Currently Reading The Prophetic Imagination By Walter Brueggemann see related

Iraq and anthropology?

Could it be that America (as a corporate entity) has mistaken what exactly it was getting into in Iraq?  The obvious answer in my opinion is ---Yes.  Not that is a new revelation to me.  Active peacemaking and working in all things for peace has always been my understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  My father's and grandfather's words on their experiences in war also weigh heavily on my mind.  This has been my position from day one.

But outside of the question of peace vs. just-war (the question is when has a group after evaluating a proposed military engagement decided that war was not indeed just) is the question of culture.  America is by every meaning of the term, and Enlightenment driven nation.  We have bi/tri/quatri/quntri/etc-furcated our lives.  We can separate our faith (the totality thereof), and our politics, our morals, our science, of private vs our social lives.  Our lives are literally divided into a hundred mostly unrelated pieces.  We are a schitzophrenic people.  We can speak of wanting to be whole, but we are far from it.  Our nation (do not hear me hating on America, as I owe most of my existence and enculteration to it) went to war of politics and 'terrorism.' 

But how does the Iraqi worldview function?

Iraq works, as anthropologists affirm, a traditional culture.  It is wholistic.  Religion is directly and intimately tied to family, morals, social responsibilities, cooking, conversation, clothing, language, ritual, pattern, and thought.  They have a culture (best understood as a system for living that is mostly coherent and assists each member therein with living.  It takes in anomalies and interprets them in its own system) that must be respected.  They have a culture that is radically different from others.

So when the US goes to war over a political issues, the Iraqi sees an assault on their whole world (culture) - politics, faith, family, etc.  Whether we agree with the war or not, the US has made a mistake in the way it has been handled and the political systems that has been established.  For a cultural system that demands first and foremost submission to Allah (see the meaning of the world Islam), and then a largely hierarchial societal system that runs from top down to have a new system forced upon them is to not force one cultural anomaly onto a new people.  It is to force their culture not to adapt to one idea, but to adapt to religious, political, social, familial, and moral anomalies that a citizen of the US would not even think of (we have a different cultural knowledge). 

If one would respond that the Iraqis, or most of them at least, are excited about democracy - we need to question whether they are excited about it or about no more people like Saddam.

The Western world has moved through similar cultural patterns as those that now exist in the so-called Middle East.  We have had kings, and autocrats, and dictators.  And had them recently - Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Henry VIII, Napoleon, etc., etc.  If it would have been suggested that the kings not be kings anymore, or that the system was not ordained by God by an outsider, those worlds would have rebeled violently.  We do we patronize others?  Why do we seek to enforce and dictate from the outside?  Because we are ethnocentric, especially me!

So if anyone who actually reads this mess has contacts to the government or desires to go into governmental work:  please study before you act.  Learn about other cultures and FROM them before we seek to change.  A small change in language can send ripples throughout the world.  Don't believe me?  Look at the anomaly Luther encountered.  Look at his running into being told to love God who was purely just and who could love none but the just.  That was a cultural anomaly - the culture could not account for that tension to Luther's liking.  He then found within his existing cultural heritage (in his case the Bible) the language to solve that anomaly, and correspondingly experienced "justification by grace alone through faith alone."  This single 'finding,' this single divinely lead solving of a cultural anomaly led him to question every religious, political, and social institution, and eventually sent into the world a new type of Christian.

Study.  Care enough about your call (if you know Christ) to treat each person and nation as being declared by the crucifixion as worthy.  Treat people and what is theirs (even if, and perhaps even more so if you disagree with it) as if they are better than us (Phil 2, just maybe?).  Let us pick out the log from our eyes, and then be humble enough be willing to learn about and from others.

The world needs people who will do this.  The country we live IN needs us to do this, or else we aren't being salt.  Cultural learning would have avoided many of the problems we have encountered in Iraq.

May our call weigh heavy on us.  May it seep into every aspect of our lives, and may we respond with the diligence Christ is due.

Currently Reading Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context By Stanley J. Grenz, John R. Franke see related

Orthopraxis

“I am not so concerned with the word that will remain always correct but much rather with the apt word for here and now; not so concerned with correct but more with concrete doctrine; and thus not concerned with pure theory but with practical theory.”[i]

I wish we all were concerned with the same thing!

