tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37452035414046496342024-02-21T18:38:03.978-10:00The Common LoonNavigating high winds at the convergence of theology, culture and the local churchDan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-46341818716203847662010-10-09T00:35:00.006-10:002014-10-12T12:25:38.663-10:00This Blog Has Moved!<span class="Apple-style-span">The Common Loon blog has moved from here to a new site: </span><a href="http://danstringer.net/" style="font-size: x-large;">danstringer.net</a><br />
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div>
See you there!</div>
</div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-66524655643447085342010-09-09T01:01:00.029-10:002014-04-15T13:08:25.308-10:00Can egalitarians be "gospel-centered" too?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr6NceNOTa0U9O8nFjnwyIbrK_7CRGqmPPH40lhyphenhyphenWrSWLdn8MW3JZfQGzBpzkZkY4x-hktlxxy3z8FFQUytN4-F6Vv5POrZcwn3NK4LE6qhxjGaDusXej8QeKd4uL4MuYts5jPQMbhA/s1600/Chasm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr6NceNOTa0U9O8nFjnwyIbrK_7CRGqmPPH40lhyphenhyphenWrSWLdn8MW3JZfQGzBpzkZkY4x-hktlxxy3z8FFQUytN4-F6Vv5POrZcwn3NK4LE6qhxjGaDusXej8QeKd4uL4MuYts5jPQMbhA/s320/Chasm.jpg" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514872004765771826" style="font-size: 16px; height: 320px; margin-top: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There aren't many topics more controversial within evangelicalism than the issue of women in ministry leadership. The debate between evangelical <i><span class="Apple-style-span">complementarians</span></i> (those who believe Scripture prohibits all women from serving as pastors or elders in the local church) and evangelical <i><span class="Apple-style-span">egalitarians</span></i> (those who believe Scripture does not prohibit women from serving in those roles) often gets pretty heated. I won't rehash the arguments here since most of us have probably made up our minds, but I do have some questions:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>How big is the gulf between evangelical complementarians and evangelical egalitarians? Is it more like a crevasse or a chasm? And how much should we insulate ourselves from those on the other side of the great gender divide?</b></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On some days, the gap seems pretty wide. Those are usually the days when I'm reading blogs, books or articles by anyone associated with </span><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Gospel Coalition</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, an organization that for all its merits, appears to have elevated complementarianism to a level of non-negotiable orthodoxy to the exclusion of egalitarians like myself. I truly hope this isn't the case because there's a great deal to like about TGC as one of the most intellectually astute, culturally engaged and discipleship-oriented interdenominational networks in all of Western evangelicalism. I'd be willing to wager my ESV Study Bible that if I wasn't an egalitarian, I'd probably be a TGC enthusiast by now. But if my stance on women in ministry excludes me from certain fraternities, I'll learn what I can through my binoculars from across the canyon.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are other days when the prospects for respectful disagreement and Kingdom-oriented collaboration among complementarians and egalitarians seem within reach. These tend to be the days spent closer to street level, where I see Christians across the evangelical spectrum coming together for parachurch conferences, seminary classes, small group Bible studies and yes, Sunday morning worship services despite their differences over gender roles. In these settings, the question of women in ministry seems more like a secondary theological debate open to more than one interpretation among committed believers. I've even heard of a few egalitarians reading books by Tim Keller, J.I. Packer and Jack Deere as well as complementarians benefiting from the writings of Scot McKnight, Richard Mouw and Dallas Willard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In case you're wondering, this is not the part where I throw up my hands exclaiming, "Can't we all just get along?" Softening our convictions for the sake of a creating a mushy middle is not the answer. So long as both camps are making a sincere and prayerful effort to follow the teachings of Scripture in good conscience, I would not expect either side to discard their best theological arguments, websites and academic journals as if these differences of interpretation and ministry application did not matter in any significant way. To the contrary, they matter immensely. Just ask a gifted woman who is told she can never teach the Bible to men or a complementarian who is told that all gender distinctions are inherently oppressive and best left behind. The sheer potency of this explosive topic is enough to warrant sober theological reflection and discussion within the body of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TDn-ZbpkBMLVvqAPkIfjGu2TNctaOm_R19O085CWYuwyCM88cEhXLPkkttR1mVaw-MiFhMMNTwfFOzAfGgxsk3PPrhJMqHTxrpweKMGN9p49okSy4U-gVauXZXnCbE6rJlHBaUxGTw/s1600/Y+in+the+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TDn-ZbpkBMLVvqAPkIfjGu2TNctaOm_R19O085CWYuwyCM88cEhXLPkkttR1mVaw-MiFhMMNTwfFOzAfGgxsk3PPrhJMqHTxrpweKMGN9p49okSy4U-gVauXZXnCbE6rJlHBaUxGTw/s1600/Y+in+the+road.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Besides, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's logically impossible for both camps to be correct. God either calls and gifts certain women to serve in positions of pastoral authority or he does not. When a woman experiences a call to ordained ministry along with the preaching and shepherding responsibilities entailed, such a call is either compatible with Scripture or it is not. "Middle ground" approaches that leave matters up to congregational popular vote or veto depending on the "comfort level" of vocal parishioners are entirely unconvincing to me. Whether implicitly or explicitly, every church and denomination will eventually need to take some kind of stand, all the while remaining careful neither to prohibit what Scripture affirms nor affirm what Scripture prohibits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Interestingly enough, I was originally a complementarian during my undergrad years at Wheaton. But after significant time wrestling with the "problem passages" and reviewing the arguments of both sides in the years since, I've decided to plant my flag with the other guys (and gals). Not that this switch has added much convenience to my journey of preparation for vocational ministry in evangelical contexts. If I was convinced the apostle Paul's prohibition of women teaching/leading men in 1 Timothy 2 was meant to be universal, I'd find a vast array of ministry resources and church planting networks eager to equip me from a complementarian perspective. It would also increase the pool of potential mentors, churches and denominations consistent with my theological convictions which are mostly of the old-school evangelical variety (not including my 'charismatic' understanding of the Holy Spirit which is another can of worms).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span">On a practical level, I've discovered this whole egalitarian thing to be a downright dealbreaker in many circles, keeping me (and my wife) at arm's length from an array of otherwise palatable opportunities for ministry networking and training. It's painful to admit this, but complementarians are increasingly in the middle of the action these days when it comes to a putting forward a theologically robust integration of church planting and discipleship resources for local congregations. While the real world doesn't always mirror what's happening online, I foresee TGC embodying more of a long-term trajectory than a short-lived trend. Living in Hawaii, it can take a while for the rumblings of Christendom (i.e. mainline decline or complementarian resurgence) to reach our shores, but it's only a matter of time before the well-equipped contingent of "gospel-centered" churches makes its mark (or should I say 9 Marks) on the islands' evangelical landscape.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Last year, I posed </span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-calvinist-complementarian.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">some questions</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"> looking at why one’s persuasion on gender roles carries far more weight in the 'Restless Reformed' movement than other secondary issues open to evangelical disagreement including one's view of baptism, the Lord's Supper, charismatic gifts, eschatology, church polity or young earth/old earth creationism. The line of reasoning typically offered by my TGC brothers tends to rely on slippery slope scenarios. The basic gist goes like this: "If we allow egalitarians into our movement (which would invariably include the voices of women pastors who are unfit for spiritual leadership), the stage would be set for additional theological compromises to inevitably follow." I'll grant that potential for doctrinal drift always exists, but this can work both ways. Are egalitarians more likely than complementarians to slip into certain forms of cultural accommodation including moral relativism, universalism and the denial of biblical authority? Yes, but couldn't it also be said that complementarians have been more susceptible to other vices in the direction of fundamentalist separatism, sexism and self-righteous legalism?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4ksxd5G_viWETZeSNHk9XySiEij9gIr6Y8PEqRt8Ebgrem0V2R2IPbydAJIwzMddD1CJsiYbNYiklXq2osaMGgubt7_qYptg8E7OnhorQX5lc9kaxQt8HpZ2vRhAm7sFk6xWrorWiQ/s1600/gender+debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4ksxd5G_viWETZeSNHk9XySiEij9gIr6Y8PEqRt8Ebgrem0V2R2IPbydAJIwzMddD1CJsiYbNYiklXq2osaMGgubt7_qYptg8E7OnhorQX5lc9kaxQt8HpZ2vRhAm7sFk6xWrorWiQ/s200/gender+debate.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514871045413464578" style="height: 200px; margin-top: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When terms like "gospel-centered" and "gospel-driven" are only used in the context of describing complementarian ecclesiology, it creates the perception that one does not have the Gospel right if one is not a complementarian. When egalitarians are excluded from any reference to participation in "gospel-centered ministry," the implicit message is clear: We will not recognize or affirm your commitment to the Gospel unless you hold to complementarian theology. Conversely, egalitarians (however orthodox) are disqualified from being trusted as ministry partners in the task of proclaiming the true Gospel. I could be wrong, but this appears to be more than just a case of like-minded parachurch organizations taking a strong stance on gender roles. It feels more like an attempt to marginalize egalitarians outside the boundaries of orthodoxy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span">I can hear some of my egalitarian friends saying, “Relax Dan, you can’t expect those restless reformed guys to touch anything egalitarian with a ten-foot pole. If they want to isolate themselves as the only true bearers of the Gospel, so be it.” My response would be that the Gospel Coalition represents anything but an irrelevant, shrinking movement. Far beyond a loose affiliation among big-name pastors like Piper, Keller and Driscoll, the vibrant network of complementarian Calvinists continues to broaden and deepen through an effective strategy of vigorous church planting, publishing and of course, online resources up the wazoo. They are not so much isolating themselves as they are isolating us. Again, I'd love to be wrong because some of my favorite pastor-authors include guys like Tim Keller and Sam Storms, godly men who have been incredible role models in the development of my own approach to ministry. It is precisely because my fellow egalitarians have so much to gain from their wisdom that an evangelical schism over the gender debate would hurt both sides.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span">In essence, here's what I'd like to ask my brethren over at The Gospel Coalition/Desiring God/9 Marks/Ligonier/Acts 29/Sovereign Grace/White Horse Inn/T4G:</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<ul>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To what extent is complementarianism more than just a prominent feature of the New Calvinist movement, but essential to the Gospel itself?</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Is adherence to complementarian theology a prerequisite for becoming "gospel-centered" or "gospel-driven?"</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As someone who affirms the Nicene Creed, salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, the supreme authority/infallibility of Scripture, original sin, the existence of hell, Christ's sinless life, his penal substitutionary atonement on our our behalf, his propitiation of God's wrath, his bodily resurrection and his second coming </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span">but also</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span"> holds to an evangelical egalitarian perspective on women in ministry leadership, have I failed to believe the Gospel?</span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">In short, can egalitarians be gospel-centered too?