Idols come, tumbling down!

Isaiah forty-four has some interesting words about the folly of man and the way that we worship things (and people):

"This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come - yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing? He and his kind will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy.

The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.

The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is man’s fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships.He prays to it and says, “Save me; you are my god.”

They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

No one stops to think . . "

The problem with the idols we make, the people that we put on pedestals, is that as quickly as we make them we pull them down or knock them off. My hero is unchanging and I keep my feet on the ground - this way we can't be disappointed or knocked off any pedestals!

Be loved and live worthy of that love.

Living a life of faith

It seems that there is still faith to be found within the English nation. Christian faith might be considered to be a 'post' but faith in eleven overpaid, super-ego footballing types is at an all-time high!

We are but seconds away from the kick-off against America (who think football is game played with helmets, pads and an American accent) and we see how our hopes will unfold.

As for me, I've always got a Dutch shirt in reserve.

The pundits tell us that England have a great chance of 'going the whole way!' - as for me, going out to dinner as there's no problems getting a table tonight (but I'll watch the highlights - let's hope there are some). Mind you - four minutes in and we have a Gerrard goal - could go all the way in this game at least (hallelujah).

Evening all!

A Ministry of Reconciliation?

I've had a couple of excellent questions from the Israel posts, the first of which being:

"How can Christians genuinely exercise a "ministry of reconciliation" in these (and similar) circumstances? How do we work to bridge the gap, rather than simply declaring ourselves to be for one side or the other?"

Reconciliation is an interesting issue in that so many people speak so easily of it yet rarely, if ever, engage in it. At its most popular level I find that reconciliation means you agreeing I am right and by having done so I allow you into a relationship that I control. Cynical? You betchya, it's what experience does to you!!

Reconciliation is costly for in reconciling us to God Christ laid down His life - this is the price of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18-19 tells us that, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

This act of 'making friendly again' (re - conciliare) means that both sides need to give ground and put aside those things that separate. In the situation surrounding Israel (as an example) there have to be some immutable (i.e. fixed) 'givens' as a basis for dialogue. In my thinking these would be along the lines of human rights and regard for the dignity of all people, including the right to practice a faith and exist as a clearly defined people group.

Israel exists and this needs to be recognised by Hamas and all others. By the same token, so to does Palestine and this needs to be recognised in return by israel (and others). It should be agreed that both nations should act to set the condition for peace and take steps within their nations to maintain that peace. This would mean a cessation from rocket attacks on one side and a cessation of turning off power, restricting aid and settlements in areas, and by means, which are provocative (and intended to be exactly that). this would be a start.

As I have said (many, many, many times) making a reality of Micah 6: 6-8 in that humility, justice and mercy are present and real would go a long way to bringing reconciliation to the fore - the rest is merely dialogue and sacrifice. Of course there are many Jews and Arabs (worldwide) who would baulk against this course of action. Quite a few Christian too I'll wager!!

Hope this is helpful - just a bit of the thinking that's going on - long way to go, but I'm off the blocks.

An absolutely wonderful cartoon

As often is the case, the naked pastor has hit the nail on the head.

Thinking and especially theological thinking is something that so many Christians fail to do, after all, this is a popular human trait so why should they put the practice aside just because they're 'saved'.

Let's make today the day where we engage with the issues before us and actually try to make sense of the and out of them using theology and brains wherever possible.

Happy Thursday.

Off to the Arboretum to do a memorial service for the 1st Army Association -  a great privilege.

Some random Israel related thoughts

Just as it says on the tin, this is a place where I ponder and dialogue (internally and with others) over issues that present themselves before me and my limited take on the world. Before I try to find answers for Simon's excellent (and challenging) questions, here's some of the thinking that has cropped up so far.

I have been challenged by a number of people as to what (and who) I think 'Israel' is. Well, as I told one friend, I'm coming to the conclusion that Israel is a spiritual entity rather than a territorial blob on a map. Israel is a state of mind and a proclamation of faith and will one day see God restore to them Jerusalem. This, of course, makes for a interesting tension as I look for ways to bless Israel and avoid being distracted by an ersatz nation created by man.

This leads me on to another track, one which is rather interesting and has much wider implications for me.

I got into a really interesting (aren't I polite) regarding the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Israel. I was told that the nation of Israel had been restored and now all that was left was the building of the Temple and the Messiah 'had to come'. I pointed out that God and 'had to' didn't go together in my Bible, it was more like God and 'wants to'!

This prompts a weird thought:

If God says that A has to happen as a condition for B to occur, if we make A happen does this mean that B is now a done deal?

Here's a little for instance. God says he will deal with a situation and having done so He will return. If we, being helpful and desirous of His return, rush out and through political, financial or other means, resolve the situation 'for Him', does this mean He has to come back? Or will He merely wait until the condition have been set by Him and then return, rendering our actions hollow and flawed?

There are twin dangers either side of the right option. One is that we do nothing and let God do the stuff, the other is that we bring about the result by our own means (political, financial and the like). Finding the balance here is important as we need to bless what God is doing and also play our part in it.

