Spirituality

Do you feel the appeal of this spirituality?

“[H]e is one who attains at will, without difficulty and without trouble, the four musings which belong to the higher thought, which even in this very life are blissful to abide in.”¹

“'All created things perish'; he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain.
'All forms are unreal'; he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain.”²

“Then, Brahmin, when he has won restraint in food, the Tathagata gives him a further lesson thus: 'Come thou, brother! Abide given to watchfulness. By day, when walking or sitting, cleanse your heart from things that may hinder you. By night spend the first watch walking up and down or sitting, and do likewise. By night in the second watch, lie down on the right side in the posture of a lion, and placing one foot upon the other, mindful and self-possessed, set your thoughts on the idea of exertion. Then in the third watch of the night rise up, and walking up and down, or sitting, cleanse the heart of things that may hinder.'”³

“[T]hey assert that the spiritual principles which have been sown by Achamoth, being disciplined and nourished here from that time until now in righteous souls (because when given forth by her they were yet but weak), at last attaining to perfection, shall be given as brides to the angels of the Saviour, while their animal souls of necessity rest for ever with the Demiurge in the intermediate place.”⁴

“Every religious tradition will employ its own terms to describe him [Jesus]. If there is a unity in all these responses it will not be linguistic or theological but a mystical unity beyond words, concepts and images. We know the highest truth by love not thought: the Christian mystical tradition, together with its sister traditions, is sure of this. The silence of love, not logic, is the sharing of one's self-knowledge with another.”⁵

There has to be more to life than getting on with things, even than the pursuit of meaningful work, family, home and a community of friends. There is surely something more subtle, deep and lofty in us. We have a spiritual dimension, which needs nuture and expression.

If all this is true then the things quoted above look like the answer to our need, to our incompleteness. They offer mystery and the supernatural. If they are followed we can attain something of spiritual peace. We will find ourselves more whole, more mature. We will have known true insight and love. Our family and friends will see us act with more gentleness, care and compassion.

This is the hope I once saw in Buddhism and 'Christian' mysticism. I can remember and feel its attraction, but for me now it's a poor substitute for true, living spirituality – the spirituality that really changes people, that has changed me. I thank God for having mercy on me though I didn't deserve it.

A spirituality that is alive and real is not so much this ethereal, mysterious, meditative thing. Rather it engages all that I am. It recognises, uplifts and fills my humanness. It declares my body and mind, as well as my soul, mean something; that relationships mean much.

True spirituality – even eternal life – is to know God, to be in relationship with him. To talk to him and read his Word. To know him better each day and love him more as you better understand his love for you. To live each day in obedience to him, eating and drinking and doing all things for his glory. To be changed by him and made more like his Son, more mature and at peace, more gentle and loving. It has mystery, but it is not all mystery. I can think and question and understand. I can dance and swim and have sex in this world and then live forever in a renewed, perfect body in that place where God dwells with man.

¹ The Buddha and his dhamma, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/03_05.html#02_03

² http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/04_03.html#08

³ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_buddha/03_01.html

⁴ From Against Heresies, Irenaeus http://www.gnosis.org/library/advh1.htm

⁵ From Jesus the Teacher Within, Laurence Freeman 2000 The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc

Church for 'my type'

I often feel a bit disconnected in churches and I'm beginning to wonder if it's because I belong to some sort of sub-culture. If it's just my issue it's not important, but I wonder if my experience might be typical of others, Christian and not.

What's do I think my sub-culture is then? Nothing too radical – just middle class, educated, gen X and perhaps a little bit 'alternate' with it. So here's some beginning reflections:-

Emotion

My type's reserved. Actually I'm at the passionate end of my type – and yet I'm still my type. If I'm expected to walk into a church and sing with emotion and abandon, I can't. I can better express my love for my God if I'm allowed to do it more mutedly. Though I do get better once I've had a chance to 'warm up', particularly after the sermon.

Aesthetic and manner

My type notices these little things and finds it jarring and uncomfortable when they're not 'as they should be'. It's not even necessarily things like the church organ or the lame modern hymnals. These are to an extent expected, and some may even carry an institutional, traditional charm. It's more the all-pervasive churchyness that makes my skin creep. It's graphic design from the 80s and praying in a rhythmic, entoned voice. It's flower arrangements and dressing up for church. Consulting 'my type' is the only way to fix this stuff.

Mind

This is an area where I think we should be somewhat counter-cultural, but where I think churches often mimic the local culture.

In our culture my type rarely talks of serious things and then only certain serious things. Religion and death are not mentioned. As Christians, we need to talk about these things, to help each other and to share the hope that we have. But we need to do it meaningfully, sincerely and naturally. In my church, there's an unspoken awareness that just after a sermon is not the time to talk of weighty things. We're all still mulling over what we've heard. We'll return to serious things if the conversation takes us there. In this way I think we should be the same as the wider culture. But we should be different in that when the time is right we don't beat a verbal retreat but do talk about weighty things – even religion and death.

