The following is a response to a thread elsewhere, I thought it would be profitable to post it here:
Helen asked: "...how do you know it is 'the correct version'of Christianity?"
It seems like this is an unintentionally misleading way of approaching the subject. If you asked a scientist if they were 'staying true' to Darwin's theory of evolution, or Newton's on gravitation, they would respond, "That is not the goal, the goal is to accurately describe reality." I don't really desire the correct 'Christianity,' but rather the correct version of reality!
For this reason I hope to use other 'versions' of Christianity as aids to understanding reality, but not as definitions of reality. Just as a scientist will take advantage of the work of others while simultaneously proffering her own. I don't attempt to stay true to Luther or Augustine, Billy Graham, Pope John Paul II, or Benny Hinn.
Helen also stated: "I respect your opinion but with all due respect, that's all it is, right?"
Most assuredly, that is all that it is. I don't pretend to be anything other than what I am; a scientist will speak of things she doesn't begin to fully comprehend, and so too humans speak of the even greater reality that is God. However, that is not to discount all attempt to understand. I would hope to dialogue about the matter in question, how else are we to do this if not first by stating our own position?
You (and others) had stated that the Bible was full of contradiction. When I asked for a particular incidence, you offered that of Paul v Jesus on the question of 'salvation by faith.' If my response is to be discarded as 'mere personal opinion,' than what is to be the point of our dialogue? I would love to hear why you find them to be contradictory on the subject, and assume you would want to understand why I find them to be complementary.
Which gets us to the point of contradiction itself:
I fully appreciate that 'arguments between Christians who are very familiar with the Bible, over what the Bible teaches, are alive and well,' I don't think that this is problematic for what I am trying to say. There are certainly some things that are taught by Jesus and His followers that are difficult to reconcile, but many of these are intentional paradoxes akin to the article linked above. Most contradictions, however, are simply failures to aproach the text on its own terms.
You said, "...if the Bible was clear and non-contradictory, Christians who all say they believe it would not have unresolvable debates over what it says." But I think that this places to much trust in human ability to set aside personal desires and perspectives. On top of this, I think this highlights the main problem with talking about 'contradictions.' It forces one to approach the Bible in a way that was never intended. If I read Psalms as a manual for understanding the physical construction of the universe, then I am quite simply and willfully ignorant.
I did get around to the list of contradictions, some of the 388 are outright deceptive (proverbs 26:4-5), (I only looked at maybe 30) every single verse was provided in an archaic translation, without context, and without an attempt made to understand the point within the larger context of the writing. Perhaps if I spent time sorting through I could find something a little more 'intellectually cohesive' but that list is precisely the reason why I ask people for personal examples...
You referenced 'key texts,' it is exactly this that I find problematic. What are the 'key texts' to Dickens' Great Expectations? ...or Handel's Messiah? ...or the U. S. Constitution? ...or U2's Helter Skelter? ...or MLK Jr. Epistle to the Americans?
Also, I think I was unclear (it seems such a common problem for me!!) when I mentioned the author's intent...
I was not refering to God, but to the author. That is what I mean by taking something in context. If I am trying to understand what the person who wrote it meant by what they said, (instead of taking a phrase and using it as a 'key text') then I will be in a position to ask the deeper (and faith inspired) question, "What is God saying through this?" An even better example of contradiction (although on the same topic) is "justified by faith" in Galatians and "justified by works" in James; here the actual words directly contradict each other, but this 'contradiction' requires that we assume it is proper to approach these letters with an 'atomistic' dissection. My humble assertion is that this assumption is incorrect; language doesn't work that way.
(I will be the first to admit that often American Christians approach the Bible in exactly this rigid, 'reductionistic' and scientific way...)
I don't want to be seen as advocating 'special insight' but rather a different approach. Instead of approaching the Bible as a compilation of absolute truth statements, approach it on it's own terms...
9.10.2007
9.09.2007
The Love of God Demands a Life of Activism
"So the greatest of all virtues is love. It is here that we find the true meaning of the Christian faith. This is at bottom the meaning of the cross. The great event on Calvary signifies more than a meaningless drama that took place on the stage of history. It is a telescope through which we look out into the long vista of eternity and see the love of God breaking forth into time. It is an eternal reminder to a power drunk generation that love is most durable power in the world, and that it is at bottom the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. Only through achieving this love can you expect to matriculate into the university of eternal life."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
9.07.2007
Conservative Politics and Conservative Lives
Why do conservative Christians also live conservative lives?
Let me explain the question...
Christians in America tend to be politically conservative, although there are plenty of liberal Christians as well, however, the typical conservative Christian (who views theology in a conservative way, and trends towards the conservative end of the political spectrum) also tends to live those political values out on the personal level.
This is not the proper time to discuss my own political views (that will only muddy the water), but suffice it to say that I have no problem with Christians aligning themselves with conservative politics. If you are convinced that the policies proffered by conservative politicians would provide for the welfare of the people then, by all means, vote your conscience. The problem arises, however, when the conservative political philosophy is brought to the personal level.
The typical conservative is against redistribution of wealth through things like Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, etc. This may very well be an innapropriate way of running a country. However, if that same posture is applied at the personal level, then we are in direct contradiction with the ethic of the Kingdom of God.
It is exactly this contradiction that I see in conservative Christianity. The emphasis on personal responsibility has led conservative Christians to eschew helping the poor in their community. Perhaps they will give a little money, even less time and energy, but only very rarely will they actually involve themselves in the lives of the needy people in the world.
The single driving force (at the personal level) behind the conservative Christian way of life (in my humble, yet accurate, opinion) is a desire to create a social bubble of safety and comfort, removed from the evils of the world; drug abuse, vulgarity, sexual perversion, etc. This force is in diametrical opposition to the mandate of the Gospel.
What this amounts to is the very thing that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees; using their status as God's elect to abuse the very people they were 'elected' to bless!!! We, like Abraham, have not been chosen by God to enjoy His blessing, but to give away His blessing.
===============================
To be a disciple is to become a child; embracing change and becoming a learner is central to being a Christian. (What else would 'born again' refer to?) This means that we can never have a condescending attitude. We are not like spiritual PhD's dispensing wisdom, rather we must be like spiritual children constantly asking, "Papa, how should I do this?"
If we approach life as a disciple we will see the glaring problem with removing ourselves from the problems of the world.; taking our spiritual blessing and 'leaving the playground.'
===============================
I propose that Christians should be orthodox in theology, ambiguous in politics, and radical in lifestyle.
Let me explain the question...
Christians in America tend to be politically conservative, although there are plenty of liberal Christians as well, however, the typical conservative Christian (who views theology in a conservative way, and trends towards the conservative end of the political spectrum) also tends to live those political values out on the personal level.
This is not the proper time to discuss my own political views (that will only muddy the water), but suffice it to say that I have no problem with Christians aligning themselves with conservative politics. If you are convinced that the policies proffered by conservative politicians would provide for the welfare of the people then, by all means, vote your conscience. The problem arises, however, when the conservative political philosophy is brought to the personal level.
The typical conservative is against redistribution of wealth through things like Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, etc. This may very well be an innapropriate way of running a country. However, if that same posture is applied at the personal level, then we are in direct contradiction with the ethic of the Kingdom of God.
It is exactly this contradiction that I see in conservative Christianity. The emphasis on personal responsibility has led conservative Christians to eschew helping the poor in their community. Perhaps they will give a little money, even less time and energy, but only very rarely will they actually involve themselves in the lives of the needy people in the world.
The single driving force (at the personal level) behind the conservative Christian way of life (in my humble, yet accurate, opinion) is a desire to create a social bubble of safety and comfort, removed from the evils of the world; drug abuse, vulgarity, sexual perversion, etc. This force is in diametrical opposition to the mandate of the Gospel.
What this amounts to is the very thing that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees; using their status as God's elect to abuse the very people they were 'elected' to bless!!! We, like Abraham, have not been chosen by God to enjoy His blessing, but to give away His blessing.
===============================
To be a disciple is to become a child; embracing change and becoming a learner is central to being a Christian. (What else would 'born again' refer to?) This means that we can never have a condescending attitude. We are not like spiritual PhD's dispensing wisdom, rather we must be like spiritual children constantly asking, "Papa, how should I do this?"
If we approach life as a disciple we will see the glaring problem with removing ourselves from the problems of the world.; taking our spiritual blessing and 'leaving the playground.'
===============================
I propose that Christians should be orthodox in theology, ambiguous in politics, and radical in lifestyle.
9.05.2007
Friends from Munich
We received an email a few months back asking if we would be willing to house a group of three Germans traveling through the area. We agreed, not thinking much about it, as we have an entire third floor that is currently empty. We thought perhaps that they would stay the night and leave the next morning, we assumed they would not have much impact on our normal routines. We did not realize what was in store for us...
They showed up after a dissapointing week of Church Planting; Ingo and his new (and newly pregnant) wife Gisela, and their friend Maryann. They ended up staying for two days. It was one of the most encouraging, and uplifting encounters with perfect strangers that I have ever had. From the very first conversation we had, till the time they left, it was like having family visit in that they were so comfortable to be around, and yet there were all sorts of interesting things to find out about them (both as people and as emmisaries from a foreign land).
We were able to have some really wonderful conversations about what God was up to in our lives and in the world, they joined us for our Sunday service to the Retirement Facility, they spent time with us praying and worshiping, and they spent time with some of the folks from our Church. They had some very encouraging observations about who we were and what we were doing, they also were an encouragement to one of the young men in our Church. I came away from the weekend with my spirits lifted and refreshed.
At one point during the weekend I was struck by something...
The authors of the letters that now make up the Christian Bible speak often of the Church in ways that highlight the intimate bond that exists among the community who have been touched by the Spirit of Jesus; 'The Family of God,' 'The Body of Christ,' etc. In my time with our visitors I discovered this bond with them.
I have relationships that are deep and commited, friends for whom I would give my life, and with whom I have labored and laughed, comforted and cried. This was unique, however, in that I realized that it was not we who had created this bond by 'joining the same club,' nor even by our long hours together, but rather the bond that I discovered was present because of God's action in our lives. I found in Ingo a kindred spirit, the Spirit of Christ.
I had a moment of illumination, a realization that this man and I had submitted our lives to the same purpose in the world. It was like finding out after the fact that someone had shared the same trench with you in battle; there was a bond that was discovered, not one that was created.
This is what God intends for all of us to have with all people; a sense of belonging to the same central reality, God and His Kingdom. God desires that we could enter into relationships with others that are easy and encouraging, that can become the foundation for a life of joy and purpose, beauty and hope.
They showed up after a dissapointing week of Church Planting; Ingo and his new (and newly pregnant) wife Gisela, and their friend Maryann. They ended up staying for two days. It was one of the most encouraging, and uplifting encounters with perfect strangers that I have ever had. From the very first conversation we had, till the time they left, it was like having family visit in that they were so comfortable to be around, and yet there were all sorts of interesting things to find out about them (both as people and as emmisaries from a foreign land).
We were able to have some really wonderful conversations about what God was up to in our lives and in the world, they joined us for our Sunday service to the Retirement Facility, they spent time with us praying and worshiping, and they spent time with some of the folks from our Church. They had some very encouraging observations about who we were and what we were doing, they also were an encouragement to one of the young men in our Church. I came away from the weekend with my spirits lifted and refreshed.
At one point during the weekend I was struck by something...
The authors of the letters that now make up the Christian Bible speak often of the Church in ways that highlight the intimate bond that exists among the community who have been touched by the Spirit of Jesus; 'The Family of God,' 'The Body of Christ,' etc. In my time with our visitors I discovered this bond with them.
I have relationships that are deep and commited, friends for whom I would give my life, and with whom I have labored and laughed, comforted and cried. This was unique, however, in that I realized that it was not we who had created this bond by 'joining the same club,' nor even by our long hours together, but rather the bond that I discovered was present because of God's action in our lives. I found in Ingo a kindred spirit, the Spirit of Christ.
I had a moment of illumination, a realization that this man and I had submitted our lives to the same purpose in the world. It was like finding out after the fact that someone had shared the same trench with you in battle; there was a bond that was discovered, not one that was created.
This is what God intends for all of us to have with all people; a sense of belonging to the same central reality, God and His Kingdom. God desires that we could enter into relationships with others that are easy and encouraging, that can become the foundation for a life of joy and purpose, beauty and hope.
8.29.2007
Be All That You Can Be!
No this isn't a rerun of an old US Army commercial...
I had some visitors a week or two back from Germany (I am still putting together a rumination on their visit) and I got to reminisce about the Church we were sent out from. I had a conversation with Ingo on my front porch that involved me explaining my thankfulness at having been a part of our sending church for the years that we were there. He asked, "Why was it so special?" This was some of my response:
Church is not supposed to be about putting the best person in the best place to do the best job; creating a perfect product for the consumption of those who show up. There are so many problems with this approach to Church (it creates a clergy/laity dichotomy between those who are and those who are not, it promotes comfort over sacrifice, it promotes a 'discriminating palate' instead of an activist lifestyle, etc.) but I would rather discuss the amazing aspects of a different approach to Church.
If we stop trying to get the best person to come and put on the best show, and instead use the various aspects of Church to be the 'training grounds' for the individuals who perform the various functions, then we are begining to live out the meaning of such passages as Ephesians 4:11-16.
Here are some practical examples:
Why do we want the best worship leader leading worship? Wouldn't we rather have someone step into that position who will be grown and developed by their time in that role? Instead of finding the person who knows how to develop and oversee small groups in a church and paying them to come to your church and do that there, why not let someone who is already in the church yet doesn't know what they are doing give it a shot, in the process they will be developing the very attributes that God wants to produce in them?
There are some fundamental assumptions behind such an approach:
1) The Church's primary role is to represent the person of Jesus to the world in attitude and action, word and deed, both corporately and (more importantly) individually.
2) The role of Church leadership is not ministering to the Church 'laity;' it is equipping, educating, and empowering the 'normal' Christian to minister to the world.
