God and Prayer

Over at Faith and Theology Benjamin Myers poses the question whether prayer changes God. Then, quoting Barth, he suggests an answer while providing a helpful perspective from which to think about this issue.

Hezbollah and Root Causes

I haven’t posted on the current Israeli/Hezbollah clash and the resultant destruction in Lebanon because the subject has depressed me. Truth is, I can sympathize with both points of view—with those who think Israeli is well within its right to strike back hard, fast, and thoroughly and with those who think Israel has gone too far and is actually strengthening Hezbollah politically.

One idea that surfaces constantly on the cable talk shows and has had currency in the academic world at least since Edward Said is the importance of root causes. Here’s how this is expressed. A pundit on the right will come on the show and outline the facts: Hezbollah started the conflict and Israel must press forward aggressively in order to ensure the nation’s safety vis-à-vis the northern border. When given a chance to respond, the expert on the left will usually grant the first argument—that Hezbollah was the initial aggressor—but will invariably suggest that the solution required is far from what the rightie is suggesting. To guarantee a long-lasting peace the parties at the table must deal with the heart of the matter: the Arab angst
stemming from "the Palestine" issue, meaning the Israeli occupation of key parts of Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. (Of course the angst hasn't receded even now that Israel has ceded most of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to the PA.)

[While some on the right have rejected the Root Causes theory as prevarication, others have have accepted it at some level but in doing so, have located the real cause of angst elsewhere, namely, in Arab/Muslim frustration at evident gap between expectations of supremacy-- suggested by their being God's true followers--and reality.]

Clearly, in dealing with individuals we can (and should) discuss root issues that underlie outward actions. See, for example, Jason's excellent post regarding this with respect to alcohol abuse and the SBC here. My question is, can we effectively engage with root causes when dealing with corporate bodies--groups of people, states, or even terrorist organizations (or "resistant movements"), like Hezbollah? Others have noted how there is structural and corporate sin in addition to individual sin. But is it possible to bring about healing at the structural and corporate level in a way that is not just superficial?

Spectacular Papi

Okay, the man is unbelievable. Since he’s already had so many clutch hits, I always think it’s asking too much for him to do it again. Think again. Last night David Ortiz showed why he is the franchise star—and MVP—by hammering yet another walk-off homerun. The title of Espn’s coverage says it all: “Old Habit.” No longer are such dramatic bombs an anomaly; they are expected--by the fans, by his teammates, and, claims the slugger, by himself. Keep it up big fella.

(NB: I’d like to thank Comcast for mistakenly giving us access to NESN, which made possible last night’s pleasurable viewing.)


UPDATE:
I neglected to mention Snyder's tremendous replacement outing for David Wells. It's to be hoped that he can maintain this level of pitching, especially as the Sox have fallen on hard times in this department.

Baptists and the Religious Right

Scot McKnight is blogging through Randall Balmer's book, Thy Kingdom Come, and most recently discussed chapter 2. This particular chapter deals with baptists and their denial of their heritage. Historically, baptists have embraced independence from the State, but Balmer maintains (apparently) that insofar as many baptists have joined (or comprise) the religious right, they have become entangled in politics.

More interesting than McKnight's post is the interaction found in the comments section, especially that b/w McKnight and Denny Burk. I'm certainly sympathetic to McKnight's point of view, if only because I tend to be a contrarian and reject my background, but I can also sympathize with Burk. It's too easy to suggest that those on the religious right (am I one of these?) want to establish some sort of Constantinian state because they try to legislate laws consistent with their moral beliefs. I personally feel that such attempts are often misguided and based on positions that lack nuance, but, nevertheless, they represent a desire to effect change using the political mechanics at hand. Any thoughts?

Power For Living

Col. 1.11-13

God's power is available to us, and necessary for us, as we seek to live in ways faithful to his revealed will--seen in Christ.

Paradoxically, it’s hard to rely on someone else, especially God. For most of us, I’m willing to bet, we have an easy enough time crediting our “salvation” to God, but it’s a lot harder living thereafter in his Christ-embodied grace. That’s why the next part of Paul’s prayer is both a petition and a reminder.

The apostle of God’s grace beseeches God to strengthen the Colossians with his “power, according to his glorious might” (1.11). As brand new followers of Jesus and children of God, the Colossians require power from their Lord to enable them to grow in wisdom as they seek to live lives pleasing to God.

