Evangelist Changing

Returning From The East

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Going East...

I was reading 'Jesus Wants To Save Christians' by Rob Bell and came across a terminology about heading 'East of Eden'. So when Adam and Eve took the fruit and were then cast out of the garden, they went East.

I started to look into this and found it to fascinating when we consider the New Testament's account of the Magi.

These astrologers travelled from the East to come and find this new-born King, Jesus. They saw something unique and special in the stars that they were studying, within their own religion and tradition, and set out to discover who this unique sign in the sky was pointing towards.

These Magi were not good Jewish people, but astrologers from a far off land who would not have understood and worshipped YHWH, yet they were open enough to God to take a journey of discovery and find this unique child, God made flesh. They travelled from the East and discovered Jesus.

In Genesis 11 we read of how people travelled eastward and built a tower trying to get to the heavens in their own strength. When their plan failed they were scattered to all the ends of the earth. The birth of Jesus brings all people from all nations, from all backgrounds, back to God.

Humanity has travelled eastward and Jesus draws us from the east to himself to discover who God is and the beauty and truth of being in relationship with him.

And God is using the most unusual ways and the most unique signs to draw the most unlikely people to come and worship his Son. Many Christians will miss what God is doing all over the world in the most unique and special ways to draw people to his Son. Yet that is what God is doing. He is drawing people from the East, calling them from the East, just as he called those Magi, to come and be in relationship with him through his Son Jesus.

And he calls us just as we are. And because he calls us just as we are, we will be surprised and delighted by who is coming to be with Jesus. It is exciting. It is amazing.

So this year may we all see the special signs that God has displayed before us to draw each one of us from the East into relationship with him. May we all discover this Jesus, this amazing, unique, full of grace and truth Jesus, for ourselves. And in discovering him, may we all discover the abundant life that he desires for us.

Today Is The Day Of Salvation

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:13:00 +0000

I have had a really long break, and it has been good and bad. There have been some pretty horrible events happen close to home for me in the last few weeks and days, so I'm feeling all over the place within myself. But I have been able to spend some really quality time with my beautiful girls. They really are my everything.

I decided to approach 2010 differently to how I usually go into the New Year. I've decided not to make a big deal of it and see it as just another day. I tend to get pretty nostalgic this time of the year, but I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't help me.

One day at a time. Today is the day of salvation. So what does today hold? How can I make the most of it? Tomorrow can look after itself. Yesterday is over.

And I will not be shaped by life's circumstances, rather, I will be shaped by the way I deal with those circumstances. Stuff will happen this year that will be difficult. I accept that. So rather than thinking I will have a perfect year (whatever that might be), I will look to become a better person, a more Christ like person through whatever life's circumstances are, good or bad. And that begins today and every day, regardless of when in the year it is.

Today is the day of salvation. And I will be shaped today by the way I respond to today. Nice in thought! But what about practice?! So far I am feeling stressed and ill. Had my first migraine the other day and it has only just gone. Might have a stomach ulcer. So the reality is I'm not doing great at grasping the most of today. But then I ask myself, 'what is the most of today?'

What does it mean to be like Jesus? What does that actually look like? What does it mean to live today for Jesus in the most real way? There are things I will do because I've been told that is what we do as Christians, but is that being a true disciple of Jesus? What does it mean to be his follower?

Today is the day of salvation. So what does that day look like? What does it mean to follow Jesus today, right now, even as I type this?

Happy Christmas To You All

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:55:00 +0000

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

I wonder what Jesus thinks of...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:33:00 +0000

I wonder what Jesus thinks of

Euthanasia

IVF

Alcohol in 21st Century Britain

Homosexuality

Penal Substitution

Caffeine

Modern worship songs

Facebook

Modern Evangelical Christianity

The Media

More Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:30:00 +0000

I have a lot of vivid dreams and have come to believe that this is one of the ways through which God speaks to me. Maybe it's because he knows that when I am awake I'm not very good at listening, so He has to speak to me when I'm asleep!

