I always find it discouraging that my negative posts always seem to get the most attention. People seem to be drawn to arguing, and critiquing and critiquing critiques. The most read posts on my blog are both where I call out Christian leaders for their very public statements letter to pastor mark and was very angry with pastor chuck.
Yet in some of my best posts I talk about wonderful people who have inspired me, and do inspire me pastor buddy or ray barbee
I share video bible studies, talk about our house church, all kinds of things. But the negative stuff gets heard, it gets passed around, mainly because people wish someone would say something about all the crap they see. They are happy that it is not just them. Others, well just enjoy stirring up some shit.
But today, I thought I might share a little bit about ways forward. How have we tried to live an alternative?
We work hard to define church as our community not as gatherings.
When we do gather everyone shares. Everyone cooks for the group at one time or another. We occasionally meet in other houses, or in a park. Everyone takes a turn at doing communion, leading confession, or prayer, or worship (almost never singing but usually interactive in a different way). Everyone shares during a discussion, and everyone has an opportunity to lead the discussions as well.
We pay nobody, so all the money that is given gets spent on neighborhood needs, using a relational model. If $50 or less is needed to help someone you personally know, you need one person in the community to agree that it is a need we should meet and the money is doled out. If it is above that amount we put it to a vote, and we use consent rather than consensus, (I will explain later)
We recognize that our calling is not to build a bigger community, but rather give birth to a network of small communities. We support, and help new communities start.
The use of consent is slightly different from consensus. We try to reach consensus, which we have in almost every occasion, but if we can't we ask the minority group to allow us to continue in the direction the majority has decided and we will review it in an appropriate amount of time. If they are adamant about saying no, then we wait. We would rather go together than divide over being right.
We put regular cycles of service to our neighbors, and the neighborhood into our calender. We learn to be disciples, by following Jesus example of loving those society has cast aside. In our history that has been homeless people, drug addicts, punk rockers, pregnant teens, and mentally ill people. Doing this together is important, as our friends learn what healthy community is like as we practice it with them.
There are many other things I could write, but I will stop there. I am currently writing a book that tells stories of our ministry over the years, with no commentary. It will not be negative at all. If you can't stand my critiques, maybe buy my book when it is available. Far from being the angry curmudgeon that I may appear in caricature, I love life, I have great hope for the future, and I believe the church will be reconciled and redeemed. I just happen to also believe I need to call us on our bullshit. Rest assured everything I say, I say to myself as well.
rev
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
If you build it they will come (my sad little world!!!)
I responded to a twitter message that was retweeted by someone I follow. The message went something like... 80 percent of non churched people said they would go to a Christmas service if invited so get out there and invite someone.
My response was something along the lines of "why? so we can inoculate them with a small dose of consumer Christianity that keeps them from catching a real cross following discipleship?" Which I know is a bit harsh, but I am a bit harsh sometimes.
A brief conversation followed which ended in a statement that basically said, "I am not going to let you drag me into your sad little world"
Now, first of all I understand the issue. I seem like a scrooge. I seem like someone that hates the church. I seem like someone who is taking pot shots at those doing something different, or arguably more successful than what I am. I can see that, really I can. But... I do not think I should be dismissed so easily.
Not that I am in any way comparing myself to any of these great men of the faith, but John the baptist wasn't exactly a sweet heart, Paul was down right mean sometimes, even Jesus whom we follow was a killjoy on occasions. The entire tradition of the prophets is not to say nice things, but to actually be a big downer. So the question isn't: is what I am saying negative?, but rather: is what I am saying true?
Christianity as it has become defined in the western world, is subverted. It is not the revolutionary, radical and sacrificial way of living that we see in the book of acts and in stories of the early church. It has become rather a culture of its own, that mimics the culture of its day. And unfortunately in most of the western world that means an adoption of consumerism. We make a product of Christianity. This product includes well put together services, with good music, good message, and good child care. The product includes a very well put together handbook of beliefs, that we can convince ourselves of, and then be suitable for heaven. This product in too many cases gives us an ideology that says our possessions are a sign of God's blessing, that our Christian duty is to take care of ourselves and our family first and then if we have some extra to give it through an agency to those that might need some help.
