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December 30, 2006
The Evangelical Universalist
I've been able to get some good reading time in the last few weeks. I've been getting something of a broad spectrum of theological, political, and practical reflection. Out of the 10-15 books i received for Christmas as gifts (thanks to all) I am currently reading through one called, "The Evangelical Universalist". Written under the pseudonym Gregory MacDonald the book has been a much deeper attempt at forming a "bible-centered theology of evangelical universalism". So far, the book has lived up to its hype and has truly seemed to remain to be a consistent exegete of scripture and especially of the book of Colossians.
I'm only about half way through; however, I'd recommend the book to anyone who is struggling with problem of evil, the traditional doctrine of hell, or the way Church plays a role in living out a realized eschatology that demonstrates that Grace is True.
As with all books i read, I'm not sso sure i reach all the same conclusions as the authors. But it is worth the rea for all learners. Pick it up, let your defenses down, and read to learn not to deconstruct. You might be surprised.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:37 PM | Comments (2)
"Drown me out...drown me out"
Over the course of the last three days I have been doing recruitment at the Urbana conference in Illinois. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the amount of justice and enviromental talk that has been going on. And while I came into the conference excited about recruitment, but not sure what to expect about the conference, I have been pleasantly surprised to the real prophetic voice many have had in front of this crowd of 22'250 people. CRAZY!!
Just a couple of minutes ago, we were greeted with a special message to Urbana from Bono about HIV/AIDS. At the end of his talk he said, "i am not much of a preacher, thanks for listening to me. You know, I'm just a rock star, its my job to make a bunch of noise. But if you hear me, and if this emergency (HIV/AIDS) calls you to action....then drown me out....drown me out."
Bono made several other very prophetic calls to the crowd about our reaction towards this emergency. Saying other things like, "this is our abolitionist moment; this is our civil rights moment".
Ajith Fernando of YFC in Sri Lanka has been the morning speaker. Tonight we heard from Ray Bakke about urban ministry; that is ministry in the city. It was great. But the most amazing talk i have heard so far was by Oscar Muriu. If you are able to get some of his talk from the evening of 28th, DO IT!!! I'm trying to get it so i can use bits of it. Amazing talk about the shoft of the centers of the church to the global south and what that means for the mission of the church in the west. AMAZING!!
A new goal: to drown him out. Bono...I'm coming for you...I'm coming for you!
Posted by joshuacase at 05:13 AM
December 22, 2006
Holiday season brawls?
Well, as we enter the festive time of the year, it only seems appropriate that there are a few family feuds stirring up around the globe. And while some of the feuds are between friends seeking to relevantly discover dialogue in a new way for the good of all, some of the banter is just plain useless...maybe?
For instance, did you know Rosie was being sued by Donald Trump for making fun of his non-firing of Miss USA after her bout with underage drinking and "something" with Miss Teen USA? Yep, and he threatened to send someone after her partner..ouch.
And did you know that a couple of guys at strangers and exiles have tried to provoke yet another fight with the ECM using the thoughts of John MacArthur? And yes, as usual, Josh Brown has taken up his challenge and is ready to start what appears to be something of an old fashioned gang-war?
And did you know that even Tony Campolo wants to use electronic media to "talk back to our Religious Right brothers and sisters"? Won't this be an interesting election season. Obama...obama..obama...
Nope it doesn't sound like the most calming time of the year. But at least some people are trying to down play the violence in the world. Like Andrew Jones who has blogged about his "cruelty-free Christmas feast" which includes ducks, and beef killed humanely, and crabs which were put in the freezer to put them to sleep before placing them in the boiling water. Yes folks, no cruelty here. Just good food and good friends.
And maybe that is what we should all hope and try to be for others...good friends who bring that redemptive sense of the dramatric inbreaking of messanic proportions into the world around us. Sure, it won't look the same in every place; or even simple and joyous in every situation, but as the above blogs represent, the inbreaking of the good news of the good kingdom ought to challenge the systems of our world towards a more redemptive end. What does, rosie have to do with that, I am not real sure...but maybe just maybe, even she, the strangers and exiles, john macarthur, tony campolo, josh brown, the ecm, the sbc, and andrew jones have a role to play. Yes, maybe even you have a role to play. After all, you were named "Time Magazine's Person of the Year!"
Congratulations..i hope you live up to the hype! And may your holidays be filled with great laughter, great tears, and opportunities for God to belong.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 05:38 PM
December 21, 2006
In the US for the holidays
Well Laura and i are back in the US for the holidays for the first time in our marriage. We're both a little excited about it, and a little bit anxious about it. I mean, when you have never had to manage the time with family and you've only really done christmas with each other (and of course, christmas day meals with the ries family) you really miss out on that finding the balance between families. And yet, maybe its not all that big of a deal. It hasn't been so far, so lets hope that continues.
We are looking forward to a couple of things other than spending time with family:
1. Spending time with the Fiedlers (nicholas and leslie)
2. Getting to see Buddy, Jeff, and Kathryn
3. Getting a pre-release of Laura's brother's band speakeasy's new album
4. Last but not least, getting some time to relax together!
My mom just let me know that the First Baptist church in Eutaw, Alabama needed me to speak for them on this Sunday. It should be fun. Unexpected, but fun. If you are around Eutaw on Sunday, and want to join us, please do!
As for now, I'm sitting in the park of Paola Kansas using a local law firms wireless. Yes, I am squatting on internet. What joy!
happy holidays to all. may you make space for God to belong in Christmas, or otherwise festivities!
