Our pastor, Eric, was preaching on reconciliation between believers in church. It was interesting as he was preaching from Matt 18:15-22 where it is instructing on how to deal with fellow believers who sin against you.
It says how if even when you take a member before the church they still refuse to see their sin, then you are to treat them as a pagan and a tax collector.
Now, lots of churches interpret this as you are to shun them and kick them out of the church.
However, as Pastor Eric pointed out (and I was writing on my notepad right before he said it) Jesus hung out with pagans and tax collectors! What we are called to do is show RADICAL LOVE! That love that holds no grudges, doesn't count wrongs, and forgives and forgives and loves. (Now, this doesn't mean you put yourself at stupid risk. You wouldn't say, let a drug addict have open access to your money, that's just dumb.)
It ties in with the book I mentioned in my last post, on how living the kingdom of God is all about showing crazy radical love the world doesn't understand! Heck, most CHRISTIANS don't understand it! Its why we are looked upon as being so hateful and hypocritical! We don't love the very ones we are called to show Christ's love too. Namely, those that don't know him! (And each other of course!)
Now, this is something I struggle with. It really is. But, I figure since I at least realize it is a struggle for me, that's a step ahead of the curve. Right?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Power Over/Power Under
Reading a good book right now called "The Myth of Christian Nation" by Dr. Gregory Boyd. The premise is how pursuit of political power, on both sides, right and left though it was written in response to the massive evangelical outpouring to electing Bush for the 2nd time, is destroying the Church in America.
Its a good read so far. He has focused much of his discussion on what Jesus preached, the Kingdom of God. Jesus focused an imense amount of his ministry on the Kingdom of God and what it is like living the kingdom life. It is a life built out of humility and love.
When Christians begin to believe that temporal political power is necessary to forward God's kingdom, they have lost sight of the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom is not one of "power over" but of "power under." We live under the political system, and when we get focused on a competition, that we must "win" to see God's work go forward, we aren't living the Kingdom life. We aren't living a life of love as Jesus lived.
Boyd is not saying Christians should abstain from the political process though he understands if you do. He is saying that the massive amount of faith the Church is putting on people to fix things instead of God to change hearts and lives is disturbing.
I look forward to getting farther along in this engrossing book.
Its a good read so far. He has focused much of his discussion on what Jesus preached, the Kingdom of God. Jesus focused an imense amount of his ministry on the Kingdom of God and what it is like living the kingdom life. It is a life built out of humility and love.
When Christians begin to believe that temporal political power is necessary to forward God's kingdom, they have lost sight of the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom is not one of "power over" but of "power under." We live under the political system, and when we get focused on a competition, that we must "win" to see God's work go forward, we aren't living the Kingdom life. We aren't living a life of love as Jesus lived.
Boyd is not saying Christians should abstain from the political process though he understands if you do. He is saying that the massive amount of faith the Church is putting on people to fix things instead of God to change hearts and lives is disturbing.
I look forward to getting farther along in this engrossing book.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Honesty with Deficits
I feel posty today I guess.
I was having an interesting discussion with my dad the other day on such things as the budget deficit, the bailout, etc. He was pointing out how with the deficits we will be running, added to the debt we have, there is pretty much no hope of ever getting the country out of debt.
I pretty much agree. But I might have a more fatalistic view then some people. Currently the talk is of how this debt will bankrupt our children and grandchildren. HAH! I laugh at you! I'm 29 and I fully expect to never see a penny of what I pay in social security. I just don't. I'm not planning for a future that relies on it. I just don't expect it to be there.
That is why I am not overly concerned with the massive deficits Obama's budget will be running. He's honest about it. He says we have to spend now to get out of this crisis. He might be wrong, but at least he is being honest that its going to cost a lot now.
A problem I have is the Republicans have now reared up and are whining about how much this is all going to cost. Now, I'm pretty sure they had the majority Congress AND the Presidency for 6 of the previous 8 years. During that time a modest surplus was squandered into the largest deficits we had seen until now.