I remember one time I was sitting in a service that was all about God's plan for sexuality. It had drama, and video, and a nice compelling message. And then the band came out and was playing "in your eyes" by Peter Gabriel, and I leaned over to ask my friend that invited me a question about the service. A lady in front of us angrily told me I was being a distraction. A distraction from what? A song you hear a hundred times a week on the radio? I was distracting from a performance that was meant to be a consumable good, for a target market. I was distracting from church, but not from being the church, but from the product of church. Inviting people to purchase this product is not mission, though it is what we are asked to do by the organization that exists.
Jesus on the other hand calls us to go out into the world, not call people to us. He says to make disciples, not converts. And he says to teach them to obey everything he taught... which means, sell all you have and give it to the poor, store not up treasures for yourself on earth, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprisoned and sick, stand up non violently against oppression, love your enemies don't bomb them, live out the kingdom of heaven. Yes, Jesus calls us to something all together different than a service on Christmas.
We don't need to invite people to a service, we need to invite them to a revolution. But first we have to live it ourselves. Far from being a sad little world, it becomes a wonderful, joy filled, and also tragic world, bigger than can be imagined, as it is not bound by the physical.
come and join the revolution
rev
My response was something along the lines of "why? so we can inoculate them with a small dose of consumer Christianity that keeps them from catching a real cross following discipleship?" Which I know is a bit harsh, but I am a bit harsh sometimes.
A brief conversation followed which ended in a statement that basically said, "I am not going to let you drag me into your sad little world"
Now, first of all I understand the issue. I seem like a scrooge. I seem like someone that hates the church. I seem like someone who is taking pot shots at those doing something different, or arguably more successful than what I am. I can see that, really I can. But... I do not think I should be dismissed so easily.
Not that I am in any way comparing myself to any of these great men of the faith, but John the baptist wasn't exactly a sweet heart, Paul was down right mean sometimes, even Jesus whom we follow was a killjoy on occasions. The entire tradition of the prophets is not to say nice things, but to actually be a big downer. So the question isn't: is what I am saying negative?, but rather: is what I am saying true?
Christianity as it has become defined in the western world, is subverted. It is not the revolutionary, radical and sacrificial way of living that we see in the book of acts and in stories of the early church. It has become rather a culture of its own, that mimics the culture of its day. And unfortunately in most of the western world that means an adoption of consumerism. We make a product of Christianity. This product includes well put together services, with good music, good message, and good child care. The product includes a very well put together handbook of beliefs, that we can convince ourselves of, and then be suitable for heaven. This product in too many cases gives us an ideology that says our possessions are a sign of God's blessing, that our Christian duty is to take care of ourselves and our family first and then if we have some extra to give it through an agency to those that might need some help.
I remember one time I was sitting in a service that was all about God's plan for sexuality. It had drama, and video, and a nice compelling message. And then the band came out and was playing "in your eyes" by Peter Gabriel, and I leaned over to ask my friend that invited me a question about the service. A lady in front of us angrily told me I was being a distraction. A distraction from what? A song you hear a hundred times a week on the radio? I was distracting from a performance that was meant to be a consumable good, for a target market. I was distracting from church, but not from being the church, but from the product of church. Inviting people to purchase this product is not mission, though it is what we are asked to do by the organization that exists.
Jesus on the other hand calls us to go out into the world, not call people to us. He says to make disciples, not converts. And he says to teach them to obey everything he taught... which means, sell all you have and give it to the poor, store not up treasures for yourself on earth, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprisoned and sick, stand up non violently against oppression, love your enemies don't bomb them, live out the kingdom of heaven. Yes, Jesus calls us to something all together different than a service on Christmas.
We don't need to invite people to a service, we need to invite them to a revolution. But first we have to live it ourselves. Far from being a sad little world, it becomes a wonderful, joy filled, and also tragic world, bigger than can be imagined, as it is not bound by the physical.
come and join the revolution
rev
Monday, December 05, 2011
Just a little encouragement
My friend Allen sent me an email this weekend. He said he had taken some time to read over the last few blog entries or so, and he thanked me for them. He said they were meaningful and moving to him. He said they helped him understand things better. He made me feel encouraged, he made me feel like if for only one person the writing I do here mattered.
