The God of 'Exodus: Gods and Kings'

I recently saw Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings. It's been getting a lot of flack lately from its decision to bring together an all-white lead cast to its portrayal of God.

Yes, the movie strays far from the Biblical source. For example, there's a lot of focus on the Pharaoh Ramses's love for his young baby boy. But there was one scene in the movie that really got to me. And that was in the aftermath of the 10th plague brought onto the Egyptians. (Will this count as a spoiler?) After Death kills the firstborn of every Egyptian household, Ramses, holding the dead limp body of his son, confronts Moses.

Ramses: Is this your God?! Killer of children?!

Sitting there in the theater I thought, "Ouch. Way to leave in the 'ugly side' of the whole story..."

Then today I came across this blog article. Excerpt below, but just go and read the whole article.

I never asked anyone these questions back then. I don’t think most Christians do. We don’t want to rock the boat. Maybe sometimes we’re afraid of the answer. We concentrate on the Gospels and letters to the Romans, take snippets from the nicer Psalms and embroider them on throw pillows. We skim over the “bad” stuff, the stuff we don’t understand, the stuff that doesn’t fit our modern sensibilities, until we almost forget it’s there. And then, when someone like Ridley Scott throws it up on the big screen for all of us to see, it hurts us — not so much because Scott made it up, but because he didn’t.

Soul Earthquake

Read this blog post: Soul Earthquake

I read it, and it shook me a little bit as I've been trying to figure out what to do about work, seminary classes, and ministry. One thing is clear. I love my life. And it terrifies me. Actually, not really. I might be slightly ashamed of my life. My life is comfortable. I love my wife and dog. My job pays well and has little-to-no stress. My home is cozy and pretty much has everything I want/need. And church stuff is going along well enough. I want to do and give more for the service of God and people. But I am not terrified enough of my lovely life to make any drastic changes that would upend what I have now. I am content...

Break

After 3 months, I'm done with my first official seminary class. 60 more credits to go...

Time to take a break for a couple weeks..before I start History of Christianity 2. The Protestant Reformation!

Winter is coming. All men must die.

The pictures above of a field of sunflowers were taken while apple picking at Seven Ponds Orchard. Too depressing? I'll end this post off with the next picture. Jovi is holding string beans!

Desiring God National Conference 2014

Jovi and I were excited because this would be the first time that we'd attend a conference like this with just the two of us. From Friday to Sunday, there was a lot of love for God's Word and especially for Romans 8, which, in John Piper's opinion, speaks of the greatest joy in the greatest chapter from the greatest book (i.e. the Bible) in the world.

From the Friday night session

Praise with Shane & Bethany Barnard

I hope they record an album together soon.

Saturday was 3 sessions of this. A lot of multi-coloured circling, connecting lines, and squigglies.

Take your pick...

In the Exhibit Hall were a bunch of really old Bibles that were just there, out in the open, to be touched. I touched this one.

On Sunday, between the closing of the conference and our flight back to NY, we had a lot of time. So we went to the Mall of America! (What else was there to do in Minneapolis, MN?) And inside the mall was Nickelodeon Universe, a pretty legit amusement park! I was very impressed. Only in America....wow!

Christianity's Uniqueness

Found this article from Challies's blog, Christianity's Uniqueness -  "In reply to the critics who claim Christianity was just a copy-cat religion among the ancient religions, it’s helpful to take a look at how an ancient adherent of these pagan religions viewed Christianity."

I'm still going through my History of Christianity class, but I've already gained an appreciation for these types of articles that look back (way back) into the Church's history. Actually that blog post gives an excerpt from David Bentley Hart's book Atheist Delusions, and I understood it completely! But what's super interesting is how he makes a parallel between some of the ancient pagan criticisms of the faith and a modern objection to the faith.

In what way can I best serve my neighbour?

In what way can I best serve my neighbour? I rarely, if ever, think about my work/career/vocation/calling in this way.

