Stephen W. Hiemstra's Blog, page 64

Data: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 19, 2023

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on Data Collection. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Data: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 19, 2023
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




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Open Eye Prayer

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

All praise and honor, power and dominion, truth and justice are yours because you seek us out and bless us where we work and live, not leaving us to our own devices. Draw us closer to you day by day.

Forgives us when neglect your nudges and drown out your still, small voice with music and activities of our own choosing. Draw us closer to you day by day.

Thank you for your model of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous life, died on the cross for our sin, and rose again that we might be forgiveness and participate in everlasting life. Draw us closer to you day by day.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, offer us not only consolation but also transformation that we might not be content to live in old bodies of death but grow to life in new bodies of life in you. Open our hearts; illumine our thoughts; strengthen our hands in your service.

În Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Open Eye Prayer
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/MarkT_June23 ,  Signup


 

 

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Data Collection Prayer

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

All praise and honor, power and dominion, truth and justice are yours because you seek us out and bless us where we work and live, not leaving us to our own devices. Draw us closer to you day by day.

Forgives us when neglect your nudges and drown out your still, small voice with music and activities of our own choosing. Draw us closer to you day by day.

Thank you for your model of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous life, died on the cross for our sin, and rose again that we might be forgiveness and participate in everlasting life. Draw us closer to you day by day.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, offer us not only consolation but also transformation that we might not be content to live in old bodies of death but grow to life in new bodies of life in you. Open our hearts; illumine our thoughts; strengthen our hands in your service.

În Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Data Collection Prayer
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/MarkT_June23 ,  Signup


 

 

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Collecting Some Data

Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, 

you cannot be saved. And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension 

and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others 

were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders 

about this question. (Acts 15:1-2)

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Having sketched out a problem definition, the scientific method prescribes collecting data. Following Johnson (1986, 15), one should expect to return to the problem definition as data are collected and this new information suggests clarification of the problem definition. Johnson saw this feedback loop as an important philosophical contribution of the postmodern era.

The Jerusalem Council

One might describe the Jerusalem Council discussion of the circumcision of gentiles cited above as an example of such a feedback loop in the history of the church. It is interesting that it was Peter, not Paul, who presented the logic of this debate:

“And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them [the gentile believers], by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:8-9)

Peter points to the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit to bring gentiles to faith. He does not argue that it will increase membership nor does he commend Paul for his role in this evangelistic effort. Peter talked neither of programs nor of plans; rather, he looked to what the Holy Spirit was doing in the midst of the church.

The phrase cleansed their heart by faith echoes the prophecy of Jeremiah: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts.”(Jer 4:4) Peter’s insight here is no doubt the result of prayer and reflection on the rite of circumcision. We can, of course, advance God’s work in our lives by being open to spiritual formation, but we see no mention of this aspect of faith in Peter’s remarks

The Holy Spirit’s Work Today

If we were to imitate Peter, where do we see the Holy Spirit at work in the world churches today? While we cannot know with precision where the Holy Spirit is at work, statistics on the number of Christians and where they live show some definite trends.

Researchers at the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary observed in 2021:

“The concept of who a missionary is has evolved since the beginning of the twentieth century, making it much more difficult to assess how many missionaries there are in the world. The proportion of long-term missionaries from the Global North is on the decline (227,000 sent in 2021, which is 53 percent of the total of 430,000, down from 88 percent of the total in 1970). Since the 1980s and 1990s there has been a dramatic explosion of the number of short-term missionaries, particularly youth, who spend as little as a week outside their own cultural context.” (Zurlo, Johnson, and Crossing 2021, 16-17)

If the number of missionaries sent is a barometer of religious fervor, then these statistics suggest that the Global North is being displaced as the center of Christian activity by the Global South. This fervor likewise reflects the number of Christians in these regions: 

“In 2021 a total of 1.7 billion Christians (67 percent) are found in the Global South. Projecting religious affiliation at the country level, it is probable that by 2050 there will be 2.6 billion Christians (77 percent) in the Global South.” (Zurlo, Johnson, and Crossing 2021, 19)

The Christian groups accounting for these trends are obvious:

“The Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is one of the fastest-growing trends in World Christianity today . . . This movement grew from 58 million in 1970 to 656 million in 2021. The Global South is home to 86 percent of all Pentecostals/Charismatics in the world.” (Zurlo, Johnson, and Crossing 2021, 18)

But for the Pentecostals and Charismatics, the number of Christians in the world would have been flat to declining over the past century. If we take these statistics as a measure of body temperature, we see definite tension between the embodied and the footloose manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our time.

