Wanna join the Mafia?

Wanna join the Mafia? Let me know as I am looking for writers that love satire!

Be blessed,
iggy

Just for Laughs

This makes me want to become a Baptist! LOL!

Be sure to have your sound on... but if you are at work better wait till you get home!

Be Blessed,

iggy

Tozer devotional: Truth Must be Lived

Tozer Devotional

Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer

That Incredible Christian

Chapter #28

To Be Understood, Truth Must Be Lived

Being Participants in Truth

Truth cannot aid us until we become participators in it. We only possess what we experience. St. Gregory of Sinai, who lived in the fourteenth century, taught that understanding and participation were inseparable in the spiritual life. “He who seeks to understand commandments without fulfilling commandments, and to acquire such understanding through learning and reading, is like a man who takes a shadow for truth. For the understanding of truth is given to those who have become participants in truth (who have tasted it through living). Those who are not participants in truth and are not initiated therein, when they seek this understanding, draw it from a distorted wisdom. Of such men the apostle says ‘the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit,’ even though they boast of their knowledge of truth.” Here is a simple but neglected doctrine that should be restored to its rightful place in the thinking and teaching of the Church. It would work wonders.

Prayer

Lord, teach me what it means to participate in Your truth that through it I may be free.

Scripture

The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is made up only of rules taught by men.'
— Isaiah 29:13

Thought

Some of us measure our commitment to Christ by the truth we mouth and the rules we keep--rules which may be man-made and not from God. But truth must be tasted through living if we are to be participants in it.

Larry Norman April 8, 1947 – February 24, 2008

With great sorrow and yet having the comfort of know God now holds him in His arms, Larry Norman went to be with Jesus yesterday.

Here are some of Larry's brave last words to all of us who loved him.

I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.

My brother Charles is right, I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.

My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.

I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.

Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again

Somewhere beyond the sky.

I pray that you will stay with God

Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.

Larry

I was able to see Larry many years ago in concert and Santa Cruz Bible Church. I had been a fan for years and Larry is a major part in my feeling accepted and knowing that God loves us freaks also. He was as bizarre as usual but fun. My wife and I went to him to talk a bit after the concert. He saw my wife and almost blurted out, "You are absolutely stunning!" which shocked us both a bit... but hey she is! = )

The thing I desired the most was to let Larry know how much his music and just being who he was meant to me. Without Larry I most likely would have gone off into a different direction than to seek after Jesus. All I wanted to do was thank him for being used by God. I think that sort of shocked him. I am glad God gave me opportunity to thank him.

We met Larry's parents and they were some of the nicest people. They invited us over to their house in San Jose, and we went to just visit and found that they were moving. We helped them do some fix it stuff... and clean up. I confess to Joe, that I had quite a few "tapes" and "bootlegs" of Larry's music but had not actually bought any. We were standing in Joe's garage/Larry's recording studio for many of his records, and Joe stooped down and found a tape cover to one of Larry's albums and simply stated, "Here, now this one is legit."

We will miss you Larry... but God willing will see you again soon. Thank you for showing me the path that few choose.

Blessings,

iggy

Wkipedia

Around the Blogosphere

It is that time again when I look outside my little bubble and see what everyone else is doing. And this is what I found...

Build your own Chickensaurus!

Vote for the best Cosmic duo to destroy a spy satellite.

Castro stepped down... so now who will lead Cuba?

Puerto Rico backs McCain.

Origin of the Dead Son's Portrait...

Bob Hyatt is a pagan... so what?

Tall Skinny gives the skinny on the most sinful cities in America... so when is the road trip?

John O'keefe asks, "what part of love don't we understand?"

Jason Clark recommends theotherjournal.com and also welcomes you to hell week… which should be pretty interesting.

On the "this makes me sick" side of things, some are voting if Doug Pagitt is a heretic or not... Doug Pagitt. Heretic or Not? - CWN

This should hold you over for a while...

Be blessed,

iggy

Pastor Allen Hodges debate at MSU Billings

My pastor and friend Allen Hodges was in a debate at the local University this week. Here is part of his side of the debate. It took place 2/21/08 at MSU Billings.

Is there a god?

Yes—I say this both from the logical and personal perspectives.

My position tonight is, as well as I am able, to explain both of these perspectives.

