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November 30, 2006
The Rick I Never Knew
So, I am not hiding that I like Barack Obama. I've got the copy of Time with him on the cover, I've got his two books on my amazon Wish List, and I like that fact that his grandmother is Kenyan.
But one connection i never expected to make, was the one I am about to: Rick Warren and Barak Obama. According to Scot McKnight's blog, Warren has invited Obama to a AIDS summit. And while i know that Rick's tone and posture towards missional practice in the world has changed in recent years, this really is a Rick Warren i've never known.
Yes I know, I shouldn't be such a skeptic; however, from time to time it still comes out in me. My only hope is that Warren is really inviting Obama to participate with him in life and real conversation. I know he is gfetting some flack for it, but we get that when we are interacting with the right people. I guess my real hope is that as Warren chooses to participate with him, America may too wake up to the new kind of politics that Obama represents. A politics that some are calling...PURPLE?
Posted by joshuacase at 07:20 PM | Comments (1)
November 29, 2006
Healthy Criticism..But what comes next?
Paul Mayers has been doing some good blogging on healthy critique and why its quite necessary. In his blog, he refers quite often to Jason Clarke's blog where he posted on "Emerging Church: Dead End or Hope for the Church" as a powerful critique of the emerging church from one of its own leaders and thinkers.
Josh Brown also posted today a bit about the critiques of his various "man crushes".
It really feels like there is a fair bit of critique to go around for everyone. Really makes you wonder what we'll be able to reconstruct when get to a place where its less about pointing out all the divergence from one another and start celebrating the spaces where we come back together. Any one know of any one talking about that?
Could we please??
Posted by joshuacase at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2006
This is (Not) Church
Just the other day I came across this website called Small Ritual. For many i am sure it is old news; however, for me it is quite fresh.
As i have thought about it more and more, I have come to think it is a great explaination of how urban communities of faith commune. As we have been exploring Shema community, many of the spaces that Steve seems to suggest I'm actually finding as accurately portrayed in our community here in Geneva.
I'm not sure what will come of this connection; however, I am sure of this: it's good stuff.
Posted by joshuacase at 07:56 AM | Comments (2)
November 26, 2006
The Children of Men- A brief review
Well, unlike many movies in our world today, Children of Men has made its preview in Europe first before its off to America for a December 25th openning.
I will not spoil the plot, but i will make a couple of brief comments about the movie:
1. It captures the raw in-breaking of violence in the world- The violence in the movie comes in and out at a moments notice. It is quick. Its raw. It feels real time.
2. It doesn't waste your time- The movie moves. As movies go, it gets to the point. Tells its story. It ends.
3. In one sequence of scenes it captures why war makes absolutely no sense if in fact life is as precious as we think it is! Quite honestly, one sequence of scenes. If life is our cause, and we can all agree on it, war makes no sense. Really. It doesn't.
4. It leaves you feeling like there could have been more.The movie will rouse some issues some people have with immigration. Laura's first comment about it was, "it was really more about immigration than i thought it would be". Tis true. In a world where there births have ended, who gets to be a part of your economy/nation/welfare system matters...so it seems. Sound familiar?
in the words of Morpheus, "welcome to the desert of the real"....
Posted by joshuacase at 03:34 PM | Comments (2)
A couple of days with Laura...
The last few days I've spent with Laura. Normally, in the US, we'd be celerbating all weekend with family over the Thanksgiving holiday; however, this year we merely celebrated a meal with our friends at the American Episcopal church and took some time for ourselves.
On Friday, Saturday and today, we committed just to spending some quality time together. We saw a movie, visited Chateau Chillon, walked around the Christmas Market in Montreux, and went and hit some golf balls today. Good fun. Next Saturday Laura is off to the US where I'll meet her in Kansas on the 18th.
This morning, we celebrated communion with our friends at Holy Trinity Church. Today htc, as part of the Anglican communion, celebrated with representatives from the Barabados mission in the 40th anniversary of their independance from Britain. Yep, quite an act of reconciliation i think. Was special to be a part of.