Getting this stuff right for my sub-culture will no doubt mean it is wrong for the other groups in our community. So I guess it's a matter of considering who you are aiming to make comfortable in your church meeting. If your target group is not 'my type', then I guess these factors can be minor considerations. We also need to remember and be reassured that the most winning thing about Christianity is the message of Jesus' mercy shown us on the cross and the good lives this message causes us to live.

Paul's Passion II

Paul's letter to the Philippian church is full of joy. Let's find out why he's so happy and strive to be the same.

Paul prays “with joy” because the Philippians are his family and his co-workers in the gospel, and because God is working in them to make them perfect at Christ's return. “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:4-6) As his brothers, they are in his heart, sharing in God's grace. They are his joy and crown. He loves and longs for them and is cheered when he receives news of them.

Paul's joy will be made complete if the Philippians are “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose . . . in humility consider[ing] others better than yourselves . . . look[ing] not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:2-4). For this reason he rejoices greatly in their Christ-like character when they support him financially.

The brothers in Philippi also rejoice in their relationships. Their joy in Christ Jesus will overflow when Paul is with them again. They will be glad to see their brother Epaphroditus again. Indeed Paul commands them to welcome him “in the Lord with great joy and honour men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ” (2:29-30).

Let's see our Christian family as Paul does. Let's love them! Let's rejoice in their progress!

Paul also glories in Christ. He considers it a surpassing greatness to know Christ Jesus, who:

“being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (2:6-11)

Paul wants to know “the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings” (3:10). He eagerly awaits his heavenly Saviour, who “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (3:21).

And so he rejoices whenever Christ is preached, even if it's from false motives. He eagerly expects and hopes that he himself will exalt the Lord Jesus, whatever the circumstances, even in death. In fact, he so loves Christ that it is his desire to depart and be with him. So it comes as no surprise that three times in his letter to the Philippians, Paul tells them to "rejoice in the Lord" (3:1; 4:4).

Let's know Christ as Paul does. Let's rejoice in him! Let's learn to love him more than life itself!

Unbelief and Prostitution

This is not, in this pluralist age, how we think of atheism or belief in non-Christian religions. God is speaking:-

"There were two women, daughters of the same mother. They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed. The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians-warriors clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen. She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after. She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust upon her." (Ezekiel 23:2-8)

This is how God sees these things. And this is how he responds:

"I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.

There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

"In that day," declares the LORD,
"you will call me 'my husband';
you will no longer call me 'my master. '

I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked.

In that day I will make a covenant for them
with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air
and the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle
I will abolish from the land,
so that all may lie down in safety.

I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.

I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.

"In that day I will respond,"
declares the LORD—
"I will respond to the skies,
and they will respond to the earth;

and the earth will respond to the grain,
the new wine and oil,
and they will respond to Jezreel.

I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one. '
I will say to those called 'Not my people, ' 'You are my people';
and they will say, 'You are my God.' " (Hosea 2:14-23)

The Preciousness of Being Wronged

It is in being wronged that I have learned the bankruptcy of my own efforts and my desperate need for grace.

When I am wronged, I find myself unable to do what I should do. I am unable to be merciful or forgiving or kind. When I'm wronged, I don't even desire these good things. I don't mourn my ugly reaction – my anger, bitterness and hate.

I, who have caused much wrong, am indignant. I, who have been forgiven much, am unforgiving.

And it is only by grace that I know right from wrong, only because God has spoken.

I know my thinking and speech is very wrong, though I don't hate it. And I know what is right, though I don't desire it. So I pray. And God does things through me that I could never do.

A Gentleman Dancer

Here's my suggestions as to how men can be gentlemen on the dancefloor, where chivalry stills reigns – or should. Maybe someone can write and tell me how women can be ladies (I am one*). The only thing I know about this is that we should always keep dancing. No matter what happens, whether you screw up or they do or whatever, we should keep dancing. But I'm sure there's more. Anyway, to the point at hand:-

• Start dancing with the easy stuff. If the woman's nervous, keep doing this until she's relaxed and comfortable.

• Always be gentle with her (but not so gentle she can't tell what you want her to do). This will make her feel respected and appreciated. If you're getting a bit behind and need to fling her to make it round in time, don't. You'll both enjoy the dance much more if you just miss that move.

• Keep it interesting, but not too interesting. That way she won't be bored but she won't be stressed out and dismayed either. Dancing at her level shows you're accepting of where she's at.

• And intersperse the interesting bits with some easy bits so she can have a bit of a rest and regain energy and focus. This is especially good for appreciating the music and for slower, more cruisy points in the song.

• Smile (or at least don't look pissed off) when she screws up. This will help her to stay relaxed and enjoying the dance.

• If you critique her dancing do it gently/tentatively, so she'll feel encouraged to improve.