I’ll start with the logic of the existence of God and then move into the personal aspects…
No one here, or anywhere for that matter, is able to refute the existence of absolutes in the universe. None of us deny the existence of gravity, nor can any of us suspend the force of gravity. We may be able to use it to our own purposes and even be able to fly or send rockets out of some of the force of gravity. But we all live within its power and effects. Nor is gravity the only absolute we encounter. None of us can operate outside of the laws of physics. None of our theories of the existence or origin of the universe discount or deny these very laws. Now also, none of us, though perhaps some may be able to, can necessarily explain how these forces work. None of us may be able even to see these forces. We can only see the effect of these forces and live taking these into account. The argument that something is true or even exists based solely on our belief in it, is shown to be illogical when presented in the case of physics. These laws of physics exist and act regardless of our belief in them or our understanding of their working. They simply are and we live within their bounds.

Likewise, the argument that there is no god, because we don’t believe in a god are moot. Our lack of belief in no way invalidates the existence of absolutes, nor of god. Some may argue that they won’t believe in a god because they don’t see this god. But each person claiming such, lives their entire life within the bounds of the absolutes of physics unaware of the contradiction in regard to god. Our eyes only register a small spectrum of the known light frequencies, yet none of us deny the existence of x-ray or ultraviolet light. We don’t see these, yet we know they exist. The same is true of god. Our ability to see is severely limited as is our understanding of the forces at work in the universe, yet we each live our lives within the certainty of their existence.

For the full text go here.

Tozer devotional: 3 for one

I have been really blessed on the last three Tozer dovotionals. So here they are.

iggy

Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer

That Incredible Christian
Chapter #28
To Be Understood, Truth Must Be Lived
Living the Truth

For a long time I have believed that truth, to be understood, must be lived; that Bible doctrine is wholly ineffective until it has been digested and assimilated by the total life. I have held this to be an important element in the preaching of the Old Testament prophets, and I have felt it to be near to the heart of the moral teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. I admit that this belief has made me a little lonely, for not many of my Christian brethren share it with me. While I have not heard anyone deny the truth outright, few have seen fit to teach it with anything approaching emphasis. And by silence a man will reveal his beliefs as surely as by argument. This is one of those truths which at first may appear dull and colorless, but far from being tame or weak, this truth is of tremendous importance to all of us. While not to my knowledge formulated as a tenet in the creed of any church or school of religious thought, it nevertheless stands as a great divide to separate those who think rightly about the faith of Christ from those who think carelessly about it.

Prayer
Forgive me, Lord, for stowing Your truth away in theological cupboards rather than integrating it into my daily living. Your truth liberates!

Scripture

'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'— Luke 10:36-37

Thought

If you know the truth, live it. Head knowledge is not enough. Living the truth enhances our understanding of it. Even more, living the truth changes us and opens us to receive more truth.

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Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer

That Incredible Christian
Chapter #28
To Be Understood, Truth Must Be Lived
Transforming Truth

The essence of my belief is that there is a difference, a vast difference, between fact and truth. Truth in the Scriptures is more than a fact. A fact may be detached, impersonal, cold and totally disassociated from life. Truth on the other hand, is warm, living and spiritual. A theological fact may be held in the mind for a lifetime without its having any positive effect upon the moral character; but truth is creative, saving, transforming, and it always changes the one who receives it into a humbler and holier man. At what point, then, does a theological fact become for the one who holds it a life-giving truth? At the point where obedience begins. When faith gains the consent of the will to make an irrevocable committal to Christ as Lord, truth begins its saving, illuminating work; and not one moment before.

Prayer
Father, forgive me for sometimes holding Your truth at arm's length--examining it, analyzing it, exegeting it--but failing to fully live it. Your truth sets free.

Scripture
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'— John 8:31-32

Thought
Truth sets free! Truth embraced, clung to, integrated into everyday living. Truth changes the heart not just the mind.

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Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer
Saturday, February 23, 2008
That Incredible Christian
Chapter #28

To Be Understood, Truth Must Be Lived
Experientially Knowing Truth

In His conflict with the religious textualists of His day our Lord often uttered short statements that serve as keys to unlock vast and precious storehouses of truth. In the Gospel according to John these may be found in something amounting to profusion. One such is found in John 7: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (7:17). A. T. Robertson, in his Word Pictures in the New Testament, explains “he shall know” as being “experimental knowledge from willingness to do God’s will.” Then he quotes Westcott: “if there be no sympathy there can be no understanding.” Obviously these words of Christ were understood by the great British biblical scholar Westcott and the brilliant American expositor Robertson as teaching that truth can be understood only by the mind that has surrendered to it. The average evangelical Bible teacher today finds such a radical interpretation too revolutionary to be comfortable and so just ignores it.

