Monthly Archives: July 2010

The Church Throughout History

Posted by Matthew on July 20, 2010 None comments |

I’ve come across more than a few papers, books, and theories that pose the notion that Christianity is on its way to a full-circle return to its roots in the ancient model. Some of these are from over 10 years ago and seem more relevant than ever.
What is interesting to me, is when you think of all the social and political events that surround these shifts in church models. It would seem to me that change in the church happens not so much because the church just happens to feel like it, but because of the social and political constraints forcing it to. For example, the way of church takes a dramatic turn and ends up looking very different when it comes under the fire of persecution. Postmodernism, whatever that really entails, seems to be dictating a new way of doing church:

Ancient Medieval Reformation Modern Postmodern
The continuation of the incarnation: the body of Christ

The Unity of the church

Mystery

 Institutional

Visible

Sacramental

Juridical

 The herald model; the true church is an invisible inner Christendom Rise of denominations

Invisible

 Return to incarnational model

Visible

Church is the mystical presence of the body of Christ on earth



“The postmodern emphasis on the interconnection of all things drives us back to the biblical recovery of the church as the body of Christ, the continued presence of Christ in and to the world. This emphasis will create a new apologetic that focuses on the church as ‘metaphysical presence,’ the door into Christ. Consequently we will need to stress the unity of the church and seek fellowship in the family of faith based on a mutual affirmation of the classical Christian heritage.”

Source: Robert E. Webber, Ancient-Future Faith. (Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI). 1999. p.91

The Art of War for Dating

Posted by Matthew on July 18, 2010 None comments |

A fellow brother and I have been discussing the import of Sun Tzu’s strategic battlefield counsels on the world of dating of modern culture.

We’ve decided there are many relevant skills from brother Tzu that could help a great many miffed individuals, guys and gal’s alike.

Here’s a sampling:

“The art of war is of vital importance to dating. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

“The guy who wins the game makes many calculations in his temple ere the game is played. The  loses the game makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.”

“The girl who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; the guy who is skilled in maneuvers flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven. Consequently, both tend to have no clue of what’s going on.”

“To start or break off pursuit by text messaging or Facebook is not the acme of excellence.”

“Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign. However, we do not recommend you tell someone that God led you thus, lest you be defeated and bring shame on your own head.”

“After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in trying to make the other think something that you want them to think, without making them think something that you don’t want them to think.”

“Thus, for a gal to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the guy out of the way, and though starting after him, to out maneuver him, shows knowledge of the artifice of DEVIATION.”

“Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of encamping, and observing signs of the other. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of others, lest you be taken for a creep.”

“Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from you.

  • Accessible ground correlates to those most present and available. These are the most ideal candidates.
  • Entangling ground correlates to those who yield snares, misleading cues, or gimmicks, and consequently, much frustration.
  • Temporizing ground refers to those who think not of marriage or much else than their own appetites for that matter. Dating is typically shallow, and short lived.
  • Narrow Passes are those who create difficult obstacles or tend to control or manipulate.
  • Precipitous Heights refer to those who are simply “too good” for you. Your attempt to ascend to their level may result in an early death or a complete waste of time.
  • Positions of Great Distance are those nowhere in your vicinity and thus difficult to maintain connection with. Or, it can be those who are near but “distant minded, dull, or simply inept.”

“When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not be in the leeward.”

We hope you enjoyed these samples. Look for this book to hit shelves soon in a store near you!

[this is only a spoof by the way...]