Eats with Sinners

What is a post-modernist? What does one look like? Questions like these have plagued my philosophy of ministry as of late. Unfortunately, modern philosophers and scholars have missed the mark by labeling a culture as postmodernism or emergent because of their skepticism in absolute truth. Once someone distinguishes a title for a certain group, then that group or society automatically becomes that label without question. The definition for the word stereotype is a group concept, held by one social group about another. It is often used in a negative or prejudicial sense and is frequently used to justify certain discriminatory behaviors.

The cultural envelope is being challenged. Pre-modernism was the foundation where structure was built, modernism moved forth into the future and created complacency and traditions, and post-modernism says the “heck with it all”. Oddly, history has shown that every culture throughout the ages has forms of these three elements intermixed.

If we disrobe all the presuppositions, stereotypical titles, and racial slurs, then we are left with nothing, but a human in need of its Creator. This is the start of ministry opportunities. A person, with no label other than the title of “child of God", who finds an intimate love song with Jesus Christ is the beginning of something beautiful. Once we begin to adapt to naming cultures, then the process never ends, since culture is constantly changing.

There might not be a solution to this pragmatic equation. Yet, there will always be the elite who think they have the elucidation, write a book, and gain riches in the process. I am not promoting a parley, but just an opinion. I am an outsider looking in. Labels are shown for what they are, nothing. They do not define a person or culture, neither do they create bliss. It is just another stereotypical way to make the church feel better about itself when they cannot reach the certain culture they abide in.

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Due to a youth event, I did not post on Tuesday. But I redeem myself by posting today.

Jesus and his companions proclaimed and enacted the Kingdom of God throughout their ministry. Regrettably, people of God today have mistaken the meaning of the phrase “Kingdom of God” as being a future event or eschatological language. But Jesus’ discernible words and actions presumes, but argued, that there is a divine will for this earth to partake in the Kingdom of God right now.

Jesus participated in a nonviolent resistance manner to the persecutions and scoffers in the name of the Kingdom of God. He literally turned the cheek to the imperial injustice and Jewish militia. The rebellion to violence made Jesus an exceptional prophet and teacher who preached a profound vision between the tension of war and peace.

Looking back to the first century era, many things have changed. The Kingdom of God now is not a matter of peace and love, rather it is an edict to do anything we want in the name of God, specifically the practices of hatred, violence, and unjust oppression to the abused and poor. Revenge could have been humanly successful for Jesus. He could have composed an elite army to attack his foes.

Jesus died under mocking indictments and radical allegations. Jesus, who was considered a threat to society, located the Kingdom of God as he hung on the wooden tree above his enemies. He did not advocate war or killing, rather he activated peace and love as he took the nails.

If we inserted Jesus into our community, the accurate assumption to make would be: we facilitate the complete opposite of Jesus’ ethics and moral kingdom. Instead of forgiving, we hold grudges until we hate. Instead of turning the cheek, we bare our knuckles in defense. Instead of loving our enemy, we rape them with our words. We have fallen short to the beautiful vision and remarkable picture Jesus performed on the cross. That vision has been lost. The sword we should bear is love. When this day happens, the Kingdom of God is shown to all people, and there I will see the face of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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This quote is from the book "Messy Spirituality". The author challenged me to reseek the scandalous grace I once stumbled upon. I am a work in progress. Enjoy!

In my journey to understand orthodoxy with a hint of relevance has led me to a textual-excavation. The consensus among most churches is, “if you believe in our doctrinal statements”, then you can join the community. To my discovery, this is distinctive theology denying any validity to freedom of thought or an open-mind.

Pealing back the layers in the texts, the early disciples wrote fundamentals not to discriminate or show prejudice. Rather, they were written for the listeners and readers alike to become aware of false teachers. Biblical tradition indicates that man’s attempt to organize rules and regulations is to be considered a Pharisee. No evidence suggests that statements were written for association. Why have churches distorted their doctrinal statements for membership?

The conflict lies between the scholarly elites and the people like me, who is a struggling disciple of Christ barely hanging on. What exists behind that interchange are two radically divergent ways of dealing with God, the church, and His people. If all people think alike, then who is really thinking? The freedom in Christ belongs to us. We have the God-given ability to relate to His text in different manners. All of that serves to vindicate the importance of people who are willing to challenge other people’s thinking. Sometimes systematic theology is not real. Constructing finite words to describe and define an infinite God is impossible sometimes.

I dream of a mosaic of people, no one perfect, gathered together in their opposing views glorying Christ Jesus. No judgments passed when a person walks away not agreeing with another’s belief. A collective place where brokenness happens due to conviction by the Holy Spirit, not because of someone mocking you for radical ideas. Where questions can be asked with a sense of dignity. I dream of a community full of people who do not know all the answers and those who have a compatible vision for the poor, widowed, and victims of society. In the scriptures, the Kingdom of God as lived by Jesus and his companions were opposed to dogmatic approaches to God, then why are we different? This is a baton I am willing to drop to better understand the life of Jesus and to become a church dominated by His presence.

