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July 29, 2008
The Dark Night- A couple of thoughts
Last night I went with Laura, my dad, and step-mom to see The Dark Night. Though I haven't done loads of film reviews (a thing I plan to change in the next few months when my new site is up), I will offer a few comments here with hopefully more to follow as ideas develop.
1. Heath Ledger's monologues are even-more-powerful and even-more-disturbing because of his death, than they would be if he were alive. While i expected them to be dark, I hadn't expected them to be so profoundly ironic and tragic.
2. The movie presents an other-than-traditional-view of hero that is worth investigating deeply when it comes to how we understand what it means to be good in the world. At multiple junctures during the course of the film, I found myself going, 'yeah, to be good doesn't always mean to do merely the right thing.' While i know it could be annoying for some, and predictable for others to assume I'd think this, I think this too is an approach to understanding what it might mean to practice Christianity in the world today. If not, there is something here very important about what it means to be human!
I have a few other thoughts, but i just wanted to get a few down here first. Overall, it was a good film. They obviously had set the movie up for Heath's return in the next film, his presence will be missed. I hope that they are able to use old footage of him at least in part of the next one. That would be cool.
As they say in the movie, 'people's faith needs to be rewarded from time to time', even if that means good people becoming bad things for the sake of justice.
be for good...even if you must become bad...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2008
The Skinny on Brian McLaren at Lambeth
Here is what Andrew Jones had to say about Brian at Lambeth. And here is a chat Brian had with the Lambeth Daily.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said you were someone he’d wanted to hear speak to the bishops for a while now … how did you feel when he asked you?
I was very honoured, but also a little nervous! I was also very excited… I have a great belief in the Anglican spirit, with its roots going back even to the Celtic era.
Do you feel then that the world would be a poorer place were the Communion to be split?
Anybody who had the chance that I’ve had to be here would experience the deep spiritual life here, the deep spirituality and deep personal relationships. You can tell that these have real substance, whether or not there’s a split. Those who are pulling away are depriving themselves of great resources and are depriving the Anglican Communion of their great resources.
Regardless of what happens, there will be something of an Anglican ethos that will carry on.
Tell me more about how the Western church needs to deal with a colonial approach to evangelism.
We have a lot to learn from the global south, but the North and South together have to realise that the gospel spread under colonialism was just a version of the gospel. Together they need to come up with a new vision.
When you talked last night about ‘un-embedding’ if you like the gospel from the context into which the Western world has read it, there was an excited sense of “well, we can do things a new way, it doesn’t have to be either/or…”
I’m glad to hear you say it that way. In many difficult issues people can become polarised, or choose a point on the line between the two views. It’s an exciting moment when people realise there can be something outside that line. That’s the creativity of the Holy Spirit, to pull us away from that line.
What about people who say you are advocating turning your back on a couple of millennia of tradition, for the sake of speaking into one generation?
I’m sympathetic to the concern that we don’t abandon things that should be retained. Two hundred years ago, the church went through the painful process of abandoning the slave trade. That meant a deep shift in thinking about economics and human rights. World War II saw the end of colonialism, which had been theologically defended. The church has always demonstrated both continuity and adaptation.
Does our diversity prove a strength in this adaptation?
Sometimes [in a dispute] both groups can slip into a rhetoric of right and wrong, the good guys and the bad guys. I hope we can go on to a different perspective, a missiological perspective. In early years, the Anglican Communion has had to make missiological decisions about what behaviours it would allow in different cultures.
What is the message you want to give the bishops gathered here?
I hope first that they will feel a sense of hope. It is so easy to be concerned with the controversies we see in the headlines. I hope the bishops will turn from that to the primary concern of the church, which is making disciples of people who will then live in the way of Jesus. I sensed this morning how present that idea is, that it’s time to turn outward again.
You know, I grew up in the Vietnam War era. In the end people lost interest in that war, they said this is not a war worth fighting. Sometimes winning is to say we don’t want to fight that war any more.
Well said.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 01:05 PM | Comments (0)
Good Ol' Colbert
(HT: Brian)
And just in case you missed Bishop Tom on Colbert.