While enduring the hardships along the way, they should give “thanks to the Father, who has qualified [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (1.12). Paul reminds us that from start to finish God is our source of strength. The same power that is available to us now as we strive to live faithfully before God through fruit-bearing works and intimate knowledge of him is the power that has presented us with “a hope . . . in heaven” (1.5). He alone has qualified us. By thanking him regularly we remind ourselves that his power is the source of our strength.

Yet even with reminding myself of God’s prior goodness and strength exercised on my behalf, it’s difficult to know, as I expressed earlier, how it is that I should go about fulfilling my (sometimes) earnest desire to please him. How can I be sure that my actions do not stem from a desire for recognition, self-aggrandizement, or pride? Is the connection between salvation and fruit bearing simply an intellectual one, by which we remind ourselves of God’s grace and instruct ourselves to live fruitful lives in appreciation? Paul begins to answer these questions with the next few phrases.

God has qualified us by means of two notable actions: (1) “he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and (2) has transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (1.13-14). Whether we consciously feel it or not, we have been taken from one realm and placed in another. The former realm (note that the “darkness” contrasts with the current situation as “saints in light”) in which we operated was one of futile actions, perpetrated from selfish motives and resulting in destructive effects. By stark contrast, now we belong to the kingdom of Christ, through whom, Paul explains, we have right standing God. We are restored. As to the importance of Christ in God’s plan cosmic plan of creation and redemption--and, by extension, for our life lived before God--Paul elaborates in the next section.

Clash of the Heels?

It's probably much too early to start talking about college basketball, but I couldn't resist posting this article by Andy Katz about the 2006/7 Tar Heel team. Unlike this time last year, the Heels are projected to be a powerful team--both in the conference and beyond. I'm really hoping that the returning players mesh well with the incoming recruits.

And the Hits Keep Coming

Great, another maddening development. When I read this bit of news I found myself simultaneously excited and forlorn. Another reason to want to study and St. Andrews and more cause to lament the fact it probably won't happen. A former classmate had told me that St. Andrews was wooing Bockmuehl, but he wasn't sure they'd be able to lure him away from Cambridge. It looks like they were victorious. (ht: Benjamin Myers)

Jury Duty

So, I had jury duty today. All this amounted to was going to the courthouse and sitting in the jury pool before getting called into a room where I was not chosen to serve. I'm a little disappointed in how my attitude degenerated, though. Last year I was selected for jury duty, and thus should have been exempt this year. However, I did not have proof that I served then, so I showed up anyway. Besides, I have hoped that I would get chosen this year so I could perform my civic duty. When I arrived there today that's still how I felt--excited to serve. Yet the negativity been to seep in as I overheard all my fellow potential jurors gripe about what a waste of time this was and by the time we were excused for the next three years, I was actually glad that I wouldn't have to serve. Very sad. I'm sure my dad would be disappointed in me too. Maybe next year, when I get called (because they always forget who's been called), I'll show up again without proof of past service and actually be ready to serve. Bring on that homicide case!

Moving On or Just Moving?

Well, I did it. I told my boss today that I’m "stepping down" next month. Somehow I don’t feel like I expected I would. While I had hoped that I would feel a sense of relief to get this out in the open finally, I feel just as uncomfortable—perhaps because so much is still unknown for me. At least I can begin to move on now . . .

Wisdom

Col. 1.8-10

Paul prays that the Colossians might know God's will so as to please him more fully.

Judging from his own ministry experience, no doubt, Paul realizes how easily individuals can deviate from the true path of grace.* It is for this reason that he moves from thanking God for the nascent—but evidenced—faith of the Colossians to praying for a developed understanding on their part as to the relationship between the God in which their faith is grounded (and is its object) and their Christian life.

Paul offers his prayer somewhat expectantly because he has already heard of the real fruit bearing that is occurring amongst the Colossians—“faith in Christ and love for the saints” (1.4). Fruit bearing is a sign of the gospel’s work so Paul has reason to believe that the Colossians are on the right track, so to speak, to living a life of “maturity in Christ” (1.28).

Having mentioned the Colossians’ actions in the previous paragraph, it’s interesting that Paul’s prayer begins not with behavior, but rather knowledge. A filling of “knowledge about God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (1.9) is necessary for the Colossians to get to where they, quite correctly, want to be—walking “in a manner worthy of the Lord, [pleasing] him to the utmost” (1.10).

