An aggressive response to a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Midway in our life's journey, I went astray

from the straight road and woke to find myself

alone in a dark wood. How shall I say

what wood that was! I never saw so drear,

so rank, so arduous a wilderness!

Its very memory gives a shape to fear.

So begins The Inferno, and so turned my thoughts as I began to read Mr. Hauerwas's Pacifist Response. He wrote this article for the Duke University paper, probably about 6 months after the events of Sept 11 2001. I sincerely hope that Mr. Hauerwas's journey, like Dante's, has changed for the better since that time, otherwise I fear he may be facing an eternity of much worse than any of the levels Dante envisioned. This article paints a picture of a man so deeply intellectualized and steeped in theological academia that the simple beautiful hope of the Word of God has become entirely obscured. Rather than writing a 10 page term paper dissecting every unfounded assertion, every grossly misconstrued and obtuse generalization that forms the body of this article by the supposed "Best Theologian In America" (Time Magazine 2001) I will simply share some verses that came to my mind while reading.

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Romans 8:26

"because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things."

Romans 1:21-23

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."

Mark 9:42

I will happily tear apart every facet and detail of this article for/with any who are interested. My heart breaks for this man, for those like him, and most deeply for those who have heard his words and chosen to believe them.

Media to digest

Dinesh D'Souza, a Rishwain fellow at the Hoover institute at Stanford, recently wrote a book called 'Life After Death, the evidence.'

Here's a link to the audio of a short discussion I heard on NPR that Dinesh has with a skeptic on the neurological mistake of considering the mind and the brain the same material. He provides basic philosophical arguments one can make for life after death and the existence of a soul.

http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2009/12/16/life-is-that-all-there-is/

Timothy Keller - Decision Making and the Will of God

http://www.cacfamily.org/cacpodcast.xml

This is an eleven 1-hour series of teachings about how most Christians don't utilize the Biblical worldview at all when making decisions. I am through part three, if anyone wants to join in and listen along, the teaching I have found to be enlightening.

Firstly, I would like to second the prayer requests. I meant to suggest this last night. And on that note, might I suggest we 'make private' the blog, so that our candidness would not only be up to a certain degree.

My initial reaction is that Stanley Hauerwas comes off as one who is committed to being identified as a pacifist, then tries to fit his Christian beliefs into his Pacifistic worldview. He even states that when he declared himself to a pacifist he knew there'd be consequences, quite similar to one declaring publicly their Christian faith, he puts it on the same level, an entire worldview. Not to disregard his commitment to peace, I do believe that what he's saying about the essence of peace and Christ is heartfelt, but his cynical view on nationalism, U.S. foreign policy, and the people in government blinds me from identifying with him. At other times it does appear that his breed of pacifism might allow for just war, but mostly not. That time right after 9/11 was different and I would like to think the gentleman would have revised the piece several times by 2009.

He does not seem to give full consideration of the consequences of the fallen world that we live in, which however unfortunate and abominable, does include war. Does this give war the ability to be just, at given times? I might have to leave that to soldiers among us to consider, rather than have my inexperienced (in the capacities of war) hands type shallow words. I would like to see Mr. Hauerwas if the Nazis won WWII and he would be Sprechen Sie Deutsche and probably know a lot less about the reality of Jesus or even have the opportunity to comprehend pacifism as an all encompassing worldview.

I compare it to the neo-cons and the Bush admin; they were full believers in a Laissez-faire, free market economy, yet when the shit hit the you-know-what they threw their hardline stance out the window and took the furthest step to the left, economic policy speaking, than the country has seen in....Ever? I do not wish to debate that here, just the fact that pacifism feels good to me, just like social justice feels good to me, just like free market ideals feel good to me. Yet if someone is pointing a gun at my family, I am going to shoot him first.

Ok ok .. enough with the facetiousness...

I look at Jesus' life - He, being the Son of Man, did not need to be protected. He knew what was coming and what had to be done, which his disciples did not fully understand or know. I take the statement about the sword to mean not to start a fight with someone, for it will hurt you and everyone in the end. I do not take it to mean not to defend your wife and child from harm through force.

Matthew 26:50: Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.⁵²"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. "

Prayer Requests:

- I have a dream to be involved in international development, and I am looking for the most effective path to productivity in that capacity, specifically acquiring capital to do my own project.

- That I would quit dating girls that are wrong for me

- That I would let go of my American sense of productivity and look to God in how I shape my value of time and efficiency

12.15.09 Meeting Minutes

Thank you all for attending. We had the biggest attendance to date: 8. Unfortunately we had a bit of a hangup in finding seating, but once Tavis brokered us a deal and we settled in some good conversation ensued.

At the end of the gathering I issued two articles for discussion next meeting (or never, depending), as well as a suggestion that we regain some order in the event. For all who missed those last moments, we will be reading Acts 1-3 independently for reference next meeting, and (contingent on venue) I would also like if 2 of us told our story as well. The concept is not far from a bible study, but different in its niche focus on ... of course unfolding stories and man topics.