• When the floor's crowded, dance simply so she feels safe.

*a Little Britain reference

Being

Church work is more about being than doing. I am continuing to learn this. So it goes with all profound truths

Until recently I have regarded spending time with God – reading his Word, speaking to him in prayer – as an essential underpinning of my faith and my service and teaching. This is not quite right. Time spent with God should be much more than this for a Christian leader, and maybe for every Christian. It should instead be the focus and climax of my day. All else I do should be because I am inspired and directed by this time with God. My teaching should not be teaching so much as sharing wonders! I should follow the Psalmist's example:

“Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

“My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” (Psalm 119:23-24, 103, 148)

The First Sin

What sin was it that brought about such disaster and punishment?

The first sin happened just after the creation of the heavens and the earth “in all their vast array” (Gen 2:1) by an all-powerful God who “saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (1:31). This God chose to make people in his image, in his own likeness. He let people “rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground" (1:26). He gave them “every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it” (1:29). He planted a garden in the east and there he put the man. He made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food (2:8-9). He brought all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air to the man, for him to name. And when no suitable helper was found for Adam, the LORD God made a woman and brought her to the man, so they might become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame (2:25). The LORD God put them in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. He granted them freedom to eat from any tree in the garden, with the exception of one – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

This is the kind of world in which the first sin happened. This is the kind of God against whom the first sin was done. He is a God who gives generously, abundantly. He is a God who gives his created people good commands, for their good. Some were positive - “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (1:28) – and one was negative – “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (2:17).

The woman and man were not satisfied with God's good provision and with fulfilling his commands. Their sin was to prefer the fruit of a tree to relationship with God. They chose appetite and aesthetic over God, the Maker of the Garden of Eden, that place where there were many trees “pleasing to the eye and good for food” (2:9). They were not happy to follow God's wisdom, but wanted their own. They listened to the serpent, Satan, instead of to God.

Why were they so stupid?

They were looking out for themselves and they were prepared to deny God in the process. When the serpent asked “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?”, he was insinuating that God's good commands were actually restrictive rules. Then the serpent bluntly indicated that God was lying and didn't have the people's interests at heart – “ 'You will not surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' “ (3:4-5).

The woman listened well. She could see in front of her that “the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom” (3:6). God was denying her these good things.

Are we like Eve and Adam? Do we, like our brother Asaph, say “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13)? Do we yearn for things that might be? Do we become grieved and bitter at the lot God has dealt us?

We should flee such senselessness and ignorance! Flee such sin! Join Asaph in concluding:

“[Y]ou hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (73:23-26)

In God's Sight

Our Lord God created us male and female that together we might rule over all the earth, that we might become one. The man was created first, but it was not good for him to be alone, so woman was made for man, to be his helper. That is why it is good for wives to help their husbands and good for single women to help their Christian brothers. For this we were created.

What else we created for? What else is beautiful and pleasing in God’s sight?

The wife of noble character is clothed with strength and dignity. These are surprising beauties. They are born of security, of inner peace, knowledge and self-control. These are the beauties of a queen.

She can laugh at the days to come. To dignity and strength is added that sweet thing, a light heart.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. A woman with strength, dignity and lightness of heart is no fool. For these things stem from knowledge of the truth, from gaining of wisdom.

This queen of women goes about her days with confidence and joy and with a generous spirit that passes on the things she knows. And women, we are created to be queens.

Older women are to teach younger women. Their first instruction is to love your husbands and children. Single women are to love and help their sisters and brothers and to be loving aunties to children. Our first duty is to love! It is with love that we help.

We must also learn to be self-controlled and pure. As well as being dignified, wise and loving, we must be good. For evil deeds make nonsense of dignity and wisdom, and make love ugly.

We are to be busy at home. We are to keep all the practical things of the home in good order so that our husbands have full confidence in us, lacking nothing of value and so we might bring them good all the days of our lives. We are to make a home.

We are to be kind. All our strength and dignity, our wisdom and instruction, our self-control and purity, our busyness around the home, all this is to be done not sternly or militantly or anxiously, but from love, with joy and with kindness.

We are to be subject to our husbands, for this is what it means to be helpers and what it means for men to lead.

We are to be dignified, strong and joyful queens, teaching others. We are to be self-controlled and pure, to follow men’s lead, to be busy at home. And we are to do all these things with love and kindness.

We are to live with such purity and reverence that we would win over a non-believing husband. It is striking when a woman lives a good, a pure life. It is impressive when she lives her life reverently under God, knowing that all things are his, thankful that she is his. These things shine forth.

Outer beauty fades and outer ugliness is eclipsed by the beauty of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. A spirit that is pure and reverent is a spirit of gentleness and quietude. So too is a submissive, humble spirit, content and at peace. This is the spirit that comes when a woman knows she is loved by God. This is a spirit ready to love in return. When God sees this gentle, quiet spirit he finds her very beautiful.

