More of the Fallout

The New York Times posted an article that points out the pain of other nations as people invest their money in the U.S. as a safe haven in difficult times.  The financial crisis continues to have unexpected consequences.  It is worth reading the article to get a global perspective and also to remind those of us who have jobs to make sure that some of our giving money makes its way to those who are poor in other lands.

The Man Behind the Stimulus Package

The real brains behind the stimulus package is not President Obama or his advisors but a man who live in the first part of the 20th century.  John Maynard Keynes.  Not many of us wandering down the regular paths of life know much about him, but his theories are at the root of the Obama administrations attempt to revive our economy.  So for those of you who are wondering what thinking is moving things right now, you can read this article in the New Republic.  Be aware that while it gives info on Keynes, it is also biased in its view.  I take no responsibility for the bias, but do recommend the article.  

For a different take on the Obama economic plan check out my blog from January 31.

Jesus in my Girlfriend

While reading a friend's blog he mentioned the theology of "Jesus is my girlfriend".  A rather interesting and provocative idea.  The bottom line is that we more and more are treating  Jesus more as our girlfriend or boyfriend (especially in our worship songs) than we treat him as the second person of the trinity, Lord of all creation, the one who is returning to rule over the cosmos.  Such a tilt in our theology inevitably impacts our actions.  Certainly one treats and pays attention to his girlfriend quite differently than he treats and pays attention to the one who as Paul writes in Colossians, 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by 6 him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  Jesus as my girlfriend or the Jesus of Colossians?  For a bit more thinking on this, especially as it relates to music check out Jesus is my Girlfriend.

Restoring Trust as the Markets Crash

Jim Skillen of the Center for Public Justice recently wrote,

Let me put it more bluntly. People are not just angry about bankers' big bonuses and auto company CEOs' private jets; they are angry that they got taken by "the system"--by banks, by mortgage companies, by investment advisers, and by the government that aided and abetted and gave no warning of the coming collapse. As in a stagecoach robbery, writes Janet Tavakoli, "Wall Street bankers made off with the loot without firing a shot. They were enabled by Washington overseers and financial regulators who--when not beneficiaries of the good times--behaved like ostriches. Meanwhile, news of the fact that no one in the US has been brought to justice has not escaped notice" For more...

Symbols to Die For

We are leaving behind the crashing kings of 2 Chronicles and beginning a walk with Jesus over the next few weeks at EverGreen.  We are going to listen in as he teaches us essential truths about himself using symbols like bread, light, and a sheep gate.  One of the wonders of symbols is that they can bring so many things to mind and challenge us to think deeply and differently.  When it comes to Jesus the symbols that he uses to describe himself put him in such a place that finally those in power put him to death, thus the title of the series "Symbols to Die For".  

The first symbol that Jesus gives us is bread.  He tells us "I am the bread of life".  The words are connected with Jesus feeding the 5000.  They are rich words that connect with God the Father feeding the people manna in the desert and with Moses as the leader.  But what lies behind all of the story in John 6 is a deep longing for a political revolution.  The people sit on the hillside waiting for Jesus to declare a revolution.  His failure to do so and his call to eat his body and drink his blood cause the crowds to abandon him.  

One other thing.  When Jesus says "I am"  (The Greek is ego eimi, and literally says "I, I am") is a declaration by Jesus that he is at the very least connected to Yahweh who's name means "I am".  

So enjoy a good read for this week from John 6 and be ready for "Symbols to Die For".

The Importance of Debate

Global warming has become an accepted reality by many.   But this environmental issue along with others are always open to debate, and the truth is good debate makes for better solutions.  A recent article digs into this.  Here's a snippet

"Garte goes on to argue that excessive pessimism about the environment undermines good scientific investigation and distorts our understanding of important environmental challenges. He displays the frequent naïveté of a scientist observing the political world: "I have never understood why pessimism has for so long been associated with a liberal or progressive political world view." He criticizes anti-technological biases prevalent among environmentalists, but is also skeptical that market forces alone will suffice to continue our environmental progress in the future. He is guardedly optimistic that the creativity and adaptability of the human species will enable us to confront surprises and new problems. "We should pay attention to our successes as much as to our failures," Garte writes, "because in order to know where to go next, it is just as important to know where (and how) we went right as it is to know where we have gone wrong."

What is Love?

In our age of love we have a sense that love is first of all about feelings.  If the feeling of love dies, then love dies as well.  In the book of 1 John I'm reminded over and over again that love or perhaps more rightly, the evidence of love is not attached to feelings but to obedience.  John writes to his "little children", 2.3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  In the gospel of John chapter 14 Jesus says to his disciples, 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.  Love, obedience, keeping the words of Christ are all intertwined.  You can't proclaim true love for Christ without also living as he calls you to live.  Certainly, there is the good news that when we fail to walk that path that there is forgiveness.  But if we believe there is no path to walk or that God is indifferent if we follow the way of Christ we are sadly mistaken.  

By the way the word "ought" in 1 John 2.6   has a  strong sense in this passage. This is not merely an expected outcome it has a strong sense of obligation to it. This is the kind of life that will be lived by a person who belongs to Christ. If this is so, it behooves us to really look at the commands of Christ so we know what they are and how we are supposed to live. It also puts a new emphasis on the great commandment: Make disciples teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.