A second way of thinking about whether you should consider a particular vocation is in terms of your affinity, ability, and opportunity. Do you have an affinity for this vocation? How much does it interest you? Do you have the abilities to perform the functions required? And do you have the opportunity to follow that path where you are now? Or would it mean relocating? Or is it a matter of timing? Of course the levels of these 3 can change during your life. You may have to take time to develop your abilities. Specific job opportunities come and go. And you may find an affinity for something new you never felt before.

In bringing these two ways of thinking about vocation together, I believe that God can use your personal affinities, abilities, and opportunities to show you how to best serve your neighbour.

But sometimes, what God shows you isn’t what you had planned all along. Rather than joy and excitement, this can bring fear, uncertainty, and maybe even anger (towards God, yourself, or others). This is not what I had envisioned for my life! What about all the years I invested in my education, work experience,...?! What will my parents think?

I can only pray for grace today and seek comfort and wisdom in the Holy Spirit. Figuring out my calling or whatever future vocation is frustrating, but above all, I hope my life in Christ, today and always, honours God and extends love to my neighbours.

Midterm

Yesterday, I did my midterm. Yep, feels a lot like school again.

"Though You Slay Me" by Shane and Shane

Thankful for music and Truth.

Q1: Describe Christianity during the first three centuries.

For much of the first three centuries, Christianity was in a state of simply “fighting for survival.” From 64 AD until the early part of the 4th century, there were 10 major waves of persecution in the Roman Empire that varied in intensity. Christians faced ridicule, confiscation of personal and church property, and the loss of civil rights. Christians in high places of government or society lost their special privileges. Some were sent to work in mines or labor camps. Others, including important bishops, were exiled out of the Empire. At times the Emperor gave out empire-wide edicts that forced everyone to perform sacrifices to the traditional, Roman gods. Those that did not have proof of complying were imprisoned, tortured, burnt to death, or crucified.

Pagans had a number of criticisms, some based only on rumors. Christians were accused of atheism because they would not worship or perform sacrifices to the traditional, Roman gods. This was not only seen as antisocial behavior when they did not participate in the public festivals, but it was also unpatriotic since the gods were thought to protect and bless the Empire. There were rumors of strange rituals done in secret meetings. Were they cannibals that ritually ate human flesh and drank blood? Were they having incestual orgies when they talked about holding “love feasts” with their brothers and sisters? Pagan philosophers and intellectuals also saw that Christianity appealed to those in lower classes, the immoral, and simple-minded. Christians were worshipping a convicted criminal. They also embraced foolish ideas and stories, like the idea of resurrection when the philosophies of their day were emphasizing escaping from the natural world. It was also inconceivable that a god would ever want to take on a lesser, human form only to die.

In the face of criticism and intense persecution, many Christians stood firm in the faith. The Apologists articulated reasoned defenses and arguments, appealing to the Emperors, intellectuals, and the general public. From bishops to common laypersons, thousands of believers were martyred. Those that were left encouraged each other to keep the faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, many of the martyrs were celebrated as shining examples of imitators of Christ. As a result, the Roman persecution had an overall impact of strengthening the faith of believers and causing Christianity to spread and increase in number.

King's Cross Iron Chef Competition

I didn't think we would come together and make a respectable showing at the first annual Iron Chef competition among our CGs. But in the end, we stepped up and made a couple awesome dishes! Especially considering the lack of a kitchen to work in. I can't say I ever really want to make a meal on the dirt ground like that again though.

Our entrée: Don't-Split-Up-Thursday-CG Chicken

For dessert: Summer Chinese Grandma's Sponge Cake, infused with strawberries, blueberries, and mint, and topped with strawberries, blueberries, and candied walnuts

We didn't win first place, but whatevs. Food tasted great!

Look at the Book

We're going to the Desiring God National Conference, where John Piper will be demonstrating and showing us what to expect when they launch Look at the Book this fall. This post from the DG blog tells a little bit more about the conference and has a "Lab Preview" video (shown below). I'm really looking forward to this.

Why study Church history?

