Monthly Archives: December 2007

Todd’s Theses revisited (conclusion)

Theses Part ThreeWay back in March 2006, I started a blog-series titled “Todd’s Theses.” I essentially listed the church- and theology-thoughts running through my head at the time. I went back to review those posts and thought it might be interesting to repost them here unedited and unfiltered. Do I still feel the same? Am I embarrassed of what I believed so long ago? Let’s find out.

Part One

Part Two 

33. Being mean or offensive isn’t the best way to point people towards truth.

34. Churches should be transformational. When people come in contact with Jesus’ love, they should never be the same.

35. God’s will isn’t unfurled before us so we can know His entire plan for our entire life. It’s revealed in small pieces so we can take next steps.

36. Every member is a minister.

37. Educational institutions, political organizations and Focus on the Family are NOT the Church.

38. We don’t go to church. We are the Church.

39. Mission work (and money) doesn’t have to occur (be spent) in another country.

40. Truth isn’t contingent upon me. Just because I believe something to be true doesn’t make it so. (Caedmon’s Call)

41. Women and men are equal in Christ. We do females a great disservice when we tell them they can be anything they want professionally, but they’re restricted in church.

42. The Bible is NOT an answer book, rulebook, instruction manual or textbook. It is a narrative, and it’s important that we understand it as such. (See #18)

43. Unity doesn’t equal uniformity.

So, what do you think? Where am I way off base?
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Todd’s Theses revisited (part two)

Theses Part TwoWay back in March 2006, I started a three-part blog-series titled “Todd’s Theses.” I essentially listed the church- and theology-thoughts running through my head at the time. I went back to review those posts and thought it might be interesting to repost them here unedited and unfiltered. Do I still feel the same? Am I embarrassed of what I believed so long ago? Let’s find out.

Addendum to #2:
The Bible provides an incomplete, human picture of who God is.

17. The Bible is the perfect word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16)

18. The Bible was written to a specific group of people, with a specific purpose and a specific situation. To read the scriptures out of their historical context is a dangerous practice.

19. The mission of churches shouldn’t be to get bigger. The mission should be creating disciples and sending them out to do ministry.

20. Individualism is one of the worst things that have happened to the faith. Churches are communities. We can’t ignore the importance of community in study, prayer and worship.

21. Healing is still possible.

22. Our faith has become incredibly logical; it’s all about what you know. We need to tap into our emotions and experiences and recognize they are as valid to our understanding as cognitive knowledge.

23. We need to stop studying (so much) and start doing. We have too many classes and not enough service.

24. We should never stop learning.

25. Christianity is not a political movement. Moral legislation will not bring anyone closer to Jesus.

26. A cappella worship is not the sole way to worship from the heart.

27. Questioning God, the Bible, traditions or leaders is necessary for some people’s faith. Rather than discourage that, we should facilitate it. Church should be the most comfortable place to seek the truth.

28. If people are truly seeking for truth, they will find it. (Matt 7:7-8)

29. Tracts won’t change people’s lives.

30. Disfellowshipping entire churches isn’t Biblical.

31. Pointing out doctrinal errors of other churches is a waste of time.

32. Having nice things isn’t a sin.

So, what do you think? Where am I way off base?

Conclusion cometh tomorrow.
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Todd’s Theses revisited

Theses Part OneWay back in March 2006, I started a blog-series titled “Todd’s Theses.” I essentially listed the church- and theology-thoughts running through my head at the time. I went back to review those posts and thought it might be interesting to repost them here unedited and unfiltered. Do I still feel the same? Am I embarrassed of what I believed so long ago? Let’s find out.

1. God and His ways are bigger than human comprehension. (Ecclesiastes 8:16-18)

2. The Bible doesn’t provide the entire picture of who God is. (John 21:25)

3. The Bible is a living, breathing document that needs to be read, reread, interpreted and reinterpreted. Its truths are everlasting, but the way we understand and apply them will change. (Matt. 16:19)

4. To be a Christian requires all of our selves. There is no such thing as a “Sunday” Christian. (Luke 9:23)

5. Eternity is now. When we are baptized, we aren’t changed, cleaned and reconciled for tomorrow; we’re changed, cleaned and reconciled for the right now. We need to do everything in our power to bring heaven to earth for today, not earth to heaven for tomorrow.

6. Christ is bigger than politics. Conservative and liberal, republican and democrat, libertarian and socialist all find common ground in Christ. (John 14:6)

7. Worship is not about what I get it out of it.

8. Worship is not incorporated. Worship is life. There should be no such thing as a “worship service.”

9. The way we observe communion today is not the way it was observed in the Bible. (Acts 2:41-43)

10. God’s grace covers our mistakes, ignorance and stubbornness. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

11. Salvation doesn’t follow obedience. Obedience follows salvation. (Eph. 4:1)

12. You cannot be a Christian and ignore the fatherless and the widowed, the hungry and the naked, the lost and the ignored. (Matt. 25:35-45)

13. Seeing people based on negative attributes is not the way God sees us. Our identity is not in our failures; our identity is in Christ. (Eph. 4:10)

14. The question of “who will be saved?” is of little importance in the life of a Christian. The question should be “How can I show Christ in my life to everyone around me?”

