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After going through the questions, and really having to think about what I believe, I started to start asking myself what it was about some of the questions that got me angry. The one about family especially set me off, but it wasn't the only one.
I think that what really was occurring was a reaction to the negative experiences that I have had with church folk when these issues come out of the realm of theory, and into reality. Believe it or not I know all the pat, Christianese answers to the questions that were asked. I also have seen those pat answers' complete breakdown in the face of reality.
In the question about homosexuality, I was angry not because I am for or against, but because there are human-beings that are not being treated with the love that God has treated us. Every time I hear the more fractious arguments being beaten like the dead horses they are, I can't help but think of the parable of the merciless debtor.
Matt 18:23-35
23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
NIV
I think that we suffer a lot from what's called in the hood I grew up in: forgettin' where ya came from. Before any of us come down hard on someone else, I think we need to first remember where we came from, and how Jesus came to meet us. I don't think that where you are currently at in your spiritual journey is as important as the direction that journey is headed in, and how far on that journey you are willing to go.
I think that we are missing a lot of opportunities to grow in our faith, and to grow our faith, because we are afraid of the differences that we are going to encounter. It is much easier to insulate ourselves from the world around us than it is to engage the culture and look for the glory and presence of God outside of the walls of our church culture.
OK, time for bed and an end to the rant.
Grace and Peace,
Gil
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
The last of the questions
The first question here really rubbed me the wrong way. After thinking about it for a bit I think that the right-wing [really annoying people] have tried to ram this "kirche und kinder" [stuff] down our throats, and I responded with some anger at what I felt were the underlying assumptions to some of the questions that were asked. I ended the response with what I felt was the reality of the North-American vision of what "home" was. I do believe that our living space, and what we put into it and the amount of time spent maintaining it and the stuff in it can become an idol, and that idolatry is encourage by the society around us. I feel like the Christian American Dream is just the secular American dream with a little fish stamped on the corner.
20. What do you feel is the importance of the home in the Christian scheme of things?
I am not sure I understand the question. Do you mean the home as an institution, as a concept, my home, your home? By the Christian scheme of things do you mean the middle class white suburban Christian scheme of things or do you mean the lower class ghettos of the Third World Christian scheme of things?
The home means different things to different cultures, and they each partake of the image of God and the sinful nature. It is our job to remember that our Savior didn’t have a home. “Foxes have their dens and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And to carefully examine our homes and concepts of home for divergence from His Kingdom’s culture.
The home, as I have felt called to live into it, is a place where rest, nurture and hospitality occur. I think that other people may be called to live a home life that looks different than mine, for example not everyone has the gift of hospitality.
The home can be an important place, but can also become an idol that takes our attention off of God.
21. What vital elements, in your understanding, are necessary to sustain and nourish
one’s own spiritual life?
Prayer, study, prayer, times specifically set apart for being alone with God, being involved in the mission of the church, did I mention prayer? Seriously, our relationship with God requires a great deal of intentionality. If we wish for that relationship to grow we must invest the same things that we would in any other relationship based on deep love.
22. How does your loyalty to Christ relate to your commitment to Friends?
Christ has called me to be committed to the part of His body called the Friends. After reading the teachings of the Friends I have found that in reality I have always been a Friend, I just didn’t always know it.
20. What do you feel is the importance of the home in the Christian scheme of things?
I am not sure I understand the question. Do you mean the home as an institution, as a concept, my home, your home? By the Christian scheme of things do you mean the middle class white suburban Christian scheme of things or do you mean the lower class ghettos of the Third World Christian scheme of things?
The home means different things to different cultures, and they each partake of the image of God and the sinful nature. It is our job to remember that our Savior didn’t have a home. “Foxes have their dens and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And to carefully examine our homes and concepts of home for divergence from His Kingdom’s culture.
The home, as I have felt called to live into it, is a place where rest, nurture and hospitality occur. I think that other people may be called to live a home life that looks different than mine, for example not everyone has the gift of hospitality.
The home can be an important place, but can also become an idol that takes our attention off of God.
21. What vital elements, in your understanding, are necessary to sustain and nourish
one’s own spiritual life?
Prayer, study, prayer, times specifically set apart for being alone with God, being involved in the mission of the church, did I mention prayer? Seriously, our relationship with God requires a great deal of intentionality. If we wish for that relationship to grow we must invest the same things that we would in any other relationship based on deep love.
