Reflection Week 7 – Lecture Monday

Language as culture is quite fascinating.  Words are simply words and can take different meanings depending on the context.  One of my favorite examples of this is the word “love”.  It must be prefaced with something.  There could be so many meanings: godly love, romantic love, friend love.  I am tempted to add love that is not really love, but that would depend on who one asks.

Response to Ben’s blog week 6

Re:  http://bgvalentine.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/week-6-cobb-ch6/

I agree with Ben and Cobb’s assessment that counterculture becomes a culture.  But I would not think that necessarily they end up right where they start.  We define by what we are not and these people define themselves as “not the normal” SUV, Starbucks, and Mickey D’s people.  I think they do try to set themselves apart, but not necessarily in a hopeless fashion of coming full circle.  I believe they are rather creating their own sub-culture.  It is not an attempt to become void of culture or to avoid consumption.  If they truly wanted to do that, they would attempt a more monastic self-denying lifestyle.  But it is true that they do commit the same “sin” of definition by consumption.  I just do not feel it was this they were really trying (or trying hard enough) to escape.

Reflection Week 6 – Cobb – Human Nature

Cobb made some very excellent  observations about human nature.  The one that catches my eye the most is how our likes define who we are like.  Today we often fall into this for good or bad.  We are defined by what we do, what our interests are, what we associate with.  We do not have identities that are simply given, but seem to be more fluid and turbulent depending on the shifts in the wind.  Perhaps what we need is a dose of stability found in the divine?

Reflection Week 6 – Bevans – Praxis Model

To be honest, I am still a bit confused about the exact definition of the praxis model but upon reading it, I found I identify with it.  At least, this model I find myself in recently with a recent surge of more justice-type projects and ministries.  I especially have an affinity with the idea of acting first then reflecting theologically. I find, many times, that even if our activities fail, God has still done something as long as we trusted in Him.  I do not feel that trusting Him will always equal “success”.

Reflection Barker Ch 12 week 6

Speaking of space, the first word that comes to mind is hegemony.  The battle for cultural space, as described especially in cities, is a crucial area of study.  It is also an important field for evangelism.  Aiding those who struggle for their own space in a way in inclusion ministry.  The church can live out grace by helping them in their struggle.  However, often the church has occupied cultural space and we must heal these wounds to reach those still struggling for their own space.   We must be sensitive to those we plan to spread the gospel and reconcile when necessary.

Week 6 – Barker Ch 11 – TV

In looking at the news, I found myself somewhat amused by the different paradigm models.  It echoed a lot of paranoia I hear from people about the news.  But I admit that I hold a bit of these as well.  The agenda model is the one I would commonly cite.  My slant towards this model is a supposed war against religion.  For example, rarely newsworthy are the humanitarian efforts of certain Christian organizations, but the exploits of one Baptist church that believes that “God hates fags” make headlines (especially at Heath Ledger’s funeral).  Of course, one does have to consider the fact that the news that sells is the outrageous and sickening, but it does portray Christianity in a bad light.

reflection week 6 wednesday lecture

In terms of asking if McDonaldization will triumph or fall, like everything, it seems to me that it will be a combination (choice 3).  I would guess that because some consider the idea to be mankind’s death knell and others consider it gospel, it is likely to continue and disintegrate in the near future.  Cultural contexts will provide different outcomes.  There will alway be those who champion and those who try to kill.

And then there is the rest of us…

Reflection Week 6 Lecture Monday

While a bit difficult, doing a mock translation model was useful as it helps to cement the concept in one’s head.  It is, however, very easy to find oneself in the translation model, especially when working in subcultures that are close to your own (such as offshoot American subcultures).  I would speculate that no one model ever works completely and effective evangelism might require multiple and a combination of models.

Response Week 5 – Chris cobb 5

Re: http://gandymusings.blogspot.com/2008/02/week-5-cobb-chapter-images-of-god.html

I have agree with Chris’ analysis of the chapter, but I would offer another view of the non-believers that I have met.  This of course does not discount Chris’ narrative as his experience is just as valid and true.  I would not characterize my non-believing friend as God-pity, nor quite God-hate.  Perhaps I read them wrong, but their thoughts on a divine being lie more with an underlying assumption of no God (usually based on the “scientific” and “historical”) and a pity/hate for believers.  Belittling beliefs, open antagonism (though still friendly) towards the idea were par for those I encountered in my undergrad days.  Perhaps it sounds more like God-insecurity?

Reflection Week 5 – Cobb Ch 5

I found the Images of God chapter quite interesting as I have never seen or watched most of this media.  I think one thing that troubles me about these stories and images is not so much that they question or reimagine God, but that often the church censors or at the very least frowns upon reading them.  There are many churches that, because they are not Christian material and, indeed, question God, consider them bad for our own faith.  And yet we learn much from these media and about society and current thoughts on God.  This is our culture in a way.  We must study it to understand.  To bar it would be doing a great disservice to our own understanding and the very people we hope to reach.