(I have heard it speculated that the Apostle Paul would define the role of baptism in an individual's life the way we today view ordination. In other words, the way most people today think of the role of priests or pastors is the way Paul understood the normal Christian life.)
3) Success in spiritual terms has to do with an individual's connection to God's realm of power, not with the number of people connected to our particular organization.
4) Completing a well-defined task is not the same thing as spiritual growth.
5) Being given the answers to your questions is nowhere near as beneficial as the experience that comes from figuring out the answer.
6) If you are lacking in gifted people in your local community you do not have a resource problem you have a training problem.
Some practical ways that I have seen this walked out at the Church we were sent out from:
Consistently placing less qualified people in positions of responsibility; from the managers of the Coffee Shop to the worship leader, to the pastors, to the small group leaders, to the outreach directors, to the Sunday School leaders, etc. our church viewed a willingness to learn and to serve, and a heartfelt love for Jesus and hatred of their own sin, as the sole prerequisites for accepting responsibility in our community.
"Soft Architecture" - An intentional fuzziness in structure that provided enough room for people to struggle with God. Individuals were forced to seek their own answers, their own job descriptions, their own growth into the task at hand. There was some structure, but mostly there was encouraging relationship with other spiritual sojourners.
A willingness to let people 'mess things up' by learning through doing. Just like a parent does more work in letting their three-year-old 'help' cook dinner (but is providing all sorts of wonderful opportunities for maturing and bonding), so it is more work to let someone learn how to lead a ministry after they start leading it.
All this to say: the Church should be doing everything in its power to help every individual connected to it to come to look like Jesus
I had some visitors a week or two back from Germany (I am still putting together a rumination on their visit) and I got to reminisce about the Church we were sent out from. I had a conversation with Ingo on my front porch that involved me explaining my thankfulness at having been a part of our sending church for the years that we were there. He asked, "Why was it so special?" This was some of my response:
Church is not supposed to be about putting the best person in the best place to do the best job; creating a perfect product for the consumption of those who show up. There are so many problems with this approach to Church (it creates a clergy/laity dichotomy between those who are and those who are not, it promotes comfort over sacrifice, it promotes a 'discriminating palate' instead of an activist lifestyle, etc.) but I would rather discuss the amazing aspects of a different approach to Church.
If we stop trying to get the best person to come and put on the best show, and instead use the various aspects of Church to be the 'training grounds' for the individuals who perform the various functions, then we are begining to live out the meaning of such passages as Ephesians 4:11-16.
Here are some practical examples:
Why do we want the best worship leader leading worship? Wouldn't we rather have someone step into that position who will be grown and developed by their time in that role? Instead of finding the person who knows how to develop and oversee small groups in a church and paying them to come to your church and do that there, why not let someone who is already in the church yet doesn't know what they are doing give it a shot, in the process they will be developing the very attributes that God wants to produce in them?
There are some fundamental assumptions behind such an approach:
1) The Church's primary role is to represent the person of Jesus to the world in attitude and action, word and deed, both corporately and (more importantly) individually.
2) The role of Church leadership is not ministering to the Church 'laity;' it is equipping, educating, and empowering the 'normal' Christian to minister to the world.
(I have heard it speculated that the Apostle Paul would define the role of baptism in an individual's life the way we today view ordination. In other words, the way most people today think of the role of priests or pastors is the way Paul understood the normal Christian life.)
3) Success in spiritual terms has to do with an individual's connection to God's realm of power, not with the number of people connected to our particular organization.
4) Completing a well-defined task is not the same thing as spiritual growth.
5) Being given the answers to your questions is nowhere near as beneficial as the experience that comes from figuring out the answer.
6) If you are lacking in gifted people in your local community you do not have a resource problem you have a training problem.
Some practical ways that I have seen this walked out at the Church we were sent out from:
Consistently placing less qualified people in positions of responsibility; from the managers of the Coffee Shop to the worship leader, to the pastors, to the small group leaders, to the outreach directors, to the Sunday School leaders, etc. our church viewed a willingness to learn and to serve, and a heartfelt love for Jesus and hatred of their own sin, as the sole prerequisites for accepting responsibility in our community.
"Soft Architecture" - An intentional fuzziness in structure that provided enough room for people to struggle with God. Individuals were forced to seek their own answers, their own job descriptions, their own growth into the task at hand. There was some structure, but mostly there was encouraging relationship with other spiritual sojourners.
A willingness to let people 'mess things up' by learning through doing. Just like a parent does more work in letting their three-year-old 'help' cook dinner (but is providing all sorts of wonderful opportunities for maturing and bonding), so it is more work to let someone learn how to lead a ministry after they start leading it.
All this to say: the Church should be doing everything in its power to help every individual connected to it to come to look like Jesus
8.28.2007
Healthy Community
Some thoughts on community:
Communities are defined by those inside and those outside; the Church is a community that exists for the sake of those outside of it.
The community established by Jesus should accept and welcome everyone on the sole basis of their value as a human being, dearly loved by the Creator.
Jesus' community cares about people so much that it is unwilling to see them destroy themselves, others, or the world around them. His Church will do everything that love demands it to do to prevent that destruction.
Community is not possible without a significant level of personal knowledge and transparency; it is not possible to have community with people who you do not know or do not know you.
Communities are full of people who belong to each other. Despite the personal price (in terms of annoyance, lost energy or time, money, emotional pain, misunderstanding, etc.) people will not abandon the relationships within the community.
The Church contains within itself (this is somewhat misleading as the Divine Wind is also present within the Church) all that it needs to function in power and blessing. The community on the Way of Jesus needs no additional 'ministries' or 'programs,' parachurch organizations or governing bodies, to accomplish the purposes of God for which it has been placed upon the earth. "The local Church is the hope of the world!"
God's community is not divided by economic, racial, gender, sexual, political, social, educational, or any other lines.
Communities are defined by those inside and those outside; the Church is a community that exists for the sake of those outside of it.
The community established by Jesus should accept and welcome everyone on the sole basis of their value as a human being, dearly loved by the Creator.
Jesus' community cares about people so much that it is unwilling to see them destroy themselves, others, or the world around them. His Church will do everything that love demands it to do to prevent that destruction.
Community is not possible without a significant level of personal knowledge and transparency; it is not possible to have community with people who you do not know or do not know you.
Communities are full of people who belong to each other. Despite the personal price (in terms of annoyance, lost energy or time, money, emotional pain, misunderstanding, etc.) people will not abandon the relationships within the community.
The Church contains within itself (this is somewhat misleading as the Divine Wind is also present within the Church) all that it needs to function in power and blessing. The community on the Way of Jesus needs no additional 'ministries' or 'programs,' parachurch organizations or governing bodies, to accomplish the purposes of God for which it has been placed upon the earth. "The local Church is the hope of the world!"
God's community is not divided by economic, racial, gender, sexual, political, social, educational, or any other lines.
8.23.2007
Institutionalization...
I had someone tell me that psychology has taken the place of the elderly in our society. What we used to look to our grandparents for, we now pay someone $100 dollars an hour to do for us (and of course we pay someone to take care of our grandparents in the process as well...), and I don't think we are better of for the 'professionalization' of wisdom at living.
We have taken essential aspects of society and 'trained' people how to 'do it better' and then watched as society is no longer capable of adressing these aspects...
We have schools that don't educate effectively, a criminal justice system that perpetuates criminal behavior, and a social welfare system that creates poverty; this is due to the underlying assumption that professionals are better at doing it than community is, and so undermining community in the process.
No wonder we have seen the atomization of families, the failure of community services, etc. there are professionals to do those things for us...
...do you think we are better off?
We have taken essential aspects of society and 'trained' people how to 'do it better' and then watched as society is no longer capable of adressing these aspects...
We have schools that don't educate effectively, a criminal justice system that perpetuates criminal behavior, and a social welfare system that creates poverty; this is due to the underlying assumption that professionals are better at doing it than community is, and so undermining community in the process.
No wonder we have seen the atomization of families, the failure of community services, etc. there are professionals to do those things for us...
...do you think we are better off?
8.19.2007
Brooke Astor
What is written on the tombstone of a woman who gave away several hundred million dollars?
Would you like to have that written on yours?
Would you like to have that written on yours?
8.17.2007
Basil Rocks!
If you live alone, whose feet will you wash?
- Saint Basil
Not to be confused with the other Saint Basil who was given the title Yurodivy
- Saint Basil
Not to be confused with the other Saint Basil who was given the title Yurodivy
8.16.2007
SEX Part X
These are some closing thoughts on the topic:
Click on the title link to read previous posts.
========================
We are told that we cannot change who we are, and that it would be unwise to try. It is this mentality that leads to arguments in defense of pedophilia. If what I feel is not subject to critique or to change, if my desires are legitimate simply because they exist, then where does morality go? How do we decry the arguments of Mr McClellan?
Certainly our culture is not ready yet for such a position as his, without fundamental change in the way we determine wrong and right, however, where else is it likely to go? I am not trying to yell out, "the sky is falling!" but rather ask the question, "How do we rebut these arguments supporting rampant lawlessness, if we rule out an appeal to some standard of right and wrong that exists irrespective of our feelings toward it?"
It is easy to see the lie if we take it into other realms of human behavior. To say, "I desire to have sex with my girlfriend, therefore I should have sex with her" is no different a statement than, "I desire my neighbor's car, therefore I should take it," or "I don't like my employer, therefore I should punch him."
Simply put, the desire for something does not, in and of itself, legitimize the fulfillment of that desire.
=============================
Having said this, I would like to point out, a large part of the problem is our weak sense of joy, and our unwillingness to pursue true pleasure!
"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds ours desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
-C. S. Lewis
Like Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup, (Genesis 25) we trade away our God-given sexuality for fleeting pleasures that diminish as they are attained. We trade the joys of marriage (which is much more deeply and naturally sexual) for that of the idolized and romanticized life of the 'porn star.'
The adult film industry is portrayed as a glamorous world of delight...
...why is it then that the porn stars fantasize about a normal life, while they struggle with impotence, and pop pills to keep the genital herpes from breaking out?
It is not the married couple in their monogamy who are 'missing out' on sexual pleasure...
=========================
I have come to this fundamental conclusion about sexuality (it is, of course, about everything, not just sexuality):
The way of the Cross is the way of return to true human-ness...
Our humanity has been corrupted, it must 'reboot' with the 'system disk.' Jesus is that system disk; the early Church called Him the "Second Adam." Jesus is the Son of Man, the quintessential human being, the perfect representation of what it means to be human. He is the 'new' man, the beginning point of the newly reconstituted humanity, the firstborn over all creation. In Jesus we begin to see the true shape of our humanity.
If this is true then we are called to a radical rethinking of our way of life. In fact we are called to a kind of death. Our very selves must be given over, and we must take the self of Jesus. This is the way to become who and what we were meant to be.
Jesus the truly human one defines humanity, and so sexuality is also defined by him, and so our sexuality must also be submited to him (along with everything else) for crucifixion and resurrection.
I am fully aware of the arguements that some will make. The Cross responds to our claims about ourselves by stating, "The way you are defining yourself is not the central problem, the problem is that you are defining yourself in the first place! Come to me and let me set the broken bone, let me start the song in the right key, let me be the foundation for your building, let me suffer the consequences off your actions!"
Click on the title link to read previous posts.
========================
We are told that we cannot change who we are, and that it would be unwise to try. It is this mentality that leads to arguments in defense of pedophilia. If what I feel is not subject to critique or to change, if my desires are legitimate simply because they exist, then where does morality go? How do we decry the arguments of Mr McClellan?
Certainly our culture is not ready yet for such a position as his, without fundamental change in the way we determine wrong and right, however, where else is it likely to go? I am not trying to yell out, "the sky is falling!" but rather ask the question, "How do we rebut these arguments supporting rampant lawlessness, if we rule out an appeal to some standard of right and wrong that exists irrespective of our feelings toward it?"
It is easy to see the lie if we take it into other realms of human behavior. To say, "I desire to have sex with my girlfriend, therefore I should have sex with her" is no different a statement than, "I desire my neighbor's car, therefore I should take it," or "I don't like my employer, therefore I should punch him."
Simply put, the desire for something does not, in and of itself, legitimize the fulfillment of that desire.
=============================
Having said this, I would like to point out, a large part of the problem is our weak sense of joy, and our unwillingness to pursue true pleasure!
"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds ours desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
-C. S. Lewis
Like Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup, (Genesis 25) we trade away our God-given sexuality for fleeting pleasures that diminish as they are attained. We trade the joys of marriage (which is much more deeply and naturally sexual) for that of the idolized and romanticized life of the 'porn star.'
The adult film industry is portrayed as a glamorous world of delight...
...why is it then that the porn stars fantasize about a normal life, while they struggle with impotence, and pop pills to keep the genital herpes from breaking out?
It is not the married couple in their monogamy who are 'missing out' on sexual pleasure...
=========================
I have come to this fundamental conclusion about sexuality (it is, of course, about everything, not just sexuality):
The way of the Cross is the way of return to true human-ness...
Our humanity has been corrupted, it must 'reboot' with the 'system disk.' Jesus is that system disk; the early Church called Him the "Second Adam." Jesus is the Son of Man, the quintessential human being, the perfect representation of what it means to be human. He is the 'new' man, the beginning point of the newly reconstituted humanity, the firstborn over all creation. In Jesus we begin to see the true shape of our humanity.
If this is true then we are called to a radical rethinking of our way of life. In fact we are called to a kind of death. Our very selves must be given over, and we must take the self of Jesus. This is the way to become who and what we were meant to be.
Jesus the truly human one defines humanity, and so sexuality is also defined by him, and so our sexuality must also be submited to him (along with everything else) for crucifixion and resurrection.
I am fully aware of the arguements that some will make. The Cross responds to our claims about ourselves by stating, "The way you are defining yourself is not the central problem, the problem is that you are defining yourself in the first place! Come to me and let me set the broken bone, let me start the song in the right key, let me be the foundation for your building, let me suffer the consequences off your actions!"
