GroshLink

When I have time, I would like to pick up this new piece by the scientist-theologian John Polkinghorne. For now I'll satisfy myself with the Crouch's Books & Culture review. Here is a piece I found of particular interest, after having spent a summer considering intelligent design (ID) as part of a faculty discussion group:

For Polkinghorne the developmental nature of both life and the cosmos are simply a natural consequence of the Creator's gracious gift of freedom to the created order. Howard van Till, another physicist-turned-theologian, describes the universe as displaying "robust functional economy," meaning that the universe was created containing the fertile complexity needed to develop the astonishing array of life we observe, without requiring further supernatural input.

None of this necessarily rules out the fundamental contention of intelligent design—that certain aspects of life are too complex to have arisen without the guidance of a designer. Yet it does reveal how limited id's scope really is. On the one hand, ID attracts hostility from the scientific establishment because it seems to undercut science's hopes of understanding the workings of chance and necessity in the world. On the other hand, the only Designer of which ID can speak is little more than a shadowy cosmic Engineer, ready to intervene with clever solutions to problems, but whose ultimate intentions are unknown and, within the scope of ID theory at least, unknowable. Polkinghorne's Trinitarian account of a freely developing universe, on the other hand, can fully accept science's understanding of reality while also making much more specific claims about the nature of the world's Creator. That Creator turns out to be a loving Economist, a kind of endlessly resourceful Alan Greenspan, who creates and sustains an wondrously fruitful, free world.

Despite our trepidation, we checked out the 10am simulcast service at our local congregation last Sunday. AND God showed up (actually God was already there)!

I must say that I was surprised that we felt at home with a live feed of the pastor and the worship team in the sanctuary. We enjoyed the informal feel of a location that was not 550+ people packed tight, an on-site worship team which led in coordination with the team from the main sanctuary, the ability for us to settle in with around 75 or so in chapel which could seat 225, and not as much perceived/real pressure for Eden to be quiet :-) Also we liked the ability to see the pastor and worship leaders life size, versus the miniature that they appear from our balcony row.

 (More)

Urbana 2006 seems like it's just around the corner. A new piece of the Urbana Student Mission Convention site is a blog seeking to to look at God's world today through the lens of what we know about God from scripture.

A complex, but necessary task. May we learn to embrace our role in God's story, instead of trying to make our story the center of the universe. AND may we also have the humility to acknowledge that we cannot know the full mind of God and accept that reality as we discuss the difficult questions raised by a messy world at the hands of a confused crew of caretakers. Below is a part of the most recent post, I'd encourage you to engage the conversation . . .

W/Cruise and Holmes considered a regular top news story, not surprising that Scientology took the front page of the Sunday Post-Gazette. Keeping us up-to-date with the strategic nature of Pittsburgh, reminding of Hubbard's bio, revealing the conflicted thoughts of those who leave, and Bridge To Total Freedom . Quite a spread. So for those of you who have been asking me regarding the details of Scientology, here's something to consider . . .

Eden had her hearing test on Monday and although the results were disappointing, they were not surprising. She has no hearing in her left ear, but her right ear is fine. Everything in her left ear functions properly until the sound reaches her auditory nerve. The nerve does not convey the message to the brain. This is consistent with the MRIs which show the mass on her brainstem interfering with the nerves as they converge in the stem. The audiologist thought that her speech and language should not be impeded because she can hear in her right ear. We have questions concerning vestibular function but we'll be meeting with the ENT doc next Wed. and ask him.

On Tuesday we went to the opthamologist. He was pleased to see the progress she has made in being able to move her eye almost to midline and almost close her lid. He said he would do surgery to straighten her left eye at about 1 year old, maybe 9 months if she's not showing any further improvement. Even if the vascular malformation went away he wouldn't expect her eye to move normally b/c the muscle has been shortened for so long now that it wouldn't function normally.

She's had 3 sessions with the physical therapist and is doing well with the neck stretches. She cooperates very well for the therapist. Today she had her first session with the vision therapist. Our goal there is to get her to look at objects and eventually start tracking them. Again she cooperated nicely.

