The Best of Splendour: Religion

It seems that the church of booty is the popular religion at Splendour in the Grass. It's very much a Christus Victor view of things, isn't it?

Known unconvictions

There are many things that I've heard before. Particularly the kinds of things that preachers say. Even the kinds of things that theological lecturers say. And, dare I say it, things that principals of theological colleges say.

Am I the only one who switches off when I hear something that I've heard before?

I think in the context of theological education there's a problem with my attitude. I'm pretty sure that there's a reason that Bruce keeps banging on about the same things and it's not because he's getting old and has forgotten that he's just said the same thing 5 minutes ago.

What ends up happening is that by the time I get really frustrated enough with Bruce for repeating the same things so many times over, I actually start to think about it. And I can tell that he's not repeating it so that I know it. It's because he wants me to be convicted by it. So convinced, that it will shape my life and ministry in ways that will keep me faithful and protect God's people.

In the times that I get to that point, it's a little easier to listen. Even with a fuzzy head.

The Spiritual Meth-od

Feelings of uncleanness? Freaking out about your sinful heart? Need some accountability in your life?

You need John and Charles Wesley's Holy Club!

Seriously. That's what they called their accountability group. Bet they didn't cop any flak for that one.

And really, 'methodist'? Surely they could come up with a better name than that! They even had two hymn writers on staff! Even just one Simone would come up with something far snappier than that.

And their hymn didn't even come close in the poll...

The Best of Splendour: Passion Pit

I now have the pleasure of introducing you to something beautiful. Please welcome, Passion Pit.

I was wondering what kind of band it would be that would get the gig before Mumford & Sons and the Pixies at Splendour. Having been locked out of Florence and the Machine because the Woodford amphitheatre was dangerously full (that would have to mean well over 12,000 people, I reckon), there was little doubt that this was a prize spot on the bill. Would it be a rubbish fill-in band whose record company paid up big to get them the exposure? Would it be a rave to get energy up? An 'Xican idol' winner?

Not knowing what to expect I began looking around for a bit of space on which to sit. The man two blades of grass over from me looked on with amusement. "Don't worry about finding a place to sit.", he said. "You won't be sitting down for long."

And he was so right.

Moments into the first layers of synths and keys mixed in with smart drum beats, I was standing up, and moving as only a white man can. I've never been more at home with a man singing in that register! (Including the time Dan Saunders and I shocked our pastor by singing 'Take Your Mama Out' on Singstar in the correct register. Some lyrics he wasn't quite prepared for.)

It was pop. Nearly pure pop. But it was also complex, subtle and had some freakin' energy! It's hard to capture a feeling of fresh excitement. Being made happy by someone's music whom you'd not known of moments before. An anxious afternoon transformed into joyful jumping is no mean feat when an intense Russian male is involved.

And yet, it was so.

Hats off.

For your listening pleasure, can I suggest, Passion Pit? Live, if you can possibly arrange it.

Sorry for the temporary ugliness

Sorry, just playing around with blog templates. Don't mind me.

I'm glad that...

God only reveals to me as much of my own sin as I'm able to cope with at the time.

:)

Connections in Romans

An interesting one is that between 1:18-32 and Romans 12:1-2.

The first passage traces the consequences of suppressing the truth about God and swapping him out of your God slot and swapping in some dodgy replacement component instead (aka, idolatry). The consequences of sin get worse as the argument progresses. The last bit of the process finishes with God giving people over to a messed up mind. At this stage a person is not only sinning, but doesn't even recognise it as sin any more.

In contrast, Romans 12:1-2 talks about the renewing of minds. It's something that comes along with God's mercy. It seems God not only forgives sin but also undoes some of the damage it's done to us.

An point for discussion though: How can Paul command you to have something done to you? He commands you to 'be transformed'. It's in the passive, so what's Paul getting at?

Thoughts?