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11/22/2002 Entry: ""
Gutless Pacificist has been asking interesting questions again:
How do you, as a pacifist (or not) view the sacrifice of Christ. Was it the ultimate act of passive aggression. Was it peace, lived out in the flesh carried to its ultimate conclusion?Or, was it the ultimate frontal assault on the forces of evil. Was it a violent attack, a physical act that affected a spiritual war?Was it both? Neither?And if Jesus’ death was a physical battle in a spiritual war; would that not open up the theological possibility that we could wage war in the physical realms and thereby affect spiritual battles?Worth an essay in response, but I don't run to essays so a sentence or two will have to suffice. For me the death of Christ is God's ultimate expression of his power: evil is overcome with self-offering. It is a physical assault in the spiritual struggle, but I wouldn't want to conclude that "we could wage war in the physical realms and thereby affect spiritual battles". Rather, it is the opening up of a path and a call to follow. It isn't an easy journey, but it's the only way to resurrection. Remember that Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth and the life."
Cruciform Chronicle makes a heartfelt plea for more thoughtful debate and discussion between Christians:
Ignorance, disinterest, complacency, all of these things, when it comes to theological discussions, issues, and ideas all stem from fear. The Church, last I checked, is a community of peace and love, which drive out fear. Fear has no place. We fear of being wrong. We fear of having our ideas discredited. We fear that the passion in a brother's or sister's voice is directed at us personally. We fear that we can't think, or be who we are with other Christians. It's time to put an end to all this. Put fear aside, and pick up a book, start doing some thinking, and the next time you're with some fellow Christians, start a meaningful conversation on the ways of God.Do I hear an Amen! from the back?
Replies:
Thanks for the link-up.
I too read Hauerwas. I have thought about going to Duke Div. just to meet the guy! Hahaha...but I'm content to simply read. Perhaps in the future I will get to hear him speak, or perhaps meet him.
Though he may not always fully explain things, or develop his ideas, he offers a wonderful starting point for the rest of us to work out the implications of his thoughts, arguments and ideas.
I'll be linking up to grey matter soon, as I have gutless pacifist. Easily, these are going to become my favorite theology blogs!
Peace and grace!
Posted by Bible Geek @ 11/22/2002 04:44 PM CST
Amen! (from the back cause I am a Methodist...)
I recently heard Stanley Hauerwas in person-- he was speaking on inter-faith dialogue and the fear that some Christians have in entering in to dialogue with others. He mentioned that he hated it when groups asked his opinion on how to start interfaith dialogue. He said, 'Someone will ask me, how do you approach Hindus for dialogue. My response is always the same - you assume Hindus want to dialogue with you.' He says at least Hindus are interesting. What in the world will Hindus find interesting about the christians? American Christians might be able to teach them how to shop.. but maybe not much else.
I think the fear that exists in me -- is that - me, the church I serve, the faith I belong to is yielding the theological field. We are forgetting what makes us interesting. We are becoming boring.
Lord, save us from our boring selves...
Posted by Pen @ 11/22/2002 05:18 AM CST
