A fresh chapter in the Jesus revolution

new blog?

2007-01-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

No one has posted in a bazillion years...I think I am going to start a new one. It will be more focused (in theory) on theology (this one was not in theory, but was in practice! Time to make it real I guess). If someone wants to co-create and manage it, please let me know. I was thinking 2-3 writers and 203 posts a week, on whatever we are into at the time.

Peace~Thomas

Response to Mr. Evett: Origen

2006-10-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerpt of my reflections on Origen, which may be helpful:

In order to understand his eschatology, we have to understand how he understands the “Fall,” so I will briefly mention it in passing. He claims that all creatures are as diverse as they are due to the declension of their fall. All creatures were created originally good; they are not good to the extent that they have rebelled. For example, Lucifer is merely the nature of darkness and evil, how did he exist before evil was manifested (I.V.5)? And you cannot have two co-eternal forces, because neither of them would be omnipotent. So, the state of affairs of each creature is due to how far each one has defected from participating in the goodness of God (which is essential to God alone). It also might be helpful to mention here that the rate of the improvement of each creature has to do with his or her position in rebellion, e.g., Lucifer will take longer to improve than humans, because he fell further into rebellion.

Origen begins his discussion of “the end or consummation,” by stating that the very nature of the idea relates to some type of perfection or consummation of things. Following this, he warns that discussion of issues like this cannot be done with the dogmatic precision of used for the doctrine of the Trinity. Eschatology is more a of an open ended conversation (I.VI.1). What I find most interesting about Origen’s eschatology is what most would term “universalism;” however I think slapping on this ‘label’ fails to give justice to what he contributes. As we talked about in class, he does not necessarily follow closely to linear logic, such as ‘all will be saved, therefore no one can choose not to be saved, and therefore no one has free-will.’ In fact, Origen holds paradoxes in his attempt at a comprehensive theology. The best example of this might be the tension between free-will and his belief that after eons of time, even Lucifer and the fallen angels will be restored to peace and harmony with the rest of creation. He seems to maintain the existence of free-will in this by saying that sometime in the future, even the enemies of Christ will be subject to Him, but in the same manner that we are subject to Him – seeking salvation. This would lead me to think that far from forcing fallen angels to love Him, Christ would ‘woo’ them with His beauty, love and glory, in the same way He evokes love from us by loving us first. In the First Chapter of Book II he elevates the wisdom and power of God, by asserting that God will restore and transform all things into harmony, despite how far each creature has fallen, and God has arranged for this to happen without forcing any creature against the liberty of free-will. This leads him to believe that the whole world, with all of its diversity and members, is like one huge body held together by one soul. While this sounds Neo or Middle-Platonic (Origen is considered the latter), it also seems logical that if God is all powerful, and created all things, then God will redeem all things. This would mean all things are under God’s wisdom and power, making all things a sort of diverse-whole, which is Origen’s world-body metaphor. This brings us to the next aspect of Origen I see significant: salvation as incorruption.

Origen has interesting and diverse ideas on bodies, souls and their origin and salvation. He maintains continuity with earlier fathers such as Irenaeus, however, by maintaining that salvation is primarily incorruption. Even though Origen appears to have a very strong distinction, even dichotomy, between mind/spirit and matter, he does not maintain a Platonic form of salvation, which would consist of souls being released from their imprisonment in material bodies. Also, far from being Gnostic, he defends the bodily incarnation of the Son, and the goodness of creation. As neither Gnostic nor Platonist (at least here), Origen ridicules the idea of co-eternality of matter, and reasons through why he believes that only God has the quality of ‘incorporality.’ He says that it is impossible for any creature to ever have been without corporeal form, and it will never be possible. Following 1 Corinthians 15, he asserts that what is corruptible will put on incorruption, and what is mortal will put on immortality. Though often speculative, in my opinion Origen remains humble about what we can and cannot know about the future. This is why he responds to questions of the future of bodies with an admitted semi-ignorance. For while he maintains that this world will not pass away, he claims that the fashion of this world will pass away (drawing upon 1 Corinthians 7:31). He states in I.VI.4, “…it is by no means an annihilation or destruction of their material substance that is shown to take place, but a kind of change of quality and transformation of appearance.” This seems to be a view of ‘bodies with a future” in concert with the New Testament, Apostolic witness and the fathers before Origen. It is also relevant to conversation, I think, to conversation these days about how to treat bodies and materials, not the least of which is the earth we are destroying.

I think Origen’s eschatology is worth thinking through again today because his story of the future is more coherent with the scriptural story of the past than typical contemporary Christian stories of the future. (What I mean by “typical” is this: sometime called “Judgment Day” God is going to shut off forever the possibility of any creature turning towards the love of God, and those who have not yet will be tortured for eternity, while the rest of creation live in communion with God in harmony, in an incorporeal, spiritual state of existence). This latter account leaves us with many questions: “Why would God, who is love, will the misery of any of his creatures? If God created all things, and “it was good,” why would God allow any of his creatures to be lost from God forever? Why would God destroy his “good” creation?,” etc. Logically, it looks as though we would have to give up either free-will, or the redemption of all things – God being All in All. Maybe we can hope with Origen that over ages, evil habits will not become evil nature, and all creation will respond to the love of God.

Well, this is one voice worth listening to. All thoughts are welcome.

Peace~Thomas

Questions from Tim on Wrath, Hell, and Arrogance

2006-09-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who thinks that God's quote "wrath", is loving people, not striking them down? that God's "punishment" is pulling us even closer too him? that "hell", whatever "hell" is, is a place where people are loved-not tortured?
Or how about this: Does anyone else think that all of us humans on earth are equal like God created us, and that followers of Jesus are not a being that is "over" or "Higher up" than non-christians? I can't see those who are not following Jesus wanting to follow Jesus if the example they see is Christians who act like they are overpowering and better than non-followers or believers. input?
It seems to me that God's love is unbelievably powerful, and conquers ALL things. Does anyone think this way or have any comment to this? Im sure some would disagree with this, but I would still like others' opinions on this.
thanks.

peace&love brothers and sisters.
-tim e.

"Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone"

2006-09-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

THIS IS LONG, BUT WORTH IT. ANYONE FEEL FREE TO ADD OR CORRECT ME.

Immanuel Kant has a bizarre yet rational account of religion. As the title indicates, he limits religion to the limits of reason. This means that certain things are passed by as useless, such as miracles, proofs of God’s existence, and means of grace, even the resurrection. In fact some of these above things are heavily critiqued. By making religion rational, he seeks to develop an idea of religion that is universal. If it is to be universal and apply to all humans, it must not include any historical facts or events, for these would then religion would be contingent upon the news of such facts or events. He thus rules out special revelation. What he does say is universal is the moral law; this [he says] is something obvious in all humans. He states, “Religion is the recognition of all duties as divine commands.” To do anything other than duty is superfluous.

He follows the Christian narrative, starting with the Jews. He says the Jewish faith included statuary laws that were merely provisional. These laws and Judaism itself were used then by Jesus to bring about true religion, i.e. morality. Kant prefers to refer to Jesus as the archetype. This archetype was not necessary to see in person (again, he is making this religion universal), since the archetype lies in all humans through reason. Jesus’ (or other) miracles are superfluous; they only happened to establish the new religion over the old one (which was also established by miracles). The religion is now established and can maintain itself on rational grounds. Kant focuses on the teachings of Jesus that debased exterior rites and elevated interior motives to say that Jesus was advocating true religion as a disposition toward doing one’s duty. Kant gives a list of the worst of the church in its history, and lashes out against priests (“priest-craft”) as controllers of the masses. He goes through means of grace, seeking to show their worthlessness:

1. Praying: thought to be internal service to God; it is really a superstitious illusion. Note: having a spirit of prayer is okay, since it motivates oneself to be moral. Using words is wrong though and presumptuous. Since we cannot be certain of the existence of God, we are not sincere when we pray with words. The one exception is Public prayer, but only because it is a motivating tool for morality, not that we think God is present or anything.

2. Church-Going: thought to be a ceremonial service to God; God is not served, because humans cannot affect supernatural ends with natural means, and God cannot be served By humans/doesn’t need anything. Church is only god as a means of creating a union of moral people. Kant says the church is only provisional until reason is fully liberated.

3. Ceremonial initiation: this act (baptism) aims toward holiness, but brings no actual change/holiness, therefore it is not a means of grace.

4. Communion: good because expands selfish people toward a cosmopolitan community; still not a means of grace.

He says means of grace is a self-contradiction anyway. Humans are to do their duty, simply for the sake of duty, for no other reason. And further still, they are to do it with their own effort. Grace exists beyond the realm of reason, and is not calculable. The “ought” of the law implies that humans are able to do the law. This means humans have freedom. Kant says each person has a supreme maxim that rules his or her conduct. If one simply gives in to their desires and influences, that means at some point in their mind they made “whatever desire is the strongest” as their maxim. This means they are a slave of desire, and are not acting freely. To act freely, is to make the moral law – which is available to all, as if engraved on human hearts– the ruling maxim. Freedom has to exist, otherwise morality exists, for to make moral choices requires freedom. The moral law both reveals and presupposes freedom. (Freedom and determinism are compatible; this will be maybe another roost, or a good conversation to have in person: “for freedom consists not in the contingency of the act…but in absolute spontaneity…such spontaneity is only endangered by predeterminism, where the determining ground is in antecedent time, with the result that, the act being no longer in my power but in the hands of nature, I am irresistibly determined; but since in God no temporal sequence is thinkable, this difficulty vanishes.”)

He deals with original sin in an interesting manner (it seemed pretty logical). I will just mention here that he says humans are responsible for evil, and must by their own effort conquer it. Man made himself what he is morally; otherwise the category of morality does not apply (this is a presupposition of morality). Persons must also lay a hold of the help/make herself worthy of it/ adopt it into her maxim to become good. He says both the fall and the re-ascent are incomprehensible, so we assume both. He then says ought implies can, i.e. it is within our power, since our souls prompt us to become better. Atonement is related to Christ’s work, but [as far as I understand it] Christ is to be a symbolic representation to help motivate morality, rather than actually bring forgiveness. [More on this: On the level of principles, it was a victory: it held greater influence than if he lived on teaching, etc., he opened the portal to freedom. There is refuge under another dominion; we can’t be held against our will any more. Whether this is real or imaginary, I am not sure what Kant thought.]

He calls all worship, prayer and the like “fetish-faith”; whereby people unwilling to live lives of good conduct seek to manipulate God rather than change.

Question: What is you reaction to this system?

Deo Gratias~Thomas

MANIFESTO: THE MAD FARMER LIBERATION FRONT

2006-08-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay.
Want more of everything made.
Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery any more.
Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something they will call you.
When they want you to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something that won't compute.
Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace the flag.
Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands.
Give you approval to all you cannot understand.
Praise ignorance,
for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium.
Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion--put your ear close,
and hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world.
Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable.
Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap for power,
please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head in her lap.
Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and politicos can predict the motions
of your mind, lose it.
Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn't go.
Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

[Amen~Thomas]

Teenage Mega Conference

2006-07-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

I was recently at the DCLA2006 conference held in Washington D.C. In fact, I just got back yesterday. This is a teenage mega conference hosted by Youth Specialties and sponsored most notably by Youth For Christ. The purpose of the conference was to walk through the book of John to experience a story of God in the large group gatherings and how to share your faith during the small group gatherings.

The most notable event that happened during this conference was during the last large group session. This Christian rapper who had translated the book of John into a rap got to the point of the gospel in which Pilot asks Jesus about truth. This rapper interprets Jesus response as saying, "You are only a king on paper". This segment of the service was preceded by a reading of scripture in which the reader exploded into several expressions stating that Jesus had conquered death and that Jesus is alive.

As I exited the conference room I was bombarded with a Christian mall. I could buy T shirts with the words love on them or a multitude of CD's or dating books. There were hats, buttons, and even hemp cross necklaces that I could buy. I mean, my money could go anywhere in this mass uncontrollable atmosphere of Christian consumerism. This one booth was even selling pro life clothes with harsh statements that minus well have said congratulations on killing a fetus, like they didn't already know that. If the Christian mall wasn’t enough for me to rethink my presence I couldn't help but notice the lack of ethnicity in 12,000 teenagers. Was it the cost of the event, irrelevance of the message, or the unwelcome presence of multi ethnicity that kept certain ethnic groups away from hearing a very prophetic message like: Pilot, you are only a King on paper or paraphrased President Bush: you are only a President on paper.

It seemed to me that this message was not only not heard among other ethnic groups outside Korean and Caucasian but also washed to the side by the blatant attack of consumerism. What would have happened if I would have stood to my feet and yelled that clothes are only cotton, or cd's are only electronic, or these conferences are only for rich white suburban people. Would of my voice been heard if I continued the prophetic message of Pilot is only a king on paper to include flashy youth productions featuring flashy bands and flashy speakers with flashy evangelistic messages?

The thought that has come to me over this week is don't scream at people to practice ideas that you can't at least imagine. If one can't imagine God's kingdom to be bigger than the ever attack of consumerism, America, white flight, torture, etc… then why would one scream God's kingdom at people?

`Jake

Of Forgiveness

2006-07-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Derrida argues that pure forgiveness is impossible because it is forgiveness void of all repentance, reconciliation, and so on. For him, forgiveness has to be something as clear as possible. I think we as Christians, a people who talk extensively about forgiveness and a forgiving God—which I often emphasize—, should also come to as clear of an understanding of forgiveness as we can too.

Derrida says:
“I try to explain that any type of pure forgiveness is impossible. And that one can only truly forgive that which is unforgivable. If one forgives what is easily forgiven, one doesn’t really forgive. One must forgive what is unforgivable, and so do the impossible.
I also try to distinguish between reconciliation and forgiveness. A forgiveness that is demanded or accorded in order to achieve some type of reconciliation it is not forgiveness. If I forgive solely to change a situation or to heal a wound, or if I forgive with a therapeutic intention or a psychoanalytical or ecological purpose, or so that someone’s health returns, or peace is restored, then to me, that is not pure forgiveness. That’s a calculation. Now I might think that’s a good calculation, one that must be made, but I wouldn’t consider it pure forgiveness. I would regard it as something that is part of a process, a process of mourning or reconciliation, which is sometimes therapeutic or politically necessary. And I approve of all these processes of reconciliation that are attempted in many parts of the world today. But since I am a philosopher who tries to be rigorous with what’s said and tries to understand the meaning of words and evaluate their sense and implication, I refrain from calling theses situations examples of pure forgiveness.”

I’m not sure what to make of this yet. I was just exposed to the thought today. But something in my mind tells me this is a very important thought in regards to our understanding or idea of a God of unlimited forgiveness and a people that strives to forgive ourselves and others as God does.

I’ll give myself some time to ponder the implications of Derrida’s statement. Hopefully I’ll have something to say soon.

If ANYONE has ANY thoughts please share them.

----yhtomiT SOMMEr

Friends,

2006-06-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

{sorry for the delay in this post, i have been at camp and wrote this a few days ago but am just now getting to post this. Let me know what you think}
-----------

Friends,

I haven’t really been participating in your conversation much these days but just have a few things for the group that in some way (however distant) I am apart of.

I love the conversation, at least the small parts of it that I can understand. Some very interesting, thought provoking things going on here. This blog has really taken on a life of it’s own which is pretty cool. I do however wonder how the average reader would understand what you are all saying and what the heart of your conversation is. Also, this blog is connected to a community / website -- CSR (Cross Style Revolution) which is intended to connect especially with students (high school, college primarily). How do we, if we do at all, talk about some of these things so that the intended community can participate?

Also because this is a conversation that is connected to the CSR community, which I am closely apart of and in many ways helping lead, I would really appreciate if we watched our language. I understand some of you think that this isn’t a big deal, I totally understand and honestly your language doesn’t offend me in the least. However, people who I invite to be apart of this CSR community on a weekly basis would be offended by this language. I want to love these people and respect their view on language as much as it might differ from your view or mine.

The last thing… Something that really caught my ear that Anthony said, a comment I really liked. “I don’t accept that there can be a revolution from evangelicals.” I LOVE IT and totally agree! This could be a good conversation. I agree because I think the only revolution that can really take place is a revolution that comes from the heart of God and is lead by Jesus, the Christ. I read Acts chapter 5 and think this has always been true. There are lots of little revolutions that are popping up here and there but the only real revolution, the only one that will last will be the Jesus revolution which is directly from the heart of God. Anything else will be fleeting, trendy and temporary at best. I hope we aren’t claiming anything new or different but as Thomas has said, just something fresh, a fresh chapter of the JESUS Revolution.

Well that enough of my non-intellectual discourse (I just had to use spell check on the word intellectual, which means it really really isn’t intellectual. Oh well).

