An Ordinand's explorations...

A number of people have commented that my blog doesn't share a great deal about my day to day training and the process in general.

This is true on a practical level, however, what I have chosen to do is share things that relate to what is going on in my life, whether it be spirituality, emotionally, mentally etc through things that I am discovering on this path, as they arise.

The whole series of recent posts on death, illness, lament and dialogue is directly linked to my everyday life for various reasons, yet a lot of what I have been sharing  also relates to the training too...

I want to flag up the following by way of example...

"Faith, Hope and Love: Some Considerations

Is your faith robust enough to handle leaning from interaction with other religions? Or do you fear any openness to learn or intellectual humility would undermine your or your community’s faith in Christ? Remember, we know what faith is, not only through Jesus’ teaching to the Apostles, but also through reflection on his encounters with humble Pagans and Samaritans.

Is your hope genuinely holistic, encompassing the redemption of culture and the earth? Or is it reduced to forensic justification, acultural rapture and disembodied soul survival? Remember, we know what hope is, not only because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, but also because he dreamed of a resurrected earth where God’s will would be done, from which injustice was forever exorcised.

Does your love extend to genuine incarnational living amongst the unreached, amongst pantheists and pagans and agnostics? Or is it an abstract thing, limited to praying from a safe distance, or risk free monologues from home territory. Remember, we know what love is, not only because Jesus died for us, but also because he touched the untouchables and ate with the alienated. "

This is taken, in total from Matt's blog, Eclectic Itchings, and is a wonderful, thought provoking piece. Matt has a very open mind on matters of spirituality and enquires and investigates as he feels directed. A number of people are alarmed that he is on my list of links, but an open and inquisitive nature is much needed and the ability to exercise discernment is surely a necessity for us all!

Is your faith robust enough to handle leaning from interaction with other religions? Or do you fear any openness to learn or intellectual humility would undermine your or your community’s faith in Christ? Remember, we know what faith is, not only through Jesus’ teaching to the Apostles, but also through reflection on his encounters with humble Pagans and Samaritans.

Is your hope genuinely holistic, encompassing the redemption of culture and the earth? Or is it reduced to forensic justification, acultural rapture and disembodied soul survival? Remember, we know what hope is, not only because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, but also because he dreamed of a resurrected earth where God’s will would be done, from which injustice was forever exorcised.

Does your love extend to genuine incarnational living amongst the unreached, amongst pantheists and pagans and agnostics? Or is it an abstract thing, limited to praying from a safe distance, or risk free monologues from home territory. Remember, we know what love is, not only because Jesus died for us, but also because he touched the untouchables and ate with the alienated. "

This is taken, in total from Matt's blog, Eclectic Itchings, and is a wonderful, thought provoking piece. Matt has a very open mind on matters of spirituality and enquires and investigates as he feels directed. A number of people are alarmed that he is on my list of links, but an open and inquisitive nature is much needed and the ability to exercise discernment is surely a necessity for us all!

Comments

[Matt Stone]

Nigel. That last paragraph of yours gave me a cackle. The 'alarm' I apparently cause appeals to the mischievious side of me I suppose.

But lest your readers misunderstand, let me just say my attempts at rattling cages are far from frivolous. They are deadly serious, even the satirical ones.

Jesus was not a safe man, he did not hang out with safe people, he did not teach safe teachings, he did not undertake safe actions and he did not settle for safe symbols. He did not settle for a safe mission. I aspire to be like that. And I am always open to giving an account for that, to anyone who has concerns.

I am aware there are dangers of engaging with new spiritualities, more than people may suspect, but I am even more aware though of the dangers of not engaging. That last is what I would ask people to take seriously.