MIssional Church?

OK, if you haven't been paying attention to the blogosphere, (or Google Trends) you no doubt have heard that the word of the day is MISSIONAL. For many, this word is associated with Emergent (and in some ways this is post-emergent) and in some circles it is being seen as the rise of something new (as well as theologically responsible). I've seen see it on the blogs of people like Dan Kimball (who has a new missional network developing that will be based on the highly evangelistic Lausanne Covenant) and even at Monergism, the Reformed (and Reformed friendly) Missional voices of Driscoll, Keller and Stetzer are beginning to be heard. So what is this?

It would seem (according to Google Trends) that somewhere in the last two years in this country, Canada and Australia, people have begun to wonder the same thing. And as a result, ministry in the west is taking a new direction. I think this is very important. Most statistics show that this country is already losing people its Christian population (to say nothing of the spiritual desert Europe is in). We are starting to see the West as a mission field again. Thus many are starting to think like missionaries again. I'm glad that I'll soon to be joining the SBC because this has always been their ethos. They were begun by Reformed Missionaries (the Founders) and they have a branch dedicated to missions in this continent too!

I'm glad to see Reformed people are playing a role is this shift. Thanks to people like Tim Keller, and Mark Driscoll. If you can think of anyone else let me know in the comments. The more I look into it, the more I know I will have to say about it. But for now, here are a few places that have gobs and gobs of info for you to think about
JR Woodward's blog
Simply Misional Blog
Ed Stetzer's Blog
The Resurgence
Acts 29 Network
Monergism Articles

Lots to think about, but as I read Stetzer's book (Breaking the Missional Code) and other books on the subject (I'll be going though the Redeemer Church Planting manual with my Pastor this year) I know I will have more to say. Stay tuned.

When being relevant isn't enough

From Carl Trueman at Reformation21. This is in response to the huge stir- up Barrack Obama has caused by inviting Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inaguration.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that the day is probably not far off when those who regard homosexual practice as wrong will be consistently presented as the moral, cultural and intellectual equivalents of white supremacists.  Al Mohler (who seems to have spent the whole week writing or speaking on the issues of Lisa Miller and Rick Warren) has pointed out that this issue is set to shatter any possibility of traditional, biblical Christians being considered cool.   You can have the hippest soul patch in town, and quote Coldplay lyrics till the cows come home; but oppose homosexuality and the only television program interested in having you appear will soon be The Jerry Springer Show when the audience has become bored of baiting the Klan crazies.  Indeed, evangelicals will be the new freaks.

 I have been thinking over the last year on Christianity and culture. D.A. Carson poses a very interesting question in his book on the subject. Paraphrasing it, the question is this: would C.S. Lewis have been the way he was had he been raised in the killing fields of Cambodia instead of England? Why that matters to this issue is that no matter how comfortable we are in this culture, it's changing. A changing culture will require us move differently. Trueman believes we have  a few options.
1. We could give into the cultural impetus to accept a lifestyle that is un-biblical (which some have done). I should add, that just because we don't accept said lifestyle does not  mean we can't be friends, nice or have to ignore those who are gay (If we did how would we witness to them?).
2. Completely demonize people who are gay and reduce them to a concept, a label or their orientation alone-like these people do (I might add, this is horrible). As Trueman says, people are more complex than that. 

So what do we do? I would suggest we pray and love our neighbors. In tough times, Peter had these words:

13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
 --1 Peter3:15-17

Top 10 "Top 10" Lists for 2008

 

 Well as the year comes to a close, no doubt many of you have seen many top 10 lists. Well I figured I'd give you my top 10 top 10 lists. that is, 10 lists I found that I just had to share with you. Well, here we go.  

1. Top 10 Buzzwords 

Topless Meeting. Got your attention? According to TIME, this word made the rounds this year. It means a meeting sans laptops, or any other electrical devices.  I particularly liked Nuke the Fridge (Indiana Jones reference) and PUMA.

2. Top 10 Emergent/Missional/Post-Evangelical posts of 2008 

From Parables of a Prodigal World (why can't emergents have nice short names?) the title alone should make you laugh. And Emergents do knowhow to laugh at themselves. What I found interesting is that the number one article deals with the fact that the word "emergent" should probably be dropped. I like missional myself (and am leaning more in that direction). Some great posts include 50 Reasons you're probably not emergent, a critique of Joel Osteen by Pastor Jared Wilson (after Osteen's wife had an "incident" on a plane).   