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This comes from a well-known church father and historian named Tertullian. His writings and teachings have influenced me greatly. Enjoy!

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our one year anniversary at the metropolitan of Indianapolis. Fine dining with the aristocratic proposed many different ideas about life and the church. We strolled along the polluted roads until we stumbled onto what many would refer as the elixir of life. This fastidious establishment known as the Slippery Noodle Inn knows what it means to accept people in all fads of life. This blues club is notorious for their greasy cuisine, smooth cocktails, rich musical taste, and relaxing environment.

The ideation that this place created was remarkable. The retaining wall’s rich texture captured a blackish hue on the brownish stage at sunset. The stage itself shone brilliantly as though made of diamonds, with the outlines of individual pieces of charred wood. But this painted picture was not what created my epiphany.

This establishment undoubtedly serves as a secular communal center. Perhaps initially built to make money, it had been transformed into a mosaic community that has continued for the last decade. Laughter, conversation, and smoke filled the air. The tables were filled with people with remnants of their masks on the floor. Some businessmen, others construction workers, yet all had one thing in common, unity. For a short time, the good news is that they can go to a place without condemnation or judgment. They can leave their bags of burden, shame, and guilt at the door where the bouncer politely keeps them until the last call. The Noodle offered an altruistic-centric approach to ministry. They exploit the people’s yearning to belong to a community.

It seems their motto is shouting, “grab a bottle of port, and allow the music to sooth your soul, while friends and family reunite.” The atmosphere was surreal and inviting. Its common presence facilitated forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. There is no different in meaning or emphasis between the positive and negative that was happening in the Noodle that evening. But here is the crucial question raised especially by the combination of unity and authenticity. What can the church learn from this environment?

The striking coincidence that convinced me to write this cluster was that I wanted to be a part of their environment. What they offered was inviting. Even the splendor of authenticity under layers of smoke cannot be ignored. The church has forgotten, therefore other establishments have thrived. This is what “church” is supposed to be; where entrances of souls can be easily connected with the Lord and others through authentic living. Maybe it is possible to maintain the religious practices of the Christian people and still collaborate with the relevance of the culture as an expression of God’s will. But, without those disciples who are willing to be radical, how can the church resist the “tradition” acculturation?

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This is a post at a brother-in-Christ and lifetime friend, Imaginations in Unity, entitled "The Good Samaritan ". One of the best composition of this amazing story I have heard. Enjoy!


A man staggered out of a bar, his breath laced with the smell of his night of exploits. Stumbling down an alley lined with trash, both human and material, he came face to face with what can only be described as a "large group of men." Not sure of his surroundings nor completely cognizant of what was about to happen, he proceeded to wade through the group of individuals, each eyeing him as he passed. As he reached the final man, believing he was going to escape this situation, something struck him from behind. His stride began to increase in speed and he believed he was escaping their grasp, yet as he reached the main thorough fair, a hand yanked him back. A few days later, when asked about the incident, he would only be able to recall this detail.

When the ruffians had finished their business, this poor soul wandered into the street and collapsed. Just as he made his last attempt to crawl, a man, well known for the large cross around his neck and his ample claims to "Christian" fame, passed by. He only allowed himself to look down and gasp at the sight he saw, uttering to himself that someone should help this man. Yet, unbeknownst to this "man of God," there were several needy souls watching his every move. Turning a blind eye once more to this poor man, the "man of God" proceeded on, trying to wipe the memory of this man from his mind.

Just as the beaten man passed from consciousness, the local bishop stepped out his door and surveyed the landscape of the world in front of him. As he cast his gaze upon this lone member that society forgot, he pontificated about how glad he was that he was not like this poor man in the street. "If only someone would help him," said the bishop to no one in particular. Looking at his watch, he returned to his domicile, realizing he had something in the oven.

As the sun began to come over the horizon, this poor child of God had lain in the street for quite some time. The local gentleman's club was closing, and its patrons, if they could be called such, were exiting through the front door to return to a world they had long forgot the night before. A door in the alley opened, and out walked an employee of this fine gentleman's club. Her make-up was worn away with sweat, and her body had been mistreated by many. She clutched in her hands the night's earnings, realizing that she may be able to pay the rent this month. When she came upon the beaten drunk, smelling the blood mixed with alcohol, she immediately felt pity on the man and knelt by his side. Brushing back his blood caked hair, she saw that he was still breathing and in need of medical attention. She ran back into her place of business, and emerged once again with the bouncer, who helped load the man into her car. He told her she was crazy for helping this poor sap, but she ignored his blind judgments. Driving straight to the hospital, she stopped with a screech at the emergency room doors. Running in, she returned with a wheelchair and a nurse. Once she felt comfortable that the man was getting medical attention, she laid all her earnings on the nurse's station, and uttered that if this was not enough, she would return the next morning to pay the man's bills.

She walked out under the awkward gaze of every person in the place, realizing how absurd this may have looked. She needed to get home, her next shift would start in a few hours and she still needed to get her daughter off to school.

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