Now I know this might sound like a plea for everyone to tell me how wonderful I am, but that is not my point. Well not my only point :) What Allan did was encourage me to use my gifts. The bible talks about this, encouraging one another towards good works, sharing with those that share with you, and the whole body needing one another. I try to make it a habit to tell people how much their actions mean to me.
In the book Connecting, Dr. Larry Crabb talks about how one of the most important parts of Christian fellowship is seeing the Christ in others and calling it forth. That is encouragement. So today, and the rest of this holiday season, oh heck, the rest of your life, take the time to see the Christ in others, see their good works, look deeply and see the good, and praise it, encourage it, fan the flame. There is enough in this world that tears us down, we should be people that build up.
Thanks Allan for building me up
rev
Now I know this might sound like a plea for everyone to tell me how wonderful I am, but that is not my point. Well not my only point :) What Allan did was encourage me to use my gifts. The bible talks about this, encouraging one another towards good works, sharing with those that share with you, and the whole body needing one another. I try to make it a habit to tell people how much their actions mean to me.
In the book Connecting, Dr. Larry Crabb talks about how one of the most important parts of Christian fellowship is seeing the Christ in others and calling it forth. That is encouragement. So today, and the rest of this holiday season, oh heck, the rest of your life, take the time to see the Christ in others, see their good works, look deeply and see the good, and praise it, encourage it, fan the flame. There is enough in this world that tears us down, we should be people that build up.
Thanks Allan for building me up
rev
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Matthew 26 the woman with the expensive perfume part 2
A story illustrating my understanding of the woman with the expensive perfume from yesterday.
My wife was having a birthday party for her fortieth. Our dear friend and partner in ministry while we lived in Australia decided to conspire with me to surprise her with a visit for her party. So he booked a flight from Oz, took time off of work, and flew all the way to Long Beach to be with my wife as we celebrated her life.
But why such waste? The money he spent could have been used to care for the poor. He could have donated to the local shelter in her honor, he could have given the money to Gatehouse in St. Kilda who loves and cares for the prostitutes on the streets there. And what about that incredible carbon foot print he left? Why would you do that to our planet?
These are actually all good questions. We must in fact wrestle with these questions. But... if we come to the realization that a party to celebrate the life of someone we love is important, then we throw a party, and rejoice in that. The truth is we can get so caught up in doing the right things, standing for the right things, that we forget to just enjoy those special times in life. What the world does not need is another bunch of bitter, unhappy activists. What we need is a balanced community that is motivated by love of others, with a priority towards the poor and marginalized, but not at the neglect of each other.
In the story of the female disciple, who made this opulent display of affection we must grapple with our tendency to "know" what we are to do. But the truth is, as I said before, we must always put love at the top of our list of priorities as we struggle to make sense of things.
Let me again however state that this is meant to warning that we should not get so focused on principles that we neglect people, not an excuse to live it up.
rev
My wife was having a birthday party for her fortieth. Our dear friend and partner in ministry while we lived in Australia decided to conspire with me to surprise her with a visit for her party. So he booked a flight from Oz, took time off of work, and flew all the way to Long Beach to be with my wife as we celebrated her life.
But why such waste? The money he spent could have been used to care for the poor. He could have donated to the local shelter in her honor, he could have given the money to Gatehouse in St. Kilda who loves and cares for the prostitutes on the streets there. And what about that incredible carbon foot print he left? Why would you do that to our planet?
These are actually all good questions. We must in fact wrestle with these questions. But... if we come to the realization that a party to celebrate the life of someone we love is important, then we throw a party, and rejoice in that. The truth is we can get so caught up in doing the right things, standing for the right things, that we forget to just enjoy those special times in life. What the world does not need is another bunch of bitter, unhappy activists. What we need is a balanced community that is motivated by love of others, with a priority towards the poor and marginalized, but not at the neglect of each other.
In the story of the female disciple, who made this opulent display of affection we must grapple with our tendency to "know" what we are to do. But the truth is, as I said before, we must always put love at the top of our list of priorities as we struggle to make sense of things.
Let me again however state that this is meant to warning that we should not get so focused on principles that we neglect people, not an excuse to live it up.
rev
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Matthew 26 the woman with the expensive perfume
might take a few days on this, important stuff here.
