theRubicon

by John Norton

H

eaven is often made into the image of whatever is convenient for the teller. History is replete with descriptions and “revelations” about heaven that conveniently meet the interests of those in power.

The Bible is so vague about heaven: streets of gold, many mansions and a great banquet. In sum, the Bible largely speaks about heaven using unclear metaphoric language. It is the type of information that pretty much any of us could think up ourselves. The Bible doesn’t shed any light on the mystery. It doesn’t add anything I wouldn’t already imagine heaven to be myself.

Many progressive thinking Christians have trouble believing in hell, at least the fire and brimstone kind with eternal punishment as its goal. Instead, they adopt some kind of annihilationist theory or consider hell a metaphor for death. But my problem these days is with heaven and how it has been a tool of manipulation. I just find heaven has been too often used by those in power for their own purposes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Belief | 1 Comment »

Lost themes of mission… Jubilee

Bruggemann (2002 Reverberations of Faith: A Theological Handbook of Old Testament Themes) draws attention to the biblical concept of Jubilee, a radical ethical-economic practice sanctioned for Israel to curb greed, exploitation and the whole rapaciousness of society where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor. The general idea was that every fifty years the people were to: release all debts; set slaves free; let the lands lie fallow and lands were to be returned to their original (and rightful) owners.This certainly sounds like good news to the poor. Disappointing then that Old Testament scholars suggest that it never actually happened. I was disappointed but found myself drawn to what was however God’s intention for humanity.

Read the rest of this entry »

Shades of grey, theRubi-blog | No Comments »

Is it possible: choice & mission integrity?

W

e spent some time with a man in our community who is retiring from the city school system after thirty years.  I’ve got to tell you, I was envious.  As he sat with us and articulated his convictions about how he needs to live as he goes forward through the next leg of his journey, I was overwhelmed by his passion and his honesty.  He outlined five vital areas where he has the opportunity to make changes and spoke specifically about how he plans to make those happen - including where he lives, how he will spend his time, and the amount and type of work he is going to do.

Envy aside, I’m fully aware that at least some of the changes that I would like to make in my life are in my control.  I can decide how much time to spend writing, and how much time to spend talking to Jesus.  I can decide to put the work aside and go for a walk, but there are other areas where I cannot decide, because certain options are forbidden to officers, (such as getting a part-time job to help my son with college), or are prescribed in a way to eliminate choice (where I am appointed, the requirement to live in the quarters).

Read the rest of this entry »

Ecclesia, Power | 5 Comments »

Is the Army relevant?

A

re churches relevant to their society and culture? What does it mean to be relevant?

With the background of recent comments from others about Willow Creek Community Church “repenting” of the seeker sensitive model, I have been thinking of the importance of the church today. I want the church to be relevant.

Sometimes there are people who cry out, “The Bible isn’t relevant.” Or they state that we need to “make the Bible relevant.” I understand the cry and the need but as I read the scriptures I often see the direct relevance for today’s ills. I want us to see the relevance of God’s Word for today.

H. B. London recently wrote on the topic of church attendance. A new Ellison Research surveyed 1,007 American adults on their attendance activity at church worship services. If adults in America are placed in more practical groupings based on their church behavior, attendance stats at church services would look similar to this:

Read the rest of this entry »

Uncategorized | No Comments »

… some Christians are guilty of false advertising

T

here are enough evangelical Christians in Canada to turn the country upside down, but it is not happening. Is this because Christian wimps fill the church?

There seems to be a gulf of misunderstanding between Christians and those who are wrongly referred to as “outsiders,” meaning non-Christians. Christians are rightly convinced that the Lord is strong and mighty, and that believers reflect His nature. On the other hand, non-Christians often think of Christians as weak-kneed wimps who seldom have the courage even of someone else’s convictions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Thinkaloud | 2 Comments »

Hurt in a strange land

E

mergency room consultation fee (without OHIP - the no-cost coverage offered by the Ontario government to Canadians): $600
X-rays: $77
Post x-ray consultation including any required treatment: $375
Finding out your thumb wasn’t broken to begin with? Priceless…

I seem to have an unfortunate tendency towards finger injuries while playing ball games. So far my boycott list includes basketball and rugby; and a couple of weeks ago I added dodgeball to the list. Initially it just seemed to be strained muscle around my thumb, so I iced it and avoided using it for a while; but when an ominous hard lump replaced the knuckle in question, I figured I needed a check up.

Read the rest of this entry »

Double~take, theRubi-blog | No Comments »

Take a holiday from discontent

I

remember driving through St. Petersburg, Florida the first time a lottery reached into the range of mega-millions ($168 million).  Deana and I talked about what we’d do with that kind of money, but first we’d have to find someone to collect it for us to avoid our soldiership being revoked (probably after we tithed).

A word comes to mind when I think about lotteries, a word which underpins the motivation of gamblers and the success of lotteries and casinos in our country.  It is also the word lurking behind consumerism, and the bedrock of materialism. The word is a malady in North America, but virtually non-existent in the developing world, possibly due to inexperience or lack of opportunity. It’s antonym is an answer to much of what ails us, a breath of fresh air into a beleaguered church, and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

The word?  Discontent.

Read the rest of this entry »

Vox populi, theRubi-blog | 2 Comments »

Mahatma K. Gandhi: Where there is love there is life.

O

n his latest album It Is Time for a Love Revolution, Lenny Kravitz sings: “There ain’t nothing you can give me, I’m already there. I got love. I got love love. I got love love love.” It was released this year to mixed reviews.

Love. Many recording artists have written and sung about it; William Shakespeare and Danielle Steele have written about it; filmmakers have created beautiful love stories over the years; and many men, women and children around the world have professed their love for someone or something, somewhere.

I love my wife, Nancy. I love my daughter, Hannah. I love family and friends. I love God and the church family I’m a part of. I love the NFL. I love NHL, NBA, and MLB playoffs. I love movies. I love playing sports. I love reading. I love Jesus Christ. I love music. I love chocolate milk.

Read the rest of this entry »

Belief | No Comments »

Where has the debate gone?

I

t seems interesting to me that within TSA we are keen to maintain a certain line that causes frequent periodic debate when it comes to our non-sacramental stand with regards to baptism and communion. Battle lines drawn between those that both argue that ‘to’ or ‘not to’ is essential to our essence of church.

I’m not sure if I have come across the same rigour of debate with similar issues. While the more contemporary sacramental debate seems more black and white - it is interesting that the whole emphasis of ordination of officers doesn’t receive the same intensity of attention.

Read the rest of this entry »

Shades of grey, theRubi-blog | 10 Comments »

The second in an occasional series by Grace Cheng 

L

esson Number One for the person settling into a developing country for the first time: No matter how much you loathe to admit it, the first lesson will always be the humbling realization that you take many, many things about your privileged life for granted. This is the unavoidable, clichéd first lesson you must accept. You may not think of yourself as high-maintenance, but in comparison to the vast majority of people in the world, you most definitely are.

Here’s a list of things you currently take for granted:

• Thick walls
• Running water
• Clean water
• Personal space
• Pedestrian crossings
• Sidewalks (pavements)
• Clean air
• Dogs without rabies
• A police force that serves and protects
• Your elementary and high school education

Read the rest of this entry »

Ephemera | 1 Comment »