The Unintended Results of Cultural Progress
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The Unintended Results of Cultural Progress
This morning I read the news that Philadelphia Newspapers LLC, the company that owns the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com has filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to restructure its $390 million debt load. From the report:
The financial burden from an advertising downturn, rising costs for newsprint, and the migration of readers to the Internet caused Philadelphia Newspapers to fall out of compliance with its loan agreements last year. The same conditions have devastated the broadcast industry.
It is not clear whether any jobs will be lost during this process, as operations are reported to be sound and profitable. But surely there are many other situations which have led and are leading to job loss. This situation, and others like it, is a great sadness, and not what anyone foresaw as being an almost inevitable result of the internet age that we live in.
Reading this story reminded me of something I just read in Andy Crouch’s Culture Making. Crouch writes that one of the difficulties of creating cultural products that serve others is that often the cultural product that is created has negative consequences that the creators of the product never imagined.
He cites the internet as a primary example. The internet is, by all estimations, an amazing product of culture that has greatly increased the horizons of possibility for millions of people. But people did not foresee many of the negative effects of such technological advance: the ease with which our children can be polluted and abused by online pornography, the decimation of the 20th century music industry and the vast loss of jobs that has created, or the increasing irrelevance of the newspaper, as people get their news quicker and cheaper online. Surely this is what led to the Philadelphia Newspaper LLC’s announcement of bankruptcy.
All this increases my longing for the cosmic redemption of all things, which Jesus and the writers of Scripture have promised is yet to come. I am pretty sure that we will, in some way, still be culture makers in our final state of glory. And how sweet will that day be when our cultural creativity will produce one of the unintended, harmful results that often plague the best cultural advancements in this fallen world. In that day, every cultural good really will be good.
If You Had One Hour…
February 16, 2009 | 1 Comment
If You Had One Hour…
If you could spend one hour with any living person, who would it be?
Implied in the question is that the answer is someone who, for any reason, you don’t have access to spending time with now.
My answer to the question is Dave Matthews. Ten years ago he was probably the closest thing to a savior that I had. When I was gloomy for any reason, his music is what I turned to for comfort and peace. Now that I know THE Savior, I am still fascinated by Dave Matthews and his music. I have done away with the vast majority of my DMB collection, but still have a few songs that I enjoy. Their musical creativity is, I believe, a reflection of the image of God in them, though they do not manifestly give Him the glory for it.
From listening to the songs that he writes and reading some interviews with him, it is clear that Dave Matthews is not a Christian. I am pretty sure he professes agnosticism. But he also has clearly done a good bit of thinking about Jesus and Christianity. He seems to have a kind of respect for Jesus, though Matthews obviously picks and chooses what to like about Him. Some of his insights about the failure of the Church to represent Jesus in the world are spot on, and yet he is certainly responsible for suppressing the truth that God has revealed to him.
So if I had an hour, I’d love to sit down with this man whose extraordinary musical talent has brought joy to so many people. It would be a joy to listen to his objections and difficulties with Christianity, and try to help him see that his objections are not insurmountable to having faith in the Jesus of the Bible. I doubt I’d be able to persuade him to trust Christ in an hour, but I’d still love to explain to him how his talents have made me more in awe of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe.
Now I turn it to you: if you had one hour to spend with any living person, who would it be? This requires you, faithful reader, to click on the ‘comments’ icon below this post and write a comment!
Spring’s Around the Corner
February 14, 2009 | 1 Comment
Spring’s Around the Corner
I know this because pitchers and catchers report for spring training today. I’m eager to see my beloved Phils’ try to become the first repeat champions from the National League since the 70’s. But even their recent success doesn’t make me very optimistic that it will actually happen!
Earlier in the week I read an article which said that the Phillies’ payroll increased almost $30 million this off-season. With people all around the nation losing jobs and feeling stress over economic uncertainty, obviously the sports franchises aren’t hurting too badly! I don’t know many companies that are increasing their payroll by $30 million this year.
