signs of (political) life
October 10, 2008 by DavidOn Saturdays I typically post some newish music, but none has stood out recently. Any suggestions?
Is anyone else feeling politically worn out these days? In addition to the economic blame game being played by both parties, the destructive language surrounding the upcoming election is downright depressing. When it comes to recent politics, looking for signs of life is increasingly challenging.
Which is why last week’s episode of Speaking of Faith was particularly refreshing. I’ve recommended Krista Tippet’s radio broadcast (and podcast) to you before and am glad to do so again. In a two-part series, The Life of the Party, Tippet examines how the Republican and Democratic parties understand the role of religion in politics. Part one features Time Magazine’s Amy Sullivan, an left-leaning evangelical Christian. Sullivan is a helpful guide in understanding Democrats’ often wary relationship with religion in America. Her perspective as an evangelical adds significant insight. I hope to listen to part two, in which Tippet interviews conservative columnist Rod Dreher, this weekend.
If you listen to either or both of these broadcasts I’d enjoy hearing your response. It’s my view that we need to hear more of this type of nuanced and historical perspective in an era of sound byte news. Do either of these observers of religion and politics change how you think about the upcoming election?
street art
October 10, 2008 by David
Back in July I posted a couple of photos of some street art outside the Streetside Cafe. Last week I noticed some street art (is there a better term?) just a block from the church office, near the intersection of Belmont and Francisco.
As best I can tell, someone knitted (or is that crochet?) a very colorful scarf for this pole. It really stands out on this fairly beige section of street. I’ve never knitted anything in my life, but I love the idea of someone making this art and sewing it onto the pole. I wonder if the artist walks this block regularly and enjoys the small splash of color?
links
October 8, 2008 by DavidTime Magazine wonders whether God should be blamed for the subprime mess. Adds J. Lee Grady, editor of the magazine Charisma: “It definitely goes on, that a preacher might say, ‘If you give this offering, God will give you a house.’ And if they did get the house, people did think that it was an answer to prayer, when in fact it was really bad banking policy.” If so, the situation offers a look at how a native-born faith built partially on American economic optimism entered into a toxic symbiosis with a pathological market.
Scott McKnight on why he isn’t a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. I believe the Bible establishes a clear framework for a vital characteristic of forming all theology. The framework is what I call the “wiki†nature of gospel and theological expression. That is, God spoke to God’s people in Moses’ day in Moses’ way, in David’s day in David’s way, in Isaiah’s way in Isaiah’s day, in Jesus’ day in Jesus’ way, in Paul’s day in Paul’s way, and in John’s day in John’s way. There is, then, a clear pattern: the gospel and God’s revelation participates in “wiki†(or ongoingly renewed and renewable) versions. What this means is that there is an ongoing pattern of development and a recognition that the former days can get swallowed up in the present days.
David Fitch thinks the economy’s collapse has something to do with idolatry writ large. Starting in the 80’s however, our jobs became “careers” for personal fulfilment, our homes became idols of excess pouring thousands of dollars into upgrades, our money became a scorecard of our success. Each of these things became identity shaping idols. And these idols squeezed out community, Mission and even family from everyday American life. The obsessive focus on these idols emptied American life of depth, meaning and purpose beyond the thin veneers of American consumerism. The zenith of this excess reached its peak in these last 5-10 years. Today we are seeing the leveling of these idols. The idol hath fallen.
urban exile: suburban vs. urban church politics
October 7, 2008 by DavidMy monthly column for Leadership Journal went up this morning.
As on any other Tuesday, my wife and I hosted our weekly small group on Election Day of 2004. A quick scan of the TV stations after the Bible study showed that we’d have to wait until the next day to learn the results. “Just pray that John Kerry doesn’t win,†said one of the members on his way out that November night. Over early morning coffee a few weeks later another church friend expressed his relief that George Bush would serve a second term as president.
More recently, after a pizza dinner with some volunteers from church, someone asked where Barak Obama’s home was. Soon a small caravan was driving through Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood to see the house of what many of these volunteers hoped would be the next president. A few weeks later I watched one of our worship leaders tactfully cover her Obama t-shirt with a jacket before our Sunday service began.
What happened between 2004 and the current election season to account for this shift in the political sensibilities of our community? Maybe the political priorities of some folks have changed. Maybe churchgoers feel taken for granted by the “Grand Old Party.†Or perhaps Americans, including those within the Evangelical tradition, are just ready for change.
