Bad religion and good grace. Jesus needs new PR!

Over the years I have been party to my fair share of bad religion! I like to think (and hope) that my bad religion was motivated by naive passion and ignorance.

I've preached my fair share of sermons that have intended to 'convict' people of their guilt. I have participated in judging the behaviour (or lack thereof) among certain groups and in certain individuals - as if somehow I occupy a higher moral and religious ground than they do, and so have a right to pass judgment. I have labeled people (sometimes unknowingly, and in other situations out of anger or disgust). Bad religion... There is a lot of that around.

Thankfully it is not the whole picture of the Church! I think that Jesus needs new PR! (Public relations) I certainly haven't done much to help others to connect with the Christ whose love I experience. Neither have I helped them to understand the depths of his grace and the wonder of acceptance - not because of who you are, but in spite of who you are. This Jesus is wonderful, and I realise that Jesus needs new PR! Just look at this glorious sunset above! Wow, if only I could capture just one iota of God's beauty in my actions, words, and thoughts - just a tiny glimpse of something as magnificent as this display of God's creative beauty... But, sadly, I can witness it (this photo was taken near my home with my cellphone camera), but I cannot seem to share it as I would like to.

I recently read a comment on a blog where someone said "I don't mind Jesus, it's his wife I don't trust!" The bride of Christ - we can be pretty harsh!

As I mentioned in a previous post I have recently been reading Barbara Kingsolver's book "The poisonwood Bible" - it has affected me profoundly. I read a lot - perhaps two (or more) books a week. I have been sleeping a lot better in recent months because of increased exercise, but I still wake at 3.30 or 4am and spend some time reading. Well, this book has been my companion on those early mornings. It has caused me to weep - mainly it has reminded me of the need to confess my own propensity towards the 'bad religion'.

This book is wonderfully written - it offers a realistic and balanced view of individuals, families and communities that are influenced by the Christian faith. It is not shy to extol the virtues and unmeasurable value of having faith in Christ. Yet, it is realistic and balanced enough to be critical of the negative effects of our faith upon ourselves and others.

Indeed, as I read it I realise that the loving, servant, Christ needs new PR! He deserves it, and the whole world deserves to experience His love and grace! I am sadenned by my own inability to represent him well. I am discouraged by a Church (not any Church in particular, but many Churches on the whole) that are self obsessed, served by people who have lost their passion and love for Christ, and their passion and love for those whom Christ loves. I am sadened that we do not encounter the world with loving truth, the truth of Christ's love that welcomes every person that he has created!

A friend and I were recently talking about the narrative of the Church - I have a quote from a British humanist who said that "The narrative of the contemporary Church is either schism or decline". Within the Church we are quick to blame 'others' for this sad reality. Liberals blame conservatives for keeping people out of the Church. Conservatice blame liberals for making entry so easy that it bears no value. I have come to realise that as a 'liberal evangelical' (sometimes called an 'emergent' Christian) my perspective may be different from that of my conservative sisters and brothers, but my convictions are pretty much the same. I am also a fundamentalist! My fundamentals are just slightly different. I too believe in the supremacy of scripture, but somehow that 'supremacy' (like with other 'fundamentalists') is so closely tied to my own views and perspectives on reality that it becomes exclusive). Sure, I'm 'inclusive', but I do tend to be more 'inclusive' of those who share my views and more condemnatory of those who don't. We're not all that different, my conservative family and my liberal family...

Thankfully Jesus is not like me - although I do wish that I could be more like him! Thankfully the ways of Jesus are not like mine - although I do pray that my wise would become more like his!

So, Jesus needs better PR! What do you think?

Sunrise ove Table Mountain

Twice a week I meet at 5.15am with a few friends from our Church to pray for the many schools in our area (the teachers, pupils, parents and management). Straight from there I go for a cycle. This morning we did 50 kms - from Somerset West to Stellenbosch, then to Blackheath, and from there back to Somerset West.

This photo shows the sun rising onto Table Mountain from Polka draai. Isn't it lovely? I live in a great place!
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Lest we forget... I guess it's about rediscovering faith!

For a while now the following verses have been resonating in my mind and spirit:



"Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom." (Isa 40:28).