22. How does your loyalty to Christ relate to your commitment to Friends?
Christ has called me to be committed to the part of His body called the Friends. After reading the teachings of the Friends I have found that in reality I have always been a Friend, I just didn’t always know it.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Next few very controversial questions
Now we are getting into the meaty questions. In a couple of weeks, I am going to be interviewed, and expect my responses to these questions to be questioned more deeply.
16. What are your convictions in the area of Stewardship?
There are two areas of stewardship that need to be constantly relearned.
1) Money – My wife and I spend time every month going over our budget for the next month. We budget for our responsibilities, bills, gas, tithes, food etc. After we determine our responsibilities we also budget for savings. We usually have between $300 and $600 left after those things. We budget about $60 for dates and $40 for fun, then I pray and ask God who needs the rest, and we give it to who God leads us to.
2) Time – Nothing tells you your priorities like looking at your schedule. “Am I using the time that I have in the way God has called me to?” is the question that I ask, and struggle with. I am doing much better, but finding a balance between the responsibilities God has given me and my need for rest is a difficult task.
17. How would you state your own position in regard to the respect for human life?
I believe that human life is a gift from God. I strive for a consistent ethic that affirms the sanctity of life. I firmly believe that being concerned with life goes beyond the question of existence to “Do I in my actions and words affirm the image of God carried in every human being?”
18. What does it mean for you that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
I should decorate it better. Seriously though, I think that we can very easily abuse our bodies in the name of getting God’s work done. I am not in the greatest physical shape ever, and I have come to see that when I am not healthy and taking good care of my body I am not as able to do the work that I am called to well.
We are set apart for the work of God, and we need to care for our bodies well.
19. What do you think should be the contemporary Christian witness to human
sexuality in the light of Scripture and the current debate?
I think that the Church needs to have a consistent witness to sexual ethics. I think the church is getting caught up in a pointless debate, of course the accepted lifestyles of our culture are not Godly! Welcome to the way things have always been. How is it such a shock that the people who come to church are sinners in need of a hospital? We have a lot of plank/speck stuff going on right now. Is the church just as vocal about ALL forms of extramarital sex and pornography? I think our best witness is to treat every person who walks through the doors of our churches the same way Jesus treated us when He first met us.
16. What are your convictions in the area of Stewardship?
There are two areas of stewardship that need to be constantly relearned.
1) Money – My wife and I spend time every month going over our budget for the next month. We budget for our responsibilities, bills, gas, tithes, food etc. After we determine our responsibilities we also budget for savings. We usually have between $300 and $600 left after those things. We budget about $60 for dates and $40 for fun, then I pray and ask God who needs the rest, and we give it to who God leads us to.
2) Time – Nothing tells you your priorities like looking at your schedule. “Am I using the time that I have in the way God has called me to?” is the question that I ask, and struggle with. I am doing much better, but finding a balance between the responsibilities God has given me and my need for rest is a difficult task.
17. How would you state your own position in regard to the respect for human life?
I believe that human life is a gift from God. I strive for a consistent ethic that affirms the sanctity of life. I firmly believe that being concerned with life goes beyond the question of existence to “Do I in my actions and words affirm the image of God carried in every human being?”
18. What does it mean for you that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
I should decorate it better
We are set apart for the work of God, and we need to care for our bodies well.
19. What do you think should be the contemporary Christian witness to human
sexuality in the light of Scripture and the current debate?
I think that the Church needs to have a consistent witness to sexual ethics. I think the church is getting caught up in a pointless debate, of course the accepted lifestyles of our culture are not Godly! Welcome to the way things have always been. How is it such a shock that the people who come to church are sinners in need of a hospital? We have a lot of plank/speck stuff going on right now. Is the church just as vocal about ALL forms of extramarital sex and pornography? I think our best witness is to treat every person who walks through the doors of our churches the same way Jesus treated us when He first met us.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Now for the Fun Questions
Now we get "controversial" and I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed coming up with these. PS These are my actual, slightly toned down, opinions and beliefs.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
14. In what ways do you think the church should witness to justice (race, gender,
political and economic discrimination)?
The church should be in the forefront, welcoming those who have been treated unjustly directly into their hearts, homes and power structures. We should also not support the unjust actions of others, not financially, not through our actions nor through our inactions.