And Anthony, it’s good to hear from you. Quite a resume you got, I still remember you from Sterling as the soft spoken kid. But it sounds like things are going well for you and your family which is awesome. Tell your mom I said hi next time your talk to her. I have a ton of respect for her, she is one of my favorite ladies! I am actually at camp this week with Gary Gerstenburger, remember those days? Good times.

Thanks for listening friends

Shalom
~~Erik

Eastern Orthodoxy I: Why I am Attracted To It (This is a long one)

2006-06-10T10:59:00.001-07:00

Orthodoxy is attractive because it is so holistic, and Eucharistic, and they preserve the mystery of God.

As you learn and grow in the tradition of your faith, and realize your protestant tradition goes back 100, maybe a few hundred years at the most, you find yourself trapped in modernity. You might find your communities limited by modern, inward, psychological, western, rationalistic faith. One should not have to work hard to make their "faith" relevant to the business of the 'real world'; of eating and drinking, art, music, sex, economics, work, architecture, bodies, cities, politics, and creation.

There are general, popular generic-protestant axioms like "worship is with your whole life", and "love God 24-7". These most often fail to draw upon 2000 years of disciples doing this very thing, and handing these practices down to the next generations. (So far, I have not said anything to exclude Roman Catholicism, which is also cool). (Also, most protestant culture and art sucks. We have the lamest music, creativity is rare, and yet we worship the Creator?)

The very idea of 'religion' as a universal, interior, human impulse was not created until the 16 century, and only at first in the west. Before that, 'religio' (the Latin word) referred to communaly embedded bodily practices and disciplines of Christians directing their lives toward God in every day life. ("religions", in the plural did not exist until the so-called "religious wars" - I will write a future post on this).

Western philosophy - with its roots in Neo-Platonism, Augustine and others (not ALL bad) - developed the idea of "individuals". The individual person became the locus of authority. Rene Descartes championed modern thought when he decided to fight don't with doubt, and concluded that at least he was doubting. His conclusion was "I think, therefore I am". He also was a dualist: the human souls and body were a "Ghost in a machine". (Individuals are a myth, anyway)

Confidence was in human reason, that is INDIVIDUAL human reason. Individuals began to interpret the Bible, and were the final authority on faith matters.

You have this supreme confidence in human rationality, explaining away Christian history (resurrection, miracles, powers and principalities), societies becoming fragmented, and the rise of the sovereign nation-state. Science and technology were deemed saviors, along with nation-states who guarantee individuals their "rights". With all of these individuals out there as the final authority on everything, the Church split umpteen different ways.

Western Christendom reacted by evacuating the realms of art, music, sex, economics, work, architecture, bodies, cities, politics; retreating to some inward 'spiritual space'. The idea of 'secular' was created, not discovered. For example: The western church's failure to recognize sexuality as a good gift, left it to pagans. 'Secularism' invested heavily in sex, politics, art, etc. It is no wonder that secularism looks attractive. If Christians have not joy, as Nietzche said, we will look elsewhere.

Without community passing on the virtues and practices of holistic Christianity, you have whakos who come up with interpretations and abuses of the Bible. They came up with the idea of the "rapture" (this idea has been around less than 100 years), and the idea that our souls are going to some place called heaven (as opposed to it COMING to us, like in Revelation) allowed people to think of the earth and its resources as disposable. This makes no sense if there is a resurrection of the BODY. If bodies don't matter, then why was Jesus' body raised, and why does scripture speak of new creation? The Spirit will makes all things new, not all new things.

And so we have this popular idea that Christianity is a religion, in which I believe in 'my heart' that Jesus died, and went through suffering so I don't have to, and I will go to heaven someday. Our churches are chaplains to our towns and cities. The Church governs souls, while we hand bodies over to the state, or the market, or 'the secular'. What I believe does not have to affect the rest of the world, unless I am really, really passionate, and then I might ask how to "integrate my faith into my life."

This is wrong!

For the Orthodox sin is thinking of God religiously; the problem is not preferring the world over God, but making it into mere material, instead of gift/blessing for communion purpose. Previously the life was full of spirit. God sent Jesus not to rescue, but to show humans what humans hunger for, to show them what God is really like. In him humans are restored to their priestly, Eucharistic role.

The Church is the continuation of the incarnation, but is also so much more. Our Orthodox friends help us by pointing to Pentecost as the birthday of the Church. The Church is the new epiphany of God; the most recent move in the economy of God. The Church must be wrapped up in the outgoing life of the Trinity; otherwise we have an unbaptized God - a God who is not identified with humanity. The Spirit incarnated d the Son in the Virgin Mary, and "Christened" Jesus life and ministry. Jesus then died to "give up the Ghost" to all, even to the depths of hell. In this Spirit-Christology we see that Jesus came to give the Spirit, and at Pentecost the Spirit is given to continue this incarnation.

This incarnation is the real Body and Blood of Jesus, to be broken and given for the life of the world. Christ, the New Adam, instituted not a new religion, but new life. This new life is the restoration of the Eucharistic function of humanity. This function is the assumption of all creation Â all of life is taken up, "judged, redeemed, transformed", and used for the kingdom. This happen in the Eucharist. They teach that when the invoking of the Spirit (the epiclesis) happens, the bread and wine are not the only materials turned into the Body of Christ, but WE TOO then become the Body. it is almost like double-transubstantiation. (it is ironic that protestants will think we are the body of Christ, but some bread can't be it????)

There is no dualism between souls and bodies, material and spiritual. Secularism is the illegitimate stepchild of Christianity, but is not real for Christians. There is no secular, God creates all, and all is to be redeemed by God. There is no realm outside the mission of the Church - the Orthodox realize this. They also have been living it. They offer a whole life, a culture. That is why I am attracted to it...

the post without a definative topic. aka: let's start with wrote I previously wrote and let Curtis &/or others take the wheel

2006-05-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

I think it may be that if anyone adheres to a lifestyle of selfless reason they are a Christian, even if they might not profess to being a Christian. The reason I believe this is because I believe the only NESECCARY requisites to being a Christian are:
1) Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
-Since I believe God is love, I can reword this by saying:
'1) Loving Love and all encompassed in love-- grace, compassion, truth, justice, mercy, forgiveness, wisdom, ect, ect-- with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

and

2) Loving your neighbor as your self.

-At the same time I think believing in the resurrection, new creation, and the divinity of Jesus are characteristics of someone of stronger faith in the Christian narrative. But I still think loving Love and loving one's neighbor are the essence Christian qualitification.

Comments?

Fall? ... or Rise?

2006-05-10T21:54:00.000-07:00

One of the numerous questions flowing through my mind this month is: 'Why should humanity assume it ever 'Fell' in the biblical sense of the word?'

At the moment, as far as my knowledge can disclose, humanity's history has been a paradoxically driven one of prevalent self-destruction/ domination of others that has only been sustained by its rival: the strange, easily and often perverted force we call 'love.'

As for falling from an ideal state, this statement, at least as far as I can determine, has no basis of legitamacy. In fact, the opposite seems much more plausible; that is, humanity, at least in some pockets/ cultures, has been and is experiencing a 'Rise' from barbaric, sensationally-aggressive/impulsive species to morally, ethically, logically, and spiritually conscious species.

Comments?

--- Timothy

An understanding of Christ's death (bear with the length)

2006-04-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hhmm, let let me try to say with without completely ostricizing myself from the Christian faith. Okay first off, I think His death was MEANT TO change humankind's view of grace (I personally don't think this has really manifest itself in Christiandom, much less a widespread idea-- just look at the amount of 'Christians' who approve of the death penalty for an easy example).
Secondly, when Jesus says, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." I believe the blood and forgiveness he's talking about is in regard to the Jewish/ Roman community that he knows are going to brutally kill him. Jesus is forgiving them by accepting the consquences of thier sin. I suppose he could be talking about the 'many' as in all those who have contributed to this violent way of thinking throughout the ages. But what I don't think this is is a reference to all humanity that is to come, which would mean us.

This is something I wrote to Thomas last semester and it details my understanding of atonement. (I've roughly tweeked it a bit, but it pretty much says what I still think).

Over the past couple of years I've been trying to come to a conclusion as to what Christ's death is all about. I've long rejected the notion of a payment of any kind simply because an ultimately graceful God would not demand any type of payment in order to forgive someone of their sins. Instead, the only requisite for forgiveness is regret and repentance, on behalf of the sinner. In other words, the only necessity is for the sinner to acknowledge God's forgiveness; an ever-present forgiveness, which is already there but is not made complete until the forgiveness is acknowledged and accepted.
I have been raised in the church since birth. My father is a pastor. And every Sunday I go to church, no matter where that church is or what denomination it is, and a preassumed concept is that of the atonement in which Christ came down and somehow reestablished a relationship between God and humanity through his death i.e. humanity has received salvation through Christ, who served as a sacrifice, and his blood somehow purifies us in a
'Jewish-sacrificial-system' sense. Over time I have come to realize this traditional (and still prevalent) understanding however, is deeply flawed.
I recently attempted an informal articulation of my thoughts on how Christ's death serves as the key to humanities understanding of atonement. I wrote the following:
The crucifixion is indeed the finalizing act of atonement for Jesus (reestablishing and exemplifying a completely flawless, holy relationship between God and man). And let me stress what I mean when I say FINALIZING. The death of Christ can ONLY hold any significance when made in light of the life of Christ, for without the life the death is just another Roman crucifixion. This being said, the two-- the life and death-- are inseparable. Throughout the Gospels, each act of Jesus' life-- each act made in response to God and displaying examples of God's love-- is part of a progressive atonement. It is setting the example of how humans must live if he or she is to bring themself in the closest possible relation to God.
The reason why the death is the finalizing act of atonement is because it is part of the continuing example of how one is to live in the complete presence of God. With the circumstances Jesus found himself in he had the choice to maintain his relationship with God, which meant he could NOT use violence as a means to save himself, nor as a means to achieve power, control, or service to the innocent. As result of the prohibition Christ has the options to either run or to subject himself to suffering. This subjection to suffering is the climax of his life. His suffering is the ultimate display of both responsive forgiveness and complete injustice; it was the true embodiement of what it means to love your enemey and those who persecute you, by which I mean practicing a love that accepts the consequences of the enemies sin, which, in this case, meant accepting death.
Through his death he exposes the sinfulness of humankind's lives and our institutionalized and personal practices that are embedded in ways contrary to God's love. His death gives humanity the opportunity to acknowledge the areas of life we did not know were sinful but most definitely are. This acknowledgement is a bitter pill and turns the self-deception we've inadvertently engrained in our lives inside out. His love (and death) gave our sinfulness nowhere to run or create excuse ourselves for. The response to this love was simple: maintain self-deception by disposing of the exploiter, i.e. kill the messenger. Ironically, our killing him completely exposed our sinful ways and gave us knowledge of our sinfulness, thereby giving us the ability and know-how to repent, to live as Christ, and to fully reunite with God. (Although this knowledge has been heavily supressed since the death of the early church).

Now concerning the speech of sacrifice. I find it very peculiar that Christians typically make reference to the sacrifice of Jesus in contrast with the sacrificial practices of the Jews of the past. In their past the Jews would make sacrifices to atone for their sins. The point is: they were conscious of their separated state. What Jewish history proved was that no matter what sacrifices they made they still fell right back into the same sinful behaviors and lifestyles. Obviously the system is either inadequate, ineffective or both. Ultimately, no progress toward a holy life was made. I think this is largely due to the fact that they were placing their sins on something outside themselves, using the sacrifice as a substitute. The reason this practice never truly atoned was because they demanded innocent blood be substituted in place of their sin. What they failed to realize is that God's grace makes no demands besides repentance. Quite in fact, I believe, as anthropologist turned theologian Renea Girald does in his 'scapegoat theory, that their demand of the shedding of innocent blood was a secular idea and practice adopted by God's people. It sure as hell doesn't separate their God from any of the other secular god's that demand sacrifices. I also find it odd-- and endlessly aggravating-- that Christ is attributed to a Jewish sacrifice even though his death was in NO WAY an act of repentance and was indeed, quite the opposite: a horrible act of sin.
What I'm trying to say is that Jesus' sacrifice was not the Jewish idea of one. God does not demand innocent blood be shed with the intention of atoning for sins. God's grace is not restricted, for his grace is inseparable from his love. And to imply that his grace was restricted to innocent blood is to imply that his grace is a temporal thing, which, thereby implies that his love is also a temporal thing, which, thereby implies that God himself is a temporal thing because 'God is Love.' God's means never require sin as a prerequisite necessity to achieve an end, for this would contradict God's nature. The crucifixion was pure murder and it broke God's heart to see how far humanity, his own Hebrew people in particular, had rejected him (although I think prophecy points out that God had a damn good idea that any Messiah sent would have been murdered, but hey, guessing that humans will murder good revolutionary people is like guessing a mime isn't going to talk.)
Atonement is never payable through sin. Instead, atonement became achievable and acknowledgeable through the RESULT of sin (God making the best out of the worst). Without sin there would be no need for atonement itself, so the best place to realize our sinfulness is through our sinful actions.
All of this is not to say that Christ does not sacrifice his life so that we may be redeemed. When I say this I mean that Jesus sacrifices his life so that we may see the full extent and perversion of our sinful lives. He is not appeasing God because God is entirely graceful and needs no appeasement. Moreover, he's showing the non-violence love demands.
Christ sacrificing his life exposes our use of violence, even for self-preservation, as evil because of the very reason that he refuses to use violence and forced control, and is willing to die because of that refusal. Through this refusal he is also refusing to forsake his connection to God. For had he used violence he'd have left the sustaining, connecting love of God. I teeter on the thought that the reason this is the final act of Christ is because the notion of nonviolence is the most radical and difficult to comprehend as a requirement to remain in unblemished connection with God; especially in a world that demands violence as a sustaining necessity in everything from politics, to power, and even to atonement. We live in a world that cannot make sense of itself outside of violence.
Christ's sacrifice does not mean that humanity has received atonement for their sinful ways. It means we now have the perfect, complete example of how we are to live our lives if we seek to live in direct connection with God. The established institution of love that Jesus began (the Church) is part of the act of humanities atonement. But that atonement will not be complete until the love ethic of Christ constitutes all actions and decision of the Church. Furthermore, that that same love manifest itself in the member of the body of the Church, which is likened to the collective body of Christ.
I also feel that when Christians talk about humanity as being atoned and having a new, ideal connection with God after Christ’s death and resurrection they aren't saying very much for God if humanity itself, save very few exceptions, continues to resemble a sinful, self-destructive virus unto itself and the earth. I mean, if we were atoned in the popular sense of the word, doesn't it seem logical we would see postitive effects this new connection with God has on humankind as a whole? I suppose I may be blind, but when the 'Christian' murdered itself in the 20th century it sure as hell didn't say much for their faith.
I think popular Christianity persistently, promotes a violent God of limited grace and love, and assume that humankind is indeed in the ideal connection with God because of the crucifixion. And to this I sadly shake my head.

Lastly, I believe the Christus Victor metaphor (Christ the conqueror of the powers of sin, death and hell) perfectly applies to Christ and is true. That's what the resurrection is all about. Jesus conquered those things and now humankind has a proper idea of how it must live in relation to both God and each other if they to wish to be Victors as (and in) Christ. But him conquering those things does not mean we don't have to conquer them too, or that it makes up for all humanities sins that occured and will occur.

Is that an alright articulation of my understanding Becky?
-comments/ criticism welcomed

--Timothy

Hell... according to the Orthodox

2006-04-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

Check out this quote from The Orthodox Church, By Timothy Ware.

266: “Since free will exists, hell exists; for hell is nothing other than the rejection of God.” God is love, but love is not love if it is forced, therefore humans are able to reject the love of God. “Hell is not so much a place where God imprisons man, as a place where man, by misusing his free will, chooses to imprison himself. And even in hell, the wicked are not deprived of the love of God, but by their own choice they experience as suffering what the saints experience as joy. ‘The love of God will be an intolerable torment for those who have not acquired it within themselves’.”

This is interesting. What do you think?

Shalom~Thomas

"There is only one teacher."

2006-03-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

“A student when fully trained will be like his master.” Who is training me? Do I like what I see? Am I happy with what I will come out like? What if I (we) don’t see anyone where I feel God may be calling me (us)? Who do I (we) look up to? How will I avoid being beaten up by institutions, and my creativity being squashed by uniformity? Is faithfulness static? What does faithfulness look like? Like it did in 100 AD, or 400 AD, or 1700 AD, or the 1990’s? Could faithfulness to what the Spirit is doing look slightly different in the near future than anything we have ever seen? If not – which phase of the ever-changing history of the Church do we need to freeze-frame and imitate?

Lord, guide us. We are lost, and we know it. We are looking to you for direction. How do we hold the arts and the academy together? So they have to be antithetical? Why do we have to choose between being theorists and practitioners? Jesus, please provide a third way.

Reflections on The Season...