Also interesting was the homily. Mike French based the first part of his homily after the quote, "no man is an island". He went on to say to the ambassador of Barabados, " i regret to tell you sir, but your country is not an island. And neither are any of our countries." He proceeded to stress the unity of the created order under Christ the King and true reality of our interdependence one to another; no matter the species, no matter the kind. Well done Mike.
Posted by joshuacase at 03:03 PM
November 22, 2006
I'm Back.
After a short hiatus from blogging that was needed/required on several fronts, I’m back. Although I’m not so sure it was missed in the world-wide web of voices vying for your attention, I have missed the space, the opportunity, and the community.
On Shema…
Lammert Vrieling has been posting updates to the gatherings and community of Shema on his blog. To say the least, the last few months have been a great blessing; both in the sense that we have really been able to connect with core people to Shema, and because Lammert’s participation in forming core team. Both he, Conny and the kids have been a rich part of our lives in Geneva.
On other blogs…
Nicholas Fiedler and Josh Brown have their new podcast up. And of course, I’m going to plug it because it is of one of my good friends Peter Rollins. Pete is currently doing a tour of the US. You can check out his schedule at his blog. If you are near, you must check him out! And listen to this podcast!
Molleth, a plus- To some degree, I think that some of my desire to take a break from blogging was actually a result of a couple of people, like Molleth, choosing to exit the blogosphere and to participate on the blogs of others. While I completely understood the need to transition, this transition was very much like a "death". For me, I had to ask the question: If you only have (as sociologist suggest) the capacity for 150 relationships, and several of those happen to be electronic, what do you do when the electronic ones disappear? Isn’t it like death? Just an interesting experience for me as one who doesn’t spend hours online but who is increasingly connected online! It’s also interesting for me as I seek to engage with the elctronic culture and now must explore life and death in the electronic culture. I’m left asking, what if the blogs we loved the most, those of the people we felt the closest to but were the farthest from us in proximity, just up….and left? How do you mourn that? Do we actually realize the degree to which we are formed by this electronic community dynamic?
On GOOD Magazine…
My wife regularly reads the updates from GOOD Magazine. Just yesterday, we were scrolling through her rss updates and saw this photo. Quite interesting I think. It grabs you despite its very evocative nature. You have to look and ask: are those piglets, or are they really little babies? WOW.
Tiger Woods…
For those of you who thought I’d never post about Tiger Woods losing, think again! Last night I was at a hockey match with a couple of golf pro friends of mine, and I said, so what do you make of Tiger losing the last couple of tournaments. My friend Rohan looked at me said, “Losing? You mean you consider a guy winning six in a row, finishing second in his last two tournaments, and making over 9 million USD just in tournament winnings this year losing? No way! He’s winning just fine!” Thanks Ro.
Posted by joshuacase at 05:59 PM
November 12, 2006
Choosing church, for the church
I've been listening and reading quite a bit lately on "the church" and various people's response to the church's failure to live up to its beliefs. Having come myself from a "mixed-bag" experience of Christ in and out of the institution, I've come to realize that i am not so sure what is most necessary for christianity is a mass exodus of marginalized Christ-following consumers from the institution.
In fact, in some places, i wonder whether or not the ecclesiastical remnant within various cathedrals, buildings, and parishes actually speak to the longevity of the institution, and of God's choosing it within particular contexts globally. The church, as an institution has always existed. Even if it was not called "the church" within ancient christianity. Even if it was called "the city" or "the gathered people". The earliest followers of Christ were deeply devout, extremely institutionalized in their humility, and quite frankly, very formed by their religio-cultural heritage.
A couple of reflections on reclaiming the institution:
The church in France- I could be wrong, but i've heard from several friends living in france and looking to plant new churches, that often this initiative is met with great skepticism. In fact, I've come to hear that starting a "culte" is actually a very difficult systemic thing to do. Options: 1. start a house church and avoid the bureaucratic skeptics, 2. Join the recognized institutional system and take 5-10+ years to bring reformation to the existing reformed and catholic church.
Which do you think most people choose? And why?
