Archive for April 4th, 2009
I missed out on the following paragraph from Changing the Conversation: A third way for congregations which I thought is worth some blog space.
In these third-way congregations, spirituality is real and worship is vital. God is alive and people are engaged in practicing and expressing faith. That is, they are living their faith in their vocations and relationships, in service and action on behalf of the poor and marginalized. Whether it’s Bass’s “intentional congregation” or Guder’s “Missional church” or my own “rooted in faith/engaged in the world,” the primary identity of congregations that embody an emerging third way is not either left or right, liberal or conservative, because their primary identity is “Christian”. Rather than being Democrat or Republican, their reference points are Scripture, preaching and the sacraments, life in community, and social critique informed and shaped by all three. They are not churches that care only, or primarily, about either personal transformation or the public square. They care about both, and they work at both. (p. 6)
A friend asked me the other day whether I have lost my idealism. I smiled and replied, perhaps I’m more idealistic than before, but many when I share the ideals it’s in a more restraint manner. 
But seriously, I do care about both personal transformation and the public square. And I do work at both. Depending on what time of the day you talk with me, you’d probably notice which one I’m working on.
However, the challenge of moving in this third way is great. Because most of the Christianity Malaysian Christians are used to talk the language of “personal transformation.” Perhaps, it might extend a little to family or work depending on life stage. Usually work is talked about simply because it occupies our attention so much. so, no choice right? But I think if I hear people correctly, perhaps most Christians have the idea that work is a nuisance rather than the context in which the message of God’s reign desires to infiltrate.
It’s a significant shift to start thinking with and make that link stick.
This is most clearly seen when one starts talking about social justice, and then bringing in the political dimension of our surroundings in to conscious Christian conversation and reflection. It’s scary, because it’s simply what truly affects us. And as I shared with a couple tonight, the moment I caught the Gospel as public truth and not just for private consumption (no matter how good that might be), I was never the same. I could never go back to business as usual.
the big and really hits you hard if you are willing. Some might get it in theory, but it’s where the rubber meets the road choices when one looks in the mirror and asks, “what have I gotten myself into?”
Some might think all this talk is about being fancy or fashionable. Trendy or moving with the times huh? Maybe.
But for me, it’s about being faithful. Prayerfully, as one is faithful the fruits of walking the road less travelled will emerge in due time. Whether or not it’s in our life time.
Having a longer view makes a big difference, especially when we take risky baby steps.
Years ago, when the words “spiritual and social change” became part of the vocabulary of the Bangsar Lutheran Church vision statement, in hindsight, I sense it was an intuitive move where one would be open to see how it would work out in concrete realities.
This kind of change involves people who are willing to change, want to change, and work towards change. 8 minutes of explanation might get one started, but sometimes after 8 years, one might still feel it’s merely the beginning. It’s not going to be one persons journey, or even a loose collection of individuals. It requires a community of Christ-followers who hear the call, risk stepping out, stick through the highs and lows, reflect and learn and move on.
This and word can do a lot of wonders. Three letters for a third way.
EACH DAY, every moment,
you place your hand of blessing
upon the brow of creation.
In your touch, in your words,
everything flowers,
everything remembers
the deep, perfect loveliness within.
The deep, perfect loveliness of you.- Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation
The Kit Kids and I do a little practice every night as much as possible, as long as I’m around before they sleep. We’d give each other a hug or in tonight’s case at least a hook with our pinky (like giving a promise) to bless each other before we sleep.
It’s a little adaptation from what I learnt from Faith Inkubators. When possible I do the full thing below. Tonight, Gareth was too tired and already falling asleep so we jumped to number 5
What’s important though is not so much of getting it all done every time, though I’m hoping we’ll grow more and more consistent each day as the practices of Examen, meditation/reflection, mutual conversation, prayer and blessing is cultivated each day, whatever happens let’s still share a blessing with each other.
