Reading a bit more critically...

One of the things that I often reflect on is how I read and listen differently to how I would have 20 years ago. I was in many ways forced to look at things critically with tertiary education

I've been reading Mark Connors series on relationships and specifically his thoughts on homosexuality.

Once upon a time I would have just swallowed it. No questions asked.

Now I'd want to know: Who is Mark Connors? Would he be writing from a certain bent? The answer is easily googled. Pentecostal, largest church in Melbourne. Just from this information, I've worked out the angle of the article, usually I wouldn't even need to read on. (I like Mark Connors I'm not sure I agree with his outworking of the meta-narrative of scripture but I like how he is on the side of the wretched and poor)

There are questions which I think the secular world is waiting for an answer from evangelical pentecostal churches. The most important is when a homosexual couple is in a loving monogomous relationship? I think that most of the verses Mark mentions is in context of a lustful homsexual incounters.

The other questions which I would be asking are there others historically and contempory which have contrary views?

Of cource there are::

A great piece by baptist minister in Collins Street Simon Cary Holt, supporting homosexual marriage.

The ancient Church there are examples of Homosexual marriage: From the wikipedia::

Historian John Boswell claimed the 4th century Christian martyrs Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus were united in the ritual of adelphopoiesis, which he calls an early form of religious same-sex marriage

A cure for homosexuality; a reading of an article by Jerray Marks is perfound and worth reading.

So like most things now I read differntly, with a critical eye; sometimes I swing one side or another but usualy If I don't have much inverstment I sit on the fence. But others where I think there is an issue of equality and Gods overall plan, then I'll look at things a bit more critically.

One of the biggest challenges for me as a Christian who once held Mark Connors view, was really knowing and understanding Homosexuals. I would think that the majority of large Church pastors in Melbourne would not have a homosexual friend that they have walked next to in friendship for over 10 years. Known there ups and downs; The desperate measures they get to.

It gives there didactic writings and orations no credibility.

I was pleased to read from Mark that "Anti-Gay is not an option" phew, some have moved on, even if slowly.

 

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Forge 's impulse into the mainstream

An interesting comment on Mark Connor's blog which referred to Deb Hirsch speaking at his church City Life, got me pondering. City Life is the largest Church in Melbourne.

What I found interesting is the direction which Forge has moved. From the fringes when 10-15 years ago the mainstream was to be avoided. I can remember hearing Alan saying with my own ears that the main stream institutionalized church was DEAD! Yet now it seems the main stream is where Forge happily sits.

Those who I would say are on the fringe don't speak of Forge much if at all anymore. Strangely the only formal aspect of forge which is in QLD dosn't even mention that the Hirsches are in Australia. Their front page is somthing about a blues music outfit!

In the USA it seems Forge is going from strength to strength. It seems very upside down to me.

It seems to me that often in my life I have a 'Spiritual awakenings', Forge was one, the Vineyard another, yet they move or you move. Either way you could never go back to how things were.

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)

Election 2010:: Christian responces

Two interesting Christian responces to the Election. 

First from 'Cardinal' Pell who according to the ABC online

' labelled the Greens "anti-Christian" and "sweet-camouflaged poison". Cardinal Pell also claimed the Greens policies are expensive and will not help poor people.'

It is strange that the Pell actually gave an opinion usually mainstream churches are neutral.  If they do have an opinion it is usually to do with social justice or morality. Pell is commenting more on funding of policy than the policy itself.

A much better response is by Mark Connors from City Life church in Melbourne::

'...our approach as a church at CityLife is to be politically neutral, in that we don't tell people who or what party to vote for. We encourage prayerful and diligent research, so that followers of Christ make intelligent use of their privilege as an Australian citizen to vote for those who will govern us. So, never have I said and never will say, "Vote for Julia Gillard" ... or anyone else for that matter.

I think Mark has hit upon the Christian position. It's a shame about Pell, he has in his writing decreased the standing of the Catholic Church.

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• Greens, Archbishop in religious stoush (news.theage.com.au)

Christian responses to Mr Rudd

Two Christians who I admire have given a bit of a Eulogy on Kevin Rudd's term as PM


Mark Connor gave a bit of a nice summary which I pretty much agree with, except of this bit ::

Over time, his popularity declined and he didn't deliver on a number of his promises. Was this due to an inability or lack of discipline to implement change or did he lack internal support for his change agenda? 

I'd say he is right but I'd also say that the opposition since Abbott was highly antagonistic in letting legislation through.

Tim Costello was the other resposne which I thought was really generous.

Unlike others who mocked him as out of touch, I liked having a prime minister who read theology and had a hero called Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I detected echoes of Bonhoeffer in his penultimate speech last Wednesday night in calling the ballot on. He spoke of not letting the party lurch to the Right in harshness to refugees and asylum-seekers.

 Also this which I didn't know from Costello,

Unmentioned in his list of achievements at his final press conference was one that I think is his finest legacy. He lifted our overseas aid program by more than $1 billion to date because he saw development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty as something that was right. Against the Howard government's refusal to budge, he took an electoral risk. He promised to lift our aid to 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2015 or 50c in every $100 because this would help cut the number of hungry and absolutely poor.