Do you think that these uncertain economic times make it harder to get excited about supporting athletes and their employers who live in such financial ease?
Let me know…
Yes, There is Real Evil
February 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Yes, There is Real Evil
On Monday I read this article on Fox News about a Polish engineer beheaded by the Taliban in Pakistan. My heart grieves for the victim of this tragedy and his family in mourning. As I thought about this story, I wondered how I as a Christian ought to respond to such a story. Surely many such stories happen every day, not to mention the larger scale acts such as 9/11.
There are many ways for a Christian to respond, but the one that stood out to me as I pondered this story was that affirmation that evil is real and horrible. Just about everyone in our society can see this. Hardly anyone would read a story like this one out of Pakistan and say, ‘Well, those killers were doing what felt right for them, and there is no point in trying to impose our view of morality on them. What they did was right for them.’ No one talks like that! Instead they say, ‘This was a horrible act of evil; it should be stopped, and those men should be punished.’
This is a very important insight to keep in mind as we interact with people who do not share our beliefs and worldview. In our postmodern world it is common to hear people say that moral absolutes are relative, and it is foolish and unloving to try to make someone else conform to our particular view of morality. But the people who say such things do not really live that way. Instead, when a polish man is beheaded in Pakistan, they say ‘This is evil!’
Thus, these grievous, horrible acts of wickedness around the world may actually serve to give us an opportunity to expose to others the shallowness of their worldview when they say things like, ‘It is narrow-minded and bigoted to say that your way of living or your view of truth is the right way.’ If that is true, then nothing evil happened in Pakistan the other day, and nothing evil happened on 9/11.
Let us affirm and impart to others that evil is real and horrible. Because only when we see the horror of evil will we be able to marvel at the glory of Jesus Christ, who will one day heal the world of all its misery, evil and corruption.
From Where Does this Satisfaction Come?
February 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From Where Does this Satisfaction Come?
Yesterday I was in the Firehouse (the building next to our church where I do much of my work, for those who read this and don’t attend my church) doing some work. To my right, around fifteen feet away, was a little trash can in the corner of the room.
I had a piece of paper that I no longer needed, so without thinking, I suddenly balled it up as tightly as I could and tossed it toward the trash can…swish. Right in the can, two points!
Very unspectacular, right? But as the ‘ball’ went in to the can, I had around three seconds where I had a strong feeling of satisfaction. I mean Dwayne Wade I’m not, but that was a pretty good shot!
Immediately I began to ponder why in the world I would feel satisfaction about something so small and insignificant. Is this a matter of trivial amusement for a few seconds, or is there something more deep in our hearts that compels us to feel satisfaction in such a moment?
This is not a loaded question; I assure you, I don’t have another post going up later today on why I felt such satisfaction at shooting a paper ball in a trash can.
Maybe I just think too much. But I’m wondering, does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Has anyone else experienced such a phenomenon (not just with a ball of trash, but anything similar)?
Education on Vocation
February 10, 2009 | 5 Comments
Last week Halle asked me to read her a book called When I Grow Up, by P.K. Hallinan. I read a lot of books to her, but I hadn’t seen this one before. After one read, I’d have to say it’s one of my favorites. It is not a Christian book, but it deals with a very Christian subject: the doctrine of vocation.
Of course the book doesn’t use those fancy words, but as I read to Halle, I couldn’t help but see the very God-centered theme of vocation running throughout it. Essentially the book’s intent seems to be to help kids learn the alphabet, as it begins, ‘When I grow up, I know I can be whatever I dream of, from A down to Z.’
In the pages that follow the book covers a wide range of possible jobs, one beginning with each letter of the alphabet. An actor, baker, carpenter, dancer, engineer, etc. While I certainly plan to read many theologically-oriented books in hopes of stirring in her a passion for the supremacy of Christ, I am also eager to read her a book such as this. Because I think the lesson of this book seems to be a lesson lost on many Christians.
