Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence

German sociologist Hartmut Rosa has recently written The Uncontrollability of the World, in which he critiques our cultural attempt to eliminate risk, and reduce everything to a predictable set of results. While some areas of life need control, like me being in hospital(!), the ultimate attempt to control experience is, of course, impossible, and leads inevitably to a profound sense of depression and disappointment. 

Shrodinger's Theological Cat

I am writing this in hospital. I was having some seizures, down my left arm; when after one particularly painful incident, I went to A&E. Here, they diagnosed focal epilepsy, caused by tumours in the brain. At the moment, therefore, the staff are investigating to discover if these are primary cancers or secondary ones, derived from elsewhere in my body.

Prophetic Ministry

The prophets, Haggai & Zechariah, encouraged people to rebuild the temple, after returning from exile, and faced opposition and discouragement (Ez. 5.1). In the New Covenant, such temple imagery is transferred to the body: Christ’s physical body in history (Jn. 2.19-21), and his body now in the church (1 Co. 3.16 & 2 Co. 6.16).

Of all the spiritual gifts, however, it is only prophecy which is said to “build up” (edify) the church (1 Co. 14.4-5) – although all gifts are for the “common good” (1 Co. 12.7). Prophecy gives the assurance that God is present, and is speaking (1 Co. 14.24); whether manifested in charismatic utterances or anointed preaching.

Ignatian Spirituality

Ignatius Loyola wrote his Spiritual Exercises, as a guide for discernment. Through them, we are encouraged to interpret our feelings, before God, to detect signs of whether we are moving towards, or away from, him.

Over a period of time, we examine our responses of consolation and desolation. Consolation is given by the Good Spirit, as an encouragement as we make intentions towards God. Desolation comes from the Bad Spirit, to discourage us, and make us move away from God. 

Reconsideration of "The Rood"

After I finished writing my last Blopost here, I walked downstairs to make a coffee, and immediately realised I’d missed a whole area of reflection. I’d taken a completely negative view of the contextualisation implicit in The Dream of the Rood, missing the (very obvious) positive aspect, and the necessary nuance (and risk) involved in any attempt at contextualisation.

False Contextualisation: The Dream of the Rood

 The Dream of the Rood (available here) is a classic piece of Anglo-Saxon poetry, from the 8^th or 10^th centuries. Rood is the old English word for ‘rod’ or ‘pole’, and came to be used of the Cross. The poem narrates a dream sequence, in which the author sees a tree being cut down, and eventually used in the crucifixion of Christ.

The Church in Wales

We visited a Church of Wales service while on holiday. There was an assortment of locals and tourists. No singing, because of Covid; just the liturgy. A lay-leader explained to us, that they had a tradition of supporting pilgrims, passing through, some as corpses for burial, to the holy island of Bardsey, which was known as a “thin place”, to be near the resurrection.

The Spiritual Dimension of Mission

I was challenged to think missiologically by the recent City-to-city conference, on reaching Europe, especially its cities. I was impressed, particularly, by their honesty about the difficulty of the task, faced with the indifference and even hostility towards the gospel in secular Europe. So, I written several blogs reflecting on what it might take to do mission here. One factor, which I think much western missional thought misses is the role of the Holy Spirit in mission, and especially the Pentecostal dimension: that is, signs and wonders.

Capitalism, Modernity, and the Gospel

Reflecting further on why the gospel is hard to communicate in Europe today, it is not only that Christianity is old, but that it is now identified with power, with the establishment. This is in part due to the Constantinian settlement, whereby church and state became allied in a co-dependent system of ideological legitimation, which eventually produced Christendom. 

New Beginnings for the Gospel

Building upon my last blog, how can we make the gospel fresh again, refresh our presentation? Writing about apologetics, Os Guiness comments that people are not really asking questions; they are simply not interested in what we have to say. We must, he says, find ways to intrigue them, awaken their curiosity, and provoke thought.

