Saturday, November 05, 2005
Following Jesus redux
Awhile back, I thought out loud about the notions of worshiping versus following Jesus.
I think a cluster of important spiritual questions are being raised in this country by the dichotomy between what He said and did and so much of what is currently being said and done in His name politically -- and militarily.
There's a pocket of whispering here, and a pocket of shame there. Could it coalesce into a broad-based discussion among Christians in general?
We're due for another Awakening in this country -- and what so many people are talking about right now isn't it, in my opinion, although it sure could usher it in.
Here's something else from the Bruderhof.
In a nutshell: WWJD about the war in Iraq?
Teachings *about* Jesus are alive and well in our churches. What haunts me this morning is the question of what has happened to the teachings *of* Jesus?
Read it all.
(From the Bruderhof site: "Labels are not important to us. We acknowledge God's working in all who strive for justice and peace, no matter their religion or creed. All the same, we take Christ's commands seriously. Because of this, we cannot serve in the armed forces of any country. Rather, we seek to live a life that [in the words of the early Quaker George Fox] "takes away the occasion for war" -- and the social and economic divisions that bring about war.")
Jesus is a liberal. Jesus is a radical.
--ER
I think a cluster of important spiritual questions are being raised in this country by the dichotomy between what He said and did and so much of what is currently being said and done in His name politically -- and militarily.
There's a pocket of whispering here, and a pocket of shame there. Could it coalesce into a broad-based discussion among Christians in general?
We're due for another Awakening in this country -- and what so many people are talking about right now isn't it, in my opinion, although it sure could usher it in.
Here's something else from the Bruderhof.
In a nutshell: WWJD about the war in Iraq?
Teachings *about* Jesus are alive and well in our churches. What haunts me this morning is the question of what has happened to the teachings *of* Jesus?
Read it all.
(From the Bruderhof site: "Labels are not important to us. We acknowledge God's working in all who strive for justice and peace, no matter their religion or creed. All the same, we take Christ's commands seriously. Because of this, we cannot serve in the armed forces of any country. Rather, we seek to live a life that [in the words of the early Quaker George Fox] "takes away the occasion for war" -- and the social and economic divisions that bring about war.")
Jesus is a liberal. Jesus is a radical.
--ER
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Thanks for posting that link to the Bruderhof sermon, ER. It being a bit of a drive to the nearest liberal church, I'm always on the lookout for internet sources for Sunday reading.
By the U.S. government's own statistics in the last 3 years 28 prisoners have died while under our custody from torture or its affects. We are now trying to pass public policy that says we can use torture when the CIA feels it is "necessary". Where is the Christian Indignation against using torture for any reason? Tom Delay was quick to call Terry Shivo's treatment by her husband to be death by the torture of thirst.
Where is his Christian voice on this subject. Where are the midnight sessions of Conress to stop it?
Yes by their works ye shall know them.
Where is his Christian voice on this subject. Where are the midnight sessions of Conress to stop it?
Yes by their works ye shall know them.
# posted by 
: 3:05 PM
: 3:05 PM
Crickets chirp. .. Even good people are getting sucked into the vortex. By his silence you shal know Colin Powell ...
--ER
--ER
I think that, in all honesty, politics is about power. And Christianity is about eschewing power. Therefore anyone who claims to be seeking power in the name of Christanity should be suspect from the outset.
Which is yet another reason to maintain the church/state separation.
Which is yet another reason to maintain the church/state separation.
YES! Mixing the two violates the integrity of both! Most of my Baptist forebears used to recognize that. Now only a few do.
And I, myself, am ready to give up every cultural expression of "religion" in government spaces -- outside clearly historical displays -- if necessary, to maintain the dignity of both.
--ER
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And I, myself, am ready to give up every cultural expression of "religion" in government spaces -- outside clearly historical displays -- if necessary, to maintain the dignity of both.
--ER
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