We’re told that after God made the world and Adam,
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Part of Adam and Eve’s privilege and responsibility as God’s image-bearers was to take the raw materials of God’s good creation and mold, fashion and cultivate them to bring out its latent potential. This responsibility was tragically impacted by the Fall, but it was not abandoned. Right after the Fall, we’re told in Genesis 3,
“Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.”
Even after being removed from the Garden, Adam is still called to care for and cultivate the creation. And we see in Genesis 4 that the offspring of Cain are responsible for the formation of cultural products, like musical instruments of bronze and iron.
The point is this: all vocational tracks (excepting, of course, those which promote and glorify sin, like pornography for example) have the potential to glorify God as we exercise our image-bearing responsibilities in bringing order and peace out of the chaos of God’s creation. A homemaker (the ‘H’ vocation in When I Grow Up) who looks at the disaster area which the kids have made of the house, and cleans it thoroughly, is imaging forth the glory of God by creating order out of chaos, the very thing God did in fashioning the creation into something beautiful out of what was without form and void.
As the book comes to a close, Hallinan sums things up by writing, ‘Whatever I do, from A down to Z, I’m bound to succeed if I stay true to me.’ While this could be a humanistic attitude (I am my own sovereign, all-authoritative god), Christian parents can use these words to show their children that God has made us with certain abilities, talents and desires, and ’staying to true to me’ means staying true to what God created us to be.
Whether Halle wants to be a librarian, a musician, a nurse, a scientist a waiter or a veterinarian, I hope to teach her that each (non-sinful) possibility for her career has the capacity to bring God great pleasure and delight as she reflects the image of her Creator. I want her to know that being a good, God-glorifying Christian does not mean that she has to be a missionary to a foreign country or a biblical counselor or director of women’s ministry in a church.
Alright, I’ve gone on long enough! The bottom line: if you have small children, pick up this book and use it to teach your little ones that all work — not only Christian ministry — can bring glory to God.
Enjoying a Haircut
January 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I used to cut my own hair. Not always, mind you, but most of the time. Over the past year, my perspective has changed on that topic as I now prefer to have it cut by a professional. Here are a few reasons why:
1) They do a better job.
That one is probably obvious enough, but most people were usually surprised to hear that I cut my own hair, so that wasn’t the biggest factor.
2) I stopped enjoying cutting my own.
First, because it took me longer than it took a professional. And second, because my back and feet didn’t appreciate standing up so long. But again, that wasn’t the biggest factor.
3) Getting your haircut is an opportunity to cultivate community.
This is a bigger reason for why I go to the Barber Shop. For usually the Barber Shop is a hang out spot. Inevitably, you meet people and, at the very least, talk to your Barber for a half hour. I have come to value this much more than the money I spend to get my haircut by someone else.
4) I enjoy watching someone do work they are good at and that they enjoy.
In my opinion, watching a good Barber go to work is a great opportunity to be encouraged. For you get a firsthand look at someone who enjoys their job and who does it well. And if we are thinking rightly, we will recognize that watching someone work well and with joy encourages us to do the same. Seeing someone fulfill their God-given calling should encourage us to fulfill our own.
I suppose that is something we should keep in mind every time we head off to work: that if we want to bless others, we should first aim to do our work well and with great joy.
A Vision for Small Groups
January 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
The other day I preached on Acts 2:37-47, which shows the response to Peter’s Pentecost sermon. Especially verses 42-47 reveal the kind of loving community that was formed in response to the Gospel. I think it’s evident that the only way to live the kind of community life modeled in these verses is through the formation of small groups.
This is an area where I have been doing a lot of study in recent weeks, and I have been especially helped by a manual put out by Redeemer Presbyterian Church (which can be purchased here). In it, a beautiful vision for a healthy small group is cast:
1. We are to be a worshipping community. The message of the gospel is that Christ
died for us while we were yet sinners– when we were separated from him and wanted
nothing to do with him. We are not defined by what we did or have done to become
God’s people, but by what God has done in Christ to make us his . We are therefore,
a people who are grateful to God and who stand amazed at the wonders of his love.
