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Washing Bin Laden's Feet

Look at the picture above. What kinds of feeling does it stir inside you?

Far be it from me to pass judgment on the man seated in the middle. Bin Laden has done a lot of horrible things and I do believe society has an obligation to hold him accountable. But would Jesus wash his feet? I think he would. I believe Jesus would show him a Calvary-like love. Not only do I think he would. But I know he did.

Before you call me a heretic, hear me out.

Last week, I finished listening to the "Cross & the Sword" sermon series Greg Boyd preached at Woodland Hills Church back in 2004. (The sermon series was so controversial, 20% of his congregation packed his bags and left.)

In the sermon series, he makes a marked distinction between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. The Kingdom of God, lived out in a genuine way, is filled with service and love for others - a "power-under" philosophy. Jesus modeled this in several ways: enduring the temptation to given all the kingdoms of this world, washing the feet of the ones who would deny and betray Him, giving His life and loving still the one who would end up killing him. The kingdoms of the world, quite the opposite, are filled with a "power-over" philosophy which Evil uses to steal, kill, and destroy that which God made good and beautiful.

Greg also explains that in the history of the world, whenever the Church hijacks a nations, deems it "Christian," and uses civil religion to "power over" people their way of life, well, things aren't so peaceful. (I believe I witnessed a few of these in my old school KJV-only, fundamental, independent Baptist days.)

In the USA, many Christians believe our country and the Kingdom of God go hand in hand - that America is a "Christian nation" ... a theocracy of sorts where civil religion is supposed to permeate every facet of our lives. The pledge under God. His name on our money. Exodus 22 displayed in public. How ironic is it that this kind of civil religion was exactly the same thing pilgrims came to America from Europe to escape ... a culture where "Christians" said "you have to do it this way" or else?

On any weekend close to Independence Day or Memorial Day, it's not uncommon to see churches all over the country esteem and celebrate American patriotism. Several years ago, it's was this kind of celebration where Greg Boyd witnessed a video montage of three crosses overlayed with American fighters jet and the American flag. He recalls vividly how livid he felt to see image of killing machines intertwined with symbols of peace and sacrifice.

Now I love the USA. The freedoms afforded to me came with many braves soldiers who paid the ultimate price. I try to live my life not taking that for granted. As noble as military service is made out to be, when Jesus tells me to love my enemy to the point of laying down my life for them, I have to take that seriously.

The next questions beg to be asked:

• If the Scriptures say our fight isn't against flesh and blood, what constitutes our "Christian nation" killing for the sake of an earthly freedom that was never promised to us by God?
• And if you were a Christian living in any other country besides the US, would God favor your country above any other the way the American Christian culture largely thinks God favors America?

I propose an alternative way to live. One that Jesus proposed.

Let's embrace the words of Jesus for all He intended them to be. Let's follow Jesus' actions even when you don't think it's the logical or "right" way.

Jesus showed Calvary-love to me giving His life. He did the same for you. And George W. Bush. And Barack Obama. And Osama Bin Laden. And Indianapolis Colts fans. And everyone else. I'm glad it's not up to me do decide what happens to them when they leave this life.

One thing that is up to me is the kind of love I show to them ... the kind that powers under, and serves, and washes the feet of the kinds of people the kingdoms of the world call unlovable and evil.

(The painting above was done by Lars Justinen of Justinen Creative Group for Heavenly Sanctuary. I think it's beautiful.)

For further reading, read Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd or Jesus For President by Shane Claiborne.

N. T. Wright on Hell

Years ago, I read Brian McLaren's book "The Last Word and the Word After That." In it, he brings forth a profound discussion that I believe many western Christians forget to engage in.

In a historical sense, where and when did the idea of hell originate? And how has it evolved over time and cultures?

N. T. Wright touches on that historical stream of thought in this video as he talks about his encounter with a Greek Orthodox priest in the Sistine Chapel.

HT: Out of Ur

What Matters More - Derek Webb

Well, this is sure to be controversial. It's the new song from Derek Webb off his upcoming album "Stockholm Syndrome." Enjoy.

Two Kinds of Religion

Brian McLaren puts words to something that I've been thinking for the past 5 year or so ... and he frames it around the current political crisis and unrest with the people of Iran.

Every now and then, I read something and it articulates so well in a few words what I believe. Thsi is one of those instances.

"There is the Islam of the dictators and their religious allies, used to keep people in their place, used to justify their own power, used to shame and threaten those who question their authority. And there is the Islam of the protestors, calling out to God in hopes of liberation. Whose prayers are heard? Which group has a more true vision of God?

I've been saying for several years that I think there are two kinds of Christianity, along with two kinds of Islam, Judaism, and every other religion and non-religion too: one of social control and one of social transformation ... one to hold people down, one to lift them up ... one an opiate to pacify people into compliance, the other a stimulant to empower people to imagine a better world, a better future, a better life ... giving them the courage to live in peaceful defiance of violent, corrupt, and greedy power-that-be.

Neither kind is perfect, and both kinds contain good and sincere people. But if those who use God and religion for social control are left to define faith ... the religion they define will be a false one, an ugly one, an idolatrous one. God bless humanity ... and God help us find a way of being faithful that opens the door to a better future."

Jesus Is An Elephant?

It's Like That Long Saturday

"It's like that long Saturday between your death and the rising day when no one wrote a word, wondered is this the end ... but You were down there in the well ... saving those that fell ... bringing them to the mountain again"

Caedmon's Call - "Valleys Fill First"

Homosexuality & The Church's Response

Something to chew on. Last night at Fuel, Kelly Thomas, one of the pastors at Neighborhood Church, led a discussion about homosexuality and the church's response. He threw out a quote attributed to Tim Geddert, a NT professor at the Mennonite Brethren Seminary in Fresno. Just something to chew on for a Monday night.

“In my view, we as Christians have not been commissioned by God to attempt to enshrine our understanding of Christian ethics into the law codes of our country. Those committed to Jesus, those who participate in his discipleship family, decide freely to follow Jesus… I do not believe it is our responsibility- even assuming that we are all in agreement that homosexual partnerships are outside God’s will- to also make sure that they remain illegal. On the contrary, while we support laws that protect people from being harmed by others, we also support laws that preserve human rights, even the right of non-Christians to act non-Christianly. We are not called to use the law codes of our countries to try to make the world more and more Christian. Rather our calling is to live in contrast to the ways of the world and thus bear witness to the reality of God’s kingdom. Our calling is to live in accordance with God’s will, when the laws of the land support us and also when they do not.”

What do you think?