Sabbath Sayings....

“And he shall read in it all the days of his life”  Dt 17:19

Saturday Reflections

Am I inspired to read? 

What does what I choose to read say about me?

Is my faith relevant?

Do I hide from the world around me?

Do I only hang out with people who think like me?

Do I take myself too seriously?

Am I afraid to engage in the discussions?  Why or Why not?

Have I ordered the book?  Why or Why not?

Do I want to miss all of the fun?

Ask Ellen: Can you explain Papal infallibility? As a non Catholic, I never understood this concept. -Ed, PA

Great question, Ed.  This is one of the most misunderstood things of the Catholic faith. (and one we often get a bad rap for).  Catholics believe that Jesus made Peter the head of the Church. (Think you are the rock and on this rock I will build my Church).  The Bible supports this.  If you read Acts of the Apostles carefully, you will see that the other apostles often deferred to Peter in decision making. (see the first Council in Jerusalem).

One of the marks of the Catholic Church is that it is apostolic.  This means that there has been an unbroken chain of command from Peter to Benedict XVI.  The office of the Papacy is unique in this respect.

This unbroken line of succession depends on the power of the Holy Spirit for guidance and that is where papal infallibility comes in.  Catholics believe that in matters concerning doctrine, the Pope doesn’t make mistakes.  This does not mean that Pope Benedict never wears mismatched socks or never misconjugates a verb in the 42000 languages he speaks in.  It means that when a Pope is going to make a huge decision concerning the Church as a whole, the Holy Spirit doesn’t allow him to screw it up. (it is called ex cathedra, meaning from the chair).  In this respect ONLY is the Pope infallible.

Catholics do not believe that the pope is perfect.  In fact, I am sure he struggles with the same things you and I do.  I bet some of those uptight Cardinals drive him crazy at times.  He does not stop being human when the white smoke rises.  We just believe that since Peter the Holy Spirit has been guiding the decisions regarding His Church.

Think Outside The Pew

We covered two of my four reasons for choosing The Year Of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs yesterday.  I’m afraid one of today’s will send me off on the same tangent.  Oh well..here it goes!  The book does not take itself too seriously.  Jacobs does not set about the task of obeying every Biblical rule piously.  He is not preachy or judgmental.  Most books I’ve read that tackle religious themes are out to tell you what they think you should believe.  This book does not do this.  He openly shares his journey and allows the reader to come to his or her own conclusions.  It is meant to be fun.  But it sure does get you thinking.  Isn’t that what our faith should do for others.  I don’t want to tell others that they need to believe what I do.  I hope though, after hanging out for me with awhile, they notice something different about me.  That maybe they see some peace in me, or some kindness and decide that they want that too.  We are called to live lives that witness to our faith.  Not to beat people up with it.

My final reason for choosing this particular book is that it is written by a man.  I have been astounded by how many male readers we have.  This is a book that we can all share.  I want our male readers to be as involved in Book Club.  I encourage married couples to read it together and keep the discussions going over dinner.  Encourage the men in your life to read it with you.

We hope you join us in our first of (hopefully) many Book Club selections.  It should be a lot of fun and we may grow some in the process.  I encourage you to engage in the conversation on Tuesdays throughout August.  There are no right or wrong answers.  We are all just trying to think and stretch our thinking.  Please comment on my post on Tuesdays.  Also feel free to engage with one another through the comments section under the post.  It will take some nerve to step out and say that first thing but it is the only way to include yourself in the discussion.

The discussion will continue all month on the AGOG Facebook page.  If you haven’t found us, click the F icon on the home page of the site.  Be sure to “like” the page so you will receive all of the prompts in your newsfeed.

I am looking forward to interacting with you, sharing some laughs and thinking outside of our pews.

Don't Retreat To Your Pew

In last week’s podcast I briefly mentioned the four reasons I selected this book, "The Year Of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs.  I think they deserve a little more attention so that you can make an informed decision about whether to join us or not.

This book is culturally relevant.  This is also a goal of AGOG.  We seek to make your faith relevant to the world you live in.  This is why we look at things like movies and music and now books.  Nothing irritates me more than Christians who isolate themselves in their narrow Christian worlds, surrounded by other like-thinking people.  How does that work?  How do we change and grow if we simply insolate ourselves from anything that challenges us?  How do we impact others with our faith if we only ever hang out with each other?  Did Jesus do that? Did He pick the 12 most like Him and ignore the rest?  NO!!!  He sought out those that didn’t have the same experience as He did..sinners, lame, and broken.  Yet most Christians in America only hang out with each other.  Oh, and we go a step beyond that.  We only hang out with our own brand too, Catholics with Catholics, Baptists with Baptists.  This drives me crazy!

I want others to make me think and challenge what I think I have all figured out.  This book does just that.  It examines what it would be like to be in modern-day Manhatten trying to live a strictly Biblical life.  Following EVERY rule.  It is written by an agnostic.  Oh don’t gasp at me!  There just might be some things we can learn from someone who doesn’t begin to think he has the God thing figured out.

We can learn these things by living IN the world.  Not by hiding from it.  I didn’t say we should agree with everything or become LIKE the world.  But we can have a more effective witness in the midst of it.  Please don’t bother to write to me to tell me the book is too “worldly.”  I already know it and it is why I picked it.  It is relevant and I want us to be too.

Another reason I chose this book is to expose the myth that some of us buy into: that we live and read the Bible literally.  We do not!  It is impossible.  This book shows us this truth with honesty and humor.  We are all guilty of picking and choosing which parts we want to follow.  Jacobs shows us how each sect lives out their own version of the truth.  It is very informative.

So, if you are a Christian who has it all figured out, don’t join us.  If you are a Christian who shuns culture because it doesn’t line up with your beliefs, don’t join us.  If you a Christian who feels that you follow the Bible literally, don’t join us.  You will only get more offended, stop reading the book and retreat to your pew.  But if you aren’t…if you like to have your thinking challenged, if you like to have your mind stretched, if you think our culture can actually help you define your faith, or if you just want to read a good book…join us.  Order your copy today.

Let’s make faith relevant by bringing it into the world, not by isolating ourselves from it!

Book Club Day

Please respond to any or all of the following questions concerning the first 70 pages.  Just click on the Comment link below this post and tell us your thoughts.  Check back throughout the week to see what others have said.

Jacobs goal is to follow the Bible as literally as possible.  Can this be done?  Can we live the ultimate Biblical life?

Why do you think Jacobs makes the point that he will not pick and choose the rules?

Jacobs maintains that people pick the parts of the Bible that fit their own agenda.  Do you agree or disagree?

“Miracles only occur when you jump in” (p.13)  Do you agree or disagree?

Jacobs explains that he was so busy obsessing over the rules, he didn’t have time to think.  Explain the danger of this especially in regard to religion.

Jacobs maintains that there is always some level of interpretation concerning rules.  Is that true?  

Jacobs does not believe that he can be debated into believing in God.  If this is true, why do so many people do just that?

“Some say its more crucial to follow the inexplicable ones (rules), because it shows you’re committed, that you have great faith.” (p.25)  Do you agree or disagree?

Jacob struggles with his jealousy of others, relentlessly comparing himself to others.  Why is this a struggle given our culture?

What struck you most about the Amish community Jacobs visited?

Jacobs says, “a lot of religion is about surrendering control and being open to radial change.  Has that been your experience?

Avoiding women who are unclean is actually out of respect for life.  How can this be so? (p. 50)

One of Jacob’s big lessons is: Moderation is a relative term.  Why does he say this?

Welcome To Our First Book Club

Click on the Gracenotes link above to hear this week's podcast.