God, and what he is doing with his creation. We can correctly identify the Biblical conversation as inspired, because Christ is present in the millennia-long dialogue, and ultimately the conversation is about him. It is not a “magic book,” with answers to questions about pet grooming, basket weaving, and what kind of Halloween candy to give, but something profoundly more interesting, namely Jesus. In his new book, The Blue Parakeet, Scot McKnight (The Jesus Creed) argues that readers of the Bible should stop and listen to this compelling conversation, so that they can live out its story in their contexts.Continue reading “Recommendation and Review by Ryan Cordle: The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight”

My Best Imitation of Ken and Carla (and my one gripe about Relevant Magazine)

For those of you who don’t recognize the reference in the title of this post, a little background. Ken and Carla would be the first names of two of the most famous internet watchbloggers who practice (in the case of Ken) or practiced on a previous blog (Carla) the discernment methodology known as “Guilt by Association.”

GBA, as it shall be know, usually involved Tim Keller endorsing a book by someone practicing contemplative prayer, or some reformed Baptist favorite playing Golf with Rick Warren. As practiced by these folks, GBA was ridiculous, but then I’m pretty sure that contemplative prayer is just as good as whatever kind of prayer reformed Baptists endorse, and I happen to think Rick Warren, while annoyingly inarticulate on the Gospel at times, is a Christian.Continue reading “My Best Imitation of Ken and Carla (and my one gripe about Relevant Magazine)”

Open Thread: Who are Your Write-In Candidates for President and Vice-President?

OK frustrated voters. Let’s help each other out.

Who will be your “write-in” candidates for the national ticket?

I’m strongly tempted to write in Al Mohler for President and Ken Silva for VP. These two guys are predictable conservatives who know everything.

Right behind them: T.D. Jakes and Paula White. They can get us out of this financial crisis if we’ll just sow a little seed faith money.