Week 7 – Response to Chris’ blog

Re: http://chrissikorowski.blogspot.com/2008/02/week-7-barker-chapter-14.html

I think Chris has a great point here about needing to understand church theology intellectualism.  While I’m not certain that its just intellectuals in the church that have done the oppressing, it is obvious we need to identify ourselves with the anti-hegemonic movements (sticking to Gramscian’s model as reference).  However, not only must we seek ways of bridging the gap, but perhaps there’s a certain amount of crossover needed.  We should become Organic in our thinking and I think classes like ours and schools like Fuller will make that effort to adapt ourselves to the changing social environment.

Paper Outline (1st draft)

The topic I am choosing is economics.  I live in a suburban community that is diverse in its economic standings.  My parents (and I half the time) live in an upper-middle class gated community where all the houses are two stories.  But to the direct north and a few miles to the south, the houses slowly diminish in size and stature.  For my church, we are mostly middle class with a few wealthier and a fair number of lower-middle or working class (labels do not correspond to a set number as this is just general observation).  However, I do not believe there are more than a couple people living in poverty.  As this has been the case, my church has not looked on economically making a difference in our community.

I will use the praxis model of solving 2 issues.  Poverty in the surrounding community and mobilizing a church to do so.  This actually ties question 2 and 3 together as the problem is both external and internal.

Reflection Week 8 – Bevans – Trancendental Model

The transcendental model sounds to me like something we all do, in a way.  Our culture is very introspective, looking at motives and reasons, and the mind in the hopes of unlocking the truth.  This is good to a point and one must constantly refine oneself.  The problem, however, is that there is little accountability in thought.  One must depend on other believers to make sure that the great danger of the transcendental model (complete heresy, like universalism) does not happen.

reflection week 8 monday lecture

Deconstruction is very important for churches.  I really resonate with Professor Bolger’s comment regarding pastors being unable to deconstruct the world for the congregants.  I think this is also partly due to a lack of understanding of the world.  Not only do we lack the tools, but we also lack the knowledge.  We end up in a Christian bubble that very often times does not interact with the world at all

Response Week 7 – Simon’s Blog

Re: http://jumboduck.blogspot.com/2008/02/week-7-barker-chapter-14.html

I am wondering what Simon means by having active participation in cultural studies; whether this means studying the participation by others or actually having the social scientists participate themselves.  I would think that as academia, direct participation by the ones studying would be detrimental and biasing towards results.  However, the church is not limited by this standard and I believe active participation in godly struggles (which many are) would be beneficial for the kingdom.

Reflection Week 7 Cobb – sin

I thought the section of the Gothic plot was very interesting.  WE all do have monsters inside, but I find the analysis of the media the most compelling.  What sells the news is the perverse, scary, and disastrous.  I believe, in a way, we enjoy watching world events because we know it is not happening right here.  We can experience pain without actually experience it.  We see it, acknowledge it, maybe even sympathize, but at the end of the day, we are okay.  Satan could use this to distract us from world disasters.  By overwhelming the senses we become desensitized.

Reflection Week 7 Bevans – Synthetic Model

Some major alarm bells go off when I read about the Synthetic Model of Theology.  I can definitely see the dangers of it, especially those listed on Bevans’ chart:  Wishy Washy and selling out.  I agree completely with Bevans that “openness is a good thing, and it cannot be discarded, but the theologian must always be aware of the power and subtle manipulations of a dominant culture…”.  That being said, I can see advantages, but only in the right context and with the right Christians.

Reflection Week 7 Barker 14

In thinking about racial representation, I find it hard to identify within my own context.  The Asian American vote is rarely talked about, yet I feel no particular concern or need for it.  Now, I believe that there is a need, but because my family is quite assimilated, it is easy for us to feel almost like we are part of the “white” vote.  This plays right into stereotypes, however of the model minority myth.

Reflection Week 7 Barker Ch 13

I like how Barker marks that youth are “ambivalently valued.”  Coming from Youth Ministry as well as still being youthful (?) I think I find myself in a very interesting place in the church.  On one hand, youth are viewed as our future.  But few resources are poured into them.  I often wonder if the purpose of Youth Ministry is sometimes to homogenize and make the kids like the adults (in the good ways!).  END REQUIRED POST
Today, however, my pastor spoke and said he wanted to get behind the youth, saying that God was using us (and he is!) to bring about change in the church.  He was proud of it and supportive.  It was awesome to see we can make a difference.  Comparing this to the youth subcultures mentioned in the book, perhaps Christian youth can make it their mission to not necessarily follow the footsteps of the parents nor rebel against the perceived parental culture, but make strives for God’s kingdom.

Reflection Week 7 Wednesday Lecture

The praxis model seems ever popular these days especially amongst our generation (or at least those I know…).  It does not require an incredible expertise but it seems to need heart, drive, and a mission from God.  It is very down to Earth and practical which may be exactly what our generation wants.  It desires for a church to be relevant beyond the church walls.