2006-03-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

This lenten season has been more meaningul for me than in past years. I thinkit mostly has to do with the two congerations I am a part of here in KC. They follow the Church calender closely, and have done things in the liturgy ech week that remind us of the seriousness of the season. Fasting, silence, less "allelua's", etc.

This has really made me consider the sinfullness of my own life. I have gone through phases of my life in which I have felt more inclined to selfishness, lust, power (maybe as a teen it might have been called popularity) and the other fruits of sin. At other poins I have felt the transformation of the Spirit in my inner habituations and dispositions, and might say my experience was consonate with what John Wesley talked about in terms of "holiness".

"Is it possible for me to be sinless as an individual?"

I must respond to this as question, "NO! For you are not an individual." I am connected with others. I am not an individual, ex nihilo. How could I ever wash my hands of society, and claim I am separate, and redeemed by God to the extent of "Christian Perfection"? For that is what I would need to do. I would have to separate myself fromthe world, to be sinless.

I am so connected to others, and their sin. Do I buy clothes made in sweat shops? Do I buy food grown/picked by immigrents not recieving just wages? Do I abuse creation by consuming more than my share, and by causing massive amounts of toxic waste, gas fumes and cover God's creation with refuse? Do I aid my neighbors in need, around the world? Do I protect the innocent? Do I share the gifts I am given freely? ( I invite the reader to add questions)...

Things get complicated when others figure into the equation. Am I free of guilt? Do I become Amish so I am sure to not oppress others economically and abuse creation?

You can says, "Mr Wesley claimed that the holy are those with pure intentions, they will nothing but love of God, and love of neighbor". To that I say, "Yes, but how can I say I truly intend to do the good I know I ought?"

Wesley talked of "sins of omission" - not doing what we are responsible for as disciples. How do I know what I am responsible for? Do I intend to do all I can for others? What if I mistakenly think I am responsible for a certain group of neighbors in some other country, and inaiding them do not honor my father and mother, or I neglect my wife and kids, or they suffer? WHat if I am attempging to be a faithful husband and father, and it feels like I am neglecting the world around me?

Ah, the complexity of the situation. May I be pure of intention? Am I perpretuating a myth by thinking I might be free from sin? Am I ever free from the sins of others?

Capitalistic Living

2006-03-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading Paul Waddell's Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice, and the Practice of Christian Friendship and thought I would share an interesting peace of insight to consider. He lists various obstacles to the real friendship in the Body.

In one point, he specifically writes of capitalism as he says an "obstacle to intimacy and friendship is our culture's increasingly economic understanding of life. In many respects capitalism has grown to be not only our economic system but also our culture's master narrative...We live in a society where increasingly almost everything is seen in market categories, and anything, including ourselves, can be a commodity. In Western society today the fundamental value of anything is determined economically. How does this effect relationships? Do we value friendship less because it has no cash value? Is family life no longer worthy because when we devote time to our spouses an dchildren we are not being economically productive?"

May we live in and be led by Jesus as we reject the incorpration of a deadly system into our lives.

><>
montague

A Fine Quotation Worth Notation...

2006-02-09T23:51:00.000-08:00

"I have tried to keep away from discussions about the politics of the contemporary liberal nation-state called the United States. First, I don't want to get sucked into the left-right dynamics in living and thinking as a Christian. Second, I don't think that the United States is 'real' -- I've never met the United States; I've never even seen it. It is a projection of human imagination that helps authorize certain individuals to control violence in a certain geographical area without fear of sanction. It's reality is only what we give it -- unlike the church which is real, the bodies of the poor are real, Christ's presence in the Eucharist is real. This is why I don't understand immigration issues because it presupposes that there are real lines on the earth called 'borders' that divide one part of humanity from another. I understand migration, mind you, just not immigration. The contemporary nation-state is merely a projection of human imagination, upheld by certain interests who benefit from such an imaginary construct." ~Pastor John Wright

Amen.

And the Skies Came Falling...

2006-02-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

"As the curtain falls on act one, the leader reappears to take the place of his fallen predecessor. He boldly announces that the reign of God – with its dreams of justice and love, equality and abundance, wholeness and unity – is dawning. So begins act two, where, in a distant province, this leader begins gathering troops (oddly, common working folk, local residents), with whom he will mount his campaign, to overturn the rule of the powers. In this prologue, Mark wields the scythe of apocalyptic symbolics, clearing narrative pace from among the weeds so that the seeds of a radically new order – to borrow the authors own metaphor (4:7) – might be pressed into the weary soil of the world. This subversive story is what Mark entitles good news."

Explosions in the Sky

2006-01-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

Beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it has been written in the prophet Isaiah, "Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face, who builds your road. A voice crying, ' In the Wilderness make ready the road of the Lord, make straight his beaten track'. John Baptizer came into the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of turning back/ change of heart for the forgiveness of sins. All the Jews of the region and Jerusalemites were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan, publicly confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's fur and a girdle made of leather around his waist, and he was consuming locusts and wild honey. And he proclaimed, saying, "One stronger than me follows me, of whom I am not worthy stooping down to unlace the thong of his sandals. I baptize you in water, but he himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit". And it happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. And immediately coming up from the water he saw the rending of the heavens and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him, and there was a voice from heaven [saying], "You are my Son, the Beloved, on whom rests my favor." And immediately the Spirit cats him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels provided for him. But after John was handed over, Jesus [came] into Galilee preaching the good news about God, saying, "The time is fulfilled and the dominion of God is at hand, change your hearts and believe in the good news."

Christmas Blog

2005-12-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

I have had a more meaningful Christmas Season this year - because I have not thought about buying things. My family decided to not buy Christmas gifts this year, to counter the way consumerism has hijacked this Holy-Day of the Christian Calendar (we actually ended up giving minimal gifts - but we were free from the typical stress of the season). I am not saying everyone should do this, nor am I trying to glorify my family, but I thought I would share how much it changed our season. It is cool how the teachings of Christ and his disciples have changed the way we look at materials these days. Check out this passage from a book I am reading for a class:

"Now money has much the nature of eyes and feet; if we either lock it up in chests, or waste it in needless and ridiculous expenses upon ourselves whilst the poor and the distressed want it for their neccesary uses, if we consume it in the ridiculous ornaments of apparel whilst others are starving in nakedness, we are not far from the cruelty of him that chooses rather to adorn his house with the hands and eyes than to give them to those who want them" ~William Law

These words cut deep...am I driving around the bodies of the poor, thinking I was in my SUV?

Who Would Jesus Torture?

2005-11-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

In respect of readers views on politics, etc., I write this, but but this is just over the top - and is a very current and pertinant issue. This is not a partisan issue, but a moral one. Congress made a bill to ban the use of torture by the USA, and Bush said he will veto it. Torture has been banned by international law since the Geneva convention, and the USA has not observed this. Look at this quote, taken from sojo.net:

"While I served in the Global War on Terror, the actions and statements of my leadership led me to believe that United States policy did not require application of the Geneva Conventions in Afghanistan or Iraq.... Despite my efforts, I have been unable to get clear, consistent answers from my leadership about what constitutes lawful and humane treatment of detainees. I am certain that this confusion contributed to a wide range of abuses including death threats, beatings, broken bones, murder, exposure to elements, extreme forced physical exertion, hostage-taking, stripping, sleep deprivation, and degrading treatment. I and troops under my command witnessed some of these abuses in both Afghanistan and Iraq."

- Captain Ian Fishback of the 82nd Airborne Division in a letter to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), as printed in The Washington Post.

I would like us to consider this: Who Would Jesus Torture? I know a lot of people out there pray for Bush, as I do and we all should on occasion, and this may be something to pray for him about. he represents Christians (whether we like it or not). I think so many politicians are blurred in their thinking. May Shalom become incarnate in our communities~Thomas

Liberation Theology

2005-10-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

(Note: I wanted to share a bit about a class I am taking, but this is not a blind endorsement of Liberation theology in it's totality, and its authors, ideas, etc.):
Liberation theology is a movment that arose in the predominantly Roman Catholic regions of Latin America during the late 60's and early 70's. "Latin American Liberation tehology is a reflection on God's activity and God's transforming grace amongst those who are the victims of modern history" (Rebecca S. Chopp). This is a theology that stresses Jesus' way of living with the poor and opressed, offering them dignity and salvation as God's beloved children - especially favoring the term "liberation"; this theology is often critical of social structures, and is inherently practical.

This theology arose largely in response to the oppression of the poor by their situations in life: for example, select national and international coprorations were pillaging the resouces of South America, in the form of cheap labor from people, and natural resouces such as minerals, metals, and the trees of the raiforests along the Amazon, while destroying any indegineous people in their way. Totalitarian governments were commonplace, and military governments often sided with the rich and powerful; the poor often had little or no voice - and at large the church stood by and watched, until a bishops conference in Medellin Columbia in 1968, where what might be called the founding documents o liberation theology were chartered. Liberation theology seeks to re-view Jesus and his teachings about the Kingdom of God, and calls the church to be in solidarity with the oppressed and downtrodden, also seeking their liberation.

I will be covering all of the books read for this class, but fo now here is the Bibliography for those interested:

Daniel M. Bell, Jr. Liberation Theology After the End of History: The Refusal to Cease Suffering.
Leonardo Boff, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor.
William T. Cavanaugh, Torture and Eucharist.
James H. Cone, A Black Theology of Liberation.
Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
Gustavo Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation.
Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, En la lucha=In the Struggle: A Hispanic Woman’s Liberation Theology.
Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” [Xerox].
Jon Sobrino, Christology at the Crossroads: A Latin American Approach.
Leonardo Boff, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor.

Shalom~Thomas

Back from the dead...update on TBM

2005-10-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's been months since I've posted. I owe an apology to the contributors of CSRevolution for not fulfilling my role by contributing to the website. I truly believe in this ministry and want to continue to have an active role.

Well, my life has completely transitioned. I am no longer living in Bourbonnais. For 23 years all I have ever known is living in close proximatey of my family and friends. This past Thursday that came to an abrupt hault. I know live in Owego, New York (Upstate New York) and serve as the youth pastor at Owego Church of the Nazarene. God gave me a clear call to Owego a little over a month ago. In so many ways I feel like a terrified child with no clue how to live life. I am flat on my back and cannot move without the power of God. Owego is a phenomenal church. The people already feel like family. They have showered me with love and gifts. I have sensed a true passion for Jesus among the adults and teens. I am extremely intimidated for I am entering into an established youth group. I have some real big shoes to fill.

I live in a beautiful parsonage in the mountains. Owego os so perfect it's almost like "Pleasantville." I never imagined living in a town like this. I am getting a lab puppy on Friday so I wont be in a big house all by myself.

One thing is for sure...I need Jesus. I've never been so desperate for His strength and power in my entire life. I feel so inadequate to serve as Youth Pastor. I cannot do this with out constantly being filled by the living and untamed Water that is the Holy Spirit.

I am longing for a community of people my age. It's so different not having that. My whole life I've been surrounded by wonderful friends...I miss them dearly. I pray that I find it in Owego...

Well, I hope to begin blogging more. I now have plenty of office hours. I plan on devoting much of my time contributing to the website. Sorry this blog is so boring...I thought I'd just give a brief update :)

Enjoying the Wild Ride,

Tara Beth

Forced to Remember

2005-09-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Three sophomores from the local high school here in my town (Pekin, IL) were recently killed in a tragic car accident. Students in my youth group have been having a very hard time. That is completly understandable considering several of them knew these kids personally.

Last night was the candle vigil for these three kids and I went with a few of my youth group members just to be there. A little bit of what I saw is what I expected. Emotionaly strung out teenagers barely able to control themselves. I saw something else that suprised the students ability to remember. By the time I left the vigil I felt like I actually knew these kids.

Death sucks and I have a hard time saying that death is used by God to help others but, none the less, death happens. In this case when tragedy happend the response was memory. The impact that these three kids left on the people they knew now lives on through others in remembring. This was a rather awesome lesson that has reminded me to simply remember.

~Jake

Some interesting Church experiences

2005-09-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I have visited two churches so far. One is Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, and I went to their 8:15 a.m. Word and Table Liturgucal service. It was very intresting, with processions, reaponsive readings, robes, a mini-sermon and eucharist. They really seemed sincere, and theologically it was hard to argue with, but it seemed really awkward, and there seemed to be no sense of community whatsoever. This is unfortunate... any thoughts from anyone on this type of service going on in a Nazarene church?I think it is a good idea... but have weird thoughts about it...

The other community I have joined that last two weeks is jacob's well. It is a very young (6yrs.) church plant that meets in an old presbyterian building. they have an indie-rock style of worship band, eucharist every week, and Tim Keel's sermons are very interactive. I went to a book discussion on Hauwerwas' "Resident Aliens" friday night, and the people here just seem to be really intense disciples. Myself and others who have been going with me really sense a belinging among them, and I will be sharing a lot of what I learn from this church and its history, life an people. Peace~Thomas

Jesus but damn near an atheist…

2005-09-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I had a friend from high school write me an e-mail. We have recently been trying to catch up with each other, spend some time, just hang out. But we are both busy, he’s in Chicago and I’m in Nashville so it’s been hard. Without probably knowing it he wrote me one of the most encouraging e-mails I have ever received.

This past year has probably been one of the hardest years of my life. There was a time about 6 months ago or so that I was very tempted to “get lost”. Just move to Florida, Europe, LA -- somewhere far far away. Not let anyone know where I was going or what I was doing. Just do my own thing without any pressure or expectation. Jesus won’t let me but that’s another story. But fighting through all that crap (since I shouldn’t use stronger words) was hard to say the least.

My buddy… we went to high school together and were really good friends. I was a fanatical Christian (probably over the top most of the time) and he was in his own words an atheist. He did really believe in God or care about God.

Like I said recently we have been trying to catch up but have just missed each other and then he writes me an e-mail and says this…

“you are doing something that no one else in this world is better equipped to do.... Just knowing you I know how awesome you have to be talking to people about jesus and how excited you make them. damn erik, I am damn near an atheist and I know in my heart that what you are doing is truly gods calling if anything ever was...”

In the end my friend who claims to be an atheist encouraged me probably more than anyone else. As I am coming out of this “funk” I have found myself in I have head Jesus, maybe in the most unlikely of places say, “you are doing what God is calling you to do”

Hmmm… Jesus and damn near and atheist. Who would have thunk it!

Peace
In Christ
~~Erik

PS -- If you’re my friend and happen to read this I hope you don’t mind me sharing. I mean G’ your setting us Christians a good example, we needed to hear about it. Thanks!

Kansas City

2005-09-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Just an update for those who are reading... Jake Edwards, Brian Schafer and myself are down in Kansas City right now. We have moved into a new place, just between the borders of the ghetto, and the "nice" areas that breach downtown. Jake has been in class, and Brian and I start this next Tuesday - we are pretty excited!

A Note on our living quarters that you may or may not like:

As I looked forward to moving here, I knew that we had to have a real place of community, study and life. I thought naming this place would be an appropriate way to name our life toegether, and and adorning the aprtment would set the context for living this life: ouronos.

"Ouronos", the Greek word for "the heavens", or "the skies", is associated with the concept of the realm of mystery, the realm between God's abode and the earth and its creatures. It is a location you wonder about, but have more questions about than answers. As we are moving into a new pahse of our journey, into the mysteries of God, this seems to be a good image for us to live in...

Laughter

2005-09-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

I have been having an extensive conversation with Thomas about laughter. Before I say anything else let me preface that last statement. I have talked a lot to Thomas about laughter and he has graciously listened (Thanks T~Brizz).

Laughter seems oddly enough a very correct response in worship. The ability to laugh at our "humanness" and lack of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives keeps me very humble. I am in a time of my life where I have learned how far I still have to go and Laughter holds me through. Laughter that is crude or seeks to hide embarrassment or act as an excuse is not the laughter I am talking about. That seems inapropriate. The laughter I have learned to embrace as a form of worship is a laughter that spontaneously erupts when I realize How "foolish" (that is to say how great) God's Love is for such a "fallen" human being as me! So in short: Grace among many many other things reminds me to laugh and to then say "thank you"!
~Jacob

Update

2005-09-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

It has certainly been a while and I apologize for my lack of posting/time off. I have spent my summer in Alabama interning at Saint James United Methodist Church and know I am at Kansas City studying at Nazarene Theological Seminary. I am currently enrolled in a two week extensive course on Social Justice and will be finished with my class sessions at the end of the week :). After that I will move to Pekin, IL. where I have accepted my first position at a church. At Pekin First Church of the Nazarene I will be the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries. I am very excited and know God has an amazing plan. For those of you whom haven't already shared your present or future plans we would love to hear from you. You can just comment on the bottom of this blog where it says "comments". Enough updating for now though I actually want to write a real post ;) !!
~Jacob

Transportation Solutions

2005-08-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this website for this organization. They take bikes from the trash or donations and sell them at a low price, then use the profits to ship bikes and bike parts to developing countries. Jake and I plan on riding our bikes to school every day in KC to save on gas, stay in shape and be environmentally-minded. I am going on Wednesday to buy a bike from them. Peace~Thomas

edited: the website is www.workingbikes.org - apperently the link above is not working right.

