God Blog Con, the Rest of the Story...

Coming soon:

• The second half of my post on God Blog Con, 2005.
• Photos from GBC
• Photos of my trip to the beach, including this one, of the very nice lady who introduced herself to me “by accident”.

She was in a bit of a hurry to an aerobics class, while we were heading to the beach for my buddy, Solomon Jabby’s baptism. I insisted on a souvenir photo. I think it brought her spirits up...

But for now...

Guess who was voted "Best Looking Guy at GodBlogCon 2005"?

Now, everyone who was there was pretty well set on either Matt Anderson
or the dashing, young Joshua Claybourne, both may well be close to as good looking as I. When brought to a preliminary vote though, it came down to myself and David “Jollyblogger” Wayne. But, somehow, a surprise, grassroots fueled, 11th hour surge propelled a wily, shine-headed, upstart from Atlanta to the top of the pile!

Thanks to y'all who supported. Thanks to y'all who continue to support via readership and referral. Thanks, also to Stacy for the contest!

Grace and peace.
A

Islam and Christianity - Tolerance?

*** I know it's two weeks late, but I promise I will get the other half of GBC posting up, including photos, very soon...***


That being said...

My understanding of tolerance is from an absolute, not relativistic, point of view, i.e., "I may not believe what you do, but I will fight for your right to believe it, while not concurrently elevating a relative truth to the same level of what I believe to be an absolute."

In examining any religion, philosophy, or point of view, it has been stressed to me that we first "go to the source" before forming an opinion. That is to say, don't always judge a faith by its followers, you may be following the freaks. We need not form opinions of Islam via the radicals of 9/11, nor Christianity via David Koresh. Fair enough?

I am not claiming to be an expert on Islam, but I am concerned that while I have never referred to Christianity as a "religion of peace" there are many who frequently refer to the Muslim faith as such. If there is anyone out there who can help me to understand this better, please comment. I'd especially like to hear from those faithful to the Qu'ran.

As Dennis Prager often says, "Clarity is more important than agreement." While he and I may disagree on the claims of Jesus' divinity, I think he is wise to live life from the standpoint that while we may not agree, I would rather be clear on that on which we disagree.

Please, read this article over, and comment as you feel led. This is an important dialogue that needs to be approached from a non-adversarial standpoint. Tell me what I'm missing here - I'm not purporting to be an expert. Forward this link to your Muslim friends and ask them to widen my scope.

J. Grant Swank article (Hat tip: Stacy Harp.)
(Apparently, Swank has written extensively on Islam, but I would like to hear from those who know the Qu'ran in Arabic and have been trained from an Islamic point of view.)
Thanks...

Godbloggers Unite - Day 1.5 of GBC 2005

My previous post on GodBlogCon 2005 was certainly tainted with cynicism. For that, I apologize. Private discussions and criticism would have been and will still be a better method of affecting change in what happened. More importantly, I must not allow one or two things with which I disagreed to overshadow the enormously positive, creative, and Godly conclusions and beginnings that have spawned from this meeting of the minds.

Therefore, I would like to more loudly express my thanks to JMR. The Torrey Honors Institute is his department and was responsible for brining GBC to Biola, Matt Anderson (whose team and individual work did "all the heavy lifting" to make this possible. Thanks to Biola, a wonderful concept and campus. Further, I would like to pass on my thoughts of what went well and some opinion that may stir up response and/or critique. ( Matt, can we get a new icon for GBC2006 soon, or do we have to wait for the new site first?

Setting The Record Straight: Ups and Downs of GodBlogCon2005

John Mark Reynolds gave an astounding dissertation with phenomenal understanding of “Old Media” vs. “New Media” a “To Hell Powerpoint” flare. Beyond that, I am not the man to comment on “opening night”. Clearly, this is a far more educated mind than I carry around in my wee cranium. His understanding of the possibilities we now hold in our keyboards, hearts, and minds is possibly unparalleled.

Blogotional mediated a wise panel of Andrew Jackson, Joe Carter, and David Wayne. I enjoyed their discussion immensely, with one caveat. The questions asked about the nature of blogging and whether it takes time away from family, work, etc., really seemed to be irrelevant in some ways – blogging is merely an additional mode of expression. As creative or critical writing, painting, and music are modes of expression, so goes the blog. Does that make sense? (I know, I should have piped in during the discussion.

