between two worlds...

I found this an insightful piece.

"And there are layers of complexity that add to the confusion. Many young Muslims were born in Australia. Their country demands their loyalty and yet it is involved in a war that, for many, offends their families' religion and culture. International politics, Islam and injustice are regularly discussed in the privacy of their family homes."

"but how can they totally relate to, warmly embrace, or thoroughly respect Western ways when they have grown up being warned, directly or indirectly, against the decadence, the follies and the wantonness of the West?"

I can't imagine it would be easy growing up as a Muslim in Australia. But there was more I took from here. As Christian's perhaps we too should have a similar "identity" crisis as the look at this world - a world that clearly grieves God.

We too should look at the decadance of the west and grieve. (And I think our churches perhaps too often embrace the decadence of the west, rather than flee).

To quote part of an email discussion I was having relating to this –

“I do think, however, that, as Christians, it is something that we need to be aware of and monitor in ourselves. We need to remind ourselves that the way to live and the path to happiness is not through the material but belief in Jesus- a thought that can sometimes be hard to hold onto in today's material world of brands, debt, and the fashionable suburbs etc.” (F)

Which I thought summed it up quite nicely. We can't just let this world and its values wash over us. We need to be shaped by God, (Romans 12:1-2) and stand out from the world within which we are visiting (1 Peter 1-2, Php 2:12ff).

Multiculturalism … (a ramble)

I have been quite struck by the number of articles appearing in print over the last few weeks speaking about what appears to be the dark side of multiculturalism. What I have noticed from these is simply why have we assumed that multiculturalism is a good thing? Sure I’m quite take by the option I have to met with people from different backgrounds, or to go and have dinner at one of the many South East Asian restaurants in Kingsford / Maroubra, or be exposed to music and literature from another world.

Is this really multicultural? As I look at Australia, I wonder if we are more like a melting point within which we have elements of different cultures. Have we moved far from an intolerance of anything different? How do we handle the growing numbers of those from a different culture? (the traditional picture that comes to my mind, is not having a BBQ and invite my South East Asian friends, it’s the Australian on the train telling a group of “Australians” to speak English).

Is multiculturalism, an acceptance of all cultures as of equal value? Does that then mean we are to be tolerant of all viewpoints – perhaps this is were multiculturalism breaks down. To what point are we willing to extend our tolerance, is there a final line of tolerance. Do we, or should we, condemn practices of different cultures. Would a truly multicultural society allow dual legal systems – that is, should we try Muslims under Islamic law.

I do value all that people bring to Australia – I love the fact that I am able to watch a German, French, Iranian or Indian film. It adds to the rich fabric of life in Australia. I perhaps am concerned though, and this is as much a criticism of Australians as of those who seek to live here, in Australia we seem to have ethnic enclaves within our society. Our coldness towards other nationalities, perhaps leads them to be isolationist, and their isolationism, leads us to be cold. I’m not really sure how to deal with this. I mean within Christian circles we might foster this by having mono-cultural bibles studies, mono-cultural church congregations, surely we can learn from each other? In a sense, God has brought the mission field to us.

I wonder if this analogy works – to an extent the world is like our classroom, or perhaps my university lecture room. Its filled with about 200 people who have 200 different stories, 200 frameworks from which to look at the world. And we better understand the subject if we spend time seeking to understand these frameworks. Our world is our neighbourhood and an “us” and “them” mentality is not going to help here.

Hmm. I’ve wondered quite far from the articles, and perhaps like a yatch – all of which seem to be saying that our tolerance of others intolerance is getting us into trouble. I guess my comment here is we probably have more in common than we realise. And the differences between a group of anglo-australians 'would' potentially be greater than between say an Australian, and an Iraqi.

Another thougt I had was that perhaps we need to train ourselves not to think in categories, we have archival footage in our brain with which we associate Muslims etc, to speed up thinking. However all it really does is accentuates our error. And we need to train the media to stop doing that – to stop using archival footage, and make us think critically again.

Thinking back to 2001 - after 11 September there was a great silence – dissent was not allowed, criticism of the government was framed as disloyalty, or worse – treason.

Another thing I've read was Muslim's loyalty being to Allah, not the state, but not a word about the Christian, whose loyalty is to God above the state too.

Usual caveats apply: This opinion was posted by Duncan at 9.49pm, there is no guarantee that Duncan will think the same things at 9.50pm, or tomorrow. And I look forward to other thoughts or comments.

Some thoughts on “Mission”

I was prompted via reading Karen’s thoughts on mission and my brother’s follow-up to it to post a little of my own thoughts.