Retreat...

2005-08-14T18:01:00.000-07:00

I had a retreat this weekend. I think often times we don’t retreat ourselves. We speak at retreats, we lead worship at retreats but how often do we really retreat ourselves? If I were to answer that question honestly I would have to say next to never. But this weekend I had a retreat. I lead some prayer activities at this retreat but for the most part I just hung out, I retreated! And it was really good.

I am going to write some more thoughts on my own blog (www.ewillits99.blogspot.com) but I just wanted to drop a note here on the CSR blog and let ya’ll know I had a great retreat. I would encourage all of you to do the same. I know you are busy and school (seminary for many of you) is getting ready to start but I would encourage you sometime before life get’s to busy, RETREAT! You won’t regret it.

Peace
~~Erik

Prison Revival

2005-08-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

by Montague Williams

Last night I spoke at a prison revival in Indiana. A couple from my church organize it every year as a part of our weekly prison ministry. I get to the prison and one of them comes out in his jumpsuit to where I am and greets me with a classic handshake-hug move. It's weird when you think you're going to minister to a group of people and they actually minister to you. That's how I felt. These inmates (well the ones that come to revival) are so excited about Jesus and sharing His love to each other. They've formed two choirs and a rap group all for praising God. When anyone of them would share a testimony, pray, sing, or anything, everyone in the service responded with applause and words of encouragement. It's nuts! They even volunteer to set up and tear down the cafeteria for revival. About 30% of the prisoners come to revival and the rest normally hang out in a different room to watch a movie, play ping pong or something. Last night there were two new guys in the service. And everyone clapped for them.

When I was preaching, everyone paid close attention...some took notes...and they were so responsive. One guy told me that he takes notes so he can turn them in to raps. And his stuff is so real. God is definitely using these guys in the prison. They're certain about their FREEDOM in the midst of being locked up by the system, but I can't wait until they get out. They have a lot to teach us. (The pic is not from last night.)

Summer Times...

2005-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would share a bit about what is happening these days... one photo is from summer camp - Landon Stark and the classic red ball.

The band photo is of the show we had at our church. We built a small skate park, invited the community and had a few bands play last weekend.

The last photo is of Ryan Smith, whome I met at cornerstone festival. He goes to NTS, where I will attentd in about a month here - what a chance - us meeting @ C-stone?

Cornerstone Report

2005-07-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

(Note: I had computer problems, the reason for this late report)

Thia Year had plenty of surprises, but some good old chill time as expected too. Summary:

Best Seminar: Brian McLaren, "Beyond Absolutism, Relativism and Pluralism". I was very impressed at his account of the change from the dark ages, to modernity to post-modernity, and his alternatives to the directions mentioned in the title - he was a nic guy too!

Best New Band: Tie between "The Showdown", and "Blessed by a Broken Heart". Both were old school metal, and hillarious! BBABH drummer walked around all day with a sign strapped to his chest and an amp on his side, for one of the guitar players to shred as they walked around advertising their show. Lots of mullets, poisen and metallica shirts, and guitar solos!

(more reports soon!)

Cornerstone Fest!

2005-06-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

June 30-July 3, 2005

This is the highlight of the summer for many people... over 300 bands, seminar speakers (like Brian Mclaren), art, film showings, sports and 25000 christians who hang out and are not afraid to be different. Everybody should go. I will give a report of this years festivities soon, and of the new people we meet. Peace~Thomas

What a Gathering...

2005-06-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

This weekend all of the csr crew were able to attend the Quadrennial International Gathering of the Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis Indiana. As I sat in a worship service with somewhere between 30-40000 people, I was in awe of these people and their commitment to Jesus. They have traveled from around the world , and each have a diffeent story of what is going on in their land, and all represent thousands of other people from our denomination. Some of them have to work on raising funds to come for years leading up to it - people from the poorest countries.

I realize that I am a lot less cynical than I used to be: while knowing that no denimination is perfect, instead of mentallty criticizing everything that was going on in the masses around me, I was filled with joy as I worshiped, observed, entered into organized theological discussion with, and hung out with people from over 150 countries. I just wanted to share this joy with the masses out there...
~Thomas

God's Politics Week 2

2005-06-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

castagno20
Originally uploaded by tbridge1.

Synopsis: We discussed chapters 4-6 of Wallis�� book, with some good conversation. ��Protest is good; Alternatives are Better�� was the name of chapter 4. This was a very educational chapter to me �� precisely regarding the war in Iraq. Did you know that several prominent Christian leaders came up with a six-point alternative plan to going to war with Iraq? This plan to do justice with Sadaam Hussein and other human rights criminals, and was reviewed by Tony Blair and the UK parliament, as well as several U.S. politicians. President Bush refused to meet with these leaders about it though. Could we have avoided this mess?

Chapter 5: ��How Should Your Faith Influence Your Politics? What��s a Religious Voter to do��. Our group severely critiqued this chapter, because at the end of it, you feel like you have been told that your final identity is a voter. Is this all we can do? Vote?! Christians must think of many more creative options (any suggestions from blog readers out there?). We must use our resources, and not rely on the nation-state for taking care of the poor, for example. We cannot rely on the government to carry out our calling (though we should not be opposed to working together).

Chapter 6: The biggest question we heard asked about this chapter was, ��What is specifically Christian, about this guys alternatives? God who? Jesus? Or some Ideology?�� Sometimes it is almost like he assumes everyone in America is either a right wing or leftist Christian �� yet a Christian. If we could just move things a little more to the left, and take the strengths of each �� we would be one happily ever after democracy. Things are so much more complex though, and not everyone holds the same faith.

(note from Thomas: I like the next section of the book so much better! It taught me a lot)

Forgiving Debtors

2005-06-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

by Montague Williams

Well, God's been having some fun with my life. I'll update, but first check out this link. You could send George W. Bush a letter that could change the lives of a whole continent, but you have to do it before July 6. ...Just click "Forgiving Debtors" above.

With this letter, you can influence Bush and other G8 leaders to allocate more resources to the countries hit by the AIDS pandemic and cancel 100% of debt owed by the the globe's poorest countries.

So For the Update: I graduated from ONU and have begun interim youth pastoring at Wildwood Church of the Nazarene in downtown Kankakee, IL. I recently went to LA for the Urban Youth Workers Institute at Azusa Pacific where I got to hang out with and learn from fellow urban youth pastors. While in town, I also attempted surfing and checked out Mosaic, a revolutionary church in downtown LA.

...I put some more of my LA pics under my link on www.csrevolution.org.

Flickr

2005-06-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

"God's Politics"

2005-06-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

...Well, it has been way too long since I last posted a blog. I have graduted from college (undergrad), started a new job (interim youth pastor @ College Church of the Nazarene, Bourbonnais IL) and taken a summr class since I last posted - weeks a go. I apologize - for anyone who has beenlooking for posts lateley...

...So tonight I joined a discussion group about the Jim Wallis Book "God's Politics". I was reading it anyway, and I really enjoyed listening to so many people working throught the same issues. The discussion tonight centered on the failure of both the Democrats and Republican parties in the US to adress the full scope of "moral values". The Dems adress poverty nd war, and the Repubs. adress abortion and personal sexual ethics. Although some people think you have to vote republican and love Bush to be a Christian in America, the census of the group agreed that both parties get an "F" on their report card.

The first part of the book focuses on taking back our faith from its being hijacked by partisan politics, exploring the lackof vision in american politics, and opening up to the idea that God might have some politics. I will try to keep the conversation fruits on the blog. The next chpter of the book is "Protest is good; Alternatives are Better". I agree, and look forward to seeing what Wallis's alternatives are. Stay tuned...

A questioin??

2005-06-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

What is a "Christian's" role or duty (if any) in social issues/justice/peace (w/e)?

I am dreaming of a Community...

2005-05-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

{"I am dreaming of a community" is the start of a dialog i am hoping to prompt on my personal blog (click above). So below are the first 2 posts in that Series of blogs. I think this CSR blog gets a different readership than my blog to an extent and i would love for ya'll to dream about this community with me... There are 2 blogs below, read them together or separate but let me know what you think... Dream of this community with me!}

I am dreaming of a community...
Posted: 4-12-05

Dreaming of a Community…
Well for awhile I have been thinking and dreaming about a community that is truly revolutionary and truly a community. I am still think, pondering, dreaming about that. So many thoughts and questions; what will it look like, who will the community target (all the church planting books say you need a target – I don’t think I want one other than Jesus), where will it be, who will journey with me to start this community, what will the name be, ahhh… so many questions.

I read a blog everyday of a bunch of guys that quit there jobs at a large church because they want to be apart of authentic community. Wow, that's awesome. Those are the kind of people I want to dream with and converse with. My story isn’t the same as theirs but I feel like I could easily slip into the evangelical world and get a “nice” job that would pay well (at least for a pastor) but I want to be apart of so much more! I had a job at a church, I could of made more than most senior pastor I know, my youth budget was more than some church budgets I know of but God is call me to something different, something revolutionary. Could I have been revolutionary in that situation? Oh yea… I think I could have been and would have been, I would like to think that I was for the short amount of time I was there but God was calling me to something different.
That different is what I want to dream about.

I want to dream about a community, a community that is revolutionary, a community that follows Jesus, a community that dreams the dreams of God and sees the vision of Jesus! I want to be apart of a community that is authentic, biblical and centered on Jesus and the mission he had – to love the world even when is wasn’t good for himself. That’s revolutionary!

Help me dream about this community!

I plan I publishing a few posts a month about this community that I am dreaming about. I will be praying for vision and guidance. Right now I am praying for YOU to be apart of this conversation and dream!

Dreaming of a Community
~~Erik E. Willits

-----------------------------------------

Pondering a community…
[post number 2]
Posted: 5-3-05

Well I said I was going to try and prompt some dialog on community... Here's some more thoughts, ponderings...
(check out post #1 below if you haven't yet)

Observations:
Young adults are not only journeying but most of us seem to be unstable on this journey. The results of this unstable journey seems to be the selfish promotion of individualistic dreams and agendas. I see so many people my age, (20 - 30 ish) and so much of life seems to consist of "having fun" and / or making money and many other things that are mostly selfish. I heard a sermon on Sunday out of Genesis and one verse from the text that was preached spoke of humans trying to "make a name for them selves".
(Genesis 11:4)

Sadly I think that is still our story!

So, in light of this young adult dilemma (so it seems), what should a community look like? What can a community do to promote a shift from life focused on the self to life focused on the world and a life focused on a community?
I think part of the key is as simple as offering a community, an authentic place to gather and focus on God instead of the self. A place to turn our perspective away from ourselves and truly be challenged to the other.

Many churches promote the focus of the self. This is not such a bad thing at times -- My spiritual needs, my spiritual journey, my confession, my repentance, my holiness... My only fear in this is that the church ends up propagating the selfish Christian journey instead of a Christianity that is truly after God and turned in love to the neighbor / world.

Think with me: How does a community truly be a community that challenges people to love the world and not their self? What does this look like in very tangible ways?

What would community look like?

Continuing to ponder a community...
~~Erik

A post-modern reader…

2005-04-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

A post-modern reader, one who does not strive so much for consistency or facts to add things up but instead reads to engage a person and a mystery.

Post-modernism is NOT a Christian concept, it’s not a new Christian movement or something like that. It’s a sociological critique, it’s the mindset of the culture we live in. And maybe for the Church to embrace post-modernity is or could be for her to embrace the mystery of God, which maybe to take a step closer to a Hebrew mindset than we have in recent years.

In my readings of Genesis it’s really hard to read with a modernistic mindset. Trying to add things up and “make sense” of it all. But embracing the inconsistency and the mystery that lies in the character of God, much like the Hebrew people would have, seems to enable a more honest reading of the text as well as a more personal viewing of God, something the Hebrews seemed to hold in high tension with holiness and otherness of God.

I am not a post-modern ‘ist’ or something like that. I am a follower of Jesus, attempting to be authentic before my God and my community. Post-modernity has helped me to read more honestly and to embrace the mystery that is God. I do not want to construct some kinda of ‘meta-narrative’ or grand story of a God who has it all planned out and is in control of all of creation as well as my every action. That doesn’t seem to be the God that we engage in the Scriptures. The God of the scriptures is a God who seems to be open and a God who seems to live in tension not only with his self (his own character and desire) but also lives in tension with the people he loves.

Just read the book of Genesis, not answering all the questions that come to your head with the ‘right’ answers but instead just read and embrace the tension of a creator God and a destroyer God, a God who we believe knows everything yet in the story often seems to not know everything, a God who is in control in the beginning but so many times seems to be very out of control.

God doesn’t cease to be God if we allow these tensions to live, if we embrace the mystery. One thing to observe in the middle of all this tension and inconsistency is that God is always faithful, he is always the consistent covenant maker! Maybe this consistency is the thread that holds everything else together. Maybe his consistent love and faithful relationship is the important thing to hold securely in the middle of all the other jello that slips through our theological fingers.

Honestly reading and living…
~~Erik

Some Reading Material

2005-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

I added the next two of Tim's letters that he has written for his youth group back home. ASAP there will also be some homeless week journals added...Anyone reading this - please get them in!Peace~Thomas

Creativity and Imagination

2005-04-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

As we share new revelations with each other, we are finding that we simply cannot live how we did last week ever again. We've realized that the agreement to give up on making a difference is due to the fact that our imaginations have been trained and limited by media, capitalism, and a sense of no hope. WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN STOPS THERE!? Unfortunately we have. We take the creativity the CREATOR breathes into us, let it get caught into our modes of self-seeking and pessimism, and then cough out flem instead of exhaling Hope to the world; instead of BEING the Church.

But what would a sanctified imagination look like; feel like? Where would we go? What would we find? Would we find a way to stop tons Sudexho (ONU's food service) food from being thrown out every day? Would we learn to be patient as love is patient? Would we look at issues like abortion, conflict with friends, and homework differently? Sanctified Imagination....

><>
montague

Homeless Week and Wonder

2005-04-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Last night was quite different. We slept in the dugout at the baseball field and woke up to rain. I was told that I woke up at 6am saying really loud, "What in the world IS that!? ...oh...rain" Then I put my head down because I was too tired to do anything about it. : ) The really interesting part of the night was the water balloon attack. About 10 students felt compelled to come after us with water balloons as we were looking for a place to sleep. We decided to just stand there and let them throw. Every single throw missed. Was that persecution? Is this "homeless week" revealing more realities than we thought it would?

><>
montague

Homeless Week Update

2005-04-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Last night almost everyone (about 30 of us?) went off on our ways after midnight) - Jake Edwards and I wandered around Bourbonnais, garbage picking. We were able to get a hold of a sheet of plastic, some valentine's day cards (we will find a use for them), an old shopping cart (it just doesn't want to steer straight!) and some other cool stuff. We wandered around and happened to walk By Dr. Dan Boone's house, so we decided to sleep in his back yard. We had some cardboard, some plastic and one blanket to share - it was cold! We prolly slept a couple of hours, and shivered the rest - Praise the Lord! Will keep you up to date...~Thomas

Homeless Week

2005-04-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is what we are doing to gain a new perspective:

(This has been edited for length by Thomas - it was an e-mail Jake E. sent)

Hello. If your getting this email then you already know that April 11th (starting at midnight) to the 15th is designated as Homeless Week... Alright I don't want to make this too long so here is the run down:

Start Time: Sudnay night at Midnight (Technically first thing Monday Morning)
End Time: Friday Evening with a party of some sort.
What you wear: The same thing you have on at Midnight SUnday is what you will have on Friday..

What you Eat: ...Outside of the dining hall and school food you can "pan handle" (beg) your own food. Be creative.

Cash Flow: You start out with no money...

Shower: Unless you do it outside under a facet or from a sink... no showers inside.

What you bring: A bag (not a huge one) i.e. backpack, smaller duffle bag, bookbag, pillow case - something like that. In this bag you will need to fit your one blanket that you get (note that) toilatries if you want them (deodorant, toilet paper, toothpaste, ONE bar of soap) and all of your stuff for class you will need for that week. Can you go back and get a book from your room? Yeah, no big deal, just don't live out of your room is the basic rule - try to carry with you eveyrthing in order to live...