We tend to concentrate on:



"He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

Not a bad thing to concentrate on! But somehow I think we miss the 'key' to this passage - it is much less about us and much more about God! I have frequently encouraged Christians to remember that the Christian faith is 'theocentric' (i.e., it is focused primarily on the person of God who loves God's creation) rather than 'anthropocentric' (i.e., like much of the contemporary 'popular' Christian thought that places humanity at the center of God's universe. As if God is our slave and servant, existing to do our bidding...)

Lest we forget (in good times and in bad) God does truly love us, and this is God's gracious and loving will! It is undeserved and unearned.

Here's the little video that explains my thoughts on the matter.



What do you think?

A constant little reminder! Links to directly download copies of my books for FREE!

Every now and then I repost this message - Here are the links to download copies of three of my books for free!

As I've said elsewhere a few times, I would much rather have you read my books than pay me to own them! So, please, go ahead, download a copy of each and use them as you would.

http://www.spirituality.org.za/books/Uncommon_Spiritual_Path_Forster.pdf

http://www.spirituality.org.za/books/Prayer_Guide_for_Exams_Forster.pdf

http://www.spirituality.org.za/books/Christ_at_the_Center_Forster.pdf

Please may I request two favours in return?

1. Please could you drop me a line to let me know that you've downloaded one or all of the books and whether you have any thoughts, suggestions, or feedback to share? You can email me at digitaldion@gmail.com

2. Please could I ask that you spread the links to my books as widely as you possibly can! Please try to drive as much traffic to these books as possible. Thank you so much for your interest!

If you would like to own copies of the books simply go to my blog /blogger.html and you can order paper copies of each of the books, plus three more, using the links on the right hand side of the page.

May you be richly blessed in Christ,

Dion

It's 4.30am and we're going on a 110km ride!

Yikes! This morning we left Somerset West at 4.30 am to ride from Klapmuts to Malmesbury, then Wellington, Paarl and back to Klapmuts - a total of 110kms (not 107kms as I said in my twitter post before leaving)! It was a great ride! A bit windy, but lots of fun! We did the ride in 3h56mins, an average of around 28km/h. This is not bad. After the first 25 kms I started to cramp in my left leg... At that stage I couldn't imagine how I would do the full 110kms, but with a bit of help from my friend Poens Venter (who did the WHOLE ride on his mountain bike with Nobbly tires - sure it is a R40 000 mountain bike, and sure, he does do the kind of offroad riding that most of us only watch on TV) - he gave me some cramp stop, half a banana and told me to stick in his slip stream for about 20km's. I stopped cramping, recovered nicely and got back up to pace! I think the problem is that I fast on a Friday - not eating on the day before a long ride like this is not good news. But, spiritual discipline is more important than physical discipline. All ini all I am feeling that a good Argus seems to be on the cards!

On another note, can you believe that 1 year ago (15 February 2008) I broke my leg in multiple places and ended up with pins, screws and plates in it (see this link for an x-ray of the metal bits)- this came as a result of a motorcycle accident. Well, I am thankful to say that here I am a year later; still not walking perfectly, but fitter than I've been in years and riding this kind of distance!! I am so thankful! God has been good to is in the Cape!

Happy valentines day everyeone! May you find love that transforms you, and experience the love of The One who can truly transform!

In Christ,

Dion

Helderberg mountain on fire

Life, love and everything else

I am currently reading a remarkable book entitled 'The poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver (see the wiki article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poisonwood_Bible ).

It is such a challenging and moving story of missiological endeavor in Africa - it is brutally honest.  It reminds me of the good intentions of the missionaries, but also just how destructive inappropriate and contextually irrelevant models of sharing Christ's grace can be...  I am constantly challenged by this!

This last week I spoke on a local radio station about the book 'the shack' (see the post a few below this one on my blog).  I have been somewhat surprised by the passionate reaction I've received to my comments and input.  Some folks have been passionately positive.  I've had emails expressing an appreciation for the 'space' that I opened up for thought, fresh images of faith, and the new vocabulary I've encouraged persons to develop for their belief.  But, I have had equally passionate condemnation from persons who seem to care much more about their doctrinal position than they do about a fellow follower of the Prince of Peace!  I had one particular person who assured me that I was going to burn in the fires of hell...  I tried to contact him to ask if we could meet one another (I do care more about relationships than religion - when I read the New Testament I can see this was the 'way of Jesus').  I recognise two things about myself.  First, I certainly don't have all the answers (and I have a great deal to learn from other persons).  Second, I love people (because God loves people).  And so, I am always happy to engage with people - even those who don't like what I profess.  Somehow I feel more secure in asking questions than in giving answers.  

