Posts Tagged ‘christianity’

In honor of our most recent Election Day in the U.S. I decided to republish this post from the archives:

I am somewhat frequently interviewed by students here at MVNU for Research Writing projects, Public Speaking presentations, or Christian Life and Ministry papers. Tonight I was interviewed by Daniel Coutz. It was one of the more thoughtful interviews that I have experienced and I appreciated the approach. The conversation went something like this:

Daniel: “Respond to this statement: The United States is a Christian Nation.”

Travis: “No earthly empire is distinctively in keeping with the way of Jesus. Those who claim the United States to be a Christian nation need to enroll in a post-reformation church history course that discusses the period of American colonization. Also helpful would be a study in theology and philosophy to explore the definitions of theism, deism, and idolatry.

Daniel: “Do you feel the American flag should be displayed in churches? Why or why not?”

Travis: “No. The church is laced with a history of symbol and icon for visual engagement in worship and when one considers what the American flag represents I would have to question what one is worshiping. I would have no problem with displaying a flag in a church if it was displayed beside every other flag of every other nation so long as the symbol is understood to represent equality and unity.

Daniel: “Respond to this statement: The loyalty of a person belongs first to his country.”

Travis: “Why would one view an earthly empire as something to which giving loyalty is necessary or a priority? My suggestion is that most would give said loyalty due to an enculturation that promotes a sense of loyalty as nessecary. I would also suggest it has something to do with the supposed ‘safety’ provided by the military branch of a certain country’s government. Fear would be that which fuels loyalty to an earthly empire.”

Daniel: “Respond to this statement. Christians living in the United States should be patriotic about the United States.”

Travis: “One’s definition of patriotism would be primary. I find it problematic for a follower of Jesus to pledge his allegiance to an earthly nation. So in the sense that the recitation of the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ is patriotic, then patriotism may be considered contrary to ‘worshipping no other gods.’”

Brian McLaren said, "I’m deep into revisions for A New Kind of Christianity , due out next March, and I’m feeling ‘in the zone.’ The first draft is done, but I revise first drafts like Chuck Norris unleashes roundhouse kicks, so the really intense work is underway."

Brian , you are my hero (one of them). You are a man of humility (unlike some other unnamed authors and speakers I’ve met) and a man who can write a first draft. I am so retentive, perfectionistic, and obsessive that I cannot get through a rough, first draft. I get stuck editing as I go and thereby get nowhere in my writings. I need to follow the advice spoken by Sean Connery’s character, William Forrester, in the film Finding Forrester , "Write! Bang the keys!" (or something like that).

A recent chapel service at MVNU was constructed by the Art Department. There was a very loud banging typewriter during the entire service. I heard a lot of negative feedback from some students but I’ve always appreciated the Art Department chapel and the unique forms of creating thoughtful reflection. MVNU students, here is your chance to unleash your thoughts: What is your reaction and reflection concerning the incessant banging of keys during a chapel gathering?

Many MVNU students have been attending the Sunday morning gathering of Christians who call themselves "Journey Church." Here is the third (3rd) of six (6) reasons why MVN(azarene)U students have been so highly attracted to the non-Nazarene gathering place that is Journey.

From post #2 of 6…
[v. TASTE. The cost of time and travel is worth it due to…]

3. The music.

Music is more than sound particles waving through the air which then travel through the human ear to one’s brain and perceived as beats and tones. Music reflects the rhythms of life. It creates emotional connectivity to certain life events and seasons. Music moves. It flows. It creates mood and environment.

Journey’s musical worship leader, Les Claxon, performs music in a manner that connects with the generation of college students. His style is fresh and may be simultaneously or distinctly highly energetic and emotionally turning. At the core of his leadership is a person who authentically exposes his heart as he expresses his own love for God as he sings with the quality of a recording artist while playing the acoustic guitar supported by other guitars and the percussive beats of a cajon or drum set. Les’ musical worship style is one with authenticity that is desired by a relatively young congregation.

• What are the positive and negative attributes of emotionally charged music?
• Why do some define worship as the 20-minute period of music prior to a lecture at a Sunday morning gathering?
• Why does authenticity hold such high value?
• Is it worth ceasing musical worship in order for the church to understand the fullness of worship?

Les is not the only person who leads the church in worship. Students gravitate toward…

TO BE CONTINUED.

I ate lunch with Doug Pagitt as a part of the Emergent luncheon at the Envision Conference. I have yet to read his new book yet so rather than an adequate review here is a video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiiIxh25WSA&NR=1]