Sivin Kit’s Garden

350 leaders under the age of 30 met at Sojourners’ Justice Revival in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss social justice and activism. Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way spoke to the young leaders.

There is a place for analysis.  The temptation however is over-analysis or worse paralysis of analysis. So, before we devote all our energies there.  The place of action is open to ALL …

How many people under  the age of 30 in Kuala Lumpur want to take it this like our friends in Columbus?

I’ve been to many Revival Meetings especially at the height of my "Charismatic" days, at times I leave with an emotional high and energy that lifts me up.  There are other times, I’m either guilty because nothing happened, or angry because of manipulation used. It’s a mixed bag … Is there something better before us?  What is a "true revival??

I know may of my Christian friends in Malaysia  can relate to this, and need to hear this. Some might like the style too … I’d love to see Revival Meetings which would result in …

" A conversion that can change lives and neighborhoods …"

Yes, Lord! Amen

Kuala Lumpur - Justice Revival … someone?

(Thanks again The Blind Beggar)

I agree it’s worth the 50 minutes long.

(HT: The Blind Begger)

If this is what’s emerging here and now, then I’m glad I’m part of it! At least, I’m working on it

I found the set of questions here useful for personal reflection and further conversation … I confess I don’t get very excited when it comes to talking about money in the church (it’s a reaction against abusive prosperity preaching!)  And yet, the way we handle our finances and the discipline/art of giving is an essential part of our humanity and discipleship.  So, we simply cannot ignore it.  No point being evasive … let’s use the questions for some self-check! As part of the message this morning - I read each question slowly for us to think about .. and made a little adaptation here and there … 

Am I Giving in Proportion to My Blessing?

God has a clear intention for our prosperity: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). The Bible teaches us to be generous with what we are given and content with what we have so that when we are blessed, we can then bless others rather than consuming, hoarding and holding back (Luke 12). The following questions are designed as a diagnostic tool to help givers honestly answer the question, “Am I giving in proportion to my blessings?” We encourage givers to see what Scripture says.

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1. Do I understand the greatness of the blessings I have right now in Jesus (Ephesians 1:3)? When I give, am I consciously responding to God’s goodness (Romans 12:1)?
2. Do I understand the greatness of my future blessings? Am I preparing for eternity as much as for this present life in my generosity (Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19)?
3. Of the last three material blessings I received (raises, gifts, other unexpected income or things), how much of those blessings went to blessing others?
4. If my income keeps climbing, will I reach a certain point where all my needs are met and I cease to acquire greater amounts of things in favor of giving generously—capping income or expenditures and living contentedly (Luke 12:15-21)?
5. How much of my giving goes to bless people who, relatively speaking, are already financially blessed? Am I giving to those outside my social, ethnic, and economic background (Luke 14:12-14)?
6. Is my generosity with my finances a smokescreen for a lack of generosity with my faith and my time, such as participation in missions and evangelism and Christian fellowship?
7. How much of my giving will never benefit my family or me? Am I truly giving “away” just investing in great preaching, good youth ministry and great church programs for my family and those like us?
8. If I received a raise right now, where would the money go? Which would change first, my lifestyle or my giving?
9. If I were on trial for being a Christian, would my financial bottom line be enough to convict me?
10. Do I have a good understanding of the difference between what is essential and what is extra? Am I easily able to resist indulging in “extras”?
11. Am I asking God to show me opportunities to tangibly love others through giving and serving?
12. Do I give above and beyond the tithe? Do I seek creative ways to bless and help others in need?
13. Does the portion of my budget or allowance spent on clothing, hair care, perfume, cosmetics, jewelry and other appearance related items come close to what I spend on good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10)?
14. When was the last time I carefully studied passages (Psalm 1:2) on giving and money in Scripture (such as James; Luke 12, 16; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 1 Timothy 5-6)?
15. Are there elements of risk and sacrifice in my giving? Does my “giving portfolio” look as though I trust the Father who owns all things and can provide for me no matter what, or is it closer to a “tip” for someone who has helped me out?

