Nothing's changed, yet everything needs to!

Because Nothing has Changed, 2000 by Anya Gallaccio

Installation at Lehmann Maupin, New York. Private Collection.
Photo courtesy Lehmann Maupin, New York

Nothing's changed, yet everything needs to!

Yeah, that is a play on Brian McLaren’s book Everything Must Change, and to a degree this is about that book… but more this is about correcting a few things that have been stated lately about me.

I have recently decided to make a more conscience effort to reach out and accept Gay people. Gratefully, I have been able to do an interview with a controversial figure, and it seems that interview marked me as “embracing sin”.

My issue with all this is that nothing has really changed in my views. I still believe that one must be saved through Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit changes a person from the inside out. I still believe that the core issues are acceptance and identity. Yet, I find some stating awful things about me. Nothing's changed.

I define sin as “anything that comes between a person and God that keeps them from having a close, intimate, loving relationship with Jesus.” This may include being gay when the person’s conscience is not free of guilt. Yet, (and this is the sticky point) a person may be gay and God has other things He is working on of MORE importance. Does this mean a gay person will change their sexual attraction? Sometimes… but not always. Yet, if same sex attraction does not go away and the person still confesses Jesus as their savior… and fails or maybe gives up trying to change in “that” way, what are we to do with that person. Some say cast them out… yet… is it their failure or ours? And then there is this...

We accept all sorts of “sin” in the church. Divorce is a sin… yet there is the same amount of divorce in the “Christian” world as there is in the rest of the world. Yet, there are not many who will stand up and denounce a couple who were divorced and have remarried someone else. (I would not either to tell you the truth). The Bible clearly teaches that if this happens, adultery has happened… and get this… most churches let unrepented divorced adulters attend their church, serve in the church and sometimes…. even pastor a church! Again… for some reason most will fall back on grace for that sort of thing, yet why “Grace” for unrepentant divorced remarried couples and not for struggling or non-struggling gay people? Does grace stop at some point? I hope not… otherwise it is not grace, but works. If God only accepts us by grace then what I think about someone who is gay does not matter… God accepts them, loves them, and wants the best for them… and if I am a true imitator of Jesus, so should I! (Please understand this is an example of how there is a double standard concerning Grace, I am not condemning anyone who has divorced and remarried.)

The Gospel is the Gospel that gives life. In fact, if one confesses Christ and comes to faith, the bible is clear as to what happens.

Ephesians 1: 13. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14. who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Therefore, to not accept someone who believes in Jesus and is gay seems to me, misses the point of Grace…

So, now let us go back to the topic of sin. If someone is in sin, Paul tells us how to approach him or her.

Galatians 6: 1. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Yet, it seems that depending on the type of sin, gentleness seems to not matter to some, let alone that we are to carry each other’s burdens. I might also add that there are many verses on patience and longsuffering, yet most also ignore these. If someone is in sin, most likely the already know it or have justified it or just keep themselves in denial. To tell them they are in sin will tend to make them hold on to that very sin even tighter. The only real way to free anyone from sin, is to have the Son set them free. This goes for ANY sin. If we spend our time focused on sin, then Jesus is not our focus. In fact, to focus on our sin is denying that the Lamb who was slain took our sin away. If someone must focus on sin, then it should be his or her own sin, yet even that is wrong! Paul states:

1 Cor 4: 3. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

Even if we have a clear conscience, it does not mean we are innocent, so how we judge ourselves may not be accurate. We could see ourselves as right when we are wrong or wrong when we are just fine. We truly need to let Jesus be the judge and instead look to ourselves to make sure we are not falling victim to self-deception.

Finally, I want to ask those who disagree to at least agree with these words from Paul which are my prayer for you, me and anyone else who calls themselves followers of Jesus.

1 Peter 3: 8. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Ephesians 1: 2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

It is not my job to diagnose and then try to fix anyone else. I cannot even do that with myself. It is my job though, to assume “the sick need a doctor” and that I too need that same doctor. We all need Jesus. We all need Jesus not just to get to heaven, but also to Live… To live now and for eternity. My job is simply to be one that needs the doctor who helps others who need that same doctor and walk side by side with them as they are being cured. Meanwhile, always remembering, I have not fully arrived yet, or totally healed and need help from the other person to walk at times. This is what needs to change in our thinking about anyone different from us. Jesus removed the “other” from the Christian vocabulary and changed it to brother (and sister of course ) = ) This new life is no longer about separation, but reconciliation... and that we now walk supporting each other as we become more like Christ and walk in God's Kingdom come to earth.

