Beyond The Pale

Thoughts on Kingdom, Grace, Culture, and Church

Beyond The Pale - Thoughts on Kingdom, Grace, Culture, and Church

Bono answers “Why Jesus?”

Why Jesus?Bono

I get asked that fairly frequently by friends of mine who do not profess Christianity.  Recently at the faith discussion group I facilitate here in Hong Kong a friend put that question on the table for all to discuss.  Essentially if God wants us to feed the poor, free the oppressed, and bring restoration to the Earth, why does it need to be through Jesus?  Why can’t it be through Buddha,  Mohammad, a plethora of other faiths, or even through no belief in God at all?

I believe it’s this question that keeps evangelicals focused on ideological belief and right confession first.  It flows from a fear that if people do “Jesus things” without Jesus, the house of cards might come crashing down.

To my fellow evangelical friends I say, “Don’t be afraid.”

 In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.   Jesus was with God in the beginning. Through Jesus all things were made; without Jesus nothing was made that has been made. In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Gospel of John 1: 1-3

With an introduction like that I don’t believe Jesus needs to be defended by you, me, or anyone else.

But I did recently read an extract from a book by Michka Assayas where he interviews U2 front man Bono about his relationship with Jesus and the grace of God.  He also seems to tackle the “Why Jesus?” question and how it has affected him personally.

And let’s face it, when arguably the biggest rock star in the world shares about how Grace has changed his life, how can you not share it?

Enjoy!

***************************************************************************

Michka: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?

Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.

Michka: I haven’t heard you talk about that.

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Michka: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Michka: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?

Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you.

And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched

Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:

Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.nAt2Riqi.ElZuzaTT.dpuf

Michka: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?

Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.

Michka: I haven’t heard you talk about that.

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Michka: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Michka: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?

Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you.

And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched

Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:

Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.nAt2Riqi.ElZuzaTT.dpuf

Michka: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?

Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.

Michka: I haven’t heard you talk about that.

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Michka: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Michka: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?

Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you.

And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched

Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:

Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.nAt2Riqi.ElZuzaTT.dpuf

I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that? – See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.nAt2Riqi.ElZuzaTT.dpuf

Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?

Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.

Assayas: I haven’t heard you talk about that.

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Assayas: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Assayas: I’d be interested to hear that.

bono2

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Assayas: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?

Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t Bono500x400mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched

Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:

Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

 

With A “Vision” The People Often Perish

visionI was a “Vision and Values” pastor once.

In fact Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets”

and

Matthew 11:12 “The Kingdom advances because forceful men lay hold of it”

were my pastoral “one, two…punch” so to speak.

And I always figured I did better than Habakkuk since he only wrote his vision on tablets but I made xerox copies for each and every church member. We would then spend a Sunday morning every 6 months or so going through the vision so everyone could “get on board”.

These were some of my favorite Sunday services as there was nothing I enjoyed more than casting MY vision and getting everyone to see it as THEIR vision.  (And if I was really lucky, maybe someone would get the vision for volunteering for a job I didn’ t want to do.)

Oh, it was a good vision.  There were

  • short term goals
  • long term goals
  • attributes we wanted to have
  • How we were going to do it!

backed with a healthy dose of scripture references to demonstrate to everyone that God’s vision and mine were one and the same.

We were biblical, but cool, artsy, and relevant!

Equip our people and impact our city for Jesus was my goal.  Sounds pretty good right?

mission-values

Except, underlining many a church vision statement is the hidden desire to make a name for yourself.  At the time I was part of a network of churches where I was just one of many church plants around the world.  A couple times a year a large number would gather for a conference and although no one would like to admit it, we all wanted to have “produced” since we last saw each other.  We all wanted to have some measure of success (usually equating to increased numbers) that would validate us in the eyes of our peers.

The message and encouragement at these gatherings was that “it’s not about numbers”, but deep down we all knew it was all about the numbers.

The pastor who grew their church from 50 to 500 was going to be the guy everyone was talking about.  The guy who was saw his church shrink from 75 to 25  and whose marriage and personal life was taking a toll because of it was a cautionary tale.

“So Steve how are things going for you and Tammy in Hong Kong?”

“We’re doing well,” I would answer, “church is growing.”

“Oh, how many people do you have now?”