Again, Paul agrees with the Colossians in their goal to live lives that make God happy and proud to be their God. What this looks like in practice is a continual process of “bearing fruit in every good work” and “increasing in the knowledge of God” (1.10). Along with the Colossians, we can possibly envision ourselves advancing in these two areas, but sometimes it's hard to see how they cohere. Typically, I take a laissez-faire approach, believing that somehow, once I believe in God and the gospel, my good works will be pleasing to God.

The fact that Paul is even writing this letter, however, seems to indicate it’s not always the case that our attempts at pleasing God lead to actions that do in fact accord with true knowledge of God. This suspicion seems confirmed by Paul’s placement of “increasing in the knowledge of God” second almost by way of emphasizing for the Colossians that true fruit bearing is something that leads to an increased knowledge of God, even as their initial fruit bearing was based upon their true reception of Christ in the first place. Apparently some of their later attempts at pleasing God actually led them farther from God. How do we ensure that our fruit-bearing attempts are grounded in and reinforce a true knowledge of God?


*1.5: “the word of truth, the Gospel”; 1.6:”the grace of God in truth”

Once Begun, How to Live?

It's been a while since I first posted on Colossians, but I want to continue looking at this fascinating letter, not least because it offers an instructive look at the connection between Christian identity and Christ.

Col. 1.3-8

Early on, Paul indicates that a Christ-centered life is the key to pleasing God.

A key question for the Colossians, and one that I struggle with, is how to be the kind of individual that God wants to call his own. They had begun to work out their own answers to this question by embracing practicies that were admirable (ones that had "the appearance of wisdom"--2.23). The were strict in their observance of the Sabbath and other key religious days and were serious about disciplining their bodies. Somehow, though, these actions were deemed woefully inadequate.

[Let me observe at this point that the too easy tendency for many of us is to dismiss actions like those of the Colossians as obviously legalistic and counter to the gospel. Yet it's interesting to note that Paul doesn't chastise the intent driving the Colossians' practices (contrast Paul's approach here with the one taken in Galatians); in fact, he assumes the desire to please God is a laudable goal, and is careful in his remarks not to stamp out such enthusiasm. For those of you like me, who wrestle mightily with feelings of failure, induced in part by our inability to live out the fulness of our convictions, we can be encouraged that our goals are nevertheless affirmed.]

Paul's thanksgiving in the first chapter hints that the means for pleasing God begins elsewhere--with another, to be precise. In the thanksgiving the apostle starts to lay the groundwork for his later appeal to "walk in [Christ]" (2.6). Paul's prayer is offered up because he has "heard of [the Colossians'] faith in Christ and the love which [they] possess for all the saints" (1.4). As will become more evident later in the letter, this linkage of faith in Christ and love is significant; essentially, for Paul, the latter is a result of the former. Faith in Christ as properly understood leads to a life characterized by actions that are pleasing to God, foremost among which is love.

The problem for the Colossians--and for me on most days--is not the intention to please God through righteous works, but rather the failure to begin where my (new) life begins, with Christ. Failure to begin with Christ leads to frustrated intentions, and hence to angst. While the Colossians may not have been in a state of acute spiritual turmoil, they were, from Paul's perspective, in danger of living disconnected from the source of their right standing with God.

But life is rarely "either/or." Sometimes we get things right without knowing exactly what we've done and other times we stray far from "spiritual wisdom and understanding" (1.9). As I noted earlier, the Colossians are "projects," works of God, and Paul's desire is to bring to "maturity in Christ" (1.28). That they have indeed begun well, though--are pleasing God, and on their way to spiritual maturity--is seen by their "love for the saints." Only Christ's life, accessible by faith, is effectual for bringing about such love as theirs. Paul is encouraging them for having embraced (to some degree) the true way of life.

US Down

Well, the US has been eliminated from World Cup play. This makes me sad. Like most Americans, I don't watch soccer much, not least because I don't have cable. During this tournament, however, I have really begun to appreciate the sport. I like how it commands the attention and arouses the passion of virtually the entire world. There's something very communal about this love of sport, even if, by the same token, the bitter rivaries spark violence among fans. I even don't mind that the US team is far outmatched at the moment and has to accomodate itself to the dominant styles of the likes of Italy and the Czeck Republic. My hope is that soccer will become more popular in the States and that the US team will eventually cause other countries to adjust to its prowess. For the time being, though, I'll have to rout for Italy. Which team do you want to win?

