DAVEMIERS.COM
Just read this definition on John’s blog. He got it from someone else.
The Emerging Church: This is a term that refers to churches attended exclusively by white people in their 20s and 30s who have at least one tattoo or body piercing. Their distinguishing characteristics are a refreshing, “up to date” interpretation of Christianity, and a reluctance to directly answer questions.
Tonight we were reading Psalm 83-84. Something I’ve reflected on a few times in the last couple of years is whether we ought to sing OT Psalms without any reference to Jesus and the New Covenant.
I heard a new (I think) Hillsong song a couple of times over the weekend on the radio. It was musically a great song… and most of the words were straight from Psalm 84.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house
They are ever praising You
Blessed are those whose strength is in You
Whose hearts are set on our God
I think that I understand what this would have meant for the person living in the Old Covenant… and also how we ought to understand it this side of the cross. However, more often than not, when we sing OT Psalms there isn’t always a reference to Jesus and what he has done and the hope we have in him.
Mark Peterson had a song a few years ago called Wonder. I thought it was good because it reflects for a verse or two on Psalm 8 but the final verse was all about Jesus.
I’m sure that you can sing an OT Psalm and still understand your Biblical Theological context… but does that mean you need to explain it to the congregation before you sing it? What then of the person leading the song who doesn’t understand the context?
It may even extend to any OT song. When we sing Pharaoh Pharaoh with youth group I try to say something like this: “This song reflects the way that God rescued his people in the OT but we have an even greater rescue in Jesus…”
I’m not suggesting that we don’t sing Psalms. Ephesians 5 says to… but my question is ought we not qualify the OT Psalm this side of Jesus? Maybe it’s even like the sermon that doesn’t mention Jesus…
Question: Can we sing OT Psalms verbatim without any reference to Jesus and the New Covenant?
In Carson’s For the Love of God bible reading plan he mentioned Eric Liddell tonight. I had a read about him here. Have a look at the “Service in China” section.
This arvo at staff meeting we had a good wrestle with thinking through what we are aiming for with church. It was good to think through how this is communicated with the church. It’s exciting to think, plan and pray about how to best build Christ’s church (both spiritually and numerically) by proclaiming God’s Word.
This is my brother’s blog. He’s made some good posts during the last week. There’s a bunch on there about films and in particular ‘Australian’ films. He’s also got some great pictures taken at Bronte. Here’s my fav. Check it out and write some comments for him.
Check this kid out. He’s a four year old forest gump (at least the running part). To find out more about him just google his name: Budhia Singh.
We had a win and a loss with the EV Echidnas (did that name ever stick?? hope not!) on Saturday. But football and Jon Brinton were the winners on the day. Jon was in outstanding form both in his role as striker… and also in strutting the catwalk! The following photos are from his forthcoming catalogue.
Hey Jon if you’re reading this give us a wave!
Any other EV football players leave your comments below too.