3 Things the Church Can Learn from Jurassic World

Jurassic World is taking a giant bite out of cinema history by smashing the world record with a $500 million opening weekend, beating out the previous record held by the world's greatest superheros, The Avengers. It seems like Chris Pratt is a resurrected cinema hero in the making, with his self-deprecating charm and humour drawing comparisons to Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones).

One reviewer puts it this way about the colossal summer blockbuster,

It combines first class effects, a genetically engineered deadly dinosaur, outstanding action, well defined characters and a screenplay that refreshes themes of corporate greed and playing God.

After watching it with my family last night, here are my thoughts on 3 things the Church can learn from Jurassic World. I try to avoid spoilers, except what has already been revealed by the trailer.

1. Attractional consumerism will destroy your vision

One reoccurring theme in the film is how John Hammond's dream of interaction/connection between dinosaurs and humans has been reduced merely to a transaction, where consumers are flooding in only because they want to see bigger and badder attractions. Hence, the Jurassic World corporation will use genetic research to modify and "cook up" bigger dinos in their labs to draw attention and spike attendance (like the Indominus Rex, which the trailers all love to focus on...because who doesn't love a bigger T-Rex?). It appears that people are no longer satisfied with the dinosaurs but simply want more entertainment. Jurassic World (the theme park, not the movie) has lost sight of its vision in favour of boosting sales and numbers.

In my North American Context, I have seen the church try to get better music, bigger lights, more programs, and plan all sorts of things with the hopes of attracting people to come to church. It's almost as if we've forgotten that the church is the people of God sent on mission to be a people of blessing (John 20:21); instead, the focus has been on the church meeting my personal needs because going to church is a tool through which I am filled and feel good with God.

The book of Ephesians paints a glorious vision of the Church. It is a new humanity where different people from different racial and socio-economic backgrounds experience peace together, so that we may no longer be strangers but family in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:11-22). As we live in a culture consumed with consumerism, it is far too easy for the church to fall into this mentality where we focus on meeting the needs of the people, just as Jurassic World attempts to create bigger dinos to attract crowds. Instead, we need to remember that it is Jesus who sets our vision and values as a counter-cultural and subversive community that is sent on mission in partnership with the Holy Spirit to bless our neighbours, families, schools, and workplaces. 

2. We are to care for creation and others with respect

"It's not about control. It's a relationship, based on respect" 

-Owen (played by Chris Pratt)

Owen, a Velociraptor trainer, utters these succinct but powerful lines. In the film, it's clear that there is a tension between caring for the dinosaurs as real animals and treating them as mere tools for generating money or power. For a park that labels its prized dinosaurs as "assets," it's no surprise that they use genetic modification in creating new dinosaurs that are bigger, smarter, and more attractive. The scientists don't actually care for the animals; instead, they are focused on their own work and progress. There is a Frankenstein-esque motif of control and creation running through the movie, of creating a monster in isolation that breaks the laws of nature. Instead of technology (like Terminator or I-Robot) causing mayhem, it is now an irresponsible and corrupt manipulation of nature (in genetically modifying the Indominus Rex) that is causing destruction.

I sometimes wonder if the church is serious about her call to care for creation and be the stewards of creation that God intended. It is encouraging to me that in recent years, there has been a renewed conversation on the theology of creation and how Jesus followers are to take care of God's earth. In my upbringing on the whole, however, there has been little talk of caring for creation. I think of the popular programs that promised to bless me and extend my territories or help me find a purpose driven life. Or, I think of my formerly held beliefs that a church was healthy as long as it was growing bigger and more "spiritual," even if it did not care for its community. That was until I began to see Abraham's call to be a people of blessing (Genesis 12), or Israel's calling to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49).

In Jurassic World, the Indominus Rex was created in isolation and containment. Pratt's character comments that because of this, it does not understand how to interact with other creatures and is extremely dangerous. Sometimes, I feel that churches can be raised in isolation like the Indominus, and we (speaking for myself as well) do not know how to interact with other people outside of our church contexts. How can the church know our neighbours better and care for creation with respect so that we breathe life into our communities?

