Posted by admin on Feb 17, 2008 in
Uncategorized 
I am not much of a name dropper. I don’t get autographs. Don’t really get the photo with my arm around a famous person. It is really not me. I know people like this, and they bug me. Thing is, I have met lots of evangelical celebs. Minnesota is a launching point for a lot of Christian careers, and I have met a few of them. This is all lead in to an excuse I am going to give as to the “123 Meme” post Jake Bouma started, tagged Brandon Mick with, who tagged me.
123 Meme Rules: (1) Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating! (2) Turn to page 123. (3) Find the first 5 sentences. (4) Post the next 3 sentences. (5) Tag 5 people.
The book that I will mention is the latest book by Tony Jones, entitled The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier. Tony had lunch with me yesterday and handed me a signed copy. How is that for a name drop? He was passing through WDM and had a copy with him (I gave him popcorn).
“The hand gropes for an invisible lever; it waves slightly , and the fingers twitch. The hand is connected–by an arm that needs to be propped up by another arm after fifteen minutes–and to a body that leans forward in its chair. Atop that body is a Brain full of Bible trivia and minutiae.” (T. Jones)
I am almost 100% certain that this will get me in some sort of troublesome conversation where I will be asked, “Why would you waste your time and read that?” To which I will ask, “How may friends of yours have written a book? Besides, do you only read books that you 100% agree with?” Anyway, this quote from Tony is actually talking about how when he speaks at conferences, someone inevitably focuses on a small aspect of what he says, missing the big point. He goes on to get into interpretation of scripture, in which I do not plan to blog about.
And that is my 123 Meme. I would like to tag Katie, Lynette, Erin, Karla, and Megan (Since most people pick guys to do this AND these are more great names of people I would like to drop).
Tags: Books
Posted by admin on Feb 10, 2008 in
Uncategorized 
It is no secret that I know author and Emergent Village leader, Tony Jones. Tony and I go way back to cake-eating Edina where he worked at Colonial Church and I was at Grace Church. Tony took me under his wing, as well as Doug Pagitt, and helped me see youth ministy as a significant and church-defining career. One of my favorite memories with Tony is sitting at Davanni’s not wanting to go back to the church office, just wanting to talk the rest of the afternoon. Tony is unique. His intelligence in the field of church history, theology, and Christian thought is second to none (at least that I know).
Saying Tony’s name these days seems to always get me in trouble , though. Too many people have read his stuff, heard a rumor about him, or taken a post from his blog out of context. I was in a church service this summer in MN and the pastor, preaching from Romans, took his second point to make sure people were “warned” about the Emergent movement. (Incidentally, since most were over the age of 50, they had no idea what he was even talking about). I can’t say that I don’t know why Tony is shrouded in controversy; it’s just that it is weird that the guy I used to eat hot hoagie sandwiches with is now blogged about more than Titus (yes, I mean the book of the Bible).
People don’t like to be challenged. They don’t mind being sharpened, but they hate being challenged. To tell someone that they need to be a better husband, most would agree. To tell someone they need to go back to the wife they divorced and repent is another story. Tony challenges people. And his target isn’t pagans, heathens, or even hypocrites. It is people who call themselves Christians. People who go to church, vote, and support a Compassion International child. It is people exactly like me.
In his new book, The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier, Tony lays out a new way to think about being a Jesus follower. One that isn’t exactly black OR white. It is more like a new way to bring clarity by listening to all sides. I know this doesn’t seem natural in this Two Party world we live in. Especially in Christianity, we tend to think in “us versus them” mentalities. The New Christians addresses this issue and more, challenging people to broaden their views.
Tony sent me the first chapter of his book, and I was intrigued. I plan on reading the rest when I get my hand on a copy. I am not suggesting you read it. I AM suggesting that you think about it. Tony and I probably disagree on as much as we agree, but I like having the debates. If you are someone like that, then you will like this book. It will push you. If you are someone who likes to read books that help you be a better you, then this isn’t for you. In the same vein as UnChristian, Jones’ book makes me uncomfortable, but so does world hunger, racism, and denominationalism. I believe the church of the future needs to be pushed, if it wants to be a church in the future at all. In doing so, it will have ears to hear what the needs of people are, and how to best share Jesus with them. This book will speak to open ears.
Tags: Books