I know this seems like a lot of stipulations but it is really not. I went into detail just to make the simple idea of it all more clear. YOu live off what you bring with you sunday night. What you bring with you sunday night is minimal and will last you all week. YOu sleep outside with your friends. YOur homeless be creative, use your imiginiation, don't live rich. If you break one of the stipulations it really doesn't matter. It is the whole principale behind the matter. Live "small" but yet live so Large! YOur homeless act as close as you can to the real deal. Yes, we know we aren't going to be perfectly homeless...it is ok... you don't have to be that guy and remind us that homeless people don't wear abercrombie jeans...we know this, back off of it, ok. It is simple... live small.

Mike is going to get in touch with you all about maybe doing some type of pledge for a donation towards a charity that helps the homeless. He will get with you on that.

Jacob Edwardo.. some just call me beard

Silence

2005-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

Olivet Nazarene University is a small campus. There are days where you feel like you know everyone. In all reality, even if you don't know everyone you probably know someone that knows the one person you don't. It seems in the midst of a small community like mine you tend, at some point in time or another, to view the neighbors around you as some sort of family. Today, our community at Olivet was told that we had lost a student in a severe car accident that happened last Friday. Rather each one of us knew Heather Wagoner personally or not, it did not matter. If we did not know her ourselves we probably knew someone that did. When the Chaplain broke the news at the end of his sermon during chapel the noise was deafeningly silent. The Chaplain did a good job explaining the situation and even giving the student body hope in Christ, but we still felt helpless and more than that silent. I have never heard such silence for an extended amount of time. It was reverend. I couldn't help but think though, what will break this silence? We won't remain silent for ever, will we? At some point in time this community at Olivet will move on and the silence that lingers over Heather's death will be gone. I guess I write this post more for me and maybe for those who have experienced a similar loss. In my heart I feel so silent. I do not have the words to express, the emotions to let loose, the voice to yell, or even the vision to dream. I am silent. But will I remain this way forever. The answers I had to questions before are not necessarily the same answers I have now. Those answers are silent. But does that mean those new questions will forever by left unanswered? Will my life forever be void of noise again? It is doubtful but I do wonder when it will be when that silence is interrupted? Right now, that silence is what is needed. I need that silence in order to ask tough questions, to be quiet, and to reflect. I am sure when the silence stops, it will be at the right time.

Let us remember the loved ones of ours and of our friends we have lost. This is a crazy time to say this but Jesus the God Man stands in our way offering comfort (Thanks to our chaplain for reminding me).

Jacob

"The Story of Christianity": Chapter 20th Century

2005-04-06T02:00:00.000-07:00

Posted By Thomas

"We have become conscious of the fact that in the course of some fifteen centuries somthing like a Christian civilisation has been created, and of hte other fact that in our daysthis Christian civilisation is at stake and its survival questioned...A New epoch has begun, in which the scholar, the artist, the seer and the saint are replaced byt the soldier, the engineer and the man of political power; en epoch which is no more capable of producing real culture, but mereley an outward technical civilisation" ~Emil Brunner

And so began the Twentieth Century...

Some Cool Writings...

2005-04-05T03:05:00.000-07:00

Tim Sommer is a good friend of mine and has a gift for writing. He Hails from the great state of Michigan (Plymouth, MI - I think), and is a sophomore at ONU. In the future he will have plenty of things on our site, but for starters check out a letter he wrote to his youth group (click on link above). While it may not be new for many of you, it is noteworthy that he wrote this to whom he did. Feel free to comment. ~Thomas

'Personal Relationship WIth Jesus'?

2005-04-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus? Does that mean the same thing as having a relationship with another person – say, a best friend? A central theme of evangelical Christianity these days is that we are supposed to have a “personal relationship with Jesus”. What does this mean? Jesus is not like a normal person to me – he is invisible.

Peter the Apostle had a physical relationship with a guy named Jesus. He went out to eat with him, he traveled with him, then went fishing together, and especially they talked a lot and Jesus taught Peter a way of life through not only words, but by living it out in his company.

But – when Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9) something changed right? Peter still had a relationship with Jesus, but did it change? In what ways was it different? Surely it was different, nevertheless, Peter still learned from Jesus (through the Holy Spirit, etc.), and had a relationship – but did he have a friendship?
How does my relationship with Jesus compare to Peter’s relationship with Jesus? Can I have a relationship with Jesus like Peter did before the ascension? Maybe not, but what about something comparable to Peter and Jesus after the ascension? (but I never met the physical Jesus!)

I have a relationship (to some extent) to Stanley Hauerwas. I have read his books, I follow his teachings, I have met him twice, emailed with him, and know a lot about him. In fact, I do not (that I know of) do much that would offend him – if he knew me well he might be happy about my life. Shouldn’t my relationship with Jesus be different than this? Isn’t it supposed to be so much more? But I have not even met Jesus (or have I?)...

To be continued...(hopefully by your comments!)~Thomas

Jesus, the only thing that makes sense.

2005-04-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Well I am reading the Old Testament these days. I know most of the stories and have read a lot of the OT but have never really taken the time to study these texts. I am kinda glad I never did. There are some very confusing and well, messed up stories in there!

If my story is only a continuation of my families story, I don’t want all these people to be my family to be honest with you. I mean, my own blood family is messed up enough. Do I really need any more jacked up relatives. If I were Jewish I would be pissed off! Really the only thing that helps me get through these stories is Jesus. He is the only thing that helps me make sense of it all. (isn’t that true with so many things!)

So yea, I am struggeling reading through the Old Testament and understanding God and his “chosen” his “beloved” people. They’re jack up!
Thank God for Jesus!

peace

A Good Friday…

2005-03-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

A Good Friday for the faithless and a bad Friday for the faithful

Tonight I went to a “good” Friday service. This was a shadows service or a Tenebrae service. The concept is that as the congregation reads the biblical narrative of Jesus’ road to the cross, at each stage (called nocturnes) a candle is put out and the lights are dimmed. This dimming of the lights and extinguishing of a candle represents the falling away of the disciples and the continual movement to total darkness when the final candle is extinguished and the lights are completing dimmed, this symbolizes the death of Christ.

As I sat in this service that was incredibly meaningful for me and I thought how splendid of a day, how good of a day this is for the faithless. As we fall away, as we continue in our faithlessness Christ gets closer to being faithful on our behalf, he shows complete and utter faithfulness for (huper – Romans 5:6 – means more than just for but in solidarity with) us. What a bad day for the only one who was and is faithful in our story but in turn what a good day for us who are continually faithless.

As I sat and reflected on this story and as the lights grew dimmer and the immanent death of Christ came closer I thought to myself, am I trapped in this story? I am bound to being faithless? Is my story always going to be told as a candle that is blow out because of my failure to trust and be faithful? Then I remembered -- this is Good Friday! Christ died so that my story can be different from those whom have been blow out and about. My story is one of resurrection and of creation! My story is filled with hope because Christ rose and subsequently sent his spirit to enable me to live a life in faithful response to the father just as he did.

I am reading Genesis & Colossians these days, both very fitting for this day. The story of creation and the promised of Christ in you, these are the things that Christ enabled on his cross that makes this such a “Good Friday”!!!

SO…

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Celebrating a Good Friday
~~Erik

To All From the Great State of Oklahoma!

2005-03-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to thank anyone who was at the OK State Youth Coinvention, who took the time to check out our site and read this.Thanks To Brad for running a smooth and exciting event, Brett the M.C.,Kelsey my nizzle for driving me all around- hope your team keeps winning:), speacial shout-out to allof the coolest teens who sought Jesus hard with me - keepgoing public! Also aspecial thanks to the Jake Seaton Band (sp?). E-mail me to tellmewhat Jesus is continuing to do in OKLA.Peaceout! Thomas

Practicing What we Preach

2005-03-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the joy of having an intentional discussion with some fellow college seniors to confront the fact that we have read enough books, written enough papers and had enough conversations about the ways the powers and principalities of this world dominate our lives. We gathered to imagine some concrete practices we want to embody to resist the powers, but we are not quite there yet. We needed first to realize some things as a group.

The first thing we needed to realize is that we are not alone. So many people feel alone when they realize the "world being pulled over there eyes". We then talked about how we need our lenses we look through life with, as well as our imaginations (which have been confined by the strictures of the powers)to be renewed by the Word, including the Word embodied and lived out in the prophetic imagination of the Church.

Most likely anyone reading this is confused by this point, but I will explain more soon. I like short posts, so I will put another post soon to explain some things. Shalom~Thomas

Kapowza! (I'm back) - movie thoughts...

2005-03-07T23:44:00.000-08:00

I apologize for no blog posts for the last, oh- ever, but I have been traveling every weekend (really seeing Jesus move and meeting cool people) and have had an exceptional load of homework. But I am back.

I am writing this post to myself as much as to anyone. I need to be in conversation on the blog about some things. Some movies I have seen; some conversations I have had; some thoughts I have thought...coming soon.

But little note on a movie I saw a week and a half ago with Jake and Jake, as well as some other ONU peeps: Hotel Rwanda. You must see it. It deals with the genocide in 1994, when the Hutu's decided to totally wipe out the minority, and richer (typically) Tutsi's. In this genocide Christians killed Christians. In fact, Rwanda was called the most Catholic nation in the world. The church failed greatly to hold it's allegiance to Christ and His Body, instead holding their allegiances to social class (it was not even an ethnic thing - they have the same ancestry).

This movie devastated me... it made me realize how someone could say, "God is dead, God is dead! We have killed him! God is dead!". This is the world Nietzsche looked at and proclaimed this line. But we serve a Jesus in the middle of this death...More to come soon... Peace~Thomas

Amendment to Thrust into community…

2005-02-08T01:48:00.000-08:00

My previous blog was prompted by a friend in my small group who is being thrust into these deep & meaningful relationships, it’s really beautiful! I am excited for him and for those whom he will share life with.
This amendment is prompted by a worship service I went to tonight. The worship was lead by Charlie Hall and it was absolutely incredible. But it made me question the blog I had written right before I went to this gathering – the blog “thrust into community”

The Amendment (that really isn’t an amendment)

I do not disagree with anything I said earlier, I have no new revelation or anything like that but I was reminded that to be a seeker of God is first and foremost! I think that is said without being blatantly said in my blog but I really want to make it clear;

We must first be seekers of God
We must first be lovers of God
We must first be passionate followers of Jesus Christ

It is from this state of intimacy with a triune God that we will be thrust into relationships with other people.

God absolutely desires us to have intimacy with each other but in all reality we can only have that from a place of intimacy with God.

Let’s be seekers of God & lovers of God so that we can be holy lovers of each other.

Seeking the heart of the God
~~Erik

Thrust into community…

2005-02-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

If there is ever anything that Jesus doesn’t give us any choice on it’s community. This idea of sharing life with people and living for others is something Jesus absolutely pushes his followers into. I don’t like to use the word force because it can have such negative connotations, people start to yell about free will and human choice, bla bla bla… What do we really know anyway? I believe in free will but so does everybody to some extent. I think those who want to say they have it figured out, free will or predestination / eternal security, all those people, people on both sides of the issue who say they absolutely know and will fight “to be right” are being very arrogant and closed minded to eternal things that we as finite humans can not know or grasp. Hey, I like a good conversation about doctrine or theology as much as the next guy (probably much more actually) but a lesson Jesus has taught me the hard way is I am not always right and I don’t need to always be right or to always win! Sometimes having respect and loving a person with a different perspective is much more important that “winning” or something like that. (by the way you never really win…) Wow, that was a tangent on respect or something like that, but some good thought for us all to ponder (including my PCA church going self).

So, back to community… I feel like I can now use the word force (we can talk semantics later). But really in context of the life of a follower of Jesus I believe he forces us (or thrusts if you can’t get past the word forces) into relationships with other people. If you look at 1 John the author does something really cool in verses 5 – 7 of chapter 1. He is speaking of this fellowship with God and walking in the light, probably could say walking with Jesus but then he turns a corner, what he does is so fast it doesn’t even register sometime… If we walk in the light (have fellowship with God) we will have fellowship with one another. Read it, it’s a really cool few verses.

It’s as if those who fellowship with God fellowship with one another. There is no questions, it doesn’t matter if you are an I or an E, God chooses for you to be in relationship with people. You don’t have a choice, to love God IS to love people. But not just to love them but to really live in community with them, to share life!

In Philippians Paul talks about this fellowship, it’s really big on his heart but he does some cool things with it! He talks about this fellowship (Greek word – koinonia – you’ve probably heard of it) that he has with the people in Philippi. This fellowship he has leads him to say that he “longs for them with the affection of Christ”. This fellowship that he has with them and that they have with each other in deeper than surface level relationship, it truly is sharing life, all of life with each other and probably even with the world (another blog for another day.) This fellowship will lead you into deep loving relationships with people, it will lead you to give your life for those whom you are in community with. That is what the affection of Christ is, he died for us, he put us before himself, all the way to death! Do you love people that much? Do you love your community maybe even the world that much? Well I believe that is the kind of relationships God desires us to have with each other. He desires us to be naked and bare before each other, to hold nothing back but instead to give your neighbor everything, to have all things in common, yes possessions but also struggles and victories, everything! Those are the kinds of relationships that God desires.

We all know that God desire us to have a completely selfless relationship with him. We are to die to our self and live for him! Well the other cool thing Paul does in Philippians is in Chapter 2. We all know the famous passage but right before that in chapter 2 Paul talks about the fellowship we are to have with the Spirit. Just guess what the Greek word for fellowship with the Spirit is? You guessed it, koinonia the same exact word used earlier to describe the type of relationship we are to have with each other. The intimacy we are to have with the father is the intimacy the father desires us to have with one another.

God is thrusting us into these types of relationships! It’s exciting to see this principle being revealed to my friends and to myself once again! I pray that we will let God bring us together in meaningful, life sharing and changing relationship because I believe that is really what he desires! This is the vision of community he has for us!

Grace and peace my sisters and brothers in Christ…
a thrusted follower
~~Erik

PS – I rather fight for my right to party then to be right! Way more fun!!!

A Burning Fire...

2005-01-25T01:03:00.000-08:00

Posted By Thomas

"But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name", his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, indeed I cannot" Jeremiah 20:9.

Tonight someone at Party With Jesus read this. I identify! I have been singing the same songs for 4 years... I am sick of singing! I have to explode! I see nothing short or a revolution for our generation In Christ. God has called me to give my gifts.

I have been taken out of the game so much by Satan (or however you want to look at it) because I try to do too much, and I do not get enough sleep. When I don't get enough rest, I lose my passion and my creativity, the two things I trust that the Spirit has set on fire in me.

Something has to change. I cannot be everybody's best friend. I cannot have my hands in everything. People need Jesus, not me. I know he embodies himself to give himself again to people, but he has a lot of followers who are sitting on their butts, and leaders like me who do everything enable them to.

The priesthood of all believers has to happen. God has sent a radical Word. He wills that all his people would prophecy. It burns in me... does it burn in you?

Revolution!

Life at and Beyond a Funeral

2005-01-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

Over the past month, I have encountered several instances of death in my family or close family friends. My grandfather, who was living in Guyana, South America (my family's home land) died from an uncommunicated illness. We could not attend his funeral due to traveling costs. Then a very close family friend / pastor died from a brain anerism. This man, Rev. Archer (also from Guyana), aided my family greatly when we first moved to Chicagoland. Then my aunt (my grandfather's sister) died from a sudden rapid cancer.

I was able to attend Rev. Archer's and my Aunt Tiny's (Tiny is not her real name, but in Guyanese families, every relative has a story-driven nickname from birth) funeral. Initially, I did not want to attend Rev. Archer's funeral because I knew him as a vibrant, loud, exciting, laughing, generous, and dancing man...even in his sixties! I didn't want to ruin that memory by seeing him laying motionless and voiceless and ready for burial. I had similar feelings concerning my aunt.

I was surprised by Joy. We entered the packed church and stood among the many others who could not find an seat. I noticed that tears came with celebration. People were clapping their hands, jumping up and down, hugging, SMILING, and excited that God would let us encounter such a man as Rev. Archer. We celebrated his life and how Jesus worked in it to share love and revolutionize communities in Chicagoland. I'm telling you...this guy was a revolutionary. He started a church called Love-IN-Action that served the unclothed, unhoused, unfed, uneducated; unloved throughout the week and offered these people a place to meet, sing, dance, listen all to worship Jesus on Sunday morning. The people at his funeral were his friends, but his first encounters with them were based on helping them through love of Christ in action. His goal was disciplship and here, at his funerals, were several men, women, and children who he led to the journey of Jesus.

My aunt's funeral in St. Louis was just the same, but we were celebrating a changed life from hopelessness to hopeful. Aunt Tiny was transformed from the family's "Que Sera Sera" singer to the family's "Great is Thy Faithfullness" descipler who guided my father and all his cousins to a life with our Lord. Jesus guided her to change a generation which led to my own. There was an open mic time and everyone that came up mentioned her Jesus-driven hospitality and passion to deeply relate with her friends and family. She will not get history book fame, but her treasures and influence are beyond fortune and glamour. She is a LIVING part of the Kingdom.