Failing the Gospel in Europe

I’m listening to some of the discussion in City-to-City’s Evangelism Project. Specifically, their honest inquiry into why it’s so hard to share the gospel in Europe, and if there are any lesson from the European experience? There is a perception that evangelism is difficult in Europe, both to do, and to get any results, in terms of conversions. 

Worship, Praise, Liturgy – and Eschatological Participation

Much worship today is influenced by our contemporary western, individualistic, and atomised culture. This is so, whether we are discussing contemplative of charismatic spirituality. However while there is a Biblical emphasis on personal devotions, there is also a stress on corporate, gathered worship, as the people of God. 

Church Hurt

Throughout my ministry, I’ve often met people who have been hurt by their experience of church. Of course, sometimes their complaint may not be justified – but sometimes it is, and that should not be! We are here to heal not hurt. But these people (often called ‘victims’, but who are really ‘survivors’, of abuse) are frequently ignored, not listened to. Consequently, many drift away, or deliberately renounce, their faith, and church, because they equate their treatment, at the hands of pastors, and/or church members, with what Christ is all about. 

Church: Physical, Virtual, Aboriginal, Spiritual – Theological Options

During the pandemic, we’ve become sued to online church. Virtual gatherings, one-to-one conversations, and pastoral care, replaced ion-person physical encounters. In some cases, these were enrichments, enabling, for example, people to attend Life-Groups, who had never been able to come physically: e.g. single parents, shift-workers. 

Why I carry on

I read some social media posts recently, about how there seems to be a lot of pastors in the US, who are leaving vocational ministry. I don’t know if the same is true for the UK; and in any case, it is largely anecdotal, there doesn’t seem to be any statistical corroboration. But it prompted me to wonder why. Certainly, in Britain too, there is disillusionment among pastors.

In commenting, I'm not setting myself up as superior. I too have suffered from discouragement, disillusion, and depression, frequently during my ministry. I think I’ve not recovered from burn-out for the last ten years. Probably, once a week, I think about leaving it all. But somehow, I’m still here: it reminds of a TV sketch by Rory Bremner in the 1990s, of PM John Major, who despite all the scandals, kept repeating “I’m still here”.

Wages of (Social) Sin

With the recent verdict in the George Floyd case, and the British government report on race, it seems appropriate to share some thoughts on the different levels of sin, and and their social aspects. In evangelicalism especially, we concentrate on the individual and neglect the collective effects of sin. Since this is a blog, my account will necessarily be sketchy and brief. 

Mission By Accident?

Several decades ago, I was interrupted by a phonecall from a Christian community worker I knew. Could we accommodate twenty Kurdish refugees from Turkey? They’d just arrived at Heathrow and the government didn’t know where to put them.

Over the next six months, a hundred came and slept in our church building, as our small congregation (20-30 people) gave money, and helped practically, to look after these arrivals. Other churches joined in: from Protestant and Catholic, Evangelical and Liberal, backgrounds. 

The Argument from Dissatisfaction

I recently helped a friend, who had a family emergency, by teaching some of his classes on apologetics. One of the themes was how we know God exists. Of all the arguments for God’s existence, the one which most emotionally satisfies, is that formulated by C. S. Lewis: the argument from desire.

Abuse in the Church

In my last post, I examined the way inner psychological wounds manifest themselves in the behaviour of male church leaders. This operates generally in a worship of power, and abusive dominance, especially towards females.

As I re-read it, however, I realised it could be taken the wrong way. I was trying to understand some of the causes of such abuse, but let me make it clear: to understand is not to condone, or excuse. We need to combine an understanding mindset, with robust policies, procedures, and penalties, towards transgressions, by leaders. 

The Emotional Wounds of Leaders

We have heard several reports of high profile leaders who have sexually exploited women. This is in addition to the sexual abuse of children in different denominations, plus the widespread abuse of power domination over people in churches and Christian movements. What is happening? 

Someone who wanted me dead

 I had a friend. He was an English convert to Islam. Periodically we used to meet for a coffee and chat: discussing world politics and religion. He regularly Tweeted about Islam, and its superiority to all other world views. Although we disagreed, I considered we had a good relationship. When his father died, I reached out to spend time with him in his loss.