15. What is Christ’s call to simplicity? Integrity of speech and behavior?
The call to simplicity is not about things, but about intentions. Every time Christ talks about things, He does something interesting. He changes the subject. In doing this Christ is telling us that things are not what is important, our focus is. If we focus too much on things, either in their presence or absence, we lose sight of what our true focus is to be. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” The things will come and go, but if our focus on on doing God’s will, then we will be living the essence of the simplicity of Christ.
We are called to be ambassadors to the world. That means we do what other ambassadors do. We embody the best of God’s kingdom to the people we are around. We must weigh the words that come from our mouths to see that they communicate the correct impression of our King. Our actions will speak with more power than our words ever will, so even more than our words we must think about the impression of the kingdom that our actions will give.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
14. In what ways do you think the church should witness to justice (race, gender,
political and economic discrimination)?
The church should be in the forefront, welcoming those who have been treated unjustly directly into their hearts, homes and power structures. We should also not support the unjust actions of others, not financially, not through our actions nor through our inactions.
15. What is Christ’s call to simplicity? Integrity of speech and behavior?
The call to simplicity is not about things, but about intentions. Every time Christ talks about things, He does something interesting. He changes the subject. In doing this Christ is telling us that things are not what is important, our focus is. If we focus too much on things, either in their presence or absence, we lose sight of what our true focus is to be. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” The things will come and go, but if our focus on on doing God’s will, then we will be living the essence of the simplicity of Christ.
We are called to be ambassadors to the world. That means we do what other ambassadors do. We embody the best of God’s kingdom to the people we are around. We must weigh the words that come from our mouths to see that they communicate the correct impression of our King. Our actions will speak with more power than our words ever will, so even more than our words we must think about the impression of the kingdom that our actions will give.
Monday, September 05, 2005
More fun questions
We are starting to get into the deeper questions now, and I started having fun answering them.
11. How would you explain the nature and purpose of worship? How do you view
times of unprogrammed, or “Open Worship?”
The purpose of worship is to bring glory to God, and what happens in church buildings is the least significant portion of it. A meeting for worship should be the culmination of the multitude of worship acts committed throughout the week, where God can be praised for his use of us earthen vessels.
I have come to greatly appreciate the times of “Open Worship”. As I have been more active in the leadership and planning of the programmed worship, I find it harder to receive during those times, and when the unprogrammed time comes I am relieved of responsibility, and am freed to receive. Having a time of quiet in the midst of a busy, hectic life, and the busyness we can experience in church can be a solace to us if we can learn to embrace it.
12. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? How would you encourage members of the Friends Church to exercise their spiritual gifts in ministry during a meeting for worship? What are your views on women in ministry?
Spiritual gifts exist to build the church and expand the Kingdom of God. I would first spend time discerning what the gifts of a church are. Then I would find and point out opportunities for them to use those gifts. I would also find resources for learning so that people can develop and grow in their gifts.
Women have the same Spirit that men have, and should be held equally responsible for the use and development of their gifts as men are.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
11. How would you explain the nature and purpose of worship? How do you view
times of unprogrammed, or “Open Worship?”
The purpose of worship is to bring glory to God, and what happens in church buildings is the least significant portion of it. A meeting for worship should be the culmination of the multitude of worship acts committed throughout the week, where God can be praised for his use of us earthen vessels.
I have come to greatly appreciate the times of “Open Worship”. As I have been more active in the leadership and planning of the programmed worship, I find it harder to receive during those times, and when the unprogrammed time comes I am relieved of responsibility, and am freed to receive. Having a time of quiet in the midst of a busy, hectic life, and the busyness we can experience in church can be a solace to us if we can learn to embrace it.
12. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? How would you encourage members of the Friends Church to exercise their spiritual gifts in ministry during a meeting for worship? What are your views on women in ministry?
Spiritual gifts exist to build the church and expand the Kingdom of God. I would first spend time discerning what the gifts of a church are. Then I would find and point out opportunities for them to use those gifts. I would also find resources for learning so that people can develop and grow in their gifts.
Women have the same Spirit that men have, and should be held equally responsible for the use and development of their gifts as men are.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Seven, Eight, Nine
Here are the next. A few notes on the Friends' testimonies concerning baptism and communion. The only baptism recognized by Friends as needed is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Communion is not viewed as a ritual, but as a life style exemplified by concern and care for one another.
7. How do you relate to the historic Friends testimonies on baptism and communion?
I relate very well to them. I agree that outward ritual may not be indicative of an inward reality, and that the inward reality is of paramount importance. In my own personal experience, outward ritual can too often mean absolutely nothing to the people participating in it.