“Ecclesiastical amnesia is a serious and crippling disease. A church without a memory is doomed to invent the churchly and the theological wheels anew. The writing of religious history, in other words, is the necessary prop our naked memory requires in order to draw upon the accumulated wisdom of the ages, enabling us to withdraw at our need the deposit of insight and truth generously stored up for us in written form.” – Michael Bauman, Historians of the Christian Tradition

“It is the forgotten, not the remembered past, that enslaves us.” – C. S. Lewis

One for the history books

Finally received all my books for my next course, "History of Christianity I". This is way more history than I really want to read about. I haven't taken a history class since high school, and it was always one of my worst subjects because I just wan't any good at rote memorization... all the dates, names, etc! I'm hoping things will be different this time...haha

While I was waiting for some of my other books to arrive, I read ahead in Eusebius: The Church History. Eusebius was a pioneer, so to speak, being the first person (in the 4th century) to try to document the early history of Christianity. By today's standards, he wouldn't be considered a very critical/analytical historian. But I think he was just doing his best to gather, organize, and sift out reliable accounts from rumours and traditions. So we see that Eusebius makes a few errors and slip ups, based on what we know now in this age. Every time I come across one of these types of footnotes, it challenges me a little bit. Is what we know about the early history of Christianity reliable? Do extra-Biblical sources align with what we read about regarding Paul's missionary journeys? What about the other apostles' missionary journeys and martyrdom? How much of it is legend and tradition? Well, I guess I have 3 other books and the lectures themselves to help me think through all this.

Neighbours

I know more Canadians living in our apartment complex than NYers...

Done!

Yes! I submitted my last paper........of the Orientation Seminar. still have a gablillion more courses to go...

Setting me straight..again...

I'm so thankful to God for allowing us to host Gary W for a night before he heads out to Asia for a month of training. The 3  of us talked for a good amount of time, and Jovi and I were very much blessed by his encouragements and wise, godly counsel.

Among other things, he reminded me that my seminary education will be most effective when I'm learning and applying all that knowledge in the midst of my personal ministry context. Serving in my local church will also help motivate me to get through my studies. I needed this reminder. Gotta stay out of that ivory tower.

Thesis Topic

I finally have a tentative thesis topic... This is what I submitted:

So far, my thesis topic (or research question) is: "What role do 2nd and 3rd generation Asian-American Christians have in evangelizing to Asian immigrants in America?" The Asian-American demographic actually consists of many ethnic groups, so I will be focusing on people of Chinese descent. I think this is an important topic because as Asian-Americans continue to grow in affluence and are the fastest growing ethnic group in the US, there is also an increasing number of Asian-American Christians. So the purpose of this research is to consider how this group of Asian-American believers, who are more fluent in Western culture, can participate in bringing the Gospel to Asian immigrants, who may never have heard of Jesus Christ.

In the course of my research, I plan to look at Paul's missionary journeys and the epistles (Biblical Studies) to see how the apostles went about preaching the Gospel to areas where there is a mixture of cultures. It might also be interesting to look at Timothy, whose father was Greek and mother was Jewish. Secondly, I would see what the Bible as a whole says about spreading the Gospel to other cultures (Systematic Theology?). And finally, looking at the Church's history, I will examine if other cultures have had similar situations, and also, how the Gospel has already made inroads into the Asian immigrant population in the past.

Hong Kong. Day 12

Writing this from home.

Our last full day in HK "yesterday" was pretty great. By then we had already basically did all the touristy stuff that we could do without venturing too far out.

We ate dim sum at a real local place. Afterwards we did our last bit of shopping and street food eating in Mong Kok. To kill some time we even watched a Chinese movie. Overheard 3. It was okay. A little too confusing.

For dinner we were to meet up with some of my high school friends. I was particularly looking forward to it because I haven't seen them for so many years; some since high school. And coincidentally it was 10 years since hs graduation. It was really great catching up with them all and just hanging out.

Hong Kong. Day 11

Another long, productive day in Hong Kong!

Actually we slept in a little bit. After breakfast, we took the tram / street car to Causeway Bay. It was our first time riding them. Before today I always felt riding the trams was intimidated. How the heck do you get on and off the thing!? It's pretty simple...