A lot of what they said resonated with me. I recall not so long ago my old church had a group from either Morling or SMBC College at our church in Wollongong doing a Mission. As I do recall there are both positives and negatives to this involvement. I wonder about the post mission impact the church will have. How effective will the mission by if those who build relationships with the regulars leave after one week.

I also am not a huge fan of “big events”, like Harvest Crusades. Which in the worst case without much follow-up produces conversions to an emotional state. To elaborate I remember as a “counsellor” seeing people get up from their seats and stream down to the floor, I remember the atmosphere, as Crystal Lewis, sang this beautiful song, people where in tears, perhaps being convicted of their sin for the first time, convicted of their need for a saviour for the first time. In a strictly human sense, without proper follow-up, and perhaps even with follow-up, what we see is seeds perhaps falling on the thorny ground, and as the emotion of the night goes away, they struggles and trials of life choke the Gospel out.

Don’t mishear me though – I do not think that these are limited to solely occurring at these big events, or that conversion is our work. But I do think we need to be careful, and or organised in how we follow people up. As one of the themes that I keep coming back to, is the importance of relationship in “evangelism”. I remember countless testimonies that include or began with the fact that one of their friends was different. A relationship existed that gave a context to the message, and I think that this is a crucial thing. In how we think about evangelism and mission, we must consider how do we build relationships between the church and the wider community. I think that’s better than having strangers sharing the gospel. I guess that’s another thing that I keep thinking about is that when we speak about overseas work we speak of the importance of raising up nationals to be the teachers and leaders of the future.

I’ve been struck again over the past few weeks, as the Revue is advertised, and a rally about VSU [Something I could definitely post on] was held, about the handing out of leaflets. I really felt imposed upon, and at the same time, in the past I have not felt too bad about handing out the Christian fliers. And to my mind there’s no difference, and should we worry about the litter, or how the fliers get treated once we let go of them?

I’m not sure really what I think about walk up; I think it is not something I feel particularly comfortable at. It is not something that I feel I’m particularly good at. And perhaps I should leave this to those who are gifted at this, and use the gifts I have?

Hmm, I think I’ll leave it here for comments.

Jesus and Jihad

An interesting article that caught my eye, from yesterday's SMH. Reproduced from the New York Times. [Free registration required to view the article].
 
Jesus merely raised one hand a few inches and a yawning chasm opened in the earth, stretching far and wide enough to swallow all of them. They tumbled in, howling and screeching, but their wailing was soon quashed and all was silent when the earth closed itself again. [From, The Glorious Appearing, the latest Left Behind novel]

Nicholas Kristof claims, 'If a Muslim were to write an Islamic version of "Glorious Appearing" and publish it in Saudi Arabia, jubilantly describing a massacre of millions of non-Muslims by God, we would have a fit.'

Making Disciples…

Since I've just come back from Mission I wanted to see what other people's thoughts are on discipling their contacts. I am particular curious about what other people do, particularly concerning younger people, about say under 12 years old.

What sort of things do you do? What sort of things do you recommend? We’ve normally, once we get parental consent, written to the kids. have you found any really helpful resources?

A related issue is that it is hard to properly disciple someone without meeting them.

The fundamental thing is that God will never let his people go, so God will ensure that they are in contact with other Christians. But still that shouldn’t be an excuse to be lax.

So any thoughts, related to that age group, beach mission, or general.

Beach Mission

Been down in Wollongong this weekend for a beach mission house party, for those who are not familiar with Beach Mission – Beach Mission are run by Scripture Union, on a large number of sites on the coast of Australia, and also inland. The aim is to reach families on holidays with the Gospel.

The weekend has taught me a lot about the grace and faithfulness of God. You see this year will be different on the surface, this year we have a team of about 25, not the 40 or more we are used to. But this year is not different. God does not change. God is faithful. It is the same God who used a stuttering man, who worked through an unwilling servant, through whom the mouths of Lions were stopped, through whom 300 men defeated a host.

Our God does not change. Our God is a surprising God, and through weakness, He is shown to be strong, in defeat comes victory. God’s word will go forth. God’s word will return. Souls will be changed. Not in, through, or because of us. But because our God is slow to anger, abounding in love and compassion, who desires that all will turn and live, that all would bow their knee’s to Jesus.

And this is the Gospel that we preach on Mission. Please pray, that God will continue to fulfill his promises, and that throughout all these missions, the gospel will be proclaimed faithfully, and that God’s work would be done, that in God’s mercy, the lives of all would be changed, they lives of the team-members, as they see God act, and that those who hear the message would come to know Our Maker, as their Saviour.

Holiday Reflection ...

During my holiday, God gave me a number of chances to share the gospel with people as I travelled. During a period of 24 hours, I twice heard that "Religion was to blame for all the trouble in the world".

