(I will not spoil the movie for us). In the new Indiana Jones movie there is a connection to the story in Genesis 3 about the quest for knowledge. In Genesis 3 as Adam and Eve were making their way through the garden, a serpent comes to them and encourages them to eat of the fruit from the forbidden tree. The serpent, drawing from earlier in the text, points to the "tree of knowledge of good and evil." I think you know the rest of the story as they eat of the fruit, their eyes are opened and we come to know this as the first sin. This is where the concept of Original Sin draws its roots.
We define sin as anything that stands in the way of our journey with God. The serpent's temptation in the Genesis story is that if you eat of this fruit of knowledge then your eyes would be opened, "and you will be like God." That is the nature of corporate advertising , encouraging us to buy certain products and we too can be a God. But why is the knowledge of good and evil a sin? Isn't that how we are to discern between the choices in our lives as we follow God knowing what is good and what is evil? The quest for knowledge can bring us to death?
I am interested in your thoughts, O Learned People!
May 29, 2008
May 28, 2008
A Question of Risk
Here is a scenario for discussion:
Last night at our Young Adults group we talked about the scripture in Matthew 14 when Jesus comes to the disciples walking on water. In the scripture, Peter asks Jesus to command him to come out of the boat and come to him. He does and Peter starts to walk on water only to start sinking when he takes his eyes off of Jesus. We talked about trust and suggested that Peter trusted Jesus, but he did not trust himself.
John Ortberg, author of the book, If You Want to Walk On Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat, suggests that the worst failure in this story is to never get out of the boat. Peter tends to get bad publicity for sinking, but we have to remember that the other 11 disciples did not bother to get out of the boat.
I am struggling with this idea of the other eleven/risk/trust. Here is my question:
Do those who take risks in their lives and faith show more trust in themselves or more trust in others? Where does community play a part? How does control fit in to this picture?
Last night at our Young Adults group we talked about the scripture in Matthew 14 when Jesus comes to the disciples walking on water. In the scripture, Peter asks Jesus to command him to come out of the boat and come to him. He does and Peter starts to walk on water only to start sinking when he takes his eyes off of Jesus. We talked about trust and suggested that Peter trusted Jesus, but he did not trust himself.
John Ortberg, author of the book, If You Want to Walk On Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat, suggests that the worst failure in this story is to never get out of the boat. Peter tends to get bad publicity for sinking, but we have to remember that the other 11 disciples did not bother to get out of the boat.
I am struggling with this idea of the other eleven/risk/trust. Here is my question:
Do those who take risks in their lives and faith show more trust in themselves or more trust in others? Where does community play a part? How does control fit in to this picture?
May 27, 2008
Greener Pastures
I was taking a friend to the airport today. My friend is flying to Ireland for a week and the first time visit that will include a hotel room along the Liffey River in Dublin and a view of one of the historic castles. My view of Ireland is one of rolling green fields, castles, history, U2, and people with great accents. My only ventures out of the country have been to a dusty Juarez and an accidental journey into Canada (we took a wrong turn in northern Montana and ended up at a Canadian Methodist Church). Though if you were to ask me about a dream trip, Europe would be at the top of the list as perhaps my view of many of the western world countries is rather romanticized. To be in a place of such long history, beautiful mountains, quaint villages, and great food would fulfill a long lasting dream for me.
As I drove away from the airport, filled with envy, I kept wondering, "Do people in Ireland, Germany, Italy, etc, have that same desire about America as I do about their countries?" Do they have a romanticized view of America as I do of their country?
Many times I find myself looking at other occupations, places, lives, with the assumption that the grass is always greener on the other side. But when we dig deep, we find that we are all not as different as we think we are. Every country, person, occupation, etc, has its obstacles. The key is realizing that the green pastures of ministry in Illinois are just as green as those in Ireland and these green pastures is where God wants me right now.
Maybe someday I could at least see that side of life with my own eyes ...
As I drove away from the airport, filled with envy, I kept wondering, "Do people in Ireland, Germany, Italy, etc, have that same desire about America as I do about their countries?" Do they have a romanticized view of America as I do of their country?
Many times I find myself looking at other occupations, places, lives, with the assumption that the grass is always greener on the other side. But when we dig deep, we find that we are all not as different as we think we are. Every country, person, occupation, etc, has its obstacles. The key is realizing that the green pastures of ministry in Illinois are just as green as those in Ireland and these green pastures is where God wants me right now.
