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Pure Kingdom – Finding and Emergent Eschatology November 4, 2008

Posted by bobpearson in Uncategorized.
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This is part of a post that just appeared on the Presbymergent web site.
I am hoping that others in this comunity wil read this and comment.
I will admit that this is very close to my perspective as well.
It is about seeking to be the people God created us to be, to be in relationship with God as Jesus was,
not about critiquing others in how they are going about this central process.
Bob
The Christian community has been plagued with a lack of understanding when it comes to maintaining and promoting the peace, unity and purity of the Church.  Though God calls the Church to faithfulness when it comes to God’s redemptive and reconciling work among all people, and indeed all of Creation, the Church stumbles and falls more often than it runs.  Those of us who call ourselves disciples of Christ should be living sacraments of the God’s once and future kingdom, but instead we tend to choose far more pedestrian ideals.  We squabble and fight and divide ourselves over petty issues, to be sure.  Communities of faith engage in struggles over worship style,  battles over the color of carpet in the sanctuary, fights over who has the power over the church budget, and a whole host of other things like denominational and doctrinal differences, disputes over Biblical interpretation, etc., etc., etc.
And worse… It has been said that the most segregated hour in America is on Sunday morning.  Now this comment typically is made in relation to racial division, but could easily be applied to class, gender, sexuality, politics or age.  As the Church we are called to be a “city on a hill,” a “light” that should not and cannot be hidden.  But in our culture it’s become a negative, rather than a positive that those outside the church can step in and take a gander.  Most of them don’t like what they see at all.
I have been thinking about the Church and the Kingdom of God.  Admittedly, my thoughts have been directed thus because I am preparing a sermon on the topic, but still…
The text I was struggling with is Luke 13:22-30, a moment where Jesus responds to an extremely loaded question:  ”Will only a few be saved?”  The question was asked of Jesus with an assumption behind it that God favored a small, privileged few, who were fortunate enough to be born in the right family, the correct tribe, the most favored nation.  It was a legitimate enough question, and there doesn’t seem to be any evidence to suggest that the questioner meant any harm by asking it.
There were some assumptions that were behind the question, however–assumptions that were undoubtedly shared by more than a few of the people gathered around Jesus when it was asked.  Many of the Jews in Jesus’ day held to the belief that with the coming of the Messiah all things would be set to rights and justice would finally prevail.  Justice, in their minds, would be for the Gentiles (foreigners, people of other races, religions, backgrounds and creeds) to get their comeuppance and for the Jews (at least those Jews who faithfully adhered to the Mosaic Law)  to be lifted up at last.  One of the images that was often used to describe this messianic moment was a huge party where the privileged few were allowed access to the table.  It’s no wonder that Jesus used this very same image time and again to describe an alternate view of God’s imminent kingdom.  The party guests that were painted in Jesus’ portraits of the kingdom feast would have not been welcomed by the elite, Jewish, religious leaders of the day. Jesus’ party guests were often the outcasts, the sinners, the foreigners and sometimes even the enemies of the Hebrew people.  Jesus’ portrayal of the kingdom of God was not at all what the religious elite would have expected. nor appreciated, for that matter.
Still, the question is there:  ”Will only a few be saved?”  I am sure that when it was asked, everyone stopped and listened intently to what Jesus would say.  After all, Jesus had made a name for himself as an out-of-the box rabbi, a teacher for the people, some might have said.  To hear his answer to one of the dominant questions of his culture would have definitely piqued the interest of more than a few of those in the crowd.
I love how Jesus responded to this question.  Instead of answering it directly he declares, “You need to make every effort to find your way to the narrow door.”  Instead of enumerating all of the people who would or wouldn’t find a seat at God’s table, Jesus essentially tells everyone who is listening, “Instead of being so concerned about who is in or out, you need to be concerned with your own relationship with God, on securing your own invitation to the feast.”
I like to imagine what would happen if existing congregations tossed out their long and wordy mission statements and simply adopted Jesus’ words as their vision.  Perhaps then we would be able to find the energy to deal with two of the most fierce objections that those outside of the Christian faith seem to have with Christians–objections that are essentially eschatological in nature.