I had another really vivid dream last night, but it is not my dream I want to share with you but my bro's dream. He rang me this morning and shared it with me. Thought I would share it with you. It may mean absolutely nothing, or it may have some kind of meaning. Tom is an atheist, but wants to believe that God exists. Perhaps dreams are a means through which God will speak to him.

See what you think of the dream. I'd welcome people's interpretation of it if you think there is one.

Me and you (Joe) were in a hall or large building of some description. We were standing in there serving Holy Communion to Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. The communion wafers were cherry tomatoes and were in the shape of teaspoons.

What do you think?

Killing In The Name Of

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:08:00 +0000

So the campaign to get Rage Against The Machine to Christmas number 1 instead of X-Factor winner Joe is hotting up!

I think this is quite a fascinating story really, and interesting in terms of the song that has been chosen to disrupt the Christmas chart norm (Go here for more info if you've not yet heard about it).

Killing in the Name Of was released in 1992 and now looks pretty set to go to the top of the charts this Christmas. My take on the song is that it is against mindless war and against the establishment and those who seek to tell us how we should behave and what we should be doing. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that's how it comes across to me, especially the final part of the song! Maybe it is a sign of where some of society is right now and how it is feeling about politics, religion, and the media. Maybe people are fed up with being told how to behave and what to do? Maybe people's eyes are being opened to the prospect that they might be slaves to a system and they don't want to be anymore? Maybe people are looking for something else?

Or maybe it is simply that people are sick of X-Factor and want to do something about it.

Whatever the reasons, I like it. I think it shows that when people catch a common goal they'll get together to realise it. And whatever the reasons are for individuals buying Killing In The Name Of, I think it does in some way say to society that people are sick of the norm and don't want to be slaves to the system. Now I know that buying a song won't free us from that system, but we've got to start somewhere.

The thing is, if followers of Jesus where a bit more aware they might latch onto what is happening in our society. They might realise that people are unsatisfied, but that the 'establishment' is not going to provide the answers, that something different is needed, that Jesus' message needs to be spoken about and shown in new and radical ways outside of the establishment. Killing In The Name Of is a song that shouts out against the establishment.

I wonder when the Church will hear this section of societies voice?

Evangelical Spiel

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Here you go Tom, some good evangelical spiel to keep us insane!!!

Good Conversations

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:04:00 +0000

I really enjoy meeting and talking with people who are honest and straight talking. I think it gives people real integrity.

I don't like it when I'm talking to someone when I know that they are simply saying what they think I want to hear.

I don't like it when I'm with people and I say things I think they want to hear.

I like it when we can simply be honest about who we are with each other.

That's one of the reasons me and my bro Tom get on so well. We had a bite to eat together last night and it was good chatting, being honest with each other. It's always good.

I enjoy his company, and I enjoy listening to what he has to say. He has thought things through. He has read a lot. He knows what's going on in the world. We can have good conversation. We can laugh together.

I like that he will not let you spout off some evangelical spiel. He's heard it all before. And that's good for me. because it makes me think about what I believe. It makes me question the stuff I hear. It helps me believe what I believe because I believe it.

I think Christmas is all about honesty and integrity. I think it is about conventional understandings of God being blown out of the water. I think it is about challenging our notions and understandings of God, love and humanity and turning them upside down, causing us to think differently about them all.

I think that really is a good conversation worth having.

O Holy Night

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:08:00 +0000

I absolutely love this song. I think the words are beautiful and moving and sum up so beautifully the wonder, mystery and awe of Christmas. Thank God for Christmas.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Two things

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:44:00 +0000

I met with someone yesterday who I wanted some advice from in regard to my future.

We were chatting about church and he then told me a story about his uncle.