Thanks for praying. It's neat to meet people that I don't know who have been praying for Eden through their church prayer chains. In the past week I've met several such people. How wonderful!

Keep Cool!

Theresa

When visiting some friends this summer, the husband mentioned that xm satellite radio -- BBC in particular -- is his news source. Why? Because its hard to find international news on the radio, in the newspaper, or the TV. Since our conversation, I've taken more notice of my news sources and have heard and seen his point, even with NPR Radio. I have realized that most of my world news has come from the international friends and students which I have as part of the university community (and supplimented by some web crawling). This is quite a blessing. But it has struck me deeply that to engage our world, we need to be a part of it, not just part of an entertainment culture that has All Ears for Tom Cruise, All Eyes on Brad Pitt. . .

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear and meet Ryan Shaw, the visionary leader of SVM2 (Student Volunteer Movement 2). Having been part of an IVMF Chapter (InterVarsity Missions Fellowship, formerly an SFMF, Student Foreign Mission Fellowship) and part of mission mobilization conversations while at Grove City College (and the Urbana Student Missions Convention) . . . it is a great blessing to come across a movement seeking to span Christian and secular campus ministry subcultures in order to establish

a cross denominational, cross organizational student mission movement calling a new generation of message bearers to a life of abandoned devotion to Jesus Christ and the urgent global proclamation of His Gospel.

 (More)

With a a biography hitting the racks Chuck Colson is once again receiving wide attention. Couldn't be better timing as Deep Throat brings Watergate back to our attention. As a NY Times editorial/review notes regarding Colson's work/biography:

Prison reform has been a liberal cause since the Quakers founded the first penitentiary, Philadelphia's Walnut Street Jail, in 1790. Political conservatives have traditionally been more focused on punishing criminals than on reforming them, and religious conservatives have generally felt the same way. "The evangelical church has some great strengths," Mr. Colson said in an interview, but historically, "concern for the poor and the marginal was not one of them."

If you haven't already, check out his Prison Fellowship Ministry . . .

Have you seen Neeslan, a creation spurred by Liam Neeson's commitment to be Aslan's voice in the coming Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe release? A number of people have asked me if we'll find a faithful telling of C.S. Lewis' work come to screen in 137 days or if Disney will have corrupted its allegory of the work of Christ. I do not know, but Lord willing, there will be much value in the film and it will reflect the author's intent.

The other day, I watched Disney's Ruby Bridges: A Real American Hero, click here for the Ruby Bridges Foundation, with Hayley and Ellen. I found the film a helpful introduction to conversation regarding the relationship between the African American and the European American communities that our bridged at our local congregation. Furthermore, I found the faith of the Bridges' family and Ruby, in particular, a great encouragement and model of how to live when marginalized in one's community. I found myself mourning and praying against the destructive power of sin and the evil One in individuals and structures in our society, our world. So I do have confidence that the light of the Gosepel can shine through the Wonderful World of Disney and it is even more encouraging to read on Narniaweb.com:

Is this going to be a secularized Hollywood version or will C.S. Lewis’ Christian themes stay intact? It’s no secret that C.S. Lewis was an outspoken Christian and his faith was woven throughout everything he wrote. Narnia is no exception and much of the stories are allegorical in nature. Will Hollywood have its way and strip out Lewis’ spiritual messages? Not so, promises Douglas Gresham, co-producer and stepson of Lewis himself. A committed Christian, Gresham has vowed not to “change the words of the master.” Indeed, Walden Media itself has a track record of family-friendly films so it seems that the film will be in good hands. Many are concerned that Disney's influence will water down the Christian themes which run through the Narnia stories, but it's important to remember that Walden Media is ultimately in charge of the film, not Disney.

The Baylor Showdown has reminded me how a college's return to faith is only accomplished by the grace of God. Reflecting on the transformation of Grove City College, the alma mater of both Theresa and myself, reminds me what a blessing it has been to know followers of Christ w/the passion, determination, and the sacrifical lifestyle necessary for being part of such a Kingdom endeavor. I was surprised by the omission of Grove City College in the recent article on the Renaissance of Christian Colleges, but maybe that has to do w/not being a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and finding itself outside the typical orbit of evangelicalism . . . which is not all a bad thing.

