A field of opium poppies in Myanmar (formerly Burma)I just finished the class, Reactivating the Missional Church taught by Alan Hirsch this past week. He wrote The Shaping of Things to Come and The Forgotten Ways.
Hirsch continually spoke of the statement, which I believe was Karl Marx who said that "Christianity is the opiate of the masses." For all those familiar with Opium this is a powerful statement, which I believe seriously needs to be re-examined. Opium is a powerful narcotic, with 90% of the worlds supply being cultivated in Afghanistan, by Opium Poppy farmers. Opium is used in pain killers, such as Percocet, Oxycontin, and numerous other Codeine like drugs. Opium is also used for Morphine and illegal drugs such as Heroin.
With that said, this illustration is not pretty. When Hirsch was talking about this many of us studying theology in Seminary immediately wanted to ask questions, such as "Does this mean that we don't call ourselves Christians?" I personally think the term Christian is dynamic, because, first of all it is not mainstream, and secondly it immediately begs the question, "What does that mean?"
What does the term Christian mean? In the early Church it, as Hirsch was attempting to explain it meant something radical, subversive, exciting, dynamic. It meant that the promises of the covenant with and to Israel were now fulfilled in one Jewish man from Nazareth, crucified on a Roman Cross, yet proclaimed as risen from the dead. Hirsch was saying that somehow in our Church life, this proclamation has gotten buried in traditions and rituals.
Hirsch believes that our Christology, (Christ centered existance) determined our Missional existance, which then determines of Ecclesiology (our Church existance). The Missional aspect is what is lacking in our lives. To be a Christian means that we are 'sent people', living in and among people, declaring in everything we do that Jesus is alive and Lord over ALL things.
The Western Industrialized Church has forgotten this message, because it has spiritualized everything so that people can not contextualize the message that God is in Christ reconciling, and Christ is in us reconciling. We therefore must live and embody the gospel to those whom Christ was sent. We can no longer hide in our jobs, our churches, our suburbs, pretending everything is completed.
I believe that in the U.S., our suburban, individualized, family centered lives have worked against the message of Jesus, because, "HOW can I learn to engage the culture if I only am speaking with family or close friends?" It will never happen if we continue to live separated.
It was an amazing week long discussion and I wanted to let you in on the dialogue.
4 comments:
hey paul
glad you liked the class, and it got you thinking
i know you know when i check your blog, so i thought i'd right something cuz i miss you
send me your notes from the class when you get a chance, i'd love to read them and the papers you right from it
peace bro
cp
Paxton, I was thinking about calling you today to see how the transition is going. I miss you and your family. I talked to Rickey at Mosaic today and I was asking him some questions about the league, which his team will be part of this time around. :)
We have eight teams, so I am excited about that. The class was amazing and I wish that it lasted longer.
I will send you my notes from class also.
I am going to write one of the papers entitled; Forgiveness as a Contexualized Social Ethical Movement. This will discuss how we as Missionary people bring God's forgiveness into all situations we encounter. I thought that forgiveness is something people need, but how does it work out in our lives?
Anyways, thanks for being who you are.
Blessings, Peace, Word!
Interesting topic! Sometimes I find it so hard to talk to others about my faith. I sometimes feel like I lead a dual life - one side of me that Christians see, who know what drives me from the inside out. One side of me that people only see me for my actions... and am I being a good example? It's hard to talk about my faith with others who don't understand... they're so quick to judge based of past negative experiences... I want them to get to know me for who I am, and see how I'm different from others.
PS: one more "s" in my last name on your link - and I took off comment moderation. Thanks! I didn't realize it was up there...
PPS: tell Kelly I said "hey" and can't wait to see you guys when you come out East! :)
Hey Janet, thanks for the comments. Sorry about misspelling your last name. :)
We as a missionary people are participating with the actions that are going on around us, all the redeeming it back to God's original intentions. How do we do that? I think one of the best ways is to listen to the heart of God, which comes usually through the words and actions of others. God is speaking through other people, are we listening.
One of the best quotes that I heard last week was, "God is already actively working in humans' lives, therefore, are we engaged with God in what he is doing?"
It is a continual process of learning for me, because I want to impose so much of myself onto the situations that I encounter.
Connecticut is so difficult, because people could care less about what "we" say. They have a "love-hate" relationship with religion, so it makes it difficult to engage the culture, but from what you said, I think that you are doing something that is incredibly unique and amazing, and Kelly and I will be praying for your work. Talk soon.
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