His uncle was a committed follower of Jesus who, when he was 18 years old, used to open air preach. He then got his girlfriend pregnant and the church they were both a part of threw them out. This was just before the second World War. He went to war and when he returned his faith had completely gone. The biggest reason for this being the way the church had treated him and his girlfriend.

Today this kind of reaction still happens where people in church speak condemnation and judgement over other Christians rather than speaking out love and grace.

S**t happens. The church needs to accept that.

Rather than tell people they've fallen into sin and bring judgement over them, we should be a community that seeks ways in which we can help bring healing, wholeness and love from the reality of our human experience.

What if the church had said to this uncle 'WOW! You're bringing new life into the world. How beautiful. Let's explore together how we can enable this child to best grow in the love and beauty of God and how as a couple you can discover the very best that God has for you.' I think just maybe the future may have been very different.

Also,

John Colwell, one of my lecturers from college (who is now Pastor of Budleigh Salterton Baptist Church) has written a book called 'Why Have You Forsaken Me?'

'In this powerful book on the experience of desolation John Colwell focuses on Psalm 22, read in the light of his own struggle with bi-polar disorder and the Christian belief that God the Son suffered in his humanity, to offer existential-theological reflections on the experience of God-forsakenness.'

I'm looking forward to reading it. Should be out in a week or so.

Russel Brand and culture

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:43:00 +0000

I watched Russel Brand 'Skinned' last night on Channel 4.

Found him and it very interesting. He's obviously a clever guy with a good grasp of phraseology and words. He spoke about how he likes to shock people to give them a new thought or angle on a particular subject rather than being a comedian that simply reinforces already held beliefs...

I don't think he actually does that. He is completely a product of his fame culture and the British culture and doesn't actually share new insights into the culture we live but equally reinforces already held beliefs like most other celebrities, politicians and media people. He simply articulates it in a more nuanced and thoughtful way.

I think fame is quite simply the unattainable desire to make love to your own reflection, and Russel Brand is a product of that desire like 99% of all famous people. I think he speaks well and I quite like what I see of him on TV, but he cannot claim that he is approaching culture and topical issues from a new angle.

I think the reality is that I'm not sure I'm really hearing anywhere a new approach to the issues of our culture. Maybe I'm not listening enough. I hear whispers maybe. Can anyone show me the prophets who are digging holes through walls?

Essence of Christianity

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Sam tagged me with: "To list an artwork, drama, piece of music, novel, and poem that you think each express something of the essence of Christianity and for each one explain why. Then tag five other people."

Artwork - Hospitality of Abraham by Andrei Rublev.
A painting that explores the very nature of God as triune and his desire to invite us to 'share in the divine nature'.

Drama - The Dark Knight
Dark to light, chaos to order, numbness to grief, despair to hope.

Music - Under Pressure by Queen
It is a song that challenges us to love and our understanding of love. I think this is at the heart of the Gospel.

Novel - The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
A book about mission, pain, redemption, love and grace. Some of it's understanding of God is suspect, but then that is true for every one of us.

Poem - The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
I know this may seem an odd one because their seems to be no redemption. But the more I read it the more I see the reality of the human condition that Scripture is not scared to speak about.

Liberty Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:49:00 +0000

I've been looking further into cooperative economics and came across the Liberty Trust. They are a charity that has helped over 200 households get free from the banking system by offering interest free loans and therefore enabling people to become debt free far quicker. Once people are free from the banking system and then debt free, they can use their money to help those who are in need and poverty. They only operate in New Zealand at the moment.

Click here to go to their website and read more on what they do.