Now, don't think I'm letting the Democrats off the hook because the previous 2 years they did nothing to stem the flow besides whine. And boy did they whine.
So, I guess what I'm saying is this: I believe we as a nation have been financially screwed for about the last 5 years. Do I hope to be proved wrong? Yes. But at least I'm expecting the worst to come.
And at least Obama is saying he's going to spend like a drunk sailor to "fix" this mess.
I was having an interesting discussion with my dad the other day on such things as the budget deficit, the bailout, etc. He was pointing out how with the deficits we will be running, added to the debt we have, there is pretty much no hope of ever getting the country out of debt.
I pretty much agree. But I might have a more fatalistic view then some people. Currently the talk is of how this debt will bankrupt our children and grandchildren. HAH! I laugh at you! I'm 29 and I fully expect to never see a penny of what I pay in social security. I just don't. I'm not planning for a future that relies on it. I just don't expect it to be there.
That is why I am not overly concerned with the massive deficits Obama's budget will be running. He's honest about it. He says we have to spend now to get out of this crisis. He might be wrong, but at least he is being honest that its going to cost a lot now.
A problem I have is the Republicans have now reared up and are whining about how much this is all going to cost. Now, I'm pretty sure they had the majority Congress AND the Presidency for 6 of the previous 8 years. During that time a modest surplus was squandered into the largest deficits we had seen until now.
Now, don't think I'm letting the Democrats off the hook because the previous 2 years they did nothing to stem the flow besides whine. And boy did they whine.
So, I guess what I'm saying is this: I believe we as a nation have been financially screwed for about the last 5 years. Do I hope to be proved wrong? Yes. But at least I'm expecting the worst to come.
And at least Obama is saying he's going to spend like a drunk sailor to "fix" this mess.
Illogical Theology
I'm sure some would argue all theology is illogical, and some things of the Christian faith are paradoxes and mysteries. Its part of what keeps God, God, and us, us.
Now, on the way to work today I heard an NPR piece dealing with the Quiverfull Movement. It was an interesting piece on a group that lives by the idea that God in his sovereignty knows when a family has enough kids. So, things like birth control are not only not used, but there are articles on the site detailing all the various issues with birth control.
Ok, all this is fine and dandy. It doesn't really bother me much even if I don't necessarily feel the same way.
Then it gets to the kicker. Interviewing a woman who had I believe 6 children of her own and 35 grandchildren she got into the rather disturbing part of the (bad) theology going along with this otherwise fairly innocuous movement.
She said the idea is to have large families to raise up as Christian's to reclaim the nation for God. Because if Christian's don't procreate and do this eventually "Biblical Christianity" (interesting term in itself) will be washed away. She pointed to Islam and how many Islamic families are larger than Western counterparts.
Ok, I have an issue here with bad theology. Aside from the misconception of Christians' needing temporal power to do God's work, a sovereign God who knows what's best for your family cannot keep worship of Him alive without our help?
Oh, don't get me wrong. I am 100% behind raising your children in a Godly manner. Just please, please, don't get sucked into the whole "God's Army" idea. This is not a contest. God does not NEED you to have 8 kids to keep the faith alive. If you believe that is His will for you is to have 8 kids, that is great. But please don't get this misguided idea that you NEED to do this because otherwise "Biblical Christianity" is going to get overwhelmed.
God works in many many ways. If He is Sovereign enough to get you lots of kids, He is sovereign enough to keep the faith alive.
Also, do not confuse living for God and working for God with gaining temporal power and passing laws. Please. Jesus never once sought political power. Political power isn't inherently bad, it is just not a way to change hearts for God.
Now, on the way to work today I heard an NPR piece dealing with the Quiverfull Movement. It was an interesting piece on a group that lives by the idea that God in his sovereignty knows when a family has enough kids. So, things like birth control are not only not used, but there are articles on the site detailing all the various issues with birth control.