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Again context is very important. This story follows Jesus railing against the pharisees and priests and powers that be in Jerusalem. Jesus tells parables about the powerful destroying those that stand against their oppressive policies, and about the judgment where we are called into account for how we treat the poor and the marginalized. Then we see a quick passage that tells us the countdown to His death has begun, and then to this story.
In this story we have a woman that finds in Jesus a man that has loved and accepted her, that has shown her the light, the way and is the very fullness of truth. And she shows her love and adoration in an extremely generous manner. Then the very people who listened to Jesus talk about the care for the poor, and how we must stand against the oppressive powers are shocked at the waste. It doesn't seem to make sense with what Jesus just said. Why don't we use that perfume to feed poor people (notice there is an understanding at least among Jesus disciples that this woman was one of their community, and part of their common purse collective, and expected some accountability). Jesus says the poor you will always have with you, and I will deal with that statement in a later post, but then explains, "she wanted to do a generous act towards me, and it will most likely be her last chance to do so as I am going to be murdered soon, its a good thing she did"
The moral of the story is simply this: we can sometimes get so caught up in all the right stuff, and doing all the right things, that we forget people and their importance. All of our veganism, new monasticism, incarnational mission, activism and non violence can all be derailed when we forget that its the people that matter. Its people over principles. Sometimes we need to throw a party and waste money that can go other places... because its good to celebrate a person, a relationship, a milestone. Sometimes we can spend a bit too much money to show some one we love them. We don't need to worry that "oh you are buying into that evil consumeristic mindset that says you show your love by buying something". Check your heart, don't use this as an excuse, it should be an exception not the rule, but guys... love extravagantly, enjoy, don't become bitter curmudgeons.
Next I will tell a few stories about how this has worked out in our lives and then I will talk about the statement the poor you will have with you always.
rev
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Again context is very important. This story follows Jesus railing against the pharisees and priests and powers that be in Jerusalem. Jesus tells parables about the powerful destroying those that stand against their oppressive policies, and about the judgment where we are called into account for how we treat the poor and the marginalized. Then we see a quick passage that tells us the countdown to His death has begun, and then to this story.
In this story we have a woman that finds in Jesus a man that has loved and accepted her, that has shown her the light, the way and is the very fullness of truth. And she shows her love and adoration in an extremely generous manner. Then the very people who listened to Jesus talk about the care for the poor, and how we must stand against the oppressive powers are shocked at the waste. It doesn't seem to make sense with what Jesus just said. Why don't we use that perfume to feed poor people (notice there is an understanding at least among Jesus disciples that this woman was one of their community, and part of their common purse collective, and expected some accountability). Jesus says the poor you will always have with you, and I will deal with that statement in a later post, but then explains, "she wanted to do a generous act towards me, and it will most likely be her last chance to do so as I am going to be murdered soon, its a good thing she did"
The moral of the story is simply this: we can sometimes get so caught up in all the right stuff, and doing all the right things, that we forget people and their importance. All of our veganism, new monasticism, incarnational mission, activism and non violence can all be derailed when we forget that its the people that matter. Its people over principles. Sometimes we need to throw a party and waste money that can go other places... because its good to celebrate a person, a relationship, a milestone. Sometimes we can spend a bit too much money to show some one we love them. We don't need to worry that "oh you are buying into that evil consumeristic mindset that says you show your love by buying something". Check your heart, don't use this as an excuse, it should be an exception not the rule, but guys... love extravagantly, enjoy, don't become bitter curmudgeons.
Next I will tell a few stories about how this has worked out in our lives and then I will talk about the statement the poor you will have with you always.
rev
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The parable of the talents
When I spoke at Tribe L.A. I mentioned that I believed this parable was very misunderstood by most of modern traditional christian teaching. Ched Myers introduced me to a different way to read this passage, and I will develop the reasons why I believe it is correct as we go. It is found in the 25th chapter of Matthew, and also in Luke but we will look at the Matthew passage today.
Matthew 25
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Now the standard reading of this passage goes like this: God gives you gifts whether they be speaking, or music, or sowing, or making money. You are to use these gifts to the best of your ability... for God, and if you don't, God will throw you out into outer darkness. Of course these points must be nuanced, and danced around, especially the idea of you will be judged by what you do, as modern Christianity has tended to adopt an almost gnostic love of what you believe or know, rather than what you do here on earth. In these dances we say... well what that means is each person is given a certain amount of faith, but if you don't use that faith blah blah blah.
