Just give me Jesus

I heard this phrase 'a lot' these past few months. A fair number this was spoken by people around me, whom I consider much and highly- so I considered it. 'Just give me Jesus.'

When first I heard it I recoiled. It made sense, but in the same something seemed wrong about it. I'm not saying we should rely on anything more than Jesus, but something sat uneasy with me. It's not that I misunderstood the people saying it, either. 'Let's get our heads out of the clouds (and other places) and do something practical...'

I agree. Jesus is applicable, active, involved. However, saying 'just give me Jesus'- it really is an unsettling phrase. It excises Jesus' humanity, commodifies Him. It ruins the power of salvation. Mind you, those who have spoken this phrase are not any of few intellect; they don't limit Jesus in this way. I'm more concerned when we use this phrase in environments where understanding is already thin.

Saying, 'just give me Jesus' means 'repeat to me what I already know.' "Keep telling me that Jesus is love, that God loves me and I get to sit on his lap and give him a hug. Tell me a story that makes ME feel good. Make me 'content'.

I'm not attacking anyone who has said this. But when people offered this up as a defense against doctrinal disputes, etc., I heard it with the ears of those who have experienced a different depth of revelation of Jesus Christ. Many of us know that Christ reveals himself through Scripture, epiphany, etc. We can be CONFIDENT in the Christ that we know. We also know that Christ is deeper than we already know.

mmm, chiasmus

Christian fundamentalists lack in the fundamentals of Christianity.

edit: and the moderates... oh, man, don't get me started.

Hardened-Heart

O wrathful object,
Adorned in Grace,
The Lord is with thee.

Made to glorify
The Holy One,
Your name is folly.

Your wisdom condemns.
You fall flat-faced.
Glorify the LORD.

Can Christians use Logic? Jesus' divinity and the 'Q' document

I've recently watched a few videos of Richard Dawkins speaking at various events. Richard Dawkins is a well published Atheist who is currently touring (proselytising, even) his new book, The God Delusion, which I have not read.

In visiting RichardDawkins.net, I found in the forum this discussion about the Q document, and subsequently a translation of the Q document by a fellow, Burton Mack. The primary sentiment of the thread is that Christianity as it stands today is largely exagerated, fabricated, etc. That is to say the original Q document doesn't mention anything of the deity of Christ Jesus, only his teachings. The translation I've read and to which I've linked supports this- that the Q document makes no mention of the divinity of Christ.

What we know of the 'Q' (using only the link as a source) is that it is a record of the sayings of Christ Jesus. It is reasonable to assume that only those who follow the teachings of Christ Jesus would have interest in recording his words- therefore, the 'Q' was likely written within a Christ-minded community, and intended for a Christ-minded community. Now, for some slightly more broad steps of logic.

Why record only Jesus' teachings? Why not record specifically any exchanges which might allude to Jesus' divinity? The audience intended by the author(s) of the 'Q' is a person/community who already follows Christ. 'Q' was not meant as a proselytising instrument. Therefore, it was assumed by the author that a person/community reading 'Q' would possess prerequisite knowledge of Jesus. It would be unimportant, and worthlessly redundant, to include "proof" of Jesus' divinity.

further study:
Theopedia- a theological wiki

For M. B_________

When God stops talking

What do I do when you're silent?
Do I run headlong into the fray, into the fire?
What good is holy silence when I'm standing still and alone?
Please don't leave me all alone.

What do I do when you're so far away?
Do I stand in defeat in the shadow of an absent God?
What was that promise I heard?/ "I'll never leave you or forsake you."
Where's that promise right now?

Where do I go when I'm on my knees?
...

intention of God's making

a note to my fellow 'intentions of His making'...

You are an intention of God’s making. God spoke, and the world became. With that same intention God spoke you into existence. God intended you into existence. You are an intention of His making. There’s a lot in that statement that is difficult to understand.

Intention is something lost on us in America. We ‘intend’ to do laundry, or dishes, but never get around to it. God’s intention, the intention with which you were created is so powerful that from nothing it brought eternity. You were made with the same intention that brought into being the earth, the stars, the flowers- every meticulous detail of existence. And it will never change. You will always have begun at God.

No matter where you are now- if life is difficult, you feel strangled by the stress of school, if you feel that sin has a hold of you and you can’t get free: take heart, you are an intention of His making. Romans 11.36 says “for from him and through him and to him are all things.”

Remember that you are an intention of his making, and the person sitting next to you is an intention of his making. You room mates, class mates, people who aren’t here tonight, people you don’t even know- intentions of His making. Live out the intention of your making this week being sanctified, holy and acceptable, loved. Greet each other as intentions of his making, treating one another with the love and worth deserving of one created by God.

Silence- worth more than i can say

I've recently re-discovered the beauty in the practice of Silence. I've really missed it, but find myself desiring it. It's a difficult battle in my life, too. Living at home with four other family members- commotion is the norm. The beauty in not speaking, having the TV and music off... I can't compare it. Also, I love learning about how other people are doing, and it's awesome to just sit and listen without speaking a word.

More on silence later.

"I'm sorry, the Righteous What??"

Yep, you read it correct. I'd love to give you a clear cut answer regarding the origin of the name, but the story has survived so many iterations I don't even know where to begin.

I'm pretty sure it started with a catch phrase in Middle School. The name loosely stayed with me until "Bruce Almighty" starring Jim Carrey helped to solidify the humor of the name with the butt-monkey scene. At least, that's one way I remember it.

However, quite a few years passed between The Righteous Monkey's birth, and his reprisal a la "Bruce Almighty." I also vaguely recall coming up with the name from a Chinese/Buddhist myth about a monkey who escaped heaven (hey, it is a myth) and claimed himself the Emperor of the World. Anyway, that's a long story and I'm not going into that- you have the basic idea.

Expect rants on strange and obscure topics on this blog, calls to social action, and a mish-mash of cool links, stories, and news.