Ok, all this is fine and dandy. It doesn't really bother me much even if I don't necessarily feel the same way.
Then it gets to the kicker. Interviewing a woman who had I believe 6 children of her own and 35 grandchildren she got into the rather disturbing part of the (bad) theology going along with this otherwise fairly innocuous movement.
She said the idea is to have large families to raise up as Christian's to reclaim the nation for God. Because if Christian's don't procreate and do this eventually "Biblical Christianity" (interesting term in itself) will be washed away. She pointed to Islam and how many Islamic families are larger than Western counterparts.
Ok, I have an issue here with bad theology. Aside from the misconception of Christians' needing temporal power to do God's work, a sovereign God who knows what's best for your family cannot keep worship of Him alive without our help?
Oh, don't get me wrong. I am 100% behind raising your children in a Godly manner. Just please, please, don't get sucked into the whole "God's Army" idea. This is not a contest. God does not NEED you to have 8 kids to keep the faith alive. If you believe that is His will for you is to have 8 kids, that is great. But please don't get this misguided idea that you NEED to do this because otherwise "Biblical Christianity" is going to get overwhelmed.
God works in many many ways. If He is Sovereign enough to get you lots of kids, He is sovereign enough to keep the faith alive.
Also, do not confuse living for God and working for God with gaining temporal power and passing laws. Please. Jesus never once sought political power. Political power isn't inherently bad, it is just not a way to change hearts for God.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Interesting
Here is an interesting counterpoint.
I understand what she is saying. However, desperate times call for extreme action. Part of the problem is that the companies progressed so far beyond any regulation, in many cases nothing "illegal" was done. The problems need to be fixed. And if TEMPORARY, with NON-EXTENDABLE time limits, were made that makes it easier for the government to forcibly renegotiate contracts so be it.
She has 3 main fallacies to her argument.
1. That cutting the bonuses would drive people off. Where are they going to go? Sure, maybe a few of the top people would find jobs. But right now, this is not a bull market for these positions.
2. We need people who understand this stuff to fix it. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT! They understand the theory. But, theory doesn't mean crap in reality. Nobody knows how to fix this. That's why they are going to keep sinking more money in. They think if it fails, the whole system will. But, there isn't an end in sight (after over 150 billion) of the money AIG will need.
3. That this will set some sort of precedent. Well, it might. But, I look at this like surgery. Sometimes you have to remove something to save the body. That's how this economy has become. I want the goverment to have powerful, yet focused abilities, to drastically rework things. But for a limited time. 1 year, 2 years. Something like that.
Nothing longer or they will foul it up worse.
The whole issue is they shouldn't have gotten bonuses at all. They should have gotten a healthy salary as they are highly trained, but this whole "bonus" farce is laughable.
I understand what she is saying. However, desperate times call for extreme action. Part of the problem is that the companies progressed so far beyond any regulation, in many cases nothing "illegal" was done. The problems need to be fixed. And if TEMPORARY, with NON-EXTENDABLE time limits, were made that makes it easier for the government to forcibly renegotiate contracts so be it.
She has 3 main fallacies to her argument.
1. That cutting the bonuses would drive people off. Where are they going to go? Sure, maybe a few of the top people would find jobs. But right now, this is not a bull market for these positions.
2. We need people who understand this stuff to fix it. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT! They understand the theory. But, theory doesn't mean crap in reality. Nobody knows how to fix this. That's why they are going to keep sinking more money in. They think if it fails, the whole system will. But, there isn't an end in sight (after over 150 billion) of the money AIG will need.
3. That this will set some sort of precedent. Well, it might. But, I look at this like surgery. Sometimes you have to remove something to save the body. That's how this economy has become. I want the goverment to have powerful, yet focused abilities, to drastically rework things. But for a limited time. 1 year, 2 years. Something like that.
Nothing longer or they will foul it up worse.