Maybe someday I could at least see that side of life with my own eyes ...
May 26, 2008
Lost child
Yesterday as we walked through the grocery store, I found it my duty to torment Andrew to no end. Whenever he'd ask for something, I would say, "Little boy, why don't you go ask your father?" Or occasionally, I would look at him and say, "Who are you?" At one point as we were standing in the isle, I looked at this young couple and I said, "Excuse me, ma'am. Is this your son?" Andrew's face and ears grew red in embarrassment although I will say he kept his smile.
A friend of mine this week told me about his son who has decided to go his own way. Although he is active in the church, his son has never embraced that kind of faith. But not only has his son rejected any kind of institutional faith, he has also rejected his opportunities for education and is drawing away from his family.
There are way too many causes for brokenness in family relationships. There are many teenagers who tend to go through that stage of rebellion although in reality, they are discovering their own independence in trying to chart a course in life that they can claim as their own. What is unfortunate is that many rebellious young adults fail to realize the depth of love that their parents have for them. I may joke with Andrew about asking who his father is, but I pray that he knows the depth of love that I hold for him.
Luke, chapter 15, tells the story of the prodigal son and although there is a happy ending, with the son returning to his father, what is obvious is that whether that son came back or not - the father never lost love. And however long it may have been between the time the son declared his father dead and his return, his father was willing to let go so that his son could figure it out for himself.
A friend of mine this week told me about his son who has decided to go his own way. Although he is active in the church, his son has never embraced that kind of faith. But not only has his son rejected any kind of institutional faith, he has also rejected his opportunities for education and is drawing away from his family.
There are way too many causes for brokenness in family relationships. There are many teenagers who tend to go through that stage of rebellion although in reality, they are discovering their own independence in trying to chart a course in life that they can claim as their own. What is unfortunate is that many rebellious young adults fail to realize the depth of love that their parents have for them. I may joke with Andrew about asking who his father is, but I pray that he knows the depth of love that I hold for him.
Luke, chapter 15, tells the story of the prodigal son and although there is a happy ending, with the son returning to his father, what is obvious is that whether that son came back or not - the father never lost love. And however long it may have been between the time the son declared his father dead and his return, his father was willing to let go so that his son could figure it out for himself.
May 24, 2008
The Trouble With Jesus
I have been speaking on The Trouble with Jesus at fusion these last two weeks addressing some rather difficult things to hear or diving in to look at some texts that might have a little more meaning behind the text. Last week we looked at the call to be "witnesses to the ends of the earth." This week, we are looking at Jesus' suggestion to "not worry about your life."
Yet, one of the texts I have been reflecting on, yet did not speak on is found in Luke 4. With people pressing on him for healing and attention and teaching, Jesus up and leaves saying that he must go on to other towns now, (Luke 4:40-44). I am doubtful that he met everyone's needs, but with these people crying out to him and seeking him out he walks away. How does he look into these people's faces and walk away?
Rob Bell, my favorite post-modern theologian, suggests this about Jesus, "He is the only one who does not have a savior complex." Jesus knew his limitations and understood the rhythm of life that requires rest when we are weary or knows when to be about the business of the day. If he were to fulfill his mission, he had to know that rhythm.
Preventing our own burnout isn't really about just saying "no," but it is also being able to be in this for the long haul whatever your "this" may be. If I want to be an effective pastor at 65, I need to be clear at 32 what I can or can't do now. But if that mission is strong in us ... we can persevere.
Yet, one of the texts I have been reflecting on, yet did not speak on is found in Luke 4. With people pressing on him for healing and attention and teaching, Jesus up and leaves saying that he must go on to other towns now, (Luke 4:40-44). I am doubtful that he met everyone's needs, but with these people crying out to him and seeking him out he walks away. How does he look into these people's faces and walk away?
Rob Bell, my favorite post-modern theologian, suggests this about Jesus, "He is the only one who does not have a savior complex." Jesus knew his limitations and understood the rhythm of life that requires rest when we are weary or knows when to be about the business of the day. If he were to fulfill his mission, he had to know that rhythm.
Preventing our own burnout isn't really about just saying "no," but it is also being able to be in this for the long haul whatever your "this" may be. If I want to be an effective pastor at 65, I need to be clear at 32 what I can or can't do now. But if that mission is strong in us ... we can persevere.
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