8.13.2007
Jesus' Pizza and the KJV
So I returned to the concert, pizza in hand...
I was able to have a couple of brief conversations about what I was doing and why. But most people were more interested in telling me why the street preachers were wrong, or what they disagreed with about Christianity, or what their own beliefs were. I did get to have a neat conversation with a group of 'travelers' who responded with, "This is the most random f--king blessing ever!" They seemed to be the most genuinely grateful of the bunch.
I guess there was another group of three homeless/hallucinating/street people. They asked me to pray with them. I held the hand of a homeless vet with no legs, and no fingers, and put my hand on the shoulder of young traveler who was high on something, and we prayed for God's blessing on each other and those around us, until the vet starting cussing and yelling at someone who wanted some pizza...
Then I made my mistake...
I engaged one of the 'evangelists' in conversation, "Do you think there might be another way?" I was accused, ignored, preached at, and even insulted for my lack of education (I told the man that I had a hard time understanding the King James Version of the Bible, and felt that it was an improper translation to use given the context). This, of course, led to a history lesson/conspiracy theory on the men who had perverted the Bible into some of the heretical translations we have today.
I was not listened to, cared for, or encouraged. The conversation lasted too long, took too many rabit trails, and ended exactly where it began: with me convinced that these were sincere, and sincerely misguided people, who had an unquestioning aproach to what they had been inculcated into, and the 'evangelist' convinced that I was a wishy-washy Christian who either didn't understand the Bible or didn't want to follow it.
All in all the evening left me with a sense of frustration over my own lack of foresight (why, o why, did I talk to the guy? I guess I'll die!); a sense of the overwhelming love of God for His children, especially His wayward children; and a sense of the inadequacy of what I am doing.
I did have a fleeting, yet profound experience, while walking toward the concert with Jesus' Pizza, I was praying for God's help, "I don't know what I am doing, I am not capable of doing what needs to be done here God! I am incompetent and impotent, I am an inadequate choice to be a messenger of Your Grace." And then it hit me, "THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT!" It was God telling me, "It is not your job to communicate to the heart's of men, speak your words, give away My pizza, and at some point they will hear MY words."
I was able to have a couple of brief conversations about what I was doing and why. But most people were more interested in telling me why the street preachers were wrong, or what they disagreed with about Christianity, or what their own beliefs were. I did get to have a neat conversation with a group of 'travelers' who responded with, "This is the most random f--king blessing ever!" They seemed to be the most genuinely grateful of the bunch.
I guess there was another group of three homeless/hallucinating/street people. They asked me to pray with them. I held the hand of a homeless vet with no legs, and no fingers, and put my hand on the shoulder of young traveler who was high on something, and we prayed for God's blessing on each other and those around us, until the vet starting cussing and yelling at someone who wanted some pizza...
Then I made my mistake...
I engaged one of the 'evangelists' in conversation, "Do you think there might be another way?" I was accused, ignored, preached at, and even insulted for my lack of education (I told the man that I had a hard time understanding the King James Version of the Bible, and felt that it was an improper translation to use given the context). This, of course, led to a history lesson/conspiracy theory on the men who had perverted the Bible into some of the heretical translations we have today.
I was not listened to, cared for, or encouraged. The conversation lasted too long, took too many rabit trails, and ended exactly where it began: with me convinced that these were sincere, and sincerely misguided people, who had an unquestioning aproach to what they had been inculcated into, and the 'evangelist' convinced that I was a wishy-washy Christian who either didn't understand the Bible or didn't want to follow it.
All in all the evening left me with a sense of frustration over my own lack of foresight (why, o why, did I talk to the guy? I guess I'll die!); a sense of the overwhelming love of God for His children, especially His wayward children; and a sense of the inadequacy of what I am doing.
I did have a fleeting, yet profound experience, while walking toward the concert with Jesus' Pizza, I was praying for God's help, "I don't know what I am doing, I am not capable of doing what needs to be done here God! I am incompetent and impotent, I am an inadequate choice to be a messenger of Your Grace." And then it hit me, "THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT!" It was God telling me, "It is not your job to communicate to the heart's of men, speak your words, give away My pizza, and at some point they will hear MY words."
8.08.2007
Poison Pizza and the Love of God
So I decided to add my two cents to the 'Go to Hell' debacle at our local free outdoor concert. (Check the title link if you don't know what I am talking about!)
I went down to the concert, sheet-pizza in hand, and approached the angry group of fifty-plus teens who were surrounding the 'evangelists' with their signs depicting hell. I opened up the box, said "Free pizza, just take one!" and in less than a minute it was devoured! I had three or four young people ask me why I did what I did, I responded, "Because God loves you very much and He wants to be a part of your lives." I was greeted with a cautious round of agreement, and one young man who was a little more enthusiastic about it.
That seemed to be the end of the conversation ...so I thought I would bring another pizza! I called the store, walked over and brought it back. This time I had people gather around and listen before I opened the box, "I want you to know why I am doing this," I said. "Jesus loves you." One of the kids asked, "So what, did you poison it!?" Another asked, "Are you with these guys?" (Indicating the guys with the signs) At this point I think I got a little teary eyed, "No I am not with them, I don't believe those guys are speaking for Jesus. I want you to know that He cares about you very deeply."
With that I opened the box and shared another sheet-pizza, I got a few more thank you's, and one person in particular asked a few pointed questions about who I was and where I was from and then thanked me profusely.
I spent the next thirty minutes fighting back tears, overwhelmed by God's love for these people, and this city, and burdened by a deep need to do more than simply giving pizza to people...
...our world has gone to hell! If we don't do something, who will?
I will let you know how tomorrow goes, I will be going back down to the Thursday concert.
I went down to the concert, sheet-pizza in hand, and approached the angry group of fifty-plus teens who were surrounding the 'evangelists' with their signs depicting hell. I opened up the box, said "Free pizza, just take one!" and in less than a minute it was devoured! I had three or four young people ask me why I did what I did, I responded, "Because God loves you very much and He wants to be a part of your lives." I was greeted with a cautious round of agreement, and one young man who was a little more enthusiastic about it.
That seemed to be the end of the conversation ...so I thought I would bring another pizza! I called the store, walked over and brought it back. This time I had people gather around and listen before I opened the box, "I want you to know why I am doing this," I said. "Jesus loves you." One of the kids asked, "So what, did you poison it!?" Another asked, "Are you with these guys?" (Indicating the guys with the signs) At this point I think I got a little teary eyed, "No I am not with them, I don't believe those guys are speaking for Jesus. I want you to know that He cares about you very deeply."
With that I opened the box and shared another sheet-pizza, I got a few more thank you's, and one person in particular asked a few pointed questions about who I was and where I was from and then thanked me profusely.
I spent the next thirty minutes fighting back tears, overwhelmed by God's love for these people, and this city, and burdened by a deep need to do more than simply giving pizza to people...
...our world has gone to hell! If we don't do something, who will?
I will let you know how tomorrow goes, I will be going back down to the Thursday concert.
8.04.2007
SEX Part IV
This is yet another lengthy installment on the topic of sexuality, click on the title link to read the previous statements...
After having outlined sexuality in its current state, and contrasted it with natural,* healthy sexuality, I thought it would be prudent to discuss some of the causes and rationale behind the unhealthy and unnatural state of sexuality as we find it in our world.
A quick recap: healthy sexuality is designed for the enjoyment and procreation of a man and a woman who are comitted to each other so deeply, spiritually and emotionally that they could be called "one." Unhealthy sexuality then, is any sexual expression or gratification that comes from a source outside of this type of relationship. Unhealthy sexual expression would obviously include sexual contact with anyone other than a spouse, but would also include things like pornography, fantasy, voyeurism, and even flirting. In short: any activity that provides sexual gratification involving sources of gratification other than the spouse is unhealthy for the individual in question.
Unhealthy sexuality would also include sexual gratification and expression with a spouse that contradicts, conflicts with, or otherwise inhibits, the spiritual 'oneness' of the marriage relationship. It would be damaging to both husband and wife for one of them to recieve sexual gratification from the physical pain of the other (as we see in some cases), or to coerce the other into performing sexual acts in ways or at times that they are uncomfortable with, or even to withhold sex (under certain circumstances). Healthy sexuality will function as a natural and integrated aspect of the couples comitted relationship of mutual concern and submission.
Check out this article by Dallas Willard on Marriage
=============================
The above statements are obviously seen by many as 'behind the times' and probably even 'repressive, dangerous, and controlling.' This cannot be helped! So let us take a look at some of the common reasons for our current sexual state (if you can think of more, feel free to comment!)...
"This is who I am, I can't change who I am."
"This is how I define myself."
"This is how I show and receive love."
"I am not capable of controlling this."
I am certain that there are other reasons, but I think these statements get at the twin driving philosophical undercurrents that feed our culture's sexuality. We see a fundamental lack of discipline and delayed gratification (even an inability to see the benefit of discipline and delayed gratification!) coupled with a belief that an individual can and should decide for herself what is right and what is wrong.
=============================
What is moral?
We proclaim that the individual should be allowed to live in whatever way pleases them, and that this is morality. There are many who have addressed the philosophical pitfalls of relativism, I will not get far into them, other than to say, without some reference to an outside source of ethics, there is no logical basis for them. We may look at the lives of moral atheists, but when we do we are looking at fundamentally illogical people. Without some outside standard there is simply no way of deciding that one action is moral and another is not; there is no basis for calling Mother Teresa "good" and Adolf Hitler "bad." Try it yourself and post your responses here ...how would you differentiate between the two without some outside point of reference? (This, incidentally, is the conundrum that Philosophers have found themselves in for many decades, how to determine what is good, without reference to an outside source.)
Over against this stands the Biblical picture of the universe, with God's illumination of right and wrong. God is judge not in the sense, however, of a modern western magistrate determining what the law says and interpreting it accordingly, but rather in the older sense; God is a bringer of justice. God is the source of justice and righteousness, not merely a signpost pointing towards it.
In this sense, then, we can begin to understand morality as more than a set of rules laid down arbitrarily by one who has the power to enforce them, but rather as a description of what is 'good.' God does not prevent us from doing what we want, but rather points us to what is truly beautiful, joyous, powerful, true, and good (what we ultimately want!).
What is sin?
Sin is not (as is commonly thought) merely 'bad deeds.' Sin is the flawed state of the human spirit by which we are fundamentally drawn toward actions that damage ourselves, others, and the world around us. This 'bent-ness' of the human spirit then manifests itself (the bad tree bearing bad fruit) in 'bad deeds.' It is this inward bent that is sin, a desire to take good things and use them in ways for which they were never intended. A doctrine of sin, when properly understood, would not be denied by any observant person; the world is upside-down precisely because of misplaced human desire.
Sin is the perversion of human nature (we were made in the divine image) into something less than human; and no one is immune from that corruption.
...so God does not tell us to avoid certain behaviors out of a sense of cosmic 'bah-humbug' but rather out of a deep reverence and love for His children and the world that He gave them charge over, and a deep hatred toward whatever would damage those children and that world.
The trick, of course, when it comes to sexuality (not just sexuality, but all aspects of humanity are effected as well) is that what God proclaims as 'wrong' is not perceived as such by much of humanity. We say, "how could this be bad when it feels so good?" And, "how could this be wrong when it is such an integral aspect of who I am?" Because we don't look to God as the source of right-ness we doubt His assessment of what constitutes a perversion of human nature.
But an appeal to our nature is inappropriate if our nature has been corrupted; what are we to do without God if, when we look deep within ourselves, we find that we enjoy inflicting pain on others? What if the fundamental core of ourselves is selfish? Without an outside reference point to inform us 'which way is up' we are left only to follow "the needy beast within our chest."
The power to be moral!
The simple answer to those who believe sexual desire is uncontrollable are the millions of personal struggles and victories of humans of all genders, ethnicities and orientations. My sexual behavior has changed drastically over the course of my life as a student of Jesus. The same can be said of promiscuous teens, homosexual women, male prostitutes, porn stars, rape victims, child-abuse victims, adulterers, etc. There are examples of people from literally every sociological category who have experienced a marked change in sexual behavior, and the nature and scope of their sexual desire!
We have been told a lie. We do have the power to alter our sexuality. When we align our spirit with that Spirit which guides the Universe, our sexuality will be altered (along with everything else!). There is no fundamental difference between sexuality and other areas of our person, and yet we would not think of tolerating this type of reasoning from someone who claimed an inability to control their physical violence. Many cultures have demonstrated a remarkable proclivity for chastity; our problem is not that we are incapable of discipline, only that we don't want to be disciplined.
==========================
*I understand that the word natural usually means something like "the state of being of an object that is in accordance with its fundamental nature; without outside interference." We talk about the natural state of a dog in contrast with the 'tamed' state of the same animal. Some would argue that this would mean that 'natural' sexuality then is simply whatever human sexual behavior actually is, without outside cultural, or religious pressure.
However, this ignores the basic Biblical understanding of the state of the universe: God made everything fundamentally good ("very good" in fact!) but then the very heart of man became corrupt, humanity became 'inhuman.' (Romans 1 states, "Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either") The natural state of humanity is for us to live according to the way God made us, the way we currently live is just as 'unnatural' as if a stone were to fall upwards, or the sky were to turn yellow with pink polka dots!
After having outlined sexuality in its current state, and contrasted it with natural,* healthy sexuality, I thought it would be prudent to discuss some of the causes and rationale behind the unhealthy and unnatural state of sexuality as we find it in our world.
A quick recap: healthy sexuality is designed for the enjoyment and procreation of a man and a woman who are comitted to each other so deeply, spiritually and emotionally that they could be called "one." Unhealthy sexuality then, is any sexual expression or gratification that comes from a source outside of this type of relationship. Unhealthy sexual expression would obviously include sexual contact with anyone other than a spouse, but would also include things like pornography, fantasy, voyeurism, and even flirting. In short: any activity that provides sexual gratification involving sources of gratification other than the spouse is unhealthy for the individual in question.
