November 30, 2004
surprise
"Easter wasd an unexpected turnabout in Scripture's Great Story." (McClendon) i stopped reading-- didn't they see it coming? they say that Jesus' talk of resurrection was probably thought of by the disciples as the final resurrection. when it did happen, it was a surprise. but then, one looks back through the story and this element of resurrection and surprise shows up all over.
The Old Testament stories of intervention to provide for the Hebrew people or the oppressed. God's recurring stories of mercy. then Jesus' ministry was full of radical moves, in liberation, equality, salvation, etc. Jesus turned heads, offending the religious and being there for the "sinner."
how much are we open to surprise? the Holy Spirit is not an element of faith that is to be "reduced to a footnote." rather, the spirit is our guide in this community of surprise. and it should turn heads. it is radical: heresy to the religious, liberation for the marginalized, full of grace for all.
Posted by Derrick at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2004
missing the point
i was out for breakfast yesterday with a friend and had a great time exchanging ideas on some questions. one of the questions that i have been thinking about has been this issue of understanding "soul" and monist and dualist perspectives.
anyhow, i asked him what he thought and he suggested that it seems that Jesus, when asked this or that questions wouldn't usually give this or that kinds of answers. instead, he would point out something that was being left out in their question. the thing is, in this or these kinds of questions, we ask looking to disregard something. the thing is, if we are looking at the things we need to disregard, we may be missing the point in the looseness and freedom of the good news. in the issue of whether there is a monism or a dualism with soul, the application or the realness of the gospel here and now holds the same.
i feel like i've been caught up in some questions recently, and a reencounter with the good news has been overdue. Jesus loves us and Jesus is the reason and source for true life. The mystery beyond that may be simply mystery.
Posted by Derrick at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
on suffering
as i've been thinking about these issues of priviledge, and now also of thanksgiving, i've been reminded between the last two days of the reality of the ugliness of violence that is part of our world and yet i can't imagine it. maybe i just can't tolerate pain, but there's something sick beyond whatever physical pain too.
the first was hearing from friends who lived with a tribe that holds female circumcision and circumcision of adolescent males as important rituals or rites of passage. the second was being retold of christian peacemaker team worker rachel corrie's death last year in being run over by a bulldozer while protesting in front of the palestinian home that was about to be destroyed. aghhg. oh God, i can't stand to think about it. why on earth or how on earth can this stuff happen? i just can't imagine how we humans can think in a way that violates others in such a way. how have we lost our sensitivity or common sense in being wrapped up in the world's utterly decieved and perverted systems?
Posted by Derrick at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2004
the priviledged have no voice
in one of my more critical moments, i listened uncomfortably to a speaker on Christian mission. he was mostly from my perspective, i don't know what i would have said differently. missions must be holistic, emphasize peace and justice, be done sensitively and with cultural awareness and contextualization of the gospel message.
but there was something that didn't sit right. i think it may have been not the message, but who we are. it is seriously difficult to imagine myself as a "missionary" as one who is a white, male, u.s. american, with priviledges economically, socially, and in a solid Christian upbringing. i don't think that means that my faith is not real or justified, but i don't know how much it has been genuinely put through the fire. one can only speak "to the extent that they have suffered," which in my case seems minimal. if there is a calling or a need for a mission in my life, maybe it is simply (or not so simply) moving in with the suffering and trying to get by with them. maybe it is to learn what life is really about, when all the ease and comfort is taken and i really become vulnerable. really, what does that take?
Posted by Derrick at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)