What a load of crap

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:52:00 +0000

Gays 'will never go to heaven': cardinal

VATICAN CITY — Homosexuals and transsexuals "will never enter the kingdom of heaven", a leading Roman Catholic cardinal said on Wednesday.Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan said that while the Church regarded homosexuality as an "insult to God", this did not justify discrimination against gay and transsexual people."Transsexuals and homosexuals will never enter the kingdom of heaven and it is not me who says this, but Saint Paul," the cardinal said, in comments reported by the Ansa news agency."People are not born homosexual, they become homosexual, for different reasons: education issues or because they did not develop their own identity during adolescence. It may not be their fault, but acting against nature and the dignity of the human body is an insult to God," he said.Barragan, the retired head of the Vatican's Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, quoted a passage from Paul's epistle to the Romans which speaks of "men committing indecent acts with other men"."Homosexuality is therefore a sin, but this does not justify any form of discrimination. God alone has the right to judge," the cardinal said.We on earth cannot condemn, and as human beings we all have the same rights."

This kind of bigoted and hateful crap really boils my blood! This is not just something coming out of the Catholic church, this kind of hateful language is being spoken all over the place in all church movements. There is misuse of scripture, contradictory statements and discriminatory language like this spewed out from the Church week in week out and it makes me so angry. People churn out garbage statements like this all the time. The people Jesus had a problem with and spoke out against was the religious leaders who considered themselves holy and blameless, who somehow thought they were above everyone else. Jesus spoke out against those who were unjust, un-loving and hateful. This is a continued result of the 'savage text'...

'The savage text is not the Bible. It is what Christians have made of the Bible when they use its pages to endorse cruelty, hatred, murder, oppression and condemnation, often of other Christians. The savage text is what the Bible, or parts of it, becomes when it enables Christians to convert the good news of God's revealed love in Jesus Christ into the bad news that people are the wrong colour, or race, or gender, or denomination, or orientation, or religion, or class, or empire, just because they differ from the Christians who are preaching the bad news....When the Bible becomes a savage text, the theology that is proclaimed is already faulty. The savage text makes hated holy.' Adrian Thatcher 'The Savage Text' p 4-5

Morning Star

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:05:00 +0000

I wonder...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:25:00 +0000

I wonder if there is the need for the UK church to consider what the Gospel is really all about?

I wonder if it is not that we need to learn new ways of saying the same thing?

I wonder if we have been saying the wrong thing?

I wonder if people are actually very spiritual?

I wonder if when we peel back all the layers of church movements (emergent, emerging, new frontiers, vineyard, purpose driven, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Free Church, etc etc etc) that all they are really concerned about is whether people go to heaven or hell when they die?

I wonder if this is actually a betrayal of the Gospel?

I wonder if the Gospel has been so misunderstood that we don't know how to understand it properly anymore (now that is a really post-modern statement!)?

I wonder if Jesus saw things so differently?

I wonder...

I believe that God is at work in the UK.

I believe the Gospel is the power for salvation.

I believe God is so loving and so gracious that we always have hope.

I believe the UK church will radically change over the next 20 years. Some will be good and some will be bad.

I believe that Jesus is our bright Morning Star.

I believe...

Affluenza

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Affluenza is making people miserable because it impedes 'the meeting of our fundamental needs. Psychologists squabble over what those needs are, but usually agree on four: we need to feel secure, emotionally and materially; we need to feel part of a community, to give and receive from family, neighbours and friends; we need to feel competent, that we're not useless, are effective in chosen tasks; we need to feel autonomous and authentic, masters of our destines to some degree and not living behind masks. Virus values screw us up by conflating what we want with what we truly need, Having with Being.'

'The widespread anxiety and depression caused by the virus are crucial for Selfish Capitalism. To fill the emptiness and loneliness , and to replace our need for authentic, intimate relationships, we resort to the consumption that is essential for economic growth and profits. The more anxious or depressed we are, the more we must consume, and the more we consume, the more disturbed we become.' Oliver James, Afflenza

Cooperative Economics

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:49:00 +0000

I'm just beginning to explore this. I emailed Viv Grigg and asked for some writings and studies on cooperative economics and he has very kindly provided me with his own writings on this and pointed me towards others who have written about it. I'm wondering if this principle may be something that I can pursue in the next ministry that God calls me into.