Some of us are gifted enough to play a musical instrument on a level that affords us a professional income. Others are not that gifted and yet, are payed exorbitant amounts of money, regardless. Still others, merely enjoy playing that instrument as a mere divertissement, getting together with friends once or twice a week to play for playing’s sake. If this gets in the way of our family, career, friendships is more a matter of discipline and priority, not something contained in the nature of the instrument that fills the time in question. If your jam sessions with the jazz quintet are cramping family life and making you late for work, something other than your musical ability and jam sessions is out of whack. N’est-ce pas?

Though Andrew Jackson and I disagree on issues of anonymity a bit, he is spot-on about the “crisis in community” dwelling in the Church today. My contention, Andy, is merely that some people need to hide behind anonymity until they feel they are welcomed into what could otherwise be a “hostile environment”. It has been shown that some temperaments need to approach community more slowly than others. Not all can dive in with the aplomb of an Aarron Pina or an Andrew Jackson. Am I being fair? You have clear moral authority to rebuke me if I'm wrong and I thoroughly agree with you regarding the annoyance anonymity sometimes creates.
John mediated well, and is nonetheless, in my opinion “a bag of wit”. Read him and the aforementioned panel members often. Joe Carter is quick as a whip. Period.
Jackson also contends that all pastors need to blog. For too long, a handful or more of these “spiritual leaders” have had a marginal strangle hold on the information their congregation receives – some don’t want “their people” to be exposed to other opinions. MP3 messages, “listen online” sermons, and podcasting could all be considered “GodCasting” and have what Hewitt and Joe Carter consider the equivalent of Luther’s 95 theses nailed to the door at WittenBlog. Freedom of thought and theology through the blogosphere can be carried out by God using the blogs as a medium. Quite poignant. Dead on.

Further posts will roll on. I know this is ancient history for many who have been down my blogroll, but I'm ahead by three hours on the East Coast, and yet, behind a few days because of travel time, jetlag, and other full time commitments. I do welcome feedback and critique, both public and private. Thanks again for hosting us. Photos to follow, too.

Cheers,
Aarron

***UPDATE*** Please check out our recent interview with the guys from XXXChurch.com on porn and the Church at A Life Unfettered, and blogroll this one, please. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart. My thanks to JMR for being outspoken on matters of purity vs. porn in a culture that prefers to keep it a "dirty little secret" as attractive as the women are at Biola, they were very tactfully and thoughtfully dressed.

(Can anyone tell me who I'm quoting and if I am correctly doing so when I say "There are two problems with the devil, giving him undue attention and ignoring him.")

An exception to the "Narrow Focus" rule.

I try to keep posts to this blog focused on apologetics and matters of faith, but from time to time, something happens in the world that must be commented on. Forgive me for these departures, but I have found one so foolish that it must be mentioned (HT: SkyePuppy).
I imagine that the 2008 Olympics will introduce "men's/women's individual freestyle litigation" and "tag team lawsuit" as fully sanctioned events, given the current climate of "sue first, lest ye be sued thyself (2Hezitations 5:1)" across our nation. This article augments all of the Robert Fulghum-isms I grew up loving in a truly sad manner. All I Ever Need to Know, I Learned In Kindergarten may require a 15.1 edition adding "Lawyers will suck the fun out of anything good and holy".
I may contact my merchandiser and order in bulk signs that read "No Playing Allowed" to be posted for the protection of our progeny... Give me a break. John Eldredge, God's heart will be broken by a generation of boys with scarless skin, unscathed by that evil swingset, no? Where's Erwin McManus raging out loud when we need him?!

Significantly insignificant...

There is a slightly bitter salt flavor to the waters of Redondo Beach, California, which, prior to toda was unfamiliar to a third generation Cape Codder. But insurance of my familiarity with such savory libation was made manifest by the crashing waves that pummeled me and spit me and my borrowed surfboard out, utterly disrespecting me.
For those of you who know me well, I am a bit of a control freak. For those of you who know me very well, you know that as I grow more intimate with my Father in Heaven, He is mercilessly beating this mindset out of me. He loves me so much that He will allow me to be dumped off the board, shoved under the surfaces, and dragged along the ocean floor until such time that I truly believe I am floating back to the surface to expel the now unusable air-water cocktail that has migrated to every corner of my lungs, only to be met with part two of a "set" of waves that pulls me under and drags me further.
"You are not a loving God..."
Another wave.
"Okay, You may be, but is this all necessary?"
Another lung-cleansing gulp of Southerncal Blanc... yuck.
"Why are my legs not working?!!!"
CRASH...