The whole issue is they shouldn't have gotten bonuses at all. They should have gotten a healthy salary as they are highly trained, but this whole "bonus" farce is laughable.
Joining the Chorus
As news has been breaking of the massive bonuses paid to employees in AIG's financial products division, the outrage has been swift and united. For those that don't know this is the division with their brilliant derivative plans that designed "products" (read: paper) that pretty much sank AIG and helped to bring about the sinking of the world-wide economy.
Yeah, it wasn't just AIG, but they and companies like them played a HUGE part in all this.
The employees in question are recieving large bonuses because 1) the only took $1 in salary this year and 2) in 2008 their contracts were changed to insure they recieved bonuses equal to 2007s. (Hmm, interesting, in 2008, things were already looking bad, why insure bonuses be paid equalling those from a "good," if false, year?)
Now, I'm sure these people make lots of money in their normal salary, in the sake of saving money, why were bonuses not scrapped and department pay capped at 100k? Sure, 100k seems like a lot, but compared to a bonus of 1million? Its nothing!
These people, though they made many stupid decisions are highly educated and 100k isn't really an unfair wage. Also, if they don't like it, in the current market, its not like they can quit easily and go make more money elsewhere.
Reading one person's comments saying "...I'd like to see government workers figure out this mess" is a bit misleading. Part of the problem is the people who designed these things don't 100% understand them. I have heard a number of people with doctorates in finance, math, and economics all saying about derivatives is that is amazingly complex math fused with complex legal documents. Nobody completely understands or knows what's going on with them.
Well, maybe that one guy, but he's on vacation.......
This entire financial crisis, well, its been evident to me for years before this, but this has driven it home. We are not a capitalistic society. Oh, sure, we use the tenets of capitalism, but its a cronyistic system now. Whether it is in business by companies CEO's being on boards of other companies and voting for insane compensation packages, or in government by, well, we all know how that works, merit has nothing to do with it far too often. Its who you know and what you can offer them.
Don't think I only believe it was the fat cats who caused this mess. WAY too many regular people did moronic things with their money. However, if big money investors had not bought the loans, well, the market wouldn't have existed.
As long as the system of rewarding those on top regardless of performance continues, well, things are not really going to get much better.
Yeah, it wasn't just AIG, but they and companies like them played a HUGE part in all this.
The employees in question are recieving large bonuses because 1) the only took $1 in salary this year and 2) in 2008 their contracts were changed to insure they recieved bonuses equal to 2007s. (Hmm, interesting, in 2008, things were already looking bad, why insure bonuses be paid equalling those from a "good," if false, year?)
Now, I'm sure these people make lots of money in their normal salary, in the sake of saving money, why were bonuses not scrapped and department pay capped at 100k? Sure, 100k seems like a lot, but compared to a bonus of 1million? Its nothing!
These people, though they made many stupid decisions are highly educated and 100k isn't really an unfair wage. Also, if they don't like it, in the current market, its not like they can quit easily and go make more money elsewhere.
Reading one person's comments saying "...I'd like to see government workers figure out this mess" is a bit misleading. Part of the problem is the people who designed these things don't 100% understand them. I have heard a number of people with doctorates in finance, math, and economics all saying about derivatives is that is amazingly complex math fused with complex legal documents. Nobody completely understands or knows what's going on with them.
Well, maybe that one guy, but he's on vacation.......
This entire financial crisis, well, its been evident to me for years before this, but this has driven it home. We are not a capitalistic society. Oh, sure, we use the tenets of capitalism, but its a cronyistic system now. Whether it is in business by companies CEO's being on boards of other companies and voting for insane compensation packages, or in government by, well, we all know how that works, merit has nothing to do with it far too often. Its who you know and what you can offer them.
Don't think I only believe it was the fat cats who caused this mess. WAY too many regular people did moronic things with their money. However, if big money investors had not bought the loans, well, the market wouldn't have existed.
As long as the system of rewarding those on top regardless of performance continues, well, things are not really going to get much better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)