Simon - I will return to your questions over the next couple of days. Like you I feel it important to bless Israel and yet also be realistic (and aware) of the spiritual truths of being Israel. It is certainly not an easy topic but I cannot sign up for the Israel 'right or wrong' approach.

Thanks people

Israel is more than just land!

Having been challenged regarding the 'fact' that I, as a Christian, 'must' support the nation state of Israel has led me to do much pondering and thinking. Thus far, my limited grey matter has stumbled across a few thoughts which I have decided to share in a spirit of glasnost (and also to make everyone else feel decidedly cleverer) which I include here for your consideration (or mirth).

The people of Israel were a people who were brought together to witness to the power and reality of their God (YHWH) by being wonderfully counter-cultural. In the nation of Israel we see more than just the possession of territory, we find, in Genesis 12, God telling Abram to go from his land to a land that He (God) would show him. This is place where we find the coming together of two of the three components of the Jewish faith, GOD (YHWH, who speaks to Abram) and LAND (the focus of the conversation). All that we have missing is of course, Torah.

The majority of people supporting Israel (regardless) focus of the land, and Jerusalem in particular. There was indeed an important emphasis on the place of the land, and it was a place the Jews found themselves inhabiting until the naughty Romans (what have they ever done for us?) knocked the Temple down and wrecked the place. The establishment of Israel (by force) and the plans to rebuild the temple all seem to me to be some sort of pushing through prophecy rather than seeing how God will achieve the desired results. If the land is so important and if Jerusalem is so key to God's plans, surely He might be able to set the conditions himself rather than leave us to do what He is obviously impotent to do?

I am aware of the many conspiracy theories that abound, each claiming sinister plots to remove Christian support from Israel, yet ironically I only see Israeli politics working to remove the support of the Western world's Christians (and others). Against this I see various Zionist groups issuing stuff like this (from an email):

"The Lord in His zealous love for Israel and the Jewish People blesses and curses peoples and judges nations based upon their treatment of the Chosen People of Israel."

These words of warning, which come from the ICEJ (International Christian Embassy) sit interestingly with:

"As a faith bound to love and forgiveness we are appreciative of the attempts by the Government of Israel to work tirelessly for peace. However, the truths of God are sovereign and it is written that the Land which He promised to His People is not to be partitioned...."

Mmmmmm! Don't see much tireless working for peace from where I sit!

There is so much blood guilt (see the 1947 League of Nations partition plan) involved with the establishment of a modern state of Israel and so many disposed people (Palestinians) and such amazingly awful acts committed by a people who one would have thought might have known better since so many play the God's people card (actually - reading and listening it seems that the Christians are into this more than 'God's people).

So first thought - Israel is about something more, and other, than land.

When you encounter prejudice you have to stand up and be counted!

The words of the Labour Party's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transsexual Society's James Asser are words that each and every one of us should take to heart and make our very own. His words, uttered in response to a row which broke out in a London pub are a call and a gift to all who tread the path of the traditional Christian lifestyle.

It occurs to me that these days it is Christians of the fundamental and orthodox flavour that are the victims of prejudice these days and the time has indeed come when we need to stand up and be counted for our faith. To quote J K Rowlings character, Albus Dumbledore, "Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

Every day I encounter Christians who seek to take the easy path. They seek that route which yield everything yet demands nothing and costs even less. This is that 'cheap grace' that Bonhoffer spoke so eloquently of, this is the path that seeks to cry, "peace, peace," when there is no peace.

That we stop walking the aggressive paths of conflict and condemnation is important. That we resist these traits in others, making our stand, is imperative. That I do not choose to engage in acts, attitudes or mindsets merely indicates that I differ from others. That I do not choose the same path as others does not make me wrong any more than their acts makes them right.

I have nothing in my hand but the Word of God and he path along which it leads me. My faith is orthodox and draws upon the tenets of Scripture, Tradition and Reason (with perhaps Experience thrown in for good measure). I cannot, and should not, be expected to have to move from the beliefs and values that shape and guide me, regardless of how much those others wish to shape their own lives.

That others choose to deviate from, modify or otherwise change God laws and their own values and standards to suit themselves is up to them, their fate is in their hands and wherever their path takes them, I should be free to follow my own - and mine has been around for a couple of thousand years and so is well-worn and obvious.

Time to stand and be counted people, Time to do what is right and to do it in the right way!

Honouring the dead

Today, at the National Memorial Arboretum, Prince Edward will be present and the names of one hundred and nineteen UK service personnel are added to the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM).

This is not a celebration of war, neither is it glorifying war. It is a simple service of thanks for lives offered, and given in the service of their country by men and women in uniform. They are members of the same group of people we remember on Remembrance day, being the latest in the line to join the ranks of service deaths. Just as the Cenotaph recalls those who died in the major conflicts up to 1945, the AFM marks those who have given their lives from that period onwards.

Please spare a thought for the families who will come to Alrewas today. They come with pride for a job well done, a sadness for a price expensively paid and to seek comfort in their own losses.

May God touch and comfort them.