3. Family matters. And it can get messy.

Aunt Claire (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) is an organized, on top of the game, control freak who manages the operations at Jurassic World. When she initially has to take care of her two visiting nephews, she instructs her assistant to babysit them while she carries on with her own busy schedule. As havoc unravels at the park, Claire eventually has to abandon her OCD lifestyle to get messy and risk everything to save the boys, including dashing through the mud in high heels while escaping from some dinos (no big deal). I think it speaks something significant about family life, when you are willing to let go of your control and get messy, because family is messy.

from this

to this

I've often found in churches that children are swept under the rug into children's ministry. That way, there's no crying, whining, or shouting that gets in the way of worship. Now before you think I'm attacking children's ministry, let me say that I have met many faithful people over the years who have invested into children's ministry and have helped and inspired me. I do think there is a space needed for children to think, learn, and have fun together.

I also think, however, that the church needs to reimagine what a kingdom family looks like. When Jesus was teaching and healing, there would often be people shouting at him or doing weird things, and of course little children came to him as well. In the church, maybe instead of trying to have everything organized into segregated ministries, we could celebrate the messiness of family and discover what it looks like to have kids, youth, adults, and seniors follow Jesus together. Family matters, and I think that families in the history of the church have followed Jesus together, entering into the mess of life together. How can our church communities build up families, and allow for messiness?

So friends, those are 3 things I think the Church can learn from Jurassic World. It's not a perfect movie and certainly has its flaws, but I really enjoyed the movie experience.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Transitioning to Family Man and Family Pastor

Since graduating from Regent College, the months have flown by. Surely, the speedy passage of time was a result of preparing for the most incredible day of my life so far on September 6, 2014, our wedding!

You can see more photos on Elle&R's blog, but this post is not simply about our wedding, but also a place to share what God has been doing in my life. God is not only transitioning me from a single man to a family man, but also from a student to family pastor.

So what am I doing now?

I am playing my role as full time family pastor at REC now, since October. I am transitioning from the youth/young adults community to the kids community and their families. To be honest, I never saw myself in this role a year ago, but through a series of things God has done in my life, I have come to see that our kids seriously need discipleship. God is showing me that he is in fact sending me into the kids community to disciple them. To me, this is a mission field.

Why am I in this role? 

As I was praying in the months leading up to this role, God changed my heart. In the past, I thought that I needed to use my Regent experience to influence and shape our young adults. I thought that with all my "Regent training" I could help our university students wrestle with their faith and ask tough questions. Then I realized something...

What good is all my Regent training if I cannot even communicate in a simple and loving way that touches the lives of our kids?

God also spoke to me about my lack of vision. From my time in youth ministry, I can often complain about the habits of teenagers that are really hard to change. Then it hit me.

If I can disciple these kids from a young age, I can be a part of their core formation as Jesus followers. I can't put the blame on other people.

Wow, so maybe that's why I'm here now doing what I am doing.

Is this like acting as a children's pastor then?

From our church context and history, it would be tempting to see my role as a children's pastor who "takes care" of the kids. However, I believe it is a little different now. 

In the past year, God has been calling REC to connect across generations and cultures. I believe that my role as family pastor would send me into connecting families and seeing how parents can be an active part of their kids' discipleship in partnership with the church (the people, not the building/program). 

God is opening my eyes to see how the family needs to be built up, because the church is a family. I'm not here to babysit kids or to make my ministry thrive. Instead, this is God's ministry, and I believe he is calling us to connect kids, youth, parents, grandparents, and our neighbourhood, so that we can be agents of blessing. This was Abraham's call, and it is also Jesus' call for us to be salt and light.

This is my prayer, as Paul prayed in the letter to the Ephesians

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.Amen.

Laying on of hands prayer during REC Leaders Retreat a few weeks ago

I am a Regent College Graduate! To Life!

If you asked me one word to describe my journey through Regent, among the plethora of words I learned, it would probably have to be LIFE.

Life abundant.
Life in the kingdom.
Life worth living.

And as I absorbed the richness of our graduation celebration on May 2 at the Chan Centre, it was pure pleasure as I looked back on life, and looked forward to the life to come.