Or maybe not. What changed was that between these two elections we moved from an established suburban church to a 6-year old-church plant in Chicago. And that, as they say, has made all the difference…
on the night stand
October 6, 2008 by DavidDo you ever have to stop and count how many books you’re reading at any one time? I’m not sure how it works, but sometimes I’m happily reading through just one book and other times I can barely keep track.
Currently I’m finishing up the last section of The Jesus Way (as reflected on here and here). Zondervan was kind enough to send an early copy of Scott McKnight’s latest, The Blue Parakeet. I’d like to finish that and post a review or two by the end of this month. This week my copy of Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle arrived at our public library branch. I probably should have waited to start this, but the fascinating interview on NPR proved too much to resist. This may end up being one of my favorite’s of 2008.
Last week Cathy lent me her copy of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Leadership Journal sent me Coffeehouse Theology to review.
That’s a lot of books. Too many books? I suppose that depends on whether you ask my wife or me.
I probably shouldn’t ask, but what has been your favorite book of 2008?
the jesus way (2)
October 3, 2008 by DavidYou may wish to read part one of this review.
Eugene Peterson divides The Jesus Way into two sections: The Jesus Way and Other Ways. It’s notable that in the first part, aside from the first chapter about Jesus, each chapter looks at an Old Testament figure. In a book that is “a conversation on the ways that Jesus is the way” you might expect more from the New Testament. However, having finished the first section I think Peterson’s choice was spot on: by examining pre-Jesus people (Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah of Jerusalem and Isaiah of the Exile) he shows the continuity throughout redemptive history.
One of Peterson’s strengths as a life-long student of the Bible is his ability to comment on the Scriptures in a way that shows their relevancy to our lives today. I use the word “relevant” carefully. Peterson is careful not to over-simplify or show how Scripture meets our needs. Instead he shows how the Biblical narrative captures and cuts to the heart of our existence.
In the life of Elijah we encounter a prophet who must confront Ahab and Jezebel, leaders who have introduced the people of God to the deities Baal and Asherah. In contrast to the providence of God that is always found “in the particular, in the personal, in the recognition of grace in an unlikely time,” these religions offer something that many of us would recognize.
“Harlotry” is worship that says, “I will give you satisfaction. You want religious feelings? I will give them to you. You want your needs fulfilled? I’ll do it in the form most arousing to you.” Baalism reduces worship to the spiritual stature of the worshiper. Its canons are that it should be interesting, relevant, and exciting- that I “get something out of it.”
The promises of Baalism are not unfamiliar to American Christians who are accustomed to churches offering to meet spiritual needs. How many of us rate our standing with God by our religious feelings? In contrast to Baal, the prophet reminds us that “absolutely everything takes place on sacred ground.” It is not what a deity promises or what needs are currently met that show the goodness of God. No, according to Peterson God’s goodness is pr oven in a narrative that shows that all of all of creation is holy.
Nothing is hid from the scrutiny of God; nothing is exempt from the rule of God; nothing escapes the purposes of God. The ground is holy; people are holy; words are holy: Holy, holy, holy.
Peterson gently asks us to consider some difficult questions. What has shaped our image of God? What expectations do we bring to our worship? Do we live as if all of life is holy?
The final three chapters of The Jesus Ways examine three figures who demonstrate alternatives to this Way. Stay tuned.
are you registered to vote?
October 3, 2008 by DavidHere’s your friendly reminder that voter registration deadlines are upon us. Those of us in Illinois have until Tuesday, October 7th. Registration deadlines vary by state, but it seems most are rapidly approaching. You don’t want to be left out on November 4th do you?
Related…
trouble the water
October 1, 2008 by DavidOn Monday Maggie and I saw Trouble the Water and I posted a short review over at rednoW.com.
The promotion for Trouble the Water says the documentary is, “not about a hurricane. It’s about America.†Kimberly Rivers Roberts filmed Hurricane Katrina barreling down on the 9th Ward with her personal video camera. The film shows what it feels like to be trapped by a massive storm, isolated in your own city, and abandoned by the government. Roberts points her camera at her neighbors and family, including her husband Scott who figures prominently throughout the film. Through the lens of this first-time filmmaker we see water rising past porches. We see the result of broken levees, as Kimberly’s brother uses a punching bag to rescue neighbors from disappearing homes…
Read the rest at rednoW.com.
questions about debates and global poverty
September 26, 2008 by DavidWill you be watching the first presidential debate tonight? After some back and forth this week about whether John McCain would be in Mississippi for the debate it now appears things will proceed as planned. Well, sort of. This debate, hosted by Jim Lehrer of PBS, was supposed to focus on foreign policy and national security. After the financial turmoil of the past couple of weeks it now appears the candidates will spend time addressing the American economy.
