american individualism and the Church

Today in class, we're talking about the influence of individualism on ministry. The most fascinating point that Dr. Lowe made was in regards to its effect on Biblical interpretation.

He used the example of Ephesians 6:10-18, where Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. Now take a moment and think back to every sermon, Sunday school lesson, and VBS paint-by-number that you've seen on this passage. What comes to mind? "I have to put on my armor so I can go out and wage war with the forces of evil" is what I thought of, and perhaps it is your thought.

Now, what is the main thrust of the book of Ephesians? Paul is writing the church at Ephesus in regards to the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians, about the unity of the whole church, the body of Christ. The first half of the letter talks about the need for unity, the second half about its implications. Would Paul be writing this exhortation to unity of the whole, and then, just before his closing remarks, encourage us to be rugged individuals in the battle against Satan? Probably not.

After realizing this, I was floored. How could I have been deceived all these years? More over, how did I think I could do it on my own anyways?

Well, this has definitely opened up a lot more thinking about how I approach Scripture with my own presuppositions, and more often than not they're flawed.

technology and the church

In class today, we've been discussing the development of technology and how the church can use the ever adapting culture to its advantage for communication. The discussion has been fruitful, but we looked at a couple of websites for things that I couldn't believe:

• Wi-fi church – Granger Community Church in Indiana has some added bonuses in their Saturday night services, among them a "Starbuck-esque café" and a Wi-Fi "to soothe your inner geek". (for me, I would hope that my sanctification would slowly shrink my inner geek and make me more like Christ... not that he wouldn't make a good computer engineer if there had been C++ back in his day...)
  
• Online retreat – Creighton University Collaborative Ministry Office has developed a 34-week "Online retreat". This sounds totally crazy to me, but their feedback page seems really positive in its results.

So the last thing I need to do is to soothe your inner sceptic, but am I crazy for thinking there is a line to be crossed in going too far?

Back to school! Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool!
I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight!
Ohhhh, back to school! Back to school!

Adam Sandler from "Billy Madison"

Today is my first day on campus at Erskine Theological Seminary. I'll be on campus this week, 9:00-5:00, Monday thru Friday, for Introduction to Theological Education. It is decidedly an unexciting class, so in a way it's nice to get it over with in one painful swoop this week, even though I'd rather be painting walls and unpacking boxes (no, seriously, I really want to be doing that!). Then starting next week, I will be on campus all day Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'll post that schedule next week since I can't see that far ahead in time (but I think it'll look something like "sleep, drink coffee, lectures, study, eat, drink coffee, study" and then repeat). It's great to be back at school!

In other news, Sarah has been working since Thursday and won't have her first day off until Saturday! That's right folks, 9 straight days of work!!! Please pray for her perseverance and sanity, as well as safety on the roads (she has a 45 minute drive to work). For those of you who haven't heard, she's working at 2 sales offices for the Cliffs Communities (the Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards and at Keowee Falls). They are a series of communities based around golf courses and gorgeous water front properties. These places are pretty incredible, but don't take it from me... Kevin Costner likes 'em!

So that's a quick update from our neck of the woods. I'll probably be able to post a little more often now since I'll have lunch breaks this week.

The View Out Our Back Window

The View Out Our Back Window
Originally uploaded by Luke and Sarah.

Coming home from orientation, I found a friend hanging out... and marveling at my devinely manicured lawn, muah-ha-ha-ha!

Death of Synthesizer Legend

Bob Moog dies at 71

Not many of you may know who he is, but you'll recognize his name. Bob Moog (rhymes with "vogue") developed one of the first synthesizers (the Moog), and revolutionized music as we know it.

We found a house!

112 Cherry Street - 2
Originally uploaded by Luke and Sarah.

After looking and looking, and changing our minds more than once (!), we found a place to rent! More details coming soon, but we've posted 10 photos (just click on the one above and it'll take you there).

We're moving to Pendleton, SC (next to
Clemson, SC), and about 30 minutes from Erskine. Go here to see a map...