As I was ready to shake hands with Dr. Dennis Danielson, he gave me a hug. Wonderful moment!

One of the highlight moments was when I walked across the stage, ready to receive my graduate degree from Prof Dennis Danielson, the Chair of the Board of Governors at Regent College. Back in my 4th year at UBC for my undergrad, I took a class on Milton's Paradise Lost with Dr. Danielson. He also guest lectured a few times at Regent. Through the years, I've sent a few emails to him, but I did not expect to see him recognize me. That was a great surprise and probably captures why I loved the graduation celebration so much. Although it was tempting to think that I was there to receive my piece of paper for academic achievement, it was in fact a celebration of life together, as flourishing image bearers who reflect God's love. That moment with Dr. Danielson reminded me that we were there to celebrate life. The entire night of celebration was relational, and deeply moved me to anticipate life.

It was not only a milestone; it was also a celebration of life.

Shaking hands with President Rod Wilson

Dr. Iain Provan delivered an immensely powerful charge to the graduates on being "dangerous" as we unmask the false idols of our age and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.

I could go on about the convocation, but allow me to respond to 3 questions. These are questions that I need to remind myself of when the going gets tough.

How have I changed as a person in the process of being at Regent?

When I first came to Regent in 2010, I thought I knew everything about the Bible, and simply needed a degree to "become a pastor." How young and naive I was. Yes, it is true that a person does not have to go through seminary to "become a pastor" because there are those without a graduate education who are great pastors and are shaped to be pastors. However, as I opened my eyes to study the course of history in the past 2000 years (3000+ including the Old Testament), I realized how little I knew about the whole people of God. And as I opened my eyes to reading Scripture the way it was written for its original audience, I realized how limited my perspective was. Journeying at Regent has been a humbling process, showing me how much I need other people. 

Perhaps the South African idea of Ubuntu expresses this well:

A person is a person through other persons.

And I believe this has opened my eyes to witness how I am one little part of God's kingdom here on earth. Theologian Scot Mcknight reminds me this: 

Ubuntu teaches us that life society works only when humans live out their connectedness, and that kind of connectedness with God and others, and with our past and our future, is what Jesus means when he says 'kingdom.'

So thankful for friends

So thankful for family

Which things have I learned during my time at Regent that I would like to continue cultivating in my life?

Listening. At Regent I have learned to listen well--to God, to the Bible, to history, to culture, and to all that the Holy Spirit reveals. As I participate in God's work through pastoral ministry, I need to be listening continually, instead of thinking that I have all the answers to solve the world's problems. As Henri Nouwen reminds us in In the Name of Jesus, we will constantly face the temptation to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. In the face of these temptations, I believe I must be grounded in a lifestyle of listening to, and following Jesus. 

Keeping Sabbath will keep me grounded in listening well and resting well. I remember what Dr. Rod Wilson said once about Sabbath: 

Do you think that God's plans will fail when you rest for 24 hours? Do you think that God cannot work without you?

What a bullet to the heart! Yes, I know that God uses me in his ways, but when I rest by keeping Sabbath (which is Biblical!), God will have something else planned. It's okay to rest! There is no shame in rest. In fact, it is much needed!

What kinds of things am I most in need of as I journey on?

I wouldn't say that there are things as much as there are attitudes that I constantly need to nourish. As Scot McKnight shows in The Jesus Creed, we need always to remember what is most important to Jesus himself: "Love the Lord your God" and "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:29-31). 

As I journey in this path of making disciples and being discipled, I know that--in addition to the joys that come with ministry in God's kingdom--there will also be times when I feel rejected, hopeless, and unnecessary to people. I must keep myself grounded in remembering that everything begins with loving God and loving people. As Eugene Peterson and Marva Dawn observe in The Unnecessary Pastor, pastors respond to, but are not defined by culture or ego or congregation. Rather, a pastor is one who follows Jesus, loves our neighbours, and participates in God's kingdom.

Amen!

The Good, The Bad, and The Art in Aronofsky's Noah

Have you ever walked into an ice cream shop expecting to eat your favourite flavour, only to find out that it tasted different from your expectations? Or maybe, it's your must-order dynamite roll at a sushi place, only to find out that they are missing the avocado and sesame on top.