8. What is your doctrine of the church?
The Church is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in this world. We must all work together, using the gifts we have been given to build God’s kingdom. We are called together by God for His purposes, and are his agents of reconciliation to the world. It is our duty as the Church to bring healing and wholeness to all of those around us. We are called to love each other as Christ loved us. We are imperfect, and the way we approach being the church is also imperfect because of that. In spite of our imperfections God still uses us, and through the Holy Spirit’s leadings draws us closer to God’s way of doing things. As ambassadors to the world, it is our job to live in the world and be living invitations to the world into the changed way of life that is the Kingdom of God.
9. How do you understand “the kingdom of God,” present and future? How do you
understand heaven? The final judgment? Hell?
I understand “the Kingdom of God” as a historical force, a present reality and a future fulfillment. The Kingdom is our first allegiance as Christians. We need to remember that we have a king and that his orders are not “suggestions”. The present working out of the kingdom occurs in every interaction we have with those around us. As we “aliens” travel through this world, our actions need to point to our true home, to point to a different model of interaction. Even though the kingdom is not fully here, it is our duty to treat our fellows as if it were.
Heaven is the unseen portion of reality where God dwells. How that intersects with here I don’t know, and what it will look like later I am not really that interested in, because I’ll find out eventually, and I wouldn’t want to deprive God of the joy of the surprise I will feel when I get there.
The final judgment is described by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46
The best description of Hell that I can come up with is the complete absence of the presence of God. The torments that are undergone have their source in that basic lack.
7. How do you relate to the historic Friends testimonies on baptism and communion?
I relate very well to them. I agree that outward ritual may not be indicative of an inward reality, and that the inward reality is of paramount importance. In my own personal experience, outward ritual can too often mean absolutely nothing to the people participating in it.
8. What is your doctrine of the church?
The Church is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in this world. We must all work together, using the gifts we have been given to build God’s kingdom. We are called together by God for His purposes, and are his agents of reconciliation to the world. It is our duty as the Church to bring healing and wholeness to all of those around us. We are called to love each other as Christ loved us. We are imperfect, and the way we approach being the church is also imperfect because of that. In spite of our imperfections God still uses us, and through the Holy Spirit’s leadings draws us closer to God’s way of doing things. As ambassadors to the world, it is our job to live in the world and be living invitations to the world into the changed way of life that is the Kingdom of God.
9. How do you understand “the kingdom of God,” present and future? How do you
understand heaven? The final judgment? Hell?
I understand “the Kingdom of God” as a historical force, a present reality and a future fulfillment. The Kingdom is our first allegiance as Christians. We need to remember that we have a king and that his orders are not “suggestions”. The present working out of the kingdom occurs in every interaction we have with those around us. As we “aliens” travel through this world, our actions need to point to our true home, to point to a different model of interaction. Even though the kingdom is not fully here, it is our duty to treat our fellows as if it were.
Heaven is the unseen portion of reality where God dwells. How that intersects with here I don’t know, and what it will look like later I am not really that interested in, because I’ll find out eventually, and I wouldn’t want to deprive God of the joy of the surprise I will feel when I get there.
The final judgment is described by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46
The best description of Hell that I can come up with is the complete absence of the presence of God. The torments that are undergone have their source in that basic lack.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Next Questions
Here are the next few questions.
4. What is your understanding of the purpose and nature of Scripture? How does
Scripture influence your life?
The scripture is the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. It is how we come to learn about God. The scriptures chronicle the interaction and patterns of interaction of God in human history. By examining these past patterns we can better understand how God is working now.
The scriptures are a faithful companion on my journey of faith. The Holy Spirit teaches through them, and they have helped me through the hardest times of my life. The scriptures are such an awesome gift to us, and I am greatly appreciative of their insight into life today. Their depth and density give me new insights every time I read them.
5. How would you describe the Fall in terms of humanity’s need for salvation?
What is Christ’s role in our redemption?
The fall was the gateway into disobedience and dishonesty. The entire human race plunged headfirst through that gate, and raced in to this new seemingly powerful place. We didn’t pay attention to the way we came, so can’t find our way back to the way things are supposed to be. How often have I heard the question “How did I get here?” or “How did things go so far?”
Jesus comes in and breaks the chains that we have bound ourselves with. He then shows us the way back to obedience and a life of integrity. It is only through Jesus sacrifice that a way back into God’s grace could occur. Justice had to happen, but the only one who could satisfy that justice for all of us is God himself.