(Mmmm I would think to myself.  How many people do we have?  Can I count that couple that visited twice last month.  Sure, they came back, so they count.  Am I allowed to include numbers of children in this answer?)

Lest you misunderstand, most of these pastors are sincere men and women who genuinely entered ministry with a desire to connect people to God.

It’s just that we bought into a religious system that was much bigger than we were.

We convinced ourselves that we were shepherding New Testament expressions of the local church but really we had just incorporated a business model of expected growth and return on investment with the pastor operating as the CEO.  The communion of saints was subtlety transformed into a customer base.

changed-priorities

As much as I would have hated to admit it, even I started to separate people in my mind as who are the “right” people for my church and who were the “wrong” people.  Not surprisingly the “right” people tended to be well educated people with good jobs and little personal baggage.  People who gave more than they needed and could run with my, …I mean, the church’s vision .

The “wrong” people tended to go from job to job, have “issues” that demanded a lot of time and, lets be honest, there is hardly a pastor (myself included) who hasn’t secretly breathed a sigh of relief when one of these “wrong” people decided they are “called” to attend another church.

But here’s the thing that kept nawing at me.  Jesus spent an awfully large amount of his time with the “wrong” sort of people. 

He spent time with the men who drank to much and had really unsafe sex 

He spent time with women who sold their bodies for money

He spent time people who went from spouse to spouse

He spent time with corrupt officials who were betraying their own people.

What was Jesus trying to “build”?  Did he even have a “Vision and Values” statement?

Yes, Jesus did indeed have a vision but his vision was that he valued  people!

He told hurting men and women that God loves them.  That they were his children and part of his family.

That they belonged!

Jesus’ vision? Love God, Love People

Then he chooses a team of guys to help promote his radical vision.  And who does he end up choosing…all the “wrong” people.  The unschooled, the simple, the unimpressive.

Ok, so maybe I still am a “vision and values” pastor, it’s just that I have a much better vision to share…

…and better yet, it’s not even my vision!

 

Jay Bakker and Learning To “Smell” Like Jesus

imageI’m reading a lot of Christian books lately and some of the best books I’ve read have stemmed from hearing an interview with the author beforehand. Someone just intrigues me and I think, “I gotta read that book.”

So I was listening to Jay Bakker, son of former PTL leaders Jim & Tammy Bakker, being interviewed by Christian radio host Steve Brown and I thought to myself, “I gotta read his book”.

The book is Bakker’s newest entitled Faith, Doubt, and Other Lines I’ve Crossed and is a collection of devotions and musings on his relationship with God throughout the upheaval of the PTL scandal, his mother’s death, the breakdown of his marriage, and his public advocacy for gay rights. Through it all he has discovered a hope in Jesus Christ that underpins his faith in a way that former theological correctness and “certainty” was never able to produce.

Throughout the book Bakker unpacks an understanding of God’s grace that has transformed his life (including being freed from alcoholism) and which he has humbly embraced and shares with others. He argues that it is really a limiting of grace or putting conditions on grace that robs grace of it’s power to transform lives for Christ.

We might not have earned grace before we received it but we think we have to continually earn it again now that it’s ours. We do this simply because we want to have some control of grace. We want even the smallest ability to claim that we have somehow earned this grace because then we can have some measure of certainty that we’ve got it. Which allows us in turn to say that other people don’t have it…

…Christians are always looking for someone or something that grace can’t cover. So we end up putting restrictions on grace. – Jay Bakker

While listening to Steve Brown interviewing Bakker before I read the book I was struck by the affection and respect each had for the other. Now understand, Brown is no “liberal” Christian. In fact he often jokes on his show that he is an “old, conservative, white guy.” But Brown also has a healthy cross section of Christianity represented in the people he interviews. Someone like Bakker one week and Mark Driscoll the next. (Could you get more opposite?)

image

I say all that as preface to a remark Brown made that I have been musing in my head since I first heard it. He said during the interview with Bakker something along the lines of, “I don’t necessarily agree with you on some things, but Jay, you smell like Jesus!”

That was it!

That was the answer to a question that has been stirring in me for the last year or so. I kept wondering why some Christians or Christian leaders who I tended to agree with theologically were somewhat alienating to me. Why did fellow believers, whose “statement of faith” often echoed my own, seem so distant and foreign?

And yet other Christians, who I may disagree with on some key points, nevertheless attract me much more to what they are saying and doing.