Currently Reading God for a Secular Society: The Public Relevance of Theology By Jurgen Moltmann see related

Tomorrow...and Tomorrow...and Tomorrow

Tomorrow...and tomorrow...and tomorrow.  Thus life creeps on in an unmitigated way until we are eaten by time, until our bodies have been ravaged, until our minds our bent.  We scurry through life and we "succeed," or "impress," or we become "holy."  And despite our scurrying like a rat in a wheel, time moves...into tomorrow, into tomorrow, and into tomorrow.  Our lives pass us by.

As I have grown  older (and I am by no stretch of the meaning of the world old) I have come to appreciate the wisdom of Koheleth, the teacher of Ecclesiastes, come and more.  He speaks of the ultimately unintelligible design of nature.  The pattern of God's design, or possible lack their of, is beyond him (and us by the way).  Life runs in cycles and we can't understand its exact running:  death, birth, war, peace - these are not good or bad things in his thought - but inexorable facts.  We have little to no control of when these seasons exist.  Nor do our attempts always go as we would like (or never.  I guess that will depend on who you are).  Being wise earns the wise the same reward as foolishness earns the fool.  Holiness earns the holy the same reward as the 'sinner.'  All of this is like trying to catch an evanescent vapor, to cup steam in our hands.

The entire work screams in the face of both a biblical idea of retributive justice (the good are rewarded, the bad are punished) and a certain version of Christianity today (which is not my concern, simply an interesting side not...that ones for free).  The work screams...we can't know!  Now, you might say but God's plan is good...God works all things...yes, yes...but the book says we can't know that, and life as we experience is often absurd.  (Whether you believe God has foreordained and predestined every event, or that God's knowledge remains in the realm of the possible or probable until it is actualized...I don't care).  Life as we experience is often incomprehensible.

However, the work is amazing that despite life's waywardness, Koheleth seems to find a peace and something like joy.  What do you do in the face of a confounding life?  You eat, drink, and be merry.  You are faithful to what has been laid before you; family, work, life.  You find joy in being faithful in your toil (a word that appears almost as often as vanity in Ecclesiastes).  Find the golden mean of life...don't be too holy (don't live to make others think you are holy), or too licentious (that gets you in all kind of trouble too).  Don't spend all your life slaving at work to get ahead; do your best then go home and enjoy your family. 

There might be something to that.  There might be something to finding joy in the simple things instead of buying into a system that says succeed -earn perfect grades, have a perfect body, be the perfect mate, be the perfect parent.   All of those things are impossible.  Live and live well, have families and love them, work and work hard, but in all that simply live.  Simply be faithful.

There might be something to that.  Its been to long since I posted and I wanted to say something.  Chalk this up to a commingling of a class assignment and an existential and epicurean itch.

P.S.  Guy Fawkes...that is for you Cliff

May we all find the grace to simply life faithfully and find joy in our toil.

Grace and peace.

Currently Listening American V: A Hundred Highways By Johnny Cash If You Could Read My Mind see related

Why am I the One Blessed?

I had an amazing and humbling experience a couple days ago.

 Three days ago was the first that Waco received rain in at least two months.  I decided to go out and admire and  the freshness of the newly cleansed world.  As I traveled I thought thoughts of new and creative life and smelled the freshness (I don't smell anything most of the time, as my nose was crushed while doing martial arts at the age of sixteen).  I was in newness, life, love.  I was lost for once, not in endless theology but just in feeling the the earth reverberate some eternal harmony, that we rarely get to hear. The leaves sang in brilliant greens, the limbs creaked as they were weighed down with healthy wetness, and into a void of sound, into dreariness and recent death sang new life.  I was enraptured, lost in undeserved grace.  As I walked from Truett to a local coffee house to meet a buddy from church to plan an alternate worship service I ran into a married couple. 