And finally we are told: do what is right and do not give way to fear. We are to be gentle, quiet and submissive, but we are not to be spineless and cowardly. As weaker partners we will be fearful at times, but we are to keep on loving what is right and trusting that God will look after us. We are called to be wise and strong and self-controlled.

We were made to help men. In doing this we are to be subject to them. We are to love our husbands and children and brothers and sisters. We are to make a home. A woman who does these things is a woman of dignity, strength and joy, a woman who teaches others. In all we do we are to be pure, doing what is right. We are also to be kind. And we are to do it all under God, with reverence, having gentle, quiet spirits. This is how we make ourselves beautiful. We are then of great worth in God’s sight.

Quotes taken from Proverbs 31, Titus 2 and 1 Peter 3.

Leadership

I've hesitated to write this post because I don't want to come across as feeling sorry for myself. I don't - life is hard, this work is hard, that's the deal in a fallen world and I deserve no better. And what's more, I love my work and enjoy its many blessings. It's just that I'm dealing with some of its difficult aspects at the moment. I do love serving everyone and it is generally a joy and an honour to do this, and people are usually considerate and caring.

I guess my hope is that this post will help people have a better understanding of what it is to be a leader, to have a greater respect for the people who are called to this role and to be eager to support them. And maybe if any fellow leaders read this, they will find it helpful to have a bit of the problem and solution articulated.

When I wrote about leadership in November last year, ten months after beginning this job, I thought I had finally worked out what it was about. This is what I said: “Christian leadership involves three things – setting a good example by godly character and conduct, teaching and serving others.” Nine months later, to my initial distress and overwhelment, I’ve realised there’s more to it.

I have found myself trembling at what is probably to most people, the easier, more obvious end of leadership – to lead with the authority, assuredness and untiringness that the word conjures*. I’ve realised that I find the good character and serving side of leadership a lot more comfortable and, in a sense, easy. But then I’ve never been one for thinking or doing things in an orthodox way! To properly lead, I must throw off my insecurity and my pursuit of approval and love. I must forget these things, forget my self. And I must lead, though I’m sometimes weak, though I’m afraid I’m not good enough and I won’t know the way. Though I would like to be led.

I must forget myself . . . and I must also take on responsibility for all the people under God and in my care. I must give myself to these people, listen to them, get to know them, support and encourage, rebuke and teach them.

How can I do so much? How can anyone do so much?

I do it because He did more for me. I do it because it is right for me to do, because I’ve been given the skills and character to do it. I can do it because I don’t have to have all the answers and have my shit together – for my confidence is in Him. I can do it because I won’t be neglected, but will find true security and healing in Him. I can do it because I have Him to lead me, as well as my pastor and my brothers.

I can do it because it is He who is in control and the ultimate responsibility rests with Him. I can do it because He is a loving God who will not ask more of me than I can bear, or if He does, will give me the strength for it.

I can do it because He gives me the brothers and sisters and friends that I need. It is good for me to spend time receiving support and enjoying the company of these good people.

In weakness, I have learned why it has been hard for me to do these things. And in weakness I will continue on, leading with confidence (in Him) and knowing He will give me all the support I need.

*Also by: being aware of the symbolic value of what I, as a leader, do; bringing people together; recognising gifts and opportunities; ensuring that the things I start will carry on; creating opportunities out of people’s enthusiasm or complaint; predicting flow-on effects; assessing actions in light of goals (I can do this last one at least!)

The Virtues in Three Parts

These divisions are far from watertight, but I find them helpful because they help me to pinpoint where I or other people are having difficulty. And they encourage me when I fail because I see that these things are in fact marvellous, and hard.

Please overlook these categories if they send you towards legalism. The last thing I want is for people to be approaching virtue as a series of tasks to accomplish. Better to learn that our living is for God’s glory, and that all things – even the most humble – are to this end. Then who will stop us from being simply, extravagantly, unpredictably, joyfully virtuous.

Part the First: The Good Virtues

These are the virtues of avoiding temptation and resisting evil, and choosing good. They may sometimes appear passive, but, in truth, are nothing of the sort. Each person has some easy, pleasant or habitual wrongs that take great moments of courage and control to be thwarted, as well as a great love for what is right and good.

Part the Second: The Kind Virtues

These are virtues sometimes of deed and always of manner. They are the virtues of not only choosing rightly, but also choosing kindly. These virtues clothe the Good Virtues with humility, kindness and gladness. They are the virtues that say yes. They are the virtues that see a need and meet it.

Part the Third: The Extravagant Virtues

These virtues can be the hardest to learn, for they are foolish and demanding, knowing only the wisdom of the extravagant God who gave up his Son. These virtues are disproportionate, sometimes opposite to what is deserved. They love bountifully, they care happily for another even when this brings suffering. These virtues befriend the unlovely and open hearts to the unkind. These are the virtues that show mercy and forgiveness to anyone.

