Ahem

A friend once commented that the Christian community was moving progressively towards an anti-intellectual stance. He theorized that if it continued the community would devolve into a drone-like, head nodding collective.  Sadly, I see many things in our countries “Christian” circles that would indicate those comments were not just the rantings of PhD student on a binge and purge cycle with his latest caffeine addiction, but a prophetic voice of warning.  Some of the most sagely advice I have ever been given was to read books, listen to speakers and tune into broadcasts that I know are likely to be offensive to me, and then consider them. Surprisingly, or strangely (dependent entirely on how cynical you are) this advice was given to me while attending
Capernwray Bible School.

 

I suppose this thought process started with an interesting conversation with one of my housemates as he relayed looking through a controversial book at Powell’s last weekend. The book that sparked this conversation, and has had me pondering all week, is Sam Harris’ work, Letter to a Christian Nation . This is not the kind of work that will leave believers with a Jesus-is-my-homeboy, warm and fuzzy feeling.  It is quite intentionally the opposite.  I don’t really care to comment on his possible reasons for writing this attempt to refute all religions/religious beliefs (Christianity, Islam, & Judaism are all under the microscope, apparently the Buddhists are just too peaceful to mess with), and I do wish to share some of his own limited experience with the Christian community after writing his first book, The End of Faith.

 

I quote Mr. Harris:  "Thousands of people have written to tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these communications have come from Christians. This is ironic, as Christians generally imagine that no faith imparts the virtues of love and forgiveness more effectively than their own. The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ's love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism. While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that such hatred draws considerable support from the Bible. How do I know this? The most disturbed of my correspondents always cite chapter and verse."

 

I readily admit this is explosive stuff; it is offensive. Meanwhile I also have to pause and ask, did no one pen a prayer to their “enemy”? Did no one stop to consider that this man is simply that, a man? And while he may rant against his Creator, it is not a justification to “educate” him and “reform his thinking”. Do people really believe that even one argument in a vain (and in my opinion, silly) attempt to protect Christianity from criticism was really about protecting the image of God? Wasn’t it really about protecting our own thin and too easily bruised egos? I own my internal temper tantrums and verbal tirades when I see people falsely reflecting Christ in the media, in politics, in the symbols of this nation, and even in the larger Christian community.  In my own heart, when I choose to respond with such a knee jerk reaction to those that have offended me, I reflect my share in the condemnation.  I am not saying that standing up for our beliefs is a sheltered and naïve way of behaving, or that it is without merit. And I think that there are ways of pursuing that dialog that allows us, as a community, to acknowledge our short comings, our failings, and our need for a Savior.  Though it will be difficult, I plan to pick this book up and read his thoughts. I want to be challenged and humbled by an “outsider” that may not always be accurate in his interpretation of what he reads and quotes (which of us can really claim that stance) and yet, still has a valid opinion and experience with a community I am a part of.  I would love for this book, and books like it, to start a dialog within and without our community where we attempt to take steps towards becoming a more thoughtful and humble people.  A community of people who learn to accept the blows where appropriate as some of those painful truths could be the rod in our Master’s hands.

Black and White

An art show is coming this weekend, sponsored by Lahash International and focused on the plight and people of Africa.  The exhibit will be held @ the Urban Grind Coffee Shop  on October 27th and 28th from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.  For more details click Black & Whilte Africa  and here.

the ultimate in escapism

It came up at evergreen, the ipod.   Now, I am not about to say that owning said ipod is evil, or that the ipod is one of the handheld minions of the Evil One.  Or that the ipod is the latest in a long line of blinking indicator lights of the End Times and/or the Fall of Western Civilization, as I am certain someone has already penned that one.  I have to admit I have a bit of unnatural love for my own pod.  I have been known to call it “my precious” on occasion while stroking it lovingly in acknowledgement for providing my audio crack. 

Coming or going, entering or leaving a building or classroom, riding the bus or max, earbuds stay firmly in their “on” (or better stated “in”) position.  People sit mere inches from one another all the while wrapped in their musically induced alternate universe.  (Of course, I notice all this while tapping my foot to the rhythm of my own jam.)  There are multiple occasions that I wish more people had this ability to escape.   Especially when social niceties are checked at the train entrance and the “urban beast” starts to snap at other riders.  More recently, I’ve noticed that it seems like yet another way we choose isolation.  

After doing a wildly thorough and academic spin on Google for stats to support this hypothesis (it took me all of two minutes), it seems others are even more concerned than I.  One school in

Sydney

went so far as to ban the ipod from campus.  (Nothing boosts the “gotta have it” munchies of teens like a good school ban.)   