And the blessing interestingly, begins when we fall asleep. When we are not geared up for activity, but on the contrary when we are entering rest. I think I recall Eugene Peterson mentioning somewhere that it’s evening and morning and one day. The day begins when we are asleep, and that’s quite counter cultural in our achievement oriented environment. It’s not that we don’t what to get any thing done, or don’t want God’s blessing on our efforts. Who doesn’t? It’s more like, the blessing begins at the most quiet and hidden moment, when we’re not even doing anything yet! In fact, we’re slipping into deep sleep and totally not in control of anything at all.
Humbling, sobering, reorientation of perspectives, reordering of attitudes, and in many ways liberating.
When we’re in touch with His touch, it makes all the difference. Everything God touches is blessed. And I suppose that’s what we need these days. A blessing not trapped by our own agendas, our own egos, our so called strategies and plans, though all are no doubt part and parcel of the journey. A step back, to get back to the true origin of blessing is a good place to start.
I look forward to see everything to flower in his time. There so many people I pray his hands of blessing will touch this day. I bring them to God in prayer now. Many whom are broken, humbled, suffering, judged, etc. There are so many situations I pray will flower again in due time. I submit them to God in prayer now. What may seem hopeless, uncertain, painful, etc.
May the perfect loveliness spread now, on the eve of Palm Sunday, on the eve when those of us who are Christ-followers may have forgotten the blessing which comes to the world came through the path of suffering.
This cartoon does give the whole “jump first, fear later” a new twist! (HT: The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus)
Why I won’t declare I am a Christian
Good one Jason! Key phrase . . . “more than”
I like the idea of encouraging Christians to connect their belief to public life, but wonder why it reduces christianity to beliefs, and not practices. To be a christian in public, is more than stating your private beliefs in public.
Robert Jenson: The 2009 Burns Lectures on Video
I’m downloading the videos now! Read some of Jenson’s writings, but haven’t heard him in person yet. I might be moving into a phase of more “cheem” theological reflective posts in days to come. We’ll see.
Critiquing Carl Braaten’s Critique
I like the alternate title. I bought this book a while ago. Will read it later. I’ve had some interesting conversations on both Braaten and Jenson (above) with people who know them better than me.
Negotiating tensions in the Bible
We don’t have to run away from the tensions (like in real life), we need to face them head on, without fear. God is bigger than our questions.
If the history of philosophy, science and theology have taught us anything it is this: truth is a multifaceted complex beast, not easily domesticated, tamed or boxed. I once heard a profound argument in a Richard Hays lecture. He was quoting Rowan Williams who was himself quoting novelist Anita Mason: ‘There is a kind of truth which, when it is said, becomes untrue’. Even our language, yes even the language of the bible, is sometimes not able to say the full truth, for to say it would be to domesticate it, and because we are in the business of speaking about God, to domesticate such truth is thus to refute it.
That said, biblical propositions are important – arguably so is ‘propositional revelation’, though it remains a disputed concept – and the bible is full of them. However, while we may agree on certain propositions being true, what matters is what they mean. And that is when things get more complicated!
Thanks for the prayer . . .
"Father, there is so much that we do not understand, so much that confuses us in the Bible. We surely only know in part. So we pray for wisdom, for a closer walk with you, for deeper maturity in our faith, that we would be passionate lovers of truth. Protect, strengthen and develop our faith, that it may bear fruit in our lives, that we truly play our part in the evangelisation of the nations and the transformation of society, remembering always that it is you who carries us; you are our foundation, not we ourselves, not our understanding of biblical tensions nor the strength of our often failing faith. We give you glory for hearing our prayer for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Ecumenism, education, culture-engagement and the "slippery slope" argument
John Amos Comenius is my new hero from Church History!! I’ve always felt Pietism had some treasures for us today. I think critics will need to reconsider the “slippery slope” argument after this. 
Now, fundamentalist watchdogs of today who would look back at that key moment when the Unity decided not to go in a fundamentalist direction would doubtless trot out a “slippery slope” argument: “Any denomination that went in this liberal, culture-engaging direction could not last as an evangelical, pietist denomination. It would become liberal in theology and disappear from history as an effective gospel witness.”
So it’s worth asking: What did happen to the Unity of the Brethren?