Prayer
I want to know You, Lord, experientially know You, know You better than I know You now. Open my eyes!

Scripture
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.— Ephesians 1:17

Thought
How is it that the Great God deigns to allow you and me, out of the billions on earth, to know Him in measure and to know His truth? I dont't know why but He does.

Chris Pajak Rocks!

Hey for all the things Chris Pajak has stated that were outrageous the guy rocks... He is a worship leader at his church and they sound great. And contrary to what some might say, he is not a bad looking guy! (No I am not a "man loving semi pelagian" but Chris does go to an Assembly of God) LOL!

Check out his website...

Be blessed,

iggy

This might offend a few but I thought it was hilarious!

Unknown Critics.. Why Listen?

This is just an observation. But has anyone else noticed that some of the "biggest" critics out the, like Ken Silva or Chris Pajak do not have any pictures of themselves anywhere on their blogs or other sites? It is like the unknown comic... was he a legit comic? Really, the gong show as big as it's success really never catapulted him to fame. His jokes were lame and so on... and I guess all that was the reason he never showed his face to the public. There are some that are even saying Ken Silva is not even a real person but a group of people writing as if he was a real person. (I do not believe that myself) = )

Now, I am not stating that the people I mentioned are like lame comics who are afraid to show their faces... well maybe I am. But, really if someone cannot show their face, I wonder if it is really worth listening to their voice? I wonder if it is that they actually live in "fear" from all those they attack? I am not sure... but I see that if you can't show your face in public, then their might be something wrong. I say this as one of these guys tried to mock me in how I look... but at least I will say I was flattered in their comparison and will add I walk in no fear of man. I will not only show my face but stand before man and God and as Luther stated;

“If the emperor desires a plain answer, I will give it to him. It is impossible for me to recant unless I am proved to be wrong by the testimony of Scripture. My conscience is bound to the Word of God. It is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s conscience. Here I stand. God help me. I cannot do otherwise.”

Be Blessed,

iggy

The New Christians: Tony Jones

Of all at Emergent, Tony Jones has been one that intrigued me the most. I really like much he offers at Emergent Village such as the Plato Smackdown and other podcast dealing with philosophy and religion.

With that I had some great anticipation when heard he had a book come out. Now, I caution that like other "Emergents" Tony is but one voice in a much larger conversation. I do see heavy influence by Brian McLaren both from the title to the much that is spoken about by in New Kind of Christian as we flash forward and find the pioneers who blazed trails and also took the arrows.

I was not disappointed with Tony's book. I see though as I look around the web (I usually try not to as I am about to write a review, yet for some reason I did...) I see that the chapters Tony talks about the "chickens" seem to miss the mark with some. It seems some people miss the understanding of stewardship and think Tony is "out to save the chickens" truthfully I saw that chapter about saving Christianity from consumerism... not just consumerism, but wanton destruction and total disregard for God's creation. The own took to heart his business, the officers, thought it a joke to worry about the humane slaughter of chickens... and many of them were "Christians". To me to understand that (which seemed a simple illustration) one would begin to grasp the issues we see as emerging... Christians.

My favorite point that Tony makes is how he explains "Absolute truth" I won't spoil it, but suffice it to say, I wish I have the simple illustration to explain why I see that the biblical definition of Truth needs no "qualifier" and to add to it, actually takes away from it and adds more issues than if we just stood on the bibles definition. This is not to throw out "absolutes" rather to gain that Truth is a Person... Jesus Christ... and not a detached abstract thought.

If one is trying to get an understanding on the "movement" this will give a bit more to the grand puzzle. But, realize as I already stated, this is a grand mosaic of many conversants. To say this book wraps it all up neatly, would be misleading, yet it will help flesh out the misunderstandings that are out there. (unless you get stuck thinking about saving chickens for Jesus and miss the point!) = )

For other voices about the book..

Next Wave

Tall Skinny Kiwi

Mmmm, That's Good Coffee...

