Questions and a Project

Questions regarding the theological task as a whole have been piquing my interest as of recent. I was wrestling with these questions on my drive to Downey from Pasadena this evening. Let me open up the barrage of questions that assaulted my mind. What is the theological task? What form does it take? Is theology art? If this is the case, what is art? Does theology have any room for the transcendent? Is theology concerned with an object or a subject? Is theology science? Is theology history? How does theology interact with other areas of public discourse? What does a public theology look like? There were more, they came like a whirlwind, leaving only mental rubble in their wake. I was left a little bit disturbed after this thought event, yet also a glitter of optimism remained. I am going to attempt to use this blog as an avenue for beginning to sort out my thoughts on theology. I am pretty convinced that I need to begin the process of articulating some of my theological ruminations. I thought seminary would give me a space for this, but looking back on this first quarter alas it did not. Maybe in the future it will, but for now I hope this blog will create a space for me to begin developing my theology.

Here is a thought for the road: Is theology as conceived by most simply exercises in Eurocentric, esoteric, uninteresting, pretentious blather that has nothing to say to the world? Can theologians (or philosophers for that matter) really claim to be the architects of the conceptual worlds?

The Light is On

So, an interesting occurrence has transpired at the Camp/Trainor residence. Our porch light refuses to turn off. Truly an enigma! The light is always on... even when no one is home...

Show Recap

Yesterday, I went to see the Flobots and Matisyahu. Flobots were amazing! They sounded great live and put on a solid show. Not much flash, just a solid performance. Matisyahu was an interesting experience. He played for almost two hours, which was actually a little much. It turned out to be, more or less, one big continuous jam session. After the show ended, I was happy with all that had transpired and decided two things (1) that I have had my fix of Matisyahu and can move on and (2) I can't wait for the next Flobots album.

Two Things

(1) Matisyahu and Flobots in a matter of a few hours! I will have a post about the show tomorrow

(2) Theological Thought of the Day (Maybe I am going to try to start doing this more)

Theology is not an intellectual project in the sense that intellectual projects are undertaken by individuals. If an intellectual endeavor ever becomes the end of theology, we certainly have idolatry of the conceptual nature. Instead theology must be reconcieved as a communal event in which God inhabits our language in love which brings others together. Thus, theological enterprise must be dialogical in nature due to its necessary communal aspect. This approach is productive because it always holds any theological conclusion in the air, because there are no such thing as a theological conclusions. If theological ends or conclusions are ever reached then we have only ended with an idol. Let us seek to engage in the event of theological discourse in love amongst friends.

Big Week!

Events for Monday through Friday:

Monday- Paper Due/Bowling? (if time permits)
Tuesday- Work on Paper for Wednesday / Purchase Dustin Kensrue's latest album
Wednesday- Paper Due
Thursday- Sub / Work on Paper due next Wednesday / Go to the Flobots/Matisyahu Concert*
Friday- Sub / Work on Paper / Hang out with my future wife*

As you can see this is going to be a busy week for me. Hands down the highlight is going to be experiencing the Flobots/Matisyahu Concert!! I am extremely excited for this event. I have not been to a concert of this proportion in a number of years. Over the past few years the only shows I have been to have been either Shane and Shane or Derek Webb. Expect a blog recapping the event on Thursday night or Friday morning.

*Subbing will have to be cut one of these days

Articulating the Soul

This book has been articulating the thoughts of my mind and feelings of my soul. I would highly recommend that you buy it and read it as soon as possible. I would love to dialogue with some of my friends about the theology of this book. It is a short and fairly easy read. Let me know who is in to read it.

New Dustin Kensrue

Dustin Kensrue has a new Christmas album coming out on November 18th. Currently he is releasing one new track a day at his website leading up to the release of the album. (Click on the ornaments hanging on the wreath to hear different songs.) I loved Dustin's last album and what I have heard so far from the Christmas album has been delightful. So go check it out, let me know what you think, and then buy the album from iTunes next Tuesday.

Hilarious Good Samaritan Video

H/T: Tony Jones