15. The Christian faith is not an institution; it is a movement. We should spend less time, money and energy on maintaining the institution and more on carrying out Jesus’ vision for his disciples. (Matt. 28:19)

16. For too long the great commission has been the method rather than the vision. We are to make disciples, baptize and teach others to obey. We must be creative and relevant to carry out that vision. (Acts 17:22-34)

This list is interesting in light of a current discussion I’m having with several friends about the person and divinity of Jesus.

So, what do you think? Where am I way off base?

Part two coming tomorrow…
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Top Five Christmas Movies

Now, for the blog post you’ve all been eagerly awaiting: the authoritative list of my top five Christmas movies!

Christmas Vacation5. Christmas Vacation—Though I’ve seen this movie a dozen-plus times, it still makes me giggle. Cousin Eddie is one of the funniest characters ever penned, and Clark’s no-bonus blowup is absolutely golden. This is definitely a good background movie while you’re (or your wife is) setting up your Christmas decorations.

Wonderful Life4. It’s a Wonderful Life—I saw this movie for the first time last Christmas (unbelievable, I know). Though it gets a bit slow in parts, the payoff at the end is absolutely worth it. Stewart is brilliant, the little girl (everytime a bell rings…) isn’t. They should really consider showing Stewart’s performance more than hers when they talk about this movie. If you’re one of the few humans alive who haven’t seen this movie, do it.

Elf3. Elf—Classic Will Ferrell. If you like that, you’ll like this movie. If not, you’ll probably still find something to enjoy. The story is funny, heartwarming and appropriately cheesy. It’s a perfect movie for the whole family to watch together.

Love Actually2. Love Actually—Not only is this on my top Christmas movies list, it ranks in my “top movies of all time list.” If you don’t get the warm fuzzies from Liam Neeson and his son or Colin Firth and his love interest, it may very well be possible that you aren’t a human. Unfortunately, this movie isn’t perfect for the whole family to watch together—there is some unnecessary nudity. Fortunately, even that story ends up being cute.

Christmas Story1. Christmas Story—When you were growing up, did you have a movie that you loved, but you didn’t know anybody else who had even seen it? Princess Bride was one such movie—until I got to Harding, I didn’t know how many people worshiped it. Christmas Story is another such film. I absolutely loved it growing up, but I didn’t know it had mass appeal until TNT started running day-long marathons. The reason this flick is at the top of my list is because when I watch it, I still feel the same as when I was a wee child, exhausted after a morning of present-opening and new-toy-playing, laying on the floor, watching Ralphie and his quest for the official Red Ryder carbine-action 200 shot range model air rifle—and that’s a good feeling.

So, that’s my list. What did I leave out? What did I screw up? What’s yours?
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P.S. If you have been trying to visit or leave a comment and have been blocked by Bad Behavior (error 403) I have remedied the situation. Cheers.

Monday Musings on Tuesday

  • I have finally decided who will receive the coveted Todd Blog Presidential Endorsement: Congressman Ron Paul. Paul’s libertarian stances on taxation, the war and personal liberties match up quite well with my own. While I struggle with Paul’s statement that we caused 9/11 (which, I believe, was taken out of context), I believe that he is straightest-shooting politician on the Republican side. For those who plan on supporting Mike Huckabee, please know that he is not a true conservative candidate. While he is certainly socially conservative, his fiscal view and record are anything but. Don’t let Chuck Norris sway you.
  • I’m tired of singing songs that I don’t really understand or mean. For example, we sang “Heaven Came Down” on Sunday at my church. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice, fine song. But I don’t really know what I’m talking about. What does “glory filled my soul” mean? Also, what is “There’s a Stirring” about? When I die? When I come to know Jesus? And finally, does Jesus really “still feel the nails” every time I fail?
  • I heard a commercial for an upcoming Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson concert in Wichita. The announcer said, “Reba and Kelly Clarkson, on stage together, at last” as if people were waiting and asking for this duo. I just thought that was funny.
  • I can’t stand the “Christmas Shoes” song. Apparently, by 8:50 a.m. this morning, this dreadful song had been requested three times! Oh Wichitans, you disappoint me. That said, here, without further ado, is the Christmas Shoes music video:
    [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=VNsvE33pRSw]
  • I’ve talked about Cute Overload before, but if you haven’t visited, you simply must. If you use an RSS reader, you should add it to your feeds. Getting a daily overload of cuteness makes everyone a little more cheerful.

So, what’s going on in your world this Tuesday?