First, there is no getting around the fact that in many ways Christianity is a particular faith, which is to say that there is an aspect of it that speaks of exclusion and inclusion.   The problem for a lot of people outside of the Christian sphere  doesn’t lie so much in the fact that Christianity is particular, but in the way that particularity has become a source of triumph for most Christians.  The huge popularity among evangelical Christians of the “Left Behind” books (not to mention the movies, countless spin-off books, etc.) by Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins is a prime example of this very kind of Christian triumphalism—a triumphalism that lifts up the destruction of the “other” and the triumph of the elite few.  A great many Christians revel in the idea that one day they will be snatched away to glory while the ungodly and the sinners will be left to suffer.  The idea of a “rapture,” which is taken from an oft- disputed text from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, has been used, quite frankly, to inject terror into the Gospel narrative.  But the fear and dread of being “left behind” to experience all manner of apocalyptic judgment that is such a part of “popular” Christian eschatology stands in direct contrast to the blessed hope that should fill us at the thought of Jesus’ reign.
The second fierce objection that is often directed at the Existing Church is in the way it has become a place that fosters division and separation.  It’s sort of ironic that many congregations within the Existing Church will join together ideologically  in things like upholding a triumphalist Christian worldview, but won’t break bread with one another, worship together, recognize baptism from one another’s denominations, and a host of other wonderfully divisive things.   You can see why so many people outside the Christian faith are stymied by the dissension and infighting that they see within the Existing Church. For them, it appears that the qualifications for being one of the privileged few who will sit at the messianic feast are defined by the Christian community in ways that are both arbitrary and capricious.
In Luke 13, when Jesus exhorted his listeners to “make every effort” to find their own way to the “narrow door” of salvation, the Greek word that is used there is agonizethe.  It carries with it a sense of maximum effort and energy.  The fact that we derive the English word “agony” fromagonizethe should give us even more insight into what Jesus was trying to say.  He was telling those who had ears to hear that if they devoted all of their heart, soul, mind and strength to being a God-follower, they would find themselves far less concerned about who was “in” and who was “out.”  They would, in fact, not be concerned about it at all.  And further, they would find themselves surprised, Jesus seems to say, by the people who will be sitting next to them at the messianic table.
I named this essay in part after a book by Bruce Chilton, and in part to help me remain focused.  You see, if I say that I am “finding an emergent eschatology,” then maybe I will actually find myself moving toward it more deliberately than I would otherwise.  I’m a firm believer that the way we speak about things helps form and inform their meaning.  In other words, when we are finally able to develop different ways of thinking and talking about eschatology, we are one step closer to understanding the fullness of the kingdom of God as Christ did.
For example, Jesus talked about a kingdom that was imminent rather than immediate.   The dominant eschatology of the Existing Church  deals almost exclusively with immediacy, and the fear of being caught off guard.  An imminent kingdom is one that is near enough to be felt.  Jesus painted a picture of a kingdom that already existed in heaven, but had come so near to us that it could be imagined, felt, and experienced.
Jesus portrayed the kingdom of God as a celebration that included people of races, backgrounds, classes and ages.  Anyone who heard the invitation and responded would be welcomed.  This stands in sharp contrast with the dominant eschatology of the Existing Church, which (by its actions), seems to favor separation over unity.  Far too many faith communities qualify their requirements for “membership” in both spoken and unspoken ways based on what they will not tolerate or allow rather that what they value and embrace.  Some even go so far as to delineate who is “in” or “out” based on ethnicity, birthplace or language.
It seems clear in Scripture that the grace given to the “elect”—those who hear and respond to the kingdom invitation—does provide a certain sense of confidence and assurance, but absolutely  does not give those who are called any reason to boast.  The Apostle Paul once wrote, “If anyone feels like they need to boast, let him boast in Christ.”  The dominant eschatology of the Existing Church is one that fosters a sense of  over-confidence and superiority.  Faith communities who ascribe to this sort of eschatological understanding often find themselves giving voice to shrill messages of judgment.  They forget that the grace they have been given is undeserved at best.  At the very least they should be feeling broken and burdened over those who may not respond to the messianic invitation, rather than triumphant that the “others” will one day get their just desserts.
A more emergent eschatology will find its voice in the margins—safely within the “others” who have been excluded by the Existing Church.  It will find its place among the diverse multitudes who are sitting down at the messianic feast.  It will find its mission in the words of Jesus who exhorted his listeners to devote all of their being into their relationship with God.  It will find its heart in the spirits of those who hear the invitation to the kingdom celebration and are brought to their knees in gratitude that God in God’s great mercy invited even them.