Contextual Theology: Liberation and Indigenization

Wow this was already brewing in 1976 USA ..

Towards a Contextual Theology

I think this is worth putting up again. From Asia!

Contextual Theologizing: Future Perspectives

A Roman Catholic point of view …

Bulletin for Contextual Theology

Africa leads the way here.

Palestinian Contextual Theology (pdf)

An unexpected find.

Cultural Alienation and Contextual Theology

worth some time here …

Contextual Theology: a Reading Guide

Library time is coming soon!

A Voice from South Africa: Charles Villa-Vicencio

I heard him in an interview once and was deeply impressed and impacted by what he said.

Maori Theology

This is going to stretch me!

Teaching Theology in an Asian Context

I know for sure some statements and quotes in this paper will scare some Christians … press on!

What’s ‘contextual’ and what’s ‘theological’ about contextual theology?

Interesting observation:

“one of the ironies of contextual theology is that as discipline or discourse it is not in fact bound to any context. For instance, an exercise in contextual theology in South Africa can be recognized as something similar in form to an exercise in contextual theology in Japan. Despite the clear differences in context, both know they belong to the category of contextual theology. There are certain conventions, methodological commitments and ideological presuppositions that make contextual theology a particular general form of theological discourse not at all tied to any particular context.”

Contours of Contextual Orthodoxy in the Beloved Community

A surprise find …

Contextualization Bibliographies

Another round to the library …

Annotated Bibliography on Contextualization

wow!

De-westernizing Doctrine and Developing Appropriate Theology in Mission

Much food for thought here.

Some Theological and Hermeneutical Developments of the Earliest Eucharist: Discerning a Case for Contextual Theology

This is going to be a long day.

Perichoresis and praxis in Usenet

Interesting how the tools of contextual theology is applied here.

Mission and Proselytism as Challenge to Theology and Church Life in Eastern Europe (word doc)

An Eastern European context …

Here’s some precious insights on “community” highlighted by Pastor Rod that connects with a lot of what is on my mind the past weeks.
There is a lot of talk in the church about community. But there seems to be too little experience of true community.

Anthropologist Victor Turner suggests that we should think about this somewhat differently. He offers the concept of communitas instead of community. According to Turner, communitas grows out of liminality.

Liminality is a state of ambiguity, openness, and uncertainty. This transition state opens the possibility for new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. Differences between participants also become less important.

Out of this liminal environment grows communitas, a new social structure that is based on equality and common experience.

Michael Frost discusses this in his book, Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture.

Men [the disciples] who otherwise would have nothing to do with each other are thrown together by their shared devotion to Jesus, and as they journey together, they develop a depth of relationship that literally turned the world upside down.
Michael Frost, Exiles, pp. 113–114

When the church focuses on mission, communitas naturally develops. But when the church tries to create “community,” it often goes bad.

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I’m getting a hang of using wordpress after using movabletype since the day this blog was born … wow in 2002! Look at the archives.

Spending with Phil Baker and Mike Fonner was an absolute joy. They are very much more our seniors in terms of ministry and life experience. And yet the posture they came with was one of listening, conversation and being open to how the Church or Christians worldwide who share common concerns can move forward together.

I think we need space like this to talk and listen. When there’s no pressure towards a predetermined goal or agenda, ironically the freedom generates more heartfelt musings which ultimately might lead to some REAL possilities.

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“As I attempted to get myself out of bed this morning, late!! I was struck by the radio broadcast between John Humphrys and Rowan Williams, where Rowan Williams was invited to evangelise John Humphrys and engage with his unanswered existential questions arising out of life experience. It was one of the most profound interviews and spiritual moments that I have heard for a long time. I found it deeply helpful in my slight life of gloom at the moment. I really recommend listening to it.” - From the Moot blog

I was also struck by this interview after coffee. Listen to it here It’s uplifting to witness how the Archbishop of Canterbury plays his role as an evangelist (and to some degree an Apologist) and what was the content of the conversation. EXCELLENT!