Comments on: A fundamental change http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/ Beyond Race and Class Issues In a Consumer Church Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:02:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kelsi Johns http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/comment-page-1/#comment-260 Kelsi Johns Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:40:07 +0000 http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/#comment-260 I agree that greed is a key player in the evangelical tendency to disengage from issues that, as Ben said, concern the minorities and are trivial to the majority. If it benefits one's comfort, then why risk changing that? To a self-centered mentality, this makes sense. We must open our eyes to how our political and systemic structures are affecting us all, not just "those that matter". This is not the heart of Christ. We are equal in his eyes; I can only pray that our hearts can be transformed to live out this truth and see others through the humble compassion of Christ. As Ronaldo so powerfully said, Christ endured the cross not by "leading a ragtag band of hardcore political ideologues and devoted guerrillas in armed warfare to bring down the establishment". I don't believe that is our calling either. But it is the subversive, shocking humility by being obedient and allowing Christ's reconciling power to work through us that will truly serve to love all equally in his name. There is no way we can do this without Him working in us and through us. That is humbling. As Ronaldo said, we "cannot effect change with a raised, clenched fist". We must be open, pliable and trusting to Christ's bold and revolutionary truth. This isn't comfortable. And we will face sever ridicule and cynicism. But this is nothing new, and surely nothing to be discouraged at, if we put our hope in the life and work of Christ. I agree that greed is a key player in the evangelical tendency to disengage from issues that, as Ben said, concern the minorities and are trivial to the majority. If it benefits one’s comfort, then why risk changing that? To a self-centered mentality, this makes sense. We must open our eyes to how our political and systemic structures are affecting us all, not just “those that matter”. This is not the heart of Christ. We are equal in his eyes; I can only pray that our hearts can be transformed to live out this truth and see others through the humble compassion of Christ.

As Ronaldo so powerfully said, Christ endured the cross not by “leading a ragtag band of hardcore political ideologues and devoted guerrillas in armed warfare to bring down the establishment”. I don’t believe that is our calling either. But it is the subversive, shocking humility by being obedient and allowing Christ’s reconciling power to work through us that will truly serve to love all equally in his name. There is no way we can do this without Him working in us and through us. That is humbling. As Ronaldo said, we “cannot effect change with a raised, clenched fist”. We must be open, pliable and trusting to Christ’s bold and revolutionary truth. This isn’t comfortable. And we will face sever ridicule and cynicism. But this is nothing new, and surely nothing to be discouraged at, if we put our hope in the life and work of Christ.

]]> By: Ronaldo A. Sison http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Ronaldo A. Sison Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:12:04 +0000 http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/#comment-246 I heard a rabbi once said that Jesus was persecuted for political and not religious reasons. At first take, it sounded incredulous but is it? JESUS wins, Cesar loses. The message of the Cross and the Resurrection was to trounce the political establishment, with its Pax Romana and its breads and circuses. The most humiliating punishment, death on the cross, according to the writer of Hebrews (12: 2) was endured by Jesus and its shame scorned by Him. And in the end, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. Jesus wins, Cesar loses. A political statement indeed, demonstrated by a simple carpenter from Nazareth of Galilee (could something good come out from there?). Jesus endured the Cross and scorned its shame because He loved the Father and He feasted on doing the will of the Father (John 4). And He did so not b leading a ragtag band of hardcore political ideologues and devoted guerrillas in an armed warfare to bring down the establishment. He did so by giving all the He had in His Humanity so that one day, the humans could be divine. So that one day, thes very people who wrangle and fight and bicker for an inch of threat on their turfs could one day become a co-heir of Him in God's kingdom. Not another Cesar. Not another demigod. Not another power-hungry, or power broker, but a humble, obedient servant willing to wash the feet of the "the lest of these" in loving submission to the will of the Father. Been there, done that. As one who espoused a theology of liberation through the political system and the armed struggle, i see Jesus paradigmatic life as a model of having His followers a revolution... a revolution that is from the within, from the heart of every Christ-follower, every Cross-bearing, every Open Tomb-believing. No, i cannot effect change with a raised, clenched fists but these hands could be dedicated to the Conquering Savior to lift a fallen brother/ sister, a homeless, an abused child, a confused individual, a broken family, a hurting neighbor, regardless of race, class or social status. Because Jesus Won, Cesar Lost! MARANATHA! I heard a rabbi once said that Jesus was persecuted for political and not religious reasons. At first take, it sounded incredulous but is it?
JESUS wins, Cesar loses.
The message of the Cross and the Resurrection was to trounce the political establishment, with its Pax Romana and its breads and circuses. The most humiliating punishment, death on the cross, according to the writer of Hebrews (12: 2) was endured by Jesus and its shame scorned by Him. And in the end, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. Jesus wins, Cesar loses. A political statement indeed, demonstrated by a simple carpenter from Nazareth of Galilee (could something good come out from there?).
Jesus endured the Cross and scorned its shame because He loved the Father and He feasted on doing the will of the Father (John 4). And He did so not b leading a ragtag band of hardcore political ideologues and devoted guerrillas in an armed warfare to bring down the establishment. He did so by giving all the He had in His Humanity so that one day, the humans could be divine. So that one day, thes very people who wrangle and fight and bicker for an inch of threat on their turfs could one day become a co-heir of Him in God’s kingdom. Not another Cesar. Not another demigod. Not another power-hungry, or power broker, but a humble, obedient servant willing to wash the feet of the “the lest of these” in loving submission to the will of the Father.
Been there, done that. As one who espoused a theology of liberation through the political system and the armed struggle, i see Jesus paradigmatic life as a model of having His followers a revolution… a revolution that is from the within, from the heart of every Christ-follower, every Cross-bearing, every Open Tomb-believing.
No, i cannot effect change with a raised, clenched fists but these hands could be dedicated to the Conquering Savior to lift a fallen brother/ sister, a homeless, an abused child, a confused individual, a broken family, a hurting neighbor, regardless of race, class or social status. Because
Jesus Won, Cesar Lost!
MARANATHA!