St Anselm was the one who characterised theology as 'fides quaerens intellectum' (faith seeking understanding) - somehow I feel that when we stop seeking we loose our way!

Anyway, I was inspired by this little quote:

Watch how you live. Your lives may be the only gospel your sisters and brothers will ever read.

- Dom Helder Camara,
former Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Brazil.

May you be blessed, may you find blessing, and may Christ strengthen you to bless others!

Another tough day in Africa! A broken bed is a sign of a good marriage!

We've had such an amazing weekend! The weather has been great, I haven't been too busy, and so we've been spending some time doing what we like most - having fun as a family (they say a broken bed is a sign of a good marriage... Megie and I had to replace our bed yesterday... Ha ha! Although the bed broke as I sat on it to tie my shoe (a split in one of the supports finally gave way). Still, we're blessed!

This morning I decided not to cycle - it was too hot, I had done 43km's yesterday, and I wanted to go to Church http://www.coronation.org.za I'm glad I made this choice! The service was wonderful. Now, we're having a quick swim and then we're off to lunch with our new friend Rob and Tracey Katz (Rob is the former CEO of Microsoft Africa... I'm trying to convince him to get a Mac!)

Life is good and I am thankful!

It is HOT today!

It was almost 45 degrees C at 16.30 this afternoon (this was in Stellenbosch). Yikes! Thank goodness for airconditioningi in my car!
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A theological reflection on William P Young's book - The Shack (and theodicy)

I'm not sure if you've read William P Young's book The Shack yet? This week I was asked to offer some theological commentary on this book for a Radio program on our local radio station 'Radio Helderberg'. I am always quite astounded by how quickly conservative persons (and particularly conservative Christians) are to condemn anything that doesn't fit the mould of the mainstream... Many people have objected to the metaphorical language that Young employs in picturing God (who ultimately is a mystery that transcends ALL language, symbols and metaphors... You can read about that in my book 'An uncommon Spiritual path' that you can download by following the link below). For example, no Christian would find the statement 'God is my rock' offensive or heretical - yet it is clearly not a FACTUAL statement from a purely etymological sense (the word 'rock' refers to heavy stone that has no faculties, or even life...) Rather, we can understand that the metaphor conveys the best of what we hope for in God (i.e., that God is solid, strong, trustworthy, a shelter etc.) So, why do we find it so difficult when other (more contemporary) metaphors are applied to the Person of God? Perhaps it is our socialisation (and our lack of imagination) that causes us to be stunted in this regard. Just imagine what beauty and blessing we miss out on because we cannot allow the images of this book to enliven our imagination...



Well, in this video I discuss Young's approach to metaphors, the notion of 'genre' in relation to Young's text (and the Biblical text). Oh, and I also take a stab at explaining St Augustine of Hippo's 'Augustinian free-will defence' as a theological explanation of suffering (theodicy).







I would love to hear your comments on 'The Shack', and of course on my take on the book, my view on metaphors, Biblical interpretation and of course 'suffering' and theodicy.

Purpose and peace... A reflection

One of the very common questions that I am presented with (and particularly more so since my office is now located in a corporate office block and no longer on a Church campus) is the question of purpose.



So many people struggle to find the reason for their being! I think that part of the answer to this question is in the asking of it (and perhaps not so much in the answers that people like myself try to give)... However, that being said, I do feel that there is a certain measure of blessing and satisfaction in finding what it is that you're well suited to. Some would suggest that this is a matter of temperament, others would say that it is the influence of socialisation... I would agree with both of those statements up to a point. However, I would add the notion that the God who lovingly and carefully created every aspect of the created universe has placed within each one of us certain abilities and desires - when these find their fit, we are able to bless God who so carefully formed us, and of course in doing so we share in God's joy and so discover blessing.



Here's a video that I recorded a few days ago in which I explore a few of these concepts. In it I weave together a few insights from two narratives in the Bible (one from Paul and one from a parable of Jesus). And, as always, I thought of my Pastor (Rev Steven Lottering) as I filmed this... He worries about me driving and filming at the same time! Thanks Steve! It is great to be loved ;-)







I would love to hear your feedback, wisdom and insights.

