nuf said...

In the name of the father, son & the...

Not sure I can even comment on this product...

Christian fiction (and other Night Ranger songs)

A while back I read The Shack. Honestly, not because I wanted to, but out of respect for the sweet older woman who gave it to me. It turned out to be the most profound and thought-provoking book I’ve read this year. And it’s Christian fiction.

Since then a small enclave of my friends have vehemently stated, “I will never read Christian fiction!”

Now I’m reading Crazy Love by Frances Chan. And as I read it I realize that it is chalked full of his views on life and his bias on how to interpret theology. And as a writer I realize we all take a little literary or poetic license when telling true stories. As I try to now look at Christian non-fiction objectively, I realize that between God’s Words, actual events and interpretation, there is lots of conjecture, bias, spin, personal worldview and intent to get the reader to some emotional, mental and or spiritual place.

So maybe outside the Bible, the books I love by D. Miller, Eldredge, Sweet, and this sure-to-be controversial book by Chan, are closer to Christian fiction than we might like to believe.

And here’s another thought: my friends and I are probably very cool with fiction. We’re probably ok with authors like Steinbeck, Salinger, Hemingway, Thoreau etc. So why marginalize a book or genre because the author is a Christian? Or hey—isn’t C.S. Lewis ’ The Screwtape Letters (a Christian classic) also Christian fiction? Hmm, I think it is.

Maybe Christian fiction isn’t the problem. Maybe it’s the people who read the Left Behind series and there’s a stigma there. But if that’s the case, why be a Christian at all---there’s a boatload of goofy stigma attached with that ;-)

summer---a great time to read...

OPGYN

OPinions, God in them? Yes or No?

It's my choice. On and in everything. It's the greatest American right that I exercise. My opinions. My very strong opinions. I can hold my strong opinions like a torch or like some banner. And that's fine. Until I think that people who feel differently aren't fine, or that their choice sucks.

I can have strong opinions on music, or worship, or talk shows, or Christian fiction and God knows what else--who am I kidding? Everything else. But my personal conviction of late is the pride in thinking that God would take to or show up mightily in the things that I like. And I don't say it or consciously think it, but I am smelling an air of, "And that other thing is lame...and...and God wouldn't use that."

But me thinks I am too proud sometimes. Perhaps my opinions are just my preferences. And as much as I might think they're the Grey Poupon of tasty opinions---others probably consider them, just...poop.

The danger in my opinions is in subconsciously thinking they're better, more noble, express more taste or sophistication, than...yours...his...or hers. Or in a church context, that what I resonate with is what God is really working in. I keep forgetting that He formed us all, and that means that your opinion isn't necessarily a defection; it's just an extension of a different person made to dig things that I don't.

To be crass I think sometimes I think God is in my opinions more than other people. I hate to admit it--it sounds idiotic. But maybe if I admit it, I'll be able to passionately like what I like---and passionately appreciate that you dig what you dig--and then in my mind neither of us will get a higher grade for our opinion.

The Bible...too sexy...for church

Strange teaching experience: I'm in my office working on a talk for this Sunday morning called "Boom-chicka-wow-wow." It's about relational intimacy, which leads to physical intimacy. And I'm making the point that God's view of sex is more than just biological.

And as a proof text there's this gem of a book called Song of Songs. And chapter 7 is perfect to use to underscore the point except that...well...that particular passage of God's Word is too sexy for church. Talk about conflicted.

(Inner dialogue with myself)

"This is PERFECT. Talk about God's idea of 'Boom-chicka-wow-wow.'"

"NO WAY. This is way too much for Sunday morning!"

"Dude, it's GOD'S WORD."

"Dude, there's going to be kids in the room!"

"Hmm. Good point."

So what a conflicted emotion to realize that God's Word is too sexy for His House. Strange days.

Not growing up in church and knowing anything about this unique Song of Songs book in the Bible, I clearly remember stumbling upon it for the first time. It actually arroused my libido. It is sensual poetry. Stimulating. And it's God's Word. You gotta love God.

the great Oz

Years ago when I was even more spiritually immature than I am now, my friend Jeremy gave me a copy of My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. May 12th's devotional is a good example of why I am still in awe of what God has breathed through Mr. Chambers.
Check it out.