I think some people have this approach to watching Noah.

How did this...

Turn into this...?

I know. Silly analogy. But I do think there's some truth to it. If you go into the theatre expecting to see a certain version of Noah, you will probably be disappointed, shocked, or even angry. This is Aronofsky's interpretation of Noah, and it's definitely not the Noah that you and I grew up with. It's a bit like a cross between Black Swan and Lord of the Rings. And truth be told, I think Aronofsky has done what filmmakers ought to do. Filmmakers need to re-interpret stories, creating narratives that leave us hanging on the edge of our seats because of its well-paced and well-told story that is not predictable (but with coherence that makes sense). 

So here is... 

The Good, The Bad, and the Art 

in Aronofsky's Noah

(this will be spoiler-free...so if some of my points seem to make a point without reference, it's because I don't want to spoil it.)

The Good

1. The acting is raw, dynamic, and superb. 

After seeing Russell Crowe sing in Les Misérables I had lost some hope for this former Gladiator. However, his acting in Noah has given a brand new perspective to Noah, one that evokes aspiration, doubt, devotion, and longing. Emma Watson plays her role so well that you feel what she really goes through (no spoilers here). Great actors drive a great movie. In fact, Russell Crowe paid a visit to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury to discuss the movie at the Lambeth Palace

2. The film portrays the mythological/primeval narrative genre of Noah. 

You can feel so clearly from the start that this is an ancient world, which is foreign to us, and requires us to listen, watch, and observe closely in order to understand what's going on. This sense of strangeness draws us into the story, much like LOTR creates a mythological world that is new to you. For those of us who grew up on Noah and are tired of the zookeeper Noah imagery, this is a breath of fresh air.

3. Aronofsky does not try to provide a moral lesson, but instead poses a question: What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? 

This was brilliant. Noah asks this question. So does Tubal-Cain (if you think this is made up...look at Genesis 4:19-24. It's great that they paid attention to this detail in the genealogy). These two characters have vastly different ideas of what it means to be created in God's image. In turn, this provokes us into asking what the image of God means. 
However...there does seem to be some moral conclusion at the end in Illa and Noah's conversation. I won't spoil it here though. See for yourself.

4. Aronofsky presents us with a different worldview of Noah. 

In this worldview, there is a longing for prayers to be answered, for the voice of God to be heard, but it is nowhere to be heard, except for physical signs (again, I won't include spoilers). While certainly Noah is not a Christian film, I think it is very helpful because it presents us with a different worldview, closely aligning with our postmodern North American culture. This helps Christians understand the struggles of our friends who do not have faith in God and ask: Where is God? Does he really hear us?

The Bad

1. The God in this film is reduced to a "Creator" and becomes a deistic God. 

I believe Aronofsky intentionally uses "creator" as opposed to "God" or "Lord" because he does not want to portray the "Christian" God. This film encapsulates Deism. Deism is a worldview developed in the 17th century, originating from Lord Herbert Cherbury. In brief summary, Deism implies that there is a God who created the world. However, he is not involved in this world with his people. He is detached. Some philosophers have used the image of a "Watchmaker God." This implies that God designed the watch (the world) and allows it to run on its own. This worldview is quite rampant in Noah. I will not spoil the film by pointing to what happens, but if you have watched the movie you will know what I am talking about.

Ask yourself the questions: "What is the role of God in this film? Does he speak?" When you begin asking those questions, you might find your interpretation of the movie changing.

2. The Creator in this film, as a result, seems almost vindictive, destructive, and evil. 

I know some Christians are offended by the film because it tends to portray the Creator as a god of destruction (I respectfully disagree with this blogger but I can see where he is coming from). It is evident that Aronofsky gets biblical story "wrong," because he is trying to tell a different story! However, I do not find a problem with this, because it is Aronofsky's interpretation of the story. I recognize this is the worldview he is wrestling with, so I would not expect to see the loving, covenantal God of Israel to be presented. Certainly, I would not be expecting to see hesed (God's loving kindness). Yes, some will say that this film is an attack on the Bible, but instead of avoiding and condemning the film, I think Christians have a privilege and responsibility to engage well with this film.

update: check out the update at the bottom on the Gnosticism in this film. Dr. Brian Mattson argues cohesively and convincingly for the Gnostic and Kabbalah influences on this film, which explains the vindictive creator (think "demiurge" in Gnosticism) that wants to destroy all material things.

