Gay Marriage, Faith, and Friendship
I can speak personally and I think as a generality that Christians often act in fear when something challenges their faith. In 2012 Americans saw the knee jerk reaction of Christians and the Gay-Lesbian community when Chick-fil-a CEO and Christian, Dan Cathy, publicly proclaimed his stance against gay marriage. Reactions from both sides where not pretty. On the belief side of things both sides seem pretty opinionated, but as things unraveled the real human connection made between Dan Cathy and the LGBT was beautiful. This tells the brief story of the friendship that has developed between Dan Cathy and Shane Windmeyer. My hope is that both Christians and non-Christians,whether gay or straight can learn from this. This is how the Kingdom of God is progressed. This is how relationships are reconciled.
The Lost World of Genesis One
Over the Christmas holidays I read the book "The Lost World of Genesis One:Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate." I read a lot of books and often rate them on goodreads.com.
Because books are by nature very subjective I don't often endorse them
because I rarely agree philosophically with 100% of the material they
contain. "The Lost World of Genesis One" is no different other than I am
choosing to endorse this book because it offers such a refreshing
perspective on the interpretation of Genesis 1 and the origins debate.
Though the book is not divided this way the book is essentially two parts both recognized by the subtitle of the book. Part One concerns ancient cosmology and an honest hermeneutical approach to Genesis 1. This section alone is makes the book worth reading. Most books that address the origins debate use Genesis 1 to either support their debate on the material beginnings of earth, or attempt to bend science findings so that they can fit the Biblical story. Neither approach allows the text to "speak for itself." Walton is an Old Testament and Near Eastern history scholar. When he attempts to understand the story of Genesis 1 from this perspective we find a much different story than the one we often tell ourselves that is tainted by our modern, western, and materialistic worldview. Not only does Walton's interpretation of this story change our understanding of the Jewish/Christian creation story, it has profound effects for our theology. It should change the way we view the role of humanity(anthropology) and the cosmos.
The second part of this book addresses the implications this reading of Genesis 1 has for the origins debate. Spoiler Alert: Walton suggests that when the creation story is not interpreted in materialistic terms but instead as the inauguration of a cosmic temple through the assigning of functions and functionaries in a preexisting material cosmos, Christians are freed from the restraints of choosing between a 7 day creation and the modern scientific consensus of evolution. I know that last sentence may read a little dense, but I promise when the argument is laid out over 180 pages it is very easy to understand. Simply put, Walton shows how a proper reading of the story allows Christians the opportunity to engage in the origins debate without fear of loosing their religion. He also offers helpful critiques of the Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism debate along with what he considers the proper approach to these debates in the public classroom.
This book is an easy and excellent read for most. The biases most people will have to overcome are the classical interpretations of Genesis 1 as the materialistic creation of the cosmos, and a poor understanding of how proper hermeneutical tactics can better explain the story. If you can accomplish this feat "The Lost World of Genesis One " should greatly enrich your theology and allow you to explore the material origins debate more freely.
Though the book is not divided this way the book is essentially two parts both recognized by the subtitle of the book. Part One concerns ancient cosmology and an honest hermeneutical approach to Genesis 1. This section alone is makes the book worth reading. Most books that address the origins debate use Genesis 1 to either support their debate on the material beginnings of earth, or attempt to bend science findings so that they can fit the Biblical story. Neither approach allows the text to "speak for itself." Walton is an Old Testament and Near Eastern history scholar. When he attempts to understand the story of Genesis 1 from this perspective we find a much different story than the one we often tell ourselves that is tainted by our modern, western, and materialistic worldview. Not only does Walton's interpretation of this story change our understanding of the Jewish/Christian creation story, it has profound effects for our theology. It should change the way we view the role of humanity(anthropology) and the cosmos.