Be Bless,

iggy

Responding to Ken Silva pt 2… the Mystics and Historical Christianity

Responding to Ken Silva… the Mystics and Historical Christianity

Ken Silva was once a Catholic. In that he saw some things that were not “Christian” in the sense that as other denominations, the RCC has strayed in many areas of what I prefer to call Biblical Christian faith.

I prefer to use “Biblical Christian Faith” as often Orthodox is misunderstood or abused or too broad or too narrow. In using the Bible as what is the basis of Christian faith I hope that we can understand some basic things that come from history and the bible.

I am responding to this little blurb, of which in itself is but a small part of an over all misunderstanding of history or our faith. I have read Ken’s view here and there but this attack piece on Shane Claiborne seemed to be the clearest in the way Ken speaks as to the real issue that is between ken and others which is his lack of Historical understanding and the Bible and how they often are truly relative in relationship with each other.

First here is the article from CRN. Note this is posted by the “editor” which is or is not Ken, yet this has “Ken Silva" all over it as all the links lead to Ken’s other site Apprising Ministries.

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Shane Claiborne Mystic Mumbo Jumbo
Published February 16th, 2008 by Editor in Emerging Church, Postevangelicalism
For those who may doubt it Shane Claiborne is definitely into the mystic mumbo jumbo of the Emergent Church. So-called "Christian" mysticism is a core doctrine of the emerging church movement from its very inception.

To be fair, Claiborne is hardly alone in using this perverted reference to experiencing God as one’s "lover"; and what follows from his book The Irresistible Revolution is classic language from those who practice contemplative mysticism: church history is filled with folks who followed God as singles–Jesus, for one; many of the disciples and martyrs, Francis and Claire of Assisi, the desert monastics, to name a few others…

At first it was a rational thing; I was attracted to the idea of God as lover. And then I began to experience God as lover, and I quickly became attracted to the Lover. I read Hosea and got the sense that life is a romance with the divine. I started meeting with a Catholic monk, who had taken a vow of poverty and celibacy. He told me, "We can live without sex, but we cannot live without love, and God is love." I had come to see God as lover and provider… (111)

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" For those who may doubt it Shane Claiborne is definitely into the mystic mumbo jumbo of the Emergent Church. So-called "Christian" mysticism is a core doctrine of the emerging church movement from its very inception."

Answer:
This is the core issue which I will state Ken misses that by throwing out all mysticism as wrong, misses that historically much what Ken believes was and is attributed to mysticism and its influence on our foundations of our faith and even later the Reformer themselves.

If we say “mysticism is tainted”, then we must go to the root of the mystic teachers and those who promote them. Yet, in saying they are tainted then brings the Fathers of our faith in to question and in that, the bible itself.

Now one of the most misunderstood things is that there is a great history of Christianity both eastern and western. Athanasius of Alexandria would be a great place to start. It was him (Besides the Apostles themselves but I will get to the biblical references for this later) that first wrote about the mystic way of Life of St. Anthony. Yet, if we just stop there we then miss that Athanasius of Alexandria was one that stood against many heresies of his day which includes Arianism and the Meletians who did not accept the Niceae Council's Creed.

Now, Athanasius was far from perfect, in fact his attack against Ariansim seems historically more of a caricature than the realities of what they believed. There was also controversy as to how he came to the position of Pope.

That being said, Athanasius did do some very great things.

“Athanasius is revered as a saint by the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic Churches. He is traditionally regarded as a great leader of the Church by the Lutheran Church, the Anglican Communion, and most Protestants in general.” (Source Wikipedia)

Of his greatest accomplishments, Athanasius was the secretary at the First Council of Nicaea and also was a major influence in the development of the Cannons of Scripture. Which is why I am starting here. For if we are to question and assert as Ken Silva does, that all mysticism is wrong, then one of the most important figures in the development of the bible as we have it, let alone one of the greater participants of the Council of Nicaea, then we then must be aware that there is a grave issue in whether the bible and the creeds are trustworthy. Of course there is much more to this, but again my focus is on the idea that if a person is tainted with "mysticism", and all they do is tainted as Ken asserts with Shane Claiborne, even to attack the teaching "God is Love" as perverted by saying "God is our Lover"... misses that there are complete books of the Bible that teach just this. Again I see this as more ignorance which can be fixed with a little education if one cares to gain a bit of knowledge with their zeal.