Viv is just starting to put together a discipleship course in light of his studies into cooperative economics. I'm going to keep reading this whole subject through and see where the Spirit leads.

The Bible In Five Lines

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Tagged by Banksy with this:

Summarise the Bible in five statements, the first one word long, the second two, the third three, the fourth four and the last five words long. Or possibly you could do this in descending order. Tag five people.

Freedom

Into Exile

God the Deliverer

Our chains fell off

Journeying towards the Promised Land

I tag whoever reads this and hasn't done it yet. If you do, let me know so I can read what you put.

New Job...?

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:54:00 +0000

I haven't been blogging much this week because I have been travelling up and down the UK looking at possible job's. I've clocked 1200 miles in the last 4 days and am feeling pretty tired!!

What has been really encouraging is that there are churches out there that are stepping out and doing some really challenging and scary stuff for the Kingdom of God. There are churches that recognise that if we don't start changing how we interact with our communities then we are going to fade away. There are churches that are seeing how difficult it is to 'go' and engage with people who are not interested in church, yet as they go they are seeing amazing things happen and peoples lives transformed. There are churches who are willing to get it wrong, to be messy, to not have all the answers, to accept people where they are at, to be incarnational. There are churches who are tired of the same old same old. There are churches who don't want to meet on a Sunday morning, sing some songs and be talked at. There are churches who recognise that ALL denominations and movements have blown it in some way and there needs to be a change.

So I'm encouraged and challenged and scared.

Where is God calling me next? I know it is something that doesn't fit neatly in a church box. I know it is something that challenges the establishment. I know it is something that needs to be incarnational and connected with people who are not followers of Jesus. I know it is going to be an exciting and challenging time.

I believe Jesus is...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:44:00 +0000

I believe Jesus is...

...the Son of God

...the source of all that is good

...beyond our understanding

...understood as we love

...beyond our understanding of love

...the greatest person in all of history

...the most misunderstood person in all of history

...the one who makes all of history worth it

...the highest point of knowledge

...the perfect sum of beauty

...the One in whom we all have life

...the One through whom we can all can live

...perfect in every way

...the One who redefines how we understand perfect

...full of grace and truth

...full of love and life

...full of justice and mercy

...fills the heavens and the earth

...causes us to change the way we live

...patient with us in that transition

...gives us hope in all circumstances

...walks with us and weeps with us when we cannot see hope

...found in the most surprising places

...calls us to go to those places

...Saviour

...Redeemer

...Prince of Peace

...God

...beyond words

...the Word made flesh

...Lord

...praying for us

...calling us to pray for each other

...passionate about us

...calling us to be passionate about each other

...in love with us

...calling us to be in love with him

...speaking to us

...calling us to speak to him

...inspiring

...challenging

...beautiful

...my friend and my King

Difficult words from Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Here are some of the things that Jesus said that I find really hard to read. And thinking about it, I have never heard anyone speak or preach from these passages. This might be a good meme...

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Luke 12:49-53

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:21-23

He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:59-62

What words from Jesus do you struggle with?

I tag Sam, David, Banksy and Tim

Dexter

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Me and Tom had just started Season 1 of Dexter. It is really good. Raises fascinating questions about morality, justice and humanity.

Vision...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:12:00 +0000

At college today we were discussing that dreaded thing called 'VISION' and how, as church leaders, we can clearly ariculate and achieve the vision for the church.

We were looking at where a vision comes from, how to articulate it, how to achieve it etc etc.

We discussed what makes a good vision, what makes a bad vision and how the church can pursue their vision.

I sat there feeling really confused and anxious.

I just keep thinking that the UK church is really missing the point.

Rather than having a 'vision' for the church, should we not have an 'imagination' for the community in which we find ourselves in?