Unhealthy sexuality would also include sexual gratification and expression with a spouse that contradicts, conflicts with, or otherwise inhibits, the spiritual 'oneness' of the marriage relationship. It would be damaging to both husband and wife for one of them to recieve sexual gratification from the physical pain of the other (as we see in some cases), or to coerce the other into performing sexual acts in ways or at times that they are uncomfortable with, or even to withhold sex (under certain circumstances). Healthy sexuality will function as a natural and integrated aspect of the couples comitted relationship of mutual concern and submission.
Check out this article by Dallas Willard on Marriage
=============================
The above statements are obviously seen by many as 'behind the times' and probably even 'repressive, dangerous, and controlling.' This cannot be helped! So let us take a look at some of the common reasons for our current sexual state (if you can think of more, feel free to comment!)...
"This is who I am, I can't change who I am."
"This is how I define myself."
"This is how I show and receive love."
"I am not capable of controlling this."
I am certain that there are other reasons, but I think these statements get at the twin driving philosophical undercurrents that feed our culture's sexuality. We see a fundamental lack of discipline and delayed gratification (even an inability to see the benefit of discipline and delayed gratification!) coupled with a belief that an individual can and should decide for herself what is right and what is wrong.
=============================
What is moral?
We proclaim that the individual should be allowed to live in whatever way pleases them, and that this is morality. There are many who have addressed the philosophical pitfalls of relativism, I will not get far into them, other than to say, without some reference to an outside source of ethics, there is no logical basis for them. We may look at the lives of moral atheists, but when we do we are looking at fundamentally illogical people. Without some outside standard there is simply no way of deciding that one action is moral and another is not; there is no basis for calling Mother Teresa "good" and Adolf Hitler "bad." Try it yourself and post your responses here ...how would you differentiate between the two without some outside point of reference? (This, incidentally, is the conundrum that Philosophers have found themselves in for many decades, how to determine what is good, without reference to an outside source.)
Over against this stands the Biblical picture of the universe, with God's illumination of right and wrong. God is judge not in the sense, however, of a modern western magistrate determining what the law says and interpreting it accordingly, but rather in the older sense; God is a bringer of justice. God is the source of justice and righteousness, not merely a signpost pointing towards it.
In this sense, then, we can begin to understand morality as more than a set of rules laid down arbitrarily by one who has the power to enforce them, but rather as a description of what is 'good.' God does not prevent us from doing what we want, but rather points us to what is truly beautiful, joyous, powerful, true, and good (what we ultimately want!).
What is sin?
Sin is not (as is commonly thought) merely 'bad deeds.' Sin is the flawed state of the human spirit by which we are fundamentally drawn toward actions that damage ourselves, others, and the world around us. This 'bent-ness' of the human spirit then manifests itself (the bad tree bearing bad fruit) in 'bad deeds.' It is this inward bent that is sin, a desire to take good things and use them in ways for which they were never intended. A doctrine of sin, when properly understood, would not be denied by any observant person; the world is upside-down precisely because of misplaced human desire.
Sin is the perversion of human nature (we were made in the divine image) into something less than human; and no one is immune from that corruption.
...so God does not tell us to avoid certain behaviors out of a sense of cosmic 'bah-humbug' but rather out of a deep reverence and love for His children and the world that He gave them charge over, and a deep hatred toward whatever would damage those children and that world.
The trick, of course, when it comes to sexuality (not just sexuality, but all aspects of humanity are effected as well) is that what God proclaims as 'wrong' is not perceived as such by much of humanity. We say, "how could this be bad when it feels so good?" And, "how could this be wrong when it is such an integral aspect of who I am?" Because we don't look to God as the source of right-ness we doubt His assessment of what constitutes a perversion of human nature.
But an appeal to our nature is inappropriate if our nature has been corrupted; what are we to do without God if, when we look deep within ourselves, we find that we enjoy inflicting pain on others? What if the fundamental core of ourselves is selfish? Without an outside reference point to inform us 'which way is up' we are left only to follow "the needy beast within our chest."
The power to be moral!
The simple answer to those who believe sexual desire is uncontrollable are the millions of personal struggles and victories of humans of all genders, ethnicities and orientations. My sexual behavior has changed drastically over the course of my life as a student of Jesus. The same can be said of promiscuous teens, homosexual women, male prostitutes, porn stars, rape victims, child-abuse victims, adulterers, etc. There are examples of people from literally every sociological category who have experienced a marked change in sexual behavior, and the nature and scope of their sexual desire!
We have been told a lie. We do have the power to alter our sexuality. When we align our spirit with that Spirit which guides the Universe, our sexuality will be altered (along with everything else!). There is no fundamental difference between sexuality and other areas of our person, and yet we would not think of tolerating this type of reasoning from someone who claimed an inability to control their physical violence. Many cultures have demonstrated a remarkable proclivity for chastity; our problem is not that we are incapable of discipline, only that we don't want to be disciplined.
==========================
*I understand that the word natural usually means something like "the state of being of an object that is in accordance with its fundamental nature; without outside interference." We talk about the natural state of a dog in contrast with the 'tamed' state of the same animal. Some would argue that this would mean that 'natural' sexuality then is simply whatever human sexual behavior actually is, without outside cultural, or religious pressure.
However, this ignores the basic Biblical understanding of the state of the universe: God made everything fundamentally good ("very good" in fact!) but then the very heart of man became corrupt, humanity became 'inhuman.' (Romans 1 states, "Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either") The natural state of humanity is for us to live according to the way God made us, the way we currently live is just as 'unnatural' as if a stone were to fall upwards, or the sky were to turn yellow with pink polka dots!
8.03.2007
Quote
"You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a
man is wise by his questions.”
man is wise by his questions.”
7.29.2007
The Land of Empty Houses
For those of you who aren't all that familiar with our new home town, there are large areas of abandoned housing, especially on the East side of the city. This is the area of Buffalo that is the most run-down, the poorest, and has problems with both drugs and violence. The West side also has some of these same problems, however, the West side doesn't have anywhere near as many abandoned houses, or empty lots left over from demolition.
We have been having a crazy time here these past months. As many of you now know, Sam and Dre have returned to Redding. We miss them still, but are glad that they are back with family and familiar settings. We also look forward to seeing you all in less than a month; we will be in Redding the end of August and the beginning of September!
We have been diving headlong into the relationships that we have established here and it has been a tremendous blessing. God has gathered a wonderful group of people. There are small business owners, college students, and street people; people of different ethnic groups, sexual orientations, and spiritual backgrounds; it makes for great conversation!
We continue to serve the local retirement home every Sunday morning. We show up and help serve coffee and snacks, spend time talking and listening, sometimes praying, with the residents, and then sing songs with the group. We have been serving in the kitchen at the City Mission monthly. At this point there have been a few people who have come and served along side us at these venues, but it seems that the church at large has yet to take ownership of this. Pray that God would spark people to serve the community and that we would be sensitive to that spark in people's hearts!
We have had some great Wednesday evening church 'services' in our living room. Most recently we tackled the topic of 'sexuality' which has been a hot topic as of late. We have a group that runs the gamit of sexual expression here and sex seems to be one of those topics of which our culture has little tolerance for what God has to say. We seem to have a group of people who are going to keep coming back no matter how many times they are told they must 'die to themselves;' this is very exiting! However, I believe that there is yet much that God wants to do in our community. Please pray that God would be speaking to people, calling them to drop everything and give their lives to Him!
We also have both a men's and a women's group that meet weekly to discuss a book. Both groups are seeing lively conversation, and this last week one of my co-workers showed up to the men's group. I was really encouraged by his response! We are looking into putting together a men's retreat with the Vineyard Church in Niagara Falls (about 20 minutes away), and I would appreciate your prayers toward this end.
I would love to entertain any of the questions you might have about what is going on here, feel free to post them or to email them to me...
...I will leave you with one last comment:
We have a young man who is struggling with what he believes about Jesus. He grew up in a very conservative Christian home but in the past few years has discovered homosexual desires within himself. He now is unsure of what he wants to live for. We have loved him for months now, and he is at our house several times a week (he is regularly at our Sunday morning outreach), but we have also had some very pointed heart-to-heart talks about what God says about healthy sexuality. The other night he told me that he thought we were doing church 'the right way' and that 'even though you don't agree with everything about me, you love me and accept me, you don't try and force me to be like you.' I was encouraged by what he had to say, and thought that you too would be encouraged to know that you have played a part in this young man's life.
I pray that you would have the privilege of helping those around you navigate this world, and that you would discover Jesus helping you as you do...
SEX Part III
Follow the title link to previous thoughts...
We laid out the arguments that our nature is spiritual and we should see it so to properly understand our sexuality, and that our spiritual nature is fundamentally skewed by our separation from God. We also shared how our own inner being (spirit, heart, will) can not be the source of anything good, as that source is twisted; the statement 'this is who I am' is not to be understood as implying 'this is who I should be.'
So now let us attempt to deal with sexuality itself, as we find it in our world, and describe it as it should be.
Our culture has very little to say about sexuality, other than to endorse any fleeting fancy we may have as a valid expression of sexual health. With very few exceptions, there are no restrictions placed upon sexuality by our culture. So long as your sexual expression is not done against the consent of those with whom you are expressing it, that sexual act is considered valid by our culture. Aside from rape, or sex with someone deemed incapable of giving consent (mentally incapacitated and minors) ...anything goes. Multiple partners, heterosexual, homosexual, group sex, premarital sex, pornography, fantasy, voyeurism, etc. No thought is given to the potential consequences of these sexual expressions, they are considered valid simply because they exist.
Standing over against this is the definition of sexuality that God gives us.*
God wants us to enjoy our sexuality! If you doubt this spend a few days browsing through Song of Songs. It is very erotic. The old, Victorian way of thinking about sex may have been 'Christian' in the sense that many Christians held it, but it was not Christian in the sense that it is foreign to the way the Bible speaks of sexuality. God created us as deeply sexual beings (as we have previously stated) but this sexuality has a proper function and a proper context.
Sexual connection between a man and a woman is intended to be part of a larger and deeper connection between them; the Bible speaks of them 'becoming one.' This oneness of a man and a woman in marriage is characterized in the (in)famous 'submission' passage in Ephesians 5. Paul speaks of marriage as a mutual submission of two individuals, each serving the other in a way that seeks their betterment, joy, and fulfillment. It is this context of mutual commitment, service, and deference that is the proper place for sexuality to be expressed.
As we earlier defined it, our spirit is essentially our 'will' or our 'heart' (it is the center of who we are, the non-physical part of us that is the essence of our person, the part that yearns, intends, chooses, and desires). For a husband and a wife to become spiritual 'one' is for the will, the heart, the spirit, of each spouse to permanently align with the others, and in this way we begin to see how sexuality mirrors, expresses, and develops what is essentially a spiritual reality in the life of the married couple.
To conclude, God's design for sexuality is much more holistic than that of the culture at large. Sexuality is not a tool to be used by a person to acheive certain goals, nor is it the whole defining characteristic of an individual, rather it is an interconnected aspect of the true central person (spirit). For this sexuality to be abstracted from it's larger spiritual context is to do damage to the individuals engaged in it. (As Paul says, "sexual sin is sin against your own body.") Sexuality is to be a part of a deeply commited relationship between two people who are continually growing in their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual union. In this sense sex outside of marriage is really not even 'sex,' but only a cheap plastic version of the real thing. (Of course it is entirely possible for marriage to be a cheap plastic version of the reality as well, but that for another day...)
*I also want to briefly adress the issue of celibacy...
...we were created 'incomplete' but this doesn't mean that singleness is inherently wrong or bad, or even somehow inferior (1 Corinthians 7:1) but rather that the natural, healthy, sexual desire is a God-given aspect of humanity. There is nothing wrong with a woman or man remaining single and celibate for the duration of their time on earth; our deep spiritual/sexual union with a spouse does not have to be the only way we connect with humanity; many religious orders include vows of celibacy and those who undertake such vows sometimes speak of 'marrying' all of humanity. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 those who are single are not distracted from the purposes of God in the world.
We laid out the arguments that our nature is spiritual and we should see it so to properly understand our sexuality, and that our spiritual nature is fundamentally skewed by our separation from God. We also shared how our own inner being (spirit, heart, will) can not be the source of anything good, as that source is twisted; the statement 'this is who I am' is not to be understood as implying 'this is who I should be.'
So now let us attempt to deal with sexuality itself, as we find it in our world, and describe it as it should be.
Our culture has very little to say about sexuality, other than to endorse any fleeting fancy we may have as a valid expression of sexual health. With very few exceptions, there are no restrictions placed upon sexuality by our culture. So long as your sexual expression is not done against the consent of those with whom you are expressing it, that sexual act is considered valid by our culture. Aside from rape, or sex with someone deemed incapable of giving consent (mentally incapacitated and minors) ...anything goes. Multiple partners, heterosexual, homosexual, group sex, premarital sex, pornography, fantasy, voyeurism, etc. No thought is given to the potential consequences of these sexual expressions, they are considered valid simply because they exist.
Standing over against this is the definition of sexuality that God gives us.*
God wants us to enjoy our sexuality! If you doubt this spend a few days browsing through Song of Songs. It is very erotic. The old, Victorian way of thinking about sex may have been 'Christian' in the sense that many Christians held it, but it was not Christian in the sense that it is foreign to the way the Bible speaks of sexuality. God created us as deeply sexual beings (as we have previously stated) but this sexuality has a proper function and a proper context.
Sexual connection between a man and a woman is intended to be part of a larger and deeper connection between them; the Bible speaks of them 'becoming one.' This oneness of a man and a woman in marriage is characterized in the (in)famous 'submission' passage in Ephesians 5. Paul speaks of marriage as a mutual submission of two individuals, each serving the other in a way that seeks their betterment, joy, and fulfillment. It is this context of mutual commitment, service, and deference that is the proper place for sexuality to be expressed.