References

Zurlo, Gina A., Todd M. Johnson, and Peter F. Crossing. 2021. “World Christianity and

Mission 2021: Questions about the Future.” International Bulletin of Mission Research. Vol. 45(1) 15–25 . Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. South Hamilton, MA.

Collecting Some Data

Also see:

The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup

 

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Clayton Writes an Enjoyable Korean History

Matt Clayton. 2020. History of Korea. Captivating History series. Las Vegas, NV. (www.CaptivatingHistory.com)

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

Korea is one of the more contested locations in Asia.  During the seventieth through nineteenth centuries, Korea served as a buffer between Ming Dynasty in China and Imperial Japan. In the early twentieth century, the Russia viewed Korea as a stepping stone into Manchuria. During the Cold War between East and West, the division of North and South Korea hosted a short, very hot war and a long, shaky armistice. In the midst of global conflict, Korea has developed a distinctive culture of its own, not well understood outside the immediate neighborhood.

Introduction

Matt Clayton’s History of Korea is part of the Captivating History series that has this statement of objectives:

“A lot of history books just contain dry facts that will eventually bore the reader. That’s why Captivating History was created. Now you can enjoy history books that will mesmerize you. But be careful thought, hours can fly by, and before you know it, you’re up reading way past bedtime.” (backcover)

The author’s name appears nowhere in this book and cites on this work online are skimpy. The copyright page includes this statement:

“This book is for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author and should not be taken as expert instruction or commands. The reader is responsible for his or her own actions.” (iv)

In my experience as a reviewer, I have seen no such disclaimer attached to a nonfiction book. One can only guess who actually underwrote the preparation of these materials because the book reads like a easy-reading history book complete with a long list of pertinent references.

Organization

Clayton writes in ten chapters:

Land of the Bear
The Dragons of the East Sea
Dynasties Rise and Fall
The Joseon Dynasty of Goryeo
Foreign Invasions
Merchants, Farmers, and Foreigners
From Independence to Annexation
Korea at War
North Korea
South Korea (iv)

These chapters are proceeded by an introduction and followed by a conclusion, further readings, and references.

Joseon Dynasty

The formative period in Korean history dates roughly from 1374 through 1590, which Clayton describes as the Josean Dynasty. The Korean kingdoms were united under a monarchy that allied itself with the Ming Dynasty in China. This unity enabled the country to avoid being overrun by other powers and allowed the development a central administration.

Tax reform, military advancements, agricultural development, merit-based promotion, and the building of schools all took place during this period, especially under the administration of King Sejong (35). The respect for scholarship led to development of a phonetic alphabet, handgul, that replaced Chinese characters, which made it easier for ordinary Koreans to become literate (37)

Assessment

Matt Clayton’s History of Korea is a brief, accessible introduction to Korean history. I am not sure that Clayton succeeded in making Korean history captivating, but I enjoyed reading and finished the book promptly.

Clayton Writes an Enjoyable Korean History
Also see:
Books, Films, and Ministry
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup
 

 

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Unity: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 12, 2023

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on Unity of Heart and Mind. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Unity: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 12, 2023
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup
 
 

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Unity Prayer

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Blessed Lord Jesus,

All glory and honor, power and dominion, truth and justice are yours because through your Holy Spirit you stretch both our hearts and our minds to understand your scripture and reach out to those around us.

Forgive us for neglecting your word and disrespecting the people that you put in our lives. Give us the strength to confess our sin and to make recompense for those we hurt.

Thank you for the gift of the scriptures and the example of the saints in following your example.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, bind our hearts and minds together in faith that we might grow in the fellowship of the church to serve others and honor your name.

In your precious name, Amen

Unity Prayer
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:

Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com


Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup


 

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Unity of Heart and Mind

The LORD saw that 

the wickedness of man was great in the earth, 

and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart 

was only evil continually. 

