The Pursuit

Response: “The Bible & Homosexuality: Enough with the Bible Already”

Thursday, December 18th, 2008 | Blogs Worth Mentioning, bible, fellowship, homosexuality, ministry, philosophy, teaching, tradition | 1 Comment

A couple of days ago one of my Facebook friends linked to an article by Adam Walker Cleaveland called, The Bible & Homosexuality: Enough with the Bible Already. I would like to respond to this article, both it’s heart and it’s content. Obviously the title is rather shocking to the more conservative folks out there. The author starts by saying, “Unfortunately, if you came to this post hoping to see a detailed exegesis of texts like Leviticus 20.13 and Romans 1.26-27, then you will be disappointed.” These text both speak about homosexuality in a negative sense.

If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them. - Leviticus 20:13

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. - Romans 1:26-27

I think it would be erroneous to state that these texts support homosexual acts. The author links to two books, one who believes the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as sin, Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality and one who does, The Bible and Homosexual Practice. But neither seem to be the point of this article, what is this authors real point is if you dismiss one author because of their view of scripture, then “enough with the Bible already.”

Cleaveland goes on to support his position of “enough with the Bible already.” I believe his concern is that as Christians we are using the Bible to discriminate against a whole class of people. This has been and continues to be a concern of mine. It wasn’t too long ago in American history where conservative Christians used their Bibles to condemn and discriminate against black people and  all women (even to this day). However, I think Cleaveland goes a little too far. He admits that he will be acused of going down a slippery slope, but that is merely a logical fallacy anyway. Rather, I believe he is committing his own logical fallacy, the “fallacy of slanting” or deliberately omitting, deemphasizing, or overemphasizing certain points to the exclusion of others in order to hide evidence that is important and relevant to the conclusion of the argument and that should be taken into account of in an argument. The reason I say this is because of a few key statements that Cleaveland makes, such as,

There are certainly plenty of books written that go into great detail concerning the very few texts in Scripture that deal with same-sex relations…. (his emphasis, not mine)

…these beliefs come from a very selective reading of a very small amount of texts from the Bible….

…Christians need to get over their infatuation with a very select few verses…

It seems to me that Cleaveland is demphasising these verses in favor of homosexuality. I think this is where he crosses the perverbial line. He’s right in many cases, if the Bible is causing you to believe that homosexual people are sub-human, or do not deserve the same rights as non-homosexual people, then perhaps your misreading the message of Christ. However, to claim that we should put aside our bibles if we believe homosexuality is wrong, is completely ignoring the evidence. I truly believe Cleaveland is swinging the pendelum to far… he has noticed an ongoing trend towards people (Christians) who hate Homosexuals and use the Bible to bash and condem them. His answer is to throw away the Bible, instead, I believe our answer should be to pray, seek the Lord’s wisdom, and consider these verses.

Do I think it should be illegal for homosexuals to marry? No, that is up to the state and its government. However, I do believe that homosexuality is sin. To be perfectly honest, the bible doesn’t really talk about the same topics very often. If we were to take Cleavelands view, there are tons of topics we could ignore because they are barely mentioned. For instance, Leviticus 18:23 reads, “Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.” But there are so few verses in the Bible about having sex with animals, why can’t we safely ignore this one? Perhaps this is a better example, Exodus 22:22 reads, “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.” Since this isn’t talked about very often, then we can do whatever we want to widows and orphans.

Do you understand my point? I would say the bible rarely speak about the same sins over and over again, their frequency shouldn’t determine how we interpret scripture. Gossip, slander, lying, etc. are all sins but how often do you see them mentioned in scripture? Probably as much as homosexuality is mentioned. The pure weight given to each of these, clearly mark them as “sinful” even homosexuality. Cleaveland ends by saying,

If it is the Bible that is causing us to delay accepting and celebrating LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual] persons as being fully human and fully created in the image of God, just as they are, then perhaps we need to say, “Enough with the Bible already…”

What are you thoughts on this subject?

Interview with Frank Viola by Alan Knox

Monday, December 15th, 2008 | Blogs Worth Mentioning, church, interview | No Comments

Alan Knox of The Assembling of the Church recently interviewed Frank Viola. Frank Viola is the author of the books, Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church. I haven’t read Reimagining Church yet, but thought Pagan Christianity was a great book.

Check out the interview here: In Conversation with Frank Viola

Things I’ve Done… Meme

Thursday, December 11th, 2008 | just for fun | 2 Comments

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (If PERL counts)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Who Are Our Disciples?

