theology

Reading a new book by Rob Bell called Velvet Elvis.  I’d put the link to amazon.com down, but I found it for really cheap at our local Christian Bookstore.  One of those, “We’ll print millions of copies, the first week will go for $20.00.  Next week its already old news – $10.00”.

Rob is a pastor in the States, with Old Testament studies under his belt.  He is the “star” of Nooma videos, a great set of short 10-12 minute clips on basic biblical principles.  So I expected this would be a good read.

And it is!  I’m into the third chapter.  He’s already covered the place of doctrine (what we believe and how flexible it should be) and hermeneutics (the matter of interpreting the Bible).  And never once mentioned that polysyllabic words.

He’s a great writer.  If you want an approach to the “emerging church”, here is a good explanation.  Of course, because emerging church is a new term no one really knows what it means.  The definition is still emerging.  Rob Bell’s approach will definitely give some good thoughts to chew on, from a biblical scholar who delights in context, the visual and the twist of a phrase.

Need some new bed time reading?  Have I got a deal for you!!

Two pastors joined me for coffee this morning.  OK, so they had coffee and I had my tea.   We talked of fixing houses, prayer and fasting, cruises and Christ.

Someone once said fellowship is a discipline of the spirit.  I’m inclined to agree.  I have to put myself out.  Out where vulnerabiltiy, honesty and integrity are all tested.

At the same time, there is a benefit!  I need other people around the table with me.  Somehow others re-in-spire (put breath back into me).  And in a society where life can creep away from you faster than a prairie breeze, you sometimes need to catch a breath of fresh air from someone else!

So, in my dreams, I’m pretending I’m Bobby Fisher (former world chess champion!).

I start with some classic moves.  A pawn here, the knight, followed by a pawn.

The game goes on.  The dark side is advancing.  As I watch the black pieces converge, I’m confident!  I can win this.  I’ve got the best mind available to me.  I’ve got the best computer program as my backup.

No problem!

Well, only one.  The  game’s reason has been left off the board!  

I’m playing without a king. 

Last night we stumbled on the season premier of “Rodney”.

All about escaping hell.  The main character, Rodney, decides he should pave the way to heaven with good works.  The pastor is very human.  And the youth Bible study is a piece of comedy!

In the end, if you have been baptized, accepted Jesus as your saviour –  you are on the way.  Just keep doing good things.  As though a formula prayer and a splash of water really get to the heart of this “God” thing. 

And I guess that’s where I was disappointed!  If I understand life, it’s all about God, not all about  “escaping hell and getting heaven”  If you read Jesus, he makes it foremost that our primary need is to love God – first!