3. Aronofsky has said that his film is a "dark parable about sin, justice, and mercy" (click here)

This film is not fluff for a sunday school lesson. It is dark, gritty, grim and full of violence (but I'm surprised there weren't more Gladiator-esque scenes). Sin and justice, the film certainly pays much attention to, and one would question what kind of mercy is portrayed in the film. Certainly, it does not look the loving mercy of Yahweh, but resembles more of a "choose-to-do-good-and-you-will-receive-mercy" attitude. I'm sure some will call this Pelagianism (simplistic definition: work for your salvation).

However, I think it is appropriate for this film to be as "dark" as it is. Read through Genesis 1-11 again. Those were dark times, especially in the context of Noah's story. How else would you expect this story to be told if it were not dark? Proponents of "Total Depravity" (a theological term meaning that each of us has been effaced with sin) will certainly recognize the gravity of sin in this film. It takes sin very seriously. And this leads me to the final section...

not your typical zookeeper

The Art

1. Sin, or the depravity of humanity, is illustrated by repeated and almost poetic (grimly poetic) images that linger in your mind.

I can still see those images. Don't worry; it's not gruesome. There is something about the way Aronofsky paints his imagery that leaves a mark in your mind. And this, I think, testifies to the lingering of sin. Aronofsky doesn't need to use dialogue to tell you about how terrible sin is. In addition to this is Aronofsky's use of light and shadow imagery, especially in the beginning parts of the film. As a cinematographer, I think that he creates excellent cinematography.

2. The story of creation is told with beautiful poetic words and imagery that is almost liturgical. 

Honestly, I have not seen a "biblical" movie tell the story of creation (according to Genesis 1) as profoundly as Noah has through its artistic use of repetition, rhythm, and imagery. This occurs at the beginning of the movie, but more dramatically halfway through it.

Conclusion

There is much more I want to say about this film, but I shall leave the rest up to you, the viewer, to experience. For all my friends who are still doubtful of this "least biblical" film of all time, I ask you to consider this. 

Why do you think there are so many "biblical" movies that are coming up now? Think: Noah, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Heaven is for Real, Son of God, Mary of Nazareth. What kinds of opportunities will this give us for conversations with a biblically illiterate culture? There is so much hope as these films engage the public sphere, whether they are based on or inspired by the Bible. Hear what Dr. Krish Kandiah (executive director of the Evangelical Alliance in the UK, and sessional lecturer at Regent College) has to say about it on his blog. 

Maybe, we're tired of movies that try to teach us moral lessons. 

Maybe, we need art that stimulates us to think about who God is, why humans have purpose on this earth, and how we are to make sense of that.

Maybe, our culture is longing for films that give us a chance to engage our different worldviews. (Yes, we do need discernment as we watch films. Check out Brian Godawa's book Hollywood Worldviews)

And maybe, that calls us Jesus Followers to step into gracious conversations with our friends, as the apostle Paul exhorts us, "let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6)

So maybe, it is a good opportunity for you to watch Noah and sprinkle your friends with some salt.

Every blessing.

UPDATE (4/3/2014):

I just read two fantastic blog posts. So helpful!
While I referred to Deism, I think Mattson and Godawa helpfully point out that there are blatant Gnostic elements in the film, which I did not address in detail.

One is from Brian Mattson, who recognizes in great detail the Gnostic elements that Aronofsky incoporates. While I did comment on the "creator" aspect of a detached God and noticed that this resembled the "demiurge" of gnostic accounts, I did not see in the details that Mattson observes:

Darren Aronofsky has produced a retelling of the Noah story without reference to the Bible at all. This was not, as he claimed, just a storied tradition of run-of-the-mill Jewish “Midrash.” This was a thoroughly pagan retelling of the Noah story direct from Kabbalist and Gnostic sources.

