AEF's second presenter was Scot McNight -- the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois -- whose message is entitled, "Stories on the Story."  Scot presented us with 5 models for understanding the Bible.

1. The Rorschach ink blot.  People project their own perspective and biases onto the image, onto what they see.  This works well in today's overly individualistic world.
2. The Holiday puzzle.  Like a Christmas gift puzzle.  on his shelf sits a 1153 page puzzle -- it's called systematic theology.  It's an act of imagination. Many "bible puzzlers" try to put the bible back together again.  The pieces are "propositional truths."  The bible, however, is an unfolding story -- not a puzzle that needs to be put  together.  Systematic theology, therefore, seeks to strip the Bible of it's narrative power.  God chose to give us a biblical narrative, not a systematic theology.  We need to just let the bible to be the bible.
3. The Maestro (Master Chef).   Many go to the bible to find the maestro (i.e. Jesus), see how he does it, and then do it like him.   However, the maestro is part of the story.  The gospels are only part of the whole.  We must not substitute the maestro
4. The Law Book.  When the bible becomes a law book, those who see it as such become judgmental and harsh in their imposition and moralizing.  "The ubiquity of commandments point to it being something much more...  It's purpose is to give ground to our feet as we journey with Jesus."
5. The Calendar.  "These are the people who treat the bible like it's a hallmark calendar" -- with little snippets of scripture -- winsome verses or promises for each day.  Entirely random. And Nice. "No one has put out a bible calendar on the fear of God...  maybe Mark Driscoll would like to do it."

However, Scot urged us to consider a different model: A Wiki-story.

.

[I will be posting part two on Scot's presentation later on tomorrow, and plan on including one or two audio clips as well as he describes what he really means by urging us to understand the biblical narrative as a Wiki-Story.]

Led primarily by Karen Roberts, Chapel Coordinator and Adjunct Professor at Northern Seminary, tonight's worship was a delightful example of what "blended" ancient/future worship looks like.  From the responsive prayers to the Chris Tomlin choruses to an almost chanted version of St. Patrick's breastplate prayer, the worship tonight has a tender authenticity and power all over it.

Well, conference delegates are all away for dinner.

I'll keep you posted on any interesting conversations I end up having.

At each AEF Conference thus far, panel discussions have taken place right after each presenter finishes speaking. This afternoon's panel includeded (L-R): Edith Humphrey, Vincent Bacote, Scot McNight, Kevin VanHoozer, Howard Snyder, and David Fitch.

With all the emphasis Kevin placed on the "activity" of drama, Edith Humphrey asked him about the place of "rest." Here's a clip:

Download MOV01209.MPG

Howard Snyder asked Kevin about what role "the land" plays in the biblical narrative -- and element that appeared missing in his presentation.

Edith jumped in again, asking Kevin, "why isn't "the Fall" focused on more?  Why isn't it "Act II?"  Kevin believes this would be to give the Fall (and perhaps the Devil connected to it) far too much power.

Someone asked from the floor, what place the psalms of lament play in "our story"?  Scot McNight defended the legitimate place of such psalms, even when read alongside the empowering, loving, teachings of Jesus.  Although no one mentioned the place of "tension" in our faith, it seems to be a huge part of "why" such psalms remain important. (Note: Kevin pointed out the use of hyperbole in lament psalms).

Story... as an approach to scripture, is a far cry from the approach that reduces scripture to a set of "propositional truths."  David Neff mentioned the difference between two books on King
David that were released at virtually the same time a number of years ago: one by Chuck Swindoll, and one by Eugene Peterson (the former concluded with propositions the readers needed to remember, the later were invited to enter the wonder of David; enter a journey of discovery).

Kevin: what evangelicals need to do is not "word-for-word" translation of the scriptures, but "world-for-world" translations.  David Fitch then commented on how important, but how difficult this challenge is for evangelicals.

Scot McNight observed that Kevin -- as an effective theologian -- uses metaphor that isn't biblical.  Biblical scholars struggle with such use of imagination.

.
More blogging to follow after a 15 min. break.

Kevin Vanhooser -- Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School -- is currently speaking on "The Drama of the Christ."

Here are some raw notes:

- We are narrative-oriented beings, by nature.

- "The Persuaders" -- a PBS-sponsored story about marketing guru's (great commentary about our culture), that Kevin shows to his cultural hermeneutics class.  He also shows them the documentary, "Trekies."  It is a compelling "narrative" that lies behind the success of the Star Trek phenomenon.

