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“The church has become a business that sells Jesus—the culture of consumerism. Theology has become an analytical discipline that scientifically examines propositions—the culture of reason. Worship has become an entertaining program that presents Jesus in a winsome way—the culture of entertainment. Spirituality has become an experience of transcendence achieved through Christian technique—the New Age culture of generic spirituality. The church’s life in the world is to do good so people can see that Jesus is all about being nice and helpful—the culture of humanism.”

Robert E. Webber, Who Gets to Narrate the World? Contending for
the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2008), 123-124.

So there was not much that I felt like really. We had class but really the best part was the fellowship and the hang after class. Mexican food, liters of beer, and football followed by a late night game of Spades really was what this time was all about. It was a manifestation of the Kingdom to come. Brothers and sisters in Christ that had just met. Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Pentecostal did not matter we just hung and discussed our own traditions. The body was edified!

We had a late night of Cahds as our resident Bostonian calls them and relaxation. From left to right, Kellie, Tim and John. Never play spades with John but if you do know that he intends to take the first few tricks if at all possible. If you can take one he is ruined! Superman’s Kyrptonite if you will…

So today was a very interesting day. We discussed the contours of biblical thought, Hebrew worldview, structure in worship, symbolism in the Old Testament, Iconography, and Cultural Borrowing which I found most interesting in Job 29:18 as it references a Phoenix, depending on your translation. We defined Cultural Borrowing as the infusion a previously used cultural symbol with new theological meaning and symbolism. Verse 18 reads Then I thought, “I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.” In some translations the word for sand can be loosely changed to either “ashes” or “bird.” Whether or not this is the case really isn’t that important as I see it. What I see is a beautiful metaphor in which the phoenix represents our lives in Christ.

Here’s a picture from a walk we took the other day after 9 hours of sitting. It was a beautiful evening to watch the sun set and my friend David hopped up onto a stump for picture. David is from Alabama and is a worship leader and conductor in the SBC. We stayed up way to late watching the BCS championship last night. Though David is originally from Mississippi and loves Missippis State, he now has been called to Tuscaloosa AL, so he a good night! The most beautiful thing, thus far, about IWS is that despite our various theological differences, we are able to forge meaningful, resourceful relationships through an intense monastic community of study as we pursue our common passion for the renewal of worship in this Day and age.

The Second best part: CRAWDAD BOIL!!!

How man places do you know that serves Crawdads that have been boiled on the sidewalk out front of the cafeteria? We walked into the smell of seafood and Cajun spices. It was amazing. David walks up to me and says “looks like we’re having crayfish.” “Now I hadn’t expected that from an Alabamian, Crayfish? Someone else said something about it though, and he replied, “Oh no, I’m just conforming to the cultural norm.” I laugh just about every minute with that guy!

Yeah, that is Ice…In Florida. It was 26 yesterday morning. Please pray for the Farmers and migrant workers in the fields. The farmers are losing their citrus and strawberry crops this year and there are too many migrant workers and housing is scarce so some are sleeping out in the cold.

Blessings!