In a follow-up of sorts to the “what is a / my blog?” discussion I want to say a few words about why I’d engage in this sometimes confusing, muddy enterprise.
The short answer is that I believe the Bible is important and that I have something to say about it.
A story: A couple of years ago I found myself driving my brother’s car from our parents’ house in Concord, NC, to Durham, NC. Two hours and change. Since my brother is an InterVarsity staff worker, he has edifying and helpful things to listen to in his car, so I found myself listening to talks from a Willow Creek Leadership Conference. One talk was about leadership.
The guy giving the talk offered his take on the two indispensable qualities of a leader: “leaders are optimists, and leaders have an ego.” I was a little disheartened when I heard this, because despite having more than my fair share of ego, I’m not usually accused of interpreting the world through rose-colored glasses. Dangit.
But then he went on to explain what he meant: leaders are people who believe that there is a better future ahead and that they are part of it. Oooh, that was starting to sound closer. In the words of Cornell West, “I cannot be an optimist but I am a prisoner of hope.” And in the words of Thomas Wolfe (the older one!), “He was so bitter with his tongue because his heart believed so much.”
I want to put my thoughts out there for the world because I do believe the Bible, and God’s people who read it, have a bright future. And I think I have a role to play in seeing that future dawn. I blog because I believe there is a better future ahead and I’m part of it.
But even that is probably not enough to bring me back into the blogsphere after a 5+ month hiatus.
One driving reason that I return to blogging is because of the global character of the church/mission of God. Blogging is a way to both “give away” what might otherwise only be purchased through books, magazines, or tuition dollars and to engage in a conversation that embraces more voices than any of the community spaces I or my published writings can physically occupy. Numbers aren’t everything, but in the first day this blog was up and running I had more readers than I will teach in one year in Fuller Seminary classrooms. Yes, I blog because I believe that I am part of the better future ahead, but I also blog because I believe in the world-wide nature of the “you” who also have a role.
The third and final reason I blog: I am more theologically creative when I am constantly thinking about what I want to share with this world-wide community. My next couple books have had their seed as blog posts, which sometimes show before I’m fully aware where there is a cluster of issues I’m passionate about. The next several articles I want to write are all the fruit of putting some musings on the internet, getting some – from my readers, and continuing to wrestle through the issues.
So I’m back. And for now, my desire to say something, to say it in dialogue with the world, and to keep my sayings fresh are enough. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
daniel, i love it. can’t wait to read more. now, if you could just increase the font-size so i don’t have to squint to read your blog that would be even better!
Sure, Todd. Just tell me how!
Seriously, if you can look at the Template and let me know I’ll ramp it up a bit. It’s “Black n White 2.0.1 by Zack” See link at bottom of page.
While you’re at it, you can tell me how to add my picture to my comments. No obvious way in the profile?
Daniel – this is great. I actually ended up in seminary because the conversations on my pastor’s blog were so compelling and interesting, I thought, “I want more of this!” Blogging can be quite potent and I agree that it can lay fertile ground for creative projects because you have an immediate audience, which is different than just writing for oneself. And yes, scholarly writing doesn’t attract the audience that more mainstream venues provide. Shalom.
I happened to use the word Shibboleth in conversation today (it related to the different way Catholics and Protestants pronounce Augustine’s name), and it made me reflect for just a second that I missed your blog. Throw me in a pit and call me a prophet! You’re back!
This thing about leadership being connected to helping people grasp the hope that’s at the heart of the Christian faith is so important.
I blog because I want to share what I’ve discovered to see if others have seen it too, partly because I can help raise their gaze and partly because I need them to fill out my partial perspective.
The very instant nature of blogging helps us get ideas out there and talked about.
It’s great to have you back. i found your Romans book really helpful. I look forward to being stimulated and provoked and thrust into the future God has for us.
you started me doing this, thanks for the re-inspiration here…and the kind shout-out.
I’m glad to have another good blog to add to Google Reader.
)
I hate it when they post smileys as graphics…