And then there are the other virtues of discernment, of rebuke, of perseverance, of defending truths. And of all the virtues, the most excellent is love. I can have all else, but if I have not love, I am nothing. And this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Plagiarism: Real Sex

I was lent this book and read it to be nice and because I thought it might be good to give to other people. Ha! my arrogance has been floored! It's a great book.

"What sits at the center of Christian sexual ethics is not a negative view of sex . . . Rather, the heart of the Christian story about sex is a vigorously positive statement: sex was created for marriage.
. . .

God's vision for humanity is established in the Garden of Eden, and the uniqueness and one-ness of the marriage relationship between Adam and Eve is inaugurated in Genesis 1-2. In the first chapters of Genesis, we learn that God created a relationship between Adam and Eve. . . . In a graphic speech, Adam speaks of his and Eve's becoming one flesh.
. . .

The no to sex outside marriage seems arbitrary and cruel apart from the Creator's yes to sex within marriage.
. . .

Marriage . . . instructs the church in what to look for when the kingdom comes - eternal, intimate union.

And singleness prepares us for the other piece of the end of time, the age when singleness trumps marriage. Singleness tutors us in our primary, heavenly relationship with one another: siblings in Christ.
. . .

Singleness tells us . . . of a radical dependence on God.
. . .

In singleness we see not only where our true dependence lies, but also who and what our real family is. Singleness reminds Christians that the church is our primary family.
. . .

Single Christians remind the rest of us that our truest, realest, most lasting relationship is that of sibling: even husband and wife are first and foremost brother and sister. Baptismal vows are prior to wedding vows."

From Real Sex: the naked truth about chastity by Lauren F. Winner

The Government's Aboriginal Reform Program

The government's Aboriginal reforms are fascinating, but I doubt this is new. There has probably been much fascinating research and ideas before now. However, these reforms seem to be, at the very least, a step in the right direction – because they are a step and because that step is more good than bad (or so I see it). I have no doubt it is all complex philosophically and no doubt it will prove even more complex as it works out (or doesn't) on the ground. No doubt it's one of those things you can't say much about unless you know the situation and the people intimately. So I'll just comment on one thing.

As I understand it, Aboriginal people will be convicted for the sins they have committed. Men will go to jail for abusing children. Parents will have their welfare payments controlled by someone responsible if their children are neglected or don't go to school. This is right and good.

As I understand it, the idea and hope behind the reforms is that people will end up taking responsibility, that they will recreate a purposeful life for themselves and their families, that they will regain the confidence and ability to redefine social norms for this time and place. This is all good, but its full realisation is unrealistic. Aboriginal people are messy, screwed up people, in exactly the same way as Anglo people are, or people of any other race. Those of us, Aboriginal and Anglo, who have been fortunate to grow up with a clear identity and a solid moral framework and with parents taking good care of us might be a bit more 'together'. But even when we're given the best of everything we're a sorry lot.

What Aboriginal people need more than a new structure (though that is sorely needed) and what Anglo people need more than a good society is forgiveness and new life. We all need forgiveness for our perverse and uncaring thoughts and deeds. We all need something other than ourselves, something greater and better than ourselves to help us be kind, to help us act with love.

And praise God! we have it in Jesus, in his dying on the cross for us, in the Middle East two thousand years ago. He died for the Jews of the Middle East, for the Aborigines of Australia, for the English who later settled/invaded this land, for all men of all nations, today. He is hope and joy and comfort and healing for everyone.

Paul's Passion*

“A man has his father's wife.” “There is jealously and quarreling among you.” “Some of you have become arrogant.” “One brother goes to law against another.” “When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.” “If it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

What would we think of and say to a church like this? What do we say to people like this, people who call themselves Christian?

Are we as harsh as Paul? “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” “I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?” “If you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?” “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.” “Brothers, stop thinking like children.” “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. But someone may ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?' How foolish!”

How can the same man write the following things? “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” “I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.” “I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.” “My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.”

Do we see that it is out of love that he is so angry and blunt? Do we see that he's not just some arse-kicking guy, but that he cares deeply for these people and for his God's honour?

And we? Do we so love our brothers and sisters, those under our care, that we are as troubled by their sin, that we speak so bold?

And are we as confident that all will be well? Do we also say, “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ”?

I know I don't, but I pray that I will.

* Quotes all taken from 1 Corinthians

Teaching Children

“What people will remember is what you're passionate about.” That's what Don Carson says about preaching. I agree and I think it extends further than that. I've been thinking about growing up in the church and about what children and teenagers are taught. I believe there is a great danger in just teaching true things. The danger is that kids will come away with a miscellany of truths without knowing how those truths connect or what their foundation is. They may even know that the cross is the central thing, but they won't necessarily figure out how.

