outside is better

Announcing my new Blog: World Without End

After several months of thinking and work, I am letting everyone know about my new site World With End, found at postmoderneschatology.com Over the last few years around here, I have started working through a new focus and interest regarding eschatology.  After thinking about it, and getting some class credit for it, I want to launch this site today.  Over the next few weeks, posts will move out at a quick pace, mainly to set in a good foundation.  My hope is that this new site can really start conversations about a topic that many Christians get nervous about, and especially bring interest to how social and cultural situations influence eschatology. 

Over the last 2 years, my call to a pastoral vocation has been confirmed over and over, especially to those who aren't a part of traditional church life.  It is a ministry that has to interact with despair and hopelessness and that has caused me to think even more about how Christians talk about the end.  That was one of the main driving forces behind starting this new site.  I am not abandoning Outside Is better, and it will continue to be my "homebase", but I am really excited about building a newer place for conversation, so please go over and visit it, interact and be a part of the community.

Book Review: Advent Conspiracy by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder

Advent Conspiracy is written by several guys that I respect alot.  All three authors pastor Churches that I admire for their very practical ecclesiology.  The book is based off of the Advent Conspiracy movement, one that challenges the consumptive behavior that our culture had developed surrounding the Holiday season.

Advent Conspiracy lines out the history of the movement and its participation with Living Water International, a Christian organization that provides clean water and digs wells in areas where access to safe water is not available.

I think the book does a great job recognizing the problem with our culture and excess and provides a Christian answer to the problem.  The book has a resource section at the end for small group discussions and reads very easy.  It also gives practical information regarding how to practice a simpler holiday season without leaving others that traditionally are a part of the gift enterprise out, focusing on presence and gifting that shows love and relational care.  Throughout the book are "blurbs" about how people that have participated have given and have been impacted. 

My only issues with the book is that it seems to hijack the term "Advent" and focuses just on the reaction to American consumption  that needs to happen.  As a liturgical geek, I don't think Advent has anything to do with the actual practice that has turned into capitalist dinosaur that is born in mid-November.  Advent is a season of waiting and expectation, especially in regard to the 2nd coming.  I understand how the movement interacts with the term, and it does so well, so this is mainly me nit-picking.

This would be a great resource to use for groups that want to reorient Christmas practices.  It would also be an easy entry for churches that are trying to move into the social justice sector and need training wheels.  The startling facts regarding the need for clean water can't be ignored by anyone.  

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2

More Advent Resources: Backgrounds

Blue Advent
Originally uploaded by chadbrooks

I finished up a few backgrounds for worship projections this morning.  These are advent specific, being blue and a two of them (to this date) have advent specific themes inside of them.  If you want the whole set, you can find it here.  Please feel free to use these to design worship this (and any future) advent.

Who are You ? (Online) Pt. 2

Yesterday I wrote briefly about thinking about how you portray yourself online, especially on social networks.  At the end, I mentioned how those in vocational ministry have a unique challenge, and how I would touch on my own views today.

Lets just say I have raised my fair share of hell, at differing moments in life.  When I was a college minster I was grateful to have a student who had known me at one of my deepest, darkest moments.  I am open about this, and open about the things that led me to these places.  I was a self-medicator, and I will speak openly about how God drew me out of that into a life where I found my worth in him.

But I don't "unfriend" people that I know.  Especially on Facebook, I am careful to display who I am.  That means owning up to stupid things, and I can only think of 1 time where I untagged myself in a picture.  If you are using social networking that reaches back to younger (and sometimes stupider) times, I think you should not try to hide that part of your past.

While I don't have a "strategy" to how I use Facebook and Twitter, I have thought about how to not just devour it with academic or constant theological banter, especially on twitter.  Yes, I do use the tools to enhance some of my research, because I believe that I do have a call as a teacher. 

