lifeasmission
exploring the mystery of life and mission as one and the same
Jesus Revealed (a helpful new video series)
From theological as well as artistic perspectives, there is no shortage of embarrassing Christian media out there. Given the inherently visual dimension of our present context, this is doubly bothersome. It’s why, when someone like Rob Bell comes along and produces videos like the Nooma series, which are both theologically profound and artistically compelling, it’s incredibly significant.
A couple weeks ago, I caught wind of a new series of videos called “Jesus Revealed.” While done w/ Nooma-like quality, these aren’t the same thing. This series seeks to more directly explore the person of Jesus as he is “revealed” in specific biblical texts. These are short, narrated films (around 12-minutes) that depict Jesus as Underdog (Mt. 4:18-22), Revolutionary (Lk. 4:14-30/Jn. 2:13-20), Hero (Mt. 27:24-54), etc. You can read more about these (and the 4 additional short films) here – DVD 1, DVD 2, DVD 3. There is also a Vimeo page w/ extended clips that you can check out here. I’m embedding the extended clip for “Jesus, the Dreamer” (Mt. 5-7) below.
These short films were created and narrated by a guy named Andy Frost.
Regarding the vision and purpose behind the series, Andy had these things to say…… ‘Jesus Revealed’ is about unearthing the radical reality of Jesus’ life. I think it’s different from other resources in that it focuses solely upon the identity and the mission of Jesus and the implications it has for us today. The DVDs also use stunning dramatization footage that helps the viewer imagine they were there…
… I am always amazed at how the Church has often turned the life changing, explosive gospel of Jesus into a boring weekly event. When I read the gospels, I am continually challenged, excited and fascinated by Jesus. I am passionate about helping others re-engage with the raw and radical Jesus we find in the gospel accounts.
… The church in the UK has been in decline for many years, but I believe that this is changing. In the US, there are some pretty negative predictions on church attendance over the next few decades. I just really believe that if people can be given a vision of Jesus, rather than religious dogma, then they will be released to live for Him. I hope that ‘Jesus Revealed’ might just be a helpful resource in doing this.
I think these videos would be an excellent way to spark conversation w/ anyone who had some level of interest in the person of Jesus, or even to carry those who have been Christians for some time into deeper reflection on the significance of knowing and following Jesus. Would you use these? Why or why not? If you did, how would you use them and with who? In any case, hope you’ll check them out here.
Tweets for the Week : 2012-03-26
- from the lifeasmission archives: NT Wright, Angels & Airwaves and The Gospel http://t.co/yvjMItaR
#FB # - Huge props to @johnchandler who did in a few minutes what Just Host as a hosting company couldn't – cleaning hacked sites. #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Forerunners of The Great Emergence http://t.co/NWzyi6JF
#FB # - "The thread which binds the whole Bible story together is not the history of an idea but the history of a people." @dailynewbigin #FB #
- "The Church only lives through dying." (Houehold, 80) @dailynewbigin #FB #
- It warms my heart to know the Toronto Raptors are willing to employ blind people as jersey designers. #maybetheylookgoodincanada #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Just Cause I Love Ya http://t.co/wv48IUEg
#FB # - After some relapses, http://t.co/BJT7fB2j appears fully hack-free thx 2 @johnchandler. Maybe the same hack @greg_boyd is dealing with? #FB #
- Scott Sunquist Named New Dean of SIS @ Fuller Seminary. Excited for Scott & for Fuller! http://t.co/FBApJtWJ #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Party Fuller Style http://t.co/iI3upO68
#FB # - Weekend w/ our good friends the Lantz's is off to a great start. Tackling the city tomorrow. #FB http://t.co/kOENNZt6 #
- Would that all S. Baptists had the spiritual demeanor of Mr. Dallas Willard (here, on women in ministry) http://t.co/i2ddARwF #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Sign http://t.co/rVe7NJCD
#FB # - Off for an adventure in Chicago w/ the Lantz fam. (with Amy, Jason, and Suzi at @metraMDW) [pic] — http://t.co/4d1D3Nq4 #
- JJ is gonna be hamming it up all day long. [pic] — http://t.co/qzryy0iu #
- Awesome day in Chicago w/ some of my best friends & my straw-chewin sidekick! #FB http://t.co/koiOaifD #
- from the lifeasmission archives: The Van Wyk's http://t.co/30CtpPL2
#FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: NT Wright, Angels & Airwaves and The Gospel http://t.co/yvjMItaR
Ecclesia 2012
The annual Ecclesia national gathering was held this week down in Chevy Chase, MD. As always, it was not only ministerially helpful, but personally encouraging and just plain fun!
…Lots of JR’s, Amy & Aubrey got to coma along, some good basketball games, lots of time to enjoy friendships and start some new one, we officially announced the Missio Alliance (site, twitter, facebook – all in development), and a group on younger missional theologians (plus Dave Fitch
got together to discuss doing some work together.
