Fallen Into Knowledge

I have begun retiring certain theologically loaded terms from my vocabulary. I am sad to see them sitting on the bench, for they ought to take a central role an any theological discussion. But, it seems, some words lose their power from over-use. People use them without having a clear idea as to what is meant - or signified - by them. Or, alternatively, because these words can be used in different (and sometimes mutually exclusive) ways, people find themselves talking past each other - conversations never quite connect. Of course, since these words are central to any theological conversation, they have to be replaced with something.

Here are a couple words that I have temporarily retired from my speech, and the words I have exchanged for them:

1. Faith: I am using the word “Fidelity,” or word “Allegiance” in the cases where faithfulness to God’s Kingdom is meant.

2. Grace: I am mostly using “generosity,” or the adjective “graciously”

Are there other theological words that need temporary relief?

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world.

Love is not perfected in us, but among us; that is, the character of God is not so much exhibited by a holy person as it is exhibited in the way Christians treat each other - among us. Our community should be markedly different from what the world expects. The church is the reflection of the imago dei in so far as she embodies the character or the God whose bride she is.

because as he is, so are we in this world

No formal thoughts today, just a psalm chosen from tonight’s reading:

Psalm 36

There is an inspired truth about the wicked person who has rebellion in the depths of his heart:
He is not terrified of God. (more…)

More thoughts, this time from Nehemiah:

Nehemiah is the only Narrative in the Bible told in the first person.

Both Ezra and Nehemiah emphasize the reading of the Law and the observation of the festivals: this is in distinction to the books of Kings and Chronicles, where the law was found only as the Assyrians / Babylonians arrived to cart Israel off to captivity.

Both Ezra and Nehemiah are focused on “cleansing everything foreign” from amongst Israel. Even so, they are dependent on the generosity of a foreign king just so they can rebuild the city.

I have to confess, today hasn’t gone too well. The website nightmare is yet unresolved, although it is finally coming back together. This fact might have accentuated my pleasure to see this week’s podcast of “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” in iTunes, waiting to be heard.
I am a NPR junkie, in addition to being a coffe junkie and a news-in-general junkie. My habit has been exaggerated recently, now that I can subscribe to many shows in iTunes. Frankly, having a podcast of “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” makes the whole podcast thing worth while. If you haven’t heard the show - go to iTunes and check it out.
I currently subscribe to these shows:

Missing from the list, because they don’t podcast: Car Talk and Prairie Home Companion

Ahhh, here it is. It is amazing that a band whose first release (Boy) was in 1980 could generate so much Hype. Not that I am immune to the hype, after all, I own every album that they have made to date. You might even say that I am a fan. I suppose that it is for that reason that I am gratified by this, U2’s latest release. It sounds like U2. If I shuffle this albulm with all of their music, it fits. This unlike Pop, which didn’t fit. No, there aren’t any songs here that will be smash hits; but this is the U2 that I had hoped would show up on this album. I am pleased.

It’s officailly time for bed. I’m tired. but before I go I just have this to say: It’s my Birthday. And to celebrate surviving until my 26th birthday, I am going to sleep for the first third of it. Starting now.

Yipee! Here is the much anticipated new commuting bicycle. It’s light and fast and loads of fun - in fact, I think I’ll go ride now….