And then it hit me…

Because they smelled like Jesus.

When it comes down to it, these days I am much more interested in smelling like Jesus than making sure my theology is “orthodox” and my belief system lines up exactly with the ‘statement of faith’ sported on the website of nearly every evangelical church.

Let me qualify that I am a supporter of creedal statements like the Apostle’s and Nicene creeds

but

there are many reading this that may think that theological unity or creedal belief is what keeps the church from steering off course.

News flash!
…we’re already off course.

We got off course when we placed ideological conformity ahead of loving God.

We got off course when we placed ‘statements of faith’ ahead of loving people

We got off course when we placed a ‘Christian’ religious system ahead of loving our enemies.

Reading Jay Bakker’s book I realized he is a flawed man wrestling through the personal challenges he’s been dealt, but through it all he strives to smell like Jesus.

I’ve made it my goal to smell more like Jesus as well. And I plan to pick up the scent by hanging out with other people that smell like Jesus.

 

YouTube video chat with Peter Rollins

I got up this morning at 4:00 AM!peter-rollins1

Well, OK, since I got up to watch Peter Rollins do a live video chat, and he’s all about creating a space where people can be honest, let me be honest and say I missed the very beginning of the chat because I actually rolled out of bed at 4:10 AM

The video chat was via YouTube and was entitled “Want to Start Something in Your Town”.   In it Peter brought together 7 people who are seeking to start a new “thing” outside of the traditional church structure or are looking for a degree of transformation within the traditional structure.  The rest of us watched their interaction live.

Peter Rollins has had some experience in creating Christian collectives in non-traditional surroundings.  By sharing some of his experiences he has been an inspiration to many of us who are asking a lot of questions… and finding out that alone will make you suspect.

There was a good cross section among the seven participants.  Some were pastors of churches, others had left the traditional church altogether.  However they all seemed to share a desire to see a space created where lives can be genuinely transformed.

I jotted down a few notes during the chat.  Some things that stood out were:

* One Pastor wanted Pete’s advice on how to be honest with his congregation when really they don’t want honesty.  Another pastor chimed in that he slowly increased his authenticity to his people over the course of a year showing them it was OK NOT to have all the answers.

- I think its a sad state of affairs when we in the church are so used to feigned enthusiasm, insincere concern, and non-existent transparency that pastors and church leaders being open and honest creates such a shock to the system.  People in church are destabilized and paralyzed in their faith because of honesty and authenticity.  One participant added that when her pastor became more open and honest, about half the church left.  As Peter would say, it’s OK for the people to doubt, but if the pastor doubts, the system crashes because we’ve gotten the system to believe for us! 

*  Peter mentioned that although his books tend to have a lot of theory in them he wanted the video chat to be a time where the theory can be worked out in practice.  He elaborated on a couple of the events they do at their IKON groups in Belfast and New York including The Last Supper (where they invite a local community leaders of diverse viewpoints to dinner) and The Omega Course (where they invite people to leave toxic Christianity).

* I think that’s what that’s what attracts many of us to people like Peter Rollins is the feeling that he inspires that we are all doing this together.  That we are not alone.  Even though we may be in different parts of the world we are all asking the same questions.  Pete mentioned that people drive 13 hours to visit there Ikon meeting in New York.  He admits they can read his blog, see him on You Tube, listen to online teachings; just about everything he has to say is available free somewhere.  Why drive 13 hours?

His answer is because people really want to be with other people who are seeking God and asking the same questions.  It’s why I got up on a Monday morning at the start of a work week at 4:00 AM to catch a live video chat with an Irishman from Belfast.

It reminds me that I’m not alone.

Top Ten Doctor Who Quotes That Sound Like Something Jesus Would Say!

Doctor who1This week Matt Smith, the beloved actor who plays the current “11th” Doctor, announced he will retire at the end of this year’s Christmas special.  Now the internet is viral with speculation of what actor will be chosen to step into the iconic role.

Beyond the Pale readers should be made aware of the fact that that I am in BIG Doctor Who fan.  You know, the T.V. show about a 900 year old alien who travels through space and time in a phone box with a “sonic” screwdriver and friends.