</span></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span">Since it is my conviction that the boundaries of historic Christian orthodoxy can (and must) include evangelicals of both the complementarian and egalitarian variety, here's what I hope we could say to one another:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"With all due respect for your sincere desire to follow Jesus and adhere faithfully to the teachings of Scripture, I disagree with your position on this important issue. Just as I would love for you change your mind on the question of women in ministry, I'm sure you feel the same way about my stance. But because our shared belief in the Gospel is more important than our differences on secondary matters, I'm hopeful we can respectfully disagree as brothers/sisters in Christ while encouraging each other to live joyfully and faithfully in light of the good news."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But if this sounds too much like key lime pie in the stratosphere, maybe we could just shout it across the canyon once in a while.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>UPDATE</b>: Scot McKnight has begun a related discussion over on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> his <a href="http://www.patheos.com/community/jesuscreed/2010/09/13/a-question-for-the-gospel-coalition/">Jesus Creed blog</a>.</span></span></div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-38494096275852691072010-08-27T01:08:00.008-10:002010-08-28T14:18:28.179-10:00Unfinished Summer Reading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqPYJDTcmShMO4KHZU3Ea8LqATTmkU_-Jl3oZCZFGdczohnUdaAVAFpCpRI0q4WKbO9WO8dSoV7xpc90PzvFi1Vcg1q3JSVWBXCAkqDbNUu1XefazbJ-Ko2pDabxAi0VA3sDC7eEhJg/s1600/open+books.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqPYJDTcmShMO4KHZU3Ea8LqATTmkU_-Jl3oZCZFGdczohnUdaAVAFpCpRI0q4WKbO9WO8dSoV7xpc90PzvFi1Vcg1q3JSVWBXCAkqDbNUu1XefazbJ-Ko2pDabxAi0VA3sDC7eEhJg/s320/open+books.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510046119146875842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:13px;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I like books. Or to be more specific, I like reading the first 3 chapters of a book. Better still, I enjoy browsing through book reviews, recommendations and back-cover blurbs en route to compiling my own ever-changing list of titles under consideration. These tendencies have given rise to a knack for delineating and categorizing the various 'tribes' of books and authors within the niche market of evangelical publishing, a world that never ceases to fascinate me. Besides, scanning back-cover blurbs requires far less of an attention span than actually sticking with a book all the way to its end.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These days, my 'radar screen' list of titles yet to be purchased or borrowed typically contains around 50 books at any given time- and that's if I'm being picky. Oh, and let's not forget the appeal of biblio-aesthetics with </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">dust jackets, spines, cover art and binding </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">providing plenty of fodder for scrutiny and classification. I'm especially smitten with the smell of brand new books (mail orders are usually best). And while it's always satisfying to finish reading a good book, it doesn't happen nearly often enough. Many are opened, but few are completed.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This could be due in part to the nature of non-fiction books, a genre not known for surprise endings. To be sure, there are plenty good titles and authors. But that's essentially what you're buying: a title and an author. The book's main thesis and author's reputation will often forecast the bulk of what's coming. In most cases, it's not difficult to extract 80% of a book's message by learning the author's background, scanning some key reviews/endorsements and reading the first 20% of its pages. Only in select cases is the remaining 80% of content worth plowing for the final 20% of insight. Which explains my increasingly crowded (but nice-looking and smelling) shelf of partially-read books. Why dig for substance when there's all that style on the surface? </span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A far cry from </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/08/summer-reading-retrospective.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">last year's productive summer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, here's a sampling of my </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">unfinished</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> reading from the summer of 2010:</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wendell Berry</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What are People For?</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (North Point Press, 1990)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mike </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bickle</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Growing in the Prophetic: A Practical Biblical Guide to Dreams, Visions and Spiritual Gifts</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Charisma House, 2008)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Julie </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Clawson</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of our Daily Choices</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IVP</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 2009)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jack Deere</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Regal, 2008)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kevin </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">DeYoung</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> & Ted </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kluck</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Moody, 2009)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Annie Dillard</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Writing Life</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Harper Perennial, 1990)</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">James </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Davison</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Hunter</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Oxford University Press, 2010)</span></span></div> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Colin Marshall & Tony Payne</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-shift that Changes Everything</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Matthias Media, 2009)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eric </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Metaxas</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Thomas Nelson, 2010)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lesslie</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Newbigin</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Gospel in a Pluralist Society</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eerdmans</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 1989)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tim Stafford</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Never Mind the Joneses: Taking the Fear out of Parenting</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IVP</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 2006)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ed </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stetzer</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Planting </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Missional</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Churches</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (B & H, 2006)</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sam Storms</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Convergence: Spiritual Journeys of a Charismatic Calvinist</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (Enjoying God Ministries, 2005)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">John </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stott</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Cross of Christ: 20</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Anniversary Edition</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IVP</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 2006)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Trevin</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Wax</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Crossway</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 2010)</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dallas Willard</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IVP</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, 1999)</span></span></div></div></span>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-5760655324936931272010-07-27T00:27:00.008-10:002010-07-27T01:04:37.278-10:00Trivia and Trash<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's something I recently read in Eugene Peterson's book, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Run-Horses-Quest-Life-Best/dp/083083706X">Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at its Best</a></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (IVP, 1983):</span></span></div><b><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"There is little to admire and less to imitate in the people who are prominent in our culture. We have celebrities but not saints. Famous entertainers amuse a nation of bored insomniacs. Infamous criminals act out the aggression of timid conformists. Petulant and spoiled athletes play games vicariously for lazy and apathetic spectators. People, aimless and bored, amuse themselves with trivia and trash."</span></span></blockquote></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Try enjoying an evening of television consumption after reading that one.</span></span></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-90925890585820999812010-07-20T01:24:00.005-10:002010-07-20T04:06:52.307-10:00What's Wrong with this Blog?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0THysUGsmkXGsyt13ESMTmer0xAi1cm_htL76npBH2WUeVtMfYNGuBZEGNc0HoQBmVaefRc5sU1vGQoOzaTQHJP6_izx-SOkXcVvBmTBLui8nCK9RNOON-f6YhO5_7jAQWRODVbNQmg/s1600/missing+the+target.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0THysUGsmkXGsyt13ESMTmer0xAi1cm_htL76npBH2WUeVtMfYNGuBZEGNc0HoQBmVaefRc5sU1vGQoOzaTQHJP6_izx-SOkXcVvBmTBLui8nCK9RNOON-f6YhO5_7jAQWRODVbNQmg/s400/missing+the+target.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495980166206602338" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Where to begin? For starters, the font is too small, the posts are too infrequent and the topics are more scattered than my 3-year-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">old's</span> toys before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bathtime</span>. I'm like a disoriented wannabe archer lackadaisically shooting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">noodly</span> arrows skyward with my eyes closed... once a month. No target + no practice = this blog.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And even if I miraculously developed the aptitude to generate semi-useful content with any regularity, the layout would still need a major <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">facelift</span>. Quite simply, I'm long overdue for a switchover to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WordPress</span>. Everyone knows that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Blogspot</span> is like, so 2008. But more than just greener <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">cybergrass</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">WordPress</span> is clearly the provider of choice for anyone who (unlike me) wants to actually keep their blog in functional working condition. And s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">peaking of site maintenance (or the lack thereof), my book/music/film recommendations are never updated so they really need to go.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As for the pretentious "About Me" section, it tells you nothing except that I'm too concerned with your opinion of me to reveal what I really think (or even what I look like). If nearly all of my favorite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bloggers</span> are candid enough to post at least a tiny thumbnail photo of themselves, why am I still hiding behind a black-and-white sketch of a bird? Why wear a mask you don't even like? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why bring something for show and tell if you won't take it out of the bag?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There may come a day when I finally convert to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">WordPress</span>, carve out a critical mass of "followers" and take the evangelical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">blogosphere</span> by storm with a steady stream of ultra-clever, gospel-centered, justice-minded, mission-driven, skeptic-savvy, doctrinally-grounded, community-oriented, book-reviewing, article-linking, key thinker-interviewing, conference-promoting, speaking tour-date mentioning blog posts. The comments will flow, the web hits will show and the buzz will grow. Today is not that day.