3. Eleven Signs the Tide is Turning 

From pastor Jared Wilson's Gospel Driven blog, I found this fascinating. He cites 11 things that show something is in the air. Something many of us have sensed. Number one? Young Restles Reformed People (like your pal Fusion!). He also includes better Christian Music (I'll withold judgment on that for now) and the rise of the Pastorpreneurial class (cool word huh?). I like that. Sort of. But I am not as opposed to the professional side of ministry as I once was. I think it serves a purpose. Read this article. It is great. 

4. Top 10 Urinals

From urinals.net Need I say more? Check out the Felix.

5. Top 10 Evangelical News Stories
From Christianity Today, the stories that got us thinking. I was particularly moved when I heard about Iraqi Christians and the persecution they face. Plese continue to pray for them and ask the govenrment to help them. It was also a big year for Tod Bently. Unfortunately, what starteed as a bang, ended as a wiper. He's not seperated from his wife, and left many wondering what happend to the anointing. Sad to say, anointing or not, we're still sinner saved by grace. Yet we still sin.

6. Top 10 Countries By Robot Population Density
From Neatorama, we find out which countries use the most robots. All I can say is, that when the Terminators attack, you better not be in Asia!

7. Top 10 Movie Flops Turned Classic
Some movies age like a fine wine. Other's come out with a bang, but lose their pizzazz after their first viewing. From Scene-Stealers, a list of movies that aged well, despite being flops. On this list are a few surprises including The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Cane. A few that aren't so surprising (but worth watching) are Office Space and Donnie Darko.

8. Stephen Kings 10 Best movies of 2008
Trust the man, he knows his movies. Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Mr. King gives us a look at his favorites from this last year. I like them. Especially with Dark Knight at number 1, followed by Slumdog Millionare and Wall-E, I saw I agree with Mr. King.

9. Best Journalism of 2008
From Culture11 (a blog you should be visiting). A list of this years best journalism. Some of these are quite funny. For example, Best Court Reporting goes to: Dispatches from the R. Kelley trial. I'd put a link, but it is pretty graphic reading, though very funny too.

10. Best Books of 2008
Over at Provocations and Pantings, Timmy Brister gives us a list other people's best book list (I sense a pattern). Here are Tim Challies gives his 8 fave books, including: The Reason for God, Christless Christianity and The ESV Study Bible. I would add Why We're Not Emergent and Christ and Culture revisited by D.A. Carson.

OK, one last one.....

Fusion's Favorite Blogs and Websites

1. New Reformation
 OK, shameless self-promotion, but I have enjoyed working on this page. Go visit, and join in on the discussions, posts, and blogs. Tell a few friends while you're at it.

2. IGoogle
If you don't have Gmail, Docs, or Reader, I pity you. Getting a Gmail account made my internet life much more interesting.

3. Monergism.com
One of the best theology websites I've ever seen. If you're reformed, go visit it.


4. Culture11
A collection of great blogs. Young Reformed people should take a liking to it. I especially like Alan Jacob's blog.


5. Between Two World's
Justin Taylor (editor of the ESVSB) just keeps cranking out great articles, interviews and links. I say visiit it a lot.

6. Twitter
This was the year of Twitter. Go, get an account and find me at twitter.com/frankfusion. Step back, and get addicted. I've been surprised to see some very well known people on there. Al Mohler, Ed Setzer and Mark Driscoll come to mind. Some pretty funny people are on there. Including: Fake John Piper and Fake Charles Spurgeon.

7. Facebook
This was the year of facebook as well. It made it to the list of many countries' top 10 searches for 2008. That's gotta be good.

8. Problogger
Blogging as a career? This is where you go to find out how. Buy this guys' book too.

9. Popurls
Think Drudgereport times a hundred! As my friend Jonathan Chan told me, it's a bit of a snapshot of what's big on the internet right now. Info junkies will thank me.

10. Alltop
Inspired by Popurls, this page is a little more organized, and you can search by topic. Great to see what's hot in church news.