(Gen 6:5) 

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

I have discussed the defining problem and primary criticisms of the church over the past two centuries so how do we find proper balance between heart and mind in ministry?

Let’s start by noting that proper mental function—cognitive clarity—is an insufficient condition for faith. The world is full of information, especially in today’s Information Age, but not all information has value. Information has value when we find it interesting, which is another way of saying we respond emotionally to it. Faith can only be genuine when both the heart and the mind are engaged, which implies that we need to care about faith and see its importance.

Hebrew and Greek Anthropology

This interaction between thinking and emotion is sometimes called Hebrew anthropology. In Greek anthropology, thinking and emotion are separate. During the modern era, professionals were taught to distinguish facts (observations) from values (feelings), which is an application of Greek anthropology.

Hebrew anthropology is assumed throughout the Bible. In Genesis 6:5 cited above we read the phrase: Every intention of the thoughts of his heart? In Greek thinking, thoughts reside in our heads, not our hearts, but in Hebrew thinking head and heart are interdependent. What Greek would talk about “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart?” (Heb 4:12) Even more interesting, the wickedness of man—original sin—pollutes not only heart and mind, but also the will—intention. No part of our person goes untouched by sin.

Emotions not Disembodied

The interaction between heart and mind in Hebrew anthropology conflicts with the cultural presumption today that emotions arise arise primarily out of physiology. This is a materialistic presumption. While placing one’s hand on a stove or in a fire elicits a physiological response and emotions accompany that response, more normally we get emotional about things that are important to us.

This relationship between things important to us and our emotional response is known as the cognitive theory of emotions (Elliott 2006, 46-47). The Bible depicts God adhering to this cognitive theory of emotions as God gets angry primarily when we sin or display a hardened heart (Gen 6:6; Mark 3:1-6). In this sense, God is emotionally intelligent and does not get randomly angry or display bad behavior like other gods of the ancient near east.

Implications for Formation of Faith

The interdependence of heart and mind has serious implications for formation of faith, especially now because of the many distractions and temptations of postmodern life. Apologetics has traditionally focused on explaining the faith without considering the emotional component of faith. The Apostle Peter writes: 

“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”(1 Pet 3:15)

While this passage is widely quoted in apologetic discussions, the rest of epistle focuses on lifestyle evangelism, not proofs for the existence of God. Lifestyle evangelism focuses, not on philosophical debate, but on living a life that commends the Gospel. This lifestyle naturally blends heart and mind in activities like hospitality and service, but must also include reflection and prayer.

This subject of heart and mind is timely, but not new. Theologian Jonathan Edwards (2009, 13), writing in 1746 about the effects of the Great Awakening, noted that both head and heart were necessarily involved in effective discipling. Thus, he coined the phrase “holy affections” to distinguish the marks of the work of the Spirit from other works and associated these holy affections directly with scripture. Holy affections lead us to love the good and hate the bad.

Postmodern Tendencies

While the Great Awakening occurred during the Age of Reason (1685 – 1815) when cognitive discourse dominated ecclesiological debate, the postmoderns often lead with emotions. The poster-child of postmodernism is the narcissist, who crashes and burns chasing their emotions and ignoring sound advice and reason. 

Following this trend, the postmodern church is lite on theology and heavy on emotion. Even the typical Bible study today rarely focuses on a reading a good book, but rather on watching a good video where time for reflection never goes beyond “what it means to me” style discussions. While reader interpretations (“what it means to me”) are part of any hermeneutical exercise, it is important first to understand author intent and the context of scripture (Vanhoozer 1998, 25). A good Calvinist would also want to read the text in the original Hebrew and Greek to avoid translation biases.

Given the cultural tendencies of our time, balance between heart and mind can only be achieved with greater focus on why we care about faith. Loving the good matters because indifference leads to bad outcomes. Human rights and democracy matter more than ethnic/gender rights and privileges because we have been created equal before God. Without faith, priorities change and the fruits of faith do not automatically survive.