If you could suggest one question for Jim Lehrer to ask McCain and Obama, what would it be? I would like to see the candidates asked how their foreign policy will affect the world’s poor. World leaders gathered at the United Nations yesterday for a progress report on the Millenium Development Goals. While progress is being made to eradicate extreme poverty, there is still plenty to be done. Yesterday’s report indicates that,
Given this timely report, I would like to hear the candidates talk about their commitment to the Development Goals. I’d like to know if they see a connection to our foreign policy/national security and the lives of the extremely poor. However, given the doom and gloom from Wall Street it’s likely that most of the debate will center squarely on America’s financial goals for itself.
Regardless of what questions are asked tonight, America’s policies towards the global poor are not simply a matter for politicians. Last month a letter addressed to “the Church in the United States” was sent from Christians leaders in the global south. The letter serves as a rebuke to the American church from our family around the world.
Therefore, we have this against you, brothers and sisters, that along with this powerful announcing of the Gospel, the Church from the United States has not also raised its voice in protest against the injustices that powerful governments and institutions are inflicting on the global South - injustices that afflict the lives and ecosystems of millions of people who, centuries after the proclamation of the Gospel, still have not seen the sweat of their brow turned into bread.
Notice that the admonishment is not for the American government but for the American church. These leaders are not looking to a Republican or Democratic president for their hope, they are looking to their Christian family.
And so we ask you as sisters and brothers, citizens of the wealthiest most powerful nation on earth, to publicly challenge your candidates and political leaders - now and after the elections are over - to lead the world in the struggle to cut global poverty in half by 2015. If you who know the Truth will not speak for us who will?
Perhaps the real action won’t be during tonight’s debates but what happens in church services over the next couple of months. Will our attention be primarily on ourselves as we ride this financial roller coaster? Will we look first to our politicians and government to solve the issues affecting the global poor? Or, will we listen carefully to our Christian family around the world and determine how our words, actions, prayers and votes can seek justice and mercy on their behalf?
Related…
a purple state of mind
September 25, 2008 by David
Aside from the content of Craig Detweiler’s latest book, the best reason to read A Purple State of Mind is the fatigue many of us experience with today’s polarized politics. We are 40 days away from the election, the presidential debates haven’t even begun, and I for one am ready for this mess to be over. The ironic thing is that I, like many of you, live in a state that doesn’t really count on election day: Illinois is a solidly “blue” state. The upside of this is that we’re not subjected to ornery political ads at every commercial break.
As a filmmaker and seminary professor in southern California, Craig knows the red state/blue state fatigue as well as the rest of us. A couple of years ago Craig and his friend John Marks made a documentary (also called A Purple State of Mind) about two friends with significantly different life experiences who sit down to explore the things that divide us into red and blue camps. I saw the film back in May and would highly recommend it for it’s insight, humor and conversational fodder. In his book Craig elaborates on a bunch of the themes that the documentary could only touch briefly.
A Purple State of Mind covers a lot of ground in 225 pages. Organized by the four conversations between Craig and John in the documentary, each chapter attempts to step away from culture war’s stark categories and instead paint in shades of purple.
To a divisive, either/or world, I offer a both/and alternative. The title of each chapter in this book has and in the center. So rather than figuring how we differ from our friends and neighbors, I’ve chosen to find as much common ground as possible… A purple state of mind pursues compromise out of conviction, conviction that God does not wish that anyone would perish.
Some people will love Craig’s purple way of thinking about difficult issues like politics, eternal salvation, and complex social issues like abortion and homosexuality. This approach will drive other people crazy. Some within the Evangelical stream of American Christianity will find Craig’s middle ground (or third way) to be nothing but cultural capitulation in thin disguise. I’m not one of those people.
Whether or not the reader agrees with the way Craig negotiates our often polarized culture, it is still possible to appreciate his search for a means to transcend the culture war. Craig is a friend and his writing and life have been an attractive examples of what it looks like to love God and love people. At the heart of A Purple State of Mind is a rather simple desire to experience and demonstrate God’s love within a culture that has often been damaged by those bearing the name of Christ.
Looking for signs of life anywhere they can be found: conversation, film, books, ideas, church, music, people, great food...