Papelbon

The Sox are on a role, as they mow down Washington to take a two game lead over the Yanks. With what looks to be a solid lefty in Jon Lester, which is just what the Sox need in the lineup, given the recent woes of David Wells, things are looking up. However, a key, if not the key, to this season's strong start has to be rookie closer, Jonathan Papelbon. This guy is incredible. Bill Simmons marvals at the kid and explores the dilemma that faces the Sox--closer or starter?--over at espn. Now if I can just afford to get tickets to a game.

Bye Bye Zar-QA-wi

For updates on the military strike leading to al-Zarqawi’s death, check out the counterterrorism blog. Bill Roggio has information up on the role of Task Force 145. Make sure you blow up the map to see the scope of the operations culminating in the eventual "termination" of al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq.

UPDATE:
Aljazeera (English net version) cites the AP report, as does the Jerusalem Post, which adds the intriguing bit of info that al-Zarqawi's wherabouts where determined in part through analysis of his last video tape.

Austin Bay tells us what this killing means in the grand scheme of things and cites a Strategy Page post examining the recent deterioration of relations between the terrorist in Iraq and al-Qaeda's top leadership. Does this raise the possibility that information on al-Zarqawi's location was offered up by those acting on the behest of Osama and company? I don't know.

Kudos to the Jordan intelligence services, renown for their operative skills, for intelligence they might have gained that led to al-Zarqawi's death.

UPDATE:
Milblogs react, a few of them also suggesting that al-Zarqawi was sold out by his own. (Hat tip: Michelle Malkin.)

Mark of the Beast

Is the mark of the beast really 666 or, rather, is it 616? See David Parker’s (of the University of Birmingham) explanation of the two choices presented us by manuscript evidence. (Hat tip: Mark Goodacre.)

Sport Beatdowns

Kevin Hench at Fox Sports has a list of the top ten beatdowns in sports. Of course I don’t condone such brutality—yuck yuck—but you should check out the article. Let me know which is your favorite. Personally, I like #8.

24 and the Divine Narrative

Mark Driscoll poses the question everybody's been thinking but is afraid to ask: Is Jack Baur a type of Christ? Beyond the superficial similarities, it is most interesting that, despite our short attention spans, we are still captivated by story, even when it involves complicated plot twists, character development, and (most difficult of all) suspense. It's certainly up for debate whether 24s popularity has more to do with its story character or merely its topical elements, which include violence and betrayal. (Hat tip: Steve McCoy, who elsewhere links to a Robert Webber article arguing for the importance of refocusing on the importance of story vis-a-vis the divine narrative.)

What I wonder, first of all, is whether a focus on story can renew within us (read: me) a sense of God-permeated existence. If it can, how can we recapture and recast the divine narrative without sacrificing (as many might fear) truthful propositional speech about God? Or is the latter even a legitimate goal?

Dead Sea Scrolls in KC

Portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls will be on exhibit in Kansas City next year.  If anyone has a chance, go see the exhibit; it’s well worth it.  (Hat tip: Jim Davila.)

I had the good fortune to see the Scrolls in Israel a few years back.  The religious fervor spawned in part by contemporary political circumstances led the Qumran communities to commit themselves to an extremely ascetic and scripturally observant lifestyle.  One might ask what circumstances or mentality would be required to spark a similar level of devotion among Christians in our time.  What would that look like?  Any thoughts?

Updating

So, I'm in the gradual process of updating the blog. My plan is to expand--and eventually categorize--links to include more biblical studies, faith-and-culture, and missional-minded blogs. I will, however, maintain and even expand my (perhaps?) idiosyncratic list of Middle East-related blogs. Beyond this, I aim to give more time and space to actual reflection, which, I hope, will lead to interaction with any out there who happen across this blog. Stay tuned.

Friday Caca

Here's a little Friday etymology for the kiddies. I don't know why, but I've always been fascinated by poop--maybe it's because, seen from two different perspectives, it's alternatively ordinary and sensible or uterly disgusting--and I count myself lucky to know the history of caca. Cheers!