Hoarding what God has entrusted to us

I find an interesting parallel between the parable of the ten minas in St. Luke's gospel and the way the church does or doesn't use its talents and resources to be Jesus to the world.

We have basically the example of three types of stewardship, all of which I have seen played out in different Christians lives.

1. We have the example of the servant who takes one and makes ten. Here is that Christian: when faced by the opportunity to serve, he will entrust himself to God's care, abandoning himself to serving God.

2. We have the servant who takes one and makes five, showing us the example of one who serves more cautiously but still serves his Lord using what God has given him to further the Kingdom.

3. And last we have the servant who is paralyzed by his view of his Master, thinking of Him as a severe man who takes those things others have worked for. This servant is not only focused on the aspect of his Master in His capacity as judge of the wrongdoer, but thinking of the King as a common man and not as the protector and enabler of His subjects, rightly requiring the increase.

How often do we sit around and speculate about what God would have us do to the exclusion of doing anything? Why is it so hard to abandon ourselves to serving our God with all He has given us?

I suspect that part of our apathy is due to the fact that we view God in a human frame and not as the One who gives all and asks for that which we can joyfully give of the abundance He has given us, and partly because we have forgotten the story of the rich man and Lazarus and the examples of St. Martin, St. Brigit, St. Francis and St. Clare, Dr. Livingstone, R.G. LeTourneau, Mother Theresa of Calcutta and so many others.

So what gifts and talents has God given you? How are you using them to glorify Him and further His Kingdom?

Christians and Pessimism

I remember going to FCA Sports Camp in Estes Park, Colorado, once when I was in junior high school. They had a memory verse:

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

As I work with different charities, non-profits, and churches, it often seems like Christians have the least amount of hope. This may be because I have a critical eye when it comes to my brothers and sisters, but I think it's partially general pessimism among Christians.

Where I work, I provide a service (education) that many low-income people can take advantage of for free. This service helps get people into better jobs, with sustainable wages. The problem is that many people, usually Christians, have a fear that the financial aid we offer won't apply to them. It may not, but does that mean they shouldn't check it out?

The non-Christians are much more hopeful that they can do something with their lives. I have yet to have a non-Christian stop halfway through the application process before even finding out his financial aid.

What is this? Negative eschatology? Are the Christians waiting to be raptured out of their suffering?

Spokane Pastors

I've probably met close to a hundred pastors in Spokane, if not more. I've noticed a trend. The more personable, wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve pastors almost always follow a parish model. The more formal that a pastor's personality is, the more likely he will pastor a congregation that commutes for worship.

I wonder about this trend. My inclination is to say this is a difference between idea/doctrine-focused ministries and service focused ministries, and that a congregation very much reflects its pastor.

Praying your theology

On the way to work this morning, I was listening to JI Packer's lecture on the Modern Church in his series on Anglican Theology. For the most part, Packer is too evangelical for me and has a Puritan bias which shows through too often. My association with evangelicalism would be much looser. This lecture, however, was great.

In one section, he was speaking of the dictum "lex orandi, lex credendi" (or vice versa--whatever appeals to you), and he spoke of Paul Tillich, who apparently once said something along the lines of "There must be something wrong with my theology; I can't pray it."

Packer then spoke of this being the problem with Calvinism and Arminianism.

The consistent Calvinist prayer goes something like, "God, we ask you to move the heart of my friend Jim, but you already know this since you ordained me to pray it, and you had already decided it since it was in your pre-ordained will before you created time..."

The consistent Arminian prayer is, "Lord, we ask you to move the heart of Jim, but we know that human decision is the deciding factor, and that you won't move his heart in a special way because you want him to have free will..."

Both prayers are problematic. Can you pray your theology?

Being transformed.

After hearing my Priest teach on Rom. 12:2 and the story of Saint Telemachus, I have been wondering how that really plays out in practical day to day life.
Does not being conformed to this world mean despising what the world likes?
When do you make an overt stand for Jesus Christ against the world?
How are we to seek for this transformation?
Is this something achieved through the offering of ourselves living sacrifices to God? Do we get distracted looking for the times we should stand for Christ when we should be seeking to live out Galatians 2:20?
In America when Christians are bothered by 'the world' we tend to create a ruckus and start legislation and boycott the sin, Saint Telemachus resisted his call to Rome and when he went was lead to the Colosseum (not by his choice) where he took his stand for Jesus Christ and was martyred and then the change happened.
How many Christians wanting change are willing to die for their faith, and if they are not why do they want change?

Poverty, conservatism, and evangelicals

Spokane is one of the most conservative cities in Washington. It has the highest rate of evangelical Christians. It also has the highest poverty rate in the state. Is there a correlation between conservatism or evangelicalism and poverty? As someone who is fairly conservative, I find this thought disturbing.

My job is to do community outreach for a college. I spend my days working with special interest groups, churches, non-profits, and charities. The people that seem the least interested in helping the poor are the evangelicals. Well, maybe not the least interested--they want to help, but they are least likely to do something.

Medicine of Immortality

With our "regular" blogs becoming mostly outlets for posting pictures of our cute families, we have decided to start a blog devoted to reflection on living sacramentally in Spokane. Sometimes that reflection may be theological, philosophical, or political. We might delve deep into adiaphora or reflect on things intensely practical. The emphasis is on reflection and thought development, not showing off what we know. This means that sometimes we will throw out stupid ideas and thoughts that are not fully developed, and we want you to sharpen our thinking. Sometimes we'll throw out ideas that might make people angry just so that we can see how others respond. This is an effort in helping us think more thoroughly. We encourage discussion and disagreement, as long as its peaceful.