August 22, 2008
New Conspirators Podcast is Here
(US Cover Art)
The other week, I posted the below about my interview with Tom Sine of The New Conspirators. Well, the podcast is now available on itunes for anyone looking for it. Hurray to Nicholas for getting it up while on his adventures with Michael Holmes! Yeah, I blogged about him before too;)
I hope you enjoy it.
jc
(UK Cover Art)
Today I did a podcast interview for an upcoming release on the Nick & Josh Podcast. I am continuing my duties with the fellas even as the transition continues. And to be honest, I love the gig as much as anything!
Today I had the privilege of talking to Tom Sine of Mustard Seed Associates and The New Conspirators (US-web). Over the course of about 3 hours, Tom and I got to talk several times while both trying to connect with the other. Just when it seemed as though all hope was lost, hope prevailed and the interview happened. No Barack Obama didn't jump in a save the planet, but it sure felt like it;) Tom really is a great guy.
I just wanted to put out the info that this podcast is coming soon. As much as anything, I urge you like Andrew Jones, 'If you cant make the conference, at least buy the book.'
Kester also has pretty impressive plug on the book. He writes, 'When the great book of life is opened, some would see it that it’ll be the stellar Christians like McLaren, Baker, Rollins and Wallis who should get all the plaudits. I wouldn’t want to take anything away from any of them, but quietly, ‘one mustard seed at a time’ Tom has been actually inspiring people to do the stuff. It’s a quiet, background role, perhaps, but I think if you could trace the significance of his words and actions through all the things that have happened because of them, you’d have quite an amazing list. Vaux certainly owes him its existence in many ways.'
So yeah, it was an honor to speak to Tom. And watch out, there will be another postcast after this one on life in community during major economic recession...with Tom. Yeah, the man has some great ideas for emerging, missional, mosaic, and monastic community in the global era.
Wait for interview...but check out the book!
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 02:47 PM | 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)
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)
November 22, 2007
Brian McLaren & Domesticated Jesus...WAKE UP!
I've put these two videos together for a reason. What Brian and Bono have to say ought to go together. In this case, the idea, that we just need some help..that things must change, that there is hope is prevelant.
Both revolutionaries. Both passionaries. Both hoping for what is good! Both to be thankful for!
U2's Peace on Earth
God has showed you, oh mankind, what is good. And what does the one true God require of you? That you would act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
do good...
joshua
Posted by joshuacase at 08:14 AM | Comments (1)
October 01, 2007
Brian McLaren's New Book: A (Positive) Review
Tomorrow, Brian McLaren's new book gets released. Over the course of the last few weeks I have been working through it, or rather, devouring it and being challenged by the way it is forming the way i see the world.
Here are my thoughts, my plug, my endorsement:
In Brian McLaren's newest book, Everything Must Change, Brian connects the dots of the days' largest global crisis and shifts in global thinking with the heart of the message of Christianity. Brian's careful weaving of story and reality happens in such a way that it will make everyone from his friends to his greatest critics pause and reflect.
In what maybe his most accessibly comprehensive work yet, Brian tells his story of wrestling with the nature Christianity as we have it today, and why it must not merely change, but learn to confront the 'suicidal framing stories of our day.'
Whether you are new to Brian, read every one of his works, or a staunch critic...READ THIS BOOK!
Theologically, politically, spiritually, and economically this book might just be the straw that breaks the back of the camel of colonial, modern, daulistic thinking in every religion. Many who have left the church will read this book and again experience a revolution of hope welling up inside of them.
The message of Jesus as explored in Everything Must Change is good news for all who have the capacity to read and who choose to understand it. But maybe more importantly, it is GREAT NEWS for those who will experience this compassionate, loving, truth-telling, non-violent shift in their communities, in their families, and in their nations.
In the end, its simple: if what Brian puts forth is true, not only can everything change, but everything must change because of Jesus!
buy it, read it, share it!!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 05:53 PM | Comments (1)
August 13, 2007
Pretty dang interesting...'i' think
Reformed Heart posted this video on youtube , and apart from a wrongful linking of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell to the message that is being spoken in the background, it is pretty interesting. I am not sure who the voice is in the background, but the only other person I have heard talk 'like this', meaning in person, is John Piper. And as my friend Nicholas Fiedler said of the same talk which we later found out we were both at, 'it was scary!' (paraprhase). Nicholas, clear me up on what you really thought...