Granted entertainment like this has been around since the Walkman, and with the ipods popularity and the ease of downloadable music, it seems to be creating a new wave.   I suppose, as is usually the case, these ponderings are leading to some acknowledgement of my own shortcomings, so here it is.  I often have a strong urge to disengage because I would just rather not deal with people.  Their inconvenient and demanding, and sometimes on the bus, really smelly.  Strike that; really, really smelly.   Isolation can seem much easier; it does not interrupt my schedule, or muck up my space for a little down time, assuming I have any.  It allows me to decompress and prepare for the rest of the day that will be coming at me when I disembark from the bus.   And while all of that can be true, if everywhere I go I take with me the constant companion of an ipod, or more aptly, an escape pod from engagement, in the final analysis it keeps all of us where we started, alone.

Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"

Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from

Jerusalem

to

Jericho

. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

Taize

Even as I write this I am listening to the sounds of the Taize community in France, an ecumenical group of Catholic and Protestant brothers. For those that don't know, Brother Roger started this community in the midst of the chaos of WWII and it has since grown to over 100 brothers from differing countries and religious context. The use of simple meditative lines of music and text that make up the Taize experience is one of my favorite ways to participate in contemplative worship. Brother John is in town this week from the community in France to teach on silence and music within the context of their community and how it can be incorporated into our own spiritual practice. I highly recommend taking it in.

Br. John will be at PSU on Tuesday from 1 - 3 pm, then leading a Taize service at Reedwood Friends Church in SE @ 7:30pm.

As a happy side note, you can now download a podcast of their saturday evening prayers from their site. I wonder if Br. Roger saw that one coming...

moby

A surprisingly humble and interesting (while brief) sound bite from moby about his spiritual journey.   He is not the cookie cutter image nor on that type of path with Christ, which makes his take all the more interesting to listen to.

Find some of his thoughts here.

coming up...

i am quickly turning into a live-show-once-a-week person, hooray for me...

heading to the Crystal to see Mat Kearney on thursday night (another local that abandoned us for the fairer weather (musically speaking)of nashville... why anyone would make that trade... but I digress) after a pipe and beer conversation over Christology at the Fulton Pub (look bob, I did use it). 

also on tap this weekend and in the near future...

Art and Wine Festival in yamhill county, oh yes, Oregon vino and local artists, a perfect way to sample the local vibe.  Admittedly after some sampling I am even more verbose about what I think a piece of art is saying to me, haha, attender beware. 

v is for vibrant

  had a great weekend.  went to see local (or used to be, stupid NYC) musical master m. ward on saturday, it was nothing short of magical, and I have seen some very impressive shows in the last few months.  (Alexi Murdoch being one of them.) m. has this way about him that is low key and all business while he is performing.  Focused and smooth transitions, complete confidence in his band so there was not that constant, what-are-you-doing-back-there eye contact that you see with some front men.  And that hair??!?! seriously dreamy and frazzled, it was all i could do to not rush the stage and mess it about.  What can I say?  I dig a man with curly dark hair, and lots of it. 

then sunday, after an excellent morning considering Christ and his transforming impact, at evergreen.  I spent the evening with a friend at a (1 year old) church plant in my hood called vibrant.  I was inspired by their community and how they are embracing the difficult work of caring for one another and the larger community (local/global).  it was moving to hear that in a community of 50 people almost all of them are connected outside of sundays. They laughed about the fact that they have multiple people on their "children's ministry" team (who were meeting that night to discuss where this might go in the future) while only 2 kids attend regularly.   

I had the great pleasure of spending time in silence as a community, which was a refreshing practice for me, meditating on what it means to be church using Acts 2: 42 - 47 as our teacher. 

I say all of this not to tout one community or even to compare and contrast this community to others that I have visited or invested in.  I guess what was inspiring to me is that they were all very simple, normal people.  This was not a room of spiritual giants.  They were humble people who were spending time together to try and unpack the complexities of what we all are called to whom consider ourselves Christ followers, and then putting feet to the compelling and demanding life of being a part of the Kingdom.  It spoke volumes to me about what is possible when people really decide to deal with the fact they will get it (living in community/choosing community) wrong at times and yet, for Christ's sake will try again and again.  Further it spoke to me that when I choose to take seriously caring for/loving each other, I have a lot to offer those around me.  I get to show them Jesus.  as CV put it, the simple but not easy way of Christ.