Hammock - Capturing Natures Beauty in Song

If God is the most creative being then you think that Christian's would have a leg up on that market. You would think that Christians would be creating the most beautiful art or composing the greatest music. You would think that Christians would be influencing the culture instead of being influenced by it.

My favorite band of all time is an icelandic band called Sigur Ros. And no other band, in my opinion, captures the very essence of our creator then the music they put out. In fact my heart and my mind is moved more by God through their music then any Christian music that is out there. That's kind of crazy considering the fact that Sigur Ros sings in Icelandic and I can't understand a word they are saying. Why is that? Because Sigur Ros tries to capture the majesty of their Icelandic landscape in everyone of their songs. Romans 1:20 tells us that God has clearly revealed himself through his creation. Thus if you sing about creation, you sing about God.

That's where Hammock comes in. Hammock consists of Andrew Thompson and a guy named Marc Byrd (Marc wrote the song 'God of Wonders'... you have sang it at youth group before.. trust me.. it was probably played after 'In the Secret'..its that big). These guys, moved by the music of Sigur Ros, came together and said can we make this type of music from a Christian perspective? Using the Southern American landscape as their inspiriation they have been showing people the creator using no words at all. Making God's invisible qualities clearly seen by what they write. The point of their music isn't for you to get up and sing but its for you to stop and reflect on our Savoir. Using music to have us stop and know that he is God.

The Video is from Hammocks latest album Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow and the song is called Mono No Aware

From Doubting Thomas to Doubtless Thomas

As most of you all know out there in bloggerland I am addicted to the T.V. Show LOST. By addicted I don’t mean that I just have to watch the show ever Wednesday night, but that while this is running my whole week is in anticipation for the next week’s episodes. I listen to three different Lost podcasts, read and theorize on discussion boards, and even watch old episodes that could shine some light on the one I just saw. So there is my confession and as the saying goes confession is good for the soul.

Why the all of a sudden admission of my nerd fetish with this show? There was an episode last week called “316” which was filled with themes of faith, salvation, sacrifice and redemption. However, there was a conversation that Benjamin Linus had with the hero of the show Jack Shepherd who represents science, reason and the need of evidence to be the foundation for any truth claim. Ben shared the story of the Apostle Thomas who is best known for doubting Jesus’ resurrection.

The Gospel of John records the story. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples behind a locked door (I will talk about the significance of the lock door later). All of the disciples where there except for Thomas. When Thomas returned the disciples declared to Thomas the great news that they have seen the Lord. However, Thomas was skeptical. He said "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." I identify a lot with Thomas. See Thomas wasn’t into this whole idea of “blind faith.” Thomas believed that if Christ was really powerful enough to be raised from the dead then he could be able to provide evidence of that.

Somewhere in the 2,000 years of Christendom we have abandoned this idea of certainty. We have turned faith into a blind leap like Indiana Jones stepping onto an invisible bridge saying “I Can’t see it, touch it, or know with certainty that it’s there, but I put my whole life on the line for it.” At churches there seems to be a coat rack and a brain rack as you enter in the doors. Check your coats and your brains and the door because you won’t need either while you are in doors. It’s no wonder that Neo-Atheist Richard Dawkins see faith as “the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.”

We somehow have created this dichotomy between our heart and our mind. I heart can believe while our mind doesn’t understand. Imagine though, if your mind confirmed what your heart believed? Would that transform the way that you lived your life? Would that transform the church? After Christ death the disciples gathered in the upper room and they locked the door. Why? Because they thought they were next. They were afraid. However after they had seen the reason Lord, that door became unlocked and they went out into the streets and declared the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all but the Apostle John died a martyr’s death. The Apostle Thomas became one of the greatest evangelists of the early church proclaiming the gospel in Persia, India and possibly China. Doubting Thomas turned into Doubtless Thomas and he gave his life for the Gospel. Thomas was transformed when his mind confirmed what his heart believed. If you have stumbled on here and you have questions about your faith, then I commend you. You are not alone. However, just like what Ben said Jack on LOST, “sooner or later everyone is convinced.” Rather it be in this life or the next you will be convinced.