   I cant remember meeting a couple (at least recently) that seemed so happy to meet new people.  They were Wacoans (such an odd word, but it fits an odd place), and apparently had called the city home for quite a while.  As I walked towards them, or better almost stumbled over them, they politely said "Hi."  Apparently I had been doing my best Albert Einstein, "Sorry I have forgotten how to be human," thing again.  I nearly tripped over them.  I had become transfixed again (I really need help with that).  Anyway, they introduced themselves as Doug and Marie, I said "Uhhh...oh, yeah...I am Chris," and they asked if I was busy. 

I had some time to spare and lack most social boundaries, so we talked and walk (away from the coffee shop) for a while.  I really wanted some coffee.  Oh well,  I must admit, I think they thought I was funny looking.  They seemed slightly amused by my overly-high pho-hawk, dilapidated sandals and jacket warn in such warm weather (it is a prophetic act, dang it.  I am declaring God's upcoming changing of the seasons), but seemed delighted to make a new friend. 

We made some small talk about the whether, and Doug, who could not have been over 5'2" looked up at me (which never happens) through his coke-bottle thick glass lenses, and said, "I loved it.  God's trees and grass needed the rain so badly."  It is probably at this point that I should mention that it was obvious that they were homeless, and right before Doug's statement about loving the rain, he had mentioned their status and the fact that they had been stuck in the rain.  They were still soaked!!  Again, I missed the obvious.  So goes my life.

We walked on a bit and they told me their story.  It was legitimately sad.  If you are thinking at this point that I should question the honesty of that story, you could not be more wrong.  Speculation about how true or false it may be is not my concern, nor is it my call to question.  We just talked and walked, exchanging tidbits of nothing, but enjoying each other's company.  Their smiles were infectious.  Absolutely infectious.

I had been so internally concerned since Dr. Foster passed away that the only I legitimately worthwhile conversation I have had was with my wife (not that having conversations with Natalie is bad...oh, darn it.  Let me pull my foot out of my mouth again).  I had been enraptured rain inspired song of new life, but now I was enlived by the smile of Marie and Doug.  We decided to get some grub and kept walking towards Subway.  They asked me what I did, if I was a student, did I have a girl?  I answered that "I did nothing worthwhile, was indeed a student, and had an darling wife that makes me a better person.  They smiled again, and my heart finally joined the symphony of new life that was going on around me.

We tried to cross the street, but were almost hit by several Baylor students. (Just incase a politician is reading this - take every Baylor student's drivers license.  It is for the betterment of humanity).  Finally I had enough and ran into the middle of the street and flung my arms wide in the direction of the oncoming, two way traffic.  I felt like a two year old, who has stormed into the middle of an adult's party and demanded attention.  It was awesome.  I recommend coming to Waco, if only to back up Baylor traffic.

I ran in grabbed some Subway for them, which was exceedingly hard, as I am trying to give up meat products.  I managed to survive the trial and left the restaurant one meatball sub, one roast beef sub, two sodas, two bags of chips, and one great temptation richer.   We divide up the spoils and chit-chatted a bit more.  They thanked me profusely, so much so that I blushed a bit.  I still don't handle praise well.  Despite the fun we were having, I had to get to my meeting, so I promised Marie and Doug that Natalie and I would pray for them. 

They did not let me get away with that easily though.  They thanked me, smiled again, and then asked me if I had any need.  I told them about Natalie's upcoming interview which is making her nervous (although she will certainly get accepted into the PA program), and that she just needs to relax and enjoy the process.  They said, "We will pray for her."  I said, "Thank you so much.  It was great to have met you.  Have a good..."  Marie and Doug, in unison said, "But what about you?  What can we pray for you about?" 

"Dang it."  I didn't want to ask for anything, but they had made my day.  "I just need rest.  Pray I get a nap."  Naps seem to be the one thing I ask for the most now (maybe I am reverting to childhood.  If so I need more Graham Crackers!!!!!).  They replied, "Absolutely.  Rest always makes life better.  Anything else?"  "No.  I think just a nap."

"It was great to have met you Chris."  "Ya'll too," was all I could say.  Their parting "Chris we will be praying for you, thanks again," followed me as I turned and resumed my walk towards the coffee house.