Article links are below if you're interested. I do not fully endorse either author's opinion, but took a lot from reading each. For those who have articles or thoughts of their own, feel free to post here throughout the month or bring to a meeting.

A View of the History of Modern Homosexuality:
http://www.narth.com/docs/TheTrojanCouchSatinover.pdf

The (Artificial?) Link Between Pacifism and Christianity
http://saq.dukejournals.org/cgi/reprint/101/2/425

I also want to comment that publishing or sharing your work with the group is not off limits, it's simply not the focus of what we do. I have reviewed work from many of you recently and have considered it a great privilege. Let's keep making stuff.

Also, Shelvy brought up a valid point that this is a good forum for posting prayer requests. Bring it.

11.17.09 Meeting Minutes

The discussion began with a history of punk, hardcore, and metal, which lead into a short conversation about numerous T&N-style Christian acts of yesteryear.

The majority of the remaining 3 hours of conversation centered around Shelvy's blog post "Art vs. Artist". We discussed how Christian art typically struggles to feel authentic, the ramifications of being wealthy and white, and the significance of "art" as an inspiration to action (both for the author and viewer/listener).

We did not cover the structure that was noted in the calendar appointment (i.e. how we came to faith and the story of the early church). Conversation was without interruption for close to 4 hours.

Next rotation: probably Father's Office Culver City, maybe Dec. 15th.

Add comments on minutes, please. I missed a lot of the conversation, a small negative to "hosting" the meeting.

November Meeting

Time: Tuesday, Nov. 17th
Place: Trey's apartment, 836 Sanborn Ave. Apt. 103, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Contact: 615-496-5100

All street parking. Good luck! Call if you need help finding a spot. Should be pretty decent at 7:30pm.

"Equip '09 - Men"

http://realityla.com/#equip

I'd like to try to go. Anyone else?

edit: Will not be able to go now due to dinner with a friend that's moving, but I encourage any and all to check it out.

Art v. Artist

This is a conversation that I've been having with a couple people, to varying degrees, and having just seen this , it was brought to mind again. Can one who calls himself a Christian listen to and/or recommend the music of Trent Reznor (as one example), despite his opposing religious views? Should we display the painting by a known alcoholic and spouse abuser? What distinctions should be made, to what degree does the artist impact your ability, or inability to appreciate or support the work?

Specifically in the context of Mr. Gibson, how are we, as Christian men, evaluating our own impact and effectiveness? Is The Passion weakened due to the real life actions of the man who made it? What message is being carried to fellow believers, and (perhaps more importantly) to non-believers?

What're the personal thoughts or opinions of others that you've heard that you think are valid to this idea?

November 17th?

November 17th for the next gathering anyone? It's the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Let's use the comments section to discuss.

with excellence and high regard

Tyler James. I should have signed him. But both he and I knew it didn't fit on the TMG brand. A few years ago I told him, truthfully, that he was like Ben Kweller but wrote better songs. I saw him at Hotel Cafe, that one line : ".... His grace is sufficient for me." always gets me.

Church community recommendation:

Grace Harbor - www.ghlb.org - Long Beach, CA

Service meets at 10 am at Bixby park civic center on 1st & Cherry in LBC

The Podcast is accessible and solid too. Rick Schaeffer is the head pastor.

Reading:

The Reason For God - Timothy Keller - http://www.reasonforgod.com/

These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And inThe Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason. Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

LA Church Recommendation

Shelvy, good recommendation for Reality, much of my family and friends attend there currently. I, too, was a faithful Metro CC attendee for upwards of 4.5 years, which means we may know each other, but then again, we probably don't, because as you pointed out, the lack of community there is appalling. I believer that's why so many people have left the church in recent years, despite a core group that remains.

After a short stint living in San Clemente, hopping from church to church, I moved back up to LA with my new wife, but wary of returning to my old Metro Sunday morning hangout. To be completely honest, while living in Orange County I was saved, i.e. "born again", after thinking I was such for most of my conscious life (long story). So, upon our return to LA, we had two criteria in our church search: 1) good, expository teaching, preferably from the Authorized (King James) Version, and 2) worship that relied upon the old hymns. A year of research had led me to conclude that the King James is the most trustworthy and accurate Bible translation in the English Language, and I was tired of singing the same repetitive, "Me, Myself, and I" worship songs filled with lots of emotion but many times doctrinally obscure or even incorrect.

The search for such a church took us to Metro, to Reality, then to Grace Community Church in Sunland (John MacArthur's megachurch), and then home to our living room where we would just sing some songs together, read our Bibles on the floor, and play a sermon on YouTube from Paul Washer or others like him. And then one Sunday morning, frustrated and desperate for fellowship, I randomly searched Google Maps to find an "independent fundamental Baptist church" nearest to our house. Why not, right?