But more than anything else, I try to be myself.  I am excited about participating in a community of faith in multiple arenas when my time in seminary is over.  I know that social networking (when used in the context of a face to face community) enhances relationships and allows for levels of connection that weren't available a decade ago.  I also regularly stay off of the internets for a couple of days at a time, especially when I am on sabbath.

I hope people to feel that they know me because of social networking.  If that allows them to feel more comfortable around me I have accomplished every goal I have ever set.

Please don't try to make yourself seem to cool.  Don't glitz up your profile pic.  Mine is of me eating BBQ, possibly one of the happiest things that I can do.  As ministers we aren't supposed to be Rock Stars...so lets leave it to the Jonas Brothers to attempt to look like The Rolling Stones lost 40 years.

Who are You? (Online)

After spending the last 8 yrs online as a blogger, I have spent the last few months looking back as to the person that I appear to be to those who have never met me.  Also, I am increasingly getting contacted by people asking my opinion on certain things that I often write or talk about, even though some of these folk I have never met.

Facebook has grown so much in the last year that I actually wrote a piece (here) about who I am now, because I made the decision to friend people that are a part of my history, but don’t travel in the same social circles as me.  I also am reconnecting with friends who I have not seen in a decade.  I keep Facebook connected to my blog and twitter, so it isn’t that hard to see what I am up too.

Potential employers also have learned to use Social Media in regard to hiring new team members.  I am happy (but surprised) that I have never had to delete anything online.  If someone wants the links, I can give them where I was blogging clear back to 2000/2001.  They only work sometimes (blogger likes to hide things that old), but they are there.

What I have made conscious decisions regarding is who I am online.  Many people that choose to be active online have to either secret things away or choose to be their “professional” self online, and have separate (and usually hidden) accounts for personal interaction.  I have decided to be myself online, and that means involving myself in things that I am passionate about, while also realizing how silly I can be at the same time.  I don’t have a problem following “bigfoot” stuff on twitter, and I regularly tweet about Mad Max.  Facebook is the same, I interact with people in the way that I choose to.  If anything, Facebook is the least professional thing that I do, because it really is about interaction with other people.

But we are you online?  I will delve more into that (specifically) about myself tomorrow, and the unique challenges that my job as a vocational minister present.

Movie Review: 2012

Sitting down almost a week ago to watch 2012 starts a string of movie reviews I hope to start doing regarding popular culture (especially Hollywood) and their fascination with all things apocalyptic.  I am trying to develop a rubric for these reviews that will be different than other more cinematic focused reviews.  My format may get tweaked, but I hope to provide a theological look at some of the new movies coming out (and some older classics that set the tone).

Brief Synopsis
Science has figured out the planet (due to the Sun and overall Universe issues) will be shifting plates and dealing with crust destabilization.  The story follows a relatively unknown scientist whose job has been to make a timeline for the cataclysm.  A deadbeat dad (who seems to be a crackpot sci-fi author) is also trying to save his broken family from impending doom.  He has written fiction regarding a world-wide event and has impressed the good of man in his writing.

How does this movie react to religion?
2012 shows the destruction of key places of almost every major religion (except islam).  What is interesting is the vatican being destroyed while the Pope is leading prayer and the cardinals are in St. Peters praying.  Several elements of Christian faith are destroyed on camera.  The only overt mentions of God actually come through street doomsdayers and characters referencing that we should have been listening.

How does human character fit in?
The larger story of the movie still follows the themes of classic liberalism, in that “we” as a culture have the ability to think our way out of any situation, no matter how bad.  In the end, humanity has developed and evolved enough to always prevail.  This is evident in the plan to build a series of ships (called “arks”) to float through the flood that will happen as a result of tidal waves.  Even though their are problems, we are intelligent enough to get out of this.  A few minor characters show the weakness of human ethic (the willingness to leave people behind, take advantage of others to support themselves..etc..), but humans are ultimately good creatures.

The ultimate evil and goodness of humanity is both barely touched on, and not in a manner outside any other action adventure movie.  Death is always a viewed in a peripheral manner.