Well, thanks for following along, and feel free to add, comment and

Flashback Friday's (On Thursday!): 80's Nintendo Edition

Ahhhh Nintendo. I remember spending many hours playing game after mind numbing game on it, and learning all about secret passages, hidden levels, cheats, and just learning to spend hours in front of a T.V. screen. Well, things haven't changed that much. Today, Mario and Luigi are still fighting the forces of evil with the help of Wii. Who knows, I may yet play Mario Brothers with my own kids at this rate. So, I wanted to ask: what were your favorite video games growing up? Here are a few of mine:

Ah Mega Man 2. Play it today, and it is STILL a great game. And seriously, the theme music is just amazing. Funny that that kind of music is popular today. Another reason to thank the Japanese.


Here is a guy beating the original Mario Brothers in less than 5 mins. Blasphemous, I know. This game was supposed to make you work hard all afternoon before you gave up trying to get to Koopa's level (that or get yelled at by your parents because they said you would get a seizure). Either way, this game is still a classic and you can't beat that sound track. Mario Brother's was, for many of us, our first taste of video game action. In a way, it also taught us a thing or two about life: if at first you don't pass the level, try, try again.



Ok, I can't find a good visual of the game, but you played this game for one reason: that song! It's so cool. So Russian. Was this a Russian Game? Seriously, this is what they tortured their kids with? Well, It was a fun game to play when I was a kid, and I occasionally play it on igoogle. This game is addictive.


Before Mortal Combat, before Street fighter, we got our fix of video game violence with Double Dragon. I had DD2 and we made it to the final level ONE TIME! As we were about to fight the final boss and flip this game (as was the vernacular at the time) someone dropped my NES system :( We never got that far in the game again. Oh well. I guess one day when I get a Wii, and download DD2, I'll try and do it again.

This History of Search

How did people search for information before Google? Or even the internet? I'm sure for many of us, that is hard to imagine, but it was possible. From Chunk It, the Evolution of Search. If you're an info junkie like me, then you'll enjoy their brief history of search, and their thoughts  on the future of search.

A Response to Dinesh D'souza

So who gets into heaven and why? According to Dinesh D'souza, only God knows, and they may not have to know Christ to do so. Last week while listening to Dennis Prager I caught his interview with Mr. D'souza about his new book: What's So Great About Christianity? . (A book I might recommend in time, withholding judgment so far). One of the questions he and Mr. Prager discussed was who gets into heaven. I guess at this point, seeing that Mr. D'souza was put forth as a Christian expert (His page would indicate he's Roman Catholic) he gave an answer that would be in line with what Prager believes. Here's an example:



So what was Dinesh's answer to the same kind of question? It came along these lines:

1) Abraham is mentioned as someone in heaven (referring to Abraham's bossom) and he never had faith in Christ.
2) We're never told who is in Heaven.
3) And what about that good Hindu who just never got a chance but lived in line with the law of Moses?(not an argument but an assertion that is supposed to settle the matter)

As a response to the first answer, I quote Paul himself as he states in Romans 4
1

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God.3What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

I believe that answers two of Mr. D'souzas arguments. namely that Faith is required (Not by works of the law, Moses' or otherwise) but also that Abraham believed God. I might add, by even bringing Abraham up, doesn't that at least tell us whom IS in heaven? Now he might wonder about all people who believe in God and have faith in him. But I ask: which God? Again, Paul tells us in Galatians 3:

6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Notice that All people have to come to faithin the same God as Abraham did, and have the same kind of faith to have the same end: being in God's family (which will eventually be with him in Heaven). Notice also that this good news (gospel) is what Abraham believed (In embryonic form it would seem because is says Scripture anticipated the whole story). He believed the gospel, now that we have the full version, that alone is what saves people. It alone is the bridge to being in God's family. And if you don't believe me, let me quote Hebrews 11. In the great chapter of faith it tells of the end of those who believed:

14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.16Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Sounds a lot like Heaven. I refer you to Revelation 4 as well:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

God himself has taken the initiative to save a people for himself. Who are they? Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:12-13)

As for people who live in accord with the law of Moses? Romans 3:

9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.10As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;

11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

We'd better take a closer look at what the Bible says about who does and doens't go to Heaven. To ignore it is to ignore God's master plan.