So yeah, its interesting, but if it leads to a theological processing likened to what Piper has been saying about the Minnesota bridge collapse, ummm...umm..well, just look at Greg Boyd's blog response here. Not advocating..just processing. It is a tragedy in the community of each Pastor. Yet each seems to have handled it differently from their understanding of God. Isn't the diversity beautiful?
What do you think, is this a fair treatment of Brian and Rob? I can't speak for Olsteen and Meyer; however, i guess it was good for me to see that Rick Warren has personally focussed even more on mission in a 'different way' in Africa, and he thanks is wife for that. Plus, he is also a friend of Obama;) and has had to defent it. YES!
let me hear from you..what do you think about the video..or the bridges...or..?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:33 AM | Comments (9)
May 25, 2007
Shema Community's EngaGE
Lammert has put together a great teaser video on the Shema engaGE week. Similar to a Serve the City project, engaGE will provide people from all over, and of all types, to plug into the city of Geneva through practical service.
Make sure to check out this website to register in the next few days (or early next week). If you would like to bring a group, or just come to Geneva to engaGE as an individual please email me here.
We look forward to engaging with you!
Watch this video...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:15 PM
May 20, 2007
Shema tonight...
Tonight at shema was special. We've really been exploring a lot with story lately and the way that story can form community! Tonight we retold the story of Esther in the spirit of Purim as part of our engaGE series.
As part of the evening, with 'hilighting' being the theme, we joined with lots of other people to highlight the issue of slavery that still exits today. As Mike Morrel puts it, we sought to join with other abolitionist communities to stand against today's slave trade. Morrel has highlighted the book 'Not for Sale' as a rallying point.
Also during the evening we watched this video...it was our call to community...our call to worship...our music for the evening...
stay tuned on the shema page for more!
peace...jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2007
Drew Barrymore, documentaries, and the World Food Programme
I have to admit it, my wife knows it, and I'm happy to talk about it: I've always liked Drew Barrymore. Maybe this isn't going to win me any cool points, but i thought she was the best of the Charlies Angels, I thought she was a star in ET, and well, Riding in Cars with Boys made me cry. Yep, I like her.
And now... i have a reason to talk about it because Drew is teaming up with the World Food Programme. As the offical 'Ambassador Against Hunger', Drew says she has finally found something to be passionate about and she is making every effort to raise awareness and make change happen.
If you don't know about the WFP, here are a few facts:
-they spend on 7% of donations on administration,
-last year, the WFP fed 19.4 million children in 71 countries through school feeding programs,
-the WFP proports that they work with people who 'who don't have any food, (and) boil stones in the hope that their children will fall to sleep while waiting for their "supper" to cook.
But helping the WFP isn't all Drew is doing. She has also does documentary film making. Recently she released a film on voting and will also release one on the worldwide hunger dilemma after her work with the WFP in Kenya.
This will be interesting to watch. After all, to say this, one needs to be in it for the long haul..we can hope at least.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:26 PM | Comments (2)
May 03, 2007
New Shema Series
Here is the flier for the new Shema series. Pretty excited about it. Wanted to post it here!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:07 PM | Comments (1)
May 02, 2007
Tuesday was for Thomas, Fr. Antony, and Philip
Yesterday our team (as well as Nicholas and Leslie) had the opportunity to spend some time with a couple of the Pastors/Priests in Geneva. As you may remember from my blog here on Lusmarina, it is a opportunity for people in the YFC Geneva office to get a little bit better glimpse of some of the streams of within Christianity as they are practiced/experienced in Geneva.
Fr. Antony is one of the priests at Pope John XXIII Centre. It was amazing to listen to him talk about "The Sacremental Life'. As a person who before coming to Geneva spent 32 years in East Africa, he has some real amazing stories. He has also done a significant amount of thinking and work on spiritual direction and the Ignatian Way.
The other person who came to talk to us about "The Spirit-filled Life' was Philip Kuruvilla, pastor Church for the Nations in Geneva. Coming from a completely different stream, that of the pentacostalism, Phillip shared some of the amazing stories of healing, of release from demonic oppression, of worship, and of freeing the captives of addiction that takes place in his community here in Geneva. Combined with his own personal stories of healing and deliverance, it as a really special time for many on our team who had never hear such stories.
To sum up the experience, I thought I might quote from Merton:
Man, the microcosm, the heart of of the universe, is the one who is called to bring about the fusion of cosmic and historic processes in the final invocation of God's wisdom and love. In the name of Christ and by his power, Man has a work to accomplish-to offer the cosmos to the Father, by the power of the Spirit, in the Glory of the Word. Our life is a powerful Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit, ever active in us, seeks to reach through our inspired hands and tongues into the very heart of of the material world created to be spiritualized through the work of the Church, the Mystical Body of the Incarnate Word of God.