How does this feed apocalyptic fervor?  

In the end 2012 will join the ranks of Armageddon and Deep Impact as good stories, superb special effects, but not greatly affect culture in a deep way. 


The Road Warrior Scale?
I give it a 4.  It was a decent movie, but forgettable and it really didn’t deal with the current fascination of “The End”.

Towards Developing a Post-Modern Eschatology

This is one of the final pieces in the changes that I have made over the last few months (see the main announcement here).  One of the reasons that I left my previous church (and denomination) was that I wanted the freedom to develop more of my academic work into more of a pastoral focus.  This means that all of the complicated work I have done in the last few years regarding liturgical theology and eschatology can really get aired out on in a better way.

But I need your help.....

I have it cleared with one of my professors to develop a series of Blog Posts instead of writing a 25 page research paper.  I get to cite Amazon for my resources, engage with video clips and review movies....AND IT ALL COUNTS.  My working title for the project is "Developing a Post-Modern Eschatology", and I am really excited about doing it.  The release method will be announced shortly, but I have a list of topic (blog post) ideas.  I want you to help me out with these...especially those that are in youth, college and young adult ministry.  Here is what I have so far.

Popular Catacysm
Why Study Eschatology?
Apocalypse Vs. Eschaton
Vision or Prophecy?
Zombies as social critique
The prophetic voice in the 21st century
Christianity and Postmodernity
Eschatology and the Sacraments
Canonical view of scripture and Revelation
Handling Judgement
Apocalypse in the Old Testament

And a few movie reviews (2012 and The Road for sure)

So let me know in the comments what you think.  Suggest topics, or problems that you have had regarding the subject.  I want this to be a resource, so I need to know different directions that I may not think of.

Subverting the World's Eschatology

This morning in chapel I am preaching a sermon that in some form I have preached 3 times.  I linked to it a few months ago from chapel this summer, and I am preaching a "redux" form this morning.  Its nice to be able to work with the same idea/theme but spread it across multiple scripture texts.  This morning it is Revelation 21:1-5b.  

This clip above is my intro into the sermon, but I wanted to post just a piece regarding why it is important that the Church enter itself into the cultural eschatological landscape.  

Robert Jenson describes the problem of modernity as “having a universal story without a universal storyteller”.  When the world puts itself on a timeline, but has no shape or form to the story, we will end up making up our own stories regarding beginning and end.  If the world started by chance...then it must end by chance.  Apocalyptiscism, as presented by Hollywood, is our culture making its own timeline, reacting against the idea that humans could make everything perfect themselves.  Our pendulum has swung to the opposite side of early 20th century liberalism  When a finality is created apart from the idea of salvation and worship, we have a pretty bad fracture.

This is all part of a bigger project that I am working on that should go live in the next few weeks.  I am excited about it.

More advent resources

After spending more time reading Webber's "Ancient-Future Time", I ran across two pieces that would be handy to use in designing worship during advent.  Both of these are from the chapter on advent.

1.  From the Rorate Caeli:

We have gone astray;
in the multitude of our sings we have been made unclean.
Fallen, fallen, stricken as leaves of autumn.
The storm wind carries us away,
the tempest of our evil deeds.
You have turned us from the face of your mercy,
and our iniquity has crushed us like a potter's vessel.
O Lord our God, look upon your people in their affliction; be mindful of your promises.
Send us the lamb who will set up his dominion from the rock of the wilderness to Zion, enthroned on her mountain.
There is no other whose power can break our chains and set us free.

2.  From the Book of Common Prayer:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers, the prophets, to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

These could be used for calls to worship and benedictions.  The liturgical tradition, while confusing to some, provides some great readings that can be used congregationally without to much explanation or confusion.  I have found that using classic prayers and readings during other times, by those on the pulpit, will acclimate the congregation to the style of language, so when corporate readings are done, there is a level of familiarity.