Posted by joshuacase at 07:41 PM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2006
Crackberry Addiction: Signs of the times
The following article is in many ways an indication of the signs of the times. Living and working in Geneva there are loads of people who seeming live via their blackberry. Although i think i know several people who are doing pretty good at balancing work, family, and the "crackberry" (as it is beginning to be called globally) experience, i can also say i know far more who don't.
I'd also be willing to admit, if i thought i could manage life with one (or afford the monthly costs in Europe), I'd get one. But alas, there in lay the problem.
I was once in Starbucks writing when i watched a young women from the UK get up from where she had been having a coffee and cake with her boyfriend to go to the toilet. As she left the table, he reached into his pocket. Looking around, he quickly turned pulled out his blackberry and turned it on. As he was just beginning to scroll i could see her coming, but i did not tell...i waited. As she arrived back to the table to see him scrolling away on the blackberry. As she smacked him on the head a flood of verbally abusive and yet deeply emotive language came out as she screamed about how all she had requested was two days of no work. Two days of no blackberry. Two days just for her.
These my friends are the signs of the times; we must, at all costs learn to unplug; even if in some cases that means remaining online. Electronic media is not bad. Our inability to be present with those nearest to us is what is bad.
Maybe i should petition the makers of Blackberry to put a warning on the label? A warning which says: "Warning: The following device has the potential to create the sensation of hyperconnectivity. Such sensations maybe dangerous to your health and extremely addictive. Blackberry recommends that users turn off the mobile device for no less than 6 hours per day to ensure normalcy in personal and/or family living."
I don't know, maybe i'm wrong.
Posted by joshuacase at 02:29 PM | Comments (1)
December 11, 2006
Introducing Fernando Gros
Fernando Gros is one of those global citizens you just love to follow. Posting on everything theological and post-colonial, he really tends to have a fresh perspective rooted in his many travels and passions.
To say the least, his most recent post entitled, "Thank God For Our Testosterone" will really give a taste of Fernando. In fact, I've waited for such a post as this to let the proverbial "cat out of the bag"; however wrong it might be to filter, you still have to follow people for a while...you know...to get to know them before you just communicate to the world about them...or do you? Hmmm, makes you wonder.
So, if you haven't heard of him, you now have...and i hope you'll be thankful. Do be sure to check out the most recent post. It talks about Godmen, a more masculine version of Christianity, Jesus, and of course, the Killers. It is by far an amazing piece of blogging. In fact, I think I'll recommend it to the skinnykiwi as a "best post" though it really has very few "emerging church" overtones.
happy reading...jc
Posted by joshuacase at 06:32 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
St. Nicholas Day
Today is celebrated in many part of the world as St. Nicholas Day. On this day it is well known that St. Nicholas fills the shoes of good children with candy and small gifts, and puts coal or switches in the shoes of bad children.
The real story of St. Nicholas begins in the year 270 AD in the roman city called Patara, which today would be located in southern turkey. Nicholas grew up in a wealthy family and was raised as a devout Christian. When his parents died during an early epidemic, he used his inheritence to help the needy. His benevolence was later formally recognized when he was made bishop of a nearby city called Myra. Over the years his list of deeds grew along with his legend.
One such legend involves a nobleman who suddenly became destitute. The man had no other choice but to sell his three daughters into prostitution. When St. Nicholas heard of this drastic action, he covertly threw three bags of gold through the mans window, which gave the girls the proper dowries for marriage. This is just one of many stories of how St. Nicholas was able to save people from financial ruin and starvation.
The legend of St. Nicholas is so great, that in parts of Russia and Greece (where he is the patron Saint of children, unmarried girls, charities, and more) you can still here the expression: "If God dies, at least we will still have St. Nicholas."
Oh that Christians in the world today would be know for such great charitable acts. Maybe, just maybe Santa Claus (st. nicholas) can once again be a source of inspiration rather than consumption in the world today.
Greetings from Hungary en route to Kosovo on this day; where i've already had some sweets put in my shoes by a passing st. nicholas who looked amazingly like santa. I must be doing better than i thought!
jc
(sources taken from all over: please forgive typing errors...)
Posted by joshuacase at 11:30 AM
December 04, 2006
More access than expected
A photo i took of two fences on the site of the City of Refuge. Really makes you ask, who is keeping who out...or in.
My colleague and I have made it. Well at least to Kishkumajsa Hungary.
We spent today looking around at the City of Refuge; a shelter for young women and children from all over Hungary who have been displaced or effected by abusive relationships. The amazing thing about this shelter is it is actually on the property of old Soviet military barracks. The place, like many other like it, is abandoned, run down, and owned by the government. In many ways, these run down, good for nothing buildings serve as something of a rememberance of the occupiers who were there; occupiers who in many ways were eventually forced out.
Our guide, Gabor, is the national director for YFC Hungary. He is an economist by trade. We've already had a couple of really great conversations on life in Hungary post-communism. In fact, even as we talked tonight, it was very interesting to discuss the places he felt communism had fialed the people and yet, the places where he felt some of the good of it was not necessarily bad for the people; particularly the church.
Paul and I will travel tomorrow to another part of Hungary to see another potential project.
In other news, we had a really great Shema gathering last night. Lammert facilitated the evening via input fromRodney Stark's book entitled The Rise Of Christianity. It was a great time of exploring Christian community that really is good news for our context and age.
Posted by joshuacase at 09:22 PM
To David Taylor
David Taylor taught me everything i need to know about Service Porject finding.
Today, my colleague and I will travel to Hungary and to Kosovo looking for development projects to join with in April with between 80-120 students from Geneva.
I may be blog slient till Saturday. We'll see..
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)