I should be offended but it is so funny! LOL!

Andrew Jones (the long lost brother of Tony Jones) posted this hillarious video from the “enemy” as he put it… It is actually well done.

I should be offended but it is so funny! LOL!

Andrew Jones (the long lost brother of Tony Jones) posted this hillarious video from the “enemy” as he put it… It is actually well done.

A funny and strange dream…

Just woke from a funny and strange dream.

I was on a tour bus with Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones, Andrew Jones and a couple of other guys going to a conference of some sort. I realized I was the only one that did not have a laptop! I was very concerned over this so called Bob Hyatt for advise. He told me to just buy a pen and paper notebook. Bob is very smart! LOL!

I just woke up laughing over it! It was pretty absurd.

iggy

A funny and strange dream…

Just woke from a funny and strange dream.

I was on a tour bus with Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones, Andrew Jones and a couple of other guys going to a conference of some sort. I realized I was the only one that did not have a laptop! I was very concerned over this so called Bob Hyatt for advise. He told me to just buy a pen and paper notebook. Bob is very smart! LOL!

I just woke up laughing over it! It was pretty absurd.

iggy

An Open Letter to Matt Slick

Matt,

I wanted to thank you for having Doug Pagitt on. I am also part of the “emerging church”. Though I am not a “member” of emergent, I have seen much value in the things they discuss. I see that they are especially of value in the area of Christoplatonism.

I wanted to also thank you for not being rude. So often these type of interviews are reduced to just that. I was a bit worried though with the opening. =) You might also find it interesting that I really appreciate Doug yet do not agree with him on all points… especially in the area of “eternal security”. Yet, there are orthodox people on both sides of that issue.

In the ec I hope you realize that there is much room in our conversation. As you might have already noticed there are some that view women pastors are fine and some like Mark Driscoll (who some of us no longer see as “emerging”), who do not see that is fine. Yet, within the “movement” (which is still an in-house debate whether to call it that or if it is one) we are open to challenging one another… with respect.

In regards to Karen Ward, I am not that read up on her myself. She may be considered a “leader” but there are some that consider ME that also… which I have to chuckle over as I am not that much of one if I am! LOL!

Yet, in this case you were unkind and did admit it to Doug. I think you should apologize.
Now, having said that, I agree with you that if she did state that it was OK to not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus then she is in error… and most other emerging/emergent I have run into would not agree with her at all.

Now, how we work though is if she is in error, and this is brought to the table of discussion so to say, she would be challenged by the rest of us. Again, mutual respect is help as one of the highest of values as we view commonly that God places high value on all humans be they believer or not. He sent His Son to die for us so we see that as one of the greatest values.
In this type of discussion we will firmly debate with one another. If one cannot “back their view” biblically… then we will agree to place in the secondary position of “is this an essential”.
In this iron sharpens iron… and I am sure Doug will talk with Karen and if it is as you state will discuss this.

As far as your ministry, I agree that you are in a very interesting place. To look for “orthodoxy” and to find whether one is a heretic or not would be tough to do. Yet, still if a person be a Mormon or JW, I would still place love in front of all things as I approached them. Mostly I would allow God to work as I did converse with them. I would challenge their view but not deride the person.

Walter Martin, who I understand mentored you, (unlike that other guy who stated he was mentored by Walter as he listened to a bunch of tapes) stated that this was very important to do… to not put down their leaders or attack their person… but focus solely on their doctrines.

As far as how this is done, I think it depends on the person. I have had to confront unbelievers who were sick from drinking binges… and after the second or third time I ran them to the emergency room I would be straight forward and tell them they needed help… and I would not let them get away with saying they had a “disease”. As, I am diabetic and have an actual disease I see that someone who places a substance purposely in their body, as in the case of alcohol is a drunk, not “sick” in the same way as someone with cancer. They need help but they do need to be confronted with their “sin” that is killing them. Cancer never comes in a glass nor did my diabetes. (I understand that this is a bit out of the AA understanding, but the bible calls a drunk a drunk) This may sound harsh but I am meaning that I have built a bit of a relationship… and in that can give that person my honest and blunt opinion. Also, I see that this person is dying and in that do not care to waste much time “just to be nice” though I do not want to be unkind.

I think that Doug was very much in your face, yet you could sense he cared and still had genuine love for you as you talked… I see that this is the way you need to confront others also.

Over all I wanted to thank you as I did. I have been attacked by some very harshly and called an apostate and told I am not saved, just becuase I have a link to Brian McLaren on my website… that is a bit silly as I also have Dr. J Vernon McGee and Chuck Missler. They seemed to not care in my confession of faith in Jesus but only that they hate those they see outside their own narrow belief and doctrine… in fact many of these get confused when I state things like “having a relationship with Jesus” or “must recieve the Life of Christ” which seems to me the most crucial of beliefs one should have as a believer in Jesus.

I wanted to recommend two other “emerging” folk.

