One for the road...

Interactions of my sexuality (and other parts) with objective truth, honest truth and The Truth (further reflections on chapter 1 of a New Kind of Christian)

One of the Qs from chapter 1 of a new kind of christian, that we discussed in our group exploration this week was a question about why if modernity was partly about the quest for pure truth(s) why do (some) modern christians find it hard to be honest.

I found this a particularly engaging question as I was one of those modern christians who whilst engaging in defending and protecting the 'truths' of my faith was chronically unable to be honest with my feelings, confusions, fears etc.  It seemed to be that there was a polarisation between honesty, which meant a confession of why aren't these truths working harder to pure truth - which if I could grasp would transform me. 

Maybe I was just a classic example of faking it until I could make it but for the rest of this post I'd like to explore a little about truth and not least, where I believe the Truth resides, in communal, self disclosing relationship with Jesus (Truth) and with those who follow him.

The revolution Jesus would lead...

Excellent summary post here (thanks Justin) from the Revolutions conference, with Brian McLaren talking about 'the revolution that Jesus would lead' - go and read it!  Still need to be convinced, ok a couple of the things that smacked me in the face and had me turning my cheek for more were:

“The revolution Jesus would launch is a revolution of justice and kindness....”

"Pulling a drowning person out of the river is kindness. If it keeps happening, and drowning people keep floating down the river to you, you have to ask who is throwing them into the river. Doing something about that is justice...."

"God’s right hand is powerful. But God is not one-handed. God’s left hand - the prophetic hand - reaches out to the poor and powerless, and says to be just and kind. Priestly & prophetic religion - right hand & left hand of God.  Sinner’s Prayer & Lord’s Prayer..."

Now you've gone heh :)

Soundtrack to a New Kind of Christian - Chapter 1

One of the ways that I connect is through music, my taste is eclectic  so here for me are a couple of tracks that resonate with what I read in Chapter 1 of a 'New Kind of Christian.' 

(For me summary/reflection on the chapter, click here)

Wish you were here So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain. Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here. Pink Floyd

Finetime So what's it all about, do you really wanna to know Do you wanna to give or do you just wanna to take it all and go Coz you've gotta let it out if you wanna let it in Gotta get a little bit of lovin' in to make it all begin You've gotta find time to pick the right time to make a change Cos its a fine time to pick the right time to make a change So when you gonna learn that it takes all sorts Don't you think life would be a little drab if we had the same thoughts Cos you've taken all the good but you leave me with the bad And if you don't make a change pretty soon there won't be nothin' comin back You've gotta find time to pick the right time to make a change Cos its a fine time to pick the right time to make a change I do believe you read the verse I do believe you wrote the words I just need to let you out to let you in with me I just need to feel your love again and again and again and again and again Cast

Both tunes are well worth a download from iTunes :)