I don’t know. But, here’s my $.02.

Why A Blog? And Where to Begin?

How do you start a blog? What’s the best first post? This is actually a difficult decision for me. I decided to start a blog for several reasons – in fact, it’s been on my mind for the past eight to ten years. One primary reason is that I read a lot of material every week and have read profusely over the course of several decades, and ultimately one needs an outlet for the expression of ideas that formulate in the mind. So, this is an outlet to express some ideas that I’ve had ruminating for several years, in some cases, but for which there really isn’t another venue. Throughout most weeks as I read and interact in a variety of classes (I generally find myself involved in anywhere from 6 to 15 classes and counseling sessions each week) I find myself putting pen keyboard to (electronic) paper – expressing ideas produced by reading and experience – that I won’t otherwise present in a class; or which I won’t do so with as much thoroughness as I would hope.

Secondly, I hope to address some topics to which I can point others who have questions. In teaching these many classes, I get a lot of questions throughout the week for which there is little time to give much response.

Thirdly, in recent years I’ve come to find myself occupying a space, theologically speaking, that is not only narrow, but also controversial to friends and acquaintances – past and present. And, so I hope to be able to express more adequately my ideas in several areas that may serve to explain some of those ideas.

Will Anyone Read This? Does it Matter?

I suppose one of the fears many have in starting a blog is that no one will want to read it. That certainly has entered my mind. But, that’s just pride and that concern stands contrary to the very title and theme of the blog itself. Of course, I hope that others will read the ideas I express here. Yet, I am also content with the realistic possibility that no one will read what I write – for several reasons (and if no one reads this, well, then, at least I’m exploring some helpful ideas for myself!).

In that I seek contentment in my belief that ‘every good endeavor’ (to borrow the book title by Tim Keller) will find its fruit in the power of God.

Second, I realize that many don’t like to read outside their own belief system. It’s hard to read stuff with which one disagrees. Most Christians don’t read skeptics and the average skeptic doesn’t read Christian authors (at least not the weightier authors).

Third, I recognize that there are other writers who are far more capable in expressing their ideas with greater clarity or entertainment. And that’s always going to win out. I also realize that there are challenges to reading longer form material in these days of twitter and social media.

Finally, and most importantly, the acceptance of ‘not being heard’ is also connected to the central idea that is at the heart of this blog, and that is the nature of God as kenotic and cruciform. Two uncommon words in every day circles yet important concepts that I’ll expand upon below. Simply, it is that God, as a God who is Love (1 John 4:8), seeks not to force others to conform to his will but freely loves, even if the beloved rejects such.

The concepts of “kenosis” (kenotic) and “cruciformity” are drawn from the great passage in Philippians 2:5-11, what Michael Gorman refers to as “Paul’s master story.” Kenosis or ‘kenotic love’ is derived from the Greek word Paul uses in describing Jesus as having been in the form of God, yet “emptied himself” (Gr. Kenosis). God is kenotic, meaning the very nature of God revealed in Jesus (who is the express image of God, who reveals God to us) is that of self-emptying love. But, it is also cruciform – that is, his love is marked by crucifixion; the humiliating, shameful (in the eyes of the world) death on the cross. That is, a love that lays down one’s life; that willingly suffers pain and shame for the beloved without seeking out the pride of recognition. This expresses the very nature of God according to Jesus and to Paul (“If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father” – John 14:9; cf. Phil. 2:9-11). Simply put, God is self-emptying, cruciform love.