Thursday, October 23, 2014

Enclave Theology

Via Mike Bird:
By ‘enclave’ theology, I mean a theology based narrowly in a single tradition that seeks not to learn from other traditions and to enrich them, but instead to topple and defeat them, or at least to withstand them. Enclave theology is polemical theology even when it assumes an irenic facade. Its limited agenda makes it difficult for it to take other traditions seriously and deal with them fairly. Whether openly or secretly, it is not really interested in dialogue but in rectitude and hegemony…Because of its temptation to misrepresent or devalue traditions with which it disagrees, such theology is finally divisive and futile … Enclave theology makes itself look good, at least in its own eyes, by making others look bad. George Hunsinger (“The Eucharist and Ecumenism”, p. 1)

Sadly, I encounter these type of people way too often.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

African Christians don't read African authors - The same goes for Latin Americans.

This blog is written by a Latin American, so many things will have to do with how I see the world from a Latin American perspective.

Christianity Today has published an article that mentions how Africans are reading more christian American authors rather than authors from their own continent, that also write christian books. The article gives many reasons why authors from Africa don't feel compelled to write, but it also reflects the interest within the African community about prosperity gospel, and also about how much they know about the American type of Christianity, and how little they know about their own.

In Latin American, we suffer a similar thing. The prosperity Gospel teachers chew books out of the printer regularly. There's also a growing section of Christianity that are reading faithful Christian writers from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. This is good, but they don't go beyond that. Some, only read Reformed flavoured literature, and at times, only XVI century writers, that don't relate to the practical pastoral issues being faced in the continent.

This article, along with that particular whole issue of Christianity Today, opens us to the world of how diverse Christianity can be. It's not a sin to be different, if we are still faithful to the word of God.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Are you a fan, or are you a fan?

At Church, we are doing the course "Are you a fan or a follower?"

Thom Rainer, some time ago, talked about this issue, but with inverted roles. This is what Rainer says:

  • A college football fan loves to win. The typical church member never wins someone to Christ.
  • A college football fan gets excited if a game goes into overtime. A church member gets mad if the pastor preaches one minute past the allocated time.
  • A college football fan is loyal to his or her team no matter what. A church member stops attending if things are not going well.
  • A college football fan is easily recognized by his or her sportswear, bumper stickers, and team flags. Many church members cannot even be recognized as Christians by people with whom they associate.
  • A college football fan pays huge dollars for tickets, travel, and refreshments for games. A church member may or may not give to his or her church.
  • A college football fan reads about his or her football team every day. A church member rarely reads the Bible once in the course of a week.
  • A college football fan attends the game no matter how bad the weather is. A church member stays home if there is a 20 percent chance of rain.
  • A college football fan invites others to watch the game every week. A church member rarely invites someone to church.
  • A college football fan is known for his or her passion for the football team. A church member is rarely known for his or her passion for the gospel.
  • A college football fan will adjust gladly to changes in kickoff time. A church member gets mad if his or her service time is changed by just a few minutes.
  • A college football fan is loyal even if he or she never gets to meet the coach. A church member gets mad if the pastor does not visit for every possible occasion.

  • N. T. Wright and the Faithfulness of God

    Thursday, October 9, 2014

    Where Did Rapture Theology Come From? Ben Witherington III

    4 Blood Moons Half Price

    It is interesting that today, when the second out of 4 blood moons has arrived, the book by John Hagee has been reduced half price!!!

    Wait till next year, and nothing happens, still we will we see nothing happening. I would like to know beforehand what excuse they will come up with.

    If you follow Hagee and the lot, you lost it!!