A Different Story Frame

According to Brian McLaren there are at least 7 story frames  - in the way we relate to the Other.

Domination (classic imperialist Us over Them mentality)
Revolution (Us overthrowing domination of them)
Purification (Us eliminating Them)
Assimilation (Us converting Them to us)
Competition (Us competing with Them - seeing the other as rival)
Victimization (Us oppressed by Them - survival is our primary goal)
Insolation (Us apart from Them - separation and avoidance of them)

All of the above ways of relating to the other are not ideal (to say the least) and dangerous to humanity. In my humble opinion these story frames are not what followers of Jesus should entertain - though unfortunately we have many examples to the contraire.

McLaren looks at Genesis and the story of God's calling of Abraham as a model of how we should relate to the Other.
Ina nutshell God called Abraham with a strong identity - his greatness and strength was given for the sake of the Other(s); all the nations on the earth will be blessed through him.
Called to the Other for the sake of the Other.
Called to join God in healing a world torn by human hostility.

CRIS

Brian McLaren speaks about CRIS in his book - "Why Jesus,Moses..." this is an acronym for Conflicted Religious Identity Syndrom - by this he means those things we don't want to associate with in our particular faith tradition. Those elements that we are in conflict with.
Maybe we can all relate to this. Personally I went through this and still am to a certain extent,  where I didn't want to be associated with Evangelicalism - due to some of the associations with US right leaning politics, narrow ideas about salvation and who's 'in' and who's 'out', a fundamentalist 'literalist' understanding of scripture, and so on.

Chagall at Roubaix

There's an excellent expo of Marc Chagall at the Piscine at Roubaix near Lille.
There are many of his paintings, drawings and sculptures.
It's worth a visit.

SatMix - I buy, therefore I am

Looking forward to next SatMix - the theme -I buy therefore I am - exploring how advertising and consumerism effects our identity...

The Need of a Common Enemy

Give people a common enemy, and you will give them a common identity. Deprive them and you will deprive them of the crutch by which they know who they are.
James Alison

A quote quoted by Brian McLaren in his book Why did Jesus, the Buddha and Mohammed cross the road?  I love the title. Why an earth would they cross the road? The subtitle of the book is 'Christian Identity in a Multi-faith World'.

I've just started reading the book (only read the 1st chapter). McLaren encourages us to seek the common good in our communities and as Christians not to deny our identity as Jesus followers - but to be strong in our faith and to be kind (hospitable, benevolent, interesting and loving) to those around us.

The quote from James Alison is pertinent. A common enemy will give us a common identity. In the time of the Crusades - Christians united in their bloody and blinded opposition to Muslims and Jews. These common enemies reinforced their cultural and religious identity.

We do not need an enemy as a crutch by which we know ourselves. Jesus exhorted us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Now that's tough. But who said following Jesus was easy?
Jesus was all inclusive. He embraced the zealot revolutionary, he befriended the collaborator, he showed mercy and forgiveness to the outsider.

We are called to follow Him.
To love God and our neighbour.

The Rapture Exposed

The Rapture Exposed is a paper back written by Evangelical Lutheran Pastor Babara Rossing.

It's easy reading and a well explains the many flaws in the relatively recent heresy (170 years ago - compared with 2000 years of Christianity) - The Rapture. A doctrine invented by Darby.

As a child and early teenager I was heavily influenced by the rapture heresy - growing up in a Brethren Church. 

Rature Exposed clearly shows the errors of this dangerous doctrine which has seduced many American evangelicals. The fruits of this doctrine is fear and irresponsibility towards the earth and the creation.

It's an escapist doctrine.

Here's the last paragraph of the book which encapsulates the real hope found in the Bible and in particular the book of Revelation:

Jesus will return - once. Until then, we are always with Jesus and he is with us - Emmanuel. Our life is held in God's time. And we are called in wakefulness, to pray as a final verses of Revelation do, "Amen, come Lord Jesus."

The XX Coexist

Listening to the xx coexist.

A mellow chilled album.

Minimalist arrangements.

Sensual duos.

Songs that express fragile relationships.

Simple chord progressions.

Samples and DJ techniques.

Atmospheric.

A great album!