As we earlier defined it, our spirit is essentially our 'will' or our 'heart' (it is the center of who we are, the non-physical part of us that is the essence of our person, the part that yearns, intends, chooses, and desires). For a husband and a wife to become spiritual 'one' is for the will, the heart, the spirit, of each spouse to permanently align with the others, and in this way we begin to see how sexuality mirrors, expresses, and develops what is essentially a spiritual reality in the life of the married couple.
To conclude, God's design for sexuality is much more holistic than that of the culture at large. Sexuality is not a tool to be used by a person to acheive certain goals, nor is it the whole defining characteristic of an individual, rather it is an interconnected aspect of the true central person (spirit). For this sexuality to be abstracted from it's larger spiritual context is to do damage to the individuals engaged in it. (As Paul says, "sexual sin is sin against your own body.") Sexuality is to be a part of a deeply commited relationship between two people who are continually growing in their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual union. In this sense sex outside of marriage is really not even 'sex,' but only a cheap plastic version of the real thing. (Of course it is entirely possible for marriage to be a cheap plastic version of the reality as well, but that for another day...)
*I also want to briefly adress the issue of celibacy...
...we were created 'incomplete' but this doesn't mean that singleness is inherently wrong or bad, or even somehow inferior (1 Corinthians 7:1) but rather that the natural, healthy, sexual desire is a God-given aspect of humanity. There is nothing wrong with a woman or man remaining single and celibate for the duration of their time on earth; our deep spiritual/sexual union with a spouse does not have to be the only way we connect with humanity; many religious orders include vows of celibacy and those who undertake such vows sometimes speak of 'marrying' all of humanity. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 those who are single are not distracted from the purposes of God in the world.
7.28.2007
Submission to Authority
This is attached to some old thoughts ...follow the title link.
Why should we submit?
The first, and simplest, answer is obedience to the command of scripture:
Colossians 3:22-23 gives us a practical example of the difference between obedience and submission; the difference between obeying when the master is watching, and obeying with sincerity of heart.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Ephesians 5:22-6:9 expands upon, and gives practical examples for, the simple statement of Ephesians 5:21, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Romans 13:1-7 also discusses submission and, in addition to simply commanding us to submit, teaches us that all authority is instituted by God, hence rebellion against authority is sin. This passage also links freedom causally to submission; we ought to submit for our own good! In our sinful, self-focused mindset we have been trained to believe that by submitting to others we are somehow robbed of our ‘Creator-endowed, inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ Nothing could be further from the truth!
Why should we submit?
The second answer is …for our own benefit!
The Message paraphrases a famous passage in Galatians 5 that ties in to this causal link between submission and freedom. Self-focused grasping for our desires never produces good fruit. If we puff out our chests, put up our dukes, and fight for our rights, we lose out on the abundance of life in Christ. If instead we submit ourselves to the will of God for our lives we gain freedom; freedom from ego, freedom from fear, freedom from the ever-vigilant paranoia of self-protection. …and even more we gain Christ, His peace of mind, His effortless joy, His fathomless hope, and His otherworldly love.
Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, makes the point that freedom is the result of discipline. Each spiritual discipline has a corresponding freedom; just as the discipline of practicing scales on a musical instrument directly correlates to the freedom to spontaneous musical talent, so the discipline of submission leads to freedom from self-focus and self-gratification. We submit, not for the sake of the one we submit to, but rather for our own sake.
In the beginning our parents were given one simple rule, had they but trusted God enough to submit to His desires, we would still be living in the effortless “cool of the garden;” enjoying God’s unbroken fellowship. God knew that mankind could not have the experiential knowledge of evil, and remain in fellowship with Him; He knew that it would bring us shame, and that it would cause us to hide from Him; submission was for our own good, not God’s.
Why should we submit?
The first, and simplest, answer is obedience to the command of scripture:
Colossians 3:22-23 gives us a practical example of the difference between obedience and submission; the difference between obeying when the master is watching, and obeying with sincerity of heart.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Ephesians 5:22-6:9 expands upon, and gives practical examples for, the simple statement of Ephesians 5:21, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Romans 13:1-7 also discusses submission and, in addition to simply commanding us to submit, teaches us that all authority is instituted by God, hence rebellion against authority is sin. This passage also links freedom causally to submission; we ought to submit for our own good! In our sinful, self-focused mindset we have been trained to believe that by submitting to others we are somehow robbed of our ‘Creator-endowed, inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ Nothing could be further from the truth!
Why should we submit?
The second answer is …for our own benefit!
The Message paraphrases a famous passage in Galatians 5 that ties in to this causal link between submission and freedom. Self-focused grasping for our desires never produces good fruit. If we puff out our chests, put up our dukes, and fight for our rights, we lose out on the abundance of life in Christ. If instead we submit ourselves to the will of God for our lives we gain freedom; freedom from ego, freedom from fear, freedom from the ever-vigilant paranoia of self-protection. …and even more we gain Christ, His peace of mind, His effortless joy, His fathomless hope, and His otherworldly love.
Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, makes the point that freedom is the result of discipline. Each spiritual discipline has a corresponding freedom; just as the discipline of practicing scales on a musical instrument directly correlates to the freedom to spontaneous musical talent, so the discipline of submission leads to freedom from self-focus and self-gratification. We submit, not for the sake of the one we submit to, but rather for our own sake.
In the beginning our parents were given one simple rule, had they but trusted God enough to submit to His desires, we would still be living in the effortless “cool of the garden;” enjoying God’s unbroken fellowship. God knew that mankind could not have the experiential knowledge of evil, and remain in fellowship with Him; He knew that it would bring us shame, and that it would cause us to hide from Him; submission was for our own good, not God’s.
7.26.2007
Temple
This could very easily turn into something so much more than what I have the time to make it...
Jesus 'Attack' on the Temple
Jesus was not trying to reform Temple worship. He wasn't trying to rid spirituality of commercialism (the moneychangers were a requirement for worship, not a distraction from it) nor was he claiming that they were abusing the pilgrims who were coming to the Temple by extorting money from them. Jesus was attacking the Temple itself. He was not purifying worship, He was preventing it from happening (by preventing people from procuring the needed objects with which a devout Jew would worship God). We are blinded to this by the fact that our worship has never been accompanied by the smell of burning animal hair, blood, and the bleating of animals, we think worship is about guitars and drums...
This was not an attack on the 'money-lenders,' this was an attack on the entire system of Jewish redemption; not, as is often supposed, an attack on the system God set up, but rather, on the way in which people were abusing that system. A system that was impeccably trusted without question to make peace between God and men, and yet touched only the outer edge of Jewish lives, never entering the heart.
Jesus attacks it as a 'den of robbers' and for failing to be 'a house of prayer for all nations.'
It had become a source of national pride, a symbol of Jewish piety and spiritual superiority, allowing them to mistreat others, and still view themselves as superior to outsiders. They saw themselves arrogantly as priveledged insiders, instead of fortunate adopted children.
I was going to draw parralels to today's "christian" culture and the body of Christ as the Temple, but since I don't have the energy right now I will let you draw your own conclusions...
Jesus was attacking the mindset that viewed the Temple and the religion associated with it as essentially a short cut to being right, and that it has little to no effect on things that really matter in a persons conduct and character...
Jesus attack on the Pharisees is (in today's Christian worldview) understood as an attack on their spirituality, they were legalists; in reality, Jesus' attack was a political one, they were using their privileged position to oppress others for their own sake. They were not only neglecting their call to be the light of the world, but were using their election as a source of pride and separation from the world that they were supposed to be illuminating! (Does this hit close to home yet!)
Jesus doesn't accept blessing unless it gives away...
(Sorry this is scattered, but I had these thoughts collected here so long that I was forgetting what some of my short-hand meant and I thought I needed to get it somewhat coherent and just post it!)
Jesus 'Attack' on the Temple
Jesus was not trying to reform Temple worship. He wasn't trying to rid spirituality of commercialism (the moneychangers were a requirement for worship, not a distraction from it) nor was he claiming that they were abusing the pilgrims who were coming to the Temple by extorting money from them. Jesus was attacking the Temple itself. He was not purifying worship, He was preventing it from happening (by preventing people from procuring the needed objects with which a devout Jew would worship God). We are blinded to this by the fact that our worship has never been accompanied by the smell of burning animal hair, blood, and the bleating of animals, we think worship is about guitars and drums...
This was not an attack on the 'money-lenders,' this was an attack on the entire system of Jewish redemption; not, as is often supposed, an attack on the system God set up, but rather, on the way in which people were abusing that system. A system that was impeccably trusted without question to make peace between God and men, and yet touched only the outer edge of Jewish lives, never entering the heart.
Jesus attacks it as a 'den of robbers' and for failing to be 'a house of prayer for all nations.'
It had become a source of national pride, a symbol of Jewish piety and spiritual superiority, allowing them to mistreat others, and still view themselves as superior to outsiders. They saw themselves arrogantly as priveledged insiders, instead of fortunate adopted children.
I was going to draw parralels to today's "christian" culture and the body of Christ as the Temple, but since I don't have the energy right now I will let you draw your own conclusions...
Jesus was attacking the mindset that viewed the Temple and the religion associated with it as essentially a short cut to being right, and that it has little to no effect on things that really matter in a persons conduct and character...
Jesus attack on the Pharisees is (in today's Christian worldview) understood as an attack on their spirituality, they were legalists; in reality, Jesus' attack was a political one, they were using their privileged position to oppress others for their own sake. They were not only neglecting their call to be the light of the world, but were using their election as a source of pride and separation from the world that they were supposed to be illuminating! (Does this hit close to home yet!)
Jesus doesn't accept blessing unless it gives away...
(Sorry this is scattered, but I had these thoughts collected here so long that I was forgetting what some of my short-hand meant and I thought I needed to get it somewhat coherent and just post it!)
7.14.2007
More Hellfire and Brimstone
Thursday in the square with our friends was accompanied by an even larger group of sign-toting evangelists (of course that term is supposed to refer to someone who is bringing news of joy!) along with their families. I asked them where they came from. The title link is to their website. They are from a church about 50 minutes drive from here.
It was a little more vehement this time.
I have been reading NT Wright alot lately... he has highlighted for me a particular aspect of Jesus ministry. Shock value. I think we lose this in our familiarity with the text. Jesus was shocking to his contemporaries, especially those in power. I find myself looking for similar ways to 'shock.' Not in the manner of the 'street preachers' who are shocking the public with their displays of 'righteous indignation' and outright rudeness (I observed one sign-weilding man call a woman a vulgar name), but in the manner of Jesus.
It seems that Jesus was not re-enforcing stereotypes but subverting them, not shoring up the status-quo of the religious elite but leveling the playing field, not calling down judgment on the 'sinners' but rather calling down judgment on the saints!
How can we, by our actions, do this? Is there more than simply living as devoutly as we can and through our personal relationships sharing our faith?
It was a little more vehement this time.
I have been reading NT Wright alot lately... he has highlighted for me a particular aspect of Jesus ministry. Shock value. I think we lose this in our familiarity with the text. Jesus was shocking to his contemporaries, especially those in power. I find myself looking for similar ways to 'shock.' Not in the manner of the 'street preachers' who are shocking the public with their displays of 'righteous indignation' and outright rudeness (I observed one sign-weilding man call a woman a vulgar name), but in the manner of Jesus.
It seems that Jesus was not re-enforcing stereotypes but subverting them, not shoring up the status-quo of the religious elite but leveling the playing field, not calling down judgment on the 'sinners' but rather calling down judgment on the saints!
How can we, by our actions, do this? Is there more than simply living as devoutly as we can and through our personal relationships sharing our faith?
Quotes
"When I feed the hungry, people call me a saint; when I ask, 'Why are they hungry?' people call me a Marxist."
- Bishop Oscar Romero
"The defeat of evil in this world depends upon human beings actually stepping forward to use the Kingdom power and authority that is given to them."
- Dallas Willard
- Bishop Oscar Romero
"The defeat of evil in this world depends upon human beings actually stepping forward to use the Kingdom power and authority that is given to them."
- Dallas Willard
7.13.2007
The Audacity of Hope
I just finished Barack Obama's second book. I really enjoyed it. I started in the middle with his chapter entitled "Faith" and was impressed and so I read the whole book. I don't know what I think of his policy ideas (I have been having some interesting personal evolution in the area of politics over the last few years) but I found him to be a remarkably open-minded thinker. He seems to genuinely listen and seek to understand all viewpoints. A rarity in today's politics of soundbites and cosmetically presented politicians.
He admittedly presents himself as an idealist, and even goes so far as to expose some of the weak spots in his idealism. He presents himself as a political reformer (reforming the way of politics itself), but recognizes that he has yet to truly face a real political battle that would test his belief in a 'different way of doing politics.' But I happen to be someone who takes it as a signal of divine approval whenever someone calls me an idealist to my face (albeit in a spiritual context, not a political one)... so I admire the trait in others.
I guess, ultimately, I appreciate the way in which he frames the issues and portrays the various sides of the policy debates. As to what I think of his particular position in those policy debates, I am still pondering.
He admittedly presents himself as an idealist, and even goes so far as to expose some of the weak spots in his idealism. He presents himself as a political reformer (reforming the way of politics itself), but recognizes that he has yet to truly face a real political battle that would test his belief in a 'different way of doing politics.' But I happen to be someone who takes it as a signal of divine approval whenever someone calls me an idealist to my face (albeit in a spiritual context, not a political one)... so I admire the trait in others.
I guess, ultimately, I appreciate the way in which he frames the issues and portrays the various sides of the policy debates. As to what I think of his particular position in those policy debates, I am still pondering.
7.09.2007
7.08.2007
SEX Part II
In our previous post (click the title link) we laid the foundation for a discussion of sexuality upon the nature of human beings and the state of humanity's relationship with God.