Unity of Heart and Mind
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup

 

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Peterson Advances “The Walk”

Eugene H. Peterson. 2006. Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

If there is anything more needful, it is to grow spirituality enough to compensate for the overwhelming challenges we face today. The underlying assumption is that spiritual formation is in our hands, when the reality is that we can only stand ready for God’s interventions in our lives. It is more like cultivating a garden so that the seeds planted may actually grow with the rainfall and in the sunshine that only God can provide

Introduction

Eugene H. Peterson’s book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, begins with a story about his grandson who was so anxious to learn to read that he would pick up the Bible and pretend to read it. This story may sound cute, but at one point I was asked to lead a Bible study for some Central American friends who dutifully followed my handouts but never had an answer to the discussion questions. After about a month of this study, they stopped coming and I learned that none of them could read Spanish—They were just too proud to say so.

Again, this might sound like a cute story, but my Central American friends were no more silent than other students in Bible studies I have led where reading comprehension was not an issue. The broader issue is that spiritual reading is difficult and requires both an attentive heart and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder that Peterson’s first chapter is entitled: “The Forbidding Discipline of Spiritual Reading.” (1)

Background and Organization

Eugene H. Peterson (1932-2018) earned BA in philosophy at Seattle Pacific University, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary, and his Master of Arts degree in Semitic languages from Johns Hopkins University. He also held several honorary doctoral degrees. He published numerous books, but is best known for a paraphrase translation of the Bible called The Message.

Peterson writes this book in nine chapters divided into three sections:

1. The Forbidding Discipline of Spiritual Reading

I. Eat This Book 2. The Holy Family at Table with Holy Scripture 3. Scripture as Text: Learning What God Reveals 4. Scripture as Form: Following the Ways of Jesus 5. Scripture as Script: Playing Our Part in the Spirit II. Lectio Divina 6. Caveat Lector 7. Ears Thou Hast Dug for Me III. The Company of Translators 8. God’s Secretaries 9. The Message (vii-viii).

These chapters follow acknowledgments and a preface and are followed by an appendix and two indices.

The Forbidding Discipline

When I studied in Germany in graduate school, I got the distinct impression that reading scripture in German was more spiritually satisfying than reading in English. In studying Greek and Hebrew in seminary, I learned the reason for my spiritual satisfaction: I had been reading the Bible too quickly my entire life. The need to translate every word forced me to consider words—interesting, important words—that I had scooted over in English.

Peterson likens my experience to a dog growling as he chewed a bone, citing Isaiah 31:3. Ruminating over the words in Greek and Hebrew deepens the experience of reading. For many years, I memorized a Bible verse each day in the Greek and Hebrew to deepen my language and scripture interpretation skills, following Peterson’s advice about lectio divina—Latin for spiritual reading (4).

Eat It

Peterson took the title of his book from Revelation 10:9-10 where an angel instructed the Apostle John to Eat This Book. Peterson writes: “I wanted to place personal experience under the authority of the Bible and not over it.” (17) It is hard to claim to respect the authority of scripture when you spend most of your time critiquing rather than applying scripture. Peterson cites Ellen Goodman who observed that is not long: “Before we’re using the Bible more as. Rorschach test than as a religious text, reading more ink into the text than we read out of it.” (52-53)

Peterson describes Lectio Divina as a four-step process: “Lectio (we read the text), meditatio (we meditate the text), oratio (we pray the text), and contemplatio (we live the text).” (91)

Translation

Peterson devotes a few pages to the problems of translating the Bible into contemporary English. Part of the problem with early translations into English, like the King James Bible, is that koine Greek is everyday Greek, not literary Greek. It’s like the New Testament was written by a first century cab driver—translating such a cab driver’s language into the King’s English would do violence to the text. This problem with koine Greek was first discovered as archeologists started digging up Middle Eastern garbage dumps and rediscovered everyday Greek in the dumps (145).

 Assessment

Eugene H. Peterson’s book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, is an important text for those interested in advancing their walk with the Lord. I began reading Peterson in April 2006 and entered seminary two years later, which suggests how profoundly this text influenced my own walk. I commend it to you.

 References

Peterson, Eugene H. 2002. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs: NavPress.

Footnotes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_....

Peterson Advances “The Walk”
Also see:
Books, Films, and Ministry
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup
 

 

 

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Problem Definition: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 5, 2023

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on Problem Definition of the Church. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Problem Definition: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 5, 2023
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Peonies_May_23, Signup
 
 

The post Problem Definition: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 5, 2023 appeared first on T2Pneuma.net.