To be Human

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Early this week I got the news that a friend of my had died, later on that I found out that it was suicide.

Although I hadn't seen or heard from him for a long time, the last time I was with him was intense and at the time formative for a young man like myself. He was a Christian of the evangelical charismatic persuasion. A leader who had influenced hundreds. The lead up to his death he was tortured by chronic illness and exacerbated with depression.

Christianity I don't think has ever been comfortable with suicide. I haven't.  For a Christian to die this way it retorts: Christianity is no place of peace. In many ways its the most selfish thing in the world; a complete violation of the Jesus second commandment to love your neighbour as your self.
For myself I detest the idea that it is a 'sin'. As most people in society say other than Christians (who prefer to use the word 'sin') we are only 'human'.
To be 'human', others understand the pain and suffering which a person undergoes to suicide. It casts no condemnation or judgement. Yet is still disappointed at the loss. An understanding that yes, we to maybe place in this situation one day.

Sometimes the silence of Jesus is deafening.

Kundalini and baptism in the Spirit...

While reading "Jesus the teacher within" by Laurence Freeman,  I came across the word "Kundalini" which is common in eastern religion. I had never heard of this before. So a quick wiki search and I came up with the definition as well as what Kundalini looks like when manifest. Its basic definition is a corporeal energy which is based in the spine. While the physical effects are as follows::

• Involuntary jerks, tremors, shaking, itching, tingling, and crawling sensations, especially in the arms and legs
• Energy rushes or feelings of electricity circulating the body
• Intense heat (sweating) or cold, especially as energy is experienced passing through the chakras
• Spontaneous pranayama, asanas, mudras and bandhas
• Visions or sounds at times associated with a particular chakra
• Diminished sexual desire or a state of constant orgasm
• Emotional purgings in which particular emotions become dominant for short periods of time.^[19]
• Depression
• Pressure inside the skull and headache
• Bliss, feelings of infinite love and universal connectedness, transcendent awareness

What I found interesting was  8 out of 10 of these descriptions I have heard as definitions of been 'Baptised in the Holy Spirit' or manifestations of God, especially within a church service. (Yes even the constant state of orgasm!) I've actually experienced a few of these myself. That yes I would attribute these to God. These manifestations are especially evident in the Vineyard denomination which was the last Church which I ministered in. 

CS Lewis (I think) in 'Mere Christianity' made the point that Christianity does share much with other religions and it is specifically grace where Christianity is distinct.

Related articles

• Kundalini Meditation (brighthub.com)
• Is there a "mere Christianity"? (geneveith.com)

Why as a Christian I want to put my head under a pillow...

Every time Danny Nalliah opens his mouth in public I want to hide.

That's because Mr Rudd "spoke against Israel" in December 2010, Daniel Nalliah from the Catch the Fire Ministries has written on his website.
"It is very interesting that Kevin Rudd is from Queensland. Is God trying to get our attention? I believe so," he said.
Mr Rudd, during a visit to Israel in December, called on the Jewish state to allow international inspectors into its nuclear facilities.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/pastor-says-kevin-rudd-to-blame-for-floods/story-e6frfku0-1225985730895#ixzz1AsXZPA3V

 I've never heard so much rot come from a Christian mouth. It happens every time a natural disaster occurs in Australia Danny has someone usually from the Labour party to blame.

A much better response if from the 'Wondering pilgrim' 'Responding to natural disasters' .

Lets hope the collective church responds appropriately and includes a response to Danny Nalliah.
Mark Connors did so last time with the Brushfires lets hope he does so again...For the sake of Christian credibility in Australia.

Related articles

• Pastor blames Australian floods on Rudd's Israel views (thejc.com)
• What Caused Australia's Devastating Floods: Why Kevin Rudd of Course (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)

A big God

I've had a few questions on why we are going to the Uniting Church. My off the cuff answer is that 'they have a bigger God'. If I was to explain it more fully I'd say that they express and practice expresses a God who is more generous, forgiving, loving in a way which does not have the conditions applied.
When I write 'practice' it is in the terms of declaring it from the pulpit, as well treating everyone with true equality no matter what they are present or past.

Related articles

• SA church says religion is reviving (news.theage.com.au)

The Quest for the Historical Jesus....

Some thoughts::

I've heard often the quote of CS Lewis that goes along the lines that eventually you have to take the words of Jesus seriously: that either he was a mad man or what he said was true; and if you take his words as true you should start following Him. (Gulp I've even used it myself in sermons....)

I've come to the conclusion that its a fairly duellist type of question. There is pressure for listeners to make some sort of response. It is a typical sort of question that you would expect from CS Lewis in the era close to the end of modernity. My response now is that it is a fair to ask the questions who is Jesus?
Who you think Jesus was will ultimately require a response. Some repsonses that I've read heard::

• Jesus never existed (not even Dawkins has this position)
• Jesus was a Jewish mystic (There is a lot more in this position than is often published)
• Jesus was the Son of God, God. (A 'Christian' response)
• Jesus was a political revolutionary (A fair response, which is often the 'social justice' Christians Jesus)

This in turn leads to the 'Quest of the historical Jesus'. If you want to know who Jesus is you have to be convinced he lived, that the text are accurate (This is a real doozy, would you believe a document written second hand, and over 90 years after the event?) Consideration of extra biblical text (only an handful with only passing references to Christians, the other gospels eg book of Thomas are typically rejected by Christians?!?)

Thus my reading of the book by the author Albert Schweitzer. "The quest for the historical Jesus" Which was the first book to really question the 'Historical Jesus'.

This is the first book to my knowledge that I've ever read translated German. It is also an old book written over one hundred years ago. It is not an easy read.
From what I can understand Schweitzer wrote this book as a historical response to German theologians who examine Jesus life purely through a rationalist lenses.
Some inital thoughts so far::
The German theologicans would think of every conceivable rationalist answer in responce to Jesus and the miraculous they are quite amusing::

• Luke the 'physican' carried around a bag of medicine so for example when it came to the demonic he would give the sufferer a 'sedative'
• Around Jesus time 'early burial' often happened prior to actual death: As in Jesus case.
• Jesus didn't die he went to India

Well I'm not quite half way through and I'm sure that I'll have a few more thoughts.....

Gippsland the land of culinary peasantry :: The Age

I found 'Cheap Eats' 2010 in the Cowes library so I automatically borrowed it. Started to relax with my herbal tea and to my HORROR, Gipsland is not mentioned! You get

• Hills and Yarra Valley
• Mornington peninsual
• Great Ocean Road
• Central Victoria

There are a few conclusion

• There are no 'Cheap Eats' in Gippsland.
• Nobody reads 'The Age' in Gippsland
• 'Cheap Eats' is wrong a load of crock.

I think the last two probably hit the mark. Considering the 'Good Food Guide 2009' didn't have anything to say about Phillip Island.
The other odd thing. What is the book doing in the Cowes library? no use east of Melbourne.

Top blogs for 2010

Here are some of my favourite new blogs which I've read in 2010 and were worth a mention::

Thought lines, with Bob Carr::

Always hit and miss with politicans and blogs. Though I suppose Bob Carr is now retired. Bob has a great mind, I especially enjoy is snipps of thoughts on books he is reading. Not always agreeing with him he makes a pretty good argument.

The NakedPastor::

Has now left the Vineyard (Is there any good Vineyard Bloggers left?) and is moving on solo. Still some good thoughts post-professional-pastor.

Antony Greens Election Blog::

Pretty useful for 2010 with so many Australia elections....


Austroid::

Very usefull prior to purchasing my HTC Desire Android phone.