We described human beings as deeply sexual, constantly and hauntingly aware of the gender distinction, and yet ultimately humans are not to be defined by their sexuality, but rather by their spirituality. The center of a human being is the unique desires, intentions, emotions, and will, that constitute the human spirit.
We described our relationship with God in terms of separation, isolation and division. This division constitutes a serious perversion of the human spirit; we are separated from reality in ways that deeply distort our humanity into a charicature of itself.
In light of this, we must come to understand that our current sexuality is not good, nor is it natural. God created humanity a certain way, for His glory (of course), but also for our joy! To be separated from Him is to have the central core of our being (our spirit) twisted in such a way as to desire, rather than the deep abiding joys for which we were intended, the fleeting dregs of pleasure that come from drinking the sweet-tasting-poison of all manner of distorted humanity. This is most accute at a spiritual level, but it plays itself out, as the nature of the tree plays itself out in the fruit it produces, in every area of human existence not the least of which is our present discussion.
===========================
Sexuality as it was intended must be distinguished from sexuality as it is. (This of course ignores, for the present moment, that some people, and some cultures, have a sexuality that is much more in line with God's intent, and others much less...) Our present situation sees essentially an overblown sense of sex.
Sex is used by most as a way of self-definition. We have only to look so far as the childhood playground to see this truth. A primary-school insult is likely to take the form of attributing male characteristics to the girl in question, and conversly to take the form of attributing female characteristics to the boy in question. As we move on in age, young men begin to define themselves by their sexual conquests and sexual prowess, as well as their domination over their male peers; young women define themselves by their ability to attract sexual attention. Sexuality continues to play a self-defining role throughout life; homosexual, straight, married, single, etc., these labels are used not as attachments to the central characteristic of the individual, but rather often are the central defining traits of the individual. Even within the spritual community these are defining monikers (ie 'family values' and its self-contrasting over against the 'homosexual agenda').
This belies the fundamental mistake we are making in understanding our sexuality: we see it as central, when it is not. We fail to diagnose diseased humanity, or we misdiagnose it, or (worse yet) we celebrate it, when we mistake the fundamental nature of human beings.
This first problem with our current views on sex can be briefly stated by saying, "We mistakenly believe sexuality to be the center of a human being, and fail to understand human beings in light of their true core which is their spirit."
===========================
The first problem is a failure to undertand that the bone is broken (perhaps because in many cases we are unaware that there even exists such a bone!), the much larger problem is the broken bone itself.
This second and much deeper problem, lies with our disconnect, at a spiritual level, from God. We form our wills largely with disregard for and/or ignorance of the truly beautiful and joyous state for which God has intended our will to be formed. We believe that our desires are to be revered as gods, that our intentions should always be pursued, and that our emotional comfort is the guiding force for ethics in the world. (We in the Western world have even codified this into many of the founding documents of our nations legal systems!)
We largely ignore the desires, emotions, intentions, and will that are consistent with reality, beauty, justice etc. (consistent with God and His spirit, ie His desires, emotions, intentions, and will). Our spirit is the guiding force in our lives (whether we believe in it's existence or not!) and so will govern our sexuality.
Our sexuality has become a thing of surface pleasure. What was, by design, intended to be a deeply personal and radical co-mingling of two human beings (with what takes place in the sex act mirroring what is taking place on a spiritual level) has become instead simply another avenue for an individual to seek his/her own pleasure and ego.
Because our spirit is no longer aligned with God's we have come to the conclusion that whatever we desire is what we should pursue, throwing off any restraint upon behaviors that align with our personal desires over against God's; sexuality has become the testing ground for the total abnegation of such restraint. We are largely encouraged to view sex as the pursuit of 'whatever makes you feel good' with it's sometimes added (and largely underemphasized) correllary 'so long as you don't hurt anyone.' This is a fundamentally flawed view of healthy humanity. (And ignores large amounts of actual harm done in the process) LINK
A basic symptom of our separation from God is that we no longer desire to do that which is good and beautiful, just and true. To claim that what we are doing is good, beautiful, just, or true, simply because it is what we find within us when we search our hearts, is to see the world up-side-down. It is the very heart within us that is the problem with the world, we cannot use it as a guiding impulse in our lives without serious transformation. To see this as true one has only to look in other areas of our person, are we willing to argue that I am justified in taking someone elses car because, when I looked deep within myself, I found that I sincerely wanted it? Is the same true of punching my annoying co-worker in the face?
To Be Continued
We described human beings as deeply sexual, constantly and hauntingly aware of the gender distinction, and yet ultimately humans are not to be defined by their sexuality, but rather by their spirituality. The center of a human being is the unique desires, intentions, emotions, and will, that constitute the human spirit.
We described our relationship with God in terms of separation, isolation and division. This division constitutes a serious perversion of the human spirit; we are separated from reality in ways that deeply distort our humanity into a charicature of itself.
In light of this, we must come to understand that our current sexuality is not good, nor is it natural. God created humanity a certain way, for His glory (of course), but also for our joy! To be separated from Him is to have the central core of our being (our spirit) twisted in such a way as to desire, rather than the deep abiding joys for which we were intended, the fleeting dregs of pleasure that come from drinking the sweet-tasting-poison of all manner of distorted humanity. This is most accute at a spiritual level, but it plays itself out, as the nature of the tree plays itself out in the fruit it produces, in every area of human existence not the least of which is our present discussion.
===========================
Sexuality as it was intended must be distinguished from sexuality as it is. (This of course ignores, for the present moment, that some people, and some cultures, have a sexuality that is much more in line with God's intent, and others much less...) Our present situation sees essentially an overblown sense of sex.
Sex is used by most as a way of self-definition. We have only to look so far as the childhood playground to see this truth. A primary-school insult is likely to take the form of attributing male characteristics to the girl in question, and conversly to take the form of attributing female characteristics to the boy in question. As we move on in age, young men begin to define themselves by their sexual conquests and sexual prowess, as well as their domination over their male peers; young women define themselves by their ability to attract sexual attention. Sexuality continues to play a self-defining role throughout life; homosexual, straight, married, single, etc., these labels are used not as attachments to the central characteristic of the individual, but rather often are the central defining traits of the individual. Even within the spritual community these are defining monikers (ie 'family values' and its self-contrasting over against the 'homosexual agenda').
This belies the fundamental mistake we are making in understanding our sexuality: we see it as central, when it is not. We fail to diagnose diseased humanity, or we misdiagnose it, or (worse yet) we celebrate it, when we mistake the fundamental nature of human beings.
This first problem with our current views on sex can be briefly stated by saying, "We mistakenly believe sexuality to be the center of a human being, and fail to understand human beings in light of their true core which is their spirit."
===========================
The first problem is a failure to undertand that the bone is broken (perhaps because in many cases we are unaware that there even exists such a bone!), the much larger problem is the broken bone itself.
This second and much deeper problem, lies with our disconnect, at a spiritual level, from God. We form our wills largely with disregard for and/or ignorance of the truly beautiful and joyous state for which God has intended our will to be formed. We believe that our desires are to be revered as gods, that our intentions should always be pursued, and that our emotional comfort is the guiding force for ethics in the world. (We in the Western world have even codified this into many of the founding documents of our nations legal systems!)
We largely ignore the desires, emotions, intentions, and will that are consistent with reality, beauty, justice etc. (consistent with God and His spirit, ie His desires, emotions, intentions, and will). Our spirit is the guiding force in our lives (whether we believe in it's existence or not!) and so will govern our sexuality.
Our sexuality has become a thing of surface pleasure. What was, by design, intended to be a deeply personal and radical co-mingling of two human beings (with what takes place in the sex act mirroring what is taking place on a spiritual level) has become instead simply another avenue for an individual to seek his/her own pleasure and ego.
Because our spirit is no longer aligned with God's we have come to the conclusion that whatever we desire is what we should pursue, throwing off any restraint upon behaviors that align with our personal desires over against God's; sexuality has become the testing ground for the total abnegation of such restraint. We are largely encouraged to view sex as the pursuit of 'whatever makes you feel good' with it's sometimes added (and largely underemphasized) correllary 'so long as you don't hurt anyone.' This is a fundamentally flawed view of healthy humanity. (And ignores large amounts of actual harm done in the process) LINK
A basic symptom of our separation from God is that we no longer desire to do that which is good and beautiful, just and true. To claim that what we are doing is good, beautiful, just, or true, simply because it is what we find within us when we search our hearts, is to see the world up-side-down. It is the very heart within us that is the problem with the world, we cannot use it as a guiding impulse in our lives without serious transformation. To see this as true one has only to look in other areas of our person, are we willing to argue that I am justified in taking someone elses car because, when I looked deep within myself, I found that I sincerely wanted it? Is the same true of punching my annoying co-worker in the face?
To Be Continued
7.06.2007
Quality
Here is just a thought...
Eternal life is not at all about quantity of life (ie years). If that were the case, then everyone has eternal life. (Doesn't the Scriptures teach that all will be resurrected, some to heaven, some to hell?)
Eternal life is about quality...
Eternal life is not something that will begin after we die, and last 'forever,' but rather a type of life that is being offered to us now. A type of life that is so solid and real, that it cannot be effected by anything, even death.
Eternal life is not at all about quantity of life (ie years). If that were the case, then everyone has eternal life. (Doesn't the Scriptures teach that all will be resurrected, some to heaven, some to hell?)
Eternal life is about quality...
Eternal life is not something that will begin after we die, and last 'forever,' but rather a type of life that is being offered to us now. A type of life that is so solid and real, that it cannot be effected by anything, even death.
7.05.2007
SEX Part I
Humanity is deeply sexual.
Even beyond humanity, our world is sexual. Much of life on our cozy little asteroid is bifurcated into gender; I am not the biologist, but I know that birds, bees, flowers, trees, and so much more, are divided by the even greater chasm than that which delineates species; male and female. This division is to be found running through everything.
Genesis 1:27 explains: God created sexuality, and God created sex (don't tell anyone, but He even made it ...fun!!!!)
God created humans to be, essentialy, incomplete; we were designed to be a half-person, and our sexuality is the outworking of that design. We yearn for connection, at deep mental, physical, and spiritual levels we desire to join to another human being. This is natural; it is the nature (hence the word natural) that God gave us.
In fact, some would read the story in Genesis two, as God splitting Adam in two. The word translated as 'rib' could (according to Hebrew scholars) apparently be just as easily translated as 'curve' or 'side.' Perhaps there was a Human, and then God took one side of the human to make Adam and the other to make Eve? Are male and female literally two halves of the same creature, instead of two halves of the same species? This would then imply that it is not connection that we yearn for, but rather, re-connection...
Which brings us, interestingly enough, to the etymology of the word 'religion.' The roots of the word re - ligare mean simply 'reconnection.'
...we were designed to reconnect with each other, and we are also in need of reconnection with God. Both of these facts must be grasped if we are to move on with the topic.
What then, are we to make of the state of sex and gender in our world?
=================================
...we should start by reiterating two points:
1) Sex is good and sexuality is natural. Sexuality is a God-given aspect of human-nature.
2) Humanity has become alienated from God and is in need of reconnection with Him.
=================================
So let us explore these two points in greater detail. What does good, healthy, natural human sexuality look like? What does human sexuality look like when humanity has been reconnected to God?
The most important point that needs to be made to our present mood is this:
as important as sexuality is to the make-up of a human being, as characteristic as it is of human life (even healthy human life), sex is not the defining characteristic of a human being. Sexuality is most assuredly not the center of humanity.
The central aspect of human existence is spiritual* and so the central issue of human sexuality is ultimately not to be found in a discussion about sex, but rather in a discussion about spirit. If then, we are to discuss problems with human sexuality, we must recognize that the fundamental problem is not sexual, but spiritual.
To Be Continued
*By 'spiritual' I do not mean something distant, wispy, ephemeral, or tenuous; quite the opposite, I mean something very concrete; I mean simply those things that are 'non-physical.' We interact everyday with our spirit, and the spirits of others. Although we cannot see, smell, taste, or touch them, we constantly interact with people on the level of emotion, desire, will, intention, love.. This is the realm of the spiritual.
Even beyond humanity, our world is sexual. Much of life on our cozy little asteroid is bifurcated into gender; I am not the biologist, but I know that birds, bees, flowers, trees, and so much more, are divided by the even greater chasm than that which delineates species; male and female. This division is to be found running through everything.
Genesis 1:27 explains: God created sexuality, and God created sex (don't tell anyone, but He even made it ...fun!!!!)
God created humans to be, essentialy, incomplete; we were designed to be a half-person, and our sexuality is the outworking of that design. We yearn for connection, at deep mental, physical, and spiritual levels we desire to join to another human being. This is natural; it is the nature (hence the word natural) that God gave us.
In fact, some would read the story in Genesis two, as God splitting Adam in two. The word translated as 'rib' could (according to Hebrew scholars) apparently be just as easily translated as 'curve' or 'side.' Perhaps there was a Human, and then God took one side of the human to make Adam and the other to make Eve? Are male and female literally two halves of the same creature, instead of two halves of the same species? This would then imply that it is not connection that we yearn for, but rather, re-connection...
Which brings us, interestingly enough, to the etymology of the word 'religion.' The roots of the word re - ligare mean simply 'reconnection.'
...we were designed to reconnect with each other, and we are also in need of reconnection with God. Both of these facts must be grasped if we are to move on with the topic.
What then, are we to make of the state of sex and gender in our world?
=================================
...we should start by reiterating two points:
1) Sex is good and sexuality is natural. Sexuality is a God-given aspect of human-nature.
2) Humanity has become alienated from God and is in need of reconnection with Him.
=================================
So let us explore these two points in greater detail. What does good, healthy, natural human sexuality look like? What does human sexuality look like when humanity has been reconnected to God?
The most important point that needs to be made to our present mood is this:
as important as sexuality is to the make-up of a human being, as characteristic as it is of human life (even healthy human life), sex is not the defining characteristic of a human being. Sexuality is most assuredly not the center of humanity.