Now, I am already getting negative. Please bear with me. Though I agree with the idea that we should make the most of what we are given... I do not believe that is the point of the teaching. And if it was, it would not be a parable. You see a parable is not a children's story to teach us morals using quaint images. A parable is a device used to violently yank us out of our cultural stupor, or powerfully confront our positions of power, by slipping through our defenses. Like Nathan saying to David, "Thou art the man" parables are supposed to confront either power, or culture. A traditional reading of this does neither. It reinforces the culture we live in. In fact, it does so in a very diabolical way if we look beyond the surface.
In this parable we see that people are judged on their ability to make a profit... for an absentee landlord. We see that those that make a profit get an ever larger share, to make a profit for the landlord but never actually share in the profit, thought they do get to "share in the joy of their master". They stay slaves, they are never freed, and are always judged by their ability to make more and more for their master. This holds up the status quo, it continues a system and structure that is there. How is this a parable of good news? of liberation? of the kingdom of God?
But if we look a bit further, we will see that this is indeed a parable. Our problem is we get the roles turned around. Specifically the role of the master. We have been conditioned to believe that the master is always God, but there are many masters in this world, including Satan, the domination spirit that rules the entire world. Lets look at the parable closer:
The slave who is cast out says some things that are confirmed by the master, the master is...
mean, or hard
he reaps where he does not sow (which we call theft)
he gathers where he did not sow seed (which we also call theft, or occupation)
in addition we see a couple of other things
these other slaves were praised for using money to make a hundred percent profit? even in this day that would be considered unsavory, but how did they do it back in the day this was written? the only way was by lending and foreclosing on properties and then selling them at profit, A practice that basically made all of judea either abjectly poor, or extremely wealthy
the master says that the slave could have put the money in a bank for interest. But the Jewish people were commanded not to take interest from each other. So how does this Jewish God say to take interest?
And finally, how does this story fit the life of Jesus?
So what does this story really say? It says this in my opinion. That the lords and masters of this world, the corporations, the governments, the banks ect. expect those under them to work hard, to maximize profits for them. Though they steal, and defraud, and do whatever it takes to make themselves fat and happy, the best they can offer you is that you will be a slave that can "party with" the boss once and a while if you make some good profit for them. But if you decide not to play that game, to take this money of empire and plant it in the ground and see what organically comes from it, if you only give back what is given to you. You will be called wicked, and lazy, and cast out into darkness. Which is what happens to Jesus. He faces all of that darkness on Golgotha. Which is what we are called to, when He says pick up your cross and follow me. We are called to stand against fraudulent, thieving, mean masters, seeking only their own profit. We are called to concern ourselves with a different agenda than propping up their empire, (as we read in the very next parable, we are to care for those others that are not "profitable to empire"). And we are called to stand against the fear that grips us, as we await our ostracizing. We are called to pick up our cross, and follow Jesus
rev
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Now the standard reading of this passage goes like this: God gives you gifts whether they be speaking, or music, or sowing, or making money. You are to use these gifts to the best of your ability... for God, and if you don't, God will throw you out into outer darkness. Of course these points must be nuanced, and danced around, especially the idea of you will be judged by what you do, as modern Christianity has tended to adopt an almost gnostic love of what you believe or know, rather than what you do here on earth. In these dances we say... well what that means is each person is given a certain amount of faith, but if you don't use that faith blah blah blah.
Now, I am already getting negative. Please bear with me. Though I agree with the idea that we should make the most of what we are given... I do not believe that is the point of the teaching. And if it was, it would not be a parable. You see a parable is not a children's story to teach us morals using quaint images. A parable is a device used to violently yank us out of our cultural stupor, or powerfully confront our positions of power, by slipping through our defenses. Like Nathan saying to David, "Thou art the man" parables are supposed to confront either power, or culture. A traditional reading of this does neither. It reinforces the culture we live in. In fact, it does so in a very diabolical way if we look beyond the surface.
In this parable we see that people are judged on their ability to make a profit... for an absentee landlord. We see that those that make a profit get an ever larger share, to make a profit for the landlord but never actually share in the profit, thought they do get to "share in the joy of their master". They stay slaves, they are never freed, and are always judged by their ability to make more and more for their master. This holds up the status quo, it continues a system and structure that is there. How is this a parable of good news? of liberation? of the kingdom of God?