Fair? Balanced?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2008
Brian McLaren at Lambeth
I've seen several people blogging about meeting Brian at Lambeth. Most have been, as they described, pleasantly surprised by this 'American evangelical'. For any of us who know Brian, the surprise isn't that surprising! Even if the irony is thick concerning his speaking at the American Episcopal church's Evangelism conference just a couple of months preceding this highly anticipated Lambeth (in the context of the global Anglican communion).
Here is what Fr. Lord had to say:
'I'm impressed that Brian McLaren was invited to speak at Lambeth on the subject of Evangelism. Here are his reflections about being at Lambeth and a snippet of his presentation.
"What a tremendous honor and pleasure it's been to speak on the subject of evangelism at the Lambeth Conference being held here in Canterbury, England. I know that most people think the "news story" here is about divisive controversies over sexuality, but my sense is that the real news story is very different.
There is a humble spirit here, a loving atmosphere, a deep spirituality centered in Bible study, worship, and prayer, and a strong desire to move beyond internal-institutional matters to substantive mission in our needy world. Most postmodern people don’t relish being far from God, bereft of hope and roots, isolated from loving community, part of the problem rather than the solution. But neither do they want to be religious fanatics, cultists, Us and Them dualists, Church hobbyists, Judgmental fantasists. They need authentic, sane, vibrant faith.
Anglicanism at its best is well placed to provide safe space to grow this:
1. A gospel which prioritizes Jesus and the kingdom more than institutional religion, with a servant concept of ministry
2.A safe platform from which to develop creative fresh expressions of Church
3. A multicultural family, with global flexibility
4. A liturgy that at its best exibits mystery, beauty, rootedness, intelligence and clarity, biblical coherence, as opposed either to absolutism or bigoted, mean spirited zealotry.
I find this very hopeful.
With you on the Journey,
Rob+'
Good for Brian. Good for goodness!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2008
Why I Love Beginners!!
There are a few reasons why I love to deep sea fish when there are people who never have on the boat:
1. There is always the option for sea sickness (this year however, both my brothers got sick;));
2. There is always the opportunity for really silly questions to be asked (for instance: if the fish pulls really hard, should I drop the pole in the water? Answer: NO!);
3. There is no question, that the first-timer always catches the biggest fish!!
My niece Macy caught her big fish for her first trip. After the first 20 minutes and little sickness she said, 'I don't like this.' 30 minutes later, she was on top of the world after landing a boat record 41lb or 19Kilo King Mackerel!!
Yeah, we are alive and doing well. 5 more days of vacation!
peace..
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 07:19 PM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2008
What a week, or two!!
Well, the last week or so has been quite amazing.
I've been in Tuscaloosa on the family tour, and maybe more importantly, my grand-father and I have been playing in the Member Guest Golf tournament at the Tuscaloosa Country Club. To make a long story short, we finished fourth out of 48 teams and it was quite dramatic and emotional.
On the final day we played in a shoot out with all the other teams and there were about 150 people following the groups around. Every time my grand-father would make a shot, the crowds would erupt in applause! Everytime I got out of the cart, I'd almost start crying. It was very very emotional to be playing together with him in this tournament at the age of 77.
Laura and I are now with my siblings and others at our house in Florida. We go deep sea fishing tomorrow and we are really looking forward to it!
I'll hopefully get some photos of fish and of our time with family up sooner rather than later.
Looking forward to being back at blogging soon!
Stay tuned..
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2008
Staying Alive & The Fidelity of Betrayal
Well, I am still alive after the majority of my time here with Laura's family. It has been a rich time of not merely getting to know family better, but of celebrating the life of our return with Laura. I do love my wife!
In other news, on Wednesday, Pete will hold a book launch for his newest book The Fidelity of Betrayal in Belfast.
If you haven't already ordered your copy, please please please get out there and check out the book. It is another fine piece of work!
Also, in case you didn't catch the taster on the podcast, you can check out our interview with Pete here. Its good fun, and a great interview. Make sure you listen.