This is a lesson that I would have expected to hear at the height of a moment of hubris. This is the type of dialogue that we should be having after a prolonged case of control-freak-itis. If this were a Hollywood moment, I would have shouted "You are in control!!!" and I'd have immediately seen the perfect wave approaching, dropped in, and stood up to ride it in victoriously. But, I had already entered into my first long-board experience with eyes wide open.
Before I even entered the water, I said a quick "You are in control, come surf with me." prayer. So, why couldn't God have spared me the drama, shared a little love, and given me the beginner's luck ride of a lifetime?
Because back home are a dozen and a half people that have either supported my trip here financially and/or are actively praying for me, and He is faithful. The potential for fame and fortune through blogging and ministry presents a lesson that many fail in very public ways. Couple that with an ego that suffers from control freak mentality and pride (see Hat Tip below)and disaster always follows.
The assurance that I am about to enter into a season of worldly success that creates eternal Kingdom impact grows stronger as God makes more clear the vision He has for my life. Isn't He great to give me such a vivid and caring warning beforehand?
What else can I do but worship when He touches down in my life in a life threatening, adrenaline pumping way, to say "Before you get all excited about what's soon to happen in your life, remember it's My deal, My plan, My story that's been going on since eternity past. I am inviting you to play a role, but I need you to do it in humilty."
I am so very small in light of our huge God. Lately, the larger view I get of God, the smaller my prayers. Today's prayer: "Yes. Whatever you want. Amen."


Hat Tips:
"Pride is so hard to deal with. Sometimes, I want it to be just because I said it." -LaShawn Barber Your transparency is priceless. Your accountability is much appreciated.
Louie Giglio - you never cease to amaze me with your outside the box ability to connect dots that I would otherwise have left apart. Significant Insignificance
(Listen to this message or just check out his new book...)

Let the GodGeeks Convene!!!

Today is the first day of GodBlogCon 2005. It is the first event of its kind. Biola University has been nice enough to host several hundred of us who have a love for God and propensity to type about it for the next few days, or until they tire of us completely.
In my own cynicism, I really expected a lot of lesser minds - the kind you might find dressed as Padme and Anakin Skywalker at a movie premiere, shy and lacking in social skills. My apologies. We are called to love geeks, too - and who am I to judge, a mere God-Geek?!
Fortunately, what I have found thus far are a fine collection of people from a wide variety of age groups and demographics that have firm and wise opinions on everything from apologetics to eschatology, movies to homeschooling, and traffic and weather on the half...
I promise to learn many of their names and bring their concerns, wisdom, and experience to all of you who are faithful readers, friends, and supporters, without whom I would not be here at this moment. For now, I am back to hear from John Mark Reynolds, to whom I am certain to tip the hat for the many salient points he will make in his address.
For now, I will tip to Matt Anderson at Mere-Orthodoxy, who has been working madly to make this event possible and was clever enough to recommend (read: give) us a copy of Lanny Donaho's "God's Blogs" , a book that I had planned to purchase this coming Tuesday when I return to Atlanta. Sorry CBD, I'll have to remove that from my cart - this one even had free shipping...

Question for the Month, 10/05

In Luke 17.3, Jesus says:
"So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."

This appearance of the conditional clause "ean metanoeo" [if repents] seems to be a departure from the more merciful and unconditional "forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3.13b)"

What do you think out there in the blogosphere? Certainly, I take the Lord's word over Paul's. While Paul went to jail for his faith, Jesus died AND rose for our sins, so I would take His word over someone who died but did not rise again. But, personally, I want God to forgive ALL of my sins, not just the ones I remembered enough to repent for, a la Mark 11.25 and Luke 6.37. Further, shouldn't I forgive others regardless of their repentance? Is this a hint at a possible way to "lose salvation" or does it simply point toward a smaller crown in heaven at the "white throne judgement" [Rev. 20.11]? Any takers?