Outside of Times Square there were a couple fake tanks to commemorate the anniversary of the Tienanmen Square massacre and to protest China's continued restrictions of free speech and non-democratic rule.

After lunch we got (super cheap) massages at Happy Foot. Then visited Mong Kok's  street market to pick up a couple things.

For dinner, Chris and Sherry were so hospitable to invite us over to eat a home-cooked meal! We really enjoyed catching up with them, and we're excited for their little baby to arrive too!

After dinner, we met up with Willson! who just moved to HK almost a week ago. Best of luck with Altitude! When I get back home, I'll have to start looking for job postings in HK...

Hong Kong. Day 10

It feels so good to be back in Hong Kong!

Yesterday by mid day we arrived in HK. After finding our Airbnb accommodations,  we quickly set out to hit up some of the major touristy stuff.

Victoria Peak
Hong Kong Park
Star Ferry
Tsim Sha Tsui light show
Avenue of Stars
Temple St. Night market
"Dun Dan" egg custard dessert
Mango desserts

Most of our meals have been at very ordinary places because that's just what we enjoy in HK. Like comfort food.

Tokyo. Day 9

Today was our last full day in Japan! We spent most of it hitting the last few areas that we haven't seen yet and doing a lot of shopping (for ourselves and for souvenirs/gifts). We're bringing back some good stuff to share!

At one point, I tried a ramen "burger" from Lotteria (a fast food joint much like Burger King). I'll be honest. It was pretty bad. Between two buns they put a ramen patty, a dab of mayo, and some other really salty sauce. No meat at all. Just a lot of carbs. I'm sorry, but in terms of burgers, America does it better. At least they don't forget the meat.

But their tonkatsu from Maisen in Shibuya (next to Omotesando Hills)....oh my gosh....amazing...heaven in my mouth....gahhhhh!!!

For dinner, our last real meal in Tokyo, was Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki from Nabezo in Shibuya.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Hong Kong.

Tokyo. Day 8

This morning we went out to visit Grace in a quiet little town in the outskirts of Tokyo called Higashi-Kurume. From her apartment, we walked what seemed like just several paces to Christian Academy in Japan, which is where Grace teaches. Most of these students were pk's,  missionaries' kids, or kids whose parents are working in Japan for American companies.

And on their campus is where Kurume Bible Fellowship gathers for Sunday worship. Coming from the States, we hear a lot about how Japan's population is less than 1% (I forget the correct figure) Christian. But it was really awesome to see and worship with this community of brothers and sisters here. It is an amazing thing to think of how far the same Gospel has traveled through time and space to this little town in Japan. I got much respect for those people doing ministry here or being witnesses in their workplaces here. Japan is truly an interesting mission field with its own unique hardships. I thank God for them and for Grace, how she has faithfully served her local church and students. :)

Later on that evening, we hit up Akihabara, the center of Otaku culture. The action figures looked awesome. I really wanted to get something, but I didn't want to spend that much...and there's so much more anime than I personally know or keep up with. Oh well...

Tokyo. Day 7

We spent the entire day with Grace! Ate our second sushi omakase at Kyubei in Ginza. Then Grace was kind enough to show us several good spots for shopping... That's dangerous. For dinner we ate fresh tempura in Shinjuku. Tastes way better than what we get in nyc.

Hakone - Yokohama - Tokyo. Day 6

Early this morning, we went for one last dip in the onsen before eating our traditional Japanese breakfast.

On the way back to Tokyo, we made a stop at Yokohama to visit the ramen museum. Tried a couple different kinds of ramen but there were just too many choices to try all at once.

After we got back to Shinjuku and checked in at our next hotel, we went to Shibuya to see the chaos that is their pedestrian crossing and the shops there.

Hakone. Day 5

This morning we took several different modes of transportation (including a pirate ship) to get to Hakone.

Tonight we're staying in a traditional ryokan. The onsens are amazing! So relaxing! And the traditional dinner was pretty good too. Feeling so relaxed...