I've heard it said, "Life is a gift," but over the past month I learned that my life is not only meant to be a gift to me, but a gift to all I encounter.

May the Lord guide us in following Him to the Cross where we are united and the way to live can be experienced.

Peace Out and Peace Within
><>
Montague

Confession...

2005-01-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

Soren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart.
Not God, but you, the maker of the confession, gets to know something by your act of confession. Much that you are able to keep hidden in the dark, you first get to know by your opening it to the knowledge of the all-knowing.

Confession… I don’t fully understand the concept of confession but I know I believe in it, I know that in confessing your sins to a God, who already knows them, there is freedom and grace. But I also believe that our confession can and should move to those who we love and live in community with, those we really love and really care about.

The need for confession comes from the fragmentation of relationships. When we as flawed and sinful humans let things splinter & fragment our relationships we are not capable of living in the kind togetherness that God calls for. We are called to “Be reconciled with God and each other”. We are called not only to live at one (atonement) with God but we are called to live at one with each other.

Here is where all my questions come in…
Who do you confess to? (besides God of course) There are so many parties that are indirectly affected by the sin we so easy get entangled in. Of course there is the obvious persons but I feel the community is also fragmented even by what they don’t know, read the book of Acts, that is so true! So how do we confess to our communities the ways in which we have fallen short of the glory of God.

I am in need of confession these days for my many shortcomings. God seems to be working and stretching me in so many ways but what I really desire to be reconciled to God and the people I care about, all of them! It hurts to know there are so many people affected by my sin and my hope and prayer is that someday I will be reconciled to all of them and live in community with each of them once again.

That is my sincere prayer – please pray with me...

In Christ and being reconciled to the world
~~Erik

One last quote to end this one…

Alfred Wilson, pardon and peace
Jesus obliged us to confess our sins for our own sake rather than for his… Confession is simply the Hospital of Souls, where the Good Samaritan goes about binding up wounds and pouring in oil and wine; a hospital where the Divine Physician displays His healing art.

I take it you have a problem with our Nation?

2005-01-17T22:25:00.000-08:00

Would you please read the title again?

Perhaps one more time?

Thank you.

This was the question I was asked over a dinner a family and I were having in a town nearby. This particular family was "entertaining" me during the afternoon between morning and evening services at a church where I was preaching. During the morning service I eluded several times to the loss of hope I have in our nation(I was a bit hesitant to be too blunt but here on good ol' csrevolution.blogspot.com I will let you have it: there is more than just loss of hope in our nation there is complete disinterest in wanting to ever have hope in our nation). I wasn't quite sure on how to answer the elderly man's question? After all we are talking about a man that tried to encourage my spirit by telling me we had a Christian president. I wasn't all that encouraged. My response was vague but led to the fact that my hope and allegiance are on our God and the nation state gives me nothing to die for or hope in.

I am trying to find the right words so I can conclude a point. I am not quite sure on where to go from here other than just sharing a story... but I will try. There is so much that fuels this burning fire than just our nation. The fuel for this fire is more like nations. Our God is not a God of nations. He is a God of people that is resident within the humans not within the powers of the nation state. If I were to pledge my allegiance and hope to this or any nation I would be pledging it away from God. God does not reside in a flag, a white or brown (put in your own color) house, or in a constitution. God resides in His body, the Body of Christ(yes, there is a post in the November or October archives on this...read it). The Body of Christ does not sway to one denomination, state, or nation. The Body of Christ is in union with and through the broken and crucified Lamb, our Savior, Jesus Christ. My hope then is not in capitalism or socialism or any other government... in short a nation. My hope is in the Body of Christ. These people who make up the Body come from all sorts of cultures and walks of lives. So do I have a problem with our nation? Yes, I have a problem with my nation, africa's nation, south america's nation, asia's nation, austrialia's nation, and europe's nation (does antartica have a nation...or just land?). I have a problem with the fact that for so long I saw the church clinging on to hope that the nation might save their voice. Well, I will tell you rejoice for the voiceless for the voiceless are the very ones God fights for. I am just tired of the church attaching itself to a nation so we can find justice for those who kill american's or anyone else for that matter. I guess I will tell you to rejoice for the injustice, oppressed, poor, etc... for those are the very ones that God is working and fighting for. So if I don't hope in the nation-state what do I hope in? I hope in God and His Body. In short, us. For we are His hands to help the poor, oppressed, injustice, etc.. We are His feet to go walk the extra mile with the broken and homeless. My hope lies in the ekklesia (greek word for church). My hope lies in us, the Body of Christ.

I leave you with the words of St.Teresa of Avila:

Christ has
No body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Your are the eyes
Through which is to look out
Christ's compassion to the world;
Yours are the feet
With which he is to go about
Doing good;
Yours are the hands
With which he is to bless now.

Thanks for your time. Make sure you read the recent postings by Thomas and Erik below mine. Take Care - Jacob

Prayer labyrinth

2005-01-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a retreat with a the High school youth group from College Church of the Naz., Bourbonnais IL. One of the things I was able to participate in for the first time is a 'prayer labyrinth'. Apparently they are becoming more widely used these days, but I just never got around to it.

If you have not yet - you need to! It is such a restful relaxing experience. A labyrinth is a maze, in which you journey to the center towards God's Light, and journey back into the world. You wear a set of headphones and are guided through your journey that includes thought,confession, releasing, prayer and expression practices and experiences.

The biggest thing that stuck out is when the narrator said, "Do you want a lifestyle, or do you want Life?" This is a thought amidst a section of the journey that tries to get you thinking about all of the noise in your life, and all of the distractions.

I recommend an experience like this for anyone...it will get you really thinking
Peace~Thomas

Releasement...

2005-01-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

Many things in my life have prompted these thoughts. My circumstances as of late have been less then desirable, I might even say, using the Greek word scubala which is pronounced with a double O instead of the U, “my life has been really scubala-ey.” (ha ha) And I can’t really remember how to spell the Greek word but what’s new right and it’s funny @ least to me. So this Greek word is my way of cursing on a blog where we probably shouldn’t curse but sometimes really feel like it. I hope you understand.

Also Donald Miller, author of Blue like Jazz, a book I have read bits and peaces of reminded me at reading he did the other day here in Nashville of the words below with his thoughts on the word -- Leave --
So let me share these incredible words with you and then some thoughts.

( I need to preface this paragraph and these words with some instruction… Read this slowing and somberly, the best world would be reflectively. Let every word have meaning in your head and heart. Let this paragraph consume you for just a moment, let it run every memory through your mind once again but now through a new paradigm, a new perspective, a perspective of gratitude and releasement. Let these words take you where they will, only to bring you to an open field completely ready and open for the next moments of your stupid little life… This is what I try and do every time I read or hear these words.)

---
I guess I could be pretty pissed about what happened to me but it’s hard to stay mad when there is so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once and it’s to much, my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst and then I remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it and then it flows through me like rain and I can’t feel anything but gratitude for every moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I’m talking about I’m sure but don’t worry you will someday.
---

I feel like I could just leave you with this post and the words would be complete but I want to share a few thoughts, just a few. I also feel like I can relate to the words of this post in various ways. I to could be pissed off because of things that have happened as of late, things that people have lead me to think and things people have let me think and ways I have been treated but instead the words of this monologue which come from the movie American Beauty ring in my head and I smile because life is really great and great things will come my way because I have released and am not holding on but letting life flow through me and my clingy little hands.

Jesus is all over this, this is a very spiritual thing for me, this concept of releasement and openness to what will come my way. As Donald Miller said, “despite how hard it is at times we have to leave and be open to what will come.” We must die sometime so we can be part of the resurrection! That is where Jesus is taking me, life is beautiful despite all the ugly people (it’s a southern thing) – but maybe even they will be beautiful someday.

Participating in the resurrection
~~Erik

p.s. Check out American Beauty (incredible flick) and that monologue is the last thing in the movie, it’s at the very end.

Eastern Michigan Retreat Shout-Out

2005-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to thank everyone invlolved in the week: the amazing seminar speakers, the jrb, the organizers and youth pastors (Cory, Ryan, Mike "Urban", Dave, Jim and everyone else who made it possible), and some of the coolest teens in the world - it was a joy for all of us to hang out with you, converse, have fun, watch you grow, and beat you at basketball. I think Jesus really added a fresh chapter to His story this last week... thanks for seeking as a community and for picking up your crosses. May the Father continue to send His SPirit to energize you to live out your callings with joy in 2005. And thanks to all my friends for their prayers and supportin the loss of my Grandfather. Peace-filled new year to you~Thomas

Immanuel

2004-12-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

This first segment written in ittalics is written after I have written and read the post below. I am posting this on both blogs I write on. This is what was on my heart and I had to go somewhere to write it down. Thank you for being there - Jacob. If you want to read, here is what is on my heart and mind:

We are told in Jeremiah and then again in Matthew that Jesus was Immanuel, or translated it meant God with us. The creator of the heavens and the earth kicking back maxin and relaxin with us. I wonder how far Immanuel goes?

"with us" - what does that mean?

"With" - probably means to be along side something, perhaps when I am with my mom and dad that means I am in the same room or connected to them somehow in the activity we are participating in. When I am with food I suppose I mean the substance to be eaten is in front of me readily accessible. To be with something is to just be there, in or around whatever you are with.

"us" - I would like to expound a bit more on this. Have you ever thought about us. "us" I am assuming would be me and the humanity and created that fills this earth. We are the "us". Axil Rose now sings, "welcome to the "us" (previously jungle) where you can be afraid..." Ok Sorry, random thought...
The "us" would be the same humanity whom cannot achieve world peace. We would be the same humanity that kills each other in the name of justice and the same humanity who expresses love through sex and joy through drug related ecstasy. Now granted not all of humanity is participating in the world in this way but none the less each human being is made up of the same substance as all human beings and thus are actions are grossly related to each other. So rather if I choose to be an athlete or not makes no difference in the statement, "Humanity is represented in Athletes". So the statement can be perceived as true that humanity is indeed represented in carnal nature, loss of self control, and anarchy among other things. The "us" is simply human beings. Imagine humanity at its absolute best and that is us. Imagine humanity at its absolute worst as we get paraded through Springer episodes and massacred in Rwanda and that is us. You and I as human beings are related in the fact that you and I are human and nothing we are made of makes us of greater "flesh" than the other - we are all simply human beings, and humanity at its core is corrupt.

With both "with" and "us" explained as how I see them I have this to write:
God came in the form of a boy named Jesus to be in participation along side the corrupt and incredibly humane. God came to be with us in the form of us. To be along side the Springer show participants and Rwanda genocide victims. It is Mother Theresa that said looking into the eyes of aids victims I can see Christ looking back at me. When I gaze into the open corn fields of western civilized mid west culture I see God residing there beside me. In the cities, subways, airplanes, byways, dirt roads, open sea, mountain tops, jungles, etc... There is God just hanging out. You see, though, Jesus in His physically seen incarnate self is no longer around but He gave us His Spirit for us to know that He is here. In fact there is no where we can go that God has not been. God is with us.

I got a very bad grade in an important class. God knows exactly how that felt. He was there.

A woman that I know has gone under a procedure that has turned her into a man. In fact several sexes around the
world now are of the opposite sex. And if you concentrate you will find that God is still there!

4,444 abortions have just happened. Mothers are being condemned and females hated. If your mind is open you will realize that God is with that mother and loves those females.

At our very lowest state God is there and His love extends to us! To humanity, the perverted, oppressed, broken, cheated, homosexual, alcoholic, man of every nation, skin color... To humanity!!! No human can go any lower than what God has already been. Immanuel is here, there, and everywhere!!! Hope is in the form of a man from Galilee who came to be with those the church deemed unnaccatable, poor, and pathetic. Those who do not have a voice have the most powerful being ever to live hanging out beside them. God is with us. There is no where we can go or anything we can do. God's presence is there and His love abides for us.

I am only left with Thank You.

Immanuel.

In the Journey,
Jacob Edwards

Liberation Theology

2004-12-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

I will make this simple: I am struggling to understand and comprehend "Liberation Theology". So I came to my ever so smart community (I really mean that too) to help me understand. What I know is that Liberation Theology is popular among South American Church leadership in liberating their people from political and social oppresion. If this is the only degree and thought of Liberation Theology I don't see why I wouldn't try my best to join their efforts. But, I have heard some say that they are not Liberation Theologians to whatever degree. I would like to know more about what the thought of Liberation Theology is and both pros and cons of it. If you would like to post a response I would love to read it. I thought this to be the better method and one for the fastest response than personal emails. Thank you in advance for you responses. I am hungry to learn.

Following and Responding,

Jacob Edwards

Leadership

2004-12-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

I recently posted this on my personal blog (www.tarabeth82.blogspot.com) but since I dont think anyone reads it I thought I'd post it on this blog as well :) So, here you go...

I've been "raised" to be a leader. From the time I could walk my father always told me, "Tara Beth, you're a leader. You are a leader of leaders." My father has influenced me in so many positive ways when it comes to leadership. I've watch my father run a company with wisdom, passion and dignity. I've spent many moments with my Father as he taught me the ideals of leadershiop. I can remember countless family vacations of driving in a car and listening to Zig Zigglers and Jim Roahns motivational leadership tapes. As a child I dreamed of being the leader that I saw in my father. I longed to make the sort of influence on society that I've seen in other respected leaders. However, when I became I Christian my views on leadership took a turn...and still is.
Christian leadership is not what I've always thought it to be. Obviously, I am one of millions of Christians to talk on this topic. I'm sure that everything I'm about to say you've heard thousands of times. I write however, to express what Jesus is teaching me about leadership. I believe that one of the greatest temptations as a leader is th be "powerful." The third temptation of Jesus was also "power" when satan said to Jesus, "I will give you all the kingdoms of this world in their splendor." Over the past few years in my studies at Olivet I've had the opportunity to study the history of Christianity. One of the greatest ironies is that Christian leaders of the past constantly gave into temptation of power. We see leaders giving into political power, military power, economic power, moral and spiritual power. These leaders were given into these powers while continuing to speak in the name of Jesus...the same Jesus who did not cling to divine power but "emptied himself and became a servant..." He became as we are. Great Christian leaders rationalized crusades, inquisitions, the Great Schism...and so on... all in the name of the "gospel..." or so they said. All of these great tragedies of history are seemingly a result of the power exercised by those who claim to be followers of Jesus. The history of the church, at many times, seemed to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led.
Today, I wonder if we remain in a similar pattern. Many of us, I believe, may be blind to this scarey truth. I sat at Barnes N Nobles tonight and chatted with friends on "TV Evangelism." I hope I don't offend anyone when I say this, but TV Evangelism has been one of the greatest tragedies in Christian ministry. I am sure that many good things have sprung from these ministries. However, I have seen more corruption than anything. Every time I turn to a Christian broadcast someone is always trying to manipulate someone for money. And for what? All in the name of Jesus? So they can sit in their golden chairs with all of their fancy jewelry and live in there multi-million dollar homes (Those of you that are reading this and know what background I come from, please, still hear me out on this one).
I see this major curruption of "power hungry Christians" right here in our "homeland" America. This is evident in churches that choose money over relationships, buildings over serving the needy, image over reaching out to the prostitute. I want to make clear that I am not talking about any Church in particular. I just see this as a genral problem.
What kind of leader, then, is Jesus calling us to be? All four gospels are packed with the "politics" and "leadership" of Jesus. We see a leader who does not give into the temptation of power but lives a life of "downward social mobility." We see a man who traded power for flesh and crowns for the cross. We see a man who goes to the poor, oppressed, broken, lonely, the prostitute, the lepor, the sinner, and the orphan. Jesus wasn't interested in making it to the top, or living in a large house, or gaining any power what so ever.
What kind of leadership did Jesus portray?
"...Jesus: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a sercant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!" Phillipians 2:6-9
Again, I realize that this is not new information to most of you. However, I believe that it is a topic that can be discussed more. W
I close with this question... What if every leader in the Church today led and served as Jesus did? What would our world look like?

Seeking what this all means,

Tara Beth Moore <><

Check out this web site

2004-12-19T22:29:00.000-08:00

http://www.catholicworker.org

They are doing some really cool things. You can subscribe to their newspaper for 25 cents a year!
peace~Thomas

Consistency…

2004-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of our blogger fellows, this blog is one that i posted on my personal blog (ewillits99.blogspot.com) but i thought it might be good for this community as well. take a gander and let me know what you think.
Peace -- i really mean that!

Consistency… This word for the Christian is a big deal. I think we (followers of Jesus) need consistency or if we want to talk in “churchy” language the term I would equate would be faithfulness. This isn’t to say that Jesus followers need faith, Christ has promised that he would gift all his people (excluding none) with faith but the out play, the use of this gift of faith is what we call faithfulness or Christian consistency. This is living a life really, truly --authentically-- trusting & leaning into the heart of Jesus. This isn’t something based on emotion or how one feels, it is based on a choice to trust Jesus and live full of the faith he has gifted us with. This faith being played out in our everyday day life is what I am talking about.