If I can unite in myself, in my own spiritual life, the thought of the East and the West, of the Greek and Latin Fathers, I will create in myself a reunion of the divided Church, and from that unity in myself can come the exterior and visible unity of the Church. For if we want to bring together East and West, we cannot do it by imposing one upon the other. We must contain both in ourselves and transcend both in Christ.
Posted by joshuacase at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007
A New Shema Series and More
In the next few weeks we'll be starting a new series at Shema which we feel has some pretty important implications for how we do life with others in Geneva.
Lammert has been blogging about them here a little and you can follow the Shema blog as well.
I'd also like to add this song as a bit of a teaser/taster for where we'll be headed. Thanks again to our patron Saint.
please....jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
This week's SGCs (and there are a few) are (in no particular order):
The Evolution of Faith at Danutz
Subversive Syntax by Tony Jones at Church and Postmodern Culture
John Smulo on Capital Punishment and the Bible
Brian T Murphy- March 25
Ryan Bolger on 'Continuing Jesus' Mission Into the World (Part Two)'
How Might Scripture Read Us? by Prodigal Kiwi
Hope you enjoy this week's seriously good conversations! I know i did!
Posted by joshuacase at 08:23 AM | Comments (1)
March 19, 2007
The Conversation Over There..
As you may have seen, or not, I have been a part of discussion over at Jason Clark's blog on "Ethical Good News'. It has been a good conversation with several different voices involved. I would highly recommend you take the time to read through some of the things being said there..and respond when/if you are able.
In a similar vein I wanted to take the time to highlight a story i came across via a friend. It is an article about some churches in Sydney that posted the below sign outside. It turns out, it has caused quite a conflict among some of the press and parishioners of the area.
My friend, Ian, when telling me about this article made a comment to the effect, that this upheaval was just further evidence of how the message of Jesus isn't always the messsage Christians want to hear. For years it has been..for years the itching ears were given what they wanted to hear...but not so much any longer.
I know it sounds scary to some people, but i think this is great news!! Jesus really was about upseting the privileged, the religious...the normal!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Brian McLaren on Joseph, Noah, and Pre-emptive Preservation
As first posted on Sojourners:
Monday, March 12, 2007
Brian McLaren
I've been thinking about the recent controversy regarding James Dobson and other conservative religious leaders who wrote a letter criticizing Richard Cizik and the National Association of Evangelicals for taking the threat of global warming seriously. They described global warming as a distraction from the top moral issues of the day. Their perspective made many of us from an evangelical heritage feel that we are living on another planet from these religious leaders.
I don't know why I never thought of the comparison before, but this evening the biblical story of Joseph came to mind. He issued a warning - with no real scientific evidence - of a coming drought. The leadership of Egypt heeded his warning and began stockpiling food so that their people wouldn't starve if and when the drought materialized.
As scientists go beyond identifying the threat of climate change to predicting its impact on global civilization, I wonder what it might look like for our nation and the nations of the world to take joint ameliorative action regarding greenhouse gases, and to take precautionary action regarding water and food. I wonder what it might be like for people of faith, like Joseph, to take a catalytic role in these efforts. And I wonder what mischief we might be legitimately distracted from if we came together around a cause like this.
The biblical story of Noah comes to mind too, because so many species have already been pushed to the brink of extinction and beyond, and with rapid climate change, this tragic trend is likely to skyrocket. What would it be like for people of faith to follow Noah's example in preserving species wherever possible - by preserving natural habitat, and in other cases, creating "arks" to preserve species whose natural habitats are destroyed by flood or drought or melting ice or rising sea levels. People of God, both the Joseph and Noah stories suggest, are keenly interested in the common good - the good of all human beings and the good of all living creatures.
Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and others have complained recently about the ways that religious people use sacred texts for violent and cruel purposes. Perhaps stories like these can fund our imaginations in more constructive ways.
Posted by joshuacase at 07:34 AM
March 15, 2007
A Video Blog debut..
This evening I have had the opportunity to serve as a guest blogger over at Jason Clark's blog. I have had the privilege of getting to know Jason over the last couple years. He is great guy and truly seeking to humbly understand what it means to be the church in culture. A definate RSS subscription! You will not not want to miss all that happnes there!