A tabernacled community has been God's way of forming people and communities to follow after God. Not just the people, the readings. Not just the rituals, the Spirit. Not just the clergy, the layity.
It seems to me, that what we need is a neo-structural approach. I think its hard to see. I think its hard to find. I think when addressing the rejection of structures we must ask questions about whether or not the structures are out-moded, out-dated, or simply without people passionately infusing the structures with life. Afterall, its not the structures themselves that have life, its that which is brought to them, and mediated out of them by those who choose to engage with them.
I can honestly say that I'm not talking about reclaiming the ways of a mere-institution for the institution's sake; no, I'm actually trying to ask what incarnational Christianity looks like in the church? What can i bring with my passion and with my community to a structure that will out last me and you, and others. What parts of my preferences need to be sacrificed or put aside so that new life is gifted from within the places where there is currently no apparent life, or passion, or joy. And yet, even that sounds judgemental. For i would think that many people today would say, there is no place where there is no life, only the places where it has yet to take up residence.
Maybe its just me? Maybe i just don't want to be assumed to be against the institutions of this world. Good or bad. There are systemic problems globally. The goal should never be "down with the system"! No, I think Jesus actually calls us to something much bigger, something much more radical. Something much more engaging.
Posted by joshuacase at 08:33 PM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2006
No Bandwagon Here
I certainly do not want to jump on any bandwagon of posting in the blogosphere; however, I do want to take the time to put a few links out there to the people who are discussing both the issues surrounding the Ted Haggard situation and Saddam ruling. Both of these situtations are monumental things for this season of life in our world. How we respond to them now, may give shape to who we become in the future.
In both cases, there are real issues for us all to deal with. Issues of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and justice. The biggest question for us may actually remain found in the (regardless of the pejorative overtones) now over-used and over-commercialized cliche: What would Jesus do?
Blogs on Ted Haggard:
Alan
Will
Jim Wallis
Blogs on Saddam Verdict:
Josh Brown
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
believing that Grace is true....
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2006
A Parody
Here is part one of a parody I've come across thanks to Nick and Andrew. Other parts are on You Tube. Part Three is pretty good as well..
peace...jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2006
Biologist Goes the Extra Mile
In order to help these frogs have a sustainable future, Edgardo Giffith rented out two hotel rooms to make sure they could survive. I'm not making it up! It's true!
Good on you Edgardo, I think?!
Read rest of article here: Save the Frogs!!
peace....jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:06 PM
Back home and more!
Well I've made it back home to Switzerland where I have rejoined my wife in the habit of day to day living. It's interesting what two weeks away can do. Developing different rhythms, eating habits, and so much more. Yet, it is great to be home where I am able to be in the company of my bride, in the proximity of good friends, and am able to reflect on the journey to the US for a short period.
I'd like to just point you to a couple of interesting places for a moment:
1. Adventures in Mercy- I've been following Molleth for a while now and comment here from time to time. Generally great conversations are happening and I really enjoy Molleth's posture. Do check her and the conversations out. Particularly, she is hosting a conversation entitled: "Women: Beginnings and Endings". Check it out.
2. Scot McKnight- I've posted on Scot before, and think he's ever-posting very interesting things on his blog. In a recent post he asks the question to his friends: Is it a moral hypocrisy to believe in war and against abortion, or to be against war and for abortion? Yep, this is the kind of stuff Scot likes his friends to engage in. Good question!
However, the real reason I wanted to connect you to Scot is that he has just released a paper which i thnk holds some pretty good things in tension and, is pretty well written. If you are at all interested, find it here. Lammert pointed it my way.
By way of introduction, here is a snippet from the orignal pdf available via Wes at Sacred Journey:
There are at least four rivers flowing into Lake Emerging – postmodernity, praxis, postevangelicalism, and politics – and because some gravitate toward one or the other, emerging Christians are as diverse as the universal Church. Some are simply evangelicals with a missional slant, while others are postmodernists with a Christian hangover. To narrow them to an epistemological issue is as inaccurate as narrowing Calvinism to Calvin’s church reforms in Geneva.
Blessings to all....and welcome home...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:36 PM