And a suggestion ...

It looks like the comments are turned off for the posts. I find it much easier to follow a conversation if the comments are on. Otherwise, we will be trying to answer each other's questions, but have to backtrack through pages of posts to figure out what's going on. For a good example of how the comments work in a conversational blog setting, you can look at this discussion on the Emerging CGGC blog.

Anyway, turning on the comments would keep the questions and answers all neatly together for us. Of course, I'm thinking we use the comments for just the follow-up questions, not the original weekly reflection posts.

Just a suggestion ...

Question

Dr. J,

I am an infant when it comes to this blogging thing, especially compared to Tammie (she has her own page). Therefore, when you pose questions to one of our posts are we all suppose to respond? Is it meant only for that person? What if I don't get to read the posts for a couple of days? I just want to make sure I am doing enough. Thanks.

Jason

Session #2, Assessing Our Culture

*Analyze the church you attend in terms of Van Gelder's typology of churches in American Life.

*What is your response to Shenk's thesis that the church in Christendom is not missional?

*Discuss your reflection on Kaiser's proposal that secularism is not a permanent worldview in our culture.

*Flowing with Van Gelder's discussion of Postmodernism, how do we participate in God's mission in our current culture? What is the worldview of the gospel? Premodern, Modern, or Postmodern? How does conversion relate to postmodern deconversion?

*Hiebert provides a systems grid to analyze our culture. What is the mission of the church to the systemic powers human and spiritual?

*Reflect on the symbols you encounter in your culture, local church, and the gospel. Discuss their meaning and identity in your life. For example, I come from Amish background; a horse & buggy symbolize a worldview and lifestyle that means faith and faithfulness for me. Today, my DeRosa bicycle, contemplative pottery and candles, and Taize music symbolize some similar values, identity & worldview as an Anabaptist "Resident Alien."

Exploring the gauntlet. . .

Thanks Tammie for your interesting post; I am glad you were able to join our blog.

* I have several reflection questions for the class to consider. As you review the 18 missiological questions, which issue is the most vital for you? Why?

* I had asked Jason about a recurring theme in the text; you already touched on it. These themes will continue to emerge in our discussions. The issue of ecclesiology, the incarnating 2,000 year old body of Christ--the church is a key issue. Community/church are key kingdom issues, see page 47. What are your reflections on a kingdom-oriented ecclesiology? The missio Dei becomes central to our purpose and focus, in other words, joining God in His mission is the main thing. What is the main thing in your kingdom community (church)?

Weekly Reflection #1: It just begins with baptism ...

The use of words is fascinating to me, so I loved the way Newbigin used both senses of the word "gauntlet" to describe the challenge facing the North American church.

In the first sense, that of a medieval challenge (as in to throw down the gauntlet), Newbigin challenges the church to not only see its own backyard as a missionary field, but also to be as diligent about its outreach to it as we have been in efforts to evangelize other nations.

In the second sense, Newbigin uses the word gauntlet (as in running a gauntlet), to describe the high-wire act that comes from balancing public "facts" and private "values" which is complicated yet again when we consider our own culture as a mission field. We need to walk a line between striking out against the culture and being completely absorbed in it.

In Newbigin's model, culture rests as a corner of a missiological triangle in which gospel and church for the other points. On the axis between gospel and culture, we see the gospel being presented in a relevant manner in the culture, precipitating conversion. The culture point is also connected to the church along an axis of the triangle, creating a place for missionary dialogue and witness to the community. The final axis of the triangle exists between the gospel and the church. It is on this axis that discipleship happens as the Bible is studied, leading the church to better understand its own history and the story of God.

To see the gospel as just being about people being saved and baptized is to see an incomplete picture of both the gospel and the people to whom it is being presented. Being saved and baptized isn't an end goal, it's a beginning and helping the new believer make their way in this crazy culture of ours should be as much a priority as the initial presentation of the gospel. Suddenly, the assumptions they grew up with may no longer be valid and they need to learn how to view a variety of issues through the lens of Scriptures.

We also have to realize that culture shapes the attitudes into which we are trying to speak the truth of Christ's love for sinners - all sinners - and his atoning death on the cross. Our culture tells us there has to be a reason for someone to love us, especially to love us to the point of death. Christ tells us we just have to be who we are. Our culture is full of broken families and imperfect parents while we talk of God as the perfect Father. Our culture tells us we have to do something in order to receive. Christ just says come. We need to be aware of this baggage that people are carrying lest they turn down the volume on our presentation of the gospel because we have shown an amazing lack of sensitivity to their situation.

Presenting the gospel will, in some cases, make us the real revolutionary in the world. Where the rest of culture is presenting a me-first attitude, the message of Christ puts others first. Where our culture tells us to make a lot of money and retire early, the message of Christ tells us to keep working to make His kingdom happen on earth.

Looking back at Paul's address to the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17, we see that the apostle found common ground on which to begin a conversation about the gospel. It is the same way in our culture as we might find something as simple as a popular song or movie as an entryway to a conversation about the gospel.

We need to remember that Christ said we were to be in the world, but not of it. We are to be aware of what is happening so that we can speak his truth into it; yet not hold the things of the world so closely that there's no room for his truth.

And, so, another balancing act is begun ...

Dr. J,

Another way of saying people are at the center would be to say what is not at the center. I mean, ultimately Christ is at the center. And we can see numerous times through out the Bible where Jesus did things because of people. Not because it was convienent, or easy or culturally right, but because it was the will of His father. Jesus came to earth and met us where we are at. All He asks in return is that we meet him half way. Since Jesus is no longer here in the flesh, we as the church must take his invitation to the masses who are impacted by the culture.

Class Discussion

Rock Daddy, thanks for responding to the questions on Part 1. Follow-up questions for the class to discuss as they post: What is another way of saying that people are at the center? What is the recurring theme the authors are raising that needs to be addressed in relationship to culture and gospel?