Yep, that show…

In fact it’s been fun for Gabriel (my son) and I to watch my wife Tammy’s transition from ambivalence bordering on contempt to full blown fan of The Doctor as well.  The transition occurred over 5 stages that went something like this:

Stage 1: “No way are we watching Doctor Who tonight!”

Stage 2: “If you guys want to watch Doctor Who, I can do something else.”

Stage 3: “I suppose if there is nothing else on, we can watch Doctor Who.”

Stage 4: “Hey, what if we watch Doctor Who tonight.”

Stage 5: “I LOVE Doctor Who!  Don’t you dare watch any episodes while I’m gone!”

Yep, she has been assimilated! :)

doctor who2

There are a lot of things I like about the Doctor Who.  The stories, the characters, the witty dialogue and fantastic locations.  But what I really enjoy is the “Christ” like arch type The Doctor represents.  I’m always drawn to “Christ” figures in stories. (Superman, Aslan etc.)

So, in honor of the upcoming regeneration (resurrection?) of The Doctor I thought I would list my Top Ten Doctor Who quotes that Sound Like Something Jesus Would Say!

Drum roll please…

10.  “Big flashy things have my name written all over them. Well… not yet, give me time and a crayon.” The Doctor

 

9.  Jackson Lake: Please Doctor…Help Me?

The Doctor: Ah, two words I never refuse.

 

8. “Rose…before I go, I just want to tell you: you were fantastic.  Absolutely fantastic.  And do you know what? (pause)  So was I!” The 9th Doctor’s final words before regenerating into the 10th Doctor

 

7. “My experience is that there is, surprisingly, always hope!” – The Doctor

 

6. “Good men don’t need rules.” – The Doctor

 

5. “Picture the biggest ship you’ve ever seen.  Are you picturing it? (yes) Good, now forget it because this ship is infinite.” – The Doctor explaining the dimensions of his ship the T.A.R.D.I.S

 

4. The Doctor: Didn’t anyone ever tell you? There’s one thing you never put in a trap if you’re smart. If you value your continued existence, if you have any plans about seeing tomorrow, there’s one thing you never, ever put in a trap.

Angel Bob: And what would that be, sir?

The Doctor: Me.  – (I always thought this is something Jesus could have said on the cross)

 

3. “People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint – it’s more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly… time-y wimey… stuff.”- The Doctor explaining “time”

DoctorWhoChristmas

 

2.   Rose: Look at you, beaming away like you’re Father Christmas!

     The Doctor: Who says I’m not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve?

     Rose: [shocked] What?

     The Doctor: And everybody lives, Rose! Everybody lives! I need    more days like this! Go on, ask me anything; I’m on fire!

 

and the number 1 best Doctor Who sounding like Jesus quote:

1.  You are forgiven. Always and completely forgiven. – The Doctor

There you have it.  If you have never watched Doctor Who before…there is no better time to begin.

“Do Not Judge” What? Was Jesus Crazy?

judging-others-judge+not+lest+ye+be+judged-judgmental-christiansAs human beings living on Earth there is one thing that unites us with a common thread.  Whether you are black or white, rich or poor, male or female, American, Chinese, Indian, Australian, African and everything in between, there is a single attribute that we all do…and we do well!

We LOVE to judge!

We judge our spouse…

We judge our work mates…

We judge our children…  (and they return the favor)

We judge the homeless man on the street…

We judge the clothes of the person sitting in front of us at church (and behind us as well)

We judge the folk on “reality TV”

We judge the status update of Facebook friends

Conservatives judge liberals…liberals judge conservatives

And Christians?

In comparison to others, Christians have the reputation of being gold medal winning athletes in the sport of “judging”.  In fact historically we’ve been pretty good at turning judging into a “full contact” sport!

silently_judging_you

Which is a pretty remarkable achievement considering Jesus was pretty clear that human beings in general, and his followers specifically, were absolutely NOT to judge others! (Matt. 7: 2-5)

Jesus must have been crazy…

A Man Called Peter

Peter was one of Jesus’ key disciples.  Peter also loved to judge people.  In fact Jesus had to correct him a number of times whenever his little “ministry gift” reared it’s head.  (John 21: 20-22)

But things really came to a head in Acts Chapter 10.  God wanted Peter to meet with one of his servants by the name of Cornelius, but he also knew Peter wouldn’t meet with him without a little encouragement.