I recommend that if anyone is interested, Covenant Worldwide has some great “free” courses online. I recommend Ancient & Medieval Church History taught by Dr. David Calhoun. This is a “reformed” school taught by a Calvinist. So in that there is some bias in the teaching, yet, I found it very informative and of great interest. I am now doing Reformation & Modern Church History and will be doing Calvin's Institutes in the next few months. I am not putting Mr. Silva down, yet will boldly state that ignorance does cause much hate. It is better to state things with a bit of grasp of history than to be ignorant and throw out the baby and the bathwater.

Be blessed,
iggy

Responding to Ken Silva... True Unity in Christ

Responding to Ken Silva... True Unity in Christ

Interesting response to Ken Silva at Dan Goldfinch's Blog... very well written. Update on True Unity in the Body of Christ

Be Blessed,

iggy

More Thoughts on Heaven...

I was testing the children in my Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven. I asked them, 'If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?'

'NO!' the children answered.

'If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?'

Again, the answer was, 'NO!'

By now I was starting to smile.

Hey, this was fun! 'Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?'

I asked them again.

Again, they all answered, 'NO!'

I was just bursting with pride for them.'Well,' I continued, 'then how can I get into Heaven?'

A five-year-old boy shouted out....

'YOU GOTTA BE DEAD.'

Great Quotes: N. T. Wright

"Our culture is very interested in life after death, but the New Testament is much more interested in what I've called the life after life after death — in the ultimate resurrection into the new heavens and the new Earth. Jesus' resurrection marks the beginning of a restoration that he will complete upon his return. Part of this will be the resurrection of all the dead, who will "awake," be embodied and participate in the renewal." ~ N. T. Wright

Universal Judgment Through Christ Alone

To deny that the bible teaches that at one point EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord, denies a very clear and basic teaching of scripture. It is not the evil “Universalism” in that all are “saved”, but the acknowledgment that all will stand in judgement in Heaven before God at the Resurrection. (Isaiah 45: 23-25; Romans 14:11)

All will “universally” be raised and judged, Muslim or Christian, male and female, slave and free… for there are none of these in “heaven” as all mankind has been found unrighteous… we are all wrong and only Jesus is right and our identity, be it male/female/slave/free/christian/Muslim/Hindi/Fundy/conservative/emergent/ODM or whatever matters nothing when we stand before Jesus. All that matters is what He did in and through us and we receive the reward of eternal life because He knew us. Otherwise we stand before Him with nothing but our own words to condemn us and we will be tossed into the eternal Lake of Fire and experience the second death. (Revelation 20)

The ones that have already been raised to Life in the “first resurrection” are those who were martyred. They received the “better resurrection” as stated in Hebrews 11. (Revelation 20 and Hebrew 11:35)

God will judge all of mankind equally regardless to our own view of our self. And at that time if a Muslim speaks “Christ” then his name is in the book of Life, if they do not speak “Christ” then they are tossed into Lake of Fire.

If a Christian speaks “Christ” then he will receive eternal life in the New Creation, if the Christian speaks of his own righteousness, it is the Lake of Fire.

I see this as pretty simple… I do not see why it is so complicated.

There is one caveat; I am not saying that all that bow and confess are saved, it is in the confess of where one's righteousness comes is where our salvation comes.

Blessings,
iggy

N.T Wright on Heaven

I have been heavily influenced by N. T. Wright. Now, saying that I may not agree on all points. Yet, one point I see that he is great at is getting to the point of some things most just take for granted... and often being so granted are just plain wrong.

The debate on "Hell" will go on, though I think that if one can wrap their mind around the proper teaching of the bible on Heaven, they will begin to grasp why the common idea of Hell needs to be looked at.

Bob Hyatt pointed to an interview with N. T. Wright that I think will help many start to understand why "BIBLICAL" understanding is important.

Be blessed,

iggy

Spirtual DNA....

Here is a post by Chris Pajak...

All I can say is... AWESOME! LOL! THANKS!

the iggman

Tozer Devotional: Christ Our Mediator

Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer

That Incredible Christian
Chapter #25
The Increasing Knowledge of God

Christ Our Mediator

How two wills set in opposition to each other, and both free, could be harmonized was God's problem and His alone; and with infinite wisdom and power He solved it through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Because Christ is God and man He can properly represent each before the other. He is the Daysman who can stand between the alienated man and the offended God and lay His hand upon them both. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5) . All this is such a familiar part of evangelical theology that it may safely be assumed that the majority of my readers know it already. That is, they know it theoretically, but the experiential aspect of the truth is not so well known. Indeed large numbers of supposedly sound Christian believers know nothing at all about personal communion with God; and there lies one of the greatest weaknesses of present-day Christianity.

