I was first introduced to Brian McLaren's writing in reading his book Generous Orthodoxy. I remember agreeing and not agreeing with various parts of his book, but overall I thought he was saying a much needed word...that being that Jesus being God is more than I can ever define or explain him to be. There is so much more to the gospel message than Jesus coming simply to save me from hell. Don't get me wrong...I'm thankful for salvation and eternal life is nothing I would ever take lightly. But too much of my life has been lived with a general hunger of desire to find something more to my faith than simply a plan of sin management and a guarantee of heaven. I've been challenged by McLaren's words...not necessarily in the sense where I feel called to sell all my possessions and serve in some poor country, but more in the sense that my faith should be more transformative on a daily basis. I hear this messaged echoed often in Richard's messages regarding our lives being blessings to others. My hope for this book is to discuss thoughtful & practical ways that we can address while living in a world and a culture that teaches a message of blessing only ourselves. I'm excited for the next couple weeks and I'm blessed to call each of you friend. I look forward to learning from you all and sharing our insights together. Much grace and love, alan.
Questions/Reflections (Part 1):
-Do you find McLaren's two questions affecting the way you think/act? In what ways should these questions shape our own lives?
-I liked the concept of amahoro (peace) guiding relationships. I find myself sometimes quick to be impatient, judgmental, frustrated...often times with those closest to me. It seems to me as I've read through this book that Jesus' vision for peace is not simply for the world in a corporate sense, but also on a personal level in our relationships. I'm hoping to restructure some of my habits and attitudes to reflect more amahoro in my human interactions.
-Do you guys find it helpful to consider past wrongs of the church or perceived manipulations of Jesus' message? In my own teaching of European colonialism I find myself embarassed by the messages that Christians brought to the people of colonized lands. Obviously, I can blame this on the cultural blending of Euro-centric biases that permeated Christianity during that time. However, I wonder where my own biases naturally blend into my understanding of Christianity. I know that profound shaping that American culture has had on me througout my life...and it seems to have more say in who I am today than the gospels of Jesus.
-I believe that God is all-powerful and I have faith in his plans for redemption. At the same time, as I teach history more and more it seems the one thing we are best at as humans is creating more efficient means of killing each other. It saddens me that of all the themes that play out through history, especially western civilization is the story of violence, oppression and exploitation. I know I can't due penance for crimes committed in the past, but it does convict me to look for a better "framing story" as McLaren calls it...to guide and direct my life and the lives of us all who claim to be followers of Jesus.
-What were your reflections of the Khayelitsha story?