Living a life full of faith like this is the kind of life the psalmist advocates when he says… “ will you be absent forever?” then he says “I will wait to hear you voice!” This faith-full-ness is a life lived trusting & following “the way” of Jesus even when you are in the desert, even when God seems absent. There are stories all over the bible of the people of God, even Jesus himself being led into the desert, led into a time when God seemed distant, seemed absent or maybe even seemed non-existent. But it is in these times when consistency / faithfulness comes into play. It is during these times I pray that I will be one who can like Habakkuk say, “I will stand at my watch post and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what God will say to me and what he will answer concerning my complaint.”

This post is prompted not only by my own faith-less-ness but by the faithlessness I see in the lives of many people who follow Jesus with me. Why are we so inconsistent? Why do we let our emotions or our circumstances dictate our relationship with Jesus. In all the circumstances in life, all the emotions one goes through are we not called to be faithful? Even better hasn’t God gifted us and filled us with faith, why do we not actively rest in this gift?
Habakkuk finds himself in some pretty crappy circumstances, he is in a desert of sort. And during this desert time he sets a pretty cool pattern for us to follow.

#1. First, he let’s God know his complaint. He doesn’t hold back he really gives God a piece of his mind. And just so ya know, God can handle it! Verses to read -- 1:2-4

#2. Secondly he says that no matter what is happening, no matter what the circumstances are he will stand watch to see God answer his complaint. He anticipates God’s coming & breaking into the circumstance. Verse to read -- 2:1

#3. Third and final step in this pattern we can follow in these desert times, in these times when God seems distant. Habakkuk say that he remembers what God has done and how God has NEVER failed to be faithful in the past and prays that God’s will would be done, that he would revive his people by his presence in his own time (that's the his will be done part). So he remembers God’s faithfulness and looks forward to God being faithful in the future. Verse to read --3:2

So may God enable you and I to be faithful, just as He will be, until the end!

Leaning into Jesus -- or at least trying to...
~~Erik

Girl's Ministry...

2004-11-27T23:33:00.000-08:00

Being a girl is tough. I am sure that it is also tough being a guy. However, I don’t understand all the struggles that guys deal with. I do think that girls and guys do face a lot of similar issues yet there are just some things that girls and guys cannot relate to. Growing up as the only girl of three I came to learn this difference early on. Concerning this subject, it would be very easy to gender-type. Gender typing has had an impact on humanity for thousands of years. We see that throughout history labels have been placed on both men and women and have in some cases exerted a certain kind of pressure. For instance, women are often seen as “sex objects” and men are often seen as “success objects.” While these labels may not always be verbalized, it is evident that it has put a certain kind of pressure on both genders.
I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever really understood guys. I’ve been in many dating relationships that have left me completely confused. On the other hand, I am sure that I have made many guys confused as well. But one thing is for certain, I understand girls. I understand the way we think and act and feel. I am not saying that I understand every move any individual girl makes. Rather, there are certain issues and pressures that girls face in today’s society which I understand simply because I’ve faced them.
I became a Christian when I was 16 years old. When I became a Christian the loving grace of God came upon me and made me a new creation. Since then, God’s Spirit has been molding me and transforming me. The day I became a Christian I realized that not only was I called to be a new kind of human, but a new kind of woman. I’ve learned that there are certain kinds of pressure that woman face in today’s world. Christian women are called to go against this flow. We are not called to go against this societal flow with force, pride or disrespect; rather, we are called to move with dignity, love, humility and most importantly by the empowering of the Spirit.
The first time that I read Proverbs 31 has served as a memory that is dear to my heart. Every single verse captivated me and I longed to be that kind of woman. A woman who “is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." When I read this passage I longed to be transformed by the Spirit of the living God into that kind of woman.
I say all of this to convey the burden I have to minister to women, specifically teenage girls. So often I sit across the table from another girl as she pours out pain, brokenness, and confusion…so often I understand her pain. I’ve always had a passion to minister to teen girls, but I never fully understood what this would look like. Recently, I believe that God has been giving me a clearer vision of what this ministry could look like.
My desire is to begin a ministry to teen girls through conferences or retreats. I would like to do this through CSR. At these conferences we would talk about issues that girls deal with but not as “lists” or “rules” to live by. Rather, we would dig into the Word together and seek what it looks like to be a Christian girl in today’s world. I long for girls to understand that they don’t have to live the way the world tell them to live. I yearn for them to understand that they are free from the pressures that magazines portray them to look or act. Girls are not called to live out the roles that Cosmopolitan magazine supports and promotes. We are called to be girls empowered, driven, and transformed by the Spirit of the living God. At these conferences I would like to have several women speakers as well as some female, Christian performing-artists. I realize that this is going to take a lot of work and organization, but I believe that it can be done through the prayers and support of many. This blog has been posted because I wanted your thoughts and ideas on this subject. Please share…

-Tara Beth Moore

Thanksgiving

2004-11-25T22:33:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving...a time of year in which loved ones gather together for fellowship and reflection of blessings. I am full of so many fond Thanksgiving memories...and tough ones too. I have many memories of stuffing myself into an oblivion and eventually have to unbutton the top button of my pants and then pass out on the couch for a few hours and then walking to the fridge for a 4th helping. I remember times of sitting around the table with my family as we share memories of the past. I remember Thanksgivings of being annoyed by my older brother as he makes faces at me all to get a rise out of me. I can remember the Thanksgiving when my parents "accidentally" left me behind at the house and didn't realize I was left behind until they were a few hours away. Thanksgiving has always been a time to reflect upon our story. We reflect on our stories of joys, heartaches, laughter, tears, deaths, pain, depression, brokenness, love, smiles, accomplishments, and so on.
This year as I sit and reflect upon my story I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. As I sit and reflect upon even moments of pain and brokenness I am still thankful. It would be so easy to focus on certain events in my life and cry out "Why Oh God has this happened to me?" But tonight, in the midst of all my stress, all my frustration, all my confusion, and all my brokenness I cry out, "you give and take away and still I choose to say, blessed be Your Name." Tonight, I am thankful. This story that I reflect upon is a story that began thousands of years ago upon a cross. It is through that old rugged cross that has brought me liberation. This is a story that I long and yearn to live out today, a life of thanksgiving and gratitude to my Savior. In close I would like to share a hymn out of an old Lutheran hymnal..

"Let All Things Now Living" Katherine K Davis

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
to God the ceator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who still guides ous on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us,
His light goes before us,
A pillar of shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
As forward we travel from light into light.

His law he enforeces,
The stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in Thanksgiving:
"TO God in the highest, Hosanna and Priase!"

Amen

We have a reason to be thankful...

Thankful,

Tara Beth Moore

Thoughts on Martyrdom

2004-11-19T00:31:00.000-08:00

By Thomas Bridges

I apologize that myself and others have not had many posts this week. I just wanted to comment on our chapel speaker today here at ONU. Darrel Scott, the father of Rachel Scott - one of the girls killed in the 1998 Columbine High School shootings afer connfessing faith in God. Her father had an amazing story to tell of this young womans vision to affect millions, as she expected to die young. Obviously - she is affecting many, many lives - more than I had previously realized. Ultimatley, she was a martyr. One single life changed many lives...

What would happen if MANY lives in our generation were martyred, here in the "USA" (there are many being killed elsewhere)?

"I tell you the truth, unles a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." ~John 12:24

Are we worse off because of our cultures exceptance of our faith?

More Thoughts on Citizenship...

2004-11-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

By Thomas Bridges

These days I am learning how much I realy don't know. I need to ask more questions than give answers. I asked our freind Craig Keen what he thought on Luke 20:25

"Give to Ceaser what's Ceasers and to God what's God's."

"When I've considered the "render to Caesar" thing, I've found myself unable to come up with anything that isn't God's. And so, the only way to render unto Caesar is either to pretend that some things aren't God's or to render to God by means of rendering to Caesar. However, if Caesar is asking anything of me that would require me to render to Caesar instead of rendering to God, I must tell Caesar "no." And so, though I no longer make a big deal out of it and I usually even stand, I will not pledge anything to the flag."

~Craig

I too do not pledge alleiance to a flag, but to Jesus. it is immpossible to give my life to two parties that each demand my whole life. Jesus asks for all of it, and yes, right now my country doesn't - but it may ask (draft, etc.)I just don't feel right singing our national anthem either, besause it seems to be a song justifying how we got our freedom - through violence. That is not how the Kingdom of God works.
~Thomas

Citizenship in perspective...

2004-11-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

"If you enroll as one of God's people, heaven is your country and God your lawgiver. And what are God's laws? You shall not kill, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. To him that strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also."

- Clement of Alexandria, an early church father, in Protrepticus, 10

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This was the quote of the day on the Sojourners webpage (www.sojo.net) and I thought it was very good and worthy of some conversation.

I will post the first comment right here.

Paul states very boldly in Philippians 3:20 "Our citizenship is in heaven..." and I think all of us who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ need to think hard about this.
We stand and sing the national anthem in front of thousands of people, we stand and place our hand over our heart and proclaim "I pledge allegiance to the United States of America".

Where is our citizenship really?

How often do we stand in allegiance of the Kingdom of God before a watching world!
--> what would that look like anyway?
Can a Christian, one who follows Christ, one whose citizenship is in heaven, really say the pledge of allegiance? Can you pledge allegiance to 2 kingdoms? (the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of America (a nation that probably isn't really under God so much anymore).

I don't know, I have no answers just a lot more question... What do you think?

Trying to live in allegiance to God and God alone
In Christ
~~Erik

"Who am I?" by, Tara Beth Moore

2004-11-01T01:10:00.000-08:00

Who am I? For the past few weeks I have been on an endless search of trying to find myself in this world. My nights have been sleepless trying to find the answer of so many questions. Never before have I been so unsure of myself—never before have I been so confused.
From the outside one might say, “Why, you’re Tara Beth Moore, you are a senior Youth Ministry major at Olivet Nazarene University! You work at AQUAtiva. You preach occasionally. You are blessed with an amazing family!” and so on However, I am not talking about tangible or visible things.
Being young seemed so easy. Everything was so stable and simple. I was never uncertain of who I was. I knew my parents loved me and that was enough to know. Life was simple. I woke up when I wanted, played all day long, took naps and was constantly under my parent’s wing. When I hit my teen years I was certain I knew everything and did not need my parents guidance any longer. I was determined to prove to the world that I was a strong individual. I wanted to break away from anything and anyone that would hold me back from my individuality. I had to show anyone and everyone that I was capable of living my life alone and I didn’t want anyone’s help along the way.
All the way through high school I was so certain of whom I was. I had my life figured out to a ‘T’. I thought I knew exactly where I was going and what I was going to do with my life. I had a step-by-step plan for my life. Everything I believed was so simple-so black and white—I knew who I was—or so I thought.
Today, I am faced with so many ethical and theological questions that I don’t know answers to. Tomorrow, I will still be faced with the same questions. I am searching to find where I belong in my culture, my generation. I have been seeking where I stand in certain relationships and communities. I have been trying to identify myself—to label myself. For example, I have been asking questions such as; “Am I a liberal or a conservative? Am I a Calvinist or a Wesleyan? Am I a preacher or a teacher?” My mind has been running a million miles an hour—and it has been a vicious cycle.
Tonight, as I was praying and thinking I came to a realization. I asked God; “Who am I?” I began to flip through the pages of the Bible and I opened up to Galatians 2:20-21. It says; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer life, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” After reading through that passage and other passages I asked again; “Who am I?”
As I lay on my bedroom floor completely prostrate, Gods presence became very real to me. I lay there before the throne of Grace and God was there, in the eye of my storm, asking me to come to Him. There, in my unknowing, Jesus met me. This is a Jesus who meets me in the rushing, crashing waters of my questions. There, he allowed me to stand precariously close to the dark and menacing skies of doubt, so I can hear the fierce and gentle loving voice of my Jesus who drowns out my fears and stands just beyond my questions with open arms.
Who am I? I am beloved. I am a beloved child of God. Tonight, it was as if Jesus peered deep into my soul, and said to me; “I love you, Tara Beth, questions and all, with an unconditional, no-strings-attached love.” Who am I? I am a child of God and daily must die to myself. I must “no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” I am in Christ and Christ is in me.I may always be full of questions. I will probably never find all the answers. But one thing that will always remain; I am beloved. I am a child of God. God meets me where I am. He understands my questions and hears my hear beat. Though I may always be searching for myself, one thing shall always remain; I am in Christ and He is in me.

-Tara Beth Moore

The Amazing Thing About the Church

2004-10-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

Jake is currently working on a "Saved" movie review, but I would like share some of what I have been learning through discussion concerning this movie.

I've heard mixed reactions from people who have seen this movie--it can come off offensive, realistic, funny, but most of all--it makes us think. Honestly, I think all Christians hoping to invite someone to Church should see this movie. It reveals a perception of Christian pop culture. One person asked me if I thought the movie's point was that Christians should accept homosexuality.

I don't think there is only one point to the movie, but here are my current thoughts. My friend Mackenzie (she's a senior spanish and elementary ed major here at ONU) and I talked about how this movie kind of puts the viewer on the side of the outcasts...the homosexual guy, the pregnant teen, the rebellious transfer student, and her boyfriend (the Home Alone kid)--even though the Christians in the movie are not. I think this is because we get to see past their sin and into their lives. We get to see that they are real people with struggles and confusion--we see the whole story. They simply want to be accepted and loved and given compassionate direction. Without getting to know them, we would simply see their sin and treat them as if they ARE sin. But as we watch and learn, it's almost like we view from the Cross and say, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." What's really interesting is that the "perfect" WWJD praise team Christians in this movie need to be saved too.

In chapter 8 of "Love Beyond Reason," (i read it this morning) John Ortberg asks the question, "What does the Church offer that the world can't get from anything or anyone else?" since anyone can feed the poor, encourage, or sing songs together. He learns that this one thing is GRACE. Grace lets us enter this Kingdom fellowship with God and each other, enables us to recieve continual transformation, and enables us to love God, ourselves, and others. We are called to accept and live WITH homosexuals, rebels, gossipers, anorexics, porn lookers, murderers, and all the outcasts, broken and confused. I mean...how else in the world would we be Here?

I don't know why it seems like we try to make the Church harder to join once we enter the Kingdom. I am once again hit with the realization that we are in this Life together. If we know someone that needs Love, we are enabled to share it and peacefully know God is doing God's thing.

Being hugged by Grace,
><>
montague

Should communities make decisions for individuals?

2004-10-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

I am really realizing the effects of what it means to be a part of the Jesus community. In our individualistic society these day we have a great many of people in the Church returning to passages of scripture that destroy selfish individualism, and "community" is a buzz word, even in my vocabulary and the vocabulary of my close friends. it is, however, a good thing to return to being a communal faith.

The current decision I have been confronted with is where to go for graduate school. All of the typical worldy things have been factors, basically coming out with this formulation: "go to the best possible school that your grades can get you into, and your school-loans can afford." This is of course to learn the theolog of Jesus, that selfless guy, and to learn to apply it - wait a second...shouldn't this have implications for where I go?

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" ~Ephessians 5:21

I was in a Bible study tonight where we explored the implications of living out this verse: being a community of people who repsect one another, hear each other out before "correcting" each other with better answers, serving each other,etc.

This, coupled with some prayer for direction, and some conversations is leading me to think that maybr I should move to a school with some people I am already connected with on this journey? Rather than moving away to a school that others from my close community won't go to for various reasons, or cannot get into, maybe I should go somewhere new with people the Lord has brought me together with? Maybe being a loving partner in the lives of a couple of guys I have gone to college with is more important than getting "whats bestfor me". It is about time I read scipture as it is adressed to a community, and seek the Lord's will as a part if a community that worships Him.

It is common among churches for a community to help make a decision like this - which I will employ (e.g. have them pray with me, give advice, etc.) - but I want a decision that is not just made by a community, but also results in community.

Why I don’t call myself a Christian… (from a Christian)

2004-10-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

Below is what I really want you to read, it’s some of my feelings on being a NON-Christian Christian. Go to my personal blog (ewillits99.blogspot.com) and get more extended thoughts on the issue, read it all -- I would love to know what you think!

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“That someone pushes their way through a crowd to reach the place where money, glory and honor are dished out -- that’s understandable. But to push oneself to the front in order to be whipped publicly – how sublime, how Christian, how stupid!”
~~Soren Kierkegaard

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I don’t want to be just another American, I mean Christian…

What does that mean anyway (to be a Christian), I want to be known as a follower of Christ. One who has received a love that is offered to all of humanity. I want to be known as an individual who has entered into a Journey with Jesus and because of that I have given my life away to other people. I have devoted myself to a community of other followers of Jesus Christ and we have devoted ourselves to loving serving the world. We have also let our community be shaped by the revelation of Christ in our lives through the scriptures, through the spirit and through each other (probably even in that order). I want to be known as one who is loved and who loves, not because I am in some club of people who call themselves Christians but because I am passionate follower of Jesus Christ and live in a community of people who are being shaped by this intimate relationship with the one whom we follow, Jesus.