Emergent Village undergoes change October 31, 2008

Posted by bobpearson in Uncategorized.
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All,

 

The Emergent Village has finally responded to the survey they conducted last summer.

The letter is very wonderful as a statement of emerging values and future directions.

I suggest you read it and comment.

http://tinyurl.com/5pzwgt

 

Bob

Theology conversation about authority… okanes tonight October 27, 2008

Posted by Nate in Uncategorized.
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So we will be meeting at O’kanes (back part of McMenamins) at 7:00pm tonight for our monthly catch up and conversation. Should be a really good conversation as there is lots going on with each of us and it’ll be good to be able to support each other in all this.

The question for the evening (thanks to Bob) is the following:

Phyllis Tickle’s new book, The Great Emergence, raises the question of where authority lies in the new emerging transition we are now in.

 

The protestant Reformation set Scripture as the final authority, and that has been the case for the last few hundred years.

(remember before that it was the Pope, not scripture, that had the final authority on earth for ALL Christians.)

 

So, the topic I would like to tee up is:  where does authority lie if we are open to interpreting the scripture in a post modern perspective,

and thus may have many differing understandings of just what Scripture is telling us?

(for example, the role of women as teaching Pastors in the church.  Some think this is natural and how Jesus lived it, and some think that The Bible says it is not ok.)

Hope to see you there,
Nate

Emerging Traditions by Carol Howard Merritt October 23, 2008

Posted by ggbolt16 in Uncategorized.
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Here is a blog post from a pastor that I respect (Carol Howard Merritt) from her website TribalChurch.org

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Blessings,

Greg

I’m banging my way through this book, ever concerned about the deadline that’s looming, close on the horizon. I’m writing about cultural shifts, and how they affect our spiritual communities in a new generation.

MaryAnn McKibben Dana, who is in my writing group and is helping me with the project a great deal, asked me, “It’s like emerging church for the mainline?”

“Hmmm… well… yes… sort of … I guess….”

I am, as many of you know, in a constant struggle with realizing that paramount shifts to postmodernism have occurred, knowing that I am postmodern, and accepting that people label me emerging. I am a part of presbymergent and have great hope for the creative energy that flows there, but not entirely comfortable with all things emerging. Yet, as Shawn Coons and Jim Bonewald have reminded me on occasion, there are different emerging church movements, not just one. That’s comforting.

One of the main things that I have difficulty with within the emerging church movements (even the denominational-mergents) is the quick assumption that those who are emerging from an evangelical tradition are somehow more in touch with culture than us—the stuffy, old, hierarchical mainliners.

We are far from perfect. We have important questions to ask ourselves, significant changes that will be made. And many of those questions are being asked in emerging church circles.

If I’m honest, I’ll tell you that I’m not only emerging from the mainline church, but also from the evangelical church in which I grew up. I was educated in both. They both reside uncomfortably within me. With that perspective, the thought that evangelicalism is more in tune with postmodern culture than mainline denominations is really, really odd.

Evangelicalism is, on the surface, much more culturally flexible. Many evangelical congregations will change their worship style if they know that it will attract more members. They may not like it, but they’ll do it. Since the focus is outward, they easily alter their traditions to the surrounding culture. Their main goal is evangelizing, so they adapt to different advertising techniques, image makeovers, and technological advances. Evangelicals quickly grasp on to trends.