Monday, December 8th, 2008 | bible, church, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, pastor, philosophy, salvation, teaching, tradition | 10 Comments

A long time ago I had a conversation with a close friend and pastor. We were discussing discipleship. Since then, I have encounter a number of people of who have been frustrated with their discipleship. One in particular, a pastor, has expressed deep frustration that his flock does not desire to follow. Thinking about all these issues and looking back at what Jesus did has really made me question what we call discipleship. Traditionally it seems like we spend much of our time, energy, and resources trying to make disciples out of people who do not really want to be disciples.

Consider these points:

• As far as we know, Jesus never tried to convince the Pharisees that he was their savior. He merely told them the truth and let them decide. When they rejected Jesus, he pointed out their hypocrisy.
• When people came to Jesus asking to follow him, he told them how hard it would be. Some of them left and he didn’t try to get them back. In fact, he expected them to leave and used it as a lesson.
• Nicodemus followed Jesus. He recognized Jesus by the life that Jesus lived, not because Jesus asked Nicodemus to join him or any sort of “cause”.
• Jesus never had any official discipleship programs, he spent a lot of time talking to potential disciples, walking with potential disciples, eating with potential disciples, and teaching potential disciples. Some of them continued to do these things with Jesus.
  

So what are we producing, if not disciples? Judging from many things I have seen and read over the past couple years, it seems like we a producing angry people. Angry because they feel like they’ve been deceived. Some of them have been promised a changed life, but instead were taught Christian doctrines and precepts. We’ve produced Apathetic people. Apathetic to the gospel, to the Church, and even to Jesus. We’ve produced people with false-security. These people went to all the classes, they attended all the services, and followed all the rules, little do they know that these actions won’t save them. There are probably other types of people that we have produced but I think Jesus had a phrase that best sums up these false-disciples, “White Washed Tombs”. On the outside, they look brilliant, pure, and white… but on the inside, they are filled with death.

Who are our disciples? Our disciples are the people who truly follow us… and hopefully watch us truly follow Jesus. Jesus did not force people to follow him, he did not even try to prevent people from leaving him, his disciples were those who recognized him as savior and could do nothing but follow. Basically, Jesus shared his life with everyone, those who shared it back were his disciples.

Contract Pastoring

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 | bible, church, deacon, discipleship, pastor, philosophy, preaching, service, teaching, tradition | 8 Comments

God might be calling me to become a contract-pastor. It is similar to a vocational-pastor, except I won’t receive an annual salary. I’ll be paid on a contract basis - one hour minimum - billed in fifteen minute increments after first hour. I charge .495$ for traveling more than 20 miles. Some services are offered at a flat rate (such as funerals and weddings).

Since I want to offer the same services a vocational-pastor offers, I had a vocational-pastor send me his job description. These are some of the services that I plan on offering.

Bible Study, Prayer, and Meditation - 75$/hr
Counseling - 75$/hr
Visit the sick - 125$/hr
Train and equip lay-leaders - 100$/hr
Advise Boards and Committees - 100$/hr
Funeral Services - 300$/Event
Wedding Service - 500$/Event
Proclaim the Gospel - 80$/hr
Plan, Coordinate, and Evaluate Sunday morning services - 135$/Event
Preaching - 150$/Event
Moderate Church Meetings - 50$/hr
Plan and Lead Church Ordinances - 100$/Event

These were all things listed in the pastor’s job description. Any additional services can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. I trust you will find my rates very reasonable and hope to hear from you very soon.

OpenDNS: Protect Your Family Online (free)

Monday, November 17th, 2008 | Family, Technology, Tutorial | No Comments

OpenDNS is a very simple DNS solution that anyone can use and I would recommend it to anyone. DNS stands for Domain Name Service. It is basically the service that makes the internet work the way that it does. If it was not for DNS, you’d have to remember 74.125.45.103 to get to Google’s Website or 74.208.80.98 to get the The Pursuit’s website.

I have known about OpenDNS for a long time now, but never looked into it for several reasons. But recently I found myself in the need of an alternate DNS solution. The functionality OpenDNS offers is leaps and bounds over what I expected to see. The most important thing that I think you will find useful is it’s ability to filter content. You can set different levels of protection to prevent things like porn on your network. I think this is great because it relatively transparent (although there are always ways to get around these things). But if you have a child who frequently uses the internet you can use this as a primary way to help prevent accidental or intentional website browsing.

Here is a simple tutorial:

Go to www.OpenDNS.com and click the “Home Network” tab at the bottom of the page.