It is a real honor to be a guest blogger there along with several other guest bloggers. Cheers to Paul as well for his work in making it possible. Check it out and leave your comments there. Would love to see some video or audio responses.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:42 PM
March 14, 2007
Video Blog Wednesdays
Posted by joshuacase at 09:02 PM
March 05, 2007
Shema Community and Bono...
Shema last night went great. We had a great start to our series on 'The Open Secret'. YOu can see some of what we explored here on the Shema blog. We'll be updating it much more frequently in the coming weeks with thoughts and some reflections on Bible readings.
You'll also see a link to this video. Its a bit long....but dang...its good!
Preach!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:26 PM
March 03, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
I wanted to take a blog as i do often, and highlight a couple of what I am going to start labeling (as if it is necessary) 'seriously good conversations'. They may not seem like conversations that everyone wants to be involved with; however, to me, they are really important conversations which seem to be authentic, redemptive in approach, or/and fresh in their expression.
Today, I want to highlight three:
Paul Mayers' An exclusive inclusive Christ, and subsequently, Restoring my humanity: personal experiences of Jesus as way/truth/life...
Nicholas Fiedler's (A)gnosticism, Part I- Is it even worth thinking about & (A)gnosticism: Part II- What is in a name?
Josh Brown's Reimagining Capitalism Series. I wish had the funds to hire Josh to do headers for all the series i think up...But hey, you can't have everything. But maybe he can do a "seriously good conversations" header for me;)
Read. Listen. Engage.
Posted by joshuacase at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Today, Australia became an interesting place...thanks to globalization
So lets see how many Australians, Americans, or English laugh...
Did you know on this day in history in the year 1788, the first convicts arrived in Australia from the UK? It's true.
Speaking of globalization, did you also know that the Zimbabwe dollar has an expiration date and that McDonalds now serves over 54 million customers each day? Yep, its true.
Did you also know that in the time it took you to read this blog alone, at least 10-15 people have died of starvation?
Man, we've got to do something. God, please help!! Yahweh, help those who can make a difference to really make a difference! Allah, bring peace!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
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
November 03, 2006
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
October 03, 2006
Brian McLaren's tribute to the Crocodile Hunter
Here is Brian McLaren's tribute to the Steve Irwin (as first posted on Jim Wallis' blog. Brian makes some very interesting points about Irwin's missionary-esque love and care of God's creation. Very interesting to think about indeed.
Within hours of the Crocodile Hunter’s death on September 4, 2006, I started receiving sympathy emails from friends who knew that I was a big fan of Steve Irwin. They knew that I am one of those strange Irwinesque people who use words like habitat and riparian and substrate, who think rattlesnakes can be beautiful, who are intrigued by spiders, who find it as interesting (though in a different way) to watch a tortoise plodding along as to watch a football game, who can’t hear a bird singing or notice a leaf in the sunlight without needing to know its name – including its scientific name if possible. They think I’m a little strange, and they think Steve was a little weird, but they wanted to express their sympathy anyway. I have nice friends.
I confess, I’ve shed a few tears thinking about Steve’s stingray-induced death at 44, about his classy wife Terry and their beautiful kids Bindi and Rob; about what they’ll miss, and what we’ll all miss.
I know this might sound strange, but I think the man was a kind of missionary. He knew why he was put here on this planet; he knew his mission, and he knew it was more than a job. It was a vocation, a truly spiritual calling, an invitation and solemn duty to join in the care of God’s sacred creation.
What characterized Steve’s mission? Saving love – and especially for the creatures that are often misunderstood, despised and hated - crocs, sharks, snakes, spiders, and their kin.
Saving love, I’ve noticed, is at the heart of most good things in the world – musicians with a saving love for an almost forgotten genre of music, archeologists with a saving love for the artifacts of ancient civilizations, citizens with a saving love for their city, doctors with saving love for at-risk patients, teachers with saving love for at-risk students, social workers with saving love for at-risk families, pastors with saving love for at-risk sinners.
There seems to be a clue there, perhaps even a revelation, that saving love is in the heart of everything. Steve’s saving love was for wildlife, and based on the words of Jesus – about God’s care for sparrow and wildflower – in Steve’s consuming passion his heart was resonating with God’s own.
He had a zealot’s passion for saving wildlife, and he had a childlike freedom to let his passion show. Somehow, he managed to grow up without ever outgrowing the unabashed wonder and unedited enthusiasm that all of us probably had at one time.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Steve as missionary tonight (a re-run was on TV, and I couldn’t help but watch it, even though I’ve seen it about four or five times before). I was struck in a new way by how Steve took the high road, the positive road. He didn’t spend a lot of time attacking multinational corporations and the way they plunder the environment (as I do). You didn’t hear him fuming about clueless governments with whacked-out priorities (as I do), or ranting against complacent publics (ditto), or whining about what’s gone wrong with modern western culture (repeat ditto). Maybe in private he vented sometimes, but not in public.
