Relevance

Is your church relevant? Do you wish for it to be? Do you value that about your church?

Thinking about this recently, my gut reaction was to reject the word, reject the category altogether. I do not even use that category -- relevance -- when thinking about my church. I think, rather, about the care of my soul, the exaltation of and exultation in God, the re-tuning of my heart as I am drawn away from the things of the world and away from myself, toward God himself, by God himself, through what happens in corporate worship.

So I don't like the word 'relevant'. Seems too world-centered.

Looking up this word, the main definition for this context is simply:

      'directly bearing on the matter at hand'.

Now I see the crux. I have been converted, for now I love what is relevant. Now, I wish to be relevant, and I revel in the relevance of my church and my pastor.

For the issue is: What is the matter at hand.

A Theological History of America

One of my favorite sources of excellent audio (conference and seminar lectures, more so than sermons) is wordmp3.com. I recently listened to a thought-provoking message from Douglas Wilson on the 'Theological History of America 1620-1865'.

A few points made by Pastor Wilson (from listening to it only once):

• The American War for Independence was as much about fear of the King of England appointing a bishop over the colonies as it was about anything else.
• After the high of defeating the British, the colonies, now states, began a spiritual decline.
• While the Second Great Awakening was very real and had lasting effects, the teachings and practices of Charles Finny led directly to an emphasis on experience over teaching of sound doctrine, leading to the liberalization of the Northeast.
• The spirit of independence -- self-sufficiency, get it done by yourself -- which is characterized as a supremely American virtue, was a product of the westward expansion of the nation, not a product of those who first came, who were rather very community-minded.

While not the most eloquent speaker, Douglas Wilson is an astute thinker. I commend this message to anyone wishing to learn more about the early history of America.

Why Teach

From one of George Grant's blogs, Eleventary:

After 20 Years, Why I'm Still Teaching

1. I get to love what I love in front of my students.
2. I inevitably learn more--even more than those I’m teaching.
3. I have a great excuse to buy more books.
4. And then, I have a great excuse to read more books.
5. I am forced to make real-life connections rather than simply pontificate in the theoretical.
6. I am provoked to think about the future and scrutinize the present through the lens of the past.
7. I am able to reacquaint myself with the best of our great legacy of art, music, and ideas.
8. I get the satisfaction of seeing the “lights come on.”
9. I am constantly prodded to hone my communications skills.
10. I get to bear testimony to the grace and mercy of God, in space, in time, and in me.
11. I am privileged to catch early glimpses of the future leaders of our culture in action.

Prīmum

First post, new blog. This blog exists not because the world needs another blog but because I might.

My intention is to collect and share here some of what is engaging, helpful, thought-provoking, edifying to me.

Soli Deo gloria. Non mihi, Domine.