Here's what we found: http://www.biblebaptist-sm.com

Finally, a small, Bible-teaching church, with a humble, yet highly intelligent pastor, with a good mix of elderly and young people, where the hymns are sung with relish and the teaching is based out of the King James. We've been there faithfully for almost a year now. Wednesday nights there is a good old-fashioned prayer meeting, where most of the 20 people show up to hear a short message, share testimonies, and pray diligently. Thursday nights the pastor, Russ, teaches a Biblical Greek class, followed by Systematic Theology, free for anybody who wants to learn.

I know Santa Monica is a stretch for probably most of you guys, but here is my open invitation to come, at least once, and experience "church" in a way that most people in LA don't, and meet some people that don't care about the external show, but are truly caring and eager to show the Love of Christ through their every action. I've been to them all in LA in the last 10 years (Reality, Metro, Oasis, Bel Air Pres, Mosaic, Hollywood Pres, random house churches, Rolling Hills, The Rock, Gardena, Rock Harbor), and this is the one place that I would be willing to commit my family to for as long as the Lord will have us in this town.

Sundays:
9:30am - Bible Study (just began Romans, a GREAT study)
10:45am - Main Service (Knowing God: profiling lives of characters in the Word)
6:00pm - Evening Service (many times a missionary comes by to report on activities = very inspiring)

Wednesdays:
7:00pm - Prayer Meeting

Thursdays:
7:00pm - Greek
8:00pm - Theology

Final thoughts: remember that the Lord is faithful, and he knows how frustrating it is to find a good church in LA. My church is not the only "good" one out there, it still has its problems, but as we, individually, seek Him first in diligent study of the Word and prayer, I'm confident we will all individually be led to a group of born again believers who are willing to do the hard but joyful work of fellowship, accountability, study, prayer, evangelism, and worship. As for me, I've found that the search takes a lot of trial and error, so that, when you find it, you'll know.

Recommended

The evening discussion was certainly good and enjoyable, but amidst the sharing time and our various interjections there were a number of interesting topics that were touched on, but not delved into, and at least one immediate concern in particular was not directly addressed.

Trey mentioned having grown weary of searching for a church in LA, and we jumped to discussion of various disappointing church experiences and then to great podcasts/sermons/etc. Great stuff to be sure, but listening to a podcast from New York doesn't help you find a community in LA.

I'm not sure how specific I got in sharing about my church experience, but here's the nutshell version as a quick backstory: I grew up going to a Calvary Chapel in Sacramento that had a community of less than 500 people who brought food or bags of clothing to the needy in the church and the community at large, and who held various weekly Bible Studies (not "small groups"). The pastor basically conducted a college course every Sunday morning, teaching what was in the Bible, how it fit historically and today, and why it was important to lives and our walk with God. The worship was very simple, not always technically that impressive, but earnest praise of a living God was the primary goal.

Finding all these elements, or even reasonable facsimiles, in LA is frustrating, as Trey expressed. For a number of my years here in LA I've attended Calvary Chapel Metro, in Santa Monica. There's great teaching, as I expect. Sometimes there has been great worship, sometimes not so great, sometimes none at all. The community is small, but the involvement within that community is negligble. And for me, currently living in Pasadena, it's an impossibility.

SO. If you're still reading, here comes the recommendation. I've a number of good friends who I've known a number of years, who have attended Reality LA. I've now gone twice, and both times I saw and heard everything that I expect of a Godly, biblical, healthy church community. I know, I know, the name is borderline laughable, but we are still in Los Angeles. The name aside, the teaching/sermons have been excellent. Deeply rooted in scripture, and not just one passage, but illustrating how other parts of the Bible reinforce and validate the points being made in other parts. The worship is good, not showy, and the community, while largely of the 20-something/30-something range, does have a decent amount of older people, and the elders of the church are actually elder, experienced Christians, not excited new believers who wanna lead.

I'm very strongly leaning towards making this my church, but that aside, I'm definitely going to continue attending, testing and (hopefully) approving. There's a 9 am and a noon service on Sundays. Dan has said that he wants to join me for the noon one (he works late), but I may do both. For Trey (and Erin) and anyone else who is interested, please let me know.

Start by checking out the beliefs.

That's all for now kids.

10.27.09 Meeting Minutes

Attendees:
Brian, Mark, Rory, Shelvy, Dan, Josh, Trey

THESE ARE MY NOTES ONLY. PLEASE ADD/REVISE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING.

Introductions of attendees, creative things they do, how each is connected to the group.

Discussed intent of meetings, frequency, location, and time. Future meetings will cover (1) attendee's creative works and adventure-type prospects, (2) spiritual accountability, (3) community engagement prospects. Meetings will be monthly, location TBD (but maybe at someone's home), 7:30pm-10:30pm.

We also tossed out recommendations, some of which are listed on this page.

Privy though Absent

Gentlemen, thank you for your inclusion of me in this group, despite my tardiness of the first meeting last night. Would somebody mind posting the "minutes", as it were, of last night's discussions, rantings, and such?

edit: will be posted tonight

Our Blog

As discussed at the meeting, created to avoid spamming your email inboxes.

Look here for updates on meeting times, topics, work/media recommendations, etc.

Calendar appointments will still be sent via Google Calendar, so get on board.