Grappling with the Ordered Death of Men, Women, and Children

Posted on April 8, 2009 by admin

Have you read the Old Testament before? You should. It’s weird. It’s disturbing. It’s confusing. It’s generally a good read.
I’ve got to be honest, though, as a minister, a college graduate, and avid reader, I’ve got little understanding as to how to contextualize the Old Testament.
One thing is for certain, it makes me angry when people over simplify it. When they take horrific stories of the commanded death of women and children, stoning of people for seemingly insignificant things, and lack of justice concerning the plight of certain people groups and try to justify it with a Sunday school answer it makes me frustrated. That answer works at church, but if you claimed that God commanded you to kill all the men, women, children, and animals of Kazakhstan I don’t think I’d be speaking of God’s grace or mercy (no matter how true it is). It’s not that simple.
I’m grappling with my understanding and explanation (for lack of a better term). Have you thought through this? Have you grappled with this? Have you questioned Christians concerning this?
I won’t give my thought out response here because I’m not sure I can. I will say, however, that I love Jesus. And I believe that in Jesus we see the most clear and understandable picture of God’s identity. This brings me great peace…and a little more convolution.

The Difference Between Good and Best

Posted on March 30, 2009 by admin

I won’t attempt to give a template for figuring out this blog titles dilemma, but I do have some reflections concerning that idea. I get so tired of how people have politicized some of the discussi0n between good and best. It’s not just relegated to politics though…well…let me just attempt to explain.

Conservatives say that global warming is a myth. Many conservatives (and I thought it pretty funny…but for reasons different than them) planned to “stick it to the liberals” by leaving all their lights on and racking up the electricity bills on earth days while many more liberal folks were shutting off their lights by 8:30 or so. I find this incredibly odd. I wish I was more up to date on some of the politics concerning endangered species, oil drilling, protecting old growth forests, etc. because my guess is that I’d have more to say concerning some of that, but as it is I’d come off most ignorant of the facts. Anyway, concerning conserving electricity, why has this become a political issue? Conservatives (and undoubtedly Christians) should be all for conserving energy, it’s just smart. It’s best. It’s not mandatory, it’s not obligatory, it’s best. It’s best not to waste. Duh. I know it’s blasphemy in our American culture, but it’s best not to be wasteful. Being wasteful is foolish. Do you have the freedom to be wasteful? Of course! But you’re choosing to settle for less than best. And it shouldn’t even matter if global warming is a hoax or not should it? Screw global warming! If there were no such thing as global warming, if Al had never made his smug video, shouldn’t we still be concerned with how we treat our environment? Isn’t our environment a gift from God? When I give my children a toy and I notice that they are not taking care of it, that they are destroying it, in my mind I have two options. Take away the toy before they ruin it or be very cautious about what toy I give them next (knowing that it will probably get destroyed). So lets depoliticize all of this and just start taking care of what God has given us. Let’s not disrespect the creator by destroying his creation. Anyway, I think or hope that this point was made without laboring too much. I don’t want to bore you because I really think that this next idea is where its at…

Many people worry when pastors or churches talk about green living, sustainability, simplicity, etc. And for good reason. They worry that pastors and churches are teaching something that is not gospel (that is, not the life saving, hope giving message that you’re loved by Jesus), that they are adding something into the simple message of Jesus that does not belong. This is a very valid point to make because I think that often Christians do get caught up in some of this stuff and forget that Jesus didn’t die so that we could recycle. But here is my strong belief, I think that there is and should be a place for churches, Christians, and ministers to talk about sustainable living, simplicity, and frugality within the context of following Jesus. As Christians we have the gift challenging each other and the world around us to always pursue what is best. To pursue that which embodies beauty. To pursue that which embraces truth, wholeness, and perfection. Jesus talked about some of this and tended to use the word Kingdom. The kingdom of God t is Christs transforming presence among us in real and tangible ways. His presence frees us to always choose what is best for our lives even when it isn’t easy or fun. But the most important distinction that must be made is that we are freed to make these choices not required. The danger comes when Christians, churches, or pastors teach that you must take care of the environment to be a Christ follower, or you must live sustainably, or you must cloth diaper, or you must…fill in the blank to really be the type of person that Jesus likes. This is called heresy. What if we viewed it like this: God has given us the gift of being able to make new choices, of being able to make better choices. And the blessing associate with that gift is not a better place in heaven, a better standing in his church, or more jewels on your ruby encrusted crown in heaven. The blessing is more similar to the “blessing” Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5 where he says

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall possess the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The word “blessed” that Jesus uses isn’t someting that is bestowed on his audience, rather it is a state of blessedness. Catch the difference? The reward is found in the blessed state itself. It’s blessed to mourn because when you mourn you’re able to really experience comfort. It’s blessed to be a person who desires justice or rightness because if you’re someone who pursues it, you will find it.

Ok, wait, I’m cutting myself off right now ’cause I’ve already typed on way too long and I could go so much longer.

peace.

Wowsers

Posted on March 19, 2009 by admin

I read this today:

Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.
1st Timothy 6:17-19

In the words of Inspector Gadget…wowsers. So if we were to summarize this statement from the Bible we might say:

Don’t trust in your money because it could just up and disappear (nobody can relate with that these days right?!). Instead we should trust in the God who has given us all we need to find joy (though it must be said that our defenition of joy must be severly changed and transformed! The joy that Jesus offers has nothing to do with having lots of stuff and financial security). If you are one of those persons with money, why don’t you keep it in perspective and do good things with it. All money is, is a big wad of potential. For if your money is just temporary and your trust is in God instead of your money why wouldn’t you give it away to those in need? Why wouldn’t you fulfill some of your money’s potential for good? And you know what? If you’re able to do this you know what will happen? Not only will you be storing up treasure for yourself in heaven, but you’ll actually discover and experience life as it should be. Real life. Or as Jesus called it, eternal life.

One sentence summary: If you trust God instead of money, give money away, you’ll be able to experience eternal life right now…wowsers, that’s a bold statement.

Levitical Musings

Posted on March 5, 2009 by admin

I’ve had about ten blogs running through my head all day and now that I’m sitting here at the computer this is all I can think about…

I read this scripture from the New Living Translation this morning and found it intriguing.

“No one who has a defet may come near to me, whether he is blind or lame, stunted or deformed, or has a broken foot or hand, or has a humped back or is a dwarf, or has a defective eye, or has oozing sores or scabs on his skin, or has damaged testicles.” Leviticus 21:18-20

How does that contrast with Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke (teaching) up on you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

Something has changed right? Either God has changed, we’ve changed, or the way we’re able to relate with God has changed. I’ve got my guess. Do you have yours?

Musings From The Ground Up

Initiating a new grassroots movement in downtown Vancouver

Tag Archives: Jesus

Grappling with the Ordered Death of Men, Women, and Children

The Difference Between Good and Best

Wowsers

Levitical Musings