The Creative Christian

Are you creative? Is that even important? I think more and more that we get set in our ways. We stop learning to think creatively, and give into the status quo. It's easy to do. But I think that as Christians, we should exercise the full creative abilities God has given us. Doing show, we show forth the very creativity that is in God. So, if you are in ministry (and if anyone needs to be creative it is someone in ministry) here are a few websites I've found helpful.
Boost your creativity with these pages:

http://www.innovatorstoolkit.com/download/ (free templates with 50+ exercises to stimulate your thinking-go get the book as well)

http://thebackofthenapkin.com (Read the book, visit the website for some free downloads)

http://lateralaction.com/ (cool blog with some fun creative ideas)

http://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/ArticleDetails.asp?a=155 (a HUGE list of creative thinking websites-go here first)

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm (how to mind map)

http://www.mindmeister.com/ (mind mapping page)

http://www.text2mindmap.com/ (text based mind map-cool)

http://thinkinghow.com/ (more ideas)

http://lifehacker.com (Just plain fun)

I might add, that part of this post in inspired by an event that I will
be takng a part of. I'll be representing Let My People Read! and New Reformation. The event is known as Idea Camp A hybrid conference where the speakers will also be dialogging with the attendees. So it will be a sort of round table discussion as well as a Q and A session and networking meeting. Like I said, hybrid! I'm sure I won't agree with all the speakers, but I think that listening to other people will be helpful to my own thinking. Admission is free, just join the page and you are registered. Join in on the forums as well.

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Mary the mother of Christ

For Reformed Christians celebrating Advent we read this week

Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

If you didn't notice, Mary's first supernatural encounter was with an Angel. If you know your OT, angels didn't always mean something good. They were there to destroy Sodom and Gomoroah, in Isaiah an angel destroyed an army, and well, lets just say the list goes on. But on this occasion, angels delivered a message about a long awaited Savior. So why are people still talking about his Mom?

What is the lady of Guadelupe? If you follow Wikipedia it states:

Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe) is a 16th century Roman Catholic icon from Mexico representing a Marian apparition. It is perhaps Mexico's most popular religious and cultural image. Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day is celebrated on 12 December, commemorating the account of her appearances to Saint Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City from 9 through 12 December 1531.

The Virgin of Guadalupe is a symbol of significant importance to Catholics. She is recognized as "Patroness of the Americas". The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the second most visited Roman Catholic shrine in the world.

The Virgin of Guadalupe has also symbolized the Mexican nation since the Mexican War of Independence. Both Miguel Hidalgo and Emiliano Zapata's armies traveled underneath Guadalupan flags, and Our Lady of Guadalupe is generally recognized as a symbol of all Mexicans. The Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes once said that "...one may no longer consider himself a Christian, but you cannot truly be considered a Mexican unless you believe in the Virgin of Guadalupe."^[1]

Nobel Literature laureate Octavio Paz wrote in 1974 that "the Mexican people, after more than two centuries of experiments, have faith only in the Virgin of Guadalupe and the National Lottery".^[2]

Sad to say, to this day you will hear more of the the lady of Guadelupe, and less of Christ on spanish TV this time of year. Even now I've already heard many announcements on Spanish TV (thanks to my Dad's TV habits) advertising one event or another involving the lady. (SOmeting we would never do in the US if you think about it). Can anyone discredit the apparitions that Juan Diego had of the lady? I don't know. I do know, that when you let a miraculous experience alone guide your religious life, you end up with Mormonism!


More so, the real question to ask is this: what would Mary have wanted us to do with her and her son? Thankfully when we come to the Bible, we are not left without an answer. Today's Advent reading tells us:

John 2:1-11 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Two things to note. After the gospels, she is never mentioned again. James the brother of Christ is however. Also, note that this was written by John. If you recall, Jesus asked John to care for his mother at the cross. John 19:26-27 says

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said, " Woman, behold your son!". Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.

John tells us about Mary and Jesus' encounter at Canaan. Having lived with the woman, if he had wanted to add anything else about Mary, this was the time. John did record her words from that day at the wedding, words we would do well to live by: do what Jesus commands. She pointed to him, not to herself.