</span></div></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-55006409679061702592010-06-30T01:53:00.010-10:002010-08-27T01:57:43.248-10:00Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusoFOdkIiAO6WK7MSlAUJkW_z2b_wjNoRWGtFo1MWJutX91Cz1pc3dvaN4gFX3g1I97fBR-hckHlOj6YtZ9qr05Sz0dK92UsFuM-eq6e9XWxnezxXqEYfzz-OXX6Y5iGxaEMOpKv7mw/s1600/Evolving+in+Monkey+Town.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510057368727382370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusoFOdkIiAO6WK7MSlAUJkW_z2b_wjNoRWGtFo1MWJutX91Cz1pc3dvaN4gFX3g1I97fBR-hckHlOj6YtZ9qr05Sz0dK92UsFuM-eq6e9XWxnezxXqEYfzz-OXX6Y5iGxaEMOpKv7mw/s320/Evolving+in+Monkey+Town.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Rachel Held Evans and I share a lot in common. We’re both 29-year-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">olds</span> who were raised in evangelical homes and attended small Christian colleges from 1999 to 2003. We’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> both experienced our fair share of disillusionment with various aspects of American evangelicalism and have lived to blog about it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Topping off the similarities, her husband’s name is Dan while my wife <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rebecca</span> sometimes gets called ‘Rachel’ by mistake. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So it comes as no surprise that I enjoyed reading my advance copy of Rachel’s winsome new book, <u><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Monkey-Town-Answers-Questions/dp/0310293995">Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions</a></b></u> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zondervan</span>).</span> <div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Growing up in Dayton, Tennessee (site of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 which debated the teaching of evolution in public schools) as the overachieving daughter of a theology professor, Rachel was a Sunday School superkid raised in a Bible Belt subculture of zealous apologetics. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hough</span> adept at defending her Christian worldview against doubters and skeptics during her high school and early college years, everything changed when she began experiencing doubts of her own. The most potent ones involved questions concerning (you guessed it) why God would allow horrific human suffering or send millions of non-Christians to eternal torment in hell. Frustrated with the simplistic answers she knew so well, Rachel questioned her dad one Friday afternoon describing the quandary this way:</span><br /></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It’s like God runs some kind of universal sweepstakes with humanity in which all of our names get thrown into a big hat at the beginning of time… Some of us are randomly selected for famine, war, disease, and paganism, while others end up with fifteen-thousand-square-foot houses, expensive Christian educations, and Double <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Stuf</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Oreos</span>. It’s a cosmic lottery, luck of the draw.</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (p. 99)</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If such irreverent theological sniping makes you uncomfortable, you might have hard time with this book- which is precisely the point. Undergoing a process to re-evaluate all your previously unshakable beliefs from scratch is no fun, especially in the foothills of Southern Appalachia. But if you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ve</span> ever felt conflicted about similar questions, you will be refreshed by Rachel’s intellectual honesty and courage in facing her fears. Far from drowning in a sea of skepticism, her faith re-surfaces more vibrant than ever. While critics might contend that Rachel is promoting doubt to the detriment of faith, this is not the case:</span><br /></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>I would argue that healthy doubt (questioning one's beliefs) is perhaps the best defense against unhealthy doubt (questioning God). When we know how to make a distinction between our ideas about God and God himself, our faith remains safe when one of those ideas is seriously challenged.</i> (p. 220)</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As it turns out, Rachel's quest has not really been about finding good answers to life's toughest questions after all. If answers were all she wanted, she clearly demonstrates an intellect and theological acumen capable of researching them. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This is not to say</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> there aren't any good answers worth seeking on such important matters. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If anything, Rachel's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">writing indicates she</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is already more familiar with apologetics than most people in our generation. And though s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">he</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> could articulate the correct evangelical responses with flair, she needed something different, namely, the simple permission and empathy of hearing someone say, "You know, I'm not sure what to make of that either." (p. 190) </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Evolving in Monkey Town</i> is a thoughtfully entertaining and engaging read packed with adventurous questions from start to finish. While I didn't always agree with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the way she nuanced the nature of the atonement, biblical interpretation or the ever-controversial tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, I have tremendous respect for Rachel's perspective, particularly on the important subjects of doubt and spiritual questioning. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Based on the interactions we've shared via <a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/blog">her excellent blog</a>, I've been impressed by her uniquely provocative yet welcoming approach to theological dialogue. An attentive learner and genuine listener, she is one of the most gracious and authentic people I've encountered in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">blogosphere</span>. Evangelicals of all ages would be wise to give her survival story a good hard listen.</span></p></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-52152377877528392392010-05-31T19:36:00.014-10:002010-06-30T09:12:35.822-10:00Our Son, God's Child<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SrP-lUVWM0mSUeY-f77mTVTVqJaFfxLCSn4Oa1hi6H2g6G2nGkfeLQYaebvIE8r5buMhiH_9Yj6o7iqwWa83xx94OmXDB2f3FDL1DJzOFXQ6C7cb3EsYF6wqqj2Gd3glg9s1ra3QVA/s1600/Coy+Vincent.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477328528436989058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SrP-lUVWM0mSUeY-f77mTVTVqJaFfxLCSn4Oa1hi6H2g6G2nGkfeLQYaebvIE8r5buMhiH_9Yj6o7iqwWa83xx94OmXDB2f3FDL1DJzOFXQ6C7cb3EsYF6wqqj2Gd3glg9s1ra3QVA/s320/Coy+Vincent.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just over a week after his first birthday (May 10), we found out that our second son Vincent has a cancerous tumor in his liver. While there's more than enough bad news to call this a full blown family crisis, there's not quite enough to rule out the possibility of a full recovery. The scenarios are seemingly infinite at this point, not unlike the range of emotions that accompany this sort of thing. If fear and anxiety are like mosquitoes, we're navigating a swamp full of standing water.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And yet, there is light flickering in the darkness. I had no idea it was possible to feel so shocked, devastated, afraid, thankful, hopeful and at peace- all in the same moment. I'm certain it has something to do with the multitude of friends and loved ones praying for us around the globe. I suspect it also has something to do with my soul being anchored in the resurrection power of a Messiah familiar with suffering, a risen King who is before all things and in Whom all things hold together (Col 1:17).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the midst of preparing for the worst, hoping for the best and praying for a miracle, I've found comfort from an unlikely source: theology. Yup, it turns out that theology, that supposedly dry and dusty set of doctrinal propositions, makes all the difference in the world when a crisis hits. Whether you're aware of it or not, your concept of God will affect how you pray in the midst of chaos and suffering. What kind of triune Being is He? Is the Father ultimately near or detached from those in pain? Can the Holy Spirit be called upon to work miraculous healings in the 21st century or not? Will Jesus really come back someday to vanquish all injustice and disease? Do we live with the recognition that His blood on the cross has inaugurated a reign of peace in which He is reconciling all things to Himself- including things like liver cancer?</span></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">John Stott put it this way: </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross... In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?"</span></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">May the supernatural, unfailing, parental love of God for Vincent be sufficient for all of us who </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">long to see him healed.</span></span></span></b><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><strong>NOTE:</strong> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Please visit <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vincentstringer"><strong>Vincent's CaringBrige website</strong></a> for the most recent updates on how his treatment is going as well as prayer requests, photos and much much more!</span>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-39566846611232407612010-05-27T00:09:00.022-10:002010-08-27T01:43:07.106-10:00School Every Friday? Now There's a Smart Idea!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SffEZKrbbVkuKtYjyfQKCKV1-3iIPWrqtSUitMpcuWI9TwmiN0fg2XaHKRB3Lc4Q7IZP3D2KGg29jrKxyZOe67JagOtXJCGvNjna2LA0Mlb16eVAql-0rKS1OcwYqc666zRzxuhpJg/s1600/school+books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475896383833389170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SffEZKrbbVkuKtYjyfQKCKV1-3iIPWrqtSUitMpcuWI9TwmiN0fg2XaHKRB3Lc4Q7IZP3D2KGg29jrKxyZOe67JagOtXJCGvNjna2LA0Mlb16eVAql-0rKS1OcwYqc666zRzxuhpJg/s320/school+books.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">T</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">o the astonishment of 170,000+ kids and their parents, it appears that Hawaii's politicians and labor unions have consented to the unthinkable idea of keeping our schools open 5 days a week! </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All sarcasm aside, I was glad to receive the following email yesterday from James Koshiba of </span></span><a href="http://www.kanuhawaii.org/kanu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kanu Hawaii</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on the subject of Hawaii's K-12 students finally getting their lost school days reinstated for next year. Not only does he thoughtfully express the concerns shared by many of us who want to prevent a debacle like this from happening again, he also recaps how the school furlough standoff reached its conclusion in case you (like me) weren't keeping track of each twist and turn. For anyone with kids, </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">grandkids</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, nieces, nephews, friends with kids or yet-to-be-born kids who might possibly attend public school someday in our beautiful state (whether in 2010 or 2025- the year my firstborn will graduate), I recommend reading what James has to say:</span></span></span><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Aloha Friends,</span></span></span></blockquote></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68);font-family:Arial;"></span><blockquote><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Nine months after contract negotiations first cut instructional days for </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">keiki</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, and seven months after the first citizen rally at the Capitol, Furlough Fridays have finally come to an end.</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></p><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal;font-size:100%;"><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">At a press conference this afternoon, the Governor, the DOE Superintendent, Speaker of the House and Senate President announced the plan to end school furloughs – essentially the same plan that had been floated by many, including us, as early as October of last year.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here’s </span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">how the</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> furloughs </span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">ended</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Legislature passed a bill allocating $67 million from the hurricane relief fund to reduce furlough days. The Governor said today that she would release $57 million instead of the full amount. Teachers apparently agreed to convert six of their paid planning days to instructional days. A small amount of federal stimulus funds ($2.2 million) and a $10 million, zero interest line of credit from private banks will be used if there is a remaining shortfall next school year.