Inspirational Keys

I know this key chain has gerat potential to diminish the respect that some of you may have for me but let me explain.

I recieved this as a gift from one of my friends who recently went to Cuba. Not knowingly they gave out key chains as a memorable trinket of their trip. This was the only one with such a profound message. I was the one who received it.

As I thought about the little saying I reflected on my upcoming house purchase. One week from today we get the keys to my new house. MY house. MY expletive house. Somehow our culture has this attitude: everything that is mine is mine. Makes sense. However, it goes against the teachings of Christ. Material possessions and the idea of owning things wasn't important to Jesus (Matt 16:24, Matt 19:21, Matt 8:20, to name a few). So why should it be important to me.

Moving into this house and owning something huge must not change me. I must remember that it is not my house but God's.

I know this issue doesn't seem grey; but, it was so strikeingly presented to me in this key chain I felt I had to share it. As I though I was receiving a perfect gift for someone moving, I was actually receiving a perfect illustration of what this moving must not produce in me.

Why Can't I Own Canadians

Here's a letter placed expertly inside a book I've been reading lately. The book is called "What Jesus Meant" by Garry Wills (Viking: 2006). Though though the book aligns with much of the "radical, irreligious, postmodern, postliberal/conservative, frankly posteverything" stream of thought I find his concise-ness and to-the-point-ness refreshing. This letter he recovered from an unknown internet source and described it as being written to a "protestant evangelical who believes in literal reading of the Bible:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal from you, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination - end of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is: how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor to the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. It is really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev 24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev 20:14)?
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. "
P(33-35)

Response: Jesus vs. Church

This post is in response to a friend of mine who posted on the same topic a couple of days ago.

Original: You Like Jesus, but not the Church?

I once heard that Gandhi said "I like your Christ, but not your Christians."

How do Christians respond to this quote?

Here's how not to respond:
1. Get all mad at Gandhi, call him a crazy, eastern, "new age," yoga man, dismiss not only his comment but also his roll in history politically and spiritually, tell everyone this opinion, continue on not being like Christ and not being liked by the majority of non-Christians around you, start a "good old fashioned Gandhi bashing" small group at church.
2. Jump completely on Gandhi's wagon, say "to hell with the church," leave and start a group half Christian (so-to-speak) and half Gandhian that meets on Sunday morning but at a tranquil yoga studio, abandon the word "religious" for the word "spiritual" and give it a definition that serves no purpose other than to make yourself sound smart and "postmodern."
(please note the sarcasm)

But how should we respond? How do we deal with this issue. On one hand Christians are supposed to be like Christ. On the other them not being like Christ is likely why they are Christians. Where's the middle ground, if there is one? The response to this quote is not as simple as it may seem. It is as complicated as discovering how the church as an organism works. The answer may more aptly be put in the form of a question? What is the church? What should it be? What should it look like? How should it function?

Is Jesus' Salvation Just a Ticket to Heaven?

It seems that the most logical question after "Why am I a Christian?" would be "Would anyone else want to be a Christian because I'm one?" Maybe I'm strange for thinking that way. I just do. But let's not go there yet. That can be a troublesome topic to reflect on. I may find out that my faith is about as contagious as good genes. I only multiply it by reproduction.

Anyway, again McLaren has helped me to reflect on another topic. The topic of salvation. He writes a chapter entitled "Jesus: Savior of What?" in his book Generous Orthodoxy. He discusses how many "Evangelicals" (big "E" Evangelicals as McLaren calls them) have truncated Jesus salvation. They've cut and boxed it up so it fits right where they want it most, at the end. This type of salvation is a heaven entering, judgment freeing, restoration achieving type of salvation. It's a ticket. A ticket to eternity. But didn't Jesus do more than scalp us some tickets?

The answer is yes (obviously), but do we really know what this answer means? It has gotten too easy for us to see Jesus' salvation only as a ticket to heaven. Not something that affects our lives now. But Jesus' salvation is not just something for then, it's something for now. And it's not just a salvation for humanity from sin. It's a salvation for creation. To restore the whole works back to God. McLaren isn't the first I've read on the topic. Robert Webber (I think it's two "b"s) makes a strong case for "Christ's Victory" and its implications for life in his book Ancient Future Faith. So let's move past asking questions and onto discussing realities.