This is dangerous because a kid's world is all about good and bad, punishment and reward, rules and consequences, so when they look at the miscellany, they will likely see a call to be good. Our children will not see grace unless someone shows them. They may grow up with the great blessing (I mean this) of knowing what is right and wrong, but with little grasp of the righteousness of God, with little awareness that God is familiar with our sin and has already answered it, without the motivation of doing good from security and out of thankfulness, without the knowledge that the Lord Jesus will help us in our struggle and that it will all be over and better in heaven. Let's do our best to teach these things to our kids.

Not that it will ever be safe – for even if our teaching is right and true and as it should be, there is the danger of neglecting to model it. And there is also the danger of all our preaching and living being before little ones whose hearts are yet hard. We must pray that we will speak and act as we should and that they will listen and act (and in their turn speak) as they should.

Plagiarism: The Trouble with Principle

Stanley Fish is a generally sharp thinking atheist, who here hoes into pluralism. It's all been said before, but rarely so well. Enjoy the clarity of his prose, I bid you.

" . . . [R]eligion can be part of university life so long as it renounces its claim to have a privileged purchase on the truth, which of course is the claim that defines a religion as a religion as opposed to a mere opinion.

It's a great move whereby liberalism, in the form of academic freedom, gets to display its generosity while at the same time cutting the heart out of the views to which that generosity is extended . . . . [It] asks you to be morally thin; and it does this by asking you to conceive of yourself not as someone who is committed to something but as someone who is committed to respecting the commitments of those with whom he disagrees.

. . . .

[T]he strong multiculturalist faces a dilemma: either he stretches his toleration so that it extends to the intolerance residing at the heart of a culture he would honor, in which case tolerance is no longer his guiding principle, or he condemns the core intolerance of that culture (recoiling in horror when Khomeini calls for the death of Rushdie), in which case he is no longer according it respect at the point where its distinctiveness is most obviously at stake.

. . . .

[And besides,] [h]ow respectful can one be of 'fundamental' differences? If the difference is fundamental - that is, touches basic beliefs and commitments - how can you respect it without disrespecting your own beliefs and commitments? And on the other side, do you really show respect for a view by tolerating it, as you might tolerate the buzzing of a fly? Or do you show respect when you take it seriously enough to oppose it?"

Stanley Fish, The Trouble with Principle, pages 40, 41, 61, 66

Plagiarism: These Bodies and World

"I suspect that our conception of Heaven as merely a state of mind is not unconnected with the fact that the specifically Christian virtue of Hope has in our time grown so languid. Where our fathers, peering into the future, saw gleams of gold, we see only the mist, white, featureless, cold and never moving.

The thought at the back of all this negative spirituality is really one forbidden to Christians. They, of all men, must not conceive spiritual joy and worth as things that need to be rescued or tenderly protected from time and place and matter and the senses. Their God is the God of corn and oil and wine. He is the glad Creator . . . . To shrink back from all that can be called Nature into negative spirituality is as if we ran away from horses instead of learning to ride. There is in our present pilgrim condition plenty of room (more room than most of us like) for abstinence and renunciation and mortifying our natural desires. But . . . . These small and perishable bodies we now have were given to us as ponies are given to schoolboys. We must learn to manage: not that we may some day be free of horses altogether but that some day we may ride bare-back, confident and rejoicing, those greater mounts, those winged, shining and world-shaking horses which perhaps even now expect us with impatience, pawing and snorting in the King's stables. Not that the gallop would be of any value unless it were a gallop with the King; but how else - since He has retained His own charger - should we accompany Him?"

C.S.Lewis, Miracles

Richard Dawkins: Faith and evidence

Richard Dawkins addresses many things in his mini-series The Root of all Evil. He's lucid and persuasive, but the timeframe limits him to simplistic arguments which I'm told are much better developed in his book, The God Delusion. I thought I'd add my 2 bob's worth in regard to how evidence operates in the life of your regular Christian.

Regular Christians may not go to any great length to investigate the evidence for their beliefs, and yet they think that having evidence for their faith is essential. "[I]f Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead . . . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Corinthians 15: 14-15a & 17-19)

So why do regular Christians think there is evidence for our faith? Because the people through whom God wrote the Bible saw Jesus killed and three days later saw him alive. Many of them died proclaiming this truth.

This is how Luke introduces his account of Jesus' life, death and rising: "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." (1:1-4) And this is the importance that the disciple John places on evidence in his biography of Jesus: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (20:30-31)


For what is hopefully a thorough, reasoned and loving rebuttal of Dawkin's arguments, see The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine (Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath).

Men and boys

Here's my current thoughts about relating to men. Thanks to the godly men who have given me insider tips, who I have observed leading and disciplining boys etc. I'm far from an expert on the subject, not being married and not being a man - so I would appreciate and learn from anyone's thoughts.