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We should take a moment to celebrate the fact that </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">keiki</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> will get a full school year next year.</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Then, we should ask some hard questions about why it took so long to come up with a solution that is essentially the same as one proposed last Fall – a plan that, if adopted earlier, could have restored instruction for students this year, and left legislators, the Governor, the DOE and the teachers’ union time to come up with creative solutions for next year (or, at the very least, spread remaining furlough days across two years instead of concentrating lost learning).</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> We should also ask some pointed questions of our leaders and ourselves:</span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What responsibility to the public do public unions bear during an economic and fiscal crisis?</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Did our unions’ actions help or hurt the public?</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Did it help or hurt the teaching profession?</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What is the role of the Governor in negotiations? When parents and the public ask for a hearing with the chief executive, what is the appropriate response?</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What was the proper thing for the Legislature to do?</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Did they act with the appropriate speed, thought, and resources?</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Did their actions encourage or discourage citizen participation?</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Why </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">wasn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">’t there more parent and community participation in the efforts to end school furloughs?</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We should not ask these questions in a spirit of bitterness or blame (though righteous outrage </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">shouldn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">’t be discouraged, either). Rather, we should ask to sharpen our understanding of what fundamental changes are needed to prevent something like this from ever happening again.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And we should ask one final, important question of ourselves: What now?</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTqDC9L8hRQtfyZBmikkXk0M6sDKZFzYfRjxPn0Otr42n6KA-34cO07AVTyPw0ZlFjrdVdf4HEtmH_czOgop0t08yBkXvqDROq6ZdC8cPMZ2c9vjhs353E-QZzrERuf0RNFZam6ny3A/s1600/kidsbus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476035827098058642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTqDC9L8hRQtfyZBmikkXk0M6sDKZFzYfRjxPn0Otr42n6KA-34cO07AVTyPw0ZlFjrdVdf4HEtmH_czOgop0t08yBkXvqDROq6ZdC8cPMZ2c9vjhs353E-QZzrERuf0RNFZam6ny3A/s320/kidsbus.jpg" border="0" /></a>Back in October, we wrote: </span></span></span><em style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“Getting 17 days back would be a real victory and good step. But, it's a step that only gets our kids back to where they were – behind other kids who are learning more elsewhere. We must channel the outrage about Furlough Fridays into a more sustained and organized effort to change our school system and support it with parent and community energy.”</span></span></span></em></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">That remains our charge today. For those willing to take it up, here’s a way to start:</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The new Superintendent and many educational leaders are crafting a framework for reform.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The framework is inspired, in part, by the federal Race to the Top program. Here are some essential elements that we may require citizen support:</span></span></span></p><ul style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 1em; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 0px 20px 1em; PADDING-TOP: 0px; LIST-STYLE-TYPE: disc"><li style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 3px"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Teachers and principals should be evaluated on a regular basis. Employment incentives (tenure, advancement, salary) should be based on performance, including student outcomes, parent surveys, peer reviews, and other metrics – rather than simple seniority.</span></span></span></span></span></div></li></ul><ul style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 1em; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 0px 20px 1em; PADDING-TOP: 0px; LIST-STYLE-TYPE: disc"><li style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 3px"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We should invest in the collection and sharing of actionable data about students and their learning outcomes – data that can help inform planning for schools, parents, and the DOE.</span></span></span></span></div></li></ul><ul style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 1em; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 0px 20px 1em; PADDING-TOP: 0px; LIST-STYLE-TYPE: disc"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"></div><li style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 3px"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Parents should be actively involved in education – supporting classroom learning at home, supporting teachers and schools through volunteerism, participating actively in parent-teacher dialogues, and advocating for their kids’ interests (at the school-level and higher levels of policy making).</span></span></span></span></div></li></ul><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">There are more elements of the reform platform.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We should get familiar with them.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">At the most basic level, though, it’s about shifting a pervasive mindset of low expectations to one of high expectations all around</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Teachers should have high expectations of all students</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">;</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> they should believe that all students can achieve.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Parents should have high expectations for every school and every teacher</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">;</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> they should insist that their schools and teachers be excellent.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Teachers should expect much of parents in the home and at </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">schoo</span></span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">l;</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> they should expect that parents are active supporters of learning.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We should all expect more of our legislators, our </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">BOE</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, our DOE, our unions, and our Governor.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(68,68,68)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Expecting excellence from each other </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">doesn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">’t mean we have to be jerks –</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> instead, </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">it calls on all of us to be “critical friends,” acknowledging that we each have a role to play in education, and insisting that each puts forth our best effort for the sake of our </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">keiki</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, speaking hard truths when someone </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">isn</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">’t pulling their weight.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Mahalo</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> to all of you for doing your part to bring this crisis to a conclusion. Now, it's time to direct our energy to the hard work ahead.</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Creating a system of education that </span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">call</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">s on the best in all of us – parents, teachers, principals, and adult friends of children</span></span></span><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> -- to shape an education that Hawaii's children deserve</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">With aloha,</span></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.35em"><span class="ecx906421501-11042010"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">James</span></span></span></span></span></p></span></blockquote>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-50754032187920336872010-05-18T00:08:00.009-10:002010-07-27T00:59:47.380-10:00Emotional Men & Rational Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvIR1UmoQoS2tPgHTP7jRbCFenyFudqSkmZmwAPcatDVsCGVLWKAsDSwmFIgnw9CANiWD2PJUtdOtemCTBUNaw0beLVELaxUtOLKpIInguDv3NP9teNatWiiqtuJEoH-PWlFMw9Zb4w/s1600/Just+how+married+do+you+want+to+be.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div>Here's something I recently read in Jim and Sarah Sumner's book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Just-How-Married-You-Want/dp/0830833935">Just How Married Do You Want to Be?</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal">(IVP, 2008)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal">:</span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Christians have to be careful not to buy into the paradigms of the world. It's the </b><i><b>world</b></i><b> that says that men, being masculine, are rational and women, being feminine, are emotional. The Bible doesn't say that at all. It flies in the face of Scripture to say that men are not emotional- because that would make them incapable of rejoicing in the Lord or mimicking </b><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><b>Christ's</b></span><b> anger or grieving about sin with the Holy Spirit. It likewise flies in the face of Scripture to say that women are not rational- because that would make them incapable of following the commandments to renew their minds and meditate on Scripture and take every thought captive to Christ. According to the Bible, men and women alike are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27); thus both are emotional and rational.</b></span></blockquote>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-38234164526592630272010-04-30T00:05:00.003-10:002010-04-30T09:40:39.987-10:00A Few Questions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vnla9swJdGMy15ml6MBD_3ZlJeBVTPdTxBwMCejzVcWWDaGdW36e55aEQSgWNFlhiO1O1lug0nV_sfBcZD9V1tT4lheEeXF72qYS2dZmnPd5ZBOcuqILJV-SPrX-daSW42lNNSshYw/s1600/thinker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vnla9swJdGMy15ml6MBD_3ZlJeBVTPdTxBwMCejzVcWWDaGdW36e55aEQSgWNFlhiO1O1lug0nV_sfBcZD9V1tT4lheEeXF72qYS2dZmnPd5ZBOcuqILJV-SPrX-daSW42lNNSshYw/s200/thinker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465860131967453282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><u>A Few Questions</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why am I doing this?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What am I striving for?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Who is this about?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Where to next?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What have I gotten myself into?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Will I regret this?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have I given it enough thought?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I thinking too hard?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What are my priorities?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Can I live with the trade-offs?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I a good husband and father?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">According to who?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I overly ambitious?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I too easily satisfied?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I working too hard?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I slacking off?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Too driven?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Too lukewarm?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aiming too high?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Settling?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Is the struggle really worth it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What will it cost me?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have I sacrificed too much or not enough?