How does Jesus' salvation impact our lives right now? What does it mean for not only sin, but poverty, injustice, and environmental issues? How do we relate our faith not only to a future event but to a present reality? How are we to live now, not just so we can live then but so we can actually LIVE now? What does Jesus' salvation do for us in this moment?

Why am I a Christian?

I went to a "Youth Pastor's" lunch the other day even though I wouldn't consider myself a youth pastor. Somehow I received an email about the happening and in it were the words "free meal." How could I resist? Anyhow I thought it would be a good time of discussion, and it was.

To go along with the free meal was a free book. And because I was there so early (sometimes I've just got nothing better to do) I got first choice. I looked over a couple of Doug Fields books (one of the modern day gods of youth ministry), scanned past some Mike Yaconelli (another great man of youth ministry, one I actually highly respect); but nothing seemed to catch my eye. Then I moved some off the top of a pile and found something appealing. It was a book called "a Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren. I have heard of McLaren many times. His name seems to be ever so connected to the "emergent" movement. But I have never read him. This was my chance. So I took it (the book that is).

As I started to read I appreciated his style and discourse. His direction wasn't bad either. But before he could take me there, he stumped me with a very simple question. Why am I a Christian? He asks it of himself; but I was taken back by its implications for me. Why am I a Christian? And as I started thinking on this idea it took me deeper still. If I am a Christian, does that better or worsen the chance that others would want to be one?

This question isn't directly "grey" but it does have grey answers. Each one of us has reasons why he or she is or isn't a Christian. Some of our reasons are actually reasons; others are just excuses. McLaren has challenged me again to analyze my own reasons and test them not only for strength but also authenticity. Because if my reasons are left wanting will not my witness be also?

So, why are you a Christian? Why are you not a Christian? And how are your reasons/excuses influencing others around you?

...

Act with Action

First off let me say sorry for the lengthy period between posts. It's been Christmas season here at the Noble household and with both family events and me being in retail (my day job) my time has been precious. However it's a thoughtful Christmas gift from my wife that brings me the inspiration for this next post. So tip the egg nogg to Heather.

I was reading an interview with Bono in Rolling Stone and was once again struck with inspiration from this professing Christian Rock Star/Political Activist. His direction clear and his actions speak loudly. He is pushing world hunger up the stairs. Making it an obstacle for all of us, not just those caught in it's traps. Bringing it out of the closet and making it the emblem on his chest. To him ending world hunger is obviously the chief aim of every well fed human.

In November I was also bombarded with the need to do something for the poor and oppressed. I attended a conference where a passionate young woman called us to socio-economic action. She noted how Christians do the worst job at helping those in need, both next to them and around the world. She even pushed the envelope in saying that, given the situation of AIDS in Africa, every Christian family should adopt. Radical yet inspiring things.

For these people this issue is black and white. There is no grey. They have clear ideas of the way things should be and proceed toward them. They look at the world with different eyes than most of us. They see the needs and stop at nothing to fill them. They are inspirational, often confrontational, yet always seemingly successful (or they wouldn't get the press). We know what they do, we hear their stories of success, we see people whose lives have been changed by them; but what do we do? What do I do? Now that you have me caring so much how put me to work? But no. There is no arena to play out these new rules. There is no field to practice on. Their is no court to better our skills. There is only drive, but no destination.

How do we treat issues like this? Here we have a reverse problem present. The answer is black and white but the means is grey. What is most effective? In the case of poverty and hunger: how do we stop it? What is our best approach? What can I do right now in my own city/neighborhood? These questions plague me. I feel so much compassion inside but have no outlet. And I'm not looking for a quick fix: working at a soup kitchen or handing out sandwiches (not that these are meaningless, they are still needed services). I'm looking for a way to integrate my love for people into my everyday life. Don't just call me to act... Give me an action!