Section 6

Hey Fellas,

Here is my thoughts/questions/reflections on section 6:

Chapter 23: I like the opening quote by Marx...it speaks to humans need to always see their perspective as correct and everyone else as flawed. Perhaps this happens less on a personal level, but it certainly happens all the time on a cultural level. The entire Imperialist notion of the White Man's Burden to bring civilization to the Native emananted this way of thinking about religion, politics, economics, etc.

I am convicted by McLaren's discussion about desire. It certainly speaks to my being and identity often...desire for success, perfection, winning, whatever. And where I seek fulfillment practically even thought logically I know these things are ultimately not supremely satisfying to the desire my heart and soul has for communion with God and deep relationship with others.

Corporation is an interesting documentary that I show to my classes during our study of the Industrial Revolution and how corporate America has evolved since that time. It certainly has its biases, but I found it thought provoking.

Ch. 24: The Anderson quotes are actually from the Corporation movie...his idea of intergenerational tyranny tied to our civilization and the Industrial Revolution is something I liked. Thoughts? I was talking with my mom about this, and it wasn't like she didn't care about future generations and the condition of the environment...she just a confidence in God that it would be taken care of either for good or for bad. Perhaps she is right. What is our role as Christians to be green as an outlet of our faith...and how do we have conversation with more conservative people like my Mom who believes there are more important things to focus on?

Ch. 25: Fruitfulness not consumption. Concern for the common good over self-interest. Rich toward God over my own riches. All summed up powerfully on page 208 with discussion of heaven and hell. Do you agree with his argument here? Is he looking at scripture one-sidedly or is he capturing the true message of Jesus?

Also like discussion on 210-211 about wealth and happiness. We certainly have the luxuries to accomodate a blissful experience, but our culture of problems seems to speak otherwise.

A different economy: the feeding of the 5000 was always just a miracle story for me as well. To think of it the light of being content with what we have and still being willing to share that is a powerful message from that gospel account.

Chapter 26: Let us conside the concept of justice. As Bono stated in his speech a few years back, it is not about charity its about justice. Point #1 we must commit ourselves to service. I am hopeful in my own struggle through these issues that in my positions of leadership I can commit myself to a servant leader role and impact people in powerful ways. It is not an easy task, but I think this is an area of particular relevance for me. How does this fit into your lives? What does it look like?

Alternative to communism/capitalism struggle that the 20th Century was defined by...how to make communities of collaboration in search of co-liberation as he calls it on 221. The church as the conscious of the market-driven world instead of its defender. This will be our charge if we are to live as transformed people.

Well guys, only two chapters to go. Good stuff as always. Let me know your thoughts in response. Peace, alan.