 (More)

As Lance Armstrong comes down the home stretch to retire on top of cycling by winning a record setting 7th Tour de France title, I can't help but wonder can he really retire?

Some have termed his cancer survival story and return to top racing form epic, a must watch TV event. Lance has immense popularity, a treasury of endorsements, and numerous special appearences (many of which include his rock star girlfriend Cheryl Crow by his side). But we've seen so many athletes go out on top only to return because the game, the competition, the team, the money, the popularity could not be replaced (even in the commentator booth).

In a small way, I have felt that way with basketball. I've not played on an organized team since 11th grade. BUT I can't stop playing . . . now I'm playing 3x a week at 6:15am with a group of guys week after week, whether there are 6 or 12 in gym. Now this isn't a comeback of cosmic proportions, but there's something about getting back on the court after you've been told it might never happen again. In the spring I participated in my first 3-3 tournament, our team won. Yesterday, I was asked about my interest in playing on a CMU faculty/staff team which annually scrimmages the Lady Tartans. My blood is flowing. I'm ready coach!

In One True God, Rodney Stark (note recent addition to Baylor Faculty) argues:

Church of Power, was by far the largest and consisted of most of the official Roman Catholic hierarchy, from parish clergy through popes, and the masses of nominal Catholics . . . masses slightly Christianized . . . [religious elite] openly devoted to opulent living and vice.

Church of Piety: At the head of this church were the monks (and sometimes nuns playing leading roles as well). An immense structure of monasteries crisscrossed medieval Europe as monasticism continued to attract the most ardent Christians from each generation. Most monks did not lead a sequestered life but were a very influential social force in the eleventh century they were still busy missionizing the pagan political elites of northern Europe . . .

Just had to get this up . . . I will try to organize my thoughts on the fantastic candy garden w/waterfall, the Oompa-Loompa tribe of clones, their ironic judgmental songs in the context of the tempting Cocoa/Candy deity, the role of parenting (the transformation of the minor deities after the crises moments of the Chocolate Factory tour), the generation of brats which we have become and are raising, the hollowness of candy as well as the havens of our entertainment culture, the incredible teleportation (one of the most set-up, but most appreciated parts of the film in my perspective as a follow-up to Burton's Planet of the Apes), the redemptive nature of poor families which live in interdependence. Hard to compare to almost any other movie . . . although Moulin Rouge or musical scores/routines added to Edward Scissorhands might come close. Although tight on family, it was not of the same genre as Big Fish. But for now I must say . . .

the adding of patriarchal, oppressive Dental dad (note: no mom in the practice or the house) left lots to be desired. I confess that the contrast w/Charlie's dad working at the toothpaste factory and Charlie's creation of a toothpaste factory (white versus black) was sharp. But the mental anguish of braces which left a manufactored smile, the throwing away of holiday candy by fire (although note the dragon in the fire place and the dragon boat in the chocolate rive), and recognition by bicuspids was a little too much . . . Dentists are not like this & do they really explain Willy Wonka's drive to build a candy empire, his creepy creativity, and the oddities of his life & behavior?

Why should Christians today care about what the church fathers … had to say? asked Christian History of evangelical theologian Christopher Hall. His reply: The Holy Spirit has a history. The church does not thrive in the first century, fail in the second, then revive in the sixteenth. The Spirit never deserts the church. This sense of continuity in the church and of the work of God across the centuries has encouraged many evangelicals to seek out the historic roots of Christian faith (from Is the Reformation Over?, first mentioned here).

Getting back to thoughts on the Reformation, I agree with Rodney Stark's assertion in One True God The Reformation does not mark the rebirth of Christian missions. Sectarian rivalries, no matter how bitter are about reaffiliation, not conversion. Like the Waldensians and other heretical groups before them, Protestants were trying to convince people not to accept a new God but to worship their traditional God according to somewhat different assumptions through new organizational arrangements (p.86).