You see Cornelius was:

* A Gentile (Not of the Jewish nation)

* A Roman ( the colonial power occupying the Jewish nation)

* A Centurion (A powerful military commander of that colonial power)

However, despite having a high office in a polytheistic society,  Acts 10 says that Cornelius “and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”

So despite any issues, Peter, being a man of God should have no problem meeting another “God fearing man” right?

Wrong!

judge2

Peter, who had walked, ate, and sat under Jesus’ personal teaching for three years and heard over and over again how much God wanted to bless all nations and peoples, still would not (and could not) believe that God would actually want him to associate with a foreigner.

To fellowship with “other”!

The only way God could get into Peter’s thick, stubborn skull that God was bigger than the little “Jewish Christian” world he had created in his mind was direct heavenly intervention. (Acts 10: 9-17)

So Peter, with his new revelation of God’s intent, shows up at Cornelius’ house:

While talking with him (Cornelius), Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean

Acts 10: 28-29

Translation:  “Even though I might see you as unclean, God says I shouldn’t judge you, so here I am”

Wow, way to win over a crowd Peter!  Despite Peter’s rough greeting though, God’s Grace is revealed and Cornelius, his family, and his friends gain a deeper revelation of God through Jesus Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

And Peter?  Peter gets yet another lesson of how big God is and how big his love is for the world.

 judging-others

Not Judging…Grace’s Best Kept Secret

Sometimes I think we forget how freeing the Grace of God really is!

Consider Peter’s situation above.

Poor Peter had to spend his whole life judging people, actions, and objects as either clean or unclean, pure or impure!  You know how nerve wracking and demanding that actually is?

Can you imagine having to spend your whole day doing these little mental calculations?

Eventually, you get tired of it so more and more you just associate into small, like minded groups that free you of the burden of possibly having to associate with someone or something that is unclean!

In the Christian world we call these “churches” :)

But God has freed us from the bondage of having to judge people

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Acts 10:15

However, in our desire to remain “holy” and “clean”,  Christianity has transferred the Old Covenant laws pertaining to purity (and the huge burden it implies)  into modern church life.  Even when God says we are NOT to do that!

What a tremendous relief and blessing it must have felt for Peter to be freed from the need to judge.

And you know what?

You can be free too?

Good Deeds in a Weary World: Patrick Stewart and Domestic Violence

At Beyond the Pale I want to celebrate acts of goodness in the world that are bringing life, restoration, and the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth.  In this clip below famed British actor (and Star Trek Captain) Patrick Stewart shares on a very personal level the work he has done to stop domestic violence against women.  It’s a heart felt answer that illicits a very emotional response from the girl asking the question as well as the crowd.

It always brings me back to thoughts of “What does Jesus REALLY care about?”

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

John 13: 34-35

Or as Willy Wonka would say, “And so shines a good deed in a weary world”

The Myth of a Christian Nation: A Review

Myth-of-a-Christian-NationThere is an old church joke that goes something like this:

A ship sinks and two guys survive but are stuck in a life raft in the middle of the ocean.  The first man is panicked and looking out at the endless sea around them shouts, “What are we going to do?”

The second man gently responds, “Calm down, we’ll be fine.”

The first man unconvinced goes on, “We NO food…we have NO water!”

The second man stretches himself  comfortably against the side of the raft and says, “Relax, we’re going to be OK.”

The first man is inconsolable.  “How can you say we’re going to be OK?  We are going to DIE out here!”

The second man leans his head back, closes his eyes and replies, “Everything is going to be OK.  I’m the biggest tither in my church.  Believe me when I say my pastor WILL find me.”

For some reason I had this joke in my head while I was reading Greg Boyd’s The Myth of a Christian Nation.  Knowing Boyd was a megachurch pastor in America I kept wondering if he could have any people left after touching on a topic so close to the American evangelical  identity.  Sure enough Boyd acknowledges that when he preached a six week series called “Cross and the Sword” on which he based the book he lost 1000 people in his church.  (700 when he first preached it…and another 300 when he returned to the topic just before the election).  Those poor guys in the life raft would really have been in trouble if Boyd was their pastor! :)

Probably the main stumbling block for most Christians in America though would be the name of the book.  Those whom The Myth of a Christian Nation would bless the most are probably the least likely to read it because of it’s title.

Heck, not long ago I probably wouldn’t have read it.

