A natural extension to the conversation we have had below is the practical workings-out of the weaker brother consideration.
A friend posited whether we should, as Christian leaders, be educating ourselves in the identification of such weaker brothers (or perhaps weaker siblings). There may be ways Psychologists, Sociologists and Theologians together may be able to help us identify the issues some believers have with certain behaviors that may not be expressly prohibited in the Bible.
Then we might also consider an introspective approach - how am I the weaker sibling? What things cause me to stumble?
The real question is, though, how do we create an environment where these things can be shared? How do we share these things with others if we are the "weaker" sibling? How exactly do we respond if we have been told of a weakness in a sibling? What limits ought I put on my freedom? Do I limit these freedoms at all times or only around those who would be offended? What of institutions and denominations that ask us to limit our freedoms for the sake of others as an oath of community - do these apply when I am in my home alone with family? What about on the road visiting unbelieving friends who wouldn't understand if I refused to participate with them? Who does it hurt?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Lenten Reader
This season the seminary has a new reader. It is simply amazing - both in content and in style. You can get a taste of the reader at its website, www.asburyreader.com.
Come read scripture with us!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Orders
The idea I am about to express is not mine - it came up during a Theological theme exploration last semester at the Asbury Wesleyan Community and I think it was Dr. Dongell who first posed the possibility.
My last two posts have been a result of this same drive a few of us Wesleyans at Asbury are feeling. Where is our slavery? Where is this generation's fight for civil rights for women and other minorities? What is our generation's incarnation of the activist spirit? A few possibilities were offered; environmentalism, immigration, etc, but then the question of mode comes. In their day, Orange Scott, Luther Lee and company were compelled to create a new denomination. Certainly it is not necessary to create a new body based on new convictions held by a pioneering few, especially if I am among that few and have no particular idea what sorts of issues will be so important. What other courses of change have we as a Protestant, Holiness movement?
The Catholic Church is our example here, I believe. A friend of mine spent last night at an abbey on retreat. The Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, is a Benedictine order. As I understand them, orders are a particular kind of regimented here are many Cistercian orders who are Benedictines who wanted to return to the strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict. This abbey is the home of Thomas Merton who was a very popular and well-published monk of our century.
Orders are important to the faith and within the Catholic Church especially. Rather than start denominations certain faithful believers of the first century took upon themselves the task of convincing the church that the Spirt asked them to live a lifestyle contrary to the norm. After gaining recognition from the church they began following the Spirit and have enriched the church by their example.
We modern Christians tend to think there is a singular Christian life we are to all imitate - that of Christ. I believe this is a valid goal. However, rather than think of ourselves as imitators of God, orders tend to make us think of the church as an imitator of Christ. In such a way we embrace the Spirit's leading individuals on different paths and enrich our own faith by communing with them.
Monastic life is often criticized as contrary to the great commission. I think this is a valid point. Certainly there are many abbeys and convents whose orders do not include vows of silence where mission work does occur.
The question for commenting: In light of this post, how does the Spirit work?
Another question: How could the Wesleyan Church (or your own denomination) embrace the concept of orders today?
My last two posts have been a result of this same drive a few of us Wesleyans at Asbury are feeling. Where is our slavery? Where is this generation's fight for civil rights for women and other minorities? What is our generation's incarnation of the activist spirit? A few possibilities were offered; environmentalism, immigration, etc, but then the question of mode comes. In their day, Orange Scott, Luther Lee and company were compelled to create a new denomination. Certainly it is not necessary to create a new body based on new convictions held by a pioneering few, especially if I am among that few and have no particular idea what sorts of issues will be so important. What other courses of change have we as a Protestant, Holiness movement?
The Catholic Church is our example here, I believe. A friend of mine spent last night at an abbey on retreat. The Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, is a Benedictine order. As I understand them, orders are a particular kind of regimented here are many Cistercian orders who are Benedictines who wanted to return to the strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict. This abbey is the home of Thomas Merton who was a very popular and well-published monk of our century.
Orders are important to the faith and within the Catholic Church especially. Rather than start denominations certain faithful believers of the first century took upon themselves the task of convincing the church that the Spirt asked them to live a lifestyle contrary to the norm. After gaining recognition from the church they began following the Spirit and have enriched the church by their example.
We modern Christians tend to think there is a singular Christian life we are to all imitate - that of Christ. I believe this is a valid goal. However, rather than think of ourselves as imitators of God, orders tend to make us think of the church as an imitator of Christ. In such a way we embrace the Spirit's leading individuals on different paths and enrich our own faith by communing with them.
Monastic life is often criticized as contrary to the great commission. I think this is a valid point. Certainly there are many abbeys and convents whose orders do not include vows of silence where mission work does occur.
The question for commenting: In light of this post, how does the Spirit work?
Another question: How could the Wesleyan Church (or your own denomination) embrace the concept of orders today?
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