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why so many questions?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I taking care of myself?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Am I too self-absorbed?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What am I trying to prove?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do I understand grace?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why are you downcast, O my soul?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Isn't my life now hidden with Christ? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Haven't I been found by the Great Shepherd?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If I know Who is God, why can't I be still?</span></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-41424669053935951982010-04-22T00:08:00.008-10:002010-05-18T11:17:40.799-10:00Alex Trebek doesn't know it all?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtTnYoOItUXyflXZpk3pQlQSPzEVlzDcnNtdUuZgbsxkb9yYLjwYf7TzgAxsafiEdl3hjJuPSlOK7X7LWHYS12WzWOOd70gcCX4q5WmSee8aU0FFg6Shqw5DyEfgArmF6oOW-wTV6dg/s1600/trebek.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462803630833240466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtTnYoOItUXyflXZpk3pQlQSPzEVlzDcnNtdUuZgbsxkb9yYLjwYf7TzgAxsafiEdl3hjJuPSlOK7X7LWHYS12WzWOOd70gcCX4q5WmSee8aU0FFg6Shqw5DyEfgArmF6oOW-wTV6dg/s320/trebek.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As a fan of useless trivia, I usually enjoy watching </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Jeopardy! </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">despite the frequently condescending attitude of host Alex Trabek. On yesterday's show, the snootiness caught up with him while exchanging pleasantries with a contestant named Amy.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">According to an <a href="http://www.livedash.com/transcript/jeopardy!/7/KGO/Wednesday_April_21_2010/197859/">unofficial transcript</a>, the conversation went something like this:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Alex</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Amy Wilson, our new champion, likes dressing up for Halloween.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Amy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: I do. Literary figures.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Alex</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Some of the figures you have, uh, dressed up as are?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Amy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Rhett Butler from </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gone with the Wind,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Dumbledore from <i>Harry Potter</i>...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Alex</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: [insulted] I </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">know</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> where Rhett Butler is from. I <i>know</i> where Dumbledore is from.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Amy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: I'm sorry Alex. And also Sam, Sam Gamgee from... [pausing to offer Alex both an olive branch and an opportunity to show forth his encyclopedic knowledge]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Alex</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: [puzzled] Sam Gamgee? I'm not familiar with that character.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Amy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Sam Gamgee from <i>Lord of the Rings</i>?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Alex</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: Oh, good. Mm-hmm.</span></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-51028694931626421282010-04-19T09:30:00.001-10:002010-04-19T09:43:49.464-10:00Down low, too slow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybNorIx6Suy7q4ozeYMFVHJu_TmNcXqnDhfpIEi61wnt4yE2m0j5VZBNK1BdfVlxz4czBm5-rBjqduc_i-L64IbsdshW25naF8gmkIrc4n8Aej1wKjBQA4cFTuUn4IIc0yy6plV2CXQ/s1600/Slow+Turtle.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybNorIx6Suy7q4ozeYMFVHJu_TmNcXqnDhfpIEi61wnt4yE2m0j5VZBNK1BdfVlxz4czBm5-rBjqduc_i-L64IbsdshW25naF8gmkIrc4n8Aej1wKjBQA4cFTuUn4IIc0yy6plV2CXQ/s320/Slow+Turtle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461934955893549986" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here's my problem with blogging: I'm too slow for it. I'm a slow thinker, a slow writer and consequently, a slow blogger. I have dozens, if not hundreds of ideas with nothing to show for them except unrefined fragments and incomplete thoughts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Of course, I'm not slow at everything, just the things I care most about. Writing takes more time than reading. Coherence requires more effort than complaining. Creating demands more space than than consuming. It's easier to copy and paste than cultivate something halfway original. Even publishing a quick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ranty</span> blog post takes me far longer than skimming through 150 posts on Google Reader.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So why do I spend most of my time on the things I care least about? Probably because I'm quick to dive but slow to swim. Over committed and under compensated, I've painted myself into more corners than I can count. A perfect case in point is my burdensome grad school investment that is "too big to fail" with no bailout in sight. It's too late to pull out, but too early to see any fruit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here's a good recipe for frustration: Commit yourself to things that take a ton of time and leave yourself no time to complete them with any degree of joy or satisfaction. Mix well and repeat. You'll soon be stewing in your own juices.</span></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-5101041519949633032010-03-30T05:38:00.003-10:002010-03-29T22:58:43.747-10:00Stations of the Cross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-h_APt5vgla8SF-yj6YVTlF5d8T32H-4n_gIIRaepRuL3oudYpT7_cB24H2NjieakN-1zsrT6CvnQjnfbGuO3R4wWXyCZXUbqzf65xCzwmwgncIMGtC7t8I5qvu2fcDwtOmmY8XNVQ/s1600/KBC+Stations+of+the+Cross.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-h_APt5vgla8SF-yj6YVTlF5d8T32H-4n_gIIRaepRuL3oudYpT7_cB24H2NjieakN-1zsrT6CvnQjnfbGuO3R4wWXyCZXUbqzf65xCzwmwgncIMGtC7t8I5qvu2fcDwtOmmY8XNVQ/s400/KBC+Stations+of+the+Cross.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454344514879854114" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not a show, a performance or even a church service, but my wife and her tireless crew have spent untold creative hours working to put this event together for the third straight year.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you live anywhere on the island, you won't regret coming by for this contemplative, haunting and original blend of art, liturgy and Scripture.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And now that it's been expanded to 4 nights, you also can't complain that it conflicts with all your other Holy Week activities!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><nasb_ref num="524"><nasb_ref num="525"><nasb_ref num="526"><nasb_ref num="527"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">" - 2 Corinthians 13:4</span></span></nasb_ref></nasb_ref></nasb_ref></nasb_ref></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-17603941817575677472010-03-14T01:18:00.011-10:002013-03-05T14:45:55.611-10:00Happy Birthday Blog!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojJF4wOfdsVNbOjU2pOTpr8n9KSl6-_9LUYIDKNPc2ZeBBuH-lDcAyc2R0y-E7LGPHsEs5vFzJlr3oGlliX9Dp-G6xwzNg3V5f1Y3I2-CsSTi1Wf0eoXNgPbotgMWByPW-xem_szlWA/s1600-h/birthday+cake+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448448329026556130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojJF4wOfdsVNbOjU2pOTpr8n9KSl6-_9LUYIDKNPc2ZeBBuH-lDcAyc2R0y-E7LGPHsEs5vFzJlr3oGlliX9Dp-G6xwzNg3V5f1Y3I2-CsSTi1Wf0eoXNgPbotgMWByPW-xem_szlWA/s320/birthday+cake+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since I first </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2008/03/blogging-vs-facebook.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">began this blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> two years ago today, it's been a meandering journey of eclectic zig zags as I've sought to explore the topics that ricochet in and out of my goofy little brain. While 77 posts in 24 months is hardly the epitome of cyber-productivity (there are plenty of bloggers who can sprout 77 posts in a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">single</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> month without a hitch), my thinking remains profoundly shaped by the ideas I've pondered, critiqued, suggested and defended in this space. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">So to mark the occasion of The Common Loon's second birthday, here's a look back at the 7 most commented posts:</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-than-private-ceremony-why.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More than a private ceremony: Why government should stay in the "marriage business"</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-not-to-argue-about-gay-marriage.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How (not) to argue about gay marriage</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/09/further-questions-on-torture-and.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Further questions on torture and abortion</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-there-calvinist-complementarian.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Is there a Calvinist-Complementarian connection?</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/11/manhattan-declaration-ecumenical.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Manhattan Declaration: Ecumenical collaboration or culture war call to arms?</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-ill-be-voting-for-and-my-reasons.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who I'll be voting for (and my reasons why)</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/02/fued-rages-on-five-questions-for.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The feud rages on: 5 questions for Calvinists and Emergents</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And while we're rummaging through the archives, here are 7 other posts that failed to generate much response, apparently because they're not about abortion, gay marriage or New Calvinism:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-is-my-fathers-world-reflections-on.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is my Father's world: Reflections on a hymn</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/01/simple-pleasures-some-thoughts-on.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Simple pleasures: Some thoughts on growing old</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/03/joining-facebook-will-i-regret-it.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Joining Facebook: Will I regret it?</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/08/federal-recognition-for-native.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Federal recognition for Native Hawaiians: Will this finally be the year?</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/08/end-times-gloom-and-doom-historical.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">End times gloom and doom: A historical reality check</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/10/evangelicals-in-hawaii-how-are-we.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Evangelicals in Hawaii: How are we different?</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. </span></span><a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/11/will-it-always-be-cool-to-love-u2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Will it always be cool to love U2?</span></span></a></div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-81720595354308708762010-03-11T01:44:00.006-10:002010-03-11T02:50:07.996-10:00Honolulu 2010 Conference Recap<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kOLjWav_NSJs-iPXb5OjySlVWbUN9bbFaH8jbQQaDsH5spR7TZrS2gKBE7DeQhFpxTeLAKrETOz658gKuWWH-OxtByTPLDvoO4Aamj0FaWzetgxmzaETNPeWc4OwHX5jQnx8U-FPZw/s400/hon2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447345898866591026" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One of the unique benefits of being an <a href="http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/10/evangelicals-in-hawaii-how-are-we.html">evangelical in Hawaii</a> is the opportunity to attend Honolulu's annual Hawaiian Islands Ministries (H.I.M.) Conference without ever driving to the airport or getting on a plane.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can't think of another Christian conference (anywhere) that regularly assembles such a well-rounded cadre of local, national and international pastors, Bible scholars, missionaries, counselors, youth leaders, artists, activists, seminary professors, business professionals and local church practitioners. While I don't always agree with the theological particulars or methodology espoused by every presenter, the opportunity to learn from (and worship alongside) a broad range of Christian teachers representing diverse streams of the evangelical landscape is simply marvelous.