Prayer
O Great Mediator, You have scrubbed clean my heart and mind. You have paid my sin-debt in full. I want to know You, intimately know You!

Scripture
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.— 1 Timothy 2:5

Thought
Christ mediates between God and us. He draws us to God who wants all to be saved. Christ has done this by giving Himself as our ransom. You and I may know God! Are we presently knowing Him?

Logic lessons with Ken Silva... (?????)

At a blog where a person likes to take one sentance and create straw men to attakc people, I had an interesting lesson in logic from Ken Silva...

It starts with a guy called, (sorry if this is offensive, it was his choice of names not mine.) Poop is Emergent.

Poop is Emergent Too said...
Chris L: Driscoll was Catholic by backround...And Pagitt was once a pastor in the Baptist General Conference which is not liberal by most standards...

Also lack of certain trust in Jesus and his word and revelation is not humility, it is foolishness, masqurading as humility.

By your definition it would seem that Jesus was nothing more than an arrogant fool when he claimed "Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."
February 12, 2008 1:18 PM

iggy said...
Poop,"Also lack of certain trust in Jesus and his word and revelation is not humility, it is foolishness, masqurading as humility."

Yes, we all remember the words of the man asking Jesus to heal his son in Mark 9:23-24 as foolishness...

""`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!""

Yes, such a masquerade that man put on...

iggy February 12, 2008 1:26 PM

Ken Silva said...
iggy mocks: "we all remember the words of the man asking Jesus to heal his son in Mark 9:23-24 as foolishness...

"This is the fallacy of the false analogy. P was talking about Doug Pagitt, who is functioning as a Christian pastor (apples).

The man referred to in Mark 9 is still unregenerate and certainly is not expected to be a teacher of God's Word (oranges).

Therefore they cannot be compated in the context of P's comment.
February 12, 2008 1:53 PM

iggy said...
Ken,

So by your infallible logic,

Doug is saved...

He is of the Elect and no one can snatch him out of Jesus' hands... not even you.

thanks! = )

iggy
February 12, 2008 1:57 PM

Ken Silva said...
iggy,1) It isn't my logic.

And 2) I didn't say anything at all about Doug being saved. What I said was he "is functioning as a Christian pastor".

February 12, 2008 2:10 PM

iggy said...
Ken,

Then by your "not your logic" a "Christian" pastor is not "Christian"?

Interesting... so Doug is not saved and is a "Christian" pastor...

I am enjoying this "logic" lesson... or your "not your logic" lesson.

Please enlighten us more. = )

iggy February 12, 2008 2:16 PM

Ken Silva said...

iggy,

I believe you're sharper than this: "a 'Christian' pastor is not 'Christian'?" One can claim to be a Christian, but that doesn't make it so. I certainly wouldn't have called Pagitt as pastor and I don't personally think he is a Christian.

However, it is an incontrovertable fact that Doug Pagitt "is functioning as a Christian pastor."
February 12, 2008 2:32 PM


iggy said...
Ken,

"I certainly wouldn't have called Pagitt as pastor and I don't personally think he is a Christian.

However, it is an incontrovertable fact that Doug Pagitt "is functioning as a Christian pastor.""

So, let's look at your "not my logic" here:

1. You state that Doug is "functioning as a Christian pastor"

2. Yet not all that are "Christian" are Christian becuase YOU personally think Doug is not.

3. But yet the only "incontrovertable" fact you are asserting is that Doug is functioning as a Christian pastor...

So we conclude that if YOU personally do not think one is a Christian, they still can function as a "Christian" pastor though not be a Christian... though you refer to them as a Christian.

So one is a Christian only if you say they are.

I see... so it all depends on YOU and what YOU think...

Got it.

iggy
February 12, 2008 2:48 PM

Ken Silva said...
iggy,

I'm afraid you and I aren't going to get anywhere here so it's best we drop it. In my opinion, to paraphrase a famous saying: "Your reasoning has left the building."
February 12, 2008 3:20 PM

iggy said...
Ken,

I agree, your logical orbit is a bit too small for me.
See ya,

igs
February 12, 2008 3:22 PM

The Truth Warriors Seminar is now available from this guy...

