We've got so much to talk about Thursday night. Hope you can join us. We want to hear from JD about the meeting at SMU in April. We can continue our discussion of Tickle's book, The Great Emergence (see the post from April 13th, below, for details and links to resources.) Then J.D. has two interesting posts we can discuss - see his posts from May 9, Faith and Torture, and May 18, Worrying about Tomorrow. Finally, Emergent Village is undergoing change and we can share what we know/think about that.
That's more than we can cover in a couple of hours, but it is a good way to get started on the summer. Bring your calendars and we'll set our summer schedule for June, July and August.
We'll meet at 7:00 PM at Escape. Directions are listed in the right hand column of this blog.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Worrying About Tomorrow
Here's something that has given me angst for some time but which I have never shared with anyone. At the end of Matthew 6, we have Jesus' teaching about not worrying about tomorrow because today has enough worries of its own.
We often read this in an individualistic fashion. I suggest we need to read more of Scripture in a collective fashion. To me, this saying points to the fact that there is not just so much in my own life to worry about today but there is enough to worry about in my community today so that my concerns about tomorrow on the backburner.
This becomes more evident when we see the preceding verses include teachings on treasures and wealth. We do not store up treasures on earth by hoarding what we've got but by using it to help others. Love of God and love of neighbor go hand in hand.
So what gives me angst is the concept of saving for retirement. I've been taught it's important so you are not a burden on anyone. I have been unable to save for it up to now, but as my children outgrow daycare and I get further cost of living wage increases there will be money available. The question is do I do what I've been told my entire life or do I view this as the ultimate tomorrow?
I wonder what would happen if churches lived for today. What we would save for retirement we go to help people in need today. Kids going to college. People needing healthcare. People unable to pay mortgages. I tend to think this would live rather close to the picture of the church in the first chapters of Acts.
The challenge is vulnerability. It's a scary thing. By committing to other people's todays we are risking our tomorrow hoping our needs will be met when our tomorrows become our todays. It also looks weak to our dominant cultural ethos to not provide for oneself.
Extremely curious to know your thoughts.
We often read this in an individualistic fashion. I suggest we need to read more of Scripture in a collective fashion. To me, this saying points to the fact that there is not just so much in my own life to worry about today but there is enough to worry about in my community today so that my concerns about tomorrow on the backburner.
This becomes more evident when we see the preceding verses include teachings on treasures and wealth. We do not store up treasures on earth by hoarding what we've got but by using it to help others. Love of God and love of neighbor go hand in hand.
So what gives me angst is the concept of saving for retirement. I've been taught it's important so you are not a burden on anyone. I have been unable to save for it up to now, but as my children outgrow daycare and I get further cost of living wage increases there will be money available. The question is do I do what I've been told my entire life or do I view this as the ultimate tomorrow?
I wonder what would happen if churches lived for today. What we would save for retirement we go to help people in need today. Kids going to college. People needing healthcare. People unable to pay mortgages. I tend to think this would live rather close to the picture of the church in the first chapters of Acts.
The challenge is vulnerability. It's a scary thing. By committing to other people's todays we are risking our tomorrow hoping our needs will be met when our tomorrows become our todays. It also looks weak to our dominant cultural ethos to not provide for oneself.
Extremely curious to know your thoughts.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Faith and Torture
So I saw the Pew Report on people's acceptance of torture and was dismayed. Some of the debate resulting from this report has led to theological considerations about why white evangelical Americans stand more in favor of torture than white mainline Christians.
It's an important and insightful discussion, but the more troubling numbers are those that point to the fact that non-religious Americans are less likely than Christian Americans to support torture. It's even more disturbing when you read this post by Brian McLaren.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
It's an important and insightful discussion, but the more troubling numbers are those that point to the fact that non-religious Americans are less likely than Christian Americans to support torture. It's even more disturbing when you read this post by Brian McLaren.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
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