One proviso before you begin: This reflection is directed at women and so runs the risk of coming across as patronising to a male reader. Please think of it as if I were teaching women how to follow in salsa. There is a real skill and character to following well. But it is not some sort of back-door way of women being in charge. It certainly does not guarantee that the man will lead well, though a good follower no doubt helps and is no doubt a pleasure to dance with if you are a good leader. And though I do have respect for the man I dance with simply because he is taking the lead (and because I know it's a hard job), he does also earn greater respect from me if he is a good leader (decisive, clear, respectful, fun, graceful, manly, oh there's quite a few).

Men, at best, are Men. They are leaders, whether humbly, of wife and family, or leaders of many. [Women too can be leaders. I am myself. But leadership is not part of women's fundamental identity. It may be true of an individual but it is not true of her, as a woman.]

Leadership then, is the key to relating to men - and boys. They need to see and to be treated with the respect we have for them. And if they do not have our respect, then it is generous and kind to give them the opportunity to gain or regain it.

The easiest way to show your respect for men's leadership is to let them lead. This doesn't mean women can't be heavily involved, it just means that men lead. [This principle should be particularly clear in Christian relationships, and yet it may be harder to spot - because Christian leadership is counter cultural. Christian leadership is still that of initiating, of making the final call, of protection; but it is also servant leadership. It chooses self-sacrifice, it is humble, it serves the other.]

But there are times when a woman is in leadership over a man - as a university lecturer for example, or perhaps running a short training course before church. How can we respect men's inherent leadership in these situations? Perhaps by deferring to them when we can, in expectation that they will be wise; just as we defer to other women, respecting their worth and contribution. We should also recognise that these situations aren't inherently disrespectful. They involve teaching of a specific area, which does not imply that men's fundamental, general authority is deficient.

There are also times when boys need to be told their boundaries and both men and boys need to hear of their wrongs. How can we do this without belittling them? We should first of all recognise that it can be cruel to men's egos to be constantly rebuked (just as it can be cruel to women's self-worth). So we might choose to let some things pass. We should realise that men are rightly ashamed when they have not been Men, and boys are understandably belittled when everything is prescribed and the initiative to be good is taken from them. So we should perhaps get rebukes over with quickly and only set rules when we have to.

We need to establish rules or rebuke knowing that men - people - are sinful. Yet we must also have the expectation that, by the Spirit, they will of course want to become good men. We need to look honestly at sin, grieve for it and yet have hope and confidence in our men and in our God.

Betrayal

Hanging out with friends on the weekend, we made a kid welcome. He later nicked a ball and lied about it. One of my friends said that lying's the thing she hates most; it's a betrayal of trust. So I got to thinking, is that all that lying is? Is that the only reason why it's horrible? What about lying about other things? . . .

The Bible says that in our hearts we all know there's a God: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4) or “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20). We lie when we say we don't believe he exists.

But does the lie matter? Maybe it's dumb, but it doesn't hurt anyone, it doesn't make you a bad person. You aren't betraying anyone's trust.

This is true if God is god, a force, fact, concept or philosophy. But what if he is a personal God?

What if it's like saying a person doesn't exist? You are dead to me; I no longer have a son. This is so much more than a betrayal of trust; it's betrayal and rejection of everything you ever shared together, everything they ever did for you and meant to you and you to them, it's betrayal of them. And this of your Creator God? He who knit you together in your Mother's womb and who daily gives you food and breath?

Your lie spits in his face.

Of all who you might betray, he is the one to whom you owe allegiance. He is the one who should never be betrayed.

He is right to be angry. He is right to cast you from him, you who first cast him away. He is right to destroy you.

And he will, for to overlook such betrayal would mean it never really mattered.

So in your place, he sent his Son, that he might cast the Son away and destroy him, for you. That it might not be overlooked but that you might never suffer judgement. In place of punishment, standing before us – the betrayers – is the risen Lord Jesus. He says, I have paid the price. Be sorry for what you have done. Accept my gift. Be my brother and my sister. Be my Father's beloved child once more.

Grace and the Miracles of Gandalf and Frodo

I watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy over Easter. It gladdened my heart.

Gandalf reminds me of the older, wiser people who understand. Who speak and live with truth and provide example and teaching and solidity when all is in turmoil. Who, from their soft hearts, speak simple concern and comfort.

Frodo is one of those who suffer. He is at once very weak and very strong. He thinks himself nothing special; and though he realises the importance of his quest, each day is just another hard day. He would be baffled to know that if even the mighty beheld his journey, they would be humbled. When Frodo takes another step, when he speaks kindly to Gollum, when he apologises to Sam, we clap our hands. And the devil cries out.

Before Frodo set out, Gandalf gave him this counsel: 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'. And what to do with the little strength we have.