What is Apologetics?

Last week at K-Life we asked some of our kids what Apologetics means and we got a variety of answers. Some of these replies were “a hit song by One Republic,” “the history of the war god Apollo,” and “the science of being sorry.” Although some did answer correctly, we were surprised on how so many of our students haven’t even heard of the word Apologetics. Now I consider myself pretty down to earth so I came into the assumption that not everyone would have a particular knowledge of the arguments within apologetics, but to have little understanding of the nature of this branch of Theology was disheartening. So what is the purpose of Apologetics and where does its purpose lie within the spectrum of theology?

There are three components of theology. The first one is Polemic Theology. The word polemic comes from the Greek word polemikós which means “to war.” Polemic Theology is then theology which is done in a warlike manner speaking against those whom you disagree with. This type of theology is done inside of the church, usually done in showing the error of thought or doctrine towards another believer or another denomination. Sadly this type of theology has been prevalent the majority of church history and has done more the divide the body of Christ than unite it. However, this type of theology is important when heresy is entering to the church and dividing it. The second type of theology is Irenic Theology. Irenic Theology is the opposite of Polemic because it is theology that is done peaceably. It accurately represents all views and doctrines even when you oppose them. This is the type of theology that I use most often when I teach. That doesn’t mean that you don’t study the “holes” and problems with a particular system of beliefs, but you have to accurately represent that branch of theology. The last branch of theology is Apologetics. We get the word Apologetics from the Greek word apologētikos which means “suitable for defense.” And that is exactly what Apologetics is, it’s theology that is done to defend the faith against those who oppose outside of the Church.

Peter tells us in his first letter to “…always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you..” (1 Peter 3:15). Skeptics out there bring up really good questions. If we don’t have the original manuscripts of the Bible, how can we trust we have and what it says about Christ and God? If God is good then why is their evil, and is that God really worth worshiping? These are great objections that dive into the heart of Christianity. And as the great Apologetic Norman Geisler said if we can’t answer these questions “then we may as well believe in fairy tales.” The truth is we have some great answers to these questions. The problem that arises though, do you know them? Do you even know of a book that you can use a resource when these questions come. Because all too often, I know of students who get sheltered their whole life from opposing views, but when they go to college and they experience the full force of these arguments. These students don’t know that we have great answers in response.

Want a great Apologetic resource book? Then check out Norman L Geisler’s “When Skeptics Ask” as well as Lee Strobel’s “A Case for Christ.”

Chad After Dentist

Do yourself a favor. Watch "David After Dentist" youtube first... then watch this parody!! hilarious!

The Audacity of Truth

Consider these facts:

- 1 out of every 5 people in the world is Muslim

- In 1990 there were 30 mosques in the United States. Now there is over 3,000.

- 67% percent of the world's population does not identify itself as Christian.

I read those facts in a book I am currently reading called "The God Conversation" by J.P. Moreland. And reading those facts got be thinking. If nearly 70% of the world's population does not identify themselves as Christian, and as Christians we claim to have the truth in Jesus Christ; then essentially what we are saying is that 70% of the world has got it wrong. And to me, to say that 70% of the world is in error feels a bit arrogant.

In college I lived in a fraternity house, and in that house I was known as the "Christian boy." So what usually ended up happening is that when someone wanted to engage in an open dialogue with a Christian they came knocking at my door and I loved it. I love engaging in conversation about worldviews. There was one night, however, that the question was brought up "How can you as a Christian claim that you have the right truth, and all others are wrong?" Which is a great question, but it's a hard one to answer especially in our increasingly relativistic culture. In fact this particular conversation sparked interest with almost everyone on my floor that came into my room to listen in on our conversation. Well have you ever had an entire room turn against you? It's scary. Especially when everyone, including other Christians, are yelling at you because of your stance of "Jesus is the way the TRUTH, and the Life" and that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6) like they were me that night.