Andrew Jones is a great guy and I think you would enjoy interviewing him. He is also known as the Tall Skinny Kiwi. I would also recommend Scot McKnight who is a professor and author and considered to be one of the finest up and coming theologians out there today. His blog is called Jesus Creed like his book of hte same name. Allen Roxburgh of ALLELON would be another person as he is very close to Brian McLaren.

Be blessed,

iggy

An Open Letter to Matt Slick

Matt,

I wanted to thank you for having Doug Pagitt on. I am also part of the “emerging church”. Though I am not a “member” of emergent, I have seen much value in the things they discuss. I see that they are especially of value in the area of Christoplatonism.

I wanted to also thank you for not being rude. So often these type of interviews are reduced to just that. I was a bit worried though with the opening. =) You might also find it interesting that I really appreciate Doug yet do not agree with him on all points… especially in the area of “eternal security”. Yet, there are orthodox people on both sides of that issue.

In the ec I hope you realize that there is much room in our conversation. As you might have already noticed there are some that view women pastors are fine and some like Mark Driscoll (who some of us no longer see as “emerging”), who do not see that is fine. Yet, within the “movement” (which is still an in-house debate whether to call it that or if it is one) we are open to challenging one another… with respect.

In regards to Karen Ward, I am not that read up on her myself. She may be considered a “leader” but there are some that consider ME that also… which I have to chuckle over as I am not that much of one if I am! LOL!

Yet, in this case you were unkind and did admit it to Doug. I think you should apologize.
Now, having said that, I agree with you that if she did state that it was OK to not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus then she is in error… and most other emerging/emergent I have run into would not agree with her at all.

Now, how we work though is if she is in error, and this is brought to the table of discussion so to say, she would be challenged by the rest of us. Again, mutual respect is help as one of the highest of values as we view commonly that God places high value on all humans be they believer or not. He sent His Son to die for us so we see that as one of the greatest values.
In this type of discussion we will firmly debate with one another. If one cannot “back their view” biblically… then we will agree to place in the secondary position of “is this an essential”.
In this iron sharpens iron… and I am sure Doug will talk with Karen and if it is as you state will discuss this.

As far as your ministry, I agree that you are in a very interesting place. To look for “orthodoxy” and to find whether one is a heretic or not would be tough to do. Yet, still if a person be a Mormon or JW, I would still place love in front of all things as I approached them. Mostly I would allow God to work as I did converse with them. I would challenge their view but not deride the person.

Walter Martin, who I understand mentored you, (unlike that other guy who stated he was mentored by Walter as he listened to a bunch of tapes) stated that this was very important to do… to not put down their leaders or attack their person… but focus solely on their doctrines.

As far as how this is done, I think it depends on the person. I have had to confront unbelievers who were sick from drinking binges… and after the second or third time I ran them to the emergency room I would be straight forward and tell them they needed help… and I would not let them get away with saying they had a “disease”. As, I am diabetic and have an actual disease I see that someone who places a substance purposely in their body, as in the case of alcohol is a drunk, not “sick” in the same way as someone with cancer. They need help but they do need to be confronted with their “sin” that is killing them. Cancer never comes in a glass nor did my diabetes. (I understand that this is a bit out of the AA understanding, but the bible calls a drunk a drunk) This may sound harsh but I am meaning that I have built a bit of a relationship… and in that can give that person my honest and blunt opinion. Also, I see that this person is dying and in that do not care to waste much time “just to be nice” though I do not want to be unkind.

I think that Doug was very much in your face, yet you could sense he cared and still had genuine love for you as you talked… I see that this is the way you need to confront others also.

Over all I wanted to thank you as I did. I have been attacked by some very harshly and called an apostate and told I am not saved, just becuase I have a link to Brian McLaren on my website… that is a bit silly as I also have Dr. J Vernon McGee and Chuck Missler. They seemed to not care in my confession of faith in Jesus but only that they hate those they see outside their own narrow belief and doctrine… in fact many of these get confused when I state things like “having a relationship with Jesus” or “must recieve the Life of Christ” which seems to me the most crucial of beliefs one should have as a believer in Jesus.

I wanted to recommend two other “emerging” folk.

Andrew Jones is a great guy and I think you would enjoy interviewing him. He is also known as the Tall Skinny Kiwi. I would also recommend Scot McKnight who is a professor and author and considered to be one of the finest up and coming theologians out there today. His blog is called Jesus Creed like his book of hte same name. Allen Roxburgh of ALLELON would be another person as he is very close to Brian McLaren.

Be blessed,

iggy

The Myth and the Man… Martin Luther

I recently came across an article on “Ten Martin Luther Myths” which was interesting to me. Yet, as usual for some reason I saw a at least one thing that was not accurate.

And here we go, straight to the toilet.

