Theology and ChurchJanuary 13, 2008 8:30 pm
I wanted to draft an open letter of thanks to various Christian traditions. The traditions nor the things I am thankful for are exhaustive.
- Thanks to Roman Catholicism for reminding me that the Christian faith is big and full of people I can look to for inspiration. And for the art.
- Thanks to Eastern Orthodoxy for showing me that God is a community and a mystery and that community and mystery permeates everything.
- Thanks to Messianic Judaism for reminding me that my faith is deeply Jewish and I need to read the First (Old) Testament.
- Thanks to Calvinism/Reformed theology for reminding me that I am not God, but that God is wonderful and not completely unknowable.
- Thanks to Anabaptism for reminding me that faith is to be embodied and Jesus is an example of how to live.
- Thanks to Lutheranism for showing me that grace is a gift, but it’s more about the generosity of the giver than the worth of the receiver.
- Thanks to Wesleyanism/Methodism for reminding me that God is interested in shaping character and that it can be hard, but worth it.
- Thanks to Liberation Theologies for showing me that God is for the poor and the outcast and if the gospel we live and proclaim don’t reach out to the downtrodden, it isn’t a very Christian gospel at all.
- Thanks to Evangelicalism for reminding me to read my Bible.
- Thanks to Anglicanism for showing me that at the end of the day, Jesus ate a meal with others and we need to keep eating meals with others.
- Thanks to Baptism for reminding me that I need to make deep choices to follow Jesus.
- Thanks to Charismatic/Pentecostalism for showing me that the Holy Spirit is still active in rather miraculous works and empowers all believers for ministry.
- Thanks to the Emerging Church for showing me that the message of the gospel is rooted in people and where they live.
- Thanks to Neo-Orthodoxy for reminding me that the fullness of revelation is found in Jesus.
I should note that many of the things I am thankful for can be found in many of the other traditions.
What a fabulous expression of ecumenism!
PS When are we going to see more of your photos?
Comment by Matt Barber — January 13, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
Wrote this a few years back and thought if fit your theme :^)
Post Modern Christian Love
Andy saw Suzy across the room at the singles group at church.
There was just something about the pouty look on her Pentacostalism that drew him.
At the break he asked her if she’d like
A cup of Methodism. She said she’d like that.
The two began to make small talk.
They were wary and cautious as is often the case
In the early stages of Presbyterianism.
But she enjoyed his flippant, playful sense of Nestorianism that put her somewhat more at ease.
As they talked about their mutual Manicheaism they recognized they had a lot in common.
Glancing furtively at his chest and shoulders
Suzy began to realize she was as attracted to his
Lutheranism as she was to his personality which made her feel guilty but excited.
Andy sensed the attraction.
“After church can we get some time?
I know a place that makes
A Protestantism to die for.”
She liked the idea and said yes.
The waiter at the restaurant was pushy, insisting They try the antipasto.
But they resisted.
Suzy ordered the deep fried Calvinism.
Andy, looking for something a bit lighter,
Chose the steamed Gnosticism with sautéed mushrooms.
For dessert they both had a slice of Catholicism slathered in subtle chocolate sauce.
It was delicious.
It was clear to them both that a certain Anti-nomianism was passing between them.
It felt electric.
Andy knew it was time to seize the moment.
“Would you like to take a walk in the Monasticism?
We can work off dessert and talk some more.”
Suzy, caught up in the moment, agreed.
As they walked among the trees Suzy began to fear
Things were moving too fast and that her Fundamentalism would betray her common sense Evangelicalisms.
But even her efforts to suppress it began to crumble under the power of her surging Dispensationalisms.
They sat down on a bench. Andy looked at Suzy,
Bolt struck by the silky loveliness of her Episcopalianism.
Suzy looked at Andy, her heart a’twinkle with bright Thomism.
They kissed.
Never in their deepest Anabaptism had they imagined a moment that seemed so right.
It was an answer to their heart-felt prayers.
And from that day on a deep and mutual Moravianism
Grew which finally led to marriage.
It was the start of a lifetime of blissful, fruitful Syncretism.
Comment by Tom Pratt — January 13, 2008 @ 10:57 pm
Matt,
My lens locked up and is in the shop, likely for a couple of weeks, so I won’t be able to take new photos. I am slowly processing previous pictures I’ve taken, and you can check my Flickr site for regular updates—I usually get a handful up a week. Because this camera is making me relearn a lot about photography, the amount of quality pictures I’ve taken is relatively low. I wouldn’t want to display the majority of my photos except for comments and criticism.
Tom,
That’s hilarious. I really liked these lines:
“Suzy began to realize she was as attracted to his / Lutheranism as she was to his personality which made her feel guilty but excited.”
Comment by Tyler Watson — January 14, 2008 @ 7:33 am