Go to www.opendns.com and click Home Network

You should be at the Home Network page, read it if you wish, but ultimately you’ll want to click the “Start using OpenDNS ->” link on the right hand side of the window.

Click the "Start using OpenDNS ->" button

The next page is Step 1 of 3: Change DNS settings). It will ask you an important questions, “Computer” or “Router”. Last night I choose “Router” for several reasons. This step may confuse some of you, so let me try to explaint he difference. The “Computer” is merely choosing 1 computer. So if you have a single desktop that all your family uses, this may be a perfectly valid option for you. However, if you have DSL or Cable Internet, then you probably have a router built into your modem. Your Internet Provider should be able to provide you with more information about this, but OpenDNS makes is very user-friendly. Choose the option that suits your needs.

Choose the option that suits your needs

In this screen you are asked what system or device you use to connect to the internet. If you chose “Computer” on the previous screen you are given a list of possible operating systems or specific devices that you may want to setup. If you chose “Router” you are given a list of common routers people use. Choose the option that suits your needs (I choose 2Wire because my ISP provided me with a 2Wire brand router).

If you chose "Computer"

If you chose "Router"

Open DNS provides you with great screen shots explaining everything you need to do to update your system ot use Open DNS. Sometimes it takes a few minutes before the changes take effect, which may effect your ability to access the internet - this is normal - do not panic! Last night one of my machines had an issue with accepting the changes, I just rebooted it and everything was fine. After you follow the directions, click “Continue to Step 2″ at the bottom of the page.

If you chose "Computer" > "XP"

If you chose "Router" > "2Wire"

Here you will be asked to create an Open DNS account. This is completely optional if you merely want to use Open DNS as an alternate DNS solution. However, it is required if you want to use the added functionality of Open DNS (such as porn filtering). Enter the relavant information and click submit.

Enter the relavant information and click submit

It will send you an email to confirm your account.

It will send you an email confirmation

Check your email and click the link to confirm your account request.

Check your email and click the confirmation link

It should log in into your Open DNS Dashboard automatically. If not, you will be ask for your username and password.

Login with your username and password

Your Dashboard is where all the magic happens. Here you can change your settings to filter your web content. You should see a message that reads, “You haven’t added a network yet. Add one now…” click the “Add one now…” link to get started.

Add a new network

The next screen should automatically fill in your IP address. If this is correct, then click “Add This Network”. If you are unsure, you can go to http://www.ipchicken.com/ to verify your IP Address.

Verify your network address

You will receive a popup message asking your for more information. First, you need to enter a name for the network, like “Home” or “Work”. Second, it asks you if you have a Dynamic IP. You probably do, so you can leave this checked - unless you know you don’t. The third option is to download and install the OpenDNS Updater. The third option is completely optional to you and depends on where you’re intalling the program. For instance, if you install it on a laptop that you use outside of the house, it will mess up your OpenDNS settings. When you leave the house and get a new IP your house will no longer be using the OpenDNS settings. So I would recommend only installing this on a computer that stays in your house and stays on your network. The down side to this is that you’ll have to periodically check to make sure that your IP hasn’t changed (or ask your Internet Provider for a static IP). Once you have completed these steps, click “Done”.

Name your network

This next screen will confirms the network you just added. From here you can click the “Settings” tab or button on the Network you just added to change the filtering settings for your network.

Click "Settings"

Finally, the last step! This is where you can setup your filtering options. OpenDNS provides you with several options, the default option is “Minimal” which protects you from Phishing attemps. It goes up from there with, Low, Moderate and High. The best thing about this is you can customize each setting. So if you choose High but want your children to be able to use Facebook, just click “Customize” next to High and uncheck “social networking”. This will allow all social networking sites through the filter.

Choose the desired protection level

I am extremely impressed with the service that OpenDNS offers for its subscribers. Not only does the service act as a great alternative to ISP DNS, it provides a fresh set of tools for protecting your network and family. As a relatively simple and FREE solution it is definitely something you should consider adding to your home network. As with anything, there are always ways around any protection, but this can be another tool in your toolbox to prevent your children from accessing adult or unsafe content. Did I mention this is free?

If you have any questions or need any help, please comment and I’ll try my best to answer your questions.

