You scored as Jürgen Moltmann. The problem of evil is central to your thought, and only a crucified God can show that God is not indifferent to human suffering. Christian discipleship means identifying with suffering but also anticipating the new creation of all things that God will bring about.
Jürgen Moltmann | | 60% | Anselm | | 60% | Charles Finney | | 53% | Karl Barth | | 47% | Friedrich Schleiermacher | | 47% | John Calvin | | 40% | Martin Luther | | 33% | Paul Tillich | | 33% | Jonathan Edwards | | 20% | Augustine | | 20% |
Which theologian are you?
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I met Ethel yesterday; she's my new hero. She's a 54 year old black woman who works in a dress shop for minimum wage (at best). She has numerous physical ailments and a criminal record; constant reminders of her past. She's caring for her four grandchildren; the father is long gone and the mother is off "in Dallas, doin' her thing." She came to PATH yesterday for some help with groceries and gas. She wants a better job and a decent place to live, but that felony conviction 10 years ago for a drug charge keeps that dream out of reach. Her oldest granddaughter is now "13 but looks like 18", and Ethel is scared to death for her. She's wearing herself out, keeping watch, monitoring phone calls, checking with friends and schools - committed to providing the guidance and protection these children need. But, it's getting her down; she doesn't feel well, she feels like a failure, and she really wants "to have a little fun in my life." But there's no time or money for that. She's got the next generation of her family to raise! No urban legend here, this is as real as life gets. She's my hero!
"You know this is pretty absurd, what you're doing here. I mean, who gives away food?"
My new friend at the Karing Kitchen expressed his appreciation and bewilderment at the gift of a hot meal this Monday. My feeble answer? "We believe that Jesus was serious; it is better to give than to receive, we will be judged based on how we treat those in need, we can trust our Father God to provide everything we need, Jesus was sent to save the world." As the current incarnation of the Word, we are here because of the love of Jesus Christ. That's it for me! Absurd? Probably so, but being a fool for Christ is exactly where I want to be!
It's time to start anew at this blogging thing. It's time to go a step deeper into the pool and share heart issues, in addition to my take on news items and the occasional April Fool's joke. I'm feeling pulled strongly in at least two directions these days. After the CCDA Institute classes in Dallas last month, I came home totally convicted and pumped up to change my efforts at ministry to the poor. I saw that I had been focusing on "betterment" ministry, not "development" ministry that I really wanted to do. But, after a flurry of discussions and soul-searching, I have slipped right back into the easier, comfortable role of "giver of hand-outs", rather than being the incarnational "minister of hand-ups."
OK, here's my (slightly) public confession and statement of intent to change, again.
LORD, help my unbelief!
Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon to star in The Passion II: The Messiah Strikes Back  Boston Red Sox Outfielder Johnny Damon signed a $11.5 million contract to play the role of Jesus Christ in the sequel to Mel Gibson's controversial film, The Passion of the Christ. "After I broke the curse of the Bambino, it just seemed like the next logical step," said Damon, who helped lead the Red Sox last year to their first World Series victory since 1918. "The Sox probably won't win this thing for another 87 years, so I think this is the best career move for me right now."
Though many wonder why Passion I star Jim Caviezel wasn't reprising his role as Jesus, Damon has questioned whether the slender Caviezel could be taken seriously as the resurrected Christ. As he told ESPN's Dan Patrick, "Caviezel was great to portray the death, but for the resurrection, you need a beefed-out Christ on steroids." In a follow-up question, Damon denied ever using steroids or knowing anyone else in baseball who ever has.
(Have a great Friday, April 1)
Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.
Next Friday I'm off to Honduras with a medical team from our church for a week to work with PrediSan. I'm greatly looking forward to seeing the new sights and meeting new people! I'm sure I'll have lots of photos to share!
I have been really blessed by observing Lent this year, in our own non-liturgical Free Church way. Please, this is in no way bragging, which is why I've not said anything before now, but 6 weeks without turning on the TV has been a great blessing. I wish fasting from food was this easy!