Although the book has a focus on the American relationship to Christianity it is more accurate to say it is a treatise contrasting the Kingdom of God with the Kingdoms of the World and Boyd arguing that all nations of the earth, America included, are firmly embedded in the latter.

a-christian-nation1

The Kingdoms of the World exercise authority using “power over.”  Jesus eschewed this option consistently throughout his time on earth and demonstrated the authority of his Kingdom would come from humility and servitude culminating with his death at Calvary.  Rather than have legions of servants deliver him from death and then take his Kingship by force (as is the way of the world) he entrusted himself to God who vindicated his Kingdom by raising Him from the dead.

Rather than “power over” Jesus used “power under”.

Boyd argues that Americans in particular have done a great disservice to the Kingdom of God by having the church grasp for political power in ways that destroy the credibility of our witness.  Rather than being viewed as Christ like examples of loving servants, the church is instead viewed with disdain as “behavior police” attempting impose a particular strain of morality on society.

Says Boyd:

The Kingdom of God is not a Christian version of the kingdom of this world.  It is, rather, a holy alternative to all versions of the kingdom of this world, and everything hangs on kingdom people appreciating and preserving this holiness.

The Myth of a Christian Nation (pg. 86)

America as a new Israel ?

Boyd also takes aim at the driving force behind the evangelical cry to “Take America back for God.”  Transferring the covenant promises and relationship God had with Israel to America, many Christians in the States see it as their duty to return America to God when they perceive the nation has “gone astray.”

This means:

many Christians turn to the Old Testament more than the New in their understanding of America and the role of the church within America.  Consequently, Christians often turn to models of the Old Testament “watchmen” (Ezek. 33) and of John the Baptists to understand what they are supposed to be doing in the culture, rather than the model of Jesus.  Instead of living to sacrifice for others, we become the official “sin-pointer-outers.”  Instead of gaining a reputation of being humble servants who manifest Calvary-quality love, we gain a reputation for being moralistic and self-rightous.  And predictably, we drive away the tax collectors and prostitutes of our day, just as the Pharisees did, rather than attracting them, as Jesus did.  (Pg. 155)

In The Myth of a Christian Nation Dr. Greg Boyd probes at some of the deepest and most sensitive layers of American evangelical identity.  Like Jesus, who said some very difficult things which cut against the cultural and religious identity, many who hear Dr. Boyd will “follow him no more.”

But as Jesus also explained, “Those than can receive it…should receive it.”

 

 

 

Weekend Update: Star Trek, Jeffrey Archer, NPR

Haven’t done a Weekend Update in a while.  Weekend Update is my excuse to go off topic and write on things that are completely unrelated to the normal themes covered at Beyond the Pale.  This Update I thought I might share some guilty pleasures I have enjoyed recently.

Three things that have just plain made me happy!

Jeffrey Archer:Only Time Will Tell

Nearly 30 years ago a girl I was dating gave me Jeffrey Archer’s novel The Prodigal Daughter as a birthday gift.  I was confused as I thought it was some sort of romance novel…I was wrong.  It was, in fact, a page turning political story that sucked me right in.  Although the relationship with the girl ultimately didn’t last…the literary relationship with all things Archer did.

Jefferyarcher 1

A couple weeks ago I decided to take a short break from all the “faith based” books I have been cranking out lately and curl up with the first book of Archer’s new “Clifton Chronicles”  series Only Time Will Tell. As usual Archer’s tale of the trials and tribulations of Harry Clifton was full of page turning twists and turns.  After a short break I’m certain I’ll be jumping head first into Book 2 Sins of the Father.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Yes, I am a fan of all things Star Trek.  Since Star Trek premiered in September 1966 and I premiered in September 1966, I felt we had a lot in common.  Although the Star Trek vineyard got a little stale in latter years, the 2009 re-boot movie by J.J. Abrams had everyone back on board and at warp speed.

Star Trek darkness

Now the second J.J. Abrams directed Star Trek movie “Into Darkness” takes the the crew of the Enterprise and forces them head to head with the “re-boot” of an iconic villain.  I won’t say who but I will say he is played beautifully by Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch.

If there is a criticism it would be that the Spock character and Cumberbatch’s villain are so well acted, they often seem to leave the central Captain Kirk character in their dust attempting to catch up.

