Reflections on Others

Colossians Remixed

We covered the first ethic (ethic of secession) a few days ago. The second ethic in Colossians Remixed is the “ethic of community.” Walsh and Keesmaat quote Rodney Clapp, who states that the early Christians “were about creating and sustaining a unique culture…and they were determined to be a culture, a quite public and political culture, even if it killed them and their children” (p. 179; emphasis mine). The last line sticks with the reader. Losing one’s own life for a cause is difficult to perceive but to also put one’s children in harm’s way is seemingly inconceivable. The writer of the paper is indifferent about this statement, but it makes the reader think about his or her family’s commitment to the cause of Christ. The Jesus painted by much of American Christianity, frankly, is not worth dying for and especially not worth putting one’s children in harm’s way.

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Colossians Remixed

Part 1.

Jesus is no longer worth following, or, at least, the Jesus painted by twenty-first American Christianity is not worth following. He is not exciting. He does not energize. Many in America have made Jesus into a prosperous, white-collared North American in order for anyone to pay interest. On the other hand, the Jesus, who Paul espouses, is exciting and challenging. Through Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat in their book Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire bring to light a first-century Jesus, who is the Lord of the whole world and an alternative to Caesar and his empire. Based on this type of Jesus, the authors do well to remind the reader of a few things that he or she should take into account. They take this first-century, subversive message of Jesus and apply it directly to followers of Christ today. This Jesus is worth following.

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Two Fridays ago, I was asked by Mary Jane Hazell “on her death bed” (so to speak) to preside over her funeral. I was honored to do so on Friday, November 13. Below is what I shared at the funeral. My desire was to provide hope for the family but also to anyone else who listens.

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We are here today to celebrate the life of Mary Jane Hazell, beloved friend, mother, wife, and grandmother; dedicated to the Somerton community, the importance of education, and her family; and, for many of us, the most selfless person with whom we’ve ever engaged.

Mary Jane Hazell was born June 16, 1933, as the youngest of 17 children. Her husband, Richard, of almost 44 years and she raised two lovely daughters, Deborah Ann and Jayne Marie; and eight wonderful grandchildren have followed. She passed on Sunday, November 8, 2009.

Mary Jane and I had multiple interactions over the last few years of her life. She was a beautiful person. I always enjoyed her enthusiasm for the Phillies and the Eagles. I, too, enjoy cheering for those teams. Interestingly, the Friday before she passed, my family and I came over to her daughter Jayne’s house, and we prayed with Mary Jane. I shared a passage of Scripture from Isaiah that speaks of the weak–about the Lord giving them strength and raising them up on “eagles wings.” After I finished, Mary Jane turned to me and spoke in almost a whisper, “I like how you slipped my Eagles in there.” A little perplexed, I listened on. “And they’re going to beat those stinkin’ Cowboys on Sunday!” I couldn’t help myself but to laugh. Here’s Mary Jane, very close to death, yet all she wants is for the Eagles to “beat those stinkin’ Cowboys.” For me, I just sat there and said to myself, “That’s Mrs. Hazell. That’s her, and that ‘fighter’s spirit’ is why we all love her.”

Death

Death is a reality. The Scriptures explain that death was brought into this world as a result of the rebellion of humanity against God. Death is an ever-present force that permeates our existence. We see it all over. We see death physically, but we also see it metaphorically. Death comes into our relationships. It seeps into the ground of our environment. Whether it is when a child goes hungry or someone lies to us, death is always there. And it brings great anguish deep into our being. Thus, we must not ignore or deny death. We must not ignore or deny suffering and pain. It is a reality, and we must deal with it. A great woman has passed away, and we are greatly saddened. The verse Colleen read reminds us of the limits of our humanity, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly…” (1 Cor. 13:12a NRSV).We may not understand, but we must deal with it.

Resurrection

However, the Scriptures also give us hope, do they not? According to the Scriptures, upon death, one goes to be with the Lord, but that is only a temporary stop on the journey to a glorious day, when Jesus will return to earth; and God will make all things right. We will be resurrected from the dead, and our physical bodies will be transformed; and we reign on earth with Jesus Christ forever. That same verse continues, “…but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Cor. 13:12b). There is a “now,” but there will be a “then,” a time when all will finally make sense. Now, we do not understand. Then, at resurrection, we will fully see things as they are.

