other than the obvious, we live on the planet, so need it to actually function….
thanks to Melanie for sharing this with our community yesterday. simple, direct, not too long
Category: Blogs we read
other than the obvious, we live on the planet, so need it to actually function….
thanks to Melanie for sharing this with our community yesterday. simple, direct, not too long
I am aware that in choosing to link my blog posts to facebook, when I write something it drops the first few lines to my fb posts. Consequently, I should really come up with something much more compelling to get you to keep reading than this: A couple of thoughts from my reading of Transforming Mission by David Bosch – chapter 6: The Missionary Paradigm in the Eastern Church [patristic era]
First, I should begin by saying that I am part of an awesome reading group – all practitioners and thinkers who are really wrestling with the challenging ideas Bosch presents. Every time we meet, our discussions are always personal and meaningful, never purely philosophical. Yes! As such, no need to give abook report of the chapter. Rather, just want to offer a few thoughts on two quotes/idea from this particular chapter on the Church’s thoughts on mission in the Greek Patristic era. They aren’t necessarily even major points of the section, but ones that jumped out at me. Can’t wait to hear what Tom has to say on this chpater, as this era is where he has been studying.
“In the final analysis, it was not the miracles of the itinerant evangelists and wandering monks that impressed the populace – miracle workers were a familiar phenomenon in the ancient world – but the exemplary lives of ordinary Christians” (p. 191, referencing Kretschmar).
Is this true, or do I just want it to be? I DO believe that the greatest witness is a transformed life. But where we live, miracle workers sure do get a lot of press, and there are plenty to go around. I suppose part of the argument is that miracles draw crowds, but changed lives keep them coming. But what about revolutions? Isn’t there always some spark – generally a person or a few people – who exemplify, demonstrate, and propagate something new? To be fair Bosch continues to spell out what these changed lives looked like and how this was so counter cultural at the time that people couldn’t help but notice.
Maybe that’s the better measure – lives transformed not just to “good” – but to radically different from and prophetic to – the culture around us. I can get behind that. Sadly, when we envision a life changed by Jesus, it is generally so pedestrian that I don’t think many people notice at all. I don’t mean that we all have to become John the Baptist types, but I do think we have exceptionally low understanding and expectation for the life God would hope for us… that He has made possible for us…. that could indeed transform our world.
Are you with me people?
Second quote:
“…For a while, the church had to forfeit its opportunity for rapid growth ; it devoted its time and energy to finding clarity on crucial theological issues and to consolidating internally” (p. 200).
Hmmmm. Can it be that all those eras of Church history that I look on with disdain, the ones where we spent more time arguing with ourselves than extending God’s love to anyone else, might have actually been necessary? Granted, Bosch is not justifying all the crapola in Church history. But he does give me reason to pause and drop some of my judgmental attitude. I do believe in seasons of rest, rhythms of life – maybe that applies [and should/must apply] to the Church itself?
Case in point – the Church today. Are we still seriously arguing about the rapture, emerging church, and original sin? Yes we are. And I have so little time for it. BUT, maybe we’re in one of those times of regrouping. Makes sense. We’ve come off a long run of being the big influence in culture and are now faced with our loss of voice. I don’t think anyone still tries to argue that we are in the middle of massive paradigm shift. Everything is changing. So, maybe we do need to get our act together. I still don’t think that means endless arguments over trivia to the neglect of partnering with God’s Kingdom, but maybe it’s not that either/or. And MAYBE we actually do need to get it together to address whatever our world will look like tomorrow. Not the message, but certainly how it is presented lived.
That’s a beauty of Bosch’s work. He makes such a good case that the Church has indeed approached mission (and it’s own self-understanding) quite differently over the ages. No need to fear change, or think we are being unfaithful to the Church of the ages. Rather, this is how God has always worked, and presumably will continue.
How will we respond?
May your life be transformed today, even if it means resting a bit. I find that sometimes, this is when God does the most work in us.
Got around to updating my links. Added:
Hey, I like these, you might as well. Check out the links, possibly subsribe yourself.
finally got around to updating our blog roll (to the right).
Added some good local news sights.
Added some good Jesus resources.
Added all the NCSA bloggers.
Added some sites for musicians we like.
Check out the links – you may find something you enjoy!
Would love for all of you to consider this – great opportunity to seek God’s Kingdom. Please pass on the info as well…
The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.
What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?
Why the connection to Pentecost? On the day of Pentecost, after the Spirit descended on the apostles, and after Peter’s fiery preaching and the conversion of 3,000 people from all nations and races, the book of Acts goes on to tell us,
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)
Later, in the 4th chapter, we learn,
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)
In this Spirit, we undertake the Pentecost Project: invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.
The Gospel is more like a piece of music to be performed than a list of ideas to endorse.
- Scot McKnight in Embracing Grace
Comments please!
I don’t do a good job of regularly updating our blogroll. However, I added a few links today that I wanted to bring to your attention:
Dion Forster’s blog – Dion is asking all the right questions here in South Africa and I am hoping to learn a lot from him.
Tim Keel’s blog – met Tim at the Amahoro conference in Uganda last year. Tim is pastor at Jacob’s Well in KC and just had a book – Intuitive Leadership – published.
Jackson Pollock – when you want to blow off steam or have fun drawing, check out this site! You get to create Jackson Pollock style.
Photosensibility – my friend Andrew Gray in Japan is an excellent photographer and posts pics daily. Beautiful.
I have been tagged by Anthony for this random fact meme.
Here are the rules:
- Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog eight random facts about themselves.
- They need to post these rules.
- At the end of the post, they need to tag some people by listing their names.
Here are my random facts:
Here is my tag:
Within the next few days, I am launching a new “project” of sorts. However, wanted to give my faithful readers (ok, not sure if there are such people…but YOU’RE reading this, aren’t you?) a sneak peak. so, check out http://arthur-stewart.blogspot.com/
I find myself compelled to do this. Not sure if the idea grabs at your heart as well, but would love for you to join me. In any event, would love some feedback