The central aspect of human existence is spiritual* and so the central issue of human sexuality is ultimately not to be found in a discussion about sex, but rather in a discussion about spirit. If then, we are to discuss problems with human sexuality, we must recognize that the fundamental problem is not sexual, but spiritual.
To Be Continued
*By 'spiritual' I do not mean something distant, wispy, ephemeral, or tenuous; quite the opposite, I mean something very concrete; I mean simply those things that are 'non-physical.' We interact everyday with our spirit, and the spirits of others. Although we cannot see, smell, taste, or touch them, we constantly interact with people on the level of emotion, desire, will, intention, love.. This is the realm of the spiritual.
6.27.2007
Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ . . . Homophob?
Let's just cut to the chase. We as a church have painted a horrible picture of the sin of homosexuality. No wonder gay people don't want to set foot in a church. Someone I met once said to me that so many people have waved the Bible in their face as if it were a loaded gun. Now I don't want to enable anybody, sin is sin, but how do we convey the love of God to a group of people who are convinced, if they believe there is a god, that he hates them? I am sure that God weeps at that question. I am sure that he is broken over the state of the church when it comes to this issue. We here in Buffalo are by no means better than anybody else or any other church but how do you get around this one? How do you undo the doings that have been so ingrained in our society? Lord Jesus please show us! I am pretty worked up about this, well tonight I am and I think I will continue to be as long as their are gay people in my life, and it seems as though their will be since my one of my coworkers is gay, and I work in the gay neighborhood of town. I love gay people. I can sometimes feel the love for them that I think God feels. Okay so it's on a much smaller scale, but I can't describe how it feels. I have a gay christian friend who is struggling so much right now with God and homosexuality and doing the right thing, and I try to tell them frequently that God loves them. I want to grab them by the shoulders and shake it into them. I believe that too, I believe that God loves them. He loves everyone and desires that we would all embrace him and the life he has for us. I think that God desires the sin in our lives to be battled so fiercly that the devil himself could not force it back upon us. I don't think God looks at our sins different from person to person. I don't think that one sin is bigger than the other. I don't think that we are capable from seperating ourselves from the love of God that we have in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
I think the church has been afraid to tackle the issue of homosexuality. It seems that we are afraid of it, it seems as though we have lashed out in fear. And you know what, it is a scary thing. I am at a loss of how to disciple people through this. That's good because it keeps all of us here on our knees. But Jesus how would you do this? I just think of the story of the leper. He says, "Lord if you are willing you can make me clean" so then Jesus reaches out and touches the leper and says "I am willing" Jesus touched a leper. Leprosy is a deadly disease, a miserable disease, a puss, oozy, yucky, literally rotting-while-still-alive kind of disease. So if Jesus could reach out and touch the leper, then we can reach out and touch gay people? They seem to be the lepers of our day. Lord Jesus change that. Let us not be afraid. What can we do God to reach out to the gay community and to convey your love? Pass out condoms at next years gay pride parade? I know that I am complaining and even bashing at times it seems but if anyone has any thoughts or things they have seen in prayer or actually experienced, please comment and tell us about it. We want to undo the picture that has been painted about homosexuality.
God loves EVERYONE! "For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only begotten son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." You cannot be disqualified from the kingdom of God based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed and whatever else that job applications say at the bottom of the page. If anyone has any thoughts on this subject let me know I would love to hear them. This is a tough thing to come against but we as christians need to be able to tackle anything that God brings our way.
I think the church has been afraid to tackle the issue of homosexuality. It seems that we are afraid of it, it seems as though we have lashed out in fear. And you know what, it is a scary thing. I am at a loss of how to disciple people through this. That's good because it keeps all of us here on our knees. But Jesus how would you do this? I just think of the story of the leper. He says, "Lord if you are willing you can make me clean" so then Jesus reaches out and touches the leper and says "I am willing" Jesus touched a leper. Leprosy is a deadly disease, a miserable disease, a puss, oozy, yucky, literally rotting-while-still-alive kind of disease. So if Jesus could reach out and touch the leper, then we can reach out and touch gay people? They seem to be the lepers of our day. Lord Jesus change that. Let us not be afraid. What can we do God to reach out to the gay community and to convey your love? Pass out condoms at next years gay pride parade? I know that I am complaining and even bashing at times it seems but if anyone has any thoughts or things they have seen in prayer or actually experienced, please comment and tell us about it. We want to undo the picture that has been painted about homosexuality.
God loves EVERYONE! "For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only begotten son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." You cannot be disqualified from the kingdom of God based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed and whatever else that job applications say at the bottom of the page. If anyone has any thoughts on this subject let me know I would love to hear them. This is a tough thing to come against but we as christians need to be able to tackle anything that God brings our way.
6.22.2007
ASK ME WHY YOU ARE GOING TO HELL!
A man stood off to the side, surrounded by a group of 15 or so people crowding in on him, squeezing close, from afar there appeared to be a quiet intensity about that little huddle of people not the least of which included the large sign he carried, bordered with flames...
Across from this group were thousands of oblivious concert-goers. Not knowing, or not caring, to hear what this man had to tell them.
I stood observing him for five or ten minutes. To give him (and those around him) credit, there did not seem to be any shouting or intimidating going on, but there was plenty of tension, plenty of angry tones, plenty of hostility, toward him and his message, as well as from him.
I and a friend drew closer to listen, joining that little crowd of people (this group was gaining and losing people every moment, but there were a few faces who remained the entire time I was there) who were variously trying to argue, trying to belittle, finding something to laugh at, finding something to be angry at, being confused, and being agravated, or just listening...
A few faces stood out to me::
A young gothic teenager and his gothic girlfriend, he seem angry and frustrated; the girl told me she was a Christian when my friend asked her, she was not happy with this man's presence.
Another gothic man, perhaps my age, wearing a set of handcuffs, a red tee-shirt, and a shaved head. His face more than any other stands out in my mind's eye. The entire time I was there (20 minutes?) he never said anything, he had a very meek demeanor with folded hands, as though he didn't want to provoke, and he wore (what seemed to me) a pained expression on his face. I did not speak to him, but it seemed to me as though he wanted to listen, to understand why he was destined for hell, as though he wanted to hear what this man said, almost out of self-loathing...
...I want to speak to him.
Other faces, mocking and jeering, arguing and confronting; I am sure that my own was somewhat twisted with anguish...
======================
Earlier I had watched the movie with Denzel Washington, Man on Fire. Now, you are going to have to grant me some leeway here, which I think is warranted by Jesus own way of speaking; the Parable of the Unjust Judge is an example of Jesus speaking of God in a way that gets at a truth, even though it speaks of God in other ways that aren't necessarily true; so bear with me here.
In this movie Denzel Washington plays a broken man, a drunk haunted by evil things he has done, it is hinted at that he was involved in covert military operations. He sporadically reads the Scriptures and at one point he asks, "Can God forgive us for what we have done?" He lands a job as a body guard for an elite and wealthy family in Latin America. His primary role is to protect their young daughter from kidnapping. At first he presents the young girl with a gruff exterior, but her love for him wins him over, he comes to love her. When she is kidnapped, and then killed, he unleashes upon her killers with vengeance.
He is relentless, and goes to any lengths to rescue her, and then avenge her, without concern for the risk or cost to himself. He will not be dissuaded from his course of action, he has found the one thing in life that has made it okay for him to live, and now she has been harmed.
Perhaps it was simply the plot itself and the acting of Mr. Washington, and yet, I know that it was aided by the portrayal of the young girl by a blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl, similar to my own beautiful daughter Zoe; for whatever reason, this film touched me. I couldn't help but cry at several points in the film, and even afterward... and I felt that God was saying to me, "Steve, my heart loves like this, my heart hurts like this; tell them that I love them like this!"
===============
...and so, when I saw these people listening to this man explaining to them why God wants to torture them for eternity, I was moved... I don't know how to respond. I didn't really respond then in any way other than to listen, and be sad. It demands a response. People have to know, they need to know that God desperately loves them, He yearns to be with them.
Isn't that the point of the Parable of the Lost coin, the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Son? Isn't that what we hear whispered in the name of Jesus? Isn't that what we see when we look to the cross? At the anguish of God, desparate to recover to himself, his dear children?
Across from this group were thousands of oblivious concert-goers. Not knowing, or not caring, to hear what this man had to tell them.
I stood observing him for five or ten minutes. To give him (and those around him) credit, there did not seem to be any shouting or intimidating going on, but there was plenty of tension, plenty of angry tones, plenty of hostility, toward him and his message, as well as from him.
I and a friend drew closer to listen, joining that little crowd of people (this group was gaining and losing people every moment, but there were a few faces who remained the entire time I was there) who were variously trying to argue, trying to belittle, finding something to laugh at, finding something to be angry at, being confused, and being agravated, or just listening...
A few faces stood out to me::
A young gothic teenager and his gothic girlfriend, he seem angry and frustrated; the girl told me she was a Christian when my friend asked her, she was not happy with this man's presence.
Another gothic man, perhaps my age, wearing a set of handcuffs, a red tee-shirt, and a shaved head. His face more than any other stands out in my mind's eye. The entire time I was there (20 minutes?) he never said anything, he had a very meek demeanor with folded hands, as though he didn't want to provoke, and he wore (what seemed to me) a pained expression on his face. I did not speak to him, but it seemed to me as though he wanted to listen, to understand why he was destined for hell, as though he wanted to hear what this man said, almost out of self-loathing...
...I want to speak to him.
Other faces, mocking and jeering, arguing and confronting; I am sure that my own was somewhat twisted with anguish...
======================
Earlier I had watched the movie with Denzel Washington, Man on Fire. Now, you are going to have to grant me some leeway here, which I think is warranted by Jesus own way of speaking; the Parable of the Unjust Judge is an example of Jesus speaking of God in a way that gets at a truth, even though it speaks of God in other ways that aren't necessarily true; so bear with me here.
In this movie Denzel Washington plays a broken man, a drunk haunted by evil things he has done, it is hinted at that he was involved in covert military operations. He sporadically reads the Scriptures and at one point he asks, "Can God forgive us for what we have done?" He lands a job as a body guard for an elite and wealthy family in Latin America. His primary role is to protect their young daughter from kidnapping. At first he presents the young girl with a gruff exterior, but her love for him wins him over, he comes to love her. When she is kidnapped, and then killed, he unleashes upon her killers with vengeance.
He is relentless, and goes to any lengths to rescue her, and then avenge her, without concern for the risk or cost to himself. He will not be dissuaded from his course of action, he has found the one thing in life that has made it okay for him to live, and now she has been harmed.
Perhaps it was simply the plot itself and the acting of Mr. Washington, and yet, I know that it was aided by the portrayal of the young girl by a blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl, similar to my own beautiful daughter Zoe; for whatever reason, this film touched me. I couldn't help but cry at several points in the film, and even afterward... and I felt that God was saying to me, "Steve, my heart loves like this, my heart hurts like this; tell them that I love them like this!"
===============
...and so, when I saw these people listening to this man explaining to them why God wants to torture them for eternity, I was moved... I don't know how to respond. I didn't really respond then in any way other than to listen, and be sad. It demands a response. People have to know, they need to know that God desperately loves them, He yearns to be with them.
Isn't that the point of the Parable of the Lost coin, the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Son? Isn't that what we hear whispered in the name of Jesus? Isn't that what we see when we look to the cross? At the anguish of God, desparate to recover to himself, his dear children?
6.14.2007
Who is my Neighbor?
Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
6.12.2007
6.11.2007
Money
Money is an intrinsic aspect of daily life. (Even in a hypothetical and romanticized agrarian, utopian barter economy there is this same reality...) This is not something we can simply ignore if we are to deal with the lives of everyday people. Jesus, does exactly that, deal with the lives of everyday people, and so, must be seen as having something to say about the way we spend, earn, use, save, and view, our money.
In fact, as we peruse the gospels with this thought in mind, we find that Jesus is constantly refering to finances, as metaphor for larger spiritual realities, in parable to to refer to the financial issues of His listeners, and even directly refering to the way specific individuals act in regards to money. It would be hard to think that Jesus was not very interested in teaching us how to live properly with money.
Here are some thoughts from our small group discussion last Wednesday on this topic:
We read and discussed the following passages:
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 23:23-26
Luke 10:25-37
We came to some conclusions...
1) as people who have decided to learn how to live from Jesus, our approach to money should be secondary, peripheral, indirect. Jesus essentially said, "don't worry about money, seek out what God is doing in the world, and align yourself with that; then your financial situation will take care of itself." We shouldn't spend time fretting about clothes and food, cars and houses. This is not an excuse to be lazy. This is about our attitude and our focus.
2) money is not given to people to bless them, but rather given to people so that they can use it to bless others. Jesus always had hard words for people of privilege who viewed their privilege as a sign of their superiority. This is because, throughout the entire recorded history of God's interaction with people, He has always chosen to bless people, in order that those people could be a blessing to the world around them.
(As a side note, visit this website to get a view for how much money you 'really' make!)
3) Finally we decided that we have a responsibility to those around us. We cannot ignore the suffering and need that goes on in our world and pretend that we are moral people simply because we don't hurt people. Being a 'good person' consists in more than simply not hurting others; it requires that we are actively pursuing the well-being of other people. (We learn this in the parable of the 'Good Samaritan' in the above passage.)
We concluded our talk with a few points of application:
1) Recognize that this is a heart issue. How you spend (and earn) your money, is an indicator of where your heart is at.
2) Instead of spending time with people who have more than you, spend time with people who have less. This will keep you from trying to 'keep up,' and will help you focus on 'helping out.'
3) Recognize that people need you to get involved more than they need your money. There is a middle option between saying 'no' and handing someone a $20. Find out who they are and how you can truly help them.
4) Build a discipline of giving into your life. Make it a habit to tip at least 50%, once a month give away your favorite article of
clothing, regularly give anonymous donations to people in need.
