This is a thought carried over from a previous post for further contemplation and expansion: Worship, throughout most of modernity, and ages prior, has been more reflective of a conscious and deliberate construction of relationship around doctrinal (correct or otherwise) priority. Modernity’s relational construct, as a result, focused almost entirely upon correct belief; this focus was subsequently applied to the relationships shared between individuals within the community, and the relationships shared between individuals and God (individually and cumulatively as sacred community). This left virtually no room for honest exploration or discovery. Read More
Monthly Archives: April 2007
Nine Traits of Emerging-Missional Worship
A Holy Blur of Sacred and Secular
There is no divide between sacred and secular in Emerging-Missional worship. All of life is considered to be sacred. Emerging-Missional worship is dedicated to sacralization. “Sacralization, the process of making all of life sacred, represents the interaction of kingdom and culture. Emerging churches tear down the church practices that foster a secular mind-set, namely, that there are secular spaces, times or activities. To emerging churches, all of life must be made sacred” (Gibbs 66). Read More
On Resurrection and Judgment in Zoroastrianism
Note: The following material is a compilation of random notes scribbled in preparation for a class presentation in a seminary course re: world religions. The presentation topic assigned concerns death, resurrection and judgment in Zoroastrianism. Basically, the subject is Zoroastrian eschatology. No, I am not a Zoroastrian sympathizer (one never knows these days). I am no aficionado of relativistic religious pluralism either. There are beyond strange groups out there who already have that one covered. I am, however, a student, and as such I normally find it interesting to take a critical peek at other religions. If not for intellectual reasons, then for purely missional ones. Read More
Cyberbullying is a Federal Crime
Cyberbullying is on the rise. It is a serious problem for children, but it is not limited to them. There is, for example, an incredibly disturbing case of Cyberbullying unfolding in the blogosphere right now that involves adults. This case may actually be labeled as something much darker than Cyberbullying, as it involves actual death threats. It is an exceptional case, to be sure, but more often than not, the effects of bona fide cyberbullying are just as damaging, even if the nature of the bullying is not as blatantly sinister. At any rate, it is only a matter of time before state police, federal courts, and legislative law(s) start to take much more seriously the social ramifications and responsibilities inherent to our burgeoning world of online networking. The Internet is a wonderful medium for sharing information, but it can be used as a weapon too, unfortunately. I have seen it, and you probably have too. Read More