Calvinism Vs. Arminianism

Scot McKnight, Professor of Religious Studies at North Park University, is writing a series of articles contrasting Calvinism and Arminianism.

Excellent posts that everyone should read.


Do Calvinists understand Arminianism?

Where Does Suffering Belong in Our Theology?

Last night, I did something that I know that I had not done previously - study. After we finished “doing” youth group (I have been working as a part time youth pastor at a small church for nearly 22 months), and I had sat down around midnight to do some studying. I opened up the book Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church by Kenda Dean, and I read the part where she mentions the Columbine tragedy, and the many hero’s of the story. After reading the little section I thought to myself: “I really have never looked into what actually happened at Columbine.” I proceeded to read a Wikipedia article that explained the events of April 20th 1999 in detail, chronologically. I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. sick to my stomach and in tears. Many thoughts flooded my mind, such as: this could happen to my kids, (either as victims or as murderers) and of course, the question that lingers after every tragedy: How could God allow something so tragic to happen?

Now put yourself in the shoes of Jesus’ disciples, they witnessed the man that they loved suffer and die a convict’s death. Ask the question again: How could God allow something so tragic to happen? In our minds the suffering (life-long might I add) and death of Jesus is justified because we see it as a means to an end – Christ’s death = our salvation, therefore it is okay, but what about the Columbine tragedy? We cannot justify this kind of tragedy in our minds because it does not fit into our neat 21st century pragmatic equation: the events of Columbine = gray area. We cannot see God’s work in the suffering because suffering is the missing element in Contemporary Christology. Show the picture of Jesus holding the sheep and playing with children, but don’t show Him dying a bloody death on the cross.

The article: Suffering: The Missing element in Contemporary Christology, by Father Richard Kammerer really made me think in the light of Columbine. The article explains a lot of what I just said. His tragedy was a girl in his youth group committing suicide, and he explains what he did to cope with the experience. He did all one could do, spent a lot of time with the youth in the church, loving them and praying for them. He also explains how Jesus truly was the man of sorrows, but how through his death He redeems His creation. My only critique of the article (and I feel that it is a big one) is that he gives no insight into correcting the problem of suffering being the missing element of Christology. So what? How do we teach our students that suffering is a necessary integral part of the Christian journey? If we don’t do this (and if we are not with them in the midst of tragedy) then when tragedy strikes it may not be a wake up call for them but they may rather walk away from the faith saying: How could God allow something so tragic to happen? Or even worse: There must not be a God because tragedy does occur. We as youth leaders need to stop selectively teaching and poorly exegeting passages so that our students are not caught off guard when the meet a beaten and bruised Jesus instead of the blonde guy in a white dress they were expecting.

Submitted by Wes Schrickel, a Junior Youth Ministry Major at Ohio Christian University.

AIDS Testing Anyone

Today, the US government strongly suggested to all Americans ages 13 - 64 to be tested regularly for AIDS! As I read the article, I found myself being extremely sad and disgusted.

What does it suggest about the perceived faithfulness of typical American couple: married or non?

It seems to suggest that the majority of 13 year olds in America are either sexually active or intervenus drug users.

Or perhaps our national blood supplies cannot be trusted.

Urban Youth Ministry

In the article, The Do’s and Dont's of Urban Youth Ministry, the author gives us nine reasons why we should care about the challenges city youth leaders face. Here they are in no certain order:

• Don’t think you can’t make a difference just because of your ethnicity.
• Don’t make teenagers feel like charity cases
• Don’t rely on phones for follow-up
• Don’t assume these kids have never heard of Jesus
• Don’t take gang strongholds lightly
• Do watch how you use the word “parents” in your vocabulary
• Do what you say you’ll do
• Do push educational goals as well as spiritual ones
• Do remember that they’re still kids

I must admit that some of these things I never really thought about were like the fact that in Los Angeles County alone people speak more than 80 languages. I never really thought about it because I live in a bubble where English is the only language I hear. The article tells us that regardless of our nationality we can still make a difference in the inner city kid’s life if we choose to go that route. The key is to just be you.

We are also reminded that gangs are prevalent in other parts of the world. We need to be aware that gangs are alive in today’s society. Just because we have never experienced a thing like that doesn’t make it not real to the kids. This is another issue that I am ignorant to. It is good to get this reminder. Just because we have never come across such a thing don’t take it lightly. If someone confides in you that they are being approached by a gang or being threatened by one take it as a real situation and don’t just laugh it off and think it will go away. Gangs are real and getting out of one can be deadly to say the least.

The author touched on the fact that you might come across some of the kids that don’t have working phones at home. You must also keep in mind that they might not have gas or electric either. This is a very common thing and happens quite frequently. Also be careful when you talk about different programs on television. They might not have cable and most likely won’t have a DVD player or VCR.

What are some other ways we can make ministry more effective to this demographic? What suggestions do you have?

This article was submitted by Khandi Jones, a Junior Youth Ministry Major at Ohio Christian University.