Our hope is found in Jesus. The writer of 1 John states, “The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (3:8b NRSV). The works of the devil are the constraints of Death, and the Son of God is Jesus Christ; and, by his own death and resurrection (his coming back to life), he has destroyed death and has victory over it. There is great hope in this work–not only in Christ’s own resurrection but the resurrection of all people. An early follower of Jesus named Paul has so much hope in this that he speaks again in 1 Corinthians about the sudden resurrection of God’s people, and, when that happens, he says, “…the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

Here, Paul taunts death. He taunts its victory and its sting. He challenges Death’s claim to be an all-encompassing power. Paul says, “No, death does not have the last word. It does not have the final say. The world is not about ‘business as usual.’ Something is different because of the work of Jesus–one day death will be ’swallowed up in victory.’ We will be changed. This is resurrection.” Jesus Christ has done something of cosmic proportions that the belief about the world running on the same ol’ track is simply not true. Death is being swallowed up!

Through Jesus, God has stepped into the world and confronted Death. So, where Death is, God is there. God is here amongst us today. He is here in our pain. Paul finishes this great statement on resurrection by saying, “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” As we wait the glorious day of resurrection of all, we must be immovable, steadfast, and excelling in the work of the Lord. When we do these things, we experience the future resurrection in the present. Resurrection can be figurative, as well as literal. And this is where I believe Mary Jane Hazell always was. She was continually doing the work of the Lord wherever she went–in local schools, the community, and her family–and, in these places, and because of her, we experienced resurrection in the present. When she told us a story, resurrection. When she made us laugh, resurrection. When she gave of herself time and time again for her family, resurrection. Mary Jane showed us the power of resurrection in everyday life. Death is being swallowed up!

We look forward to the day when God will wipe out Death in all its areas. All those who have died will be resurrected, and the followers of Jesus will reign on a renewed earth with him forever. In this moment, Death will be no more. As John envisions,

God will renew all creation. He will put the world back to rights. It will be as he intended. No more sorrow, no more pain, no more death. Now, we wipe tears from our faces, but, then, there will be no more crying, no more tears. And where these things are no more, we will share life with Mary Jane again. We will walk the shores with our grandmother. We will sing songs with our sister. We will share stories with our mother. We will parade and march in-step with our friend through the renewed streets of Somerton. We will be with her again, and she with us. There will be no more saying, “Good-bye.” For we will see our loved ones in the morning.

Jayne and Debby told me that their mother would never let them go to bed without saying one particular thing. Before bed, they must always say, “Goodnight. God bless. I love you.” Even, if they were angry and stormed off to bed, they had to come right back down and say, “Goodnight. God bless. I love you.” In those days after resurrection, all things will be renewed, we will live on a renewed earth, and we will never say, “Good-bye,” as we do here today. We will simply say, “Goodnight. God bless. I love you.” And we will see Mary Jane–our friend, mother, sister, grandmother–again in the morning.

The English author J. R. R. Tolkien speaks of resurrection and days like this in the last of his books in The Lord of the Rings series. The enemy is storming the gates of the city. The magician Gandalf and the hobbit Pippin sit side-by-side, awaiting what seems to be inevitable doom.

Mother Teresa

On the wall at Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.”

-Mother Teresa

Picture of my daughter

I don’t know what it was, but, perhaps, it was when I sat down in front of one of my daughter’s Disney movies and saw a preview for a “DVD release only” movie about Tinker Bell’s adventures that I thought - “I’m OK with my daughter liking Disney.” Fundamentalists, I know Disney isn’t the most moral of producers. Liberals, I know Disney’s princesses at times have reinforced the traditional gender roles. But you know what? - I’m OK with my daughter watching Disney movies and television shows for a number of reasons, but, most importantly, the importance of imagination is emphasized in Disney products.

My daughter is a fan of a few things Disney. Her favorite TV shows are Handy Manny, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Little Einsteins. This Halloween she will be dressing up as Snow White. Finally, she is starting to become more interested in the Disney princesses.

We all grow up and are told that there are no such things as fairies, princesses, dragons, mice that talk, carpets that fly, or tigers that can bounce on their tails. No, I don’t believe in fairies (and, according to Peter Pan, that could kill one), but I would rather have a child who believes in fairies, princes, dragons, and toys that talk than the opposite. I’d rather have a daughter who dresses up like Snow White and pretends to be her, wishes for a prince to come, and imagines spending time with dwarfs than the opposite.

Children teach us so much about imagination. They teach us to believe in the impossible, to ask questions, and to run after the intangible. They love the little things in life, enjoy feeding ducks, or snuggling with their mothers. They love to jump into your lap and read a story. All of this because they have imaginations.

Where have our imaginations gone?