But if we look a bit further, we will see that this is indeed a parable. Our problem is we get the roles turned around. Specifically the role of the master. We have been conditioned to believe that the master is always God, but there are many masters in this world, including Satan, the domination spirit that rules the entire world. Lets look at the parable closer:
The slave who is cast out says some things that are confirmed by the master, the master is...
mean, or hard
he reaps where he does not sow (which we call theft)
he gathers where he did not sow seed (which we also call theft, or occupation)
in addition we see a couple of other things
these other slaves were praised for using money to make a hundred percent profit? even in this day that would be considered unsavory, but how did they do it back in the day this was written? the only way was by lending and foreclosing on properties and then selling them at profit, A practice that basically made all of judea either abjectly poor, or extremely wealthy
the master says that the slave could have put the money in a bank for interest. But the Jewish people were commanded not to take interest from each other. So how does this Jewish God say to take interest?
And finally, how does this story fit the life of Jesus?
So what does this story really say? It says this in my opinion. That the lords and masters of this world, the corporations, the governments, the banks ect. expect those under them to work hard, to maximize profits for them. Though they steal, and defraud, and do whatever it takes to make themselves fat and happy, the best they can offer you is that you will be a slave that can "party with" the boss once and a while if you make some good profit for them. But if you decide not to play that game, to take this money of empire and plant it in the ground and see what organically comes from it, if you only give back what is given to you. You will be called wicked, and lazy, and cast out into darkness. Which is what happens to Jesus. He faces all of that darkness on Golgotha. Which is what we are called to, when He says pick up your cross and follow me. We are called to stand against fraudulent, thieving, mean masters, seeking only their own profit. We are called to concern ourselves with a different agenda than propping up their empire, (as we read in the very next parable, we are to care for those others that are not "profitable to empire"). And we are called to stand against the fear that grips us, as we await our ostracizing. We are called to pick up our cross, and follow Jesus
rev
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Christendom has abandoned Christ!
There are many voices calling out in the market place of Christian
ideas. There are many different narratives. But by and large the
megalithic power that can be called Christendom has abandoned its
supposed creator. We have opted out of the radical, revolutionary
lifestyle that this crazed prophet and messiah called us to. And have
adopted a cultural niceness. We have embraced an economy of me first,
and maybe some left overs for the deserving poor. We have clung to a
doctrine of grace that gives us pithy phrases to recite in order to go
to heaven when we die, or better yet get raptured out of this mess. We
have created a politic of defense against everything that may be
unpleasant.
But this Christ we say is at the center of who we are, who we are meant to be and who is the resurrection of us here and now... well this Christ was not known for his stance against illegal immigration, his stance against public health care, against gay marriage. This Christ was not known for his pro death penalty stance, his pro war stance, his pro capitalism stance. This Christ we say is our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and ultimately the one we follow, practiced radical inclusive love towards those deserving and undeserving. This Christ cared for the poor, and chastised the rich. This Christ loved and spent time with the heretical Samaritans, but condemned the religious leaders and theologians of the orthodoxy. This Christ saved the sinner from condemnation, and did not condemn. This Christ taught us how to resist oppression by not cowering, but not fighting either. This Christ included women in his entourage, and was born of questionable circumstances, and condemned those that were holiest. This Christ included in his friends the despised, the working class, the traitor.
We have abandoned Christ, but no bother, we have built another Christ, in our own nationalist, materialistic, and gnostic image. And we bow down to this new Christ amidst wonderfully hip music, and great preaching, and rituals, just like the Israelites bowed to a calf of gold...
But God was not pleased with that
rev
But this Christ we say is at the center of who we are, who we are meant to be and who is the resurrection of us here and now... well this Christ was not known for his stance against illegal immigration, his stance against public health care, against gay marriage. This Christ was not known for his pro death penalty stance, his pro war stance, his pro capitalism stance. This Christ we say is our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and ultimately the one we follow, practiced radical inclusive love towards those deserving and undeserving. This Christ cared for the poor, and chastised the rich. This Christ loved and spent time with the heretical Samaritans, but condemned the religious leaders and theologians of the orthodoxy. This Christ saved the sinner from condemnation, and did not condemn. This Christ taught us how to resist oppression by not cowering, but not fighting either. This Christ included women in his entourage, and was born of questionable circumstances, and condemned those that were holiest. This Christ included in his friends the despised, the working class, the traitor.