I don’t want to be a Christian anymore I want to be a Jesus follower! One who gives their life away, who lives in step and style with Jesus, the style of the cross…

“how sublime, how Christian, how stupid!”

YEA, that’s what I want to be…

Praying in the name of Jesus; Come Holy Spirit, Come…
Thank you father
~~Erik

VOTING?!

2004-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

I Just wanted to repeat what I said in a CCL(Church and Christian Living) class today concerning a chapter of "Resident Aliens": The point Hauerwas is making is alluded to in the title 'Learning to Ask the Right Questions... he implies that we answer certain questions that are legitimate and not other ones that are not legitimate, which means we answer to who is asking the right questions - which also happens to be the same as who legitimately gets to aks them. The point is that we answer to the Bible, not to our culture. The point is not to make the Bible fit the modern worldview, but to make the modern world answer to Scripture. We answer to scripture, not our utilitarian/pragmatic culture.

I dont think George Bush or John Kerry are worthy of my vote or any other Christians vote (for lots of reasons). As a person called to be a faithful witness of the Gospel - I am thinking of voting for an 80 year old (?) Quaker named Bradford Lyttle (www.uspacifistparty.org/bradbio3.html - 4k) . He has run for the past several presidencies, and I know he will not be elected - BUT - I am not called to a utilitarian view of, "the greatest good for the most people/the greatest balance of good over evil". If I did I might vote for Bush because he is the lesser of two evils, but I am not called to compromise and accept the lesser of evils. I think it is very un-democratic that we have to realistically accept the fact that we get to choose from two people to be our president. That is not democracy! And - that is not (I believe) what the church is called to. We are called to be faithful, not "effective". Cross and resurrection are our effectiveness, not compromise and manipulation.
Peace to all~Thomas

More from this last weekend...

2004-10-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

The conference we were at was largely run by 3 people I already mentioned: Jason Conrad, Chad Seabright, and Jimmy Jones. Friday night really got things going with a session about where Christ Central Ministries has been, where they are, and where they are going.

Christ Central is a ministry that unites churches to spread the gospel of Christ in wholistic ways. Each of their “Mission Stations” requires 10 denominations to function. Their point is basically this: You are not going to make the Baptists change their theology and make them Nazarene; you wont be able to make the Methodists into Catholics – but they will unite to serve, as the Body of Christ. This seems to be the only way to gather the fragmented Body, and maybe it is the only reason for the Body to be united? Feel free to comment on this latter statement. I know I will as I think about it more. What I am sure of thought is that there is no movement like this that I have ever seen before. They are sick of being the “protest-ant” church, and solving all problems by protesting against one another. I am excited to be a part of this movement that I believe is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in or generation!

“I cant wait until we are as saved as the Baptists; as predestined as the Presbyterians, as Sanctified as the Nazarenes and Methodists, as Spirit-filled as the Pentecostals, and as works-oriented as the Catholics!” ~Bishop Jimmy Jones

A Trip to South Carolina Was Just What We Needed...

2004-10-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

This weekend I was able to go to Wagener, South Carolina with two of my best friends Jake Randal and Ryan Pinson for a conference for those associated with Christ Central Ministries. It's title, "Hilsside Session", is explanatory of the nature: it was an opportunity to stand on some high ground to see "where we have been, where we are, and where we are going". We ahd an amazing time being reinvigorated in Christ, catching up with people, and being encouraged at midpoint in the semester (important for us college students!).

So much happened that it will take me a few posts to talk about it. I sill need to recover from travel back! For tonight: I just want to thank everyone who was there, but especially Pastor Jimmy Jones, Prof. Jason Conrad, and Chad Seabright. All three of them mean the world to us and are among our (CSR folks) most amazing supporters. Thanks to you three.Until my next post... Peace to all~Thomas

Eskimo?...No, I said ginosko!

2004-10-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

By Jacob Edwards

Last night was exiting. For the first time in over a year I got to see and hear a good friend preach. Listening to Stephen Manley brought back great memories and blessed me with a great message. Last night Stephen (www.crossstyle.org), talked about evangelism in the church. He spoke of evangelism existing through knowing. As you actively know the Father you cannot help but know others. And in this intimate relationship of knowing God others will take notice and be drawn into the Father as well. Stephen also explained the word "know" in Greek. There are four words for "know" and the one described above was just one of those four. The four words are:

GINOSKO: This is a relational word expressing a deep relationship. This word is all about embrace and intimacy. Knowing the person intimately and deeply. It is so much more than a surface relationship. An example would be John 17:3, "This is eternal life that they may know you (talking to the Father)..."

OIDA: Knowing in the realm of perception and understanding. An example would be to know(understand or perceive) what you see or hear.

EPIGINOSKO: Epi means big. This word just means like double of ginosko. So a big version of intimately knowing someone. 1 Cor. 13, the love chapter, uses epiginosko by translating it fully knowing.

GNOSTIS: Knowing as fact, skill, information, data etc... This is not a knowing that is relationship. You do not gnostis to get to know someone in a deep and meaningful relationship, but gnostis to learn facts or information on something. An example of gnostis would be when I get online to read Chicago Cub stats.

The word Stephen used to describe evangelism was ginosko. As you intimately and deeply know the Father you grow in relationship with Him. As you ginosko the Father you learn Him as he learns you. You are getting to know the Lord way past surface issues. You are discovering what He likes to do and where he likes to go. What His favorite things are and what His passions and desires are. Another interesting thing about knowing the Father in this way is that you cannot ginosko the Father without ginoskoing his people. It is impossible to grow in this deep intimate relationship with God and not grow in a deep relationship with His people. Evangelism happens as you ginosko the Father because as you grow in Him you grow towards others. As you get to know Him you get to know others. It is no longer knowing Bob (hypothetical) because he is the bully down the hall and he has beat up 4 of your 19 friends and he sits in the middle ailse of the cafeteria. It is knowing Bob in a way that allows you to see that he came from a broken home and longs for acceptance. That he loves football, math, and pretty women with blonde hair. When you begin to ginosko people they become more than a fact or a statistic they become real lives with real meaning. When you ginosko the Father it spins you into a relationship of knowing His people in such a way that you care and love with the compassion of His heart. That, my friends, is compassion and love that we will never be able to produce but that comes from God himself and will be able to change the world. I want to share one last story.

This past summer I spent the entire summer at home. I was around my sister for nearly the entirety of that. We rubbed shoulders, went on trips together, and she was a member of the youth group I ministerd to. None the less, by the time I left I hadn't grown any closer to my 18 year old sister than any time before. The summer ended and I was on my way back to school. I hadn't been gone for a week and I checked my email and saw that my sister had emailed me. She wrote, in my paraphrase, that she was disappointed that we did not get to ginosko each other this summer and she longed to know her brother in that way. A light turned on in my head and I realized that all I knew of my sister was held in the definition of gnostis. I knew her age, hair color, high school, the car she drove, and even her best friend. I knew the facts of my sister but did I really know (ginosko) her. Since that time we have agreed to stay in consistent contact and begin to really know one another. I am no longer satisfied in only knowing my sisters favorite food or instrument. I want to know what makes her her. I want to know what makes her tick. What makes her happy or sad. I want to know her favorite season and why. I long to ginosko my sister. To be in a deep loving relationship with her.

In this same way we are to approach the Father. To fall in a deep, intimate, loving relationship with Him that brings us closer and closer to Him. As we fall in this relationship with the Father we will be forced to fall in a deep loving relationship with His people. This is evangelism. A true relationship with the Father is void of all it's reality if we are absent of knowing (ginosko) Him.

Uh oh... Where Did Jesus Go?

2004-10-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

By Jacob Edwards

Recently I have been thinking of the large cross that hangs from the center of our sanctuary wall at my home church. I am not quite sure what sources this inquiry but I find myself questioning a very foundational symbol to the Christian Church. It was empty. I wondered where the body of Jesus was?

I have been told that empty crosses symbolize the resurrection of Jesus, and in the Protestant Church we celebrate the resurrected life of Christ. Hallelujah! We should celebrate the resurrected life of Christ! But, in Christianity, where symbolization is so important why would we come close to misleading our people? If we want to symbolize the resurrection then lets take down that cross and put in its place an empty tomb. A cross by itself symbolizes torture, humiliation, disgust, and millions of deaths. A lot of us have heard this before, but it is comparable to the electric chair. It was a device for death and punishment. When I see a cross it is hard for me not to become nauseous. A cross represents millions and millions of dead, punished people. I have to stretch my mind to see the resurrected Christ on what dangles from my friends neck, or is tattooed in pretty design on my friends back. I have to think long and hard to find a rejoicing spirit in two joined pieces of wood. We have seemed to forget the power and symbolism of Christ on the Cross. The One who gave His life for the will of His Father, which was love. This, at least in the symbolism of the Protestant Church has been left for the Roman Catholic Church.

It is important to know that Easter (the resurrection of Christ; life) could not be celebrated without first the death of Christ. The day of Easter is where Christ miraculously walks and breathes again. It is where He rejoices in His defeat of Sin; where He is proclaimed as Savior, and where He eternally lives in real life. Easter could have never happened unless He first died. I am beginning to see the mighty power of the Cross with the dead body of Christ hanging from it. This is where the cross becomes more than a death device but a means to life. It is not just another body, or just another cross, but it is the road map for all of our lives. Paul nailed down this concept as he wrote Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (NIV).

It remains that we cannot experience the sweet life in Jesus in store for us unless we first die to Him. We have to surrender our lives, dreams, passions, work, girlfriends and boyfriends, ect to find the powerful, holy life that is in Christ. As I find myself thinkings upon that empty cross in my home churches sanctuary wall I began to find the mighty, powerful, wonderful hope that is in the dead and crucified Lord. I began to learn that in order to identify myself with His sweet and holy life I must first find myself identified with His death. An awesome resurrection does indeed come from a cross. It comes from the cross that Jesus willingly died on.

The Journey...

2004-10-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

Journey...
by Erik Willits

Journey is full of ups and down, it is full of the good and the bad, it consists of straight roads and curvy roads, the wide and the narrow path. Journey is full of tension… well its journey.

Some journeys are journeys after Jesus and some Journeys are very much not after Jesus.

Often we judge quickly by the external weather a journey is after Jesus or not. Do they “drink, smoke, or chew and go with girls who do…” not journeying after Jesus. Do they go to church and act nice when they are around people, do they work with the homeless or give money to the poor? If so they are journeying after Jesus.

At times we judge the journey by what we have or what we don’t have, wealth and health are seen as blessing from God and sickness and poverty are seek and some type of punishment from God. Of course there are extremes of this, some people’s whole belief system is based on health and wealth (we call it prosperity gospel -- this may be a belief straight from hell) and others are not quite as extreme and see wealth as a blessing and health and favor from God. If we were honest with each other most of us would say to some extent we believe a check in the mail is a blessing from God or a sickness that leads to death (AIDS / HIV or something like that) is some type of punishment from God.

If I told you a story of a guy that was forced into poverty, no food or money, no friends, no family and he was forced by God to live like this for months. When he finally was allowed by God to have a few friends most other people thought he was crazy and even tried to beat him up whenever they got the chance. I could go into the details of his journey and the story of his unfortunate life and death and I could even tell you that he wound up in Hell. You would immediately think (if you didn’t already realize that this was the story of Jesus and his journey) that this guy was cursed by God and his journey couldn’t have been after God. But no journey in the history of the world was after the plan and purpose of God more than this one. Actually it was God himself in the person of Jesus Christ making this journey and identifying with those who seemed to be cursed by God but in all actuality maybe blessed.(read Matthew and the beatitudes)

So what really exemplifies the journey after Jesus? This may be one of the best question for this community to talk about... So let lets do it

What really exemplifies the journey after Jesus?

Trying to follow Jesus -- or better yet -- trying to let Jesus Lead me
~~Erik

Post-modernity & the revolution

2004-10-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

By Erik E. Willits

If we live in a time that is defined by skepticism of a meta-narrative, a time we call post-modernity then maybe we live in a time full of potential. Maybe we live in a time that is prime for the church to authentically follow Jesus. This is a time when Christianity can be the offense / the revolution. This is a time for the church to be apart of the Jesus revolution instead of just being apart of the system in which we live / the state / a Christendom if you will.

THE REVOLUTION – to embrace a way (the way) that is different than the way the rest of the world is going… this is to embrace the revolution or should I say; this is to follow Jesus, the revolutionary!

Post-modernity & the revolution – good stuff to talk about…

Follow the revolutionary with ya’ll
~~Erik

"A Community that Studies Scripture?"

2004-09-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Bridges

This week marked the realization of one of my recent goals: to study and to preach a sermon in combined effort with another person. I Studied Romans 1:11-12 with Jacob Edwards for about 21/2 weeks (he has been studying Romans much longer, which is why we chose it) and found it to be much harder than doing it on my own. It was a good thing though- there was accountability, but also it was fresh to hear an "other" voice while studying scripture. We spoke a planned out tag-team style at a student lead worship service on ONU campus on Monday night in Bourbonnais Illinois. It was a blast to feed of each others passion as we alternated.

The basic content of the sermon was about what it means for one person to encourage (Greek: paraclete) another in a provoking way that way Paul was longing to for the Roman Christians; and more specifically to break down barriers in the Church (i.e racial, denominational, worship styles). I enjoyed the way Jake provoked me while I studied with him.

I have been thinking a lot about what makes Scripture "holy" (holy means set apart, or really "weird" or "different") for a while but ever since I read "What Makes Scripture so Holy" By Simon Perry (published by the Ekklesia Project - see www.ekklesiaproject.org) I have really been trying to practice a life that keeps letting Scripture be holy. Perry claims that it is scripture's "differentness" that is holy - its 'otherness'. Once it has become too familiar, and ceases to surprise us and be something more than our own innate opinion it has lost its holiness. it has to be more than something any person could come to by rational concluding - it is something revealed, something divine, not something we could come up with on our own human reasoning. He suggests several ways to listen so holy scripture, not just scripture- because one could listen to the same scripture with two different postures (this is my personal interpretation of what he is getting at):

1. An openness to hear something 'other' than what I would assume and/or want to hear as a sinful human;
or

2. A closed-ness:I could listen with the idea of that I already have mastered will be said, "I already know this", reading scripture with my own biases and explanations for what I do not like to hear, assuming what will be said by scripture supports and fits my belief system, etc.

One of Perry's main suggestions on how to listen to holy scripture is by frequently listening to 'other voices' - those who look from another vantage point or those I may not agree with. This will condition me to hear what is being said regardless of whether I like it or not. As I learn this pattern of listening to whatever is said, and actually considering that there might be some validity to it I can come to scripture and listen to something that did not originate in my own motives.

One of the ways this has become a reality for me recently has been studying for a sermon with Jake. I listen to an 'other' voice as I listen to scripture. I think I have a long way to go, but I think I am at a start on my way to being a person who can listen to otherness, as part of a community that reads holy scripture. We must learn to listen to scripture as a community - which is a whole new animal we will wrestle with some other time!
Peace to all~Thomas

Taking Care of Buisness

2004-09-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Bridges

I have finally gotten caught up enough to start this thing! I want to give a word of thanks publically to those who have been neglected lately as I have been gone so much. Things seem to be settling in for the semester.

This weblog is meant to be the most updated section of our site (at least until we have our message board up - coming soon!) with two main goals in mind:

It is in some ways a "journal/diary" of csr folks, with the main goal of building communitythrough site visitors getting to know us, and keeping up with our lives. This will be soon taken over as we each have our own journals on our individual portions of the csr site.

Also many of our posts will take a more article syle, with the main goal to be hashingout what we think and believe as a community - we believe this is the most efficient and practical way of sharing frequently what is happening in our heads and lives. We look forward to this!

As for what is on my head tonight - I just want to say that our Lord has started and continued some amazing things in Eastern Kentucky this past weekend. He really started a revolution in the lives of the Eastern Kentucky NYI - I am still praying for you all! Stand strong!

Muc more to come soon...

May Chrsits peace be with you all ~Thomas

A fresh chapter in the Jesus Revolution…

2004-09-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

A fresh chapter in the Jesus Revolution…
It is not “Evolution”, it's “Revolution. This is not about the evolving of mankind's best effort to live, move and be alive; it is something beyond what humanity could think of, it's something totally new. This way is what we call the Cross Style, and it is the way, the style if you will of Jesus; the revolutionary who we follow.