Steve's weblog entry in Ragamuffin Ramblings is an account of a modern-day paraphrase of John 4, the Samaritan woman at the well story. It is awesome and well worth the time to read and ponder!
Habitat for Humanity of Smith County (Tyler) dedicated it's 59th and 60th homes on Sunday! Number 60 was the Abraham House, sponsored and constructed by volunteers from Tyler's Muslim and Jewish communities in a historic cooperative effort! This is really cool - talking about Community Development! Praise the LORD!
Give a Little By BONO Published: February 20, 2005 New York Times, Op-Ed Section EUROPE is securing its ports, steeling itself for an American charm offensive. Over the coming days, President Bush and his hosts will shake hands, slap backs, make toasts. But if the United States and Europe really want to repair their relationship, they should look to another continent: Africa. Both America and Europe have a stake in preventing African states from crumbling. Both have an interest in ending the poverty that breeds violence. And both feel a moral obligation to stop the hemorrhaging of life. Aren't those shared interests obvious? Not lately. We lament - but secretly indulge - our differences. Points of tension are points of pride. Snottiness is the new patriotism. So what can Mr. Bush do? Well, he can clear up some confusion about America's basic beliefs. Americans are overtly devout. And yet Europeans, who inhabit a more secular world, give more per capita than Americans to what the Bible calls "the least of these" - the world's poor. The United States is in 22nd place, last in the class of donor nations. (Add private philanthropy and it's up to 15th.) Europeans see the discrepancy, and they smell hypocrisy. President Bush should try to help Europeans understand American generosity. He should remind people that the United States has gotten more AIDS drugs to more Africans than anyone else. But he should also underscore that Americans want to ensure that the money is spent responsibly. To Europeans, this "tough love" approach seems cruel. But there is compassion at its core. Mr. Bush can demonstrate this by putting more financial muscle behind his push for "accountability." If he does, Europeans will follow suit. They will see talking tough on poverty as a perfect rhyme for talking tough on terrorism. If Europe and America work together, a breakthrough for Africa is within reach. Then, other obstacles will fall away - as will the misconceptions that blind us to one another. Bono, a singer for the band U2, is the founder of DATA, which campaigns against AIDS and poverty in Africa.
 PATH LOGO 
 Tyler's Courthouse Square, February 24, 2005 David Hernandez Arroyo, Sr. attacked his ex-wife with an AK-47 in downtown Tyler Thursday afternoon, in a "postal" moment. What leads someone to fall off the edge of sanity like that? The stresses of his life added up, including a divorce, a bitter child custody case, an assault case in which his ex and adult son testified against him, and his mother died recently. How sad! LORD, I pray for the souls of David and Maribel and Mark, a bystander who got involved and got killed for it. Mark was a self-defense and handgun expert, but was outgunned by a well-prepared Arroyo. And what was he doing with an AK-47 and body armor, anyway? Isn't it time for an effective assault weapons ban?
Brian McLaren's new book, the last of the New Kind of Christian trilogy is due out March 25! He's excited about it, calling it needed, controversial and sure to be misunderstood. What else is new, Brian?!? I can't wait to devour it!
 Drunkard's Prayer by Over The Rhine A deeply personal record, Drunkard's Prayer was recorded in Karin and Linford's living room and reflects the relaxed atmosphere and sonic warmth that can only be found at home. With upright bass, piano, acoustic guitars, a few horns, a few subtle textures and one amazing voice, Over the Rhine's new songs are often stunningly simple and always fearless. There's a lot of love on this one. Quiet music should be played loud.
Our small group didn't make last night, so we went to see "The Aviator." I'm a fan of Scorsese, but he had his work cut out for him trying to make HH into a figure deserving sympathy! What a selfish, immoral jerk! And I'm sure he didn't give us but a small portion of the dirt. I did have to agree with his low opinion of Houston, however - been there, done that, don't need to do it again!
 On vacation at Ocho Rios
Thanks for viewing! Please forgive my amateur attempts at blogging.
Grace and peace,
Greg
"He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays!" Jethro Tull
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You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.
