Archive for 2012
Aug 9
Interview with Dr. Greg Schneeberger, Ph.D.
Greg Schneeberger needs no introduction on this blog. Maybe in a few years, but not yet. Just one month ago, Greg finished up six faithful years as our Minister to Youth and Families and moved his dear family to Encinitas, California, where he is serving as a church planting intern.
As some of you know, within the past year, Greg wrapped up a Ph.D.. Greg was kind to take some time out to answer some questions for us about his main writing project for his doctorate.
Greg, thanks for doing this interview for DSC. Of course, we were sad to say goodbye to you about a month ago now. You served faithfully here and we rejoice in your new station in ministry in California. This past year you wrapped up a Ph.D. and we haven’t officially congratulated you here on the blog. So, congratulations! We’d like to hear a bit about what your doctoral dissertation entailed. But first, since you are somewhat famous for unpacking new words and unpacking familiar words in a new way, tell us, what is a dissertation?
Ha. Good question, Trent. According to that most highly regarded academic source, Wikipedia, a dissertation (or thesis) “is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings.”
That’s a solid start. A dissertation is an extended academic work on a very specific topic within a person’s field of study. It’s argument normally presumes to add to the existing body of research in a field. That is, the goal of a dissertation is to make an original contribution to scholarship in some way and persuade the reader (as objectively as possible) concerning the merits of the argument.
The subject of my dissertation pertains to the overlap of Philosophy, Theology, and the socio-cultural context of 21st century religiosity among American youth and young adults. Basically, I’m exploring various contemporary religious trajectories among generation Y, exposing their philosophical assumptions, and trying to respond from a biblical worldview. It was easy to arrive at this subject, since it was an extension of my work with youth, young adults, and young married folks at Desert Springs. I was very eager to do doctoral work that was not only academic but practical for my ministry as well.
Specifically, that 21st century American youth are deeply entrenched in unbiblical philosophical worldviews. The church must enumerate, analyze, and respond apologetically to these. It does so with a biblical (dare I say reformed) philosophical theology in theory and practice. The practical aspect consists of the church defending the faith, and creating structures which engage and confront the idols of the age. Desert Springs is doing just this, as the church does in every age, through worship, community, and mission.
I enjoyed each section in it’s own way, but the more philosophical/apologetical sections were most fun. I suppose this was the case because they were the most challenging and stimulating to me as a writer and thinker.
The literature review . . . for obvious reasons! A dissertation is a like a marathon. It is not a sprint. Certain parts are “fun,” but many parts are just necessary evils. However, it is the totality of running and finishing the race that helps mold the thinker. For example, when I first began writing I asked forbearers for advice. One friend told me, quite bluntly, that I should expect to re-write nearly every word of the 1st draft. He was correct. I spent far more time on re-writing than I did on the original manuscript. That was humbling, as my advisor, although he was encouraging, continually pointed me to sections that needed work.
Indeed, this project has done just that. I wanted to pursue a degree that would challenge me spiritually and not just academically. Focusing on this area of study allowed that. I got to read as much Bible as I did postmodern philosophers or reformed apologists. I think God used the project to help me understand perseverance, hard work, goal setting, and the value of thinking critically about the culture and it’s deep philosophical structures for local church ministry. Certainly I wouldn’t go into any of the technical aspects with youth or young adults, but the issues I was uncovering fit perfectly with their needs. Thus, through this project, I was better prepared to preach God’s Word, and live out the body life of the church.
Nine chapters including the intro and conclusion, around 450 pages, and an eleven that’s it’s done! Of course, now that it’s done, there are already things I would go back and change, update, and nuance. But we’re human, research progresses, and you have to pull the trigger. All in all, I do think I accomplished my personal and academic goals. I’m glad I had the opportunity to think and write in this way and only pray that it serves to strengthen my future ministry in the church.
Thanks, Greg – and, again, congratulations!
You can learn more about Greg and Caite’s new adventure at their family blog.
Aug 7
Audio and Notes from, “Barriers and Bridges,” with Jerram Barrs
This past weekend we hosted a Saturday Seminar with Jerram Barrs, “Barriers and Bridges: Loving Others to Christ.”
The audio is now available for his two Saturday talks. Jerram was also kind to allow us to post pdf files of the notes he used throughout the weekend.
- “Impossible Converts: Zaccheus,” Luke 19:1-10 (Notes)
- “Impossible Converts: The Samaritan Woman,” John 4:1-42 (Notes)
- “Q&A with Jerram Barrs“
- “An Even Greater Kindness,” Ruth 3
If Jerram’s visit with us whet an appetite for more of what Scripture has to say about how we can lovingly reach our lost friends and neighbors, check out one or both of Jerram’s books on the topic: The Heart of Evangelism, and, Learning Evangelism From Jesus. These books along with two others, The Heart of Prayer, and, Through His Eyes: God’s Perspective on Women in the Bible, are available at the Resource Center.