We have abandoned Christ, but no bother, we have built another Christ, in our own nationalist, materialistic, and gnostic image. And we bow down to this new Christ amidst wonderfully hip music, and great preaching, and rituals, just like the Israelites bowed to a calf of gold...
But God was not pleased with that
rev
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
the hold of empire
As we sat on the lawn with the shining beacon of capitalism shining a glowing red Wells Fargo, and the general assembly meeting of Occupy Long Beach to the other side, we opened the bible with our house church, and a homeless Christian man who had joined us.
I shared a parable that has been for years a staple of the subverted churches diet. A parable that we have turned into a nice story that says, work hard and make the most of what you have and God will love you but if you don't God will cast you our into outer darkness you lazy slave.
But this couldn't be further from the lesson of the parable. The parable teaches us what happens when we refuse to play by the rules of the empire. When we refuse to continue to be slaves to profiteering bosses and banks, and multinational corporations. What happens when we say, no, I wont play that game anymore. I mean God can't be the master that admits himself that he is mean, steals, collects interest and does not show grace but judges on what you have done for me lately could he?
And the man, crushed by the system, having lost his home, seeing the truth in all of this...
goes back to, "well God gives us each a talent, and each of us need to use that talent for one another"
Which is true, but it isn't a parable
the hold of empire
rev
I shared a parable that has been for years a staple of the subverted churches diet. A parable that we have turned into a nice story that says, work hard and make the most of what you have and God will love you but if you don't God will cast you our into outer darkness you lazy slave.
But this couldn't be further from the lesson of the parable. The parable teaches us what happens when we refuse to play by the rules of the empire. When we refuse to continue to be slaves to profiteering bosses and banks, and multinational corporations. What happens when we say, no, I wont play that game anymore. I mean God can't be the master that admits himself that he is mean, steals, collects interest and does not show grace but judges on what you have done for me lately could he?
And the man, crushed by the system, having lost his home, seeing the truth in all of this...
goes back to, "well God gives us each a talent, and each of us need to use that talent for one another"
Which is true, but it isn't a parable
the hold of empire
rev
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Started a new diet, and I am a bit worn out
Isn't it interesting that when you do something good for your body... your body rebels at first. I started a very healthy diet, aimed at lowering my body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. I know from past experience that this diet is very helpful for me, and last time I was on it I felt great... eventually. I lost weight, and my blood pressure and cholesterol levels plummeted.
But man the first week is horrible. I feel like shit.
So who cares? Probably not many people, but I was just thinking that often when we do good things, it is hard, and hurts, and makes us miserable
until it becomes a healthy lifestyle. Then its great.
rev
But man the first week is horrible. I feel like shit.
So who cares? Probably not many people, but I was just thinking that often when we do good things, it is hard, and hurts, and makes us miserable
until it becomes a healthy lifestyle. Then its great.
rev
Friday, October 07, 2011
As long as you don't love money you can have all you want (and other bullshit)
Stupid things we try and believe:
Its the love of money that is the problem, so if you don't love money you can have as much as you want
Sure we are supposed to love our enemies, but that doesn't mean we don't need to kill them sometimes
Jesus was really hard on the church leaders and religious folk, but we aren't like them, we are like the disciples
Despite Jesus giving the scribes a hard time, he really wants all of our doctrine to be perfect, which is way more important than actually doing what he said and did
When Jesus said to follow him, he didn't mean literally, he meant to believe in him so we could go to heaven
Got any more?
rev
Its the love of money that is the problem, so if you don't love money you can have as much as you want
Sure we are supposed to love our enemies, but that doesn't mean we don't need to kill them sometimes
Jesus was really hard on the church leaders and religious folk, but we aren't like them, we are like the disciples
Despite Jesus giving the scribes a hard time, he really wants all of our doctrine to be perfect, which is way more important than actually doing what he said and did
When Jesus said to follow him, he didn't mean literally, he meant to believe in him so we could go to heaven
Got any more?
rev
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