Instead of damning the sinful ugliness of humans who lack saving love, he chose a different strategy, a better one, I think: he simply, consistently, passionately, and naively demonstrated saving love by praising the beauty of God’s creatures – confident that he could inspire that saving love in others if they could just see the beauty too. He called himself “a wildlife warrior,” but his only weapons were enthusiasm and love. I think all of us – whatever our mission – could learn a lot from him. (The previous point was understated, but you probably already noticed that.)
In our saving love for children (unborn and born), in our saving love for cities and farmland, in our saving love for justice and peace and the oppressed and the war-ravaged, we have to remember the irreplaceable value of celebrating their beauty with Irwinesque wide eyes and face-breaking smiles.
I don’t recall Steve speaking of God much. But every time he said, “Isn’t that a little beauty!” I think he was speaking for God, the One who notices and loves the smallest goodness of every created thing. The look on his face when he sat with an orangutan or swam with a green sea turtle or let a lizard perch on his finger – that look in itself was a sign and a wonder. Sure, some people think he was over the top, but with millions of other fans, I miss him, and with them, I’m inspired to live life a little – no, a lot - louder and freer because of him … playing my own unique part in the sacred mission of saving love. Rest in peace, Steve-o. Well done.
Brian McLaren is an author (brianmclaren.net), most recently of The Secret Message of Jesus, and leader in emergent (emergentvillage.com). He is also board chair for Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:44 PM | Comments (1)
October 01, 2006
Rain, Shema, and Geneva
It's another raining day in Geneva. It just keeps coming. Yesterday showed a little glimmer of hope with a break in the clouds. Alas, such is the entry into the autumn for us.
We will be having our first Shema gathering of the Autumn tonight. We're starting a three part series (i heard that) on the shema. This one is entitled, "shema to the sound". We'll be exploring shema in oral culture; specifically, the evolution of Christianity through oral culture. We'll also be reflecting on the loss of our own oral culture(s) and the effects of this on the way we choose to be formed by the community around us. Is the loss of a true "oral culture" hurting us in the electronic age? Did we lose something of authentic humanity with the print age? Can we regain what was lost in the electronic age? Just a few thoughts.
Yes, should be an interesting evening; especially in light of meeting as if in oral culture (no electronic media or sound, no electronic lighting (we think), nothing which has been mass prodiced through print). Of course, meeting in the Auditiore de Calvin should make it interesting, as it is the ancient space where Jean Calvin and John Knox taught. Quite a bit of oral-towards-print history about this place!
In our next two meetings in October (15, 29), we'll exploring shema in print (letter) and electronic (image) cultures.
I will let you know how it goes....
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:04 AM
September 16, 2006
He's done it again...Pete that is...
Well, this is not my friend peter rollins. But it is one of my favorite images that appear when you google Peter Rollins in images. I'm pretty sure pete may not even know who this guy is; however, if you are from the USA and a guy...or a girl who liked to watch WCW wrestling, you'd know it was none other than....Rick Flair. go figure.
Pete however has done it again. I mean, i love to come up with catchy thoughts and phrases. But pete, pete is catchy thoughts and ideas that make one ponder. I mean really, he embodies them. His most recent blog entry title was: "Reflections On An Interventionist God".
If you are interested, and you've had at least two cups of coffee already...and are looking for a less-than-light meal of thoughts, visit Pete's website for more! And I promise,Pete's site will give you you a taste of something that will either make you love the guy, or be scared of the guy. But for me...I love the guy!
If you don't have a copy of his book, BUY IT NOW!!!
peace...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:52 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2006
McLaren in Washington Post
Just wanted to highlight Brian McLaren in the Washington Post.
Posted by joshuacase at 10:08 AM
August 22, 2006
Shape or Substance Podcast- Part 1
Well, for better and for worse, the conversation that took place in Tuscaloosa Alabama at the Pour Cafe between Lammert Vrieling , myself, and a room of about 35-40 people is now live. Click on the above flier, and it should take you to a place to down load it. Enjoy, and subcribe to the Nick & Josh podcast to be kept up-to-date on lots of great stuff, excluding parts 2 & 3 of Shape or Substance discussion.