Christ and His Spirit guides, lives in, and breathes through the People of God. We have never been forsaken . . . but just as the early Church was filled with broken people, capable of great good by the grace of God, they were never purged of the evil within. Not to mention the importance of maintaining and reshaping structures in order for them to point in the proper direction through continual renewal and reformation. Much insight can be gained by exploring the ever present tension between the Church of Power and the Church of Piety . . . more tomorrow.

Let us 'walk with Jesus' today, no matter where we find ourselves in the home, neighborhood, campus, workplace, the local parish hall . . . The book for which Frederick Denison Maurice is most remembered, The Kingdom of Christ (1838), combines an extreme theological openness with an exalted view of the church. Nearly every denomination or Christian group has some of the truth, he argued, but no one should confuse his own theological perspective with the whole truth. Christians are united in Christ, not in certain ideas about Christ.

For Maurice, the church is a "universal spiritual society." The two qualities are co-dependent. It can only be universal if it is spiritual (an inner reality as well as an outer organization). But it can only be spiritual if it is universal. Maurice believed that openness is at the heart of the New Testament. Everyone belongs to the church, without exclusion. The problem is, some people believe it and some people do not -- yet. Salvation involves turning away from the sin of self-centered independence and acknowledging one's redemption in Christ, the King and Head of all humanity.

"The Church is, therefore, human society in its normal state," he wrote, "the world, that same society irregular and abnormal. The world is the Church without God: the Church is the world restored to its relation with God, taken back by Him into the state for which He created it."

Maurice did not approve of churches groups -- of people holding precisely the same beliefs. He supported the Church of England as "the Church in England" -- a body of Christians of diverse beliefs bound only by the fact that they were neighbors and members of the same community.

Mark Noll strikes again with Is the Reformation Over? This piece, co-authored with Carolyn Nystrom, has caused quite a conversation in circles which span Evangelicals and Catholics. I find myself agreeing w/J.I. Packer, professor at Regent College in Vancouver, author of Knowing God:

The drafters of ect [Evangelicals-Catholics Together] declare that they accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, affirm the Apostles' Creed, "are justified by grace through faith because of Christ," understand the Christian life from first to last as personal conversion to Jesus Christ and communion with him, know that they must "teach and live in obedience to the divinely inspired Scriptures, which are the infallible Word of God," and on this basis are "brothers and sisters in Christ." … Do we recognize that good evangelical Protestants and good Roman Catholics—good, I mean, in terms of their own church's stated ideal of spiritual life—are Christians together? We ought to recognize this, for it is true.

My love for the One True God, leads me to the Mere Christianity explified by figures such as J.I.Packer, C.S. Lewis, Rich Mullins . . . and communities which seek conversation framed by such a direction . . . The Inklings, First Things, Mars Hill Audio, and

Decades haven't dimmed the allure of the Hill District's Sugar Top

Although most black neighborhoods have been demolished for roads or left to decay, it is a blessing to see the strength of Sugar Top and the continuing work of God through Robert Lavelle Sr. who "considers this business to be a part of his ministry, i.e., the requirement to serve the needs of others in the total sense of human's needs…spiritual, educational, and economic... (for more see http://www.dwellinghouse.com/history.html)

 (More)

I apologize for not updating you regarding Baby Eden's progress.

Eden Linnae is gaining functionality. The home Physical Therapy (PT) appears to be very helpful. We have a vision evaluation tomorrow, a home PT visit on Thursday, a general check-up on Friday (along w/a pre-kindergarten check for Hayley and Ellen), a hearing test on July 25, an opthamology appt and a home PT visit on July 26, a home PT visit on Aug 2, possibly a hearing follow-up on Aug 3 (if July 25's report is negative), and an MRI on Aug 4 (paired w/a visit to the oncologist).

So lots of follow-up, but the most important visit will be the MRI. We're looking for this to confirm a bleed in the brain and a clearer sense of future direction. This will, alongside the other visits, slow down the number of our visits and Lord willing, enable us to focus on PT and observe continuing improvement of function (closing of the eye-lid, decrease on facial palsy, more tracking w/the eye, movement of the head). Thanks for asking, praying, and 'standing w/us.'