The other is from Brian Godawa, author of "Hollywood Worldviews". He argues that Aronofsky is subverting the Biblical worldview by a pagan interpretation of the Noah story. He writes: 

"God does not speak...he never speaks. Remember, Aronofsky is an atheist who believes that man was NOT made in God's image, but God was created in man's image."

5 Things Wrong with Chinese New Year

Before you unleash rage and discontent at my title, please read to the end and see where I'm coming from. You may be surprised. Anyway, as someone who grew up in Vancouver, I always wondered what Chinese New Year is. What is worth celebrating and why do we celebrate anyway? So, here are some thoughts to get you thinking, remembering, and understanding.

1. Chinese New Year is more about good fortunes than family relationships.
How many times have you heard "gong hay fat choi" thrown around, without actually thinking about what it means? When you gather with family, is it more about catching up on life, or getting the right things done so you get off to a right start to the new year? I asked my parents why people have historically celebrated CNY, and they tell me that it was a time for families to gather together from all around, and have dinner together. I suppose this is equivalent to Christmas for us growing up in the West. From my experiences of gathering with families or walking around Chinese malls though, it seems like the primary concern is good fortune rather than family. Everyone knows we are supposed to celebrate family...the ads tell us that too, but it doesn't seem that way (my same concern with Christmas).


2. We don't actually care for gathering with our family as much as we care about receiving "red pockets."

To be honest, growing up I never thought about family for CNY. All I knew was that I would get these juicy little red pockets, which contained cash (and hopefully lots of it). Now that I'm older, I really start to ask: what's the purpose/story behind red pocket? Why is it that in Asian cultures, we think of money as the best gift? Money seems to be valued over spending quality time together. Have you ever had relatives say something along the lines of, "I can't spend time with you during CNY but I'll make sure you get your red pocket!" Now, I'm not saying we should get rid of red pockets, but shouldn't we at least think about why we give or receive them? (again, I have similar sentiments about Christmas)

3. At family gatherings, it is all about learning to "tolerate" those relatives (or in some cases, your parents).

Watch this video. You may need some tissues.

While I think the video is beautiful in highlighting what it means to be a family, it also shows an obvious problem with Asian families. The issue: it's all about tolerating. Any family, you see, will have problems in communication. In my experience, Asian parents don't like to be vulnerable and share their feelings; hence, the kids also learn not to share their feelings/life with their parents. You can see in the video how much the father loves his son, but how is it that he never learned to express his love before the huge crisis? Yes, I get it. We often need a wake up call in life to change our behaviour.

However, what would it look like if we got to be authentic with our families at CNY. What would it look like if we stopped simply tolerating those annoying relatives, but talked with them and loved them first, instead of putting on a mask that is always smiling. In fact, I really can't stand it when families have to smile all the time to show that we are all "one big happy family." Stop tolerating. Learn to listen and express your feelings with your families even if it means you won't please everyone. Let's be real around the dinner table. This brings me to my next point...

4. We are more concerned with success (business, school, etc.) rather than sharing authentic stories.
When was the last time you heard a raw, authentic story around the CNY dinner table that allowed you to know the ups and downs of that person's life that year? When was the last time that you could feel what that person was feeling, and make you want to know him/her more?

It seems to me that we like to tell stories, but they are only stories of success, like good business or achieving good grades. Often times, it is a list of things we have achieved in the past year. The new year is about celebrating, so they say, and you shouldn't talk about anything that is negative! I really wish that we could share about our failures around the dinner table, so we can all identify with each other and realize that life is not perfect. How can we understand success and the fulness of life until we first be real with each other and share our failures?

5. Chinese New Year is all about consumerism.
Let's be honest. We want the new year to be better than the last year. And that's all right! We should all aim higher. The problem I see is when we try to worship God/gods/idols, hoping that we make the right sacrifices so that our year will have better fortune.

I am not trying to single out temple worship here. Christians are guilty of just the same thing. We think that maybe if we just pray more, read the Bible more, then life will be more filling and my year will turn out better. The problem with that is the consumerist thinking driving it: If I pay or offer my time, I will be rewarded for my contribution/behaviour. It's a worldview that is defined by what I receive in return for what I have given. It's like purchasing good fortunes.