Brian McLaren: the pain of division over gay issues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYl6hbBYvqo

The ooze.com Brian McLaren and Spencer Burke

I should be getting the book soon... I hope.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiAiFt_dLFk

Haiti: Beloved Chldren of God

Thanks to Jesse at The Trailblazers blog for pointing this out. This video brings some sanity after the words of Pat Robertson and others rather sick theology that God is punishing Haiti for their sin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOPvc0HvsAY

Also, I recieved great news from Luceanna at Oasis for children, an orphanage in Haiti. She wrote:

(Luceanna if you do not want me to print this I will remove this) Please help in any way you can. There is a donation button at the site.

GREAT NEWS FROM HAITI; AFTER MANY CALLS, TEARS, AND WORRY, WE FINALLY GOT A CONNECTION IN HAITI AND THEY FINALLY DID CONFIRM THAT THE CHILDREN IN THE ORPHANAGE ARE ALL STILL ALIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A MIRACLE HOW THEY MANAGED TO COME OUT OK.

THE ORPHANAGE, THE CHURCH, AND THE SCHOOL WAS DESTROYED SO THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN STAYING OUTDOORS. WE HAVE TO STILL BE IN PRAYER BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO WATER AND FOOD HAS JUST ABOUT RUN OUT COMPLETELY.

OUR NEXT CHALLENGE IS TO SOMEHOW GET TO THE CHILDREN WITH WHAT THEY NEED. WE ARE BUSY WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK LOOKING, MAKING CALLS, AND TRYING TO GET THROUGH TO SOMEONE THAT IS ALREADY ON GROUND TO GO BRING THE CHILDREN FOOD AND WATER UNTIL I CAN GET THERE. I'M STILL HAVING TROUBLE GETTING INTO THE COUNTRY. MY GOAL IS TO GET THERE AS SOON AS I AM ABLE. I PRAY THAT WHEN I DO GO THAT I AM ABLE TO GO WITH ENOUGH FUNDS TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

GOD IS STILL GOOD! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY AND I ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION, WE ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO NEED IT IN A BIG WAY.

Gov't Mule: I shall return

I am not sure what Warren Haynes means by these lyrics, but for some reason they are hauntingly prophetic to me. In a way they seem like the words of Jesus as they speak of dying yet returning. Personally, it speaks of resurrection...

The first video is the song with just the lyrics. The second one is Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule performing the song. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mySJ3PDUjM4

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMPEzb4hpU

I shall return

As this wheel goes 'round and I search to find my way

Struggle just to hold on through an ordinary day

I do believe I'm slipping away

But I shall return though I'm losing myself

I shall return

I shall return from the depths of my own hell

I shall return

Fate should not have blinded me

For your beauty steals my eyes

and what good is my wisdom

when there are no words to say

How I feel everyday

But I shall return though I'm losing myself

I shall return

I shall return from the depths of my own hell

I shall return

Daylight finds me sleeping dreaming of my youth

But darkness calls my name out loud

And I answer to the truth

But I shall return though I'm losing myself

I shall return

I shall return from the depths of my own hell

I shall return

Oh, I shall return though I'm losing myself

I shall return

I shall return from the depths of my own hell

I shall return

CRI article on Saint Augustine

I have written or mentioned quite a lot on Augustine and his Platonist influence that I believe influenced Calvin and scores of others into a "soft Gnosticism". Now I am not saying Augustine is not worthy to be read, on the contrary I believe him to have added some great thoughts to the historical Christian dialogue that continues even today.

Yet, many who push Augustine miss he was a Christian Mystic and influence many, including St. John of the Cross. Not only this but that Augustine was heavily influenced by Plato which could have gave a Gnostic twist to the Gospel.

Here is an article by Gordon R. Lewis at Christian Research Institute, (not to be confused with those whack job wannabees) which goes deeper into these ideas.

Gabba Gabba Hey!