I had difficulty commenting on that. Upon reflection, I think that there's an element of truth to that. Religion has left a mark on the world... The cartoon from yesterday's SMH was quite confronting, in a picture titled "How to Make an Explosive Device", Phillip Moir included as ingredients; poverty, intolerance, envy, martyrdom, self righteousness, and three parts religion. So obivously to the "world" religion has a large part in creating tension, and violent conflict.

Islam has often been referred to as the "violent religion", but if you look at Christianity, we too have much to be ashamed of. Much has been done in the name of Christ that ought not to be done. The examples shamefully come too easily too mind.

Which brings me to my point ... much harm has been done in the name of religion, but is it the source of the mess the world is in?

An understanding of the "troubles" in Ireland, of the American position on the Middle East, particularly America's "blind" support for Israel is due to a Zionist theology, and elements of the Islamic population are filled with a desire to convert the world to their faith and wage a holy war. The are also Christian's examples here beginning with the Crusades, the inquistion, and the age of colonialism, when converting or shooting the noble savage was a sport.

Maybe I could have told my friends that "don't follow the followers' of Christ, follow Christ himself". But as I utter that there is the bitter taste in my mouth that we are salt and light to this world, yet, we've left a foul taste in the mouth of so many. Particular hard to swallow is the taste of pedophilia in the church that those who pastor congregations could commit such vile things to those under their care, and bitter still, that those in authority could cover it up.. as so often has been the case.

I need to stop here, as I criticise, I also need to keep my own house in order I need to look at the life I live. Realising that I am an ambassador for Christ in this world, and my life must reflect the love God showed the world he created, and will redeem. But more than that I need to pray that God will show his mercy to all. He has shown grace to all, and who knows, but for the grace of God, that could be me. No, it is me I am a sinner too.

But at the same time We are challenged on some of the commands of scripture as well, commands that leave women as “different (or unequal?), commands that condemn homosexuality.

I can tell them that I believe this is the way the God that created the universe wants us to live. But in some sense, that puts us, to many, in the category of fundamental fanatics, who care more for a old dogged book than people.

I know that I want to, and have, put my trust in the God who created the universe, the God who loved his creation so much that He sent His Son to die, for a creation that mocks, that despises, and that ignores Him, and offers us freely the chance to be His Children.

Let's pray that in God's mercy many more will bow their knee to Jesus, as His Child, not unwillingly when every knee will bow, and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD.

Social Involvement ..

I am reading John Stott's Issues Facing Christians Today, as I thnk about Christian's response to the government, and more generally how we live in this world. The following words were written by a homeless women, after the country vicar she turned to for help, went to the chapel to pray for her. Food for thought.

I was hungry
... and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
... and you crept of quietly to your chapel and prayed for my
release.
I was naked,
... and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
... and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
... and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God
I was lonely
... and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
... but I am still very hungry - and lonely - and cold.

+++

Too much of our world is hungry, lonely and cold.

On Jesus' return

On Sunday night at church we were asked do we really believe Jesus will return?

The service leader made the comment that the difference between the early church, and the church today is the early church believed in the imminent return of Christ and that church today does not as obviously believe that truth.

The belief that Jesus would return soon defined how they lived. We all known that Jesus return will bring in the new heavens and the new earth, no more pain, no more tears. But, as I often forget, the bible teaches that He does not only bring mercy. He comes as judge, and if I did believe that would I not walk over hot coals or broken glasses to tell people of Christ.

What if I looked at what I valued in this world … How would a right understanding of the imminent return of Christ impact it? On Sunday night I realised I don’t live as though I believe in the coming return of Christ.

Jonathan Edwards was someone who understood what the return of Christ meant; let me quote from his famous sermon Sinners in the Hand of An Angry God. Let me encourage you if you have not already, to read this sermon in full.

The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconverted persons in this congregation. This that you have heard is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ.-That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of, there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.

But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his band, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it.

Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment

The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.

You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.

How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in the danger of this great wrath and infinite misery! But this is the dismal case of every soul in this congregation that has not been born again, however moral and strict, sober and religious, they may otherwise be. Oh that you would consider it, whether you be young or old! There is reason to think, that there are many in this congregation now hearing this discourse, that will actually be the subjects of this very misery to all eternity. We know not who they are, or in what seats they sit, or what thoughts they now have. It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons, promising themselves that they shall escape. If we knew that there was one person, and but one, in the whole congregation, that was to be the subject of this misery, what an awful thing would it be to think of! If we knew who it was, what an awful sight would it be to see such a person! How might all the rest of the congregation lift up a lamentable and bitter cry over him!

It challenges me … People I love, do not know Jesus. And the bible teaches this is what they face. How can I sit idly by, while people board the Titanic …

And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God.

Behold now is the favourable time; Behold now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2b)