Posted by joshuacase at 04:20 PM | Comments (2)
June 16, 2006
What is the emerging Church
My friend Jason Clark has been doing a great series on the emerging church on his blog. I highly suggest all interested to connect to his rss feed. Jason also serves as the Emergent-Uk coordinator. You can also find his doctoral thesis here. Make sure you watch for more to come from him in the coming months and years! He has the unique ability to genuiniely combine a deeply pastoral gifting with a great theological mind!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:06 PM
May 29, 2006
Emergent- A few thoughts
Here is a recent article by a fellow emergent-esque guy named Tony Jones. Tony really inspired me several years back to start thinking about the practice of global Christianity. He is well known in many academic and practioner circles.
Is Emergent the New Christian Left? Tony Jones responds to the critics
In December, Brian McLaren was arrested along with 115 other activists while peacefully protesting the federal budget that he believes unfairly treats the poor. As one of the most visible participants in Emergent Village, McLaren’s increasingly outspoken political views has some wondering—is Emergent a new camp for Christian liberalism? In this post Tony Jones, the national coordinator for Emergent, responds to critics by championing Emergent’s conversational purpose and celebrating the group’s diversity.
I read a lot of blogs, my wife and friends say too many. And some of those blogs are deeply critical of Emergent Village, a decade-old friendship that has, after my family, become home to my most important relationships. My Emergent friends, old and new, love Jesus and are robustly grappling their way into God's future. It seems to me that the two most important commitments that we in Emergent share are 1) we are ultimately hopeful about God's future, and 2) we are committed to moving forward together, as friends.
What continues to surprise me is how dangerous some people consider this friendship I'm in to be. If you take some of these blogs (and books) seriously, those of us who make up the Emergent Village are a great threat to the Christian church—we have undermined doctrine, truth, and church life. The fact that we're discussing theological items that have been previously deemed "undiscussable" is considered grounds for labels like "heretic" and "apostate."
Honestly, I care little about these critiques. They come from those who either have no idea what Emergent is all about and/or could not possibly be persuaded from their position anyway.
On the other hand, I'm currently hearing and reading that Emergent is part of the "New Christian Left." Mark Driscoll, for instance, has recently drawn a line in the sand between "emerging evangelicals" and "emergent liberals." He places himself in the former camp, and I assume he'd assign me to the latter. Others, like Ed Stetzer, have similarly attempted to divvy up the emerging church. Stetzer gives three labels: relevants, reconstructionists, and revisionists. Again, I can assume that I'm among the lattermost, whose "prescriptions fail to take into account the full teaching of the Word of God," according to Stetzer. Yet another Christian leader has recently accused us of becoming one with Jim Wallis, Sojourners, and the Christian Left.
The problem with all of these critiques is that they fundamentally misunderstand the nature of Emergent Village. We are a group of friends—about 20 in 1997, and now in the thousands—who are committed to doing God's Kingdom work together, regardless of our theological, ideological, and political differences. Are we friends with Jim Wallis? Yes! And are there Bush-loving neocons among us? Yes! Emergent is a loose collection of folks who feel that true, robust conversation about issues that matter has been chilled out of modern Christian institutions (seminaries, mega-churches, denominations, and para-church groups, to name a few). We're trying to make a place to bring conversation back.
Thus, we have friends among us who think that small government, free market economies are the solution to poverty, and others who favor federal programs and higher taxes—honestly, this is an ongoing conversation within the Emergent friendship. But we all agree that something must be done about extreme poverty, especially in Africa.
Within Emergent are Texas Baptists who don't allow women to preach and New England lesbian Episcopal priests. We have Southern California YWAMers and Midwest Lutherans. We have those who hold to biblical inerrancy, and others trying to demythologize the scripture. We have environmental, peacenik lefties, "crunchy cons," and right wing hawks.
I suppose it's easy for those who stand outside of Emergent Village looking in to credit the politics or theology of a few to the whole group, but that's inaccurate. And I can understand the frustration of those who want to criticize us and box us in when we say that we don't play by the old rules, that we can't be categorized as "left" or "right," "evangelical" or "mainline."
But, I think those same critics will only be more frustrated as the tide of those rebelling against a commodified and domesticated Jesus gain momentum. If the mainstream media is a harbinger, then I'd say that recent columns by Gary Wills and Andrew Sullivan show that a tipping point is just around the corner. Jesus really wasn't a Democrat or a Republican, and he won't be domesticated by political agendas. I do, however, believe that he will inhabit the robust and respectful dialogue about ideas that matter.
Posted by joshuacase at 08:29 AM