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ever since my first H.I.M. Conference in 2005, <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">participating</span> in this interdenominational, multicultural gathering has become one of the highlights of my year. Last week's installment, <a href="http://www.himonline.org/?page=con_hon">Honolulu 2010: Let Your Light Shine</a>, was no exception. Here's a quick 'best of' according to yours truly:</span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Best plenary speaker (tie):</b> Keith Battle (<i>Why Christians Should Expect and Endure Suffering</i>) & Nancy Beach (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Toward Wonder</i>)</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Best seminar speaker:</b> Jan Johnson (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Practicing God's Presence All Day Long</i>)</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Best part of the David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Crowder</span> Band concert:</b> Belting my lungs out to "How He loves"</span></div><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Most nuanced exposition of 1 John 5:13: </b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Voddie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Baucham</span> (who contrasted "what the gospel requires" vs. "what the gospel produces") </span></p><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Most unconvincing sales pitch:</b> Gary Hamel (who suggested we apply market-driven business models in order to "re-invent church" and bolster "the Christian brand")</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Most surprising, yet eloquent defense of the old-school institutional church:</b> Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Campolo</span> (who is clearly starting to get fed up with the trendiness of church bashing)</span></div><b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Most noticeably absent conference mainstay:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Jim Miller (It didn't quite feel like a true H.I.M. conference without him there.)</span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXwbIMjpmnWVJCRMNliO5nTNsfQ2ofnH-lY5BERY7DwcdJpOLNBnS84YWntdZmKUxSBbZjWsfWpcX0qybawdoCmDsB22pl7MZ5pjmzOxxlt3_t4DupnvqojBxltHQfRy4zkmujutlRA/s320/him.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447345068784571154" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px; " /></span><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Having grown accustomed to H.I.M.'s knack for drawing "big names" like <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Philip Yancey, <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Dallas Willard, Francis Chan, Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cymbala</span>, Shane Claiborne, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dinesh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">D'Souza</span>, John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ortberg</span>, Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Haugen</span> and Richard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mouw</span> in recent years, I didn't notice as much star power in glancing over this year's list of scheduled speakers. As the conference progressed however, I discovered plenty of depth, particularly in two key areas.</span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></div><div><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>1) Local church leaders serving in Hawaii.</b> Of the conference's 55+ speakers, I counted at least 30 who are currently ministering right here in the Aloha State. While H.I.M. has become well-known for importing flashy speakers from the mainland, this year's slate was well-stocked with excellent local teachers including Ada <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Lum</span>, Jordan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Seng</span>, Steve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Peich</span>, Randy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Furushima</span>, Lisa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Orimoto</span> and Jonathan Wong among others.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><b>2) Women leaders.</b> Again, don't let the lack of "celebrity" names fool you because this was probably one of the the most accomplished groups of women leaders assembled by H.I.M in recent memory. Those who were fortunate enough to attend seminars by Jan Johnson, Nancy Beach, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Christy</span> Pierce and Margaret <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Spicer</span> were not disappointed. Not too many evangelical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">parachurch</span> conferences can say that over 20% of their speakers are women. Oh, and did I mention Ada <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Lum</span> was there?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For those who attended, what will you remember as the 'best of' H.I.M. Conference 2010?</span></p></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-74753125254430370482010-02-20T10:00:00.009-10:002010-05-18T11:18:13.838-10:00Wheaton's Next President: The Right Choice?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGodb4CoVjxH6DCb639q-W4EbuD6aWu4moXtbebU3_ohTBkNSyGV_vEcTF9feNaYnoXUw4Q8qT4ULZGrp4YxH9Kp4guU0roNa-BB0PBsgDMBygqxV5q1Zxg9FbgXoJu2-iY5gzkIA_dg/s1600-h/Blanchard+Hall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440429075437540450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGodb4CoVjxH6DCb639q-W4EbuD6aWu4moXtbebU3_ohTBkNSyGV_vEcTF9feNaYnoXUw4Q8qT4ULZGrp4YxH9Kp4guU0roNa-BB0PBsgDMBygqxV5q1Zxg9FbgXoJu2-iY5gzkIA_dg/s200/Blanchard+Hall.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The evangelical blogosphere is abuzz regarding <a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2010/02/philip_ryken_na.html">the selection of Philip Ryken as the next president of Wheaton College</a> once Duane Litfin retires this year. Given Dr. Ryken's <a href="http://www.tenth.org/index.php?id=110">theological background</a> as a complementarian Calvinist minister in the PCA (a pretty conservative denomination even by evangelical standards), it will be interesting to observe the reaction from evangelicals who do not happen to be part of the <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/02/20/philip-ryken-new-president-of-wheaton-college/">Gospel Coalition/Restless Reformed movement</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As a Wheaton alum, I'm still processing this news for myself, but in the meantime, I'd be interested to hear from either:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A)</b> Any complementarian Calvinists who are NOT excited about Dr. Ryken's selection</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">or </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>B)</b> Any egalitarian non-Calvinists or "evangelical moderates" who are.</span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">No matter how this plays out, my prayer is that it will all be for Christ and his Kingdom.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>UPDATE</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: After learning a lot more about Dr. Ryken in recent weeks; as well as the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.wheaton.edu/presidentialselection/presidential_profile.pdf">desired qualifications</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and lengthy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.wheaton.edu/presidentialselection/process.html">selection process</a> undertaken by the College </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">over the past 2 years, I am now supportive of Wheaton's choice. Denominational particulars aside, Dr. Ryken's record of scholarship, organizational leadership ability and intense devotion to Christ are undeniable.</span></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-71660857440947904872010-02-11T10:30:00.003-10:002010-02-11T10:40:56.388-10:00Random (blogosphere) Question of the Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOtGIHaHvU3jzsEXiWmfzZbrmJwQO6OZrGeXmpP6tpuLrHWepl3X-dhdDlfhos9s1fxF6sJgrBKmeYFkI13qDWLLD5724NOM8j3C07lnf10eGQ2V63eRS1nza5eWppz2-Cod65LZK5w/s1600-h/questionmark.gif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOtGIHaHvU3jzsEXiWmfzZbrmJwQO6OZrGeXmpP6tpuLrHWepl3X-dhdDlfhos9s1fxF6sJgrBKmeYFkI13qDWLLD5724NOM8j3C07lnf10eGQ2V63eRS1nza5eWppz2-Cod65LZK5w/s200/questionmark.gif.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437087050298939586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aside from the perceptive and winsome </span><a href="http://www.aarondtaylor.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aaron D. Taylor</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, does anyone know of any good charismatic/pentecostal </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">bloggers</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">? I'm sure there are others.</span>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-3992665337403978312010-02-05T00:51:00.000-10:002010-02-05T00:55:19.793-10:00Random (theology) Question of the Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_iFn-4OrJlOrz2Wpti4N4CAnx9D3hIRaV5wvYZgXx-NoiOjJK5GnWD6BNzPXd2mtitZBVTwfpioyXFixib1DMoeuFPKpXCgk6uCw5z7iI7WTxoS6BXf0UWXg1DWBz0bjZBzOAkDUug/s1600-h/questionmark.gif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_iFn-4OrJlOrz2Wpti4N4CAnx9D3hIRaV5wvYZgXx-NoiOjJK5GnWD6BNzPXd2mtitZBVTwfpioyXFixib1DMoeuFPKpXCgk6uCw5z7iI7WTxoS6BXf0UWXg1DWBz0bjZBzOAkDUug/s200/questionmark.gif.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434709808030762082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Does anyone know <a href="http://www.rtkendallministries.com/">R.T. Kendall's</a> position on women in ministry? I can't seem to find it anywhere.</span>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-74417131935368351922010-02-04T01:01:00.016-10:002014-04-15T13:09:25.423-10:00Am I a liberal or a conservative?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLbzJxHUW3J1YHBLubxrNjLCZveVM-dm3ds64q_0QBJRioqXvEdYjwBuPJKukXhjQpF09Cq90yrmRCf-_es_ZpFSwO5TBS-KJijoxtdbjYkVAeGHXuGhOzz2lXxQtavKnENdtT4UOhA/s1600/IDENTITY_CRISIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLbzJxHUW3J1YHBLubxrNjLCZveVM-dm3ds64q_0QBJRioqXvEdYjwBuPJKukXhjQpF09Cq90yrmRCf-_es_ZpFSwO5TBS-KJijoxtdbjYkVAeGHXuGhOzz2lXxQtavKnENdtT4UOhA/s1600/IDENTITY_CRISIS.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In my little "about me" blurb, I describe myself as a "progressive evangelical Christian." This can be confusing since the word </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">progressive</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is often taken to mean </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">liberal</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, whereas </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">evangelical</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is often used synonymously with </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">conservative</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Defining these terms gets tricky even before we grant that someone can be <b>theologically</b> liberal but <b>politically</b> conservative or theologically conservative but politically more liberal. So instead of opening a semantic can of worms, perhaps the following indicators will help to place me somewhere on the theological-political landscape. I report, you decide.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>20 REASONS TO CALL ME A "LIBERAL</u>"</span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. The thought of living in the Bible Belt freaks me out.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. I am not always proud to be an American.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. I tend to vote for Democrats in state and national elections.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. I enjoy listening to NPR on a regular basis.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. I believe government agencies and publicly funded non-profit organizations have a significant role to play in preventing and alleviating poverty.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. I believe human-induced climate change is not only real, but will have significant impacts if not mitigated by reducing emissions, hitting the poor the hardest.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. I believe our nation urgently needs comprehensive reform in both health care and immigration policy.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8. I am morally opposed to preemptive war.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9. I am against the use of state-sponsored torture (including waterboarding</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10. I am opposed to capital punishment.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">11. I </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">believ</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">e there is great value in inter-religious dialogue and ecumenical collaboration for the common good.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">12. When it comes to Christian political punditry, I'm more sympathetic to the Jim & Tony of the evangelical left (Wallis & Campolo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">) than the Jim & Tony of the evangelical right (Dobson</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> & Perkins).