That is when I found out that the Christians audacity of truth is not popular. Instead what is more accepted is an "all roads lead to God" sort of belief. In fact it was the great theologianate (that's sarcasm) Oprah that said while doing a show about Islam "then it is clear that Islam is just another one of the many ways to get to god." And it's not a surprise that people believe this. I will be honest and say, I wish that it were true. However there are two thoughts that I want us to consider when it comes to the "all roads lead to God" analogy.

Thought 1 - What Would Key Figures of these Religions Say?
If you told Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, or Buddha about this mountain top theology how would they respond? Did they view their religious systems as just one of the many paths that lead to God? Hardly. Jesus said that no one gets into heaven except through him. Buddha would say, there might or might not be a god, but the issue is enlightenment. Mohammad claimed that Gabriel came and spoke to him and gave Allah's final and definitive word to man. In fact, according to the Islamic belief that salvation is only found through a complete surrender of your life to Allah and to be a true follower of Allah you have to declare "There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet." So two of the most influential religious leaders, Jesus and Mohammad, would both say the mountain top analogy is invalid.

Thought 2 - What about the Contradictions between the Religious Beliefs?
If you do a study of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism it won't take you long to discover that they disagree on key issues. Let's take a look at the nature of God for example. Christianity says that God is Trinity, Islam sees the nature of god as one, Hindu believes in over 300 million Gods, while Buddhist do not necessarily acknowledge a deity. How can each of these views lead to God when they don't even agree on the very nature of God? Not only do they not see eye to eye on the essence of God but they don't even agree on how you are saved. Islam says you have to confess to Allah and live a life according the Koran and if your good deeds out weigh your bad then you will go to heaven. Buddhist say you mediate until you reach a point of nothingness, an enlightenment that they call Nirvana. And lastly Christians say, God sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world, that if you believe in him then his righteousness is transferred to you and your sins are transferred to him. So we see at the very core beliefs these religions do not agree with one another and see totally different ways to God.

The reality is between the atheist and the theist, Christian or Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist; One of these worldviews has the Audacity of Truth on their side. Only one can have the truth claim but which one is it? This should be a serious question that everyone should ask themselves. Am I a Christian because of my up bringing and circumstance or am I a Christian because I KNOW it be true? Keep joining us on this journey of developing the Christian mind!

the ideas in this article are reflections from my reading of "The God Conversation" by J.P Moreland and Tim Muehlhoff

Who I am listening Too

I have just recently bought Bon Iver's debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" and I can not stop playing this album. Then I heard the story behind the album and I became even more intrigued. To write the songs for this album Justin Vernon (the man behind Bon Iver) went out to his Father's cabin in the woods of Wisconsin with a desire for isolation and reflection. With guitar and pen in hand he wrote down the aching of his heart. The result is a very simplistic, rustic album as Justin is vulnerable with his listeners as he shares his pains and struggles. Songs "Flume" and "Re:Stacks" are part of the albums heart and soul almost taking you to the !Wisconsin Cabin. "Skinny Love" as by far the song with the most commercial appeal while "Wolves (Acts 1 and 2)" builds to an epic end. The final word is this. If the ideal of great music for you is an acoustic guitar and a microphone, then you are missing out on one of the greatest, most intimate albums out there.

Greatest Show Ever!!

Ok, I just got to say this. If you watch TV yet you are not watching this show, you are watching inferior television. Seriously this show is that good. I just got done watching the third episode of Season 5 titled "Jughead" and this show is really taking off. Sure, I have no idea what is going on with time and space jumps, a man who never ages and is "very old" (thanks for the revelation Juliet.. but be a little more descriptive next time) but this show has got me!

Yes, it is great to have "24" back and the Office is still sort of funny, but I am just glad that LOST is back!

You addicted to LOST like I am and the next Wednesday just can't come soon enough? Then check out Jay and Jack Lost podcast on itunes. Very entertaining and very good! Also the Official Lost Podcast is AWESOME, but they dont update it as much!

NAMASTE!