Yes, there are so many other forms of consumerism (i.e. Purdy's and Starbucks make special Chinese New Year products for consumers to consume). What I'm trying to get at here is that we are consumed by a worldview that tells us: Yes, you deserve better, so you better consume culture and receive more money/blessings/business in the process. How do we stop consuming and create culture by investing meaning back into CNY? How can we be a blessing during CNY rather than trying to get things my own way?

So what am I trying to say?

After pointing out 5 things wrong with Chinese New Year, I don't want to leave it there and say it's wrong to celebrate it. And no, in fact, I think we ought to celebrate CNY. I would like to ask 5 questions for us to reframe though.

1. How can we remember that CNY is about family rather than good fortune? (what would it tangibly look like?)

2. What would it look like to re-think red pockets, and look at how we value quality time with each other?

3. What would it look like to be authentic with your family, rather than simply tolerating them?

4. How can you share stories of life (feelings, struggles, successes) rather than simply reporting a list of things you did in the year?

5. What would it look like to stop consuming culture (buying things, praying for success, etc.) and start creating culture by re-imagining the meaning and reason for Chinese New Year?

and finally...
Happy Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese New Year!

We Lack a "Holy Rage"

I came across something that struck me from Danish pastor Kaj Munk as I was reading Michael Frost's book Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture. I am not finished reading the book, so this is by no means a review. Frost argues that Christ Followers must be able to speak against the normative way of life and be prepared to live a life of justice, mercy, and love that reflects the character of Jesus (p.20). Here is where Frost introduces Kaj.

Kaj Munk was an outspoken opponent against the German Occupation of Denmark in WWII. He was arrested after he had defied a Nazi ban, and his body was found in a ditch the next morning.

This is what Munk writes:

What is, therefore, the task of the preacher (or the church) today? 

Shall I answer: "Faith, hope and love"? 

That sounds beautiful.

     But I would say--Courage. 

     No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth.    

Our task today is recklessness.

For what we Christians lack is not psychology or literature,

     we lack a holy rage.

The recklessness that comes from the knowledge of God and humanity.

The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets...

     and when the lie rages across the face of the earth--

          a holy anger about things that are wrong in the world.

To rage against the ravaging of God's earth,

     and the destruction of God's world.

To rage when little children must die of hunger

     when the tables of the rich are sagging with food.

To rage at the senseless killing of so many,

     and against the madness of militaries.

To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of 

destruction--Peace.

To rage against complacency. 

To recklessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change

     human history until it conforms with the norms of the Kingdom of God.

And remember the signs of the Christian Church have always been-- 

     the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish...

          but never the chameleon.

For the First...wait, Third Time in My Life

The First time...I looked around me, surrounded by friends, eager with anticipation for the bright future ahead, about to walk the stage hoping I don't trip on my robe.

The Second time...I looked around me, surrounded by strangers, a bit uneasy as I waited for the commencement address from some chancellor I did not know, waiting for the next stage of life. I wondered, where to go after this degree?

The Third time...well, I'm about to go through it again for the third time. Do you know by now what I'm talking about?

Graduation. 

Entering a new season of life. 

Just two years ago in January of 2012, I met the woman who would become the love of my life, Anna Suk (and we are going to get married this September!). She has been such a central part of my journey, in my shaping as a man of God, and in my calling to be a more loving lover of God and of people. Thank you, Anna, for supporting me through the tough nights of cramming papers and assignments, for teaching me to listen well, and for opening my eyes to God's love, which I see through you.

Thank you dad for encouraging me all the way and showing me how God's kingdom intersects every aspect of our lives.

Thank you mom for dealing with me even when I'm in tired and grumpy moods and don't help around the house. You are the best mom I could ask for.

Thank you Athan for teaching me about humility and patience. Being your big brother has taught me in the past few years to shout less and listen more, teach less and ask questions more.

All right. Mushy sentimental thank you-s are done for now, so let me tell you a little bit about what's going on in this season of my life. You probably all have some questions for me.

So what exactly is an M.Div. and what have you learned from it?