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">13. I believe the earth is (a lot) more than 10,000 years old.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14. I'm more likely to purchase books published by InterVarsity</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Press than Crossway</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">15. I believe Scripture teaches that God calls and gifts women to serve at every level of church ministry leadership.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">16. On the international front, I believe issues such as human trafficking, clean water/sanitation, food security, fair trade and debt cancellation deserve our attention.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">17. I support the UN's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenium_Development_Goals" style="color: #de7008;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Millennium Development Goals</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, which include halving extreme poverty and global disease by the year 2015.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">18. I believe gays and lesbians </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">should be allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">19. I believe gays and lesbians should be legally protected against hate crimes committed on the basis of their sexual orientation.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">20. On gun control, organized labor, energy independence and tax policy, my views tend to be left of center.</span></span></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqYezpKNO_GqIF27TIy-6CMhIRKkcM3s33n2WNtfYOMdhdWUhtpxQBSaKCjFo7MKc5yOIoQFCpaGC8os5cl7EpD6-In__UTfeleF5akfYSg6mTVjbc8bvvYj4_CmlEAAKLCv3-RN1Iw/s1600/blue+red+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqYezpKNO_GqIF27TIy-6CMhIRKkcM3s33n2WNtfYOMdhdWUhtpxQBSaKCjFo7MKc5yOIoQFCpaGC8os5cl7EpD6-In__UTfeleF5akfYSg6mTVjbc8bvvYj4_CmlEAAKLCv3-RN1Iw/s1600/blue+red+button.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>20 REASONS TO CALL ME A "CONSERVATIVE</u>"</span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The thought of sending my kids to public school freaks me out.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. I consider it a blessing and a privilege to be an American citizen.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. I believe it's a good idea to abstain from sex outside of marriage (teenagers and grown-ups alike).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. I am very concerned about the effects of Hollywood, MTV and video games on children.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">5. I am opposed to physician-assisted suicide.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana use.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. I am opposed to embryonic stem-cell research.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8. Like all forms of domestic violence, I believe abortion is a tragic and immoral.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9. I believe there really is such a thing as absolute Truth with a capital 'T.'</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10. I do not believe all religions are different paths to the same destination.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">11. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, God in the flesh and is the only Name by which we can be saved. Through His crucifixion, death and bodily resurrection, He has saved us by grace to reconcile us to God (which is very good news for sinners like me).</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">12. I believe the Bible, God's inspired Word, is authoritative and without error in all that it teaches (when interpreted correctly).</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">13. I believe Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong, monogamous covenant between a man and a woman.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14. I believe Heaven and Hell really exist.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">15. I believe Satan (the Devil) really exists.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">16. I believe prayer really does makes a difference.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">17. I wholeheartedly believe in miraculous gifts such as divine healing, prophecy, words of knowledge, speaking in tongues and deliverance from evil spirits.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">18. I affirm the often-trivialized concepts of "spiritual warfare," "attacks of the enemy," "prayer warriors" and "hedges of protection."</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">19. I have been known to lift my hands and act "shallow and emotional" while singing modern praise and worship choruses.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">20. I'd rather spend money on a David Crowder concert than attend a free lecture by Phyllis Tickle (true story). Christian rock trumps mainline Protestant intellectualism once again.</span></span></div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-25404102261419577122010-01-28T00:34:00.009-10:002010-02-04T23:58:26.576-10:00Random (parenting) Question of the Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzS48Od2y9Y_XdxYVlcJOm0kt6-fajgJR-WjGRNUJ_ARkCgVHfyk0xW_rbDvoS_Vk_NFiyc441bwUHXb5zs73A_C6ZcE6Nrv6y0gJEXE75SePZDPmF8F_AkJg-j2N5KlVW2GY5RIz8g/s1600-h/questionmark.gif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzS48Od2y9Y_XdxYVlcJOm0kt6-fajgJR-WjGRNUJ_ARkCgVHfyk0xW_rbDvoS_Vk_NFiyc441bwUHXb5zs73A_C6ZcE6Nrv6y0gJEXE75SePZDPmF8F_AkJg-j2N5KlVW2GY5RIz8g/s200/questionmark.gif.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431745734621975010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have recently developed callouses on both my hands from constant attempts to rock our 8-month-old to sleep in his baby carrier. Can anyone relate?</span>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-66651771100410500992010-01-25T11:55:00.011-10:002010-01-26T10:48:17.914-10:00No Time To Think = No Time To Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmF7H-R6CipMdGilePLmtVKtdmApZvTC4ah7tDJHmdPC7GNakaMPcJ1PbjzvMw3bZfw0gGu_jHIq8a8-wWb2OrFDhCrhVjWITh_885hku4ida7WrfeaWPRY9rMktVx1OqnZ90vNYTgg/s1600-h/no-time.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmF7H-R6CipMdGilePLmtVKtdmApZvTC4ah7tDJHmdPC7GNakaMPcJ1PbjzvMw3bZfw0gGu_jHIq8a8-wWb2OrFDhCrhVjWITh_885hku4ida7WrfeaWPRY9rMktVx1OqnZ90vNYTgg/s200/no-time.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430848147516077794" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Goodbye stability, hello chaos. The new year has brought with it some major changes for my vocational life: departing the civil service after 3 years with the City and County of Honolulu, starting a new part-time job at a residential mental health crisis shelter, beginning a new pastoral ministry internship at our church and preparing for another busy semester of MSW studies (including a 16-hour-per-week practicum). Oh, and I almost forgot to mention our two adorable toddling/crawling boys who are still toddling and crawling up the wazoo last I checked (unless Sesame Street is on).</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', serif; ">Not surprisingly, this is not the most conducive schedule for blogging. Instead of reflecting on the intersection of evangelicalism and the public square in my spare moments, I'm now engulfed in a non-stop whirlwind of church-related meetings and activities that must be juggled with classes, homework, practicum and my "other" job. The time I used to allocate for reading up on theology and culture is now spent attending to the mechanics of our sharply tightened family budget thanks to the good old "envelope system." The scarce but precious hours I once devoted to the blogosphere have have all but evaporated.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">People who experience a call to vocational ministry in the local church are probably not supposed to say things like this, but I kinda sorta miss my government cubicle and the (relative) predictability it represented. The intellectual/spiritual rewards were low, but so were the risks incurred by erratic scheduling and financial instability. When your job doesn't require much mental energy, you can use the remaining brain cells to think as you please. Ironically, the confines of a cubicle were more conducive to the free flow of blog post ideas than the fast-paced "real world" of bi-vocational ministry.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">While this transition neither ambushed nor slowly snuck up on us (we planned, scrutinized, sought wisdom and prayed about it for over 6 months), adjusting to the practical implications will take some time now that the initial self-congratulatory luster of "taking a pay cut to do what you love" has worn off. And only time will tell if (or how) the Common Loon blog will adapt to its new habitat.</span></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-70275810103886389702009-12-29T15:55:00.017-10:002009-12-30T00:09:52.602-10:00Somebody<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XGlst3RARa_HQTyyjsoKldb4HIOVTQnk5ULK14x1z9oqGtzsKbgMgGS9cD-lAruGgxDKzkFUFBbUPzLjAEoBLa_ud5kwzDBbj_VEi08gv_d23JNBelo2JL9tA5mdgFeMLZxhF3HZ9g/s1600-h/faceless.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420845570780137378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XGlst3RARa_HQTyyjsoKldb4HIOVTQnk5ULK14x1z9oqGtzsKbgMgGS9cD-lAruGgxDKzkFUFBbUPzLjAEoBLa_ud5kwzDBbj_VEi08gv_d23JNBelo2JL9tA5mdgFeMLZxhF3HZ9g/s200/faceless.jpg" border="0" /></a><div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Somebody</u></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You’re my client<br />But I don’t know you<br />I've read your case file<br />But it’s not your story<br />I've typed your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">résumé</span><br />But it’s not your identity</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">19 years old<br />18-month-old daughter<br />Boyfriend in prison<br />Parents across the ocean<br />Looking for housing<br />Living on the beach</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Daughter is healthy<br />Misses her daddy<br />You met him at the skate park<br />He took you to a bonfire<br />Made you feel special<br />You thought it was love</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He’s not a bad father<br />But drinks way too much<br />Works hard as a painter<br />Controlling in private<br />Sometimes cruel and abusive<br />The scars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">aren</span>’t all visible</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One night you defended yourself<br />With a kitchen knife<br />The cops called it a weapon<br />And you accepted the blame<br />Convicted of assault<br />With 2 years probation</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Whether “homeless” or “poor”<br />You don’t look like the labels<br />Your handbag is stylish<br />Your voice pleasant and poised<br />You’re no threat to society<br />Just a girl with a baby</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How am I supposed to know</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What it's like to be you?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grad school never taught me<br />How to fix your life<br />Am I teaching you anything?<br />Or are you teaching me?<br /></span></div></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-19868609686940795202009-12-16T00:26:00.003-10:002013-03-05T14:01:44.766-10:00Blogrolls and Pigeon Holes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i4XciMglqKkjuoi-j3jlXL-1CmCLp0l_QJWUbGniYhyphenhyphenQe4SUWaPoER4sg7zEL3cqi-f6q3PaNmro304zH2K_eL1lwRxz4mENmnidQriZAcK3SqBEUIsPffltRf3sZSR7KnbZiBfEOw/s1600-h/i-love-blogroll.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416304719887440354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i4XciMglqKkjuoi-j3jlXL-1CmCLp0l_QJWUbGniYhyphenhyphenQe4SUWaPoER4sg7zEL3cqi-f6q3PaNmro304zH2K_eL1lwRxz4mENmnidQriZAcK3SqBEUIsPffltRf3sZSR7KnbZiBfEOw/s320/i-love-blogroll.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 225px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>"My momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. Where they're going. Where they've been. I've worn lots of shoes..."</strong> - Forrest Gump</span> <br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Let's be honest. What's the first thing you look for when visiting a new blog? Do you head straight for the main content by reading the latest post in its entirety? Or is it more important to 'size up' the author from his/her bio, affiliations, blogroll and other bell-whistle peripheries? If you're anything like me, the initial moments at an unfamiliar blog are focused on gathering enough data to make a theological/political diagnosis: conservative, liberal, moderate, libertarian, evangelical, mainline, ecumenical, academic, pastoral, missional, traditional, postmodern, Reformed, charismatic, emerging, egalitarian, complementarian etc.</span><br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This process of instinctive categorization smacks of superficial stereotyping, but is it really much different from scanning dust jacket bios at the bookstore or channel-surfing with a remote? Do snap judgments represent the height of consumeristic self-absorption or a practical necessity in the age of information? Who has the time to judge a book by anything besides its (back) cover? If Forrest Gump's human taxonomy theorem applies to the internet, you can tell a lot about a person these days by their Facebook profile, Amazon wishlist or bookmarked sites in their web browser. Even a seemingly innocuous blogroll can be a window into one's soul.