The other night I was watching a video clip on you tube of Mark Driscoll a big brash aggressive pastor from the US from the reformed movement who was explaining to his church why a Holy God hated evil doers and then went on to explain why we were all evil doers until we were saved. The whole sinners in the hands of an angry god routine. But the Good news in this story to him was that Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect sinless life and incomprehensibly (to Pastor Driscoll) gave himself to be a sacrifice to take on the angry wrath of God, to basically protect us from God. This scenario emphasised the holiness of God and how a holy and just God had to deal with sin before he could relate to us.
This a scenario which doesn,t square with me and what I understand of the Father as revealed in Jesus, Jesus seemed more interested in loving people, healing people, drawing in the lost ones, the stories he told portrayed a father who's heart aches with compassion for his children.
Undeniably however God is holy, I'm just not sure what his holiness looks like. Any insights?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Framework for the retreat
I know everone is really busy at the moment, but we should probably have a short conversation about a rough framework for the retreat so we know where the different bits fit, what did you do for the first retreat where there was a similar timeframe? Also did we reach any concensus about a focus/theme for the retreat. Some feedback on this from everyone would be helpful. Please put your feedback on the blog so everyone can see it.
cheers Nigel
cheers Nigel
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hi,
I was just talking with Rich tonight and he was sharing with how they'd communion with the kids this week. This is something that I've read a lot about and thought a lot about and I believe in the value of wresting back communion from sacred ritualism and restoring it to a meal and hospitality, friendship and love. There have been times when I've been with friends and I've just wanted to share in communion with them but I've always pulled back. There is something deeply ingrained in me that feels uneasy, awkward about saying the words and telling the story that for centuries only Ministers have told. I know I need to plunge in and just do it but I haven't managed it yet.
Cheers
Nigel
I was just talking with Rich tonight and he was sharing with how they'd communion with the kids this week. This is something that I've read a lot about and thought a lot about and I believe in the value of wresting back communion from sacred ritualism and restoring it to a meal and hospitality, friendship and love. There have been times when I've been with friends and I've just wanted to share in communion with them but I've always pulled back. There is something deeply ingrained in me that feels uneasy, awkward about saying the words and telling the story that for centuries only Ministers have told. I know I need to plunge in and just do it but I haven't managed it yet.
Cheers
Nigel
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