Jesus was a Warmonger! huh?

Nota Bene: The Peacemaker and The Warmonger

I think the blogger here was trying to defend President George Bush's decision for going to war. I'm not really interested in commenting on the politics part.

In the piece the blogger, K. Geffert, says that "Jesus never, ever, taught 'peace on earth' apart from His Kingdom." and that "Jesus is the ultimate warmonger!"

This just floored me. I must say that her comments frustrated me, especially with my strong Anabaptist tendencies. I think a big part of my disagreement is that I view the Kingdom differently. It sounds like she believes that the Kingdom is still to come and I believe that Jesus has already started it here and it continues to grow and when He returns it will become perfect.

Jesus never picked up a sword or tried to force his views on anyone. The conflict comes when some people get what Jesus is saying and others don't. We are to love our neighbours (that includes are loving our enemies as ourselves and treating others the way we want to be treated). Not sure how that constitutes warmongering.

Anyway I could go on and on but I also want to know what others think too. What do you think?

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Jesus, peace, Christianity, Kingdom

Weakness Christianity

As I was reading Nathan Colquhoun's blog - Based on a True Story, he mentions this essay "Freedom from Quiet Time Guilt: The rare beauty of Weakness Christianity" by Greg Johnson, St. Louis Center for Christian Study.

I must say that I, too, have felt Quiet Time Guilt; almost since my first day of my Christian journey. The past few months, I have given myself the freedom to not do force myself not to do it if I don't want to. And I've been feeling pretty good. I don't think I'm defying God, I actually find myself praying more. Maybe not reading my Bible as much as people might think I should, but I'm definately connecting with God.

Here's a quote from the article that I thought was good:

There are two religions calling themselves evangelical Christianity today: Strength Christianity and Weakness Christianity. Strength Christianity is that religion which places both feet squarely on the Bible and proclaims, “I am strong. I sought the Lord. I’m a believer. I’ve turned away from sin. I read my Bible and pray every single day. I’m for God!” Weakness Christianity, by contrast, places both knees squarely on the Bible and says, “I am weak, but the Lord has sought me. I believe, but help now my unbelief. I fail and am broken by my continued sinfulness. Have mercy on me, Lord, and grant me favor, for apart from you I can do nothing.”

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Christianity, Nathan Colquhoun, Greg Johnson

Interesting Thought

Pernell Goodyear wrote this on his blog:

"Christianity began in Palestine as a relationship, moved to Greece and became an idea, went to Rome and became an institution, then came to North America and became an enterprise."

I like it. I think it helps explain Christianity's transition. Which one is the best expression of Christianity? I'm inclined to go back to the beginning and work at relationships. Maybe it's circular and will start back at relationships then move to idea again, etc. Any thoughts?

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Christianity, Pernell Goodyear

Weight Watchers & Christianity

I've been thinking about Church a lot lately and stumbled upon this article.
How to Lose Weight and Gain a Congregation - Christianity.ca

At first I thought it amusing and now the more I've thought about it the more I'm beginning to agree with it.

Weight Watchers members feel accountable to themselves and their group. If you lose weight the entire group celebrates. If you have a bad week you share your downfalls in a supportive atmosphere. If you attain your weight loss goal there is a chance for the successful dieter to tell the whole group how their goal was achieved.

What if churches made times in their worship for public confession, personal victories and individual testimonials? Sanctuaries would be packed.

Sharing each others troubles, caring for each others needs, and just being there would be awesome to find in a church - not just in small groups but during the service time. I think making church real for today is very important.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

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Christianity, Weight Watchers

Christian convert freed in Kabul

CBC News: Christian convert freed in Kabul

I have been following this story for some time now and have found it rather fascinating.

Rahman, who converted to Christianity 16 years ago, aroused great anger in Afghanistan, where rejecting Islam by converting to another religion is deemed a capital offence by religious authorities, no matter what the courts do.

Rahman was charged with apostasy during a recent custody battle over his children.

After 16 years, they decided to charge him and most likely because of his wanting custody of his children. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he will even get to see his children for a long, long time.

Technorati Tags:
Afghanistan, Abdul Rahman, Christianity, Islam

Peacemakers in the way?

This question was asked on CTV Toronto's News at Noon in light of the Christian Peacemaker Teams that was recently released by the military and I was very intrigued by the result.

"Are Christian Peacemakers in the way in Iraq?"

Most people have said YES they are in the way. A reason they gave were that troops had to go rescue you them. They also said that they were non-essential, referring to them as missionaries who are going in to Iraq to convert the Muslim people to Christianity.

A bit about Christian Peacemaker Teams

CPT's slogan on their website says: "committed to reducing violence by getting in the way"

"CPT embraces the vision of unarmed intervention waged by committed peacemakers ready to risk injury and death in bold attempts to transform lethal conflict through the nonviolent power of God’s truth and love."

"A strategy developed thoughtfully over the years has taught us that:

trained, skilled, international teams can work effectively to support local efforts toward nonviolent peacemaking;

"getting in the way" of injustice through direct nonviolent intervention, public witness and reporting to the larger world community can make a difference;

peace team work engages congregations, meetings and support groups at home to play a key advocacy role with policy makers."

I see the CPTs as helping the military, by helping the civilians with peaceful, non-violent protest rather than violent protests with the risk of injury and/or death.

I don't see them as missionaries preaching, but as people who are living the way of Jesus.

Just some of my thoughts.

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Christian Peacemaker Teams, Christianity, Iraq war

Left Behind Video game

Culture: 'Left Behind' Videogames - Newsweek Periscope - MSNBC.com

This gave me a good laugh. I'm still in shock that it's real. Just what Christians want - "violence on the same level as Grand Theft Auto". Unbelievable.

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Video Games, Left Behind, Christian,

Post-Charismatic

Post-Charismatic

This is just fascinating. I've almost finished reading the History portion. Thanks Rob!

While you're there check out his blog too - robbymac.org

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Post-Charismatic, Charismatic, Rob McAlpine

Did Jesus Exist?

ABC news had this interesting article. "Italian Court Told to Prove Jesus Existed: Did Jesus Exist? an Italian Court Delves Into the Issue Amid Dispute Between Atheist, Priest"

I read a little blurb about this on Jamie Arpin-Ricci's blog Emergent Voyageurs. At first I thought this was some sort of joke and then I noticed it was from the ABC news (US).

I wonder how the Italian courts will handle this one? It might be very difficult with fighting the RC church on it's home turf.

Personally, I think there isn't much ground to stand on. I think Jesus has been proven historically already.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

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Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Jesus, emergent Voyageurs, ABC, newstruth

Manafest

blog.myspace.com/manafestca: "Some people think they have to get clean before they can come to God. That's like saying you're too dirty to take a shower, but really we take a shower to get cleaned up. Same with God, we go to him the way we are and he cleans us up..... Word!!!!"

I just love this. Way to go!

If you've never heard of Manafest, give them a listen at their website.

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Manafest, Christian Music, Christian, Hip Hop