The Truth Warriors Seminar is now available from this guy...




Yes he was suspended...

Now there are some out there who think this approach is appropriate... and will even attack someone then claim to give "facts" but give absolutely none... "Shane Claiborne Meet the Facts"

In the end, the only victims are the ones that are caught in the crossfire... they see Christ in action in people like Shane Claiborne, then see someone come and abuse him and give no reason other than they "HATE" those they disagree with.

Sad,

iggy

Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo speak about... HELL

Here is a great article which Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo speak on hell.

Some interesting points.

Brian, in your book, The Last Word and the Word After That, you focus heavily on “deconstructing” the evangelical view of hell. Some critics think your deconstruction has moved to the point of your embracing a “universalist” position. Are you a Universalist?

McLaren: No, I am not embracing a traditional universalist position, but I am trying to raise the question, When God created the universe, did he have two purposes in mind—one being to create some people who would forever enjoy blessing and mercy, and another to create a group who would forever suffer torment, torture, and punishment? What is our view of God? A God who plans torture? A God who has an essential, eternal quality of hatred? Is God love, or is God love and hate?

Tony Campolo: ....There’s no sense of justice found in universalism. If everybody ends up in the same place no matter what they choose, there is no justice. On the other hand, grace says we don’t get justice in the end. So we’ve got both of those truths in tension.

be blessed,
iggy

Thinking about the truth war...

I recently had a comment by someone who is struggling to keep his faith in God. He was saddened that I was taking on someone who thinks he is fighting against others as not holding to God's truth. I pointed out that his language was offensive and things escalated.

Now, I am not always proud in how I do things or handles some things. The comment made me think though and do some praying as to who the casualties are in this so called "truth war".

Here are some videos that might help us who believe, understand how outsiders might see us. It is a bit humbling to do this, but I hope it helps.

Be blessed,
iggy

Emergent/Evangelical/Fundamentalism explained

Debating Fundamentalists...

For some reason this just resonated with me... LOL!

be blessed,

iggy

Around the Blogosphere

It has been a few days since I last posted something. Been busy. I had a person quit a work so I am back to working nights and days.

Here are a few things going on out there which I have found interesting.

Michael Spencer aka as the Internet Monk is a busy man! Not only does he teach and do a couple of blogs, but he also does a couple of podcasts and now is joined with The Old White Guy Steve Brown at Steve Brown Etc. Michael Spencer is blogging at that site also as well as doing interviews.

Steve Brown Etc has become one of my favorite shows. A recent show featured Mike Meagher. You think you have it tough? Listen to the conditions Mike and his wife CHOSE to live in. OH! and you get three free sins for going there!

I hadn't gone to jordoncooper.com for a while but this one caught my eye... How to download Youtube videos.

Tall Skinny Andrew Jones has this rather "cool" visual... just go and look.

There is also this guy...

I am also thinking of moving this blog to Wordpress.com.... here is the link. I am running both blogs to see the difference in traffic. Let me know what you think.

I never realized that Montana was a "Catholic" state. Joe Martino has a post on this that was rather interesting.

Now, I also need some prayer. He have been evicted so that the landlord can renovate the house. He is cool and gave us three months, yet one month has gone by and still no place to move to. He said we could extend the stay if needed, yet we need to just get it done.

Also, I have been really struggling with dealing with some people (I confess that I just do not care to get into stupid debates with people who just are out to attack others) I am attempting humor to channel my anger... Let me know what you think.... the link was above.

I am also really desiring to go full time into ministry. I need prayer that God supplies our needs. I have a good job, yet it takes so much time and energy out of me... I just want to go deeper into what I see God wanting me to do. Pray that our church grows so that I can go full time as a pastor.

Also, iggyROCKS! needs support. I am getting asked by ministers from different countries for help with Grace related materials.... as well as being asked for study Bibles from students in Africa. One box i have been trying send cost me $186 just to send a two pound box. I am asking that you pray that God will not only supply the $400 to keep iggyROCKS! rocking but to also give a surplus that allows us to send these materials to these people. If you even know of a ministry that does already this let me know. Every dollar given goes directly to keeping the station going and these types of ministries.

Be blessed,

iggy