As a result, we worship God with our praises and by celebrating the Lord’s supper.
2. We are to be an accepting community. The message of the gospel is that we have
been accepted at our worst. We are to extend a similar acceptance to one another
without demanding that they change before we before we offer it to them. We need
neither frown upon nor be shocked by other people’s sin and weaknesses. We are to
extend grace rather than judgment.
3. We are to be a holy community. Though we are to accept people as they are, we are
not to be content with leaving others where they are. The gospel tells us that we are
destined to become like Jesus and that God has already begun the process of
changing us from glory unto glory. We are to urge one another to throw off what is
not in keeping with what God has made us to be and to put on all that is in
accordance with the new reality of our status as sons and daughters of God.
4. We are to be a truth-telling community. “There is no kindness more cruel than the
kindness which consigns another person to their sin.” The gospel gives us the motivation
to truly care about people. We are to be marked by gentle but honest truth telling which will
lead others to want to change. We won’t be harsh because we know our own weaknesses and
flaws. But neither will we shrink back out of a fear that we will be rejected for we have the
only acceptance which ultimately matters. We can also hear the truth from others. Because we
are accepted in Christ, we are free to admit our flaws.
5. We are to be an upbuilding and encouraging community. The work of Christ in the
church is “building up”. “God is the one who can build you up” (Acts 20:32) and “In him
the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord”
(Eph. 2:21). The church grows not by joining physical stones but by joining and uniting
human lives filled with the Spirit of God. So, too, the main work of the living stones
themselves is building up: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”
(I Thess. 5:11) and “Speaking the truth in love…the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
(Eph. 4:15-16). Because of the acceptance which comes to us in the gospel, we do not have
to resort to tearing others down in order to feel good about ourselves. Petty rivalries and
competitiveness vanquish. Confident that we are loved by God, we are free to encourage
others and desire the best for them. We are enabled to work for the prosperity and success of others.
6. We are to be a sacrficially generous and giving community. Paul writes, “For you
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes
he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9) We
are to follow suit: spending and being spent on behalf of others. The early Christians
were known for their radical generosity: “All the believers were together and had
everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as
he had need” (Acts 2:44,45) and “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his
own, but they shared everything they had…There were no needy persons among
them. From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the
money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone
as he had need (Acts 4:32-35). We also ought to be known for being promiscuous
with our money and possessions.
7. We are to be a suffering community. Jesus loved us while we were yet enemies. He
didn’t retaliate against us. He suffered our slighting of him and the wrath of God on
the cross in order that we might be turned into his friends. We also are to avoid
retaliation. We are love to the point of suffering whether that suffering love is
directed toward those inside the community or outside the community. We are to
offer forgiveness to those who harm or persecute us.
JCF brothers and sisters: are we experiencing this kind of comunity life? If not, what is standing in our way?
In pursuit of genuine, Gospel-centered community,
Larry
Honoring Through Enjoyment
January 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
This past weekend, we took a trip to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) as a family for the All-Star Game. On the way home, we stopped at a toy store and picked up a few things. For Elijah: a sweet basketball hoop (a must in the Crispin household of course). And Abby: a Doll House.
These were two items we had been looking for since we knew we would return here next season. Anyhow, after setting them up for the kids when we returned home, I could not help but reflect upon the fact that my greatest joy was found not in being thanked for the gifts, but in watching my two children enjoy them with an unspoken thanksgiving.
Now, for their own good, we made sure they expressed their thanksgiving, but it was their unspoken joy in enjoying their gifts that brought me greatest joy. Naturally, these reflections made me think about how we can best honor the Lord with the gifts He bestows upon us. No doubt, we should give thanks, but this expression should be the inevitable overflow of a joy-filled, childlike heart, a heart that readily immerses itself in the enjoyment of a God-given gift.
