Author: Wick

So I’ve been reading NT Wrights’ “Justification” slowly on purpose. There is much to sink yourself into, especially if you read the texts he brings into play as they come.

In Chapter 3, he writes one of the best summaries of why second-temple Judaism is so important to an understanding of the New Testament I’ve ever read. Everywhere from simply understood statements such as:

“most Jews of the time were not sitting around discussing how to go to heaven, and swapping views on the finer points of synergism and sanctification.”

All the way to more complicated, but helpful to understanding Paul:

“the “dikaiosyne theou” (righteousness of God), is an outward-looking characteristic of God…that of God’s creative, healing, restorative love.”(speaking of God’s covenant to His people FOR THE SAKE OF creation) “Indeed, it is because God will be true to that outward-facing generous, creative love that he must also curse those ways of life, particularly those ways of life within his covenant people, which embody and express the opposite.”

Sure, there are points where he defends himself against specific accusations by John Piper in his own book on Justification; but always in a way that reveals/embraces scripture, rather than only a traditional understanding of one group/line of people.

This is all groundwork/foundational discussion for the exciting parts that are to come; namely, his brief exegesis on a few major works of Paul. All of this definitely makes me want to get a copy of the New Interpreter’s Commentary……even if only a digital copy on cd of some sort. Maybe I splurge and put my office/professional budget towards better use than random reads….but that might be a couple year’s worth. Someday…

Or perhaps “zero” specifically. How do we as people in ministry (not just pastors/youth pastors, but EVERYONE who has been transformed towards Christ, and because of that your very nature desires that others hear the good news) respond to “zero” being the answer to the question: How many people have stumbled over Jesus and been drawn to him due to your existence this past year?

Taken from Bishop David Kendall’s blog:

“1. Determine: not here, not now, not us! The one who created the world out of nothing and who raised Jesus from the dead is on your side when you say this!

2. Pray your determination. Pray for opportunities to get into the action, for people you know, for people to meet, for opportunities to come.

3. Use the good senses God gave when he created you and the Spirit now wants to fine tune within you. Use your eyes—open them widely. Look intently and ask, “What’s really happening?” Use your ears and listen. What are you hearing? What impresses you? What might God be saying to you in that situation or to that person?

4. Do something. There are so many options. Where is someone hurting? Where do you see a need? What could be done? Do it! Do it and know you’re probably doing more than you know. Beyond or beneath the need something else is going on. God will open a door.

5. These are things you can do as individuals. Think what you might do in partnership with others, as church, even a small church. Think what could happen if the church was totally at the disposal of God in its community. There’s just no way a whole year could pass without at least one new follower!”

I was avoiding it, but I suppose it makes more sense now than down the road. Last week, for $9.99, I paid for Derek Webb’s newest album, Stockholm Syndrome (immediately download, and 2 copies arrive in the mail near September – not a bad deal). I posted a few thoughts way back when I heard some of the controversy surrounding it.

Now that I’ve listened to it, I have a few thoughts.

1. Finally, an album that sounds different. Seriously. I like Webb’s stuff, but most of what he’s done solo has sounded like something a single college guy would sing around girls he likes to prove both that he can sing, and he’s into “hip” things. His voice is still a bit whiny at times, but at least the music mixes things up a bit. Even hip-hop-ish…at times. Numbers 2 and 3 my fav. for sound at least. A few of the songs go a bit too far into the techno/voice distortion/etc….but I still like it for sounding different from anything before this.

2. I like the price/options. I wish more artists would recognize their ability to be more involved in how/how much their album is purchased for.

3. Content. Aside from all the hype/promotion focusing on the controversial nature of the language/topics found on this album. It’s Derek Webb. Very hip-hop in content/message. But this album especially leaves me hungry for Christ. Maybe he did that on purpose, and will deliver in his next album, or was hoping to lead us simply to the hunger so that we pursue it on our own. In any regard, it would be very easy for this, and books/cds/blogs like it to simpy be an anti-church catalyst for those who are riding the slam the church gravy train. That’s not a train Jesus is aboard…so let’s be careful how long/why we ride it.

4. Edited version available. Thank you Derek Webb. No matter how much you hurt inside for sacrificing artistic integrity, thanks. I think it should still be possible to convey the message of church being held captive by our culture, and finding we are drawn into relationship with our captors all too easily….and still be properly offensive – without using offensive language. That being said, I can understand his desire to use many of the words he does in many places.

Altogether, I think it’s worth getting. Get together with a couple hippy friends who don’t mind a few risque words and buy it for $9.99. They can have the foul-mouthed versions, and you can get the Wal-mart appropriate version when it’s mailed out around September.

Worth a listen.