God Speed. › Continue reading

Thoughts on Compartmentalization

Monday, November 3rd, 2008 | church, comic strip, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, money, pastor, philosophy, prayer, preaching, sermon, service, teaching, tithe, tithing, tradition, worship | 2 Comments

Recently I’ve been thinking about compartmentalization… I’ve heard it preached on numerous occasions that we should not compartmentalize our Christian life. Usually the context is by acting one way on Sunday and another on Monday. I totally agree with this concept, out lives should be consistent - we should follow Christ every day, 24/7. However, I wonder if we do not practice what we preach. I looked around at our church life and realized that it is all very compartmentalized. Here are a few comic strips that illustrate my point:

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with a scheduled time to sing, a scheduled time to teach, a scheduled time to fellowship, or a scheduled time to pray… but I wonder if we are not encouraging people to be compartmentalized by making their church life compartmentalized. This is when you sing, this is when you listen, this is when you pray, this is when you give, this is when we disciple, this is when we fellowship, etc. Is it really that much more of a leap to say “this is when you act like a Christian” and this is when it’s ok not too?

A Modern Example

Friday, October 10th, 2008 | church, ministry, pastor, prayer, preaching, questions, salvation, sermon, service, teaching, testimony, tithe, tithing, tradition, worship | 4 Comments

I recently had a wonderful conversation with one of my co-workers. She came into my office to give me something and noticed my digital picture frame displaying on my desk. Then I showed her a picture of my wife and we spent a few minutes looking on Facebook and MySpace to see if my wife had any pictures up of the kittens. While browsing through the pictures she saw one that Kati had of me at my graduation. My co-worker asked where I graduated from and I told her, “Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.”

She said, “WOW! I’ve gotta stop cussing in front of you…”

I explained to her that I didn’t want her to censor herself in front of me. Then we started talking about “church” life. She and her husband aren’t really church people. They both went to Methodist churches from time-to-time growing up though. Recently her husband expressed interest in going to a local Methodist church. He wants to go somewhere that he can hear the word preached without feeling pressured into anything weird. She said that she wasn’t really into the idea, but wanted to go with her husband anyway.

Up to this point in our conversation, I had already explained that I am a heretic and defined the word for her, as “a professed believer who maintains religious opinions contrary to those accepted by his or her church or rejects doctrines prescribed by that church.” I explained a little bit about my history, what I believe, what I don’t believe, etc. Basically just enough to let her know what I am all about.

Knowing this, and having her recent church experience, she had some questions/concerns for me. This is what they were (in her words).

1) During one songs, they sang about Immanuel… who is Immanuel? I thought they were suppose to worship God?

2) When it was time for prayer, everyone bowed really low with their heads down. Why did they do that?

3) After the community prayer, instead of everyone saying “Amen” they all started to say their own little personal prayers - is that normal?

4) After the service a couple cornered us and asked if we were saved, it was really ackward.

5) The husband of the other couple convinced her husband to fill out a vistor’s card. Then they received a call that afternoon asking if they were going to visit that night.

6) They had “children’s church” during which they took up an offering/tithe. Our little girl felt bad because they were trying to build a new church building and gave 10.00$ to the offering. I feel like that’s wrong, that should be up to the parents, not pressured little kids.

Hearing some of these questions and concerns, I had the feeling that I knew exactly what Paul was saying in 1 Corinthins 14, “Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?” Granted, this is about “tongues” not about Christian Music, Childrens Church, Prayer Stance, etc. I think it still relates though.

The Pursuit Strip - #26

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 | The Pursuit Strip, humor, philosophy, teaching, tradition | 4 Comments

Us vs. Jesus

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 | bible, church, discipleship, ministry, miracles, philosophy, prayer, preaching, service, teaching, testimony, tradition | 6 Comments

Today is much different than 2000 years ago. Everything is different: culture, society, technology, science, politics, and more. All of these changes combined with time and the evolution of tradition have made us change the way we think about evangelism, the gospel, and even Christ. Today I would like to compile of list of how we do things versus how Jesus did things.

We hang out with unbelievers when they come to our meetings and programs.
Jesus hung out with unbelievers.

We develop programs to attract the world.
Jesus developed relationships with the world.

We raise funds to build buildings and additions.
Jesus didn’t have a place to lay his head.

We believe that true fellowship with God happens once a week.
Jesus expects true fellowship every day.

We make the gospel attractive.
Jesus made the gospel unattractive.

We create religious systems, doctrines, polity, rules, and more; in the name of being right.
Jesus tore down all those; showing that he was right.

We expect non-followers to act like his followers.
Jesus expected his followers to act like his followers.

We believe that classes equates to discipleship.
Jesus walked with his disciples.

We believe that we cannot perform miraculous things.
Jesus told us that we could perform greater miracles than he did.