6. What is your understanding of justification and sanctification? The “Baptism of the
Holy Spirit” means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?
Justification is the satisfaction of God’s justice that occurs when we acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and accept the sacrifice God made for us in Jesus. Sanctification is the lengthy process of change that begins with justification and ends with our deaths. This change is from who are into who we are meant to be. The more we accept the changes God makes to us through the Holy Spirit, the closer we come to our intended state of being.
The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is the birth of our souls. This is the point when the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Some births are spectacular and some are quiet and easy, but each birth is a momentous occasion when someone becomes truly alive.
4. What is your understanding of the purpose and nature of Scripture? How does
Scripture influence your life?
The scripture is the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. It is how we come to learn about God. The scriptures chronicle the interaction and patterns of interaction of God in human history. By examining these past patterns we can better understand how God is working now.
The scriptures are a faithful companion on my journey of faith. The Holy Spirit teaches through them, and they have helped me through the hardest times of my life. The scriptures are such an awesome gift to us, and I am greatly appreciative of their insight into life today. Their depth and density give me new insights every time I read them.
5. How would you describe the Fall in terms of humanity’s need for salvation?
What is Christ’s role in our redemption?
The fall was the gateway into disobedience and dishonesty. The entire human race plunged headfirst through that gate, and raced in to this new seemingly powerful place. We didn’t pay attention to the way we came, so can’t find our way back to the way things are supposed to be. How often have I heard the question “How did I get here?” or “How did things go so far?”
Jesus comes in and breaks the chains that we have bound ourselves with. He then shows us the way back to obedience and a life of integrity. It is only through Jesus sacrifice that a way back into God’s grace could occur. Justice had to happen, but the only one who could satisfy that justice for all of us is God himself.
6. What is your understanding of justification and sanctification? The “Baptism of the
Holy Spirit” means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?
Justification is the satisfaction of God’s justice that occurs when we acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and accept the sacrifice God made for us in Jesus. Sanctification is the lengthy process of change that begins with justification and ends with our deaths. This change is from who are into who we are meant to be. The more we accept the changes God makes to us through the Holy Spirit, the closer we come to our intended state of being.
The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is the birth of our souls. This is the point when the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Some births are spectacular and some are quiet and easy, but each birth is a momentous occasion when someone becomes truly alive.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Statement of Faith
One of the things I have been asked to do is come up with a statement of faith. The Board of Ministerial Service gave me a questionnaire with 22 questions on it. My next few posts will include some of the questions and my answers to them. I am very open to discussion around them, and would like to hear some of your answers to them. If you desire clarification on any of these points, ask.
Thanks,
Gil George
1. What is your understanding of God:
I would have to say that my understanding of God is very limited. I have times in my life where I think I understand more, but mostly I realize that after 20 or 30 thousand years I will still have only scratched the surface.
The bible says that God is love, but I think that we as humans don’t have the ability to grasp the fullness of what that means. A love so unconditional that has been and is self-sacrificing for the good of the other is at times beyond my understanding, and I wonder that God has not decided to repeat in a different way what he did in the days of Noah.
God is fully active in His creation. He has not set something in motion, then uncaringly stepped back to watch it wind down to its end. He is engaging and directing human history and culture to come closer to Him. There is resistance, but that is God’s plan and His final goal and He can not be thwarted.
God is a victorious God. The people of God have nothing to fear in this life. Since God has defeated the greatest enemy, it is now our jobs to take back all that was and is lost, and bring it to its rightful place again. There are some that do not know they are lost, but the Holy Spirit is faithful to open the right doors in people’s minds.
2. Who is Jesus Christ? What is your understanding of the Trinity? The atonement?
Jesus is the Son of God and part of the trinitaic community that makes up the one God that is in three parts. Wrapping my mind around the Trinity has been rather difficult, and some of the books I have read on the subject have not made things much clearer. The closest I have come in my understanding is that God the Father is the masculine manifestation of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the Feminine aspect of the God head, and Jesus is the Childlike physical manifestation of the God head. That is a way oversimplification of their respective roles, but some hints of this family-like structure of the Trinity are spread throughout the Old and
New Testaments, most notably in Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
The reality is that my understanding of the Trinity is woefully inadequate of the reality, but that’s the best I can do with the mind I’ve got.