M.Div. stands for "Master of Divinity." Oh, so now I'm a master of the divine arts, or I'm more divine? (you may be wondering this) Well, not exactly. In the past four years, the simplest way I can put it is that I have been pursuing God and getting to know him (through the lens of theology, history, philosophy, language, and biblical analysis). This includes studying the thinking and history of people around the world, and understanding how we are shaped by different world views (i.e. Why does our culture have a negative view of the future? Why did we have a positive view of the future prior to the 1980s? Don't believe me? Just think about all the futuristic movies you can name. I'll give you a start. The Matrix).

I also get to dig deeper into the world view of the Bible, and learn to ask good questions, like:

Why should I care about a text that was written 2000 years ago? How can I trust it?
Why does the Old Testament matter if all we need is Jesus?
What exactly is the Gospel?
How will that affect the way I live?

Or perhaps, let me put it this way.

When I first came to Regent in 2010, I thought I knew all I had to know about God, the Bible, and Church. I thought I simply needed a degree to become a "pastor." As I studied the course of history in the past 2000 years, I realized how little I knew about the whole people of God. As I opened my eyes to reading Scripture the way it was written for its original audience, I realized how limited my perspective was. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. I am increasingly getting to know:
1) God 
2) Myself 
3) The whole people of God 
4) Creation (as in, the earth that we live in).

If the questions I raised are issues you struggle with, you should talk with me! Or, you can find out more about the M.Div and M.A. programs on Regent's website HERE

That's great, but where are you going with all that learning?

For the first time in my life, I feel that I don't have things under control. 

That's a good thing, because...

Hello, my name is Ignatius and I am a control freak.

As I have learned to surrender more to witness how God is working in me and with the people around me, my eyes have been opened to see where God is working, instead of trying to create God-moments out of my own skill. Here's what I see where I'm at.

There's a lot of disconnect around my church context, with culture and language being "barriers" to becoming a family. As a church with Chinese speaking adults and English speaking young people, it's not easy to connect. Our vision at REC English Ministry is "Strangers Becoming Family in Jesus." I believe that my role will involve bridging the gaps and making connections among the youth, adults, and even children.

So I hear you're getting married...?

 Yes, Anna and I are getting married at REC in September and it will be a blast! There's definitely a lot to prepare, not so much for the wedding itself but more so for marriage life. That's really challenging but also really exciting! I can't wait for married life. For those of you who are already married, we would love to hear from you if you want to share stories with us.

What will it look like being a newly married pastor?

I believe, as my coach Dr. Terry Walling says, that a leader grows the most through times of transition. Getting married will be a huge transition and will help me to unlearn selfish habits of life so that I can learn a selfless way of living. Since so many of the people I am with in my community are often going through transitions, I think that I will readily identify with the struggles we are all going through.

Iggy, you seem to be always busy. How's this last term going to be for you?

This will indeed be a busy term. I am finishing off 2 distance courses. I have 3.5 on campus courses. This is because one of the courses I am taking is 3 credits spread over 2 terms. Hence, it is worth 1.5 credits this term, which means half of a course. So as of now, I have 5.5 courses total, equalling 16.5 credits! That's crazy, because 9 credits is already considered a full term at Regent since it's masters level courses.

I do feel that I am in this season of life in which I'm sprinting towards the finish line (of my education). So, I'm not too worried, but I assure you that I will be busy and relying on the Holy Spirit all the way. That includes your prayers and the encouraging words and presence that you will share with me.

How can we pray for you in this time?

Pray that I will be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit speaks through people (both Christ Followers and those who do not yet follow Jesus), the Bible, and my studies at Regent. In particular, I sense God is continuing to show me how to surrender control to him. In a time of transition, it is tempting to want to plan everything perfectly. However, I think the Bible calls us to prepare the way for the kingdom (think, John the Baptist). Pray that I can prepare my heart, body and soul for the kingdom work that God wants to do in my life and community.

Are you doing any non-churchy/non-academic things?

Yes! I am aiming to exercise 3 times a week and get fit for my wedding. For now I'm using a workout app, but I will hope to continue running outdoors when the weather turns warmer.