Do we not believe in fairies who bring joy behind the scenes? Do we not believe that God can do the impossible? Do I not believe that God can reach into my life and deliver me from evil? Do I not believe that there are dragons in this world who seek to destroy good and justice? Do we not believe in a prince who will rise from his rags and bring us into peace?

I’d rather my daughter believe in those things that Disney creates, and I’d rather her participate with Mickey Mouse and sit and read the adventures of Donald Duck; because when it comes down to believing and imagining in the intangible or dismissing all mystery, I’d rather my daughter watch Disney movies.

Mickey Mouse and friends

Here’s an interesting quote I came across in my reading of Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics Vol. I.2:

The freedom of the Word of God in regard to the government of the Church means that in all circumstances the Church walks in the way which was yesterday indicated to it by Scripture; in a way, therefore, where to-day it is willing and ready to take fresh directions with the obedient spirit it showed yesterday. Just for this reason, exegesis in the Church cannot and must not be discontinued. Each new day its task consists in tracing out the particular freedom which the Word of God takes to-day in the course of its government of the Church. But here again we conclude with the reminder that at this focal point of the Church’s action the decisive activity is prayer, the giving of thanks for the reality of this government and the petition that it may never cease to be a reality. Because it is the decisive activity prayer must take precedence even of exegesis, and in no circumstance must it be suspended.

[p. 695. Barth, K. Church dogmatics: the doctrine of the Word of God, second half-volume. Eds., Bromiley, G. W. & T. F. Torrance. Edinburgh: T & T Clark]

I often do not look at prayer as it “must take precedence even of exegesis.” I’ve always found myself seeing exegesis as more important than prayer in all things. However, I’ve been somewhat conflicted recently when thinking about the lack of my prayer life. It’s poor, plain, poor. Perhaps, I am seeing prayer as secondary to exegesis or theological studies? Barth seems to think the opposite must be true for the Church. Whereas intellectual pursuit brings my mind into the presence of the transcendent, prayer seems to bring all of myself into the transcendent, and maybe that’s what Barth is saying here–prayer is vital to the Church, and it must be our priority.

Do you agree with Barth’s statement?

I thought this was an interesting article, and I am welcoming others’ thoughts on it. Will Nicholson, M.D. (left), left his company’s healthcare plan in order to better understand those who have (what he calls) health “insurance.”

“Why I said ‘no’ to my employer’s health plan”

Excerpt:

My goal in venturing into the individual health insurance market is to add first-hand knowledge of the patient’s side of the system to my current experience from the physician’s point of view…    more…

Q: What is should be the Christian’s response to healthcare? Is it truly beneficial for everyone if healthcare is unaffordable to many? Or should we approach this from a different angle altogether?

Thomas from Everyday Liturgy guest-blogged on Tapestry: A Christian Women’s Collective on the debate of creation.

Excerpt:
My beliefs about the creation of the world are in essence conservative: my understanding conserves the core understanding of Christian tradition and the historical understanding of the creation, yet I am open to the mystery of creation. For me I don’t need to really pick sides between young earth creationism and theistic evolution, or old earth creationism and theistic evolution, or young earth against old earth. All of these beliefs begin with the claim that God has created the heavens and the earth. I firmly and absolutely believe that. It is central to my faith, and I believe it is a central claim of the Christian faith as well.

But the how? I don’t know. And in all honesty, neither does any one of us, with complete certainty. A helpful motto for the creation vs. evolution discussion, one that should be recovered in much of Christianity, is “let mystery be mystery” (more…)

There has been a lot of internet buzz about The Episcopal Church’s General Convention’s 99-45 vote to allow the ordination of gay bishops. Regardless of my personal feeling about this, I think N.T. Wright responds well to the whole issue. The issue clearly seems to be breaking with the rest of the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church says they want to remain in the Angilican Communion, but they voted on something that would clearly cause schism.

In the slow-moving train crash of international Anglicanism, a decision taken in California has finally brought a large coach off the rails altogether. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States has voted decisively to allow in principle the appointment, to all orders of ministry, of persons in active same-sex relationships. This marks a clear break with the rest of the Anglican Communion(more)…

What are your thoughts on the TEC’s vote? What are your thoughts on what Bishop Wright states?

*UPDATE* Gideon commented on this post with an excellent response to N.T. Wright by Father Cannon, who claims Wright is “off the mark” on this topic. Please check it out here.

I lean more to N.T. Wright’s side, but Father Cannon brings up great points. Thus, based on the two posts, where do you agree or disagree with both authors?