If you enjoyed Jerram’s teaching, check out his messages from 2009 when he was at DSC for our Prizing the Privilege of Prayer weekend.
Aug 2
Keeping Marriage in Gospel Focus – Tim and Kathy Keller
A number of wonderfully biblical books on the subject of marriage have been published in the last few years.
Here are a few examples:
- What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage, Paul Tripp
- No Ordinary Marriage: Together for God’s Glory, Tim Savage
- This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence, John Piper
- When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, Dave Harvey
There are others, but any of these books would be a great place to start for any couple looking for a good marriage book. Until sin is gone, we will all need help in our marriages – newer couples and more seasoned couples alike.
Tim and Kathy Keller, authors of, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, delivered a two-part hour long talk at the recent Gospel Coalition National Women’s Conference. Their talk is titled, “Marriage in Gospel Focus,” and it is worth your time:
[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]
Click here for a link to the audio from this session, and here for more talks from the 2012 National Women’s Conference. Also click here for a chapter-by-chapter summary of the book taken from its introduction.
Aug 1
The Importance of Good Questions in Evangelism
In his book, The Heart of Evangelism, Jerram shares about the importance of asking questions in our conversations with those who don’t know our Lord:
We need to learn to ask questions that will help us understand what is in a person’s heart and mind. That is what Jesus did with this man (expert in the law in the Good Samaritan story), and we find Him taking this approach repeatedly in His discussions with people. Francis Schaeffer used to say that if he had only one hour with someone, he would spend fifty-five minutes asking questions and five minutes trying to say something that would speak to his or her situation, once he understood a little more about what was going on in his or her heart and mind. What is needed is genuine love and concern for the person we are meeting, a readiness to ask questions because we truly desire to know the person, and prayer for the discernment of the Holy Spirit about what to say.
The Heart of Evangelism and Learning Evangelism from Jesus, both by Jerram Barrs, are available at the Resource Center.
We’re looking forward to having Jerram Barrs with us this weekend for a Saturday Seminar, “Barriers and Bridges: Loving Others to Christ,” on Saturday, from 9 AM – 12 PM. The cost is free, and you are welcome to invite anyone who might be helped by our guest.
Jul 26
Men, Sing Like You Mean It!
In the course of Ryan’s mini-series on praise in the Psalms, the subject of singing has come up a number of times. Paul tells us to, “[address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). Singing to one another about God and singing with one another to God has a way of winding the truth we sing around our hearts. Truth is beautiful set to song, and it is even more beautiful when we sing it together.
Though I hold many cherished memories of [my father], perhaps the most vivid was his excitement over singing certain hymns. By all accounts he possessed at best an “average†voice when it comes to uniqueness and tonal quality. But he sang his favorites with a conviction that was beyond convincing and was by far one of the loudest and most joyful voices in a congregation of approximately 350. I remember looking up at him and “checking him out†while he was singing… “Is he for real?†I would wonder. When he would catch me looking at him he would simply “lock-eyes†with me and sing all the louder while he broadened his grin to match proportion with his pleasure.
He wouldn’t just sing hymns at church either. I can think of many times when the two of us would be welding up a go-kart frame or swapping an engine on a Saturday afternoon and he would spontaneously break into a hymn. In my teens and early twenties I actually found it annoying given the perplexity of some of the situations we would be deep into. But then again I would eventually come around and sing with him anyway. I just never managed to muster the joy he got out of it. I didn’t think about it then but I can see clearly now that he was blessing me with rich God honoring doctrine. That he was lovingly cramming truth into my psyche that would not return void in my soul.
The now heart-softening aspect of these memories is that I am standing here in my church singing these same time impervious truths in front of my children. I catch them looking up at me and I wonder if I am anywhere near as good an example as he was. I get caught up and overwhelmed when I recognize the blessing that God had granted me in an earthly father. How diligent Dad was to bless me in an eternal way without ever making a point to tell me that he was doing it.
Stephen goes on to recount his father’s death. It’s quite moving, and relates the enduring impact of this father’s voice on his son.
. . . Now almost two years later I am still unable to sing a lot of those “old-Baptist†tunes without experiencing the “echo†of my father. I count it a privilege to sing these rich truths in tribute to the one true God; but I also experience the benefit of knowing I am fulfilling the scriptural command to honor my earthly father as well.
If the congregation is actually the choir, then we should have a rank of male choir leaders. So, men, let’s sing out and sing loud! If you aren’t looked to by a son on Sunday morning, you are still looked to by someone. Read Stephen’s whole post here and look forward to “leading the choir” on Sunday morning.