- The call to Evangelicalism today needs to be radical, akin to John Milbank's call to Radical Orthodoxy.  A radical evanglicalism returns to its roots (radix), rejects secular reason, and is always reforming.

- The biblical story is a "theo-drama" -- filled with living persons with real lives.

• Act I: Creation
• Act II:  Election of Abraham
• Act III: Incarnation (mission of Son)
• Act IV: Pentecost (mission of Spirit)
• Act V: consummation

- Note how "missional" the Bible's theo-drama is.

- All other narratives are pretending narratives, and are potentially idolatrous.
- drama's "show", rather than "tell."
- "God in action" -- Dallas Willard's definition of the "kingdom."
- The Bible's narrative is a narrative of action.
-The liturgical year is meant to help us participate in the Bible's narrative/story.

Where do we begin?

• our pre-understanding: the Rule of Faith
• our exegetical exploration: studying the ancient scriptures
• our "spirited" appropriation: performance knowledge

- Theology's purpose is to provide "canon sense" (e.g. a divining rod) and "catholic sensibility (calls upon the Rule of Faith and our orthodox consensus)."   

Here's a clip of Kevin talking about our need for "eschatological imagination" as we ascribe primacy to the biblical narrative--

Download MOV01206.MPG

We will now be breaking into a time of discussion around our respective tables, and here are the questions we've been given:

1. Do we really need yet another adjective with which to qualify evangelicalism?  Is radical Evangelicalism conservative or postconservative, ancient and/or future?  Doesn't "Radical" sound, well, too radical?!
2. Is it really possible, or even desirable, to combine both reason and the imagination under the rubric of the primacy of biblical narrative?  How does biblical narrative, and the canon more generally, "discipline" reason? the imagination?  And how do you help people develop their imaginations?
3. How does seeing doctrine and the Christian life as "dramatic" affect the way pastors should preach and teach?  How might drama make the church more mission-focused, not only in its ministries but in its institutional life?

Come on! Jump on in, and share any thoughts you might have regarding these questions.

.

AEF's second annual conference is off-and-running.

The "feel" of this year's gathering is characterized by a bit older constituency with more of a focus on the "academy" -- a real shame that milennials, gen-x'rs, and "younger evangelicals" are not more of a visible presence here this year (which may be around 30%).  Theirs is an important voice -- for many reasons.

That said,  the conference now begins with -- of course -- a rich time of distinctly ancient-future worship.

I'm in the Chicago area, ready for the 2nd Annual Ancient Evangelical Future Conference to begin tomorrow.

Hosted on the campus of Northern Seminary, here's what the various presenters and subsequent discussion will  focus on over the next two days:

We call for a return to the priority of the divinely authorized canonical story of the Triune God. This story-Creation, Incarnation, and Re-creation-was effected by Christ's recapitulation of human history and summarized by the early Church in its Rules of Faith.  The gospel-formed content of these Rules served as the key to the interpretation of Scripture and its critique of contemporary culture, and thus shaped the church's pastoral ministry.  Today, we call Evangelicals to turn away from modern theological methods that reduce the gospel to mere propositions, and from contemporary pastoral ministries so compatible with culture that they camouflage God's story or empty it of its cosmic and redemptive meaning.  In a world of competing stories, we call Evangelicals to recover the truth of God's word as the story of the world, and to make it the centerpiece of Evangelical life.

I'll be blogging during the conference, and invite you to drop-in and join the conversation!

It seems that death is staring us in the face again. 

It's my mother-in-law this time, and tonight she's in a hospital's Intensive Care unit -- her life being very much in jeopardy.

We covet your prayers.  Her name is Irene.

.

Photo credit: © Rene Mansi, iStockphoto.com

Here's what's goin' on with me right now:

• I'll be committing my father-in-law's ashes to the deep next week, and two days later, my mother-in-law (who has been contending with terminal cancer) will be having a life-threatening surgery to remove a very large, pain-inducing tumor.  Your prayers are always deeply appreciated.

• Only four weeks left before I'm at Northern Seminary in the Chicago area, attending the 2nd annual "Ancient Evangelical Future" Conference.  It's not too late to register, so c'mon!   Be part of two amazing days with the likes of Scot McKnight, participating in amazing discussion times together and being refreshed by some extraordinary ancient-future worship.

• A new friend -- Carlos Dawson -- joins our church's ministry team today as our Pastor of Spiritual Formation.  Carlos is a recent graduate of Asbury Seminary, and has been part of the ministry team at Consolidated Baptist - a vibrant congregation in Lexington, KY. Eighteen months of searching and praying and interviewing and searching and praying has truly paid off.  God is good!  More later...