I have been taking a beating so far in my view on what must be done to reach the gay community. It is heartbreaking to have a friend stab you in the back with false accusations of “embracing sin”… as it is frightening to have some come and encourage me as I know I may not fully agree with their view either. My only hope is to encourage all to a closer, loving, and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is so much baggage cast out against someone who is gay. I have already met parents with gay children who can hear what I am saying and are finding hope. They understand what I mean as they process the horrible isolation someone who faces same sex attraction must go through. They understand why their son or daughter does not come to church or see why Jesus would not accept them. And that is core to the issue. Acceptance. If one comes to understand he or she is accepted by God, great and wonderful things begin to happen. New Life begins and they change! Yet so often we stand in the door to heaven and keep thinking we are ushering in those Jesus is drawing to Himself, yet instead we are blocking those Jesus drew out. We set on them a higher standard than God set on us. Often we just do not see this yet; there is a type of favoritism in the church that needs to be driven out.

You see this is the issue... when we look at proving one side or the other we either have tempers raised and accusations tossed out... or we have the attempt to legitimize sin (Again I define sin as anything that comes between you and a close intimate, growing, relationship with God.)

Instead, the focus of our faith is and should NOT be sin, but Jesus. For no one can change someone else. I can take a bottle of booze from a drunk but then he is a sober drunk... I never changed them. Instead, we clean the outside of the cup but Jesus cleans the inside. Therefore, it is the same with anything that could come between a person and their relationship with God. When we focus on Jesus, then we no longer see sin! For Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world... yours and mine. We then can see a beloved brother or sister that Jesus died for and gave new life to.

Therefore, it is in no way the acceptance or embracing of sin... it is the embracing of Jesus for all His Resurrected Life that is imparted to us. It is embracing the abundant Life. It is letting all we are that is not Christ fall away and God become all in all of you as a person.

If this is heresy then burn me at the stake. All I am saying is if we focus on sin, it should be our OWN. Yet, even with ourselves, we should face Jesus and not our sin for only Jesus takes sin away. If we are facing our sin we are not facing Jesus, it is like when we face the sun.... We do not see our shadow, but if we turn away from the sun, then we see a distorted view of our self in the shadow.

Even to tell someone he or she is a sinner is futile most the time. A person can rationalize their position and sere their conscience. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a person to change. Only God can corner someone with a question that can only be truthfully answered. If we try then we are making someone settle for less than the inner workings of the Holy Spirit…

We can walk with someone through his or her struggles and pain, his or her joy and success and accept the person unconditionally with the same love God accepted us. So all I can say to those who feel outside is something that was coined by the Ramones. "Gabba Gabba we accept you! One of us!"

To those of you who understand what I am saying or even if you do not, pray for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBfybCPkjA

Interview with Adele Sakler: Gay Christians

Reposting this interview as it is this month's iggytalks show.

This was a fun interview. Adele Sakler is funny witty and this interview could have gone on for hours. We cover many things from fear of gay people, to how we can move beyond focusing on "sin" and focus on Jesus.

Download this episode (71 min)

Of this I am certain (An ongoing conversation)

Is certainty the enemy of faith? Does being certain mean that mystery is no longer allowed? I run into those who seem to teach that we must be certain in all things of faith yet I just don't see how that can be. I see that living in doubt leads one to fear, yet faith leads us to certainty and courage... so how does this all fit? I see this as a bit of a false dilemma made by those who cling to certainty and do not allow awe and mystery... or see that someone that simply trusts in God and does not need to know with certainty the answers... but knows that God IS the ANSWER.

Just on a personal level I have not issue with certainty... yet to me that does not mean all knowledgeable. The issue that I see is that many base their certainty as the basis of their fiath. Yet, Jesus stated, "Even more blessed are those that believe and have not seen."

So I am certain that the bible is authoritative, not because I can prove it is infallible or inerrant, but that Jesus stated it was authoritative. Modernism seems to gut faith out of the bible and bring all of Heaven into the realm of man's logic and reason. God is so far beyond us that to do so is to declare God is made in our image and results in God becoming vain human imagination.

So certainty can have mystery in it as we grow. One can be certain as to what God has taught them, and yet acknowledge there is so much more (an infinite amount of knowledge) to learn. This take humility which some lack as they make human logic and reason their certainty and believe they have arrived. They reduce faith in Jesus to believes and base salvation not on Grace or that the "Just shall live by faith" to salvation by believes and living by logic and reason.

To me I am certain in many things God has taught me... yet I am open to being wrong. Yet, often I confess God must bang my head against the wall to change my mind... but usually God hits my heart and then m mind follows. Then again, I may be wrong...