The atonement is the most wonderfully crazy, from a human perspective, doctrine in the church. That the most powerful being in the universe would love His creation so much that he would fully experience the life of a lower class Jew during a reign of brutal oppression, and in addition to that permit Himself to be unjustly accused and murdered so that even the people who killed Him could experience the forgiveness of God, goes against the grain of how power and God have each been perceived. That Jesus rose again proves the efficacy of His forgiveness and His Godhood.
3. How do you understand the work of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the organizer / ringleader of the people of Christ. The Spirit gives us the gifts and talents we need to accomplish the tasks that are set for us. The Spirit is our source of comfort and power, and is our intercessor with God the Father. The Holy Spirit speaks to our inmost being, and changes us to conform more to the image of God that is stamped on us. The Holy Spirit is also at work in the world preparing people’s, who do not believe, hearts to hear the message of the Good News of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit gives us insights into the lives of those around us, and into ourselves. The holy Spirit is the one who gives us the words to say when it is time to defend our faith. Luke 11:11-12 11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Thanks,
Gil George
1. What is your understanding of God:
I would have to say that my understanding of God is very limited. I have times in my life where I think I understand more, but mostly I realize that after 20 or 30 thousand years I will still have only scratched the surface.
The bible says that God is love, but I think that we as humans don’t have the ability to grasp the fullness of what that means. A love so unconditional that has been and is self-sacrificing for the good of the other is at times beyond my understanding, and I wonder that God has not decided to repeat in a different way what he did in the days of Noah.
God is fully active in His creation. He has not set something in motion, then uncaringly stepped back to watch it wind down to its end. He is engaging and directing human history and culture to come closer to Him. There is resistance, but that is God’s plan and His final goal and He can not be thwarted.
God is a victorious God. The people of God have nothing to fear in this life. Since God has defeated the greatest enemy, it is now our jobs to take back all that was and is lost, and bring it to its rightful place again. There are some that do not know they are lost, but the Holy Spirit is faithful to open the right doors in people’s minds.
2. Who is Jesus Christ? What is your understanding of the Trinity? The atonement?
Jesus is the Son of God and part of the trinitaic community that makes up the one God that is in three parts. Wrapping my mind around the Trinity has been rather difficult, and some of the books I have read on the subject have not made things much clearer. The closest I have come in my understanding is that God the Father is the masculine manifestation of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the Feminine aspect of the God head, and Jesus is the Childlike physical manifestation of the God head. That is a way oversimplification of their respective roles, but some hints of this family-like structure of the Trinity are spread throughout the Old and
New Testaments, most notably in Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
The reality is that my understanding of the Trinity is woefully inadequate of the reality, but that’s the best I can do with the mind I’ve got.
The atonement is the most wonderfully crazy, from a human perspective, doctrine in the church. That the most powerful being in the universe would love His creation so much that he would fully experience the life of a lower class Jew during a reign of brutal oppression, and in addition to that permit Himself to be unjustly accused and murdered so that even the people who killed Him could experience the forgiveness of God, goes against the grain of how power and God have each been perceived. That Jesus rose again proves the efficacy of His forgiveness and His Godhood.
3. How do you understand the work of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the organizer / ringleader of the people of Christ. The Spirit gives us the gifts and talents we need to accomplish the tasks that are set for us. The Spirit is our source of comfort and power, and is our intercessor with God the Father. The Holy Spirit speaks to our inmost being, and changes us to conform more to the image of God that is stamped on us. The Holy Spirit is also at work in the world preparing people’s, who do not believe, hearts to hear the message of the Good News of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit gives us insights into the lives of those around us, and into ourselves. The holy Spirit is the one who gives us the words to say when it is time to defend our faith. Luke 11:11-12 11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Why am I here?
This blog exists to share and discuss what I am learning about the Friends' pastoral recording process. There are some interesting things I have learned as I have started this journey, and I am loking to foster healthy discussion. If you are looking to positively interact, you are welcome here. If you are looking for a target for your vitriol, look somewhere else, these are not the droids you are looking for. My next post will go into how this process got started.
I decided to Blog about this, as a tool, not only for ease of communication with the interested people, but also to hear from people who stumble across this blog, and challenge myself to communicate my ideas adequately.
I hope you enjoy reading this.
Gil George
I decided to Blog about this, as a tool, not only for ease of communication with the interested people, but also to hear from people who stumble across this blog, and challenge myself to communicate my ideas adequately.
I hope you enjoy reading this.
Gil George
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