How is it that I was given a chance to help?  How is it that I had the opportunity to spend a little pocket change on a soaked but awfully alive couple?  But not even that, How is it I was the one who was blessed (and most definitely humbled)?  The answer to the second question is obvious.  But the answer to the first is possibly more obvious.

I was allowed to meet a couple who could talk about the rain as the need of "God's trees and grass ," and smile as that same rain dripped off Doug's hat and Marie's hair.  I was allowed to see smiles and laugh from God's beloved children, and in their eyes to see the Cosmic Christ.  In their lack of concern for social consciousness and willingness to share their stories and lives with a goofy, some times overly cool, theology obsessed twenty-something, I saw the Everlasting's condescension to a broken world.  In their unwillingness to let me slip away without telling the exactly what I needed prayer for, I saw the Father's unwillingness not to go out each day and look for the prodigal.  I saw true beauty and true life.  I was crushed by a song of love that I did not feel I deserved to be part of.  I gave $10.50 and 15-20 minutes of my time, they gave me life.  They blessed me.  When we give, and we always should give (please stop misquoting Paul!!!), even if all we have is time (which is worth far more than money), we are not the blessors, we are the blessed.  I was blessed and humbled.  I can smile again.

Currently Reading Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities By Roger E. Olson see related

Truth

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. - Soren Kierkegaard.

I have been struck by the radical nature of truth recently.  Not absolute truth because that is 1) like saying wet water, 2) an idea too often used by those in power to control those without power; but simply truth.  I am guilty of misrepresentation (and would guess each person that reads this is as well, but each person who does may be a better person than I).  We, if I may be so bold as to include others, who follow Christ do this on a regular basis.  You can say Christian, Christ-follower, disciple, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Reformed, Anglican, etc., etc., it does not matter, we all hide from the truth.

We hide our brokenness and pretend to be strong.  We hide our sins and pretend to be saints.  We hide our saintliness and pretend to be pure sinners.  We hide from the truth.  We hide from pain, tragedy and struggle with the, "I am blessed, and how are you?"  We refuse to admit pain, defeat, loss...and this effects everything we do.  We sing happy and triumphant songs/hymns, and say this is because Christ calls us to triumphant living.  Really?  Is that the image of Christ's life?  Not no, but hell no. 

Christ live and truly lived, but part of that true life was true pain.  He experienced the wholeness of life.  In his friendships, loves, and service to others Christ rejoiced.  In the struggles and pains of life he wept and grieved.  We tend to be great about the rejoicing, but lousy at the later.  We talk about seeing life as half-full and looking at things from a positive perspective, but I believe that most of that talk is a refusal to acknowledge the truth, that some times life is half-empty, or totally empty. 

Perhaps the most radical thing we can do is to be fully truthful.  Life is an amazing, graced gift from God.  However, sometimes that gift is ripped apart by death, hate, schism, malice, war, divorce, racism, sexism, greed, and violence.  The church must stand in the truth, in its ministry, proclamation, corporate, and individual living.  Let us sing songs of Lament when our congregations are hurting, when the world seems to be destroying itself, when war ravages the innocent.  (I think there is good biblical precedent for this, oh what is the book's name...oh yeah Lamentations) When the rest of the world seeks to ignore the hurts of the world and life, or when it refuses to see the beauty in the face of an enemy we must speak truth. 

Sometimes the glass is full, or half-full.  Sometimes the glass is half-empty.  But that does not mean we don't love the glass.  Life is a eucatastrophe.  It is both exhilarating and draining.  Enjoyable but damnable.  Graced but abandoned.  Accepted and rejected.  A great man has said, "Life is most definitely a gift."  He meant all of it.  The joys and the pains.  Let us not deny the fullness of life, let us by the grace and power of Christ experience all of it with reckless abandon.

May we cry tears of pain, healing, lament, and celebration.  May we be the power of Christ speak the truth with our mouths and lives.  May we live lives that testify to the wholeness of truth that Christ has called us to.  May we embrace lives that move constantly from half-empty to half-full. May we life lives that bespeak of the eucatastrophe of sinner-saints, dirty covered folks encircled by the undeserved cleanness of Christ.

Grace and peace.