Surprised By Hope

One of the the most exciting Christian books of the year will be available on February 5th.

Surprised By Hope by NT Wright.

Synopsis: What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body', and how does that fit with the popular image of sitting on clouds playing harps? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now?

Tom Wright, one of our leading theologians, addresses these questions in this provocative and wide-ranging new book. He outlines the present confusion about future hope in both church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth', and shows how the 'second coming' of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection, belong within that larger picture, together with the intermediate hope for 'heaven'. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise.Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death.

For if God intends to renew the whole creation - and if this has already begun in Jesus' resurrection - the church cannot stop at 'saving souls', but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life.Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life not only after death but before it.

A Dream worth Dreaming

The entire "I Have a Dream" speach by Martin Luther King Jr.:

I Have a Dream

Towards a Biblical View of Community

1.) We need to stop elevating personal "quiet times" (which means isolating yourself from community to read your bible) and individual prayer over against more communal Christian activities.

2.) We need to have a higher esslesiology. Church is not merely an institution created by God to help individuals who have a "personal relationship with Jesus" (is that phrase even in the NT???) to get through life sinning less while waiting to be taken up to heaven. The church is what Jesus continues to do on the earth (Acts 1.1-2). The church community is God's plan for bring His reign until Jesus returns.

--Matt Larsen

A Royal Allegiance

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Our dear friends Matt and Lauren Larsen have finally started a blog, and it is about time. If you ever read blogs at all (which I'm assuming you do since you are reading this) then you should bookmark this one without delay: A Royal Allegiance.

Two main reasons that I think this blog will be worth your time:

1. Insight. Matt is currently pursing his ThM and is concurrently a full time college pastor. He is wise beyond his years and has an incredible gift for bringing the theological and abstract together with the practical and concrete. He is a student not only of Jesus and the Scriptures, but of culture as well. I did another post about him a while back. See it here.

2. Beauty and Art. Lauren is perhaps the most gifted young photographer that I have ever seen. My grandfather was a professional photographer for years, so I say that as more than a casual observer. I expect we will see some of her art and eye for beauty on this blog as well. Check out her photog website at www.laurenlarsen.com.

So, what are you waiting for? Click on this now: www.aroyalallegiance.blogspot.com

Their tagline:

"Musings of life under the reign of King Jesus, particularly culture, theology, photography, our baby, politics, mission, and community."

Abortion Debate at CU

My wife and I are going to a debate on "Is Abortion Morally Justifiable?" featuring Dr. David Boonin (a University of Colorado philosophy professor, author of In Defense of Abortion) and Dr. Peter Kreeft (prolific author and professor at Boston College) at The University of Colorado at Boulder tonight in Humanities Room 1B50 at 7:00 PM.

I'm going to take notes as well as I am able and I will post them here on the blog, perhaps with some comment as well. Check back tomorrow or the day after and they should be up.

May the Lord be pleased to end this deplorable injustice in our country. Amen.

Back in Boulder

Well, Jenny and I are back in Boulder. While we wait for our apartment application to go through we are staying with our dear friends Brady and Julie. Brady was kind enough to provide me with his newest home brew as soon as I walked through the door, a well hoped Imperial India Pale Ale. It is nice to be back in a place with seasons, although I miss the fam in Texas.

Our next twelve months will be mostly devoted to our church plant and getting ready for Nepal. In addition, I will also be working for the Homeless Shelter here in town and beginning, at long last, seminary through Reformed Theological's distance learning program. Jenny is hunting for a part time job as well, and is hoping to get her Yoga Therapy certification. We've already found a Nepali language helper, and are super jazzed to get our feet really wet with our church internship.

Marriage is a blast so far, and no real seismic activity to speak of. My wife is just as delightful in our home as she is out in public. Continue to keep us, our marriage, and our work in your prayers.

Peace,
The Ballards

I Want This Book

Theology in the Context of World Christianity

It's no secret that the center of Christianity has shifted from the West to the global South and East. While the truths of the Christian faith are universal, new contexts bring new questions, new understandings, and new expressions. What does this mean for theology? Is the Christian faith not only culturally translatable, but also theologically translatable?

Theological reflection is alive and well in the majority world church, and these new perspectives need to be heard, considered, and brought into conversation with Western theologians. Global theology can make us aware of our own blind spots and biases. Because of its largely conservative stance, global theology has much to offer toward the revitalization of Western Christianity. Tennent examines traditional theological categories in conversation with theologians from across the globe, making this volume valuable for students, pastors, missionaries, and theologians alike.

Timothy C. Tennent (PhD, University of Edinburgh, Scotland) is professor of World Missions and Indian Studies and director of missions programs at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Friar Smith

An elder at my church, and my dear friend, Brady Smith won the prestigious annual Mountan Sun homebrewing contest with his Ladies' Man Stout. Combining Honey, rose petals, and Cognac, it is "one complex, smooth, and quaffable Stout!" Brady also happens to be the man who brewed all the beer for our wedding reception. The Mountain Sun is one of the best micro/craft breweries in the States (and my personal favorite), and this is one of the biggest homebrew comps around. Mr. Smith has proven himself to be one of the most capable home brewers in the Rocky Mountain Region, if not the States. If you are ever in Boulder, CO and are fortunate enough to track down the legendary Friar, it will be well worth your effort. Also, if you are in Boulder in February, the Ladies Man Stout will be on tap at The Suns. Congrats to Brady. May this be just the beggining in a long line of delicious craftsmanship.

Here is the announcement from the Sun:

The Mt Sun Brew Team has completed the judging process for our 2nd annual Stout Month Homebrew contest. As usual, we tasted a variety of great beers, and it was difficult to pick only one. We were really impressed with the creativity and wide variety of ingredients that we came across this year. It always makes for a fun tasting session and a difficult judging process!

This year's winner is Brady Smith with Ladies' Man Stout. Combining Honey, rose petals, and Cognac, this is one complex, smooth, and quaffable Stout!

Take Care,
Brian Hutchinson
Brewer Mt Sun/Southern Sun