And, most importantly, they plant new churches. They have a deep sense that the best way to reach out to a “different people group” is to start a new congregation.

In comparison, when we talk about planting churches in Presbyterian circles, we instantly point out the failure rate, and argue that it’s a bad investment (as if closing churches, hoarding money, and turning away new leadership is a really great business plan…). Our cultural standards and advertising almost always favor the tastes and preferences of the elderly, and in an established church, any deviation is rare and difficult to pull off. There can be a sense that new generations need to develop an appreciation for our practices, while we have little patience for any adaptation of our traditions.

Yet, I have to say, beyond that surface level, when you scratch just a little bit, the mainline church makes a lot more sense than the evangelical tradition in a postmodern era. That’s why I converted and that’s why I stay.

We have embraced scientific thought, not expecting the newest discoveries to bow and bend to a six-day creation story. We have wrestled with biblical literalism, and taken postmodern insights in hermeneutics seriously. We have questioned theories of atonement for decades. We have upheld the inherent value and equality of women in our homes, workplaces, political arenas, and congregations. We have been engaging in social justice issues, caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, responding to disasters, and helping the homeless. We do not do these things only for Christians or as a manipulative evangelistic tool. But we have also been doing it in the public sphere, working for change in peoples’ lives, because we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of humans, of “the Other.”

Communities that are emerging from the evangelical tradition are beginning to wrestle with many of these things, but they have a lot of work ahead of them before they catch up with the mainlines.

Where does that leave us now? We have a cadre of congregations that have been formed in the mold, tastes, and expectations of fifty years ago. Will we, the mainline church, be able to open ourselves up a bit, and welcome a culture of people who do not long for the 50s or even 60s? Will we be able to welcome the reforming of our sacred traditions in a new culture? Or, will we allow our fears to overwhelm us?

I guess what I’m asking is this: Will we allow our congregational cultures to be as vigorous and engaging as our great academic and theological traditions have been? Will we begin to wrestle with the important questions of planting churches? And will we allow our congregations to be reformed and always reforming?

the photo’s by Diana Pappas

Spiritual Practice? Sure why not! October 3, 2008

Posted by ggbolt16 in Uncategorized.
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Alright so here we go…a little while ago I reposted a post from the PC (USA)’s Swords into Plowshares blog about the spiritual practice of fasting in response to the Global Food Crisis. The post was followed by a story from the Presbyterian News Service with resources for fasting, focused meditation, and a place to sign up.

Last night at our meeting of the Fold, I asked the youth if they would be interested in doing this, there was some positive response. We talked about concerns of growing bodies and minds, we even talked about other things that you could “fast” from other than food.

Which is where this story is going…

Heidi and I have decided to take on this spiritual practice for this year starting this week. Heidi will be giving up food and I will giving up my cell phone, twitter, blogs, facebook, and the overall internet. (I am not fasting from food because I am a Type 1 diabetic.) Actually, it irritates the fire out of me that I can’t do something (or shouldn’t) because of my diabetes. I don’t like when I feel like my body is failing me. That, however, is way off the subject…or at least the original intent of this post.

I know of at least one youth who will giving up XBox for one weekend a month. I feel like these are baby steps, but important ones that could lead to some serious discernment about actually needs for me and some of my youth.

We also agreed that on the weeks of communion (first Sunday of the month for us) that we would come to the early service (9 Am for us) take communion together and then during our Sunday School time (10:45 AM for us) we would share a meal together and talk about our experience. I am looking forward to these discussions and to see where they lead us.

I know that we aren’t really supposed to talk about fasting when we do it, but I would love to be able to share my thoughts and get others thoughts about experiences, discernment, and clarity.

I look forward to this experience…So this weekend Oct. 3-5, I will not be “on the grid”. If I don’t respond to your email, it is because I am intentionally staying away. If I don’t comment on your comment on Facebook it is because I haven’t seen it. If I don’t answer your text it is because my Blackberry is off.

This should be fun…or at least educational and maybe even spiritual.

Join me, join us, let’s see if we can hear God calling us into a transformative way of life.