Simon's Funeral

This week I went to a funeral for a man I had the honour of knowing a little. He had suffered greatly in recent years and I am so glad that we have a merciful God who did not let him suffer more than he was able, but took him home. I never expected such mercy and kindness. In the world's eyes Simon was an just ordinary man, a single guy who didn't have a job. But I've little doubt that in God's eyes he was one of the great men of our faith, and for that, his reward in heaven will be great. If I can ever learn to love God as well as Simon, to follow Christ as resolutely and to treat others as kindly and generously as he did, I will be glad.

Simon was a Christian and a Catholic. His funeral service was beautiful and many truths were spoken and praise given to God. There were a few points, however, where I felt uncomfortable because Jesus was subtlely dishonoured and his once for all sacrifice diminished. I was expecting this though, so it wasn't a big suprise. What did surprise me was the emotional effect it seemed to have on the congregation - it seemed like their lack of certainty about Simon's fate caused them to suffer some anxiety and gloom, where there might have been praising.

Thank God for taking Simon home! Thank God that Simon is with him, the Saviour he dearly loved! Rejoice at the awesomeness and wonder and joy of it all! Thank God that, though our pain will be great and we will dearly miss him, there is nothing to be sad about for Simon. He has been released from all pain into rest and joy and praising. Rejoice for he will be enjoying a great reward for his faithful, persevering, loving, humble service! Praise God for the comfort these truths, being truths, bring!

Plagiarism: The Existential Kicks

Epiphanies are coming thin and slow, so I've resorted to stealing other peoples' material. This is an excerpt from a sermon on Jesus' family tomb by my friend and pastor Mikey Lynch. He's talking about what it would mean were clear evidence found to show that Jesus is dead, never risen and ruling.

You get the existential kicks, sure. You have community, which is nice. You have spirituality, which is lovely. You have a hope for the future, which is not real but it sort of helps you now. You have some morals to guide you. You have a sense of meaning.

Sure you have the existential kicks, but ultimately forgiveness of all the things you’ve done wrong, your guilty conscience, trust in the forgiveness given by the death of Christ – you don’t have that. You’re still carrying with you your guilt. All of the failures and the hurts you’ve caused, none of that’s washed away because Jesus didn’t die for it. It’s still with you. You are still in your sins. You still have no right to ignore the guilt that is legitimate in your life.

And hope after death – well not in Jesus it’s not available. If he’s dead, well then his offer for life after death is annulled. So death is still, at least a nothing, if not facing God’s judgement without a Saviour.

Approval and Pride

Seeking man’s approval and being unduely proud if I get it are ongoing struggles of mine. I am well aware these things are wrong, but have recently realised their foolishness - thanks largely to Don Carson's exploration of 1 Corinthians 1-4 in The Cross and Christian Ministry (2004).

“[T]he message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). It is his power and his wisdom (1:24b). The world’s wisdom is not merely less than God’s wisdom – it is so far removed that God calls it “foolish”, just as the world calls true wisdom “foolish”. The most talented people of this world do not with their intelligence discover “God’s secret wisdom” - Jesus Christ - and when they are presented with him they scoff (2:7a & 1:20-21). The people who discover Jesus are the people who recognise their needy state. These lowly people discover Jesus when he calls them (1:26) - “so that no one may boast before him” (1:29).

The message of the cross eclipses the world’s wisdom in its wisdom and in its eternity. “God destined [it] for our glory before time began”, wheras even the rulers of this age “are coming to nothing” (2:7b & 2:6b).

Christians have been blessed with the Spirit, enabling us to see the cross for what it is. The Spirit gives us discernment of all things (2:15), so that we are no longer seduced and blinded by human wisdom.

So we should no longer be proud of our stock of worldly wisdom, for it is foolishness. Our talents can however be viewed and appreciated and used with God's wisdom. Yet even then we should not boast in ourselves - for “[w]hat do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (4:7) And it is foolish to compete with each other when we are to use our God-given talents for “one purpose”, as “God’s fellow workers” (3:8-9). It is also foolish because we forget ourselves, we forget that we are no more than sinners who God chose to save. And it is foolish when we do have great glories and wisdom we should boast of - “All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future – all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (3:21b-23). We are no longer bound to this world; this brief life is not all we have; death is vanquished; and the present and future are all governed by and lived under our Lord.

“If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise . . . . So then, no more boasting about men!” (3:18 & 21a). We should instead imitate Paul as he follows the example of Christ (11:1) in living out the ‘foolish’ cross – “To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” (4:11-13). Very foolish, yet truly wise. I pray I will feel ashamed of my foolish pride and instead boast in and follow my Lord!

How I Know my Religion has the Answers

Because Jesus says it does; he says he does.

Because as well as being God, Jesus was a man, and his place and actions in history can be proved or disproved. We can check his claims and his trustworthiness.

Because when I read the Bible it all adds up – life as I know it, in its goodness and awfulness. It is described and explained and my questions are answered.

Because when I read the Bible my heart is convinced as well as my head.

Because once I believe, I feel God’s nearness and I see his work in my character and in my life.