Anyhow, I’m just happy that my 15 year old son Gabriel, who now likes to go see these movies with his friends, agreed to see it with Tammy and I “as a family”.

So sweet!

The Pop Culture Happy Hour

I like to listen to podcasts on my 50 minute commute to work every morning.  Usually they are Christian based teachings but sometimes I enjoy something like National Public Radio’s Pop Culture Happy Hour. 

NPR

What could be better than listening to 4 or 5 really witty and insightful people sitting around a table and discussing movies, television, and pop culture.  Somebody tell me where I can sign up for this job!!  My ipad automatically downloads the weekly podcast from iTunes but you can check the Happy Hour out on the web here!

And now for a special bonus of something that makes me happy!

Astronaut Chris Hadfield: Space Oddity

Commander Chris Hadfield did a cover version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity and the video went viral on YouTube.  Most people suggest it is the coolest thing they’ve seen in a while.  I pretty much agree!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Steve

When Social Justice Isn’t Sexy: and how the Eucharist can help!

Kingdom of GodA few years ago I was visiting friends in my hometown back in Michigan.  A guy there I knew worked with the city newspaper and due to some contract disputes their union had been on strike for months.  He shared with me the financial strains it had put he and his co-workers through.  He added:

Steve, one of the guys we work with is like you, a “re-born” Christian.  He gives 10% of his salary to his church which we always told him was crazy.  Now that he and his family are going through a hard time we keep telling him that with all the money he has given to that church over the years he should ask them for a little help now. 

Of course he won’t ask though and the church doesn’t bother to see how they are doing but you know, our local Catholic church found all the guys affected by the strike and, whether they were Catholic or not, went around with Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries for the families.  Why don’t the “re-born” churches do that? he asked.

My first thought was that they were probably in the midst of a building program but I kept that one to myself.

Over the years though that encounter has stuck with me, especially now as I wrestle with questioning ‘what did Jesus REALLY care about?’

mother-teresa

This last weekend I attended the Justice Conference Asia and in one of the workshops the question got asked, “How do we not overlook the needy around us as we pursue the “sexier” justice issues like child labor and developing world poverty.”  The man leading the workshop admitted it is a concern as certain justice issues are more “sexy” and tend to get more attention than others.

The picture of a child with a bloated belly in Africa will generate more sympathy (and let’s be honest, more fundraising dollars) than the guy at church who lost his job a couple months ago and now whose family is struggling to pay the bills.

But shouldn’t the justice Christ brings compel compassion for BOTH?

I wonder though if the “prophet has no honor in his home town” (Mark 6:4) principal affects Christians and the church when we engage in areas of justice. In fact, sometimes a focus on injustice which is safely “over there” allows us the privilege of ignoring justice issues on our own doorsteps.

Communion bread and wine

There is a cure God gives us for this area of need and injustice on our doorstep though; something we often overlook.

The Eucharist!

Many evangelical traditions (my own included) tend to put the focus of Communion on examining one’s individual heart before partaking of the wine and the bread.  However the Lord’s Table is so much more;  it is the antidote for injustice and need in our midst.  When we go beyond our “self” and also examine our community, church group, or neighborhood before enjoying communion we create opportunities to corporately address areas of need in our often ignored immediate surroundings.  Blind spots are revealed!

Rob Bell was asked if he were to pastor a church again would he do anything different.  He responded:

“I would have Eucharist a lot. .. if you have the bread and the wine, and on a really regular basis, you put the bread and wine on the table and you say “Okay everybody – here you go: Body broken, blood poured out…Has everyone got their rent paid?  Anyone have any medical bills”

What if our communion at the Lord’s Table involved an examination, a taking of the pulse, of what is going unspoken by the people we interact with on a regular basis?  What would that look like?

I’ll finish with a Bible verse that scares the bejeebees out of a lot of Christians.  In fact, it’s so terrifying that a thousand and one explanations have been given as to why it doesn’t necessarily apply in the same way today.

  All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.   With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Acts 4: 32- 35

Interesting it was God’s Grace at work that met people’s need.  Christ’s blood offered…Christ’s body broken.  Could meeting people’s need for justice be all about Christ and not us?  What happens when we turn to Heaven to banish “need” instead of Earth?

I don’t know about you, but after 37 years of Christian life, I’m ready to give it a try!