I believe the UK Church has so missed the point in terms of mission and 'being' church. The big elephant in the room that people don't really want to talk about is church decline. So we have vision casting after strategy talks to stop ourselves from confronting the issue. Yet all our 'vision' discussion revolves around what the church should be, rather than about what the community could become through the church.

A Prophetic Imagination.

But then maybe it's me that's missing the point completely...

Update on 'De-Christian' Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Haward) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:42:00 +0000

A little while ago I began a meme titled '5 Deeply de-Christian Doctrines'. Since then it seems to have spread across the blogging world, so I thought I would draw some of them together and make list of each different one that has been raised. For sake of space I have limited each one to their title only, but have put a link with each 5 so you know where they are from and can read in greater depth the persons personal understanding and description of it. I know there are more lists than this so if you come across this meme somewhere else and can add to the list or want to leave your own list then please feel free to do so in the comment space.

1. That its ok to sing songs expressing 200% devotion to God, even if you are half-hearted and lukewarm.
2. That the gospel can be reduced entirely to Jesus' death on the cross.
3. That mission can be reduced entirely to human activity for justice
4. Red letter bibles, which put all Jesus words in a different colour,
5. That you shouldn't interrupt what's going on at the front because, clearly, these people are more important than you.
5a that to be a really anointed Christian leader/get onto the speaking team at major festivals (which is pretty much the same thing?) you need brown shoes, faded jeans, a pinstripe shirt and a large church. Being a man helps.

(David Keen)

1. That the commemoration of national tragedies will do in place of actual Christian lament.

2. That there is an approach to the Christian faith that somehow encompasses the “head” but not the “heart” and that this is deficient.

3. The myth white English-speaking westerners are still the leaders of the church

4. The idea that the Bible is a magic weapon that just transforms people once they encounter it.

5. The idea that there is more than one church.

(Zoomtard)

1. The Holy Spirit is taught about mainly in silences, which is deeply de-Christian.
2. The idea of “once saved always saved”.
3. The notion of a Platonic salvation
4. The doctrine that God accepts us as we are.
5. I think the word “faith” has been, for all intents and purposes, butchered.

(Charismata)

1. The Immaculate Conception.
2. God hates sin.
3. Adjectivizing “Christian”.
4. Social Trinitarianism.
5. Justification by “faith”.

(Clayboy)

1. Creationism.

2. The subordination of the Spirit

3. Universalism.

4. The idea that filling up every moment of your time with Church activity is in some way a Christian responsibility.

5. Believing that Christianity has a set of morals that can be read off from the Bible.

(Gary)

(1) The cult of nice
(2) The institutional effectiveness of the Church = the health of the Church
(3) the notion that talking about people is a Christian duty, and talking to them fraternising with the enemy. If we get the bishop to do our dirty work for us, it won't be dirty any more.
(4) my local expression of Church is all there is to it
(5) Faith = how I feel about...

(Bishop Alan)

1. The longer / louder your prayer the more likely it is that God will hear it.

2. When Jesus said 'make disciples'; he had in mind a teaching series delivered by an expert

3. That holiness is more about what I do than what God does

4.The body of Christ looks like a (our?) church rather than the church (with all her faults, diversity and character)

5. That running a business is less spiritual than running a church / Christian organisation

(Tim)

1. That Worship is more (or less!) important than Mission and justice and, even more dangerous, that by solely worshipping you are being missional by default.

2. Judgementalism - seems we are trained to be experts!

3. Consumerism - this claim that the church teaches consumerism should not be a surprise!

4. Sentimentality

5. Discrimination

(Banksy)

1. Sola Scriptura: not just meaningless but, in so far as it eclipses the truth that a human being was the incarnate Word of God, anti-Christian.
2. Papal Infallibility: ultimately it is the consensus fidelium which is infallible, but even there, there are some things which we cannot stand just yet.
3. Private Judgement:
4. Penal Substitution
5. "Family Values": source of much of our present distress, and not something that Jesus was particularly supportive of.

(Sam)