]]> By: benjamin malick http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/comment-page-1/#comment-236 benjamin malick Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:00:22 +0000 http://consumingjesus.org/2008/11/17/a-fundamental-change/#comment-236 It was Ghandi who said, "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." I think the greater evangelical community could learn a lot if it took those words to heart. I believe that GREED is what is at the heart of the matter here. One thing I've noticed about greed in my life, I never like to admit that it's there. However, I know it is. I can see it's effect in the creation of walls and barriers I have erected around me that separates me from the communities that Jesus was most concerned about. Greed is so ugly that it's hard to look at. Greed enables us to be comfortable, feel protected, and only have to worry about one thing, ourselves. But it's a LIE! At first, this may seem a bit off the beat and path of your post concerning how evangelicals engage the political spectrum, but to me it's core to the issue. When the evangelical "way of life" is threatened by political change, greed-driven protection kicks in. All the barriers our greed created to diverse groups of people and view points comes into play. Our government must consider all groups, not just the majority, or those with the most money, although often times that is who is catered to. Having very limited exposure to opinions that differ from ours widens the gap of understanding. We play to the conversation in our affinity groups limiting us to speak to issues most often discussed by our homogenious peers, while the opinions of those who differ from us are shrugged off and labeled as being ignorant. Greed blinds us to the truth. However, I am hopeful. The face of the the American evangelical is quickly changing. The majority is soon to become the minority. What will happen then? When we are faced with the ugliness of our own greed will we repent and turn, or press on even harder and become more calloused. May God have mercy on us all. It was Ghandi who said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.” I think the greater evangelical community could learn a lot if it took those words to heart. I believe that GREED is what is at the heart of the matter here. One thing I’ve noticed about greed in my life, I never like to admit that it’s there. However, I know it is. I can see it’s effect in the creation of walls and barriers I have erected around me that separates me from the communities that Jesus was most concerned about. Greed is so ugly that it’s hard to look at. Greed enables us to be comfortable, feel protected, and only have to worry about one thing, ourselves. But it’s a LIE!

At first, this may seem a bit off the beat and path of your post concerning how evangelicals engage the political spectrum, but to me it’s core to the issue. When the evangelical “way of life” is threatened by political change, greed-driven protection kicks in. All the barriers our greed created to diverse groups of people and view points comes into play. Our government must consider all groups, not just the majority, or those with the most money, although often times that is who is catered to. Having very limited exposure to opinions that differ from ours widens the gap of understanding. We play to the conversation in our affinity groups limiting us to speak to issues most often discussed by our homogenious peers, while the opinions of those who differ from us are shrugged off and labeled as being ignorant. Greed blinds us to the truth.

However, I am hopeful. The face of the the American evangelical is quickly changing. The majority is soon to become the minority. What will happen then? When we are faced with the ugliness of our own greed will we repent and turn, or press on even harder and become more calloused. May God have mercy on us all.

]]>