The theme for this year’s conference was: Church as Center of Reconciliation: Living as One Reconciled Family Across Racial, Economic, and Generational Lines by the Power of the Spirit. Leading us into reflection on that theme were Ivy Beckwith, AJ Swoboda, and John P. Perkins, the grandson of Dr. John M. Perkins who was slated to be there, but had to cancel due to health issues. Dave Fitchchimed in with some profound theological thoughts on the subject and then, as is customary, a number of leaders from within the Ecclesia network of churches had opportunity to share out of their own lives and experiences.Perhaps one of the most meaningful times of the conference was when we welcomed 5 new church planters into the community and those Ecclesia pastors who had been walking with them up to that point had the chance to speak words of encouragement and exhortation over them. I can’t speak for everyone else, but the whole thing felt thick with Kingdom significance to me.Toward the end of the conference, Chris Backert initiated a time of reflection. We were asked to consider what part of the conference it seemed like God was most powerfully impressing upon us. Then, we got into groups to pray. We were invited to pray that God would do a work related to whatever it was that was sticking out to us not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of our children. As I thought about it, what came to mind was the way in which issues of reconciliation had come to me later in my journey as a Christian. My prayer for Aubrey was that this wouldn’t be the case for her – that she would never know of a gospel that could be understood as anything other than God’s incarnational mission of reconciliation in the world through Jesus buy the power of the Holy Spirit.This was something that I think will stick with me forever and, I continue to pray, will continue to shape the life and decisions of our family in as many ways as possible.If you’re looking for some additioanl reflection/resources realated to this year’s gathering, check out:Zach Hoag | A Sermon
The Burner Blog | Part 1, Part 2
If I come across (or remember) others, I’ll come back and add them here. Eventually there should also be some audio up over at ecclesianet.org.
Tweets for the Week : 2012-03-19
- Time for an afternoon run. Listening: Rich Mouw on sexuality of course. Duh. #FB #
- Guns N Roses Greatest Hits for a quarter! Get it, http://t.co/Cv4wjcK2 #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2011-06-13 http://t.co/cJIYopr9
#FB # - "While we are not called to split the church, we are also not called to preserve reductionisms that weaken the church's witness." Guder #FB #
- An Ecclesia Vision for Theological Education via @kurtfredrickson. Brilliant!
http://t.co/rClsOCNW #FB # - I find myself increasingly dismayed by supposedly Kingdom-oriented enterprises that seek 2 advance by means antithetical to the Kingdom. #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Revolution or Revolt http://t.co/OKL1KtKG
#FB # - Mid-March in Chicago. Who's sleeping w/ his bedroom window down? This guy! #FB #
- Let's see if we can't outline ourselves a paper shall we! (at @starbucks) [pic] — http://t.co/KHKyOI61 #
- "Ecclesiology isn't simply a subject to be studied but… practices to be engaged in, and habits to be developed."- Dietterich #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Discipleship in a Missional Context http://t.co/kUQnjTlQ
#FB # - This is about a month old now, but in just getting around to reading it, it's definitely worth sharing. #FB http://t.co/8wiqfUWq #
- Some thoughts on the #kony12 discussion from @ITeamsUSA workers who are living in the midst of it. #FB (via: @scottolson101) #
- Proud, as a @FullerAlumni, of the way they are engaging the issue of (home)sexuality. Presidential address here: http://t.co/sducDDGL #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2011-12-19 http://t.co/Gp39J4r4
#FB # - Photo: Aubrey’s first trip to the zoo. We saw kangaroo, ostrich, buffalo & a warthog. Great Grandma… http://t.co/vmikzXts #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Dr. Rozko? http://t.co/c9sLcTCA
#FB # - Happily surprised to realize that I subconsciously threw on a green shirt today. #luckofthenotsoirish #
- It is out of sheer principle & will that I refuse to turn the AC on for this 80+ degree day of mid-Mach in Chicago. #FB #
- If I bite the bullet & buy the @tweetbot iPhone app & the iPad app (come on universal!) will they sync my read position like @echofon? #
- from the lifeasmission archives: 2 Good Friends http://t.co/vsy7ySDL
#FB # - Mint shakes for dessert w/ Jill & @scottolson to end a great St Patty's … (w/ Amy, Scott, & Jill at Culver's) [pic] — http://t.co/vd8a598d #
- no, not that @scottolson, this @scottolson101 (ironically also from Chicagoland #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2010-08-23 http://t.co/gAQXSicu
#FB #
Dr. Richard Mouw on Fuller Seminary, Evangelicalism, & Homosexuality
In case you haven’t heard, homosexuality is a big issue across the nation and for the American church. For most thoughtful people, there is a tremendous need to engage this issue with graciousness and openness as well as conviction. It can be difficult to find people or groups that embody the composite of those dispositions. This is why I continue to be so fortunate to be a graduate of, adjunct instructor for, and doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary. They have perennially modeled themselves as exactly this sort of institution. This, I am sure, is thank in large part to the leadership of Dr. Richard Mouw, Fuller’s president.Recently, friends over at the Burner blog posted audio from a recent Presidential Forum at which Dr. Mouw addressed Fuller’s stance on (or perhaps it would be better to say engagement with) homosexuality and homosexual practice (which he helpfully distinguishes between). Mouw also speaks insightfully to some of the dynamics at play with regard to how this issue is dealt with across American evangelicalism in general.