I have a feeling that many of us might have difficulty in joyfully immersing ourselves in the good of God’s gifts, for fear that we might make an idol out of it (or them). And although that is a legitimate fear, we should not allow such a fear to dishonor God by keeping us from joyfully embracing the good things He gives us. It is not wise to run to such extremes.
In my view, it seems wiser to immerse ourselves in the good of the gift, with the understanding that we might enjoy it in such a way that we forget God. If we make such a mistake, let us run to the cross and then give thanks for the forgiveness that is already ours. That way, we honor Him by enjoying what He has given us and by trusting in the sacrifice He has provided for enjoyment displaced.
Seeking to enjoy God’s gifts as I ought,
Joe
Be True to Your Word, President Obama
January 21, 2009 | 3 Comments
Yesterday in his inauguration speech, Barack Obama said:
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
This statement almost brought me to tears, because it grieves me that a man can say this while supporting the choice of a woman to deny her unborn child a chance to pursue their happiness.
If all are equal, free and deserve to pursue their full measure of happiness, then abortion must be stopped.
I will certainly be praying for Barack Obama, that through a massive change of heart, he would really seek justice and the pursuit of happiness for all.
The Importance of a Letter
January 15, 2009 | 2 Comments
Hey Joe,
I know you’re ripping me for not having posted much lately, and I will try to get back in the swing of things, slowly but surely.
Anyway, I couldn’t resist posting this; I’m preparing a message on Acts 2 this week, and I was just reading a commentary on the passage. It is describing the content of Peter’s gospel proclamation in the middle of the chapter.
Verses 33-35 deal with Jesus’ exaltation to the right hand of God. And at this point, the commentary says:
‘With another Old Testament quote, Peter lastly tells his hearers that Christ is at the right hand of God, where he is not ruling as Lord of all.’
I did a double-take; what?! Jesus is not ruling as Lord of all!!! This is heresy! Then I realized it was supposed to read, ‘Jesus is NOW ruling as Lord of all.’
Wow, one little letter sure makes a big difference!
Larry
Evan and Noah
January 5, 2009 | 2 Comments
A few weeks ago, Erin and I watched the movie Evan Almighty. We enjoyed it, even if there were a few lines in there that made me cringe. The moment they moved into the theological (which wasn’t much), I couldn’t help but get a bit nervous! And after hearing what they had to say, I was justified in my fear.
Though the film itself is a comedy, I did walk away with a fresh appreciation of Noah’s obedience. Throughout the film, various goofy things happen to the main character (Evan), as Morgan Freeman (who plays God, of course) graciously moves Evan in the way of obedience. He grows a beard, wears funny clothes, animals start following him, etc.
Now I am sure all this didn’t happen to Noah. He probably already sported a beard and, maybe, lived outside of the hustle and bustle of the city. Even so, the fact that he obeyed the Lord and built an ark in preparation for a worldwide flood is staggering. Or just plain crazy if you place yourself in his shoes or those of his neighbors.
Just imagine the ridicule and difficulty and questioning that went on. Even among his own family possibly. But day by day, Noah persevered in his obedience. Even preaching repentance amidst his activity. In the end, his fait was justified. For this, we should give thanks.
Watching that film also led me to ask myself a question: Am I prepared to respond in prompt obedience if the Lord gives clear direction to travel in a path that might seem quite odd to everyone else?
I’m not sure, but it is a question worth asking now and again don’t you think?
Running the Race
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
I’ve not yet watched the video you posted on the female basketball player, but I think I know the story well. While you missed this past Sunday’s sermon (being in another country is a good excuse!), I spoke about this same exact thing in exhorting our flock to run the race set before them in 2009.
Instead of using your illustration, I used the illustration of the movie Chariots of Fire. As you know, it is a story of two men who very talented runners, running for two entirely different motivations.
Harold Abrahams (pictured) tells us why he runs: ‘I have ten lonely seconds to justify my existence.’ For him, running was the way of feeling like he was someone. As a result, when he failed he was inconsolable, and when even when he succeeded he could not find happiness. ‘I’m forever in pursuit, and I don’t even know what I am chasing,’ he says.