Blessings,

Greg

Doug Pagitt – Emergent vs. Emerging September 25, 2008

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Ok, so this may be entirely confusing to most who watch. But here is Doug Pagitt, who I greatly admire, and who pastors Solomon’s Porch, where I used to go in Minneapolis.

I appreciate that he notes that he and many emergents never necessarily intended to start emerging churches. He notes that Emergent and Emergence are bigger than the emerging church. Enjoy!

Here is Tony Jones’ two cents… also some good things. I appreciate that these guys are not tied to the terminology and are willing to say something much bigger is taking place.

Probably has something to do with Phyllis Tickle’s new book, The Great Emergence.

An Evening with Becky Garrison of the Wittenburg Door September 3, 2008

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When: Tuesday – September 16th

Where: Paulina Springs Books – Redmond, OR

Time: 6-8:00PM

 

Becky Garrison is Senior Contributing Writer for The Wittenburg Door the nation’s oldest, largest, and only print religious satire magazine. She also regularly contributes to the God’s Politics blog. Identified by Publishers Weekly as one of “Four Evangelicals with Fresh Views.”
 

Recent writing credits include work for The Ooze, Bibal Press, Christian Retailing, Charisma, Stackpole Books and Prism. When she’s not hanging out in a coffee shop or a New York City park working on her laptop, Becky can often be found kayaking, sailing, flyfishing or hiking.

September 2008 Becky Garrison will be featured in the upcoming documentary “The Ordinary Radicals” directed by Jamie Moffett, co-founder of The Simple Way.

Author of:


This book contains 30+ interviews with lay and clergy worship leaders discussing how to reach those for whom church is not in their vocabulary.Subjects interviewed included: Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, Phyllis Tickle, Shane Claiborne, Jonny Baker, Kester Brewin, Peter Rollins, and N.T. Wright, as well as some new voices offering fresh expressions of faith.

 

            

Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church: Eyewitness Accounts of How American Churches are Hijacking Jesus, Bagging the Beatitudes, and Worshipping the Almighty Dollar (Publishers Weekly starred review) In her singular, smart-alecky tone, religious satirist Becky Garrison takes aim at the battles between the warring political factions in America’s churches and illuminates both the plank in the Religious Right’s eye as well as the speck that blinds the Progressive Left.   

 

A challenge has been issued on matters of faith and Becky Garrison meets it head on in this witty yet poignant answer to the Anti-God gurus Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett.
       Becky Garrison, religious satirist, is taking a stand. Where most Christians assume the character of the Cowardly Lion chanting, “I do believe, I do believe, I do believe,” Garrison refuses to simply just thrust tracts at these self-proclaimed infidels.
       Instead, Garrison steels her pen and takes on the ungodly program of the New Atheists, skewering each argument with her sharp satiric wit. Garrison turns aside the atheists’ assault without ignoring its real criticisms, namely, the church’s inadequate response to war, evolution, medical ethics, social justice, and other important issues in the post-9/11 world.

 

Garrison was born in Hartsville, South Carolina, where her father, the late Rev. Dr. Karl Claudius Garrison, Jr., a civil rights activist, Episcopal priest and college professor was serving as rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Harstsville, SC. Her mother, Nancy Little Garrison was a direct descendant of Roger Williams, founder of the state of Rhode Island and John Howland, John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, three passengers aboard The Mayflower.

She is author of The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail (Thomas Nelson, January 2008), Rising from the Ashes: Rethinking Church (Seabury Books, 2007), and Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church (Jossey Bass, 2006). Currently, is the Senior Contributing Write for The Wittenburg Door. Also, she blogs on the God’s Politics blog and The Ooze, as well as freelancing for other publications.

The Becky Garrison Official Forum was set up by the Internet Book Database in October 2006. Garrison has spoken at Greenbelt [1] and Soularize[2], and will be featured in the upcoming documentary “The Ordinary Radicals [3].”

Upcoming books: You’ll have to come to Paulina Springs Books in Redmond and ask Becky about them.