more about the tone

So at last I have created a blog...

I'm not completely sure why I have, but I think most of the reasons are selfish! Here are some thoughts I have from the outset:

1. I will probably end up talking mostly about football and God (and probably in that order)

2. I really have created this mainly for myself- as an outlet for the endless thoughts that seem to refuse to leave my brain, especially as I try to fall asleep. Also, because this is really an online journal, I won't feel sad or neglected (I probably will) if and when (when) no-one journeys with me on this blog

3. I process the best through dialogue and conversation- so I thought a blog obviously lends itself more to other people's inputs and opinions than a journal does.

4. One of the ways I feel most connected to God is through studying Him, studying about Him, studying with Him, debating (arguing?) and thinking. I used to do this through a journal for years, but stopped some time ago. I want to start again...an act of worship perhaps?

The last part kind of leads me to a sad James Richardson-esqe tangent to the name of the blog- 'more about the tone'. Let me explain this.

I didn't want to name it something boring with my name (although I could have had a lot of fun with my last name!!) (I tend to type what I think are funny, snyde comments to myself in these brackets...as you will see!). I also didn't want to name it something cheesey that had something to do with God and/or the bible. I support Leeds Utd and so that's not an option either!

I was reading a book last night (which is also another reason for blogging- I figure if I'm blogging then I'll need to read as well...which is something I really enjoy but rarely make time for. Time to change). The book is called 'The Colours of God' (and I've just realised they spelt colours correctly!). I don't know how to post links on this yet, so if someone wanted to tell me that'd be great. It's by three authors, but I won't go into much detail, because I'm sure I'll be blogging a lot on it soon. Anyways, let me simply quote you part of it that may help explain the name of the blog (and it'll probably piss some of you off, which is great):

"I remember [doug] Pagitt was on a panel discussion and there was a debate going on about theological imperatives. Someone from the floor challenged him- 'it seems like so much is up for grabs with you Emerging people. You must have some non-negotiables. I mean, certainly, we must maintain the deity of Christ beyond all other things, right? ' And Pagitt in his whimsical sort of way looked at him and said 'or not'. And although this sparked a lo of anger from the floor, we looked at each other and said 'I like that answer'. 'Or not' says that we can allow these issues to be re-worked and re-shaped. It said that he was more interested in having a conversation than about the final outcome. It had less to do with whether at the end of the day we held onto the Deity of Christ. IT WAS MORE ABOUT THE TONE OF VOICE WITH WHICH WE WERE APPROACHING THESE CONVERSATIONS"


Beautiful- From this I hear something important- that our relationships with one another, the love we share, is more important than any theological debate/argument/doctrine. Now, I'm going to put a rare disclaimer in here (normally I'll just leave them out and let people assume what they like, hopefully because it will lead to interesting conversations)...I am NOT saying that what we believe is not important and I am not saying there is no objective theological truths (I will say that I don't know if there are)...I'm just saying that when I look at the life of Jesus- loving people around Him seemed more important than theological doctrine and proving people wrong.

Hopefully here, not only will people notice the content of conversation, but they'll also hear the tone

yours tonefully,

Matthew