However, something happened which changed everything. He posted about the imposition of the death penalty on blasphemy and apostasy in Muslim countries. In western non-Muslim countries, such a Britain, he thought this was inappropriate. But, in Islamic countries, he felt it was justified.

KCBC Post-Pandemic Vision

In the sovereignty of God, the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered a shock to our whole civilisation. Even as we care for those who have fallen ill, or been bereaved, let us pray that it will direct people back to the Lord, as the only foundation for our hope. In this, we welcome the contribution of medical science, and the vaccine programme, as one part of God’s solution to the pandemic. 

Conversion Therapy

The British Government is planning legislation to make Conversion Therapy (CT) illegal; although a coalition of LGBTQ groups is pressuring them to proceed quicker. CT refers to a collection of psychological techniques, designed to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Once widely practised, CT is now seen as an infraction of people’s human rights. Moreover, most of the testimonies about change have been revealed to be short-lived, or mere wish-fulfilment.

CT includes a variety of approaches. At one extreme, is Aversion Therapy, a crude manifestation of behaviourism, in which for example a person is subjected to electric shocks, when shown pictures of naked members of the same sex. Besides being ineffective in longterm change, it is also highly abusive. 

Body Without Organs

But can the emphasis on ecclesial embodiment be actualised virtually? Can we be the body online? Doesn't this disembodied form of communication vitiate the corporeal metaphor? Surely not. Paul himself comments that, although absent in body he is with others “in spirit” (2 Co. 5.3; Col. 5.3). If this is more than a pious sentiment, it must refer to some metaphysical connection, a reality of fellowship across physical distance

The Temple is a Body. The Spirit is a Bone.

 

Examples abound of what practices we are to inhabit when church ‘meets’ – teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer (Acs. 2.42) or providing openings for contributing hymn, instruction, revelation, tongue or interpretation (1 Co. 14.26). But exactly how (liturgy), or where (location), these are to be practised is left open: indeed both temple and home are mentioned (Acs. 2.46); and the temple not commanded, but convenient, for Jewish Messiah-followers to gather; since it is not the ritual elements of temple worship which are practised, but the specific community-forming practises of the messianic community, a sub-culture which would ultimately include gentiles. 

Non-Building-Centred Church

 

KCBC has gone back online for church services. This is not in response to any government dictum. Indeed, they have officially allowed corporate worship, of all religions, to continue. But, due to increasing infections, it seems the responsible reaction to cancel physical services, to defeat the virus, as well as protecting our own attenders.

Electro-Ecclesial Experiments

 

Our leaders met recently and decided to keep our church building closed for services,  until at least 15th February, in line with the government lockdown. Churches are allowed to meet, but following recommendations from the Baptist Union, it seems right to move online for two reasons: to protect our attenders & to protect society by not spreading the virus.

Many are disappointed by this. We have different opinions. So we must remain united and sensitive to each other; respecting each other’s viewpoints, attributing integrity to each other, as we each seek to be faithful to our God.

Shot Gun Wedding – Covid Marriage

 

Although a bit different from the shotgun wedding, with the bride’s father hovering with his loaded weapon, to make sure the reluctant groom marries his pregnant daughter, there has been pressure for people to get married during the pandemic. Like wartime weddings, where people were in a rush, because they didn’t know what would happen, or where they’d be, Covid weddings are similarly different.

Decision and Design

 I had to make a decision, which disappointed many – cancelling physical services in our building. It was more difficult, because we are actually allowed to meet, by the government. The question is whether this is wise, in view of the rising infection rates, from the new strain of Covid. The government itself is being criticised for not taking responsibility. Naturally, noone likes to limit people’s freedoms, and shut things down. But, leaving restrictive measures until the last minute, makes it harder for people to plan. Part of leadership’s task is to make tough decisions; and, although not at PM level, this is also the Pastor’s role.