2. Luther’s Evangelical Breakthrough Occurred in the Bathroom
This same Jehovah’s Witness denigrated Luther by repeating a newer myth, that Luther’s understanding of Romans 1:17-18 came to him while in the bathroom in the tower of the Augustinian cloister. In the twentieth century, many approached Luther by applying psychoanalysis to his writings. Psychologist Eric Erikson took a German phrase uttered by Luther and interpreted it literally to mean Luther was in the bathroom when he had his evangelical breakthrough. Erikson concluded, from a Freudian perspective, Luther’s spiritual issues were tied up with biological functions. But, there was not a bathroom in the tower. The phrase Erikson interpreted literally in German was simply conventional speech. Luther really was saying that his breakthrough came during a time when he was depressed, or in a state of melancholy.

Funny thing is that I found an article on this a while back… which I thought was rather amusing… but it seems to be at odds with this article.

Luther’s lavatory thrills experts…

Now do I believe this ministries article of the archaeologists?

I am not trying to start a fight… don’t get me wrong. This is not a critique on any one’s research… but it shows how fast some things can change on the Internet. It also shows that at times when we think we have all the info, we may not.

Which leads me to humility… and it’s importance. Since we do not know all things, we need to be humble enough to acknowledge that maybe the other guy might have something. It is hard if you are like me and have a tendency to be right most the time… (that was tongue in cheek but feel free to cut and paste that if you are a critic… just give the reference. If you don’t I will send the copy right police to your door. LOL!)

In reality even our worst critiques can teach us things about ourselves if we listen. We may not like what they have to say, and in some cases they may be just blowing smoke up your kilt… but if we think that we have it all together… then we are as guilty as they are if they are wrong. As gently as one can, we must return grace and mercy… and love… if one is falsely accusing or attacking you.

On that note a while back Andrew Jones wrote a very funny post on John MacArthur’s “Truth War” in which in a backhanded way, he called the emerging church a “poopslide” (roughly reinterpreted by Andrew) on the garment of Jesus… here is my post with the links.

Well I found an interesting quote by Martin Luther on the topic that might just put Jonny Mac in his place… LOL!

“Therefore let us embrace Christ, who was delivered for us, and His righteousness; but let us regard our righteousness as dung, so that we, having died to sins, may live to God alone” [LW 30:294]. “Explanation of Martin Luther: I said before that our righteousness is dung in the sight of God. Now if God chooses to adorn dung, he can do so. It does not hurt the sun, because it sends its rays into the sewer” [LW 34: 184].

Be blessed!
iggy

The Myth and the Man… Martin Luther

I recently came across an article on “Ten Martin Luther Myths” which was interesting to me. Yet, as usual for some reason I saw a at least one thing that was not accurate.

And here we go, straight to the toilet.

2. Luther’s Evangelical Breakthrough Occurred in the Bathroom
This same Jehovah’s Witness denigrated Luther by repeating a newer myth, that Luther’s understanding of Romans 1:17-18 came to him while in the bathroom in the tower of the Augustinian cloister. In the twentieth century, many approached Luther by applying psychoanalysis to his writings. Psychologist Eric Erikson took a German phrase uttered by Luther and interpreted it literally to mean Luther was in the bathroom when he had his evangelical breakthrough. Erikson concluded, from a Freudian perspective, Luther’s spiritual issues were tied up with biological functions. But, there was not a bathroom in the tower. The phrase Erikson interpreted literally in German was simply conventional speech. Luther really was saying that his breakthrough came during a time when he was depressed, or in a state of melancholy.

Funny thing is that I found an article on this a while back… which I thought was rather amusing… but it seems to be at odds with this article.

Luther’s lavatory thrills experts…

Now do I believe this ministries article of the archaeologists?

I am not trying to start a fight… don’t get me wrong. This is not a critique on any one’s research… but it shows how fast some things can change on the Internet. It also shows that at times when we think we have all the info, we may not.

Which leads me to humility… and it’s importance. Since we do not know all things, we need to be humble enough to acknowledge that maybe the other guy might have something. It is hard if you are like me and have a tendency to be right most the time… (that was tongue in cheek but feel free to cut and paste that if you are a critic… just give the reference. If you don’t I will send the copy right police to your door. LOL!)

In reality even our worst critiques can teach us things about ourselves if we listen. We may not like what they have to say, and in some cases they may be just blowing smoke up your kilt… but if we think that we have it all together… then we are as guilty as they are if they are wrong. As gently as one can, we must return grace and mercy… and love… if one is falsely accusing or attacking you.

On that note a while back Andrew Jones wrote a very funny post on John MacArthur’s “Truth War” in which in a backhanded way, he called the emerging church a “poopslide” (roughly reinterpreted by Andrew) on the garment of Jesus… here is my post with the links.

Well I found an interesting quote by Martin Luther on the topic that might just put Jonny Mac in his place… LOL!

“Therefore let us embrace Christ, who was delivered for us, and His righteousness; but let us regard our righteousness as dung, so that we, having died to sins, may live to God alone” [LW 30:294]. “Explanation of Martin Luther: I said before that our righteousness is dung in the sight of God. Now if God chooses to adorn dung, he can do so. It does not hurt the sun, because it sends its rays into the sewer” [LW 34: 184].

Be blessed!
iggy