The second part of this book addresses the implications this reading of Genesis 1 has for the origins debate. Spoiler Alert: Walton suggests that when the creation story is not interpreted in materialistic terms but instead as the inauguration of a cosmic temple through the assigning of functions and functionaries in a preexisting material cosmos, Christians are freed from the restraints of choosing between a 7 day creation and the modern scientific consensus of evolution. I know that last sentence may read a little dense, but I promise when the argument is laid out over 180 pages it is very easy to understand. Simply put, Walton shows how a proper reading of the story allows Christians the opportunity to engage in the origins debate without fear of loosing their religion. He also offers helpful critiques of the Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism debate along with what he considers the proper approach to these debates in the public classroom.
This book is an easy and excellent read for most. The biases most people will have to overcome are the classical interpretations of Genesis 1 as the materialistic creation of the cosmos, and a poor understanding of how proper hermeneutical tactics can better explain the story. If you can accomplish this feat "The Lost World of Genesis One " should greatly enrich your theology and allow you to explore the material origins debate more freely.
2013 New Years Resolution.
At the beginning of this year I look to create new healthy patterns in my life. To ensure I do that I want to create benchmarks for each pattern. This is not necessarily to measure success as it is to ensure I'm on the right track.
1. Write more.
This should be easily accomplish. I write a reasonable amount now due to the joy I find in it and the demands of school and work. This next year seminary will ask me to write a thesis work(any ideas?) and I have a few specific personal writing projects I am working on during my "free" time.
2. Read more balanced.
Recently I have been learning to read more balanced. By nature of my personality I read a lot of academic material. Of late though I am learning to read to fuel my soul as well as my mind. This means more playful and imaginative reading.
3. Speak more.
My hope is to speak publicly 2-4 a month. I am constantly shoveling ideas into my brain. This helps me to get some of them out.
4. Complete an outline for a novel.
Currently I have a idea I think is great for a fictional novel(and possible trilogy). I know I probably will not have time to flesh the whole thing out this year, but I want to have a completed outline over the next 12 months.
5. Exercise more.
The goal is 3-5 times a week.
6. Drink more water.
I have started this recently and my body almost immediately began to thank me.
7. Mentor more students.
I have mentored a few students individually over the years. I think I might start a small group so students can learn to journey together as well as with an adult.
8. Sell a franchise(or 20). At this point I legally can't say much more than that. More is coming soon. : )
9. Pray more. Much much more.
10. Spend less time on Social Media. Technology is awesome but it can become a major unhealthy time suck. It allows me to keep up with my family and distant friends better, but it also has a sneaky way of distracting me from real interactions with the people around me. I hope to be more focused when using social media and spend less time browsing it.
1. Write more.
This should be easily accomplish. I write a reasonable amount now due to the joy I find in it and the demands of school and work. This next year seminary will ask me to write a thesis work(any ideas?) and I have a few specific personal writing projects I am working on during my "free" time.
2. Read more balanced.
Recently I have been learning to read more balanced. By nature of my personality I read a lot of academic material. Of late though I am learning to read to fuel my soul as well as my mind. This means more playful and imaginative reading.
3. Speak more.
My hope is to speak publicly 2-4 a month. I am constantly shoveling ideas into my brain. This helps me to get some of them out.
4. Complete an outline for a novel.
Currently I have a idea I think is great for a fictional novel(and possible trilogy). I know I probably will not have time to flesh the whole thing out this year, but I want to have a completed outline over the next 12 months.
5. Exercise more.
The goal is 3-5 times a week.
6. Drink more water.
I have started this recently and my body almost immediately began to thank me.
7. Mentor more students.
I have mentored a few students individually over the years. I think I might start a small group so students can learn to journey together as well as with an adult.
8. Sell a franchise(or 20). At this point I legally can't say much more than that. More is coming soon. : )
9. Pray more. Much much more.
10. Spend less time on Social Media. Technology is awesome but it can become a major unhealthy time suck. It allows me to keep up with my family and distant friends better, but it also has a sneaky way of distracting me from real interactions with the people around me. I hope to be more focused when using social media and spend less time browsing it.
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