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />So if you're as interested in labeling me as I am in labeling you, here are some quick facts about the authors of my top 20 church and theology blogs:</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH3xvlokBluQdkZloYXzweS6ezo6Luz4Mmdre8hkWPfK9vpUIcTYFSmOHyl6zqNrj0UMR08FBayx0mJ2mRkse4FZqr60_js3h8BxIQvxMH6f0h1jIRY7w3-5x4ShqHZOvE3EMnCPy-g/s1600-h/pigeon-hole.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416304502889746498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH3xvlokBluQdkZloYXzweS6ezo6Luz4Mmdre8hkWPfK9vpUIcTYFSmOHyl6zqNrj0UMR08FBayx0mJ2mRkse4FZqr60_js3h8BxIQvxMH6f0h1jIRY7w3-5x4ShqHZOvE3EMnCPy-g/s200/pigeon-hole.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>- All of them are evangelical Protestants of one stripe or another.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- At least 13 have a graduate degree in theology or Biblical studies.<br />- At least 11 are egalitarians.<br />- At least 9 are under age 40.<br />- At least 7 are women or minorities.<br />- At least 7 released a new book in 2009.<br />- At least 6 are current pastors or church planters.<br />- At least 6 live in the Chicago area.<br />- At least 4 live on the West Coast.<br />- At least 4 have earned a Ph.d.<br />- At least 4 are complementarians.<br />- At least 4 are affiliated with <em>Christianity Today</em> in some way.<br />- At least 4 are affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church.<br />- At least 3 are Southern Baptists.<br />- At least 3 are TULIP Calvinists.<br />- At least 3 could be described as part of the emerging movement.<br />- As least 3 were born outside the United States.<br />- At least 2 are editors at book publishing houses.<br />- At least 2 are Presbyterians.<br />- At least 1 is Pentecostal.<br />- At least 1 is Anglican.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Have I sufficiently tipped my hand? Should I begin measuring the drapes for my pigeon hole? What does my blogroll tell you about me? What does your blogroll say about you?</span></div>
</div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-3585918062369510632009-12-03T12:23:00.011-10:002009-12-22T08:16:42.549-10:00Is Afghanistan Another Vietnam?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirafPenvwXJufXIsvDSbp_Eh-kif0TNnoFwZPIuizjT__eD2JDs0LtMMHEBDTMBrTd4gY0mCxN3lQ8wH3J3gjeid_jccF17k57Ed9REka86dKsDHatyRgbgI4cR-M35_GST2bOweHtxA/s1600-h/vietnam-afghanistan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411174636720107842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirafPenvwXJufXIsvDSbp_Eh-kif0TNnoFwZPIuizjT__eD2JDs0LtMMHEBDTMBrTd4gY0mCxN3lQ8wH3J3gjeid_jccF17k57Ed9REka86dKsDHatyRgbgI4cR-M35_GST2bOweHtxA/s320/vietnam-afghanistan.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was born after the Vietnam War ended, but it's not like American involvement in foreign policy quagmires is a thing of the past. In his <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-address-nation-way-forward-afghanistan-and-pakistan">big speech</a> Tuesday night, President Obama offered 3 reasons why the current war in Afghanistan is different from the Vietnam War:</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>1) "Unlike Vietnam, we are joined by a broad coalition of 43 nations that recognizes the legitimacy of our action.<br /><br />2) Unlike Vietnam, we are not facing a broad-based popular<br />insurgency.<br /><br />3) And most importantly, unlike Vietnam, the American people were viciously attacked from Afghanistan and remain a target for those same extremists who are plotting along its border."</strong></span></p></blockquote></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sitting in rush hour traffic yesterday, I heard an <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121030807">NPR interview with Gordon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Goldstein</span></a>, an international affairs scholar who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">acknowledged</span> Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Obama's</span> points as fair ones, but proceeded to list 4 key "strategic parallels" between Afghanistan and Vietnam:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>1) "Both Afghanistan and Vietnam are small powers that have been historically extraordinarily resistant to the efforts of large powers to impose order.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>2) Both Vietnam and Afghanistan had corrupt and ineffectual regimes.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>3) Both Vietnam and Afghanistan have contiguous border countries, through which support and sanctuary for an insurgency flows and fortifies that insurgency.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>4) But most importantly, the parallel, really, that drives Afghanistan and Vietnam is in the realm of military strategy. In Vietnam, it was a strategy of counterinsurgency and clear and hold. In Afghanistan, General <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">McChrystal</span> has called for a strategy of clear, hold and build. So there are some parallels that I do not think can be easily dismissed."</strong></span></blockquote></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So now that we've established there are both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">similarities</span> <i>and</i> differences between Afghanistan and Vietnam, what should we make of Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Obama's</span> war plan? In his Washington Post column today, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120203126.html">E. J. Dionne describes the President's attempt to find middle ground</a> as a "Goldilocks strategy: neither too hawkish nor too dovish, but just right."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I'm not sure I like the taste of this porridge.</span></div>Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745203541404649634.post-71687901828778066002009-11-24T12:31:00.010-10:002014-04-15T12:57:15.459-10:00Manhattan Declaration: Where are the moderates?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0e_Krh82stgmBeSH9eY-y1RTLm4EDljxoGUtVfQyiUpgIUcDufWikyaJa3itT2khj0CcglmetXAMcnuzIK02f_tM6fZVc3ZuOgslOcuz1UdmU4IGGTn-_gYKrwyM1T7gnpe_29jTww/s1600/evangometer.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0e_Krh82stgmBeSH9eY-y1RTLm4EDljxoGUtVfQyiUpgIUcDufWikyaJa3itT2khj0CcglmetXAMcnuzIK02f_tM6fZVc3ZuOgslOcuz1UdmU4IGGTn-_gYKrwyM1T7gnpe_29jTww/s320/evangometer.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407805134764983618" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 316px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the Religious <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Right's</span> demise have been greatly exaggerated. Energized by the backdrop of President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Obama's</span> first year in office, an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ecumenical</span> but familiar group of influential conservative Christians (including prominent Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Evangelical leaders) have reasserted the primacy of abortion, gay marriage and religious liberty as the three foremost political issues that matter above all others.<br /><br />If you haven't yet read <strong>The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience</strong>, here's the </span><a href="http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">full text and list of 145+ original signatories</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, which includes names like Chuck <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Colson</span>, James <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dobson</span>, Tony Perkins and Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mohler</span>. This excerpt provides the basic gist:</span> <br />
<blockquote>
<em><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family.</span></em></blockquote>
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I suspect where one stands on the Manhattan Declaration likely hinges on how one would answer the question: <strong>Should abortion, gay marriage and religious freedom be placed at the very top of a "hierarchy of issues"</strong> (to use drafting committee member Chuck <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Colson's</span> term) <strong>when it comes to public policy concerns facing Christians?</strong><br /><br />So far, the Manhattan Declaration has received mixed reviews. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bloggers</span> over at First Things can barely contain their </span><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2009/11/manhattan-declaration58-a-call-of-christian-conscience"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">enthusiasm for it</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, while others like </span><a href="http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/11/20/can-a-culture-war-manifesto-reach-a-new-generation-of-evangelicals-and-catholics.html#read_more"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gilgoff</span></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> have said it "reads like a throwback to the culture wars of the 2004 election." Regent College theology professor </span><a href="http://stackblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/the-manhattan-declaration-a-waste-of-everybodys-time/"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Stackhouse</span> calls it "strangely useless"</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> while </span><a href="http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/11/manhattan_declaration_unlikely_to_inspire_young_christians.html"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jonathan Merritt</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, founder of the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative, says the statement is unlikely to "sway a new generation of Christian leaders who take a broader view of cultural issues facing us today."</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gNZK1ku-rZDx6oXK4SmGfg_Dq_q2HOAWGUDUsUXyMDW0aYTrqg251ek5AdDRMdRlTSeejxj8C4LRCNYeCj87-GbEXEhR_AdYjColzfPA3oyBIf1ja8SaXTJLWm-PGR0l9T_NY1ce8A/s1600/manhattan+declaration.jpg"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gNZK1ku-rZDx6oXK4SmGfg_Dq_q2HOAWGUDUsUXyMDW0aYTrqg251ek5AdDRMdRlTSeejxj8C4LRCNYeCj87-GbEXEhR_AdYjColzfPA3oyBIf1ja8SaXTJLWm-PGR0l9T_NY1ce8A/s320/manhattan+declaration.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407806462041608706" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The document's backers point to the diverse range of theological perspectives represented by its signatories, not everyone in the evangelical world who typically contributes to these types of ecumenical public policy collaboratives has endorsed the Manhattan Declaration. A handful of names like Ron <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Sider</span>, Cornelius <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Plantinga</span>, David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Neff</span> and Richard Mouw notwithstanding, there doesn't seem to be much support from evangelical "moderates" who were instrumental in drafting last year's </span><a href="http://www.anevangelicalmanifesto.com/sign.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Evangelical Manifesto</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> and 2004's </span><a href="http://www.nae.net/images/content/For_The_Health_Of_The_Nation.pdf"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility</span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, both of which called for a broadened platform including issues like creation care, poverty alleviation, racial reconciliation, human rights and peacemaking. Those who have endorsed both the Manhattan Declaration and the Evangelical Manifesto (Timothy George and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Leith</span> Anderson for example) appear to be the exception.<br /><br />So where are all the moderates?<br /><br />Noticeably absent from The Manhattan Declaration's signatories are respected scholars like David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Gushee</span>, Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Skillen</span>, Mark Noll, Nicholas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Wolterstorff</span>, Stephen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Monsma</span>, J.P. Moreland, Os Guinness, Dallas Willard and Darrell Bock, not to mention other influential evangelical voices like Rick Warren, Joel Hunter, Bill Hybels, Gary Haugen and Rich <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Stearns</span>. This doesn't mean Manhattan isn't an amazing feat of coalition-building across Evangelical-Catholic lines (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Neuhaus</span> would be proud), but such a narrow range of policy emphases might explain why many, including yours truly, are reluctant to sign on.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />It looks like the culture wars are back, folks. Man your battle stations.</span></div>
Dan Stringerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034644024071932552noreply@blogger.com14