Following on from 5 things I am not, here are seven things I am.
1) I am a believer in the centrality of Jesus in understanding all Scripture, both the New and Old Testament. Jesus is the lens through which we interpret all the history, the laws, the prophetic writings, the wisdom literature, the apocalyptic literature and the letters that make up the Bible. He is also the fulfillment of Scripture, and history centers on Him, not on me or on particular nations or kingdoms.
2) I am more interested in the kingdom of God than in heaven and hell and who goes where. Seems to me that Jesus emphasised the kingdom much more than heaven and hell, and as his ambassadors we should keep the same focus in our theology, teaching, preaching, sharing Jesus, training, discipleship, and daily walk.
3) I love church and am commited to it insofar as it is an appropriate wineskin for the pouring in and out of the kingdom of Jesus. When the wineskin becomes more of a focus than the wine, I begin to get impatient with it. Church traditions, structure and politics are far less important to me than the invitation to enter the kingdom of heaven that is "at hand" in the person and presence of Jesus.
4) I am a questioner. I am never happy until I know the answer to the question "Why?" I have been labelled "the devil's advocate" in team building exercises- the person who has to question everything. To me, unthinking Christianity is unthinkable!
5) I am an avid reader, but tend to be a "dipper" unless something really grips me, in which case I stick with it. Sticky books for me recently have included "Jesus for President" (Shane Claiborne), "Jesus wants to Save Christians" (Rob Bell), "The Shack" (William P. Young), "Surprised By Hope" (Tom Wright), "Christianity Rediscovered" (Vincent J.Donovan), "The Divine Conspiracy" (Dallas Willard), and others. The book (other than the Bible) I blame most for the shape of my life is "The Mustard Seed Conspiracy" by Tom Sine. Much of my thinking is shaped by my reading.
6) I know that I do not know much about anything. What I do know is distorted by my cultural assumptions and perspectives. As Paul said, I only see through a glass darkly- but there will be a day when I see face to face! Therefore I am trying to be humble about my understanding of the ways of God, while passionately believing them until a more compelling alternative appears! In other words, my theology is on a journey, and I hope it never stops being so, as on that day I will be dead! I am committed to exposing my own cultural blindspots wherever possible, while also wishing to see culturally accessible expressions of God's love and His kingdom sprouting up all over the place.
7) I am a prenuptial Christian... Sorry, the next blog will explain!
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Saturday, 21 February 2009
5 things I am not.
Sometimes, in defining who or what we are, it is useful to define who or what we are not. Currently, many Facebook users are writing 25 interesting things about themselves. Well, I only want to write 5 things, so here goes.
1) I am not a qualified bible scholar- I have no formal qualifications in theology, I have never be to Bible College, I have no credits in christology, ecclesiology, hamartiology, psychology, pneumatology, eschatology, or any other -ologies.
2) I am not always a logically consistent thinker. I often hold a view, then change or forget why I held that view in the first place. I need to keep revisiting my beliefs in order to remember what they are!
3) I am not a creative thinker. Probably all that I think has been better said by someone else, and certainly better lived!
4) I am not confident that my views are important, or even necessarily correct. Strongly opinionated people threaten me. Sitting on the fence is sometimes quite comfortable!
5) I am not deeply spiritual; my prayer life is often piecemeal; fasting is usually a chore, and not a delight; worship often leaves me wondering if the time could be better spent; much of my life is spent worrying; and I'm not too good at consistently loving people.
After reading that, I'd be surprised if anyone would like to journey with me. After all, it's the spiritual giants, the creative worshippers, the erudite theologians, the certain, confident saints, that we all love to associate with. However, if you recognise a little of yourself in the above, maybe, just maybe, you'd like to journey with an ordinary person, like spiritual hobbits on an impossible quest!
1) I am not a qualified bible scholar- I have no formal qualifications in theology, I have never be to Bible College, I have no credits in christology, ecclesiology, hamartiology, psychology, pneumatology, eschatology, or any other -ologies.
2) I am not always a logically consistent thinker. I often hold a view, then change or forget why I held that view in the first place. I need to keep revisiting my beliefs in order to remember what they are!
3) I am not a creative thinker. Probably all that I think has been better said by someone else, and certainly better lived!
4) I am not confident that my views are important, or even necessarily correct. Strongly opinionated people threaten me. Sitting on the fence is sometimes quite comfortable!
5) I am not deeply spiritual; my prayer life is often piecemeal; fasting is usually a chore, and not a delight; worship often leaves me wondering if the time could be better spent; much of my life is spent worrying; and I'm not too good at consistently loving people.
After reading that, I'd be surprised if anyone would like to journey with me. After all, it's the spiritual giants, the creative worshippers, the erudite theologians, the certain, confident saints, that we all love to associate with. However, if you recognise a little of yourself in the above, maybe, just maybe, you'd like to journey with an ordinary person, like spiritual hobbits on an impossible quest!
Monday, 16 February 2009
Why Overlap?
As in all journeys, it is good to know your companions. Please checkout my profile- I'm sure you will get to know me more as I blog further. Just one thing- although some of the discussion may seem theoretical at times, please understand that I am trying to be a practitioner, not a theoretician.
Here's looking forward to the journey!
Richard G
Hi! Thanks for checking in! As you can see, this blog is entitled "Overlap"- but why?
Well, one definition of overlap is : "to coincide in part with; have in common with". As a follower of Jesus I believe that we are living right now in one such overlap. We live between two kingdoms, two ages. In many ways these kingdoms or ages don't seem to have a lot in common- the kings are different, the ages are now and to come (but coming already!)- but there is an overlap. That overlap is us, both in community and individually. The kingdoms have us in common, and each is vying for our allegience, our attention, our devotion. Which shall we serve?
This blog is an imperfect attempt to explore how we live in the overlap of the two kingdoms. Ever since I heard about the kingdom of God, I have wanted to learn what it is to live there while living here! I have wanted to understand how I can stay in the overlap, not withdrawing into one kingdom and ignoring the other; how to bring the influence of the kingdom of God (or of Jesus, or of heaven ) into the other; and how to not be overly influenced by the other while doing so.
Along the journey of exploration, I have taken many detours, found frequent dead ends, and needed to backtrack many times. The journey has always been easier with others, hence the reason for this blog. Although I will be using this blog as an e-journal, all are invited to scribble in the margins, to jot timely reminders, and to contribute as we journey together.
As in all journeys, it is good to know your companions. Please checkout my profile- I'm sure you will get to know me more as I blog further. Just one thing- although some of the discussion may seem theoretical at times, please understand that I am trying to be a practitioner, not a theoretician.
Here's looking forward to the journey!
Richard G
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