A Change In Perspective (The Next Evangelicalism pt.5)

One of the greatest mistakes we make as human beings is assuming that we see "things" (the world and all that is in it) the "right" way. Soong-Chan Rah writes, "Sin results when human beings attempt to take God's place in creation. In other words, we make ourselves the standard of reference in the determination of our values and norms" (p.80).

When we fail to recognize our own presuppositions in relationship to God and creation we give way to a defensive posture based out of a fear that truth will be compromised. The fear that keeps us from recognizing our own flawed worldview is, at best, not conducive to healthy growth and, at its worst, causes us to respond to others (and their worldviews) in ways that are violent and oppressive (i.e. racism, nationalistic imperialism, and even petty arguments).

Until we realize that none of us view this world objectively we will continue to be steeped in trying to make "our way" become "everyone else's way". And if we continue along that path then greed, violence, and anger will most certainly follow.

Yet our call as kingdom people is much different; we are to be a servants, disciples, students, and learners. If we are to engage, learn from, and benefit from the depth of others we need to posture ourselves in ways that exude meekness and humility. It is through this type of engagement with the broader world (and the many worldviews that exist within it) that the ground can become fertile for the hallmarks of our confession: faith, hope, and love.

Luke Makes Jesus Walk On Water

Our Role In the Rescue

When Christians talk about "saving souls" they miss the full hope of the Gospel. The beautiful hope is that God will one day restore all of creation. Our role as followers of Jesus is to build for the kingdom.

NT Wright puts it this way: "God longed, in other words, to reestablish his wise sovereignty over the whole creation, which would mean a great act of healing and rescue. He did not want to rescue humans from creation any more than he wanted to rescue Israel from the Gentiles. He wanted to rescue Israel in order that Israel might be a light to the Gentiles, and he wanted thereby to rescue humans in order that humans might be his rescuing stewards over creation." Surprised By Hope

As followers of Jesus this has important implications. It means that what we do, now/today, echoes. It beckons us to see salvation on a larger scale: a radical healing of all creation. It means that when we care for our created world, spend time looking after the sick, or advocating for the oppressed we do so not to gain leverage in attracting/getting people to believe what we do about God, but rather that God somehow uses our work of mercy, love, and justice as building blocks for his kingdom; a kingdom that is both, in some manner, already present (visible through the work of his Church), and yet to come (in fullness with the Lordship and victory of Christ).

Zondervan and Authors Act Justly

A few weeks ago I posted "Christian Books Pimping Culture" about a new book Zondervan released with racially insensitive material. Zondervan's response...nothing short of exceptional (read Zondervan's response from Soong-Chan Rah's blog).



Zondervan (and authors Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite) not only acknowledged that their material was racially insensitive, but took their apology the full distance: pulling all copies of the books and suspending promotion of the book until the material could be re-worked. Zondervan also went one step more...the hiring of a new editor in chief of all Zondervan products.



It would have been easy for Zondervan to dismiss the statements made about Deadly Viper (it certainly would been the least costly for business). Zondervan's corrective steps clearly shows that (like all of us) they are imperfect and make mistakes, yet through this they have put on display a level of integrity that shows how we all should respond when we hurt our brothers and sisters: we repent - acknowledge our wrong and go the distance to correct our error.

Keep'em Happy (The Next Evangelicalism pt.4)

"Our short-term desire to keep our church attendees happy has led to an effective ministry that serves white, middle-class suburbanites but has essentially become irrelevant in proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom principles of peace and justice".

Soong-Chan Rah, The Next Evangelicalism

The Need For Forgiveness

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. When one forgives they are not saying: "what you did is 'okay'". Nor are they "forgetting" what took place (or the pain that has come along with a hurtful action).

Forgiveness is essential because it frees us from the need (burden) to collect on something that another cannot possibly re-pay: innocence, trust, hope.

Even more, it is in our capacity and availability to forgiveness that we find the forgiving God. In his book, Surprised By Hope, NT Wright writes: "Not to forgive is to shut down a faculty in the innermost person, which happens to be the same faculty that can receive God's forgiveness. It also happens to be the same faculty that can experience real joy and real grief. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ...If you lock up the piano because you don't want to play to somebody else, how can God play to you?"

That is why we pray, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Maybe today you need to forgive someone who hurt you; a family member that has long since past, an "enemy" of yours, or even more - yourself. In the space of your forgiveness of another may you experience the peace, hope, and love of a forgiving God.

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