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| I've decided to simplify things and stick with MySpace. I just posted a new blog over there, so check it out:
www.myspace.com/bernandez
Thanks!
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| Here's a great video taken by JelloBee of our cats fighting. Usually Socks wins, but this time I'm not so sure. Make sure you turn the sound up for the full effect.
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| (Make sure you check out the new pics at the bottom of the entry.)
Yesterday, a small team of us from Fuller joined about 30,000 other Angelinos for the 22nd annual AIDS Walk LA. It was truly a fabulous time of getting to know some new Fuller students, enjoying the crowd, and adding my voice to call for AIDS support. I was walking on honor of step-uncle, David, and my aunt, Oma.
It was generally a happy occasion all along the route...except, of course, for the wacky Christian fundamentalists with their posters and megaphones shouting hateful remarks to the crowd. When we passed by those folks, I felt several emotions: sadness that they were so filled with hate, anger that they were dragging Christ's name into their hate, and contentment that I was walking with a team of young men and women who are capable of loving Christ, standing firm in their beliefs, and reaching the world with love at the same time. Wow, it's great to be at Fuller!
The best news is that the walk raised $3,768,295 for AIDS research, awareness, prevention, and advocacy here in LA and across the world!
Here are a few pics from the day:
The Fuller Theological Seminary AIDS Walk Team: Andrew Wright, Becca Wright, Heidi Hermann, Jessica Pass, Amanda Roberts, Dayna Lucas, Joe Fox, Alex Kohls, Me, Jessica Chen, and Gina Ornelas.
The main stage announcing our presence in West Hollywood.
Our main emcee, Rita Moreno, who has won more entertainment awards than you can imagine.
My favorites, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Wayne Brady, from Whose Line Is It Anyway?
The OC's Peter Gallagher sings with the Ten Tenors as we begin the walk
Just a very small fraction of the crowd!
Nothing like a drag queen witch to give you a good laugh.
Jessica and I figured a "nun" would appreciate a visit from some seminary folks.
Well, it was great morning. Check out the AIDS Walk website for information about walks near you.
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| Every once in a while, I get to experience one of those moments that appear to be a gift from God to help me remember how wonderful humanity and his creation are. Tonight, as I was walking to my car from my friend Benzion's house, I heard the wonderful strains of some soulful blues. It turns out that a nearby cafe was hosting their regular live music evening. I'm not sure exactly why, but it somehow seemed like one of those magical LA moments. And it got even better when I found out that the 81-year-old woman singing is a famous blues and jazz singer named Linda Hopkins. She is a beautiful woman whose slightly-stooped stature and cane belie the passion heard in her singing and seen in her shimmy. I am so thankful for these seemingly random moments such as this that speak to my heart and re-connect me with humanity's beauty.
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| As part of the All Seminary Council at Fuller Theological Seminary, I have the distinct privilege of joining the Fuller Board of Trustees for their yearly retreat. Now, this has many benefits, not the least of which is spending that day and eating wonderful free meals at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena. But the greatest benefit is seeing how much our leaders care about Fuller and its students. The highlight of today's meetings was a talk given by our president, Dr. Richard Mouw, answering the question, "What makes Fuller different from other evangelical seminaries?" In his response, I learned a great deal about the history of Fuller and evangelical higher education across the country as well as a great deal about what sets us apart.
One of the key differences was centered in Dr. Mouw's discussion of the bounded set v. the centered set. The bounded set in Christianity are those who establish clear boundaries about those who are allowed to enter their dialogue and make groups pay their "doctrinal dues" before they can enter the dialectical circle. The center set are those who focus on central themes (i.e., Christ's finished work on the cross) and allow anybody who wants to talk about those themes into the dialogue. Fuller is in the latter category. We believe that the lines of communication should always be open, and this is exhibited by our on-going relationship with the Mormon church and the Jewish and Islamic communities. We stand squarely and unwaveringly at the foot of the cross while engaging other traditions, cultures, and viewpoints. Whereas the bounded set tend to cut themselves off from and strongly react to those with differing views, we strive to stay engaged in the dialogue.
I'm not doing any of this nearly as much justice as Dr. Mouw does, but it is one of the reasons why I love Fuller so much. I do consider it a true privilege to be a part of this community.
This afternoon's discussion began with a talk from Dr. Ryan Bolger, a young faculty member in the School of Theology. He explained to the trustees, and to me, the true definition of the emerging church, something about which I have been confused for some time. I've heard so many speak out about the movement being to pragmatically and experientially centered and perhaps theologically lazy, but what Ryan shared with us proves that it is just the opposite. It is not anti-intellectual and is theologically orthodox although it looks very different from churches developed in our parents' generation. I may have to check this out a bit more.
Well, the long and short of it is that I love Fuller even more after seeing more of the behind-the-scenes work. One more Trustee session to go tomorrow, then it's time for Welcome Week!
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