On the other hand is Eric Ledell, a man who knew Christ and was secure in His love. He says, ‘God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.’
What an incredibly different dynamic was motivating the running of these two men! One was running to prove he was someone, and the other was running for the sheer joy of honoring God with the gifts that he had been given.
Embracing the Gospel makes all the difference between running (or playing hoops) with an oppressive burden on your shoulders, and running for joy and pleasure.
I highly recommend the movie Chariots of Fire, to see a vivid depiction of the difference between a religious motivation and a Gospel motivation.
Larry
Motivation Without Burnout
December 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I’m not sure how many of you viewed that video I linked to earlier. For those who did, you might remember that in an earlier interview, her parents talked about how motivated she was to become a better basketball player, always wanting to practice, etc. That was the reason why they didn’t think she would burn out.
What they didn’t realize, however, is this crucial lesson: What causes burnout is not so much the amount of activity as it is the motivation for the activity.
Again, I speak from basketball experience, however, we all understand this lesson. After all, we all have particular topics of study or activities that we so readily enjoy that in large part, we can’t get enough of them. We have great capacity for improvement in the things the Lord has gifted and called us to do. (Larry, your study of the Scriptures serves as an example.)
The issue is the heart, the motivation, the reason why we keep on going, the reason why we are seeking constant improvement. If our core identity is wrapped around this pursuit, we are bound to burnout. If our security and fulfillment is dictated by whether or not we can achieve a certain status or reach a certain goal, we’ll end up ruining the goal. We might even reach it and then realize, it wasn’t all it was meant to be. Sure, some of us will last more than others. But we will all end up at the same place. Unfulfilled, longing for that which only Christ (and a robust understanding of what He is doing in the world) can provide.
But if Christ is the center and the development of our gifts and the fulfillment of our calling to God’s glory is our goal, I am convinced that we will not burnout. If we truly understand our God-given call to develop our God-given talents to His glory, within the context of a balanced, gospel-centered life, we will thrive rather than lose our zeal. Our gifts will be developed to the degree that the Lord wants them to be developed to our joy and God’s glory. We won’t ruin the gift, but instead, enjoy it and maximize it to the glory of the Giver.
May the Lord grant us the grace to do just that within our respective spheres. May we find motivation in God’s redemptive work and in turn, thrive in our respective callings as the Lord desires us to.
Ruining a Planet
December 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This morning I came across this video at ESPN’s Outside the Lines. It chronicles a woman’s basketball player that I heard about a few years ago. She is from Delaware and was on pace to become one of the best women’s basketball players ever. But she burned out and, after two days at UCONN, walked away from the game (at least for now) in order to play Volleyball at the University of Delaware.
The video was particularly relevant to me, because I can relate to her. I myself faced basketball burnout more than a few times throughout my career. At the very least, I know exactly how she feels when she says that basketball no longer felt like a game, but simply like ‘work.’ Of course, now it really is work for me, but that is another matter. When you are 16 years old and it feels like work, something is wrong. By God’s grace, I enjoy the game now more than ever, even though it is my job.
I would like to say more about this sometime later, but essentially the lesson is this: If Jesus Christ is supposed to be the Sun in the solar system of every man’s soul, you will ruin a particular planet if you try to put it in His central place, especially the planet that you may have been uniquely created to invest into and enjoy.
I can speak to this firsthand. It wasn’t until I came to understand who Christ is and how basketball fits into His great plan of redemption that I could readily enjoy the game I was created to invest into and enjoy. Sound theology gave hoops its proper place and thus, its greatest chance to thrive. The more I understand ‘the Sun’ and His desire for the world, the more the ‘planet’ of basketball finds its proper place and thus, its greatest fulfillment. I wish I could have learned the lesson sooner, but I am hopeful that my learning it will help many others in the years ahead.
And I pray right now that young Elena Della Donne would come to learn that lesson as well. It’s a tough process of putting an idol in its rightful place, but it is well worth the Spirit-empowered work.
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