I took the liberty of dividing up Dr. Mouw’s talk and the Q & R that followed – both are very worth of your time.
If you take the time to listen to these, I would love to hear any feedback you might have. Also, are you aware of other authors or groups that you think model this sort of engagement with this topic – showing an ability to be both graciously open as well as convicted?
Dr. Mouw’s talk (about 45 mins.) is here
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(download)
The Q & R time (another 35 mins.) is here
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(download)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Tweets for the Week : 2012-03-12
- Landed @ DCA for #ecclesia2012 w/ @amyrozko, Angela Walker, @geoffholsclaw, Cyd Holsclaw, & @tygrigg. Time already going too quickly. #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Winding Up http://t.co/LFs8C9od
#FB # - "Every one of our beliefs has ecological implications. Literally, our theology shapes the land." — AJ Swaboda #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2010-11-08 http://t.co/TdHednAX
#FB # - Hearing the un-sexy, but spiritually weighty stories of @ecclesianet friends inspire me to want to give my life to the Body of Christ. #FB #
- Scenes from #ecclesia2012 (with Amy at National 4-H Conference Center) [pic] — http://t.co/5X3mHGZN #
- Having my burger @fitchest style. #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: What the Suburbs Have in Common with Hell http://t.co/wAZqt2rO
#FB # - from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2010-08-02 http://t.co/afVaA9pN
#FB # - My pal @bensternke offers concise, but profound words for those who fancy themselves "missional" church leaders http://t.co/fA8IHYsC #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Repeat http://t.co/kXcGS96d
#FB # - Proposal for research w/in the @ecclesianet is off to committee. All I need now is the help of a couple dozen awesome churches! #FB #
- My friends @Mike_Breen, @sallybreen48, & @josaxton are hosting a discipleship & mission workshop for ladies. http://t.co/GG6MEqtt #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: Narrative Preaching for Christian Formation http://t.co/MO0F1VUC
#FB # - "God's judgment is the form his mercy takes in a world out of joint." — NT Wright (via @monkeysaurus2) #
- "Guilty emotions are not the things that reconcile us to God. They cannot produce new life." @monkeysaurus2 #FB #
- "The call to repentance is not a call to psychological self-flagulation." @monkeysaurus2 (Huge gospel implications is that statement!) #FB #
- from the lifeasmission archives: We Need WAY More Missional Conversations: A Response to Ed Stetzer http://t.co/tXdnxHsv
#FB # - Join @Kiva: Get $25 free trial and help alleviate poverty. http://t.co/4dPgz2Ho via @Kiva #FB #
recent posts
- Multiplying Missional Leaders by Mike Breen & 3DM (Book Review)
- A Week’s Worth of Thoughts, Pictures, & Links: 2012-05-14
- A Week’s Worth of Thoughts, Pictures, & Links: 2012-05-07
- A Week’s Worth of Thoughts, Pictures, & Links: 2012-04-30
- Younger Missional Leaders, the Lausanne Movement, and the Shape/ing of the Church
- A Week’s Worth of Thoughts, Pictures, & Links: 2012-04-23
- Missio Alliance: Discerning the Shape of Theology & Practice for Mission
Recent Comments
- jrrozko on The Future of Theological Education: A Groundswell of Conversation
- Chad on The Future of Theological Education: A Groundswell of Conversation
- Fostering Creativity | Worth Wheeler on Blogging as a Spiritual Discipline
- Jamie Arpin-Ricci on Younger Missional Leaders, the Lausanne Movement, and the Shape/ing of the Church
- jrrozko on Missio Alliance: Discerning the Shape of Theology & Practice for Mission
tweets
- from the lifeasmission archives: Tweets for the Week : 2010-06-28 http://t.co/gfxtqDWz #FB 41 mins ago
- Aubrey is getting an early start on her theologizing by channeling her inner CS Lewis. http://t.co/dV8rzOdt 8 hrs ago
- from the lifeasmission archives: My Tiffany Story http://t.co/ZOE2rodE #FB 1 day ago
- Hypothesis: Those churches where 20% of ppl. do 80% of the work have leaders who spend only 20% of their time actually equipping others. #FB 1 day ago
- In case you didn't know. [pic] — http://t.co/pF5SyWDB 1 day ago
- More updates...
Toward a Missional Vision of Theological Education
Important Female Voices
Ecclesia Bloggers
Currently Reading
