Form follows Function - Todd McCauley

  A few days ago I was reading an article about a church in Chicago that is completing a 33 MILLION dollar building project.  I must admit that when I saw the price tag of this facility my alarm bells went OFF.  That's a Heaven of a lot of money.  Okay, now that I'm calmed down, let me say this. Some time ago I learned about a concept called, "Form follows Function". This phrase/concept derives from the Architectural world. The basic idea behind this concept is that the form that something takes is preceded by the function of said object. In other words, "....the purpose of a building should be the starting point for its design". So,  I guess that I can agree for now that the expense should be a secondary concern. The first/primary concern should be the "Function" of the building.

As Followers of Christ, the Scripture being our authority, we have much clarity as to the Purpose of Christ's body on Earth. We exist to glorify God by fulfilling His Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20). Our Function as Christ's body is to produce a people who reflect both the Character and Priorities of Christ. In simpler terms, we are to "Make Disciples" of all Nations. 

This being said, our buildings (i.e., our structural forms) should reflect and support our/His mission. The FORM our buildings take should be in line with our FUNCTION of disciple making. If we're building or even purchasing structures that are merely "Beautiful" but NOT "Purposeful" then we are not making good use of God's money. If we're building or purchasing structures that aren't in keeping with the biblical "Function" of God's people, then we are wasting God's money. If we're building or purchasing buildings that are Pragmatic but arent in line with the Biblical mission (i.e., Function) then we are wasting God's money.

Back to the money. IF it costs 33 Million to build or purchase an effective and functional and aesthetically pleasing Disciple making factory, then I have no problem. But if it costs 33 Million or 2 million for that matter and at the end of the day not many disciples are made then the cost is unjustified and wasteful. One more thought.  If the 33 million dollars becomes a practical obstacle to effectively accomplishing our mission then we need to find another strategy. In other words, if the "Form" hinders the "Function", then the "Form" must be changed. May I add this also, if the "Form" costs only $50,000 and YET it HINDERS our "Function" of Disciple-making then we must find a better form.  To be perfectly honest, we really don't need buildings to "Make Disciples".

The Mission is everything.

Shalom.

Context is King - Patheos

Context is King” should be the first thing Christians learn as soon as they start reading the Bible.

My family and friends can recite this adage in their sleep because they hear me say it all the time. Unfortunately, I have found I shouldn’t expect even seminarians to grasp the significance of this majestic phrase.

“Surely you exaggerate,” you might say, “what is all that significant about a simple little three-word phrase?”

Let me first explain what the phrase means and then consider alternative ways of thinking.” Context is King” means that, in whatever passage we’re studying, the literary and historical context is primary in determining the meaning of the text. The sections immediately prior to and following our passage bear greater weight than far contexts (whether elsewhere in the Bible and especially historically/culturally).

What does it mean?

Context is King affirms two core values or principles:

(1) Always interpret Scripture with Scripture.

(2) Our most basic goal is always to discern the author’s intended meaning.

When we read Scripture, if the context is not king, then what will be sovereign over our interpretations?

All too often, it is the set of notes at the bottom of our study bibles. Other candidates include our pastor, parents, the last book we read, or the mp3 sermon we heard. In one way or another, our own cultural assumptions will ride roughshod over the author’s original intent. (On that topic, see the excellent book called Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.) On our worst days, if we’re honest, we will admit more sinful motives will prevail.

Two Common Problems

How does this go wrong? I couldn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the questions. For now, I’ll highlight two common substitutes often used by Christians who want to be “biblical.”

First, people assume theological conclusions before they even begin reading the text.

This leads people to jettison the immediate context and turn to a different passage in order to validate (or “proof-text”) their predetermined conclusions (which may be correct in another context). Therefore, we fight for a correct biblical idea (drawn from some other text) at the expense of the immediate point being made by the author in the original passage, which may not be the same point being made elsewhere at other times.

Second, for fear of becoming “liberal,” one becomes excessively literal.

What does that mean? Basically this––we completely ignore things like genre and/or overly constrict the author’s ability to use words in the same flexible way that we do every day. If there would ever be literature with disorienting language and imagery, it would be that which concerns the beginning and end of all things, e.g. creation and the apocalypse.

Photo credit: http://www.zazzle.com

Finally, take the famous example of Calvinists/Arminians, who debate the meaning of “all” in various verses. I’ve heard more than a few sarcastic oversimplifications to this effect: “‘All’ means ‘all,’ period.”

The whole question is complicated by a simple example from our school days. At the beginning of a class, the teacher would ask, “Is everyone here?” When the students say “Yes,” she does not snap back, “No, you are wrong! President Obama is not here! John Piper isn’t in class! Neither is Peyton Manning.” What’s the point? In that context, “all” clearly does not mean “all.”

When it comes to actually respect this rule, it’s easier said than done. We want to be king. We want to be right. We don’t like being restricted. I challenge you to spend a week or two trying to interpret passages you read each day, but without cross-referencing other books.

(Normally, it would be good to compare the larger context, but for the sake of experimenting and self-discipline, see what you discover by never leaving the immediate context.)

This article was taken from: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jacksonwu/2012/11/06/context-is-king/

God's wisdom vs. Human wisdom - Todd McCauley

Was reading Acts 27 and verses 9-12 jumped out at me. Acts 27 records Paul's Journey to Rome in order to stand before Caesar (Not the Ape, but the Emperor). As Paul and the 275 other passengers travel by sea, they encounter severe weather which becomes life-threatening. According to verses 9-10 Paul receives a revelation from God that if the vessel continues on its voyage, disaster is imminent, not only of the ship and it's cargo, but also the very lives of the passengers. So instead of taking heed to Paul's warning the Centurion who was leading the journey is said to have been MORE persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by God through Paul.

Wow!!! This same thing goes on today. People are MORE interested in what MAN has to say verses what God has spoken in His word. Human expertise is MORE valued than Divine revelation, human wisdom is MORE embraced than Divine wisdom. Paul was not a sailor, but he had the word of God.

This is not rocket science and I'm no rocket scientist. But I can say with complete confidence and assurance. When we reject the word of God and instead embrace human wisdom, disaster is inevitable. Our culture and cultures worldwide are living proof of this.

Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law". I'm also reminded of Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death".