I had an idea for a question a week or two ago, but now I forget.
It's weird though, that WaPo isnt asking you about other topics, just this one. Maybe now that your platform has grown, and this is the latest issue, you're on their radar, but it seems suspicious. And wise of you to decline to be interviewed.
I initially was interested in the 'sound bites' you had to say regarding race issues 4 years ago, but sticking around to hear it all fleshed out more and more over the past 4 years has given me way more than any sound bite has.
I may need to reread your book… but how does your concept of multiple Christianities look when up against expressions of Christianity that enable slavery or create the toxic takes and doubling down on them, when it comes to the boxing drama or other stuff like that. Is there a point where it is no longer Christianity?
For me, its pretty simple: I don't have much of an issue considering some Christian expressions bad.
I mostly regard the word "Christian" as an amoral descriptor.
Things stop being Christianity when they are no longer carried out by Christians. But I don't stop calling people Christian just because they do bad things. That's a little too convenient for my tastes.
Wow, yesterday was Jul 1, and today is Jul 30 .... phew. I hear you on the time flying.
I've been thinking about divine intervention and prayer.
Divine intervention because my auntie posted a meme about the divine intervention that saved a presidential candidate from death, but ignored that fact that another person was not spared the same fate. Prayer because I sometimes feel like prayer treats God like a cosmic vending machine. What happens when you press the button for a Snickers, and the bar gets stuck in the machine? The answers I have received to date generally don't sit too well. Usually, something like, you must not be praying in accordance with God's will. To me, that's an easy out, answered prayer means praying in accordance with God's will, unanswered prayer means the opposite.
I'm not sure if the question is fully formed yet, I am just wrestling with these thoughts and wondering if you have some insights that I should consider.
A lot of people mean a lot of different things when they speak of prayer.
A lot of people mean a lot of different things when they speak of God.
These two factors lead to a lot of complications with regards to people with different concepts of two things trying to discuss them within community.
My personal view is that prayer is less about changing God's mind and more about reorienting our own hearts. But I do recognize that tradition (and even biblical witness) allows for an abundance of room to disagree with that statement.
But when I think about the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray, it is one that acknowledges the transcendence of God, the finitude of humanity, the need to both give & receive grace, and the need for the renewal of all things. A lot of my prayer time is about reorienting my disposition toward others. Because a lot of time, our disposition toward each other is the answer to someone else's/each other's prayers.
I'm at the "on earth as it is in heaven" part of your book. So I wonder, what's something, in any proximity to you and at any scale, that you see as a bit of kingdom come?
I’ve been watching my kids come into their own, and it reminds me of the expansive nature of the kingdom we’re presented with. Where we’re shocked by how good and pleasing things can be.
Wow, yes! I went to a retrospective of Niki de Saint Phalle's work and the thing that has most stuck with me is her conclusion: "There is nothing more shocking than joy."
Through heavy, dark, violent, scary art, she paved her way to colorful, cartwheeling, freestyling art. She never set aside her convictions, just decided to express them anew.
Your writing and replies are always connecting dots for me. I appreciate you!
I had an idea for a question a week or two ago, but now I forget.
It's weird though, that WaPo isnt asking you about other topics, just this one. Maybe now that your platform has grown, and this is the latest issue, you're on their radar, but it seems suspicious. And wise of you to decline to be interviewed.
I initially was interested in the 'sound bites' you had to say regarding race issues 4 years ago, but sticking around to hear it all fleshed out more and more over the past 4 years has given me way more than any sound bite has.
You’ve been such a blessing to me, bro.
If you remember the question, lemme know!
I may need to reread your book… but how does your concept of multiple Christianities look when up against expressions of Christianity that enable slavery or create the toxic takes and doubling down on them, when it comes to the boxing drama or other stuff like that. Is there a point where it is no longer Christianity?
For me, its pretty simple: I don't have much of an issue considering some Christian expressions bad.
I mostly regard the word "Christian" as an amoral descriptor.
Things stop being Christianity when they are no longer carried out by Christians. But I don't stop calling people Christian just because they do bad things. That's a little too convenient for my tastes.
I must have missed this reply. Thanks... gold, as usual.
Wow, yesterday was Jul 1, and today is Jul 30 .... phew. I hear you on the time flying.
I've been thinking about divine intervention and prayer.
Divine intervention because my auntie posted a meme about the divine intervention that saved a presidential candidate from death, but ignored that fact that another person was not spared the same fate. Prayer because I sometimes feel like prayer treats God like a cosmic vending machine. What happens when you press the button for a Snickers, and the bar gets stuck in the machine? The answers I have received to date generally don't sit too well. Usually, something like, you must not be praying in accordance with God's will. To me, that's an easy out, answered prayer means praying in accordance with God's will, unanswered prayer means the opposite.
I'm not sure if the question is fully formed yet, I am just wrestling with these thoughts and wondering if you have some insights that I should consider.
A lot of people mean a lot of different things when they speak of prayer.
A lot of people mean a lot of different things when they speak of God.
These two factors lead to a lot of complications with regards to people with different concepts of two things trying to discuss them within community.
My personal view is that prayer is less about changing God's mind and more about reorienting our own hearts. But I do recognize that tradition (and even biblical witness) allows for an abundance of room to disagree with that statement.
But when I think about the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray, it is one that acknowledges the transcendence of God, the finitude of humanity, the need to both give & receive grace, and the need for the renewal of all things. A lot of my prayer time is about reorienting my disposition toward others. Because a lot of time, our disposition toward each other is the answer to someone else's/each other's prayers.
I like this answer a lot - I will be pondering it more in the days to come.
Top 10 people to follow who challenge you or help you grow, help you see God…
1) Jesus
2) doulas
3) nurses
4) societies without imperial ambitions
5) MLK
6) Gandhi
7) Henri Nouwen
8) Cole Arthur Riley
9) Me
10) the person you will be tomorrow
I meant Twitter… silly me. But I like this post better.
phew. glad that worked out! 😂
And it isn’t meant to be limited to 10… if it’s more, no worry
I'm at the "on earth as it is in heaven" part of your book. So I wonder, what's something, in any proximity to you and at any scale, that you see as a bit of kingdom come?
I’ve been watching my kids come into their own, and it reminds me of the expansive nature of the kingdom we’re presented with. Where we’re shocked by how good and pleasing things can be.
Wow, yes! I went to a retrospective of Niki de Saint Phalle's work and the thing that has most stuck with me is her conclusion: "There is nothing more shocking than joy."
Through heavy, dark, violent, scary art, she paved her way to colorful, cartwheeling, freestyling art. She never set aside her convictions, just decided to express them anew.
Your writing and replies are always connecting dots for me. I appreciate you!