Be a Human, Not a Machine . . . I couldn't agree more. I wonder if Patricia Dalton has applied her clinical psychology in the setting of a technology oriented research university such as Carnegie Mellon University:

I love the opportunity to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live at a distance. We can get work done more efficiently. Huge amounts of information are at our fingertips. But the angst and dysfunction I've described are real. I can recall one family in need of time and togetherness who decided to take a hike, only to have the dad spend most of the time on his BlackBerry. The teen-age son muttered, "Some togetherness" . . .

Are we destined to be the driven in our modern world, or can we become the drivers? What we often forget is that we can make deliberate decisions to improve the quality of our lives.

The early-20th-century English writer G.K. Chesterton was probably right when he said, "New roads, new ruts." But we have more freedom than we realize to choose which ruts to avoid, given the changes that have already come and will keep coming in our high-tech world. -->

Here's a piece I've worked on regarding Spiritual Disciplines and shared within the context of InterVarsity's Staff Team. It refers to material from Dallas Willard, some of which was touched on earlier earlier

Came across Moses' Top Ten this morning, I find our desire to find our own way across the wilderness not just sad, but painful as it causes so much pain, suffering, death, and destruction. Come Lord Jesus, Come. Looking forward to the day when heaven and earth are remade and we can place our mixed bag of history behind us to live as we were created to be, not as we are at this time . . .

"The Supreme Court's ruling last month upholding the right of the Texas State Capitol to keep a Ten Commandments sculpture - sponsored by that great theologian Cecil B. DeMille to promote his Charlton Heston epic - on its grounds as an historical artifact is arguable from a legal perspective. But to the amateur historian and professional ironist, it's a delight. Because I've been to the Texas State Capitol, and that granite Moses movie ad is one of the least offensive things there.

To wit: there are two creepy monuments dedicated to the Confederacy, one of which features hand-carved testimonials from Jeff Davis and Robert E. Lee lauding rebel soldiers responsible for the Gettysburg deaths Lincoln would hope were not in vain [goes on regarding the Alamo, cowboy subculture] . . ."

Picking up the topic of prayer. . . here's an excerpt from a brief presentation I gave on prayer to an undergrad audience a few years ago. My thoughts are more fully developed at this time, but I came across this on the desktop and thought it was provoking. Feel free to send me your reflections:

But what about when life just plain sucks -- when Elise Faith [note: our first child, born at 22 weeks and lived for 8 days] died on March 8, 1999. Our request was good, the timing had passed and we could not go back, our lives were right before him. Every day, godly people are stricken with deadly diseases or rocked by tragic mishaps. Praying parents die without having seen their wayward children return to the fold. Ungodly parents abuse innocent children -- causing distress and dysfunction for years to come. The righteous suffer and the innocent perish. In the time of Jesus and the disciples, a tower fell and killed many (Luke 13:1-4), John the Baptist lost his head, Jesus was crucified, the apostle James was also beheaded, Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned for the gospel. Why would an all loving, allpowerful God deny valid requests from faithful believers? We can understand why God doesn't answer requests from those that are trying to use him like a Pokeman card, but what about the faithful?

Click here for the whole presentation

Book review of Bill Hybel's Too Busy Not to Pray contributed by Susan Norman

My Father recently passed along to me Wagner College's, his alma mater's, Annual Report. He thought I would have an interest in their Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts, which seeks to blend the skill-oriented attributes of a liberal arts college w/the service/teaching elements of public universities. This hybrid model of the New American College, was attributed Ernest Boyer, 7th president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of teaching (and a member of the Messiah College learning community). It's not surprising the presence of real world experience framed by a learning community of mentors emerges from a Christian intellectual. Let us hope that Wagner College at some point remembers its Christian roots in this application so that the faculty not only enter into dialogue but also have opportunity to profess the necessary truths to provide proper understanding of real world experience.