The rising power of twitter - get on board soon!

I have been a twitter user for about a year now. It is a wonderfully simple 'microblogging' tool that fits in somewhere between a full fledged blog (which has no real limit on the length) and a facebook status update. A tweet is normally 140 characters long, and what makes it so great is that it is easy to post from almost any platform... I most frequently post my status updates from my Nokia E90 or my iPhone... On my Mac I use tweetdeck...

What makes it particularly useful is that it updates my facebook status automatically. I seldom log into facebook (probably once a week or less)... But, using this simple web tool I can post ideas, share videos, draw attention to causes, and just share what I'm thinking and doing. I follow quote a few people (some well known, and some lesser known). I have watched my followers grow from 1 to just short of a hundred in the last few months!

For a good critique of twitter (and those who use it) please read Steve Hayes' post on conservatives dominating twitter. I hope that I don't fit into that category! But, I do trust Steve's insights immensely! I shall have to look through my previous tweets, and also think a bit more carefully about my tweets going forward. I enjoy Steve's tweets by the way. You can follow @stevehayes here.

So, please follow me - simply go here to follow me @digitaldion! Let me know when you join twitter and I will gladly follow you in return!

Anyway, here's a very interesting story about the rising power of twitter...

Yesterday a Twitter post (a tweet) by Mashable’s Pete Cashmore became so popular that traffic from Twitter crashed a blog. This sounds very similar to a common social media phenomenon originally known as the Slashdot effect (and later also the Digg effect), where a post on a popular social media site pushes more traffic than the target site can handle.

An interesting thing here is the mechanics of Twitter, which is fundamentally different from Digg and Slashdot. It’s not a social news site, with a front page that all visitors go to. We won’t go into the details of how Twitter works, that’s better covered elsewhere, but it’s worth noting that it’s a very different beast. It will be interesting times if Twitter is about to join the ranks of Slashdot and Digg as a potential “site crasher”.

For lack of a better word we will call the phenomenon of sites crashing as a result of traffic from Twitter, “the Twitter Effect”. (Or perhaps “the Tweet effect” would be catchier…?)

But now on to the big question…

How could a single tweet generate that much traffic?

First of all, of course it was a big factor that Pete Cashmore is one of the people on Twitter with the most followers (people who have subscribed to his tweets). According to Twitterholic, he has more than 50,000 followers.

But the key here may not be just the number of followers of the initial tweeter, but the retweets. A retweet is when a Twitter user resends a message so that his/her own followers can share it. Pete Cashmore was the most retweeted Twitter user during the period when the affected blog went down (according to Retweetist).

The interesting thing about retweets is that they have the potential to increase the spread of a tweet exponentially, especially if some of the retweeters also have many followers.

It might be worth pointing out that the blog that crashed was on a shared hosting account (at Dreamhost). A blog on a dedicated server or a cluster would have handled the amount of traffic better, but what happened is still very relevant. There are a LOT of blogs on shared hosting accounts, and as Twitter keeps growing, who knows what kind of traffic generation it will be capable of?

The Twitter Effect formula

If we take a stab at formulating how a single tweet can garner so much traffic, it would be something like this (which essentially describes the reach of a tweet on Twitter):

The Twitter Effect formula = (Original tweet * followers) + (retweets * followers of retweeters) + (retweets of retweets * followers of those), and so on.

This way, tweets can spread out like the branches of a tree or a root system and reach a very large number of Twitter users. The spread is basically only limited by the size of Twitter’s user base. If the tweet contains a link to a site, this site is bound to get a significant amount of traffic as the tweet spreads.

Note that there may also be more than one original tweet pointing to the same target, and the general discussion around a post on other parts of the Web is also bound to create its share of activity on Twitter (and elsewhere too, of course).

Think of it as “the great echo chamber” and you get the gist of it. It’s similar to how much of the blogosphere works, which is a good analogy since Twitter is, after all, usually called a microblogging service.

What do you think?

As Twitter’s user base grows, will traffic from Twitter soon be a common reason for site outages? Please share your thoughts (and experiences?) in the comments.

Credits to Rich Miller at Data Center Knowledge for catching this in the first place.

Roots image from Wikimedia Commons.