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.")