Peace.

What's on my reading list this year?

Currently reading Thomas Merton's Contemplative Prayer and realizing that some of the critics of contemplative prayer are rather... stupid and ignorant... Just saying... I am trying to be nice about this... really.

I plan on read all of the writings of Maj W Ian Thomas this year. I finally have them all... or at least most of them.

I have three books by Watchman Nee to read this year. I have read The Normal Christian Life before, but now since I also have Love Not the World and Sit, Walk, Stand I think reading them all together will be fun.

I need to finish John Stott's book on Ephesians (not pictured) but thought that I should also read his Basic Christianity to get a feeling for his theological positions.

I am throwing in Charles M Sheldon's In His Steps (Where the phrase WWJD came from) as well as the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. It looks interesting.

Paul Tillich's book (not pictured) The New Being is also yet another book I am hoping to get read.

I am also reading through the bible this year. I am using The Daily Message Hardback: Through the Bible in One Year in hopes to keep it "readable" without distracting me from reading. Don't worry, I will also have a "study time".

I do have some other books on order and will add them as I get them. But this should be an interesting book year.

So... what's on your reading list this year?

Just part of a conversation I am having this week.

To me, faith is beyond science. It is the infinite trying to express the eternal. It cannot be done adequately with the limitations we now have. Can we now walk through closed doors as Jesus is said to have done after the resurrection? No. yet according to Paul we will be like Jesus and apparently will be able to do such things. The limitation of things like gravity and even the elements of this planet will bow to us... remember how Jesus walked on water and commanded the storm to stop?

In the story of Elijah and Elisha Elijah opens the eyes of his servant and reveals a whole other world happening that Elisha never saw. I see that the Kingdom was, is and ever will be... on earth as in heaven... in the physical as it is in the spiritual... It is the melding of the two no the dualism you keep asserting on these ideas. That is the real issue I see in this conversation is that you keep asserting modernist scientific views on the bible instead of allowing it to speak in its historical context. Personally, I could never understand where people state the bible teaches the earth is flat and the sun revolves around the earth I read in Job and Genesis how God created the universe for the earth to light it, but not that everything revolves around it... It may be the center of the story, but not the literal placement.

If one asserts a modern view then one begins to have the many issues you are having. That is why modernism is so wrong to push on the bible. It begins to gut it of its glory. If we dissect the bible like a frog, we kill it as we do the frog... to experience a frog one must go to a pond and watch the frog in his world. I see some value in the sterile ideas of dissection... one can understand the language and then the ideas better, but to just use the scientific method on the bible kills it. Just as just using the post-modern ideas of deconstruction. Both modernism and post modernism are great tools, but both lack the value and instruction of the Holy Spirit, which gives life to us, and the text of scripture.

I am very honest of the cosmology of the bible. I see it as it is and acknowledge there is much I do not. Yet, the things I do not know are the wonder, awe, and mystery I have chosen to embrace along with what God began in me many years ago.

To ask if Jesus literally flew in outer space during the ascension is a rather silly question to me. It is assuming that Heaven is a physical place... like the earthly realm... it is not... it is beyond what we have here. Heavenly things are so far beyond what mere words cannot express what it is. It is like expressing the body soul and spirit. We get the body and how it works... we somewhat understand the soul/mind and how it works, but we do not have any grasp on how the body lives... or how the spirit works. We can weigh someone at death and witness mysterious loss of 21 grams which they claim is the soul (I think it is the spirit). We just know that without the spirit we are dead.

The cosmology of the bible is not "literal" but expressions of the intangible... they are to allow us to grasp what is beyond what we understand and see... and bring us in. If you ever read Revelation you will see words such as, "It was like..." It appeared as..." which give indication to what I am saying.

I am one that still takes much literally/historically but I also understand that often the story is more important than the literalness. Was it a whale or great fish that swallowed Jonah? Who cares... that is not the point of the story. Therefore, I focus on the teachings and important things instead of trying to prove that the bible can be proven by modern scientific standards... I accept that sometimes it cannot as it is beyond the limitations of modern science... and man's mind or even imagination. “For the eye has not seen or the mind conceived what God has in store for us.” I embrace that God is God without limitations and I am a mere creation with great limitations. I embrace that mystery that was, is, and yet is to come.