In fact, as we peruse the gospels with this thought in mind, we find that Jesus is constantly refering to finances, as metaphor for larger spiritual realities, in parable to to refer to the financial issues of His listeners, and even directly refering to the way specific individuals act in regards to money. It would be hard to think that Jesus was not very interested in teaching us how to live properly with money.
Here are some thoughts from our small group discussion last Wednesday on this topic:
We read and discussed the following passages:
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 23:23-26
Luke 10:25-37
We came to some conclusions...
1) as people who have decided to learn how to live from Jesus, our approach to money should be secondary, peripheral, indirect. Jesus essentially said, "don't worry about money, seek out what God is doing in the world, and align yourself with that; then your financial situation will take care of itself." We shouldn't spend time fretting about clothes and food, cars and houses. This is not an excuse to be lazy. This is about our attitude and our focus.
2) money is not given to people to bless them, but rather given to people so that they can use it to bless others. Jesus always had hard words for people of privilege who viewed their privilege as a sign of their superiority. This is because, throughout the entire recorded history of God's interaction with people, He has always chosen to bless people, in order that those people could be a blessing to the world around them.
(As a side note, visit this website to get a view for how much money you 'really' make!)
3) Finally we decided that we have a responsibility to those around us. We cannot ignore the suffering and need that goes on in our world and pretend that we are moral people simply because we don't hurt people. Being a 'good person' consists in more than simply not hurting others; it requires that we are actively pursuing the well-being of other people. (We learn this in the parable of the 'Good Samaritan' in the above passage.)
We concluded our talk with a few points of application:
1) Recognize that this is a heart issue. How you spend (and earn) your money, is an indicator of where your heart is at.
2) Instead of spending time with people who have more than you, spend time with people who have less. This will keep you from trying to 'keep up,' and will help you focus on 'helping out.'
3) Recognize that people need you to get involved more than they need your money. There is a middle option between saying 'no' and handing someone a $20. Find out who they are and how you can truly help them.
4) Build a discipline of giving into your life. Make it a habit to tip at least 50%, once a month give away your favorite article of
clothing, regularly give anonymous donations to people in need.
6.06.2007
The Party Line...
Don't make the mistake of thinking that Jesus is honored, simply because Buddha is mocked...
Honoring Jesus is more than words, it is deep work, requiring alterations in our very character...
Truly honoring God requires the Spirit of the resurrected Christ at work in us. Not simply saying 'He is great' and 'everything else is junk.'
There are no short cuts to holiness. We do not get a pass on being good, by simply spouting the party line. God is not interested in people who want the outer trappings of godliness, but lack the desire to become godly.
I must confess, it is easier for me to see myself in good standing with God simply because I do 'Christian' things... this however, does not fool God. I cannot confuse God with political spin. I may be able to fool others into thinking my lack of drinking and swearing makes me a pious person, but God sees the way my heart responds to the customers that I deal with at work. He is not fooled by my knowledge of the Bible into thinking that I actually live out the message the Bible contains.
Honoring Jesus is more than words, it is deep work, requiring alterations in our very character...
Truly honoring God requires the Spirit of the resurrected Christ at work in us. Not simply saying 'He is great' and 'everything else is junk.'
There are no short cuts to holiness. We do not get a pass on being good, by simply spouting the party line. God is not interested in people who want the outer trappings of godliness, but lack the desire to become godly.
I must confess, it is easier for me to see myself in good standing with God simply because I do 'Christian' things... this however, does not fool God. I cannot confuse God with political spin. I may be able to fool others into thinking my lack of drinking and swearing makes me a pious person, but God sees the way my heart responds to the customers that I deal with at work. He is not fooled by my knowledge of the Bible into thinking that I actually live out the message the Bible contains.
5.28.2007
Brother Harry explains Grace
Be forewarned...
...if you are even remotely 'churchy' you will be offended by this site.
...if you are even remotely 'churchy' you will be offended by this site.
The practical step...
I have been reflecting lately...
Our church has been focusing quite a bit lately on what it means to follow Jesus. We have been dialoguing about the central message of Jesus, what He desires for us from the bigger perspective of the whole person; laying down your life and picking His up, pursuing spiritual disciplines as a way of allowing God access to our hearts, recognizing that Jesus' way of life is more concerned with helping us to become a certain kind of person rather than getting us to a certain destination, recognizing that becoming that person is largely a matter of internal "spiritual" realities that manifest themselves in our daily actions (as opposed to the external 'daily actions' themselves), understanding that the central act on our parts that allows us access to God's way of being is to confidently trust that what He says is the truest possible thing to say and what He does is the best possible thing to do; all of this has served as the 'bigger picture' of what it means to follow Jesus, which, is the place that most Christians lack proper understanding the most.
I believe that we approach Jesus from a very disjointed perspective, separating His various statements from each other, treating them as self-sufficient platitudes instead of peices in the larger whole of Jesus' way of understanding, doing, and being; and separating His teaching, His actions, His relationships, His death, and His identity into completely isolated aspects of what He was trying to accomlish. This then prevents us from understanding much of what He really desires; much like a man staring at a collection of puzzle peices may tell you what the whole looks like from what He has put together, yet if he only has a small portion of the peices in place, He cannot truly know what the whole is. We in the protestant lineage have argued for too long that the whole picture is two or three of the peices that we have put together! We need to begin putting the puzzle peices back together (as many have been doing) before we make claims about what the 'point' is; to drop the metaphor, we need to understand Jesus as He understood Himself before we try to decide what His fundamental purpose for our lives might be.
...enough of the rabbit trail...
I have felt that now is the time to begin to look again at the 'nuts and bolts' of following Jesus. With our understanding of the blueprints as a whole, it is now time to start looking at where to put the building materials, and how to start building...
We are going to approach some very common aspects of human existence and ask the question, "How does our understanding of who Jesus is, and what it means to be His student, apply to this area of our lives?" In light of our belief that Jesus lived the best possible kind of life, and that He wants to share that life with us, how should we think and act in the areas of human sexuality, personal finance, conflict and confrontation, entertainment, employment, political involvment, family relationships, etc.
We need to stress constantly the larger issue of learning, in submission to Jesus, how to live; but, it is time to focus on the practicalities and actualities of 'how to _________.' I believe that this will also give us, ultimately, a deeper insight into the bigger picture of life in God's Reality; understanding in very specific terms what it means for us to 'sell everything we own,' in order to attain the 'treasure in the field.'
Our church has been focusing quite a bit lately on what it means to follow Jesus. We have been dialoguing about the central message of Jesus, what He desires for us from the bigger perspective of the whole person; laying down your life and picking His up, pursuing spiritual disciplines as a way of allowing God access to our hearts, recognizing that Jesus' way of life is more concerned with helping us to become a certain kind of person rather than getting us to a certain destination, recognizing that becoming that person is largely a matter of internal "spiritual" realities that manifest themselves in our daily actions (as opposed to the external 'daily actions' themselves), understanding that the central act on our parts that allows us access to God's way of being is to confidently trust that what He says is the truest possible thing to say and what He does is the best possible thing to do; all of this has served as the 'bigger picture' of what it means to follow Jesus, which, is the place that most Christians lack proper understanding the most.
I believe that we approach Jesus from a very disjointed perspective, separating His various statements from each other, treating them as self-sufficient platitudes instead of peices in the larger whole of Jesus' way of understanding, doing, and being; and separating His teaching, His actions, His relationships, His death, and His identity into completely isolated aspects of what He was trying to accomlish. This then prevents us from understanding much of what He really desires; much like a man staring at a collection of puzzle peices may tell you what the whole looks like from what He has put together, yet if he only has a small portion of the peices in place, He cannot truly know what the whole is. We in the protestant lineage have argued for too long that the whole picture is two or three of the peices that we have put together! We need to begin putting the puzzle peices back together (as many have been doing) before we make claims about what the 'point' is; to drop the metaphor, we need to understand Jesus as He understood Himself before we try to decide what His fundamental purpose for our lives might be.
...enough of the rabbit trail...
I have felt that now is the time to begin to look again at the 'nuts and bolts' of following Jesus. With our understanding of the blueprints as a whole, it is now time to start looking at where to put the building materials, and how to start building...
We are going to approach some very common aspects of human existence and ask the question, "How does our understanding of who Jesus is, and what it means to be His student, apply to this area of our lives?" In light of our belief that Jesus lived the best possible kind of life, and that He wants to share that life with us, how should we think and act in the areas of human sexuality, personal finance, conflict and confrontation, entertainment, employment, political involvment, family relationships, etc.
We need to stress constantly the larger issue of learning, in submission to Jesus, how to live; but, it is time to focus on the practicalities and actualities of 'how to _________.' I believe that this will also give us, ultimately, a deeper insight into the bigger picture of life in God's Reality; understanding in very specific terms what it means for us to 'sell everything we own,' in order to attain the 'treasure in the field.'
5.21.2007
"Success is..."
If you haven't read it yet, click on the title link to read a previous post, and read also the comments to it.
Much of what passes for the definition of "ministry success" (no offense to those who find value in it) stands in opposition to the methods Jesus Himself engaged in to "build" His ministry. Success is defined in terms of how many people have attended a particular event, the size of our budget, or the square footage of our building. By these terms Jesus was an utter failure. He had no operating budget, or a building; and as for body count, the man kept sending everyone away!!!!
Those who answered the previous post by pointing to obedience to Jesus, and love for God and neighbor, are certainly correct...
...however, I had better rephrase the question:
Granting that success is defined by our obedience to Jesus, and that 'obedience to Jesus' is defined by our love for God and our love for people, what is an accurate measure of that success?
What is the fruit that will show that the tree is healthy?
Matthew 7:15-20
The answer Jesus gives is that we would leave something behind us (John 15:16); if we look to Jesus we can see in His life a model for us to follow. If we would judge our lives a success by the standard Jesus set then we must first begin by stating that 'success' is to be measured by the people who follow after us...
...it has been said:
"Success is defined by our successors!"
Jesus made many baffling decisions if His ministry is to be evaluated by much of what passes for 'church growth' today. He sent people away without even a basic understanding of the gospel, He refused to let people follow Him, ran away and hid from them when they wanted to give Him a place of prominence and authority in their community, was constantly avoiding the influential people in society in favor of people who had nothing to offer, would consistently tell people things that were phrased in such a way that they either plotted to kill Him or simply left His ministry altogether; in fact, Jesus seems to have been more interested in 'Church Growth Governors' than in conventional and contemporary 'Church Growth' wisdom.
Why did Jesus do things the way He did them? Because He measured success by the lives of the disciples He left behind Him. He knew that no matter how large His Church became, there was not the possibility of 'success' if He was the only one to take responsibility for what God wants to do upon the earth. In fact, the whole goal of Jesus ministry was not to 'reach people with the gospel' (as we often think of this term) but rather to help a small group of people to learn how to live in God's presence so fully that they would be able to teach others how to do the same thing. (Which is what Jesus meant when He used the term gospel...)
God is not concerned with externals...
...He is truly concerned that each person would become the woman or man that they were intended to be (a unique reflection of the Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus), and so would rather spend three years teaching twelve men how to 'be' then lead 10,000 people in a 'sinner's prayer,' or gather 20,000 into a group, or oversee the construction of a giant community center/meeting hall, or raise 1,000,000 dollars.
Much of what passes for the definition of "ministry success" (no offense to those who find value in it) stands in opposition to the methods Jesus Himself engaged in to "build" His ministry. Success is defined in terms of how many people have attended a particular event, the size of our budget, or the square footage of our building. By these terms Jesus was an utter failure. He had no operating budget, or a building; and as for body count, the man kept sending everyone away!!!!
Those who answered the previous post by pointing to obedience to Jesus, and love for God and neighbor, are certainly correct...
...however, I had better rephrase the question:
Granting that success is defined by our obedience to Jesus, and that 'obedience to Jesus' is defined by our love for God and our love for people, what is an accurate measure of that success?
What is the fruit that will show that the tree is healthy?
Matthew 7:15-20
The answer Jesus gives is that we would leave something behind us (John 15:16); if we look to Jesus we can see in His life a model for us to follow. If we would judge our lives a success by the standard Jesus set then we must first begin by stating that 'success' is to be measured by the people who follow after us...
...it has been said:
"Success is defined by our successors!"
Jesus made many baffling decisions if His ministry is to be evaluated by much of what passes for 'church growth' today. He sent people away without even a basic understanding of the gospel, He refused to let people follow Him, ran away and hid from them when they wanted to give Him a place of prominence and authority in their community, was constantly avoiding the influential people in society in favor of people who had nothing to offer, would consistently tell people things that were phrased in such a way that they either plotted to kill Him or simply left His ministry altogether; in fact, Jesus seems to have been more interested in 'Church Growth Governors' than in conventional and contemporary 'Church Growth' wisdom.
Why did Jesus do things the way He did them? Because He measured success by the lives of the disciples He left behind Him. He knew that no matter how large His Church became, there was not the possibility of 'success' if He was the only one to take responsibility for what God wants to do upon the earth. In fact, the whole goal of Jesus ministry was not to 'reach people with the gospel' (as we often think of this term) but rather to help a small group of people to learn how to live in God's presence so fully that they would be able to teach others how to do the same thing. (Which is what Jesus meant when He used the term gospel...)
God is not concerned with externals...
...He is truly concerned that each person would become the woman or man that they were intended to be (a unique reflection of the Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus), and so would rather spend three years teaching twelve men how to 'be' then lead 10,000 people in a 'sinner's prayer,' or gather 20,000 into a group, or oversee the construction of a giant community center/meeting hall, or raise 1,000,000 dollars.
5.09.2007
The "Special" People
I have some friends in Santa Cruz, they have a real burden to reach out with the love of God to a very "special" group of people.
Scroll down for a picture of some of those people that they are working with
My "special" friends, El Jeffe, and Laben...
Scroll down for a picture of some of those people that they are working with
My "special" friends, El Jeffe, and Laben...
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