An Annotated Advent Bibliography

This week I have started to do some planning for our Advent services at Asbury Seminary for next month.  A quick trip to the library for some resources both excited and disappointed me. While Advent has been getting press over the last few years (mainly through the great Advent Conspiracy movement), I was surprised to not see more short theological works on the holiday.  I found some interesting devotionals, and great additions in books that dealt with the Christian Year, but nothing "full-length" really jumped out.  Below are a few books that I did pull of the shelves and took a cursory look at.  If you have any additions, please leave them in the comments.

I don't want to discourage anyone from looking more into advent, my liturgical geekery just got the best of me today. 

Annotated Bibliography For Advent:

In no particular order

Bock, Emil. The Rhythm of the Christian Year : Renewing the Religious Cycle of Festivals. Floris Books, 2000.  

Bock offers a wide (but quick and accesible glance) toward the topic of the Christian Year.   His strengths are in explaining the devotional attitude for the seasons, as well as an interesting look at the development of the festivals, as well as some of the transitions from pagan to Christian Holiday.  A sense of consecration as well as deep sacredness to many things are the books strength.  It’s weakness lies in the fact that it really doesn’t say that much.  Written in the late 40’s (I couldn’t find an exact date, this is the 5th edition) it seems to be in step with the unique theological situation of Protestantism coming out of Continental Liberalism.  A good book, but for a practical and theological view of advent, it didn’t hit the mark.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, John Donne, Meister Eckhart, T.S. Eliot, Gerard Manley Hopkins, C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Archbishop Romero, Henri J.M. Nouwen, and Philip Yancey. Watch For The Light: Readings For Advent And Christmas. Orbis Books, 2004.  

A devotional book (dated from Nov 24th to Jan 7th) it is filled with daily readings from numerous authors.  The meditations can be used in private worship, but also would serve as a great source for thoughts surrounding the holiday for teaching and preaching.


Meeks, Blair Gilmer. Expecting the Unexpected: An Advent Devotional Guide. 1st ed. Upper Room, 2006.  

Another devotional book.  Instead of offering meditations, this book prompts the reader with scripture readings (daily and weekly), directed prayer and short meditations.  A good feature of this book is the integration of the advent hymns of Charles Wesley.  This seems to be an involved devotional, but good for someone wanting to spend time this advent season in private worship and reflection.


Wright, Wendy M. The Vigil: Keeping Watch in the Season of Christ's Coming. Upper Room, 1998.  

The Vigil takes the reader through Advent and Christmas.  It deals heavily with the Old Testament witness.  I find that this resource really helps ground the prophetic theme that rests inside of advent, as well as the eschatological idea of waiting and promise.  This is a theological resource, while still remaining accessible.


Marshall, William. O Come Emmanuel: Scripture Verses for Advent Worship. Morehouse Pub., 1993.  

Dealing with the liturgical idea of Antiphon, this book draws through the “Great O’s”, some of the great advent hymns from the high church tradition.  These hymns are part of the prophetic tradition and they deal with Mary’s Magnificat.  Good resource for designing services for advent.


Webber, Robert E. Rediscovering the Christian Feasts: A Study in the Services of the Christian Year. Hendrickson Publishers, 1998.  

This contribution comes from Protestant worship giant Robert E. Webber.  This is a short book that gives glancing worksheets on the Christian Year.  It’s advent contribution is minimal, but still loaded.  The book also gives a good introduction to Christian time.  This would be a great read for anyone interested (or skeptical) about the Christian year and it’s importance.

Webber, Robert. Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year. Baker Books, 2004.  

While longer in form (and not a workbook), another Webber resource offers broader strokes regarding the Christian Year.  This is a deeper theological resource, and like everything of Webber’s I have seen, it looks great.

Like I said, this is just the fruits of my labor this afternoon, I wouldn't call this list anywhere close to exhaustive.  From previous experience, I would also welcomes Wesley's Hymns on the Nativity