on the presentation of theology

My past few weeks have been spent in delightful mayhem. At first there was the arriving home after the long month away. I laughed and tried to infuse my family with all the excitement and memories still fresh in my own head. Then came a short camping trip at the lake, followed by a week absolutely full of time with friends and family. I hung out and said goodbyes until the day I was scheduled to leave town for college. It was then that I decided it would be best to begin packing. So I turned on some music and carefully stowed most of my worldly possessions into cardboard boxes. I had just finished when it was time for my family to head off for a long drive to the coast. We camped along the coast for a little over a week, where we frolicked in the water and built things in the sand and buried things in the sand and rambled along trails in the woods and shivered around a lighthouse and made faces at the things in the tide pools and watched the waves pound against the rocky coast and toasted marshmallows until we feared a national shortage of them on our account. In short, here I am at college, moved into my half of the dorm room, waiting for my roommate to arrive and waiting for volleyball practice to start. I have also been looking around for a church home here, which is how this account relates to the title of the post. =)

While I was in Europe I had the opportunity to read through a wonderful book given to me the night of my graduation. It was The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I urge any Christian (or any non-Christian, for that matter) to read it and savor it. Bonhoeffer's theological insights delight and challenge, as well as provide refreshment for the soul. He presents sound exegetical evidence for core Christian beliefs. He analyzes these core truths and explains their significance for us as Christians. Then he challenges us to apply them to our own lives. The whole book is a scripturally sound call to righteousness, and it is awesome.
As I read this book, I realized how very different it was from anything most pastors would write today. Sadly, most contemporary pastors are extremely hesitant to step on toes. They want to make the Bible sound appealing and easy and natural. If there is one thing Christianity isn't, it's natural. Of course pastors should always have a moderate concern for presenting the Christianity in an audience-conscious way, but they must teach biblical truth first and foremost, and the truths in the Bible are very disconcerting to our natural selves. Many things in Scripture should make us feel very uncomfortable. Bonhoeffer realized this, and he was not at all concerned about making people uncomfortable. I think this is so great!! I like to feel uncomfortable in the face of God and his word. I think this is an element that many pastors today need to regain. As I search for a church here, I have high expectations. I want a church committed to sound doctrine and biblical teaching, and above all, I want to be made uncomfortable. I want to see where I fall short, and be challenged to grow and mature and be made more Christlike every day. I want my beliefs to be challenged, to be constantly held up to Scripture so that I may correct and enrich my theological position. I suppose I want a church that makes me feel like I am in Mr. V's class again. That might be a little unrealistic (I think I could safely say that Mr. V is one of a kind), but it is my goal, and we'll see how it works out.

For now, I suppose I should stop. I just need to say that you (yes you) should really read that book. Unfortunately I brought my copy to college with me (because I want to read it over and over again) otherwise you could borrow it. But you should still read this book. The Cost of Discipleship is pretty heavy reading, but it is so worth it.
The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I'm a fan.