I fly tomorrow to Tuscaloosa where I will finish preparations for a golf tournament this weekend with my grand father. We're playing together as a team and, well, I'm excited to get to spend this time with him!
Stay tuned...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2008
Living with the Browns and transitioning stories
Laura and I have been and will continue to live the Browns off and on over the next couple of months. While we have already found an apartment, we've yet to furnish it. So, the ever so gracious Josh, Anna, Jack, and Bubba (aka Little Bit Brown) are letting us share living space with them.
So far, its been a blast, and now that Laura and I are on the Family Tour 2008 we're actually missing them. But the FT08 has been quite a trip so far:
1. Not only did I get to attend the largest wiffle ball game you might ever imagine, but we had a 4th of July BBQ at my parents place for about 50 people. This wiffle ball game has become something of a legend in the neighborhood/city/community of Eutaw Alabama, and well, it lived up to its legendary status with our team winning two out of three games 8-6, 2-5, 5-2. Yeah, it was the stuff of legends. But not nearly as legendary as this, or this.
2. A great fish tale. Yeah, I am back in the South, which also means that among other things, I spend time with family doing things that I haven't done in years. This time, namely bass fishing. My brother step-father and I all went over to one of our lakes on the 3rd and well, I shocked the world. How, you might ask, by catching a whopping 8lb+ large mouth bass. My brother was more excited than I. And would still continue to say, 'I'd love to catch a fish that big, but I might go my whole life and never catch on that size'. Talk about not knowing what I was getting into. LUCKY! Well that, and as I heard my brother describing it a friend, 'yeah we can't believe Davy Crockett came home and caught something like this already.' Yep, thats me;)
3. Golf with Dad, Uncles, and Grandpa. Yep, I've already gotten quite a bit of golf in. I lost a bit of pocket money the first day, but didn't play that bad. Now, I'm preparing to play in a tournament with my grandfather next weekend. He's getting old, but he can still play some golf. He wanted to play in the tournament one more time. I am glad I am getting to play in it with him!
4. Flat tires and talking nieces. Yesterday while driving to pick up Laura's mom from work, i ran over a roofing tile that covered all the lanes and popped two tires on the car. I've also been able to spend time with nieces Ellie and Emilie. Wow, Ellie can talk. And talk. And talk. And talk. Its truly cute cause she'll say anything. I'd love to recreate Pearl with her, but the family isn't too interested. But did I mention she could talk?
I think that is probably it for updates for now. I sense that the transition back to the American culture is going well, and every once in a while, I hear myself say something and I have to say it again differently. I've been laughed at, corrected, and mocked for saying certain things in certain ways, but I'm not really too bothered by it. Again, I'll just have to contextualize my language and the like. Cause ifin I dont, I mite jus git into moore trouble than tis worth. GBA!
I guess the only real negative thing about not being in Atlanta (or close) right now, is that I just missed Obama. But hey, we will be blue come November!
More photos to come of the Family Tour 2008.
In via...
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2008
Seriously Good Conversations
Here are a few SGCs from the last few weeks:
Meg as Mom's 'Feeling a little uninspired today...'
Jim Wallis' 'Agreeing to Disagree'
the church and postmodern culture's 'Why being against metaphysics is so cool- a schoolyard explanation'
Next Reformation's 'subverting community'. Notice their mention of Pete Rollins and Ian.
Al Gore's '15 Way to Avert Climate Crisis' via TED.
Justice and Compassion's 'Garment ethics'.
Peter Rollins' 'Religion, Fundamentalism, and Christianity'
I hope you enjoyed them as I did!
in via...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:04 PM | Comments (1)
July 01, 2008
Newest N&J Podacast Interview is Available
Make sure to check out the latest podcast with me and Josh, plus an interview with my good friend Pete Rollins.
You can also check out some other fine folks that we support such as The Church Basement Road Show and The Homebrewed Christianity Podcast. The Homebrewed guys are recording some nice interviews so be sure to check out their podcast and subscribe to it. And check out the calendar for the Church Basement Road Show so that you can swing by and have a rip roaring good time with some crazy holy ghost revialists. They also have some good videos up on YouTube.
Enjoy watching and listening...
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)