Tag: conversation

What is emergent? Centered set

what is emergent?

Read Part 1: What is emergent? Generous Orthodoxy

I remember somewhere along the way in school, we studied bounded sets and centered sets. I couldn’t tell you how all the formulas worked, but I remember it was a nice change from the other algebra and/or geometry we were doing at that time.

I had all but forgotten about these two terms until I recently became aware of them as part of the emerging conversation (and more specifically in reading “Not the Religious Type: Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist” by Dave Schmelzer.

So often we do out best to figure out who’s in and who’s out of our club. Who can we trust? Who’s our friend? Who’s really on our side? Are they really a Republican or just a Republican in Name Only? Are they really a liberal or are they just hoping to win friends?
Continue reading What is emergent? Centered set

The Great Disappointment

Nicholas Fiedler (of Nick and Josh Podcast fame) shared an open, honest reflection on his disappointment with Emergent on his blog.

He mentions later in the comments that perhaps after spending 15 months abroad, he’s disappointed to see the conversation hasn’t moved anywhere from when he left. Understood.

Here are my comments:
Continue reading The Great Disappointment

Christianese and Techno-garble

Common Craft shares a great video highlighting the features of Rockwells Retro Encabulator.

Be sure you watch this one. The technology is amazing!

Ok… did you watch it? Truth be known, it’s a hoax.

Behind the announcer is simply a bank of large circuit breaker panels. You can find these in any large building. This is a hoax video produced by Rockwell for a sales meeting.

But it got me thinking – is this what we sound like when we talk Christianese to “non-believers?” Is this what I sound like when I talk government and history to my wife? Is this what I sound like when I talk about technology to my friends and family?

Consider the audience.

While terms like Son of God, kingdom, good news, Messiah, Parousia (or presence), Savior, faith, Lord and Emmanuel may have been familiar to Jews and Romans in the time of Christ (see “Jesus for President” p.67-69), they may not carry the same meaning or understanding for folks in our day.

While I’m not suggesting we change all our terminology, I think we need to be careful to explain and share our understanding of the terms and ideas that those outside (and maybe even inside) the church aren’t familiar with.

Otherwise, to them it may feel like standing in line at Starbucks for the first time, hearing folks in front of them rattle off, “Venti, skinny, 2 shots, no-whip, Cinnamon Dulce Latte.”