Postmodern Islam?

I only recently updated my "My Current Reading" Sidebar with a book that I'm actually almost haflway through: Desparately Seeking Paradise by Ziauddin Sardar. I've enjoyed his reading since I happenned across an article of his in a post-9/11 issue of the new writing magazine, Granta.

Born in Pakistan, raised in Britain, trained as an information scientist, Sardar is a thoughtful writer, highly observant and has a quick, dry wit. That someone could write so plaufully, yet incisively about their religion -- and that this would be appealing to non-Muslims, too -- is a pleasant surprise for me.

Fat Politicians and Pastors

Would you vote for an overweight politician? What about a disorganised one?

Okay, now what about spiritual leaders - is it any more acceptable for them to not be able to control their weight (not something I have trouble with), or their diaries (something I do have significant trouble with)? I'm not suggesting that Christians should be superficial, just pointing out that a failure to manage one part of my life greatly affects my effectiveness in ministry.

Maybe this is just me venting: I know how important it is for me to manage my time well, and how much effort that takes. I know too that it can be hard to manage one's health and fitness, but isn't it worth the effort. Whether it leads to increased ministry effectiveness or not, isn't there it imperative that Christians (especially Christian leaders) are wise stewards of all of God's good gifts - including their time and their bodies?

Quote of the Week

"So we also, holding Art in our hands, confidently deem ourselves its masters; we boldly give it direction, bring it up to date, reform it, proclaim it, sell it for money, use it to please the powerful, divert it for amusement... or else adapt it... toward transient political or limited social needs.  But art remains undefiled by our endeavourss and the stamp of its origin remains unaffected: each time and in every usage it bestows upon us a portion of its mysterious inner light." -- Aleksandr Solzhenisten in Robert K. Johnston, Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue (Grand Rapidss, Mi.: Baker, 2000) p. 90.

Geza Vermes Podcast

After discussing Hong Xiuquan, a 19th century Chinese revolutionary who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus, Rachel Kohn announced that "one of the greatest living Biblical scholars" will be on The Ark next week speaking about the six most interesting contemporaries of Jesus.

You can get more information from http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/ark/default.htm

Church and Mission

Anita and I just had dinner with three amazing people: a Uniting Church minister, a photojournalism student and an accountant who together minister to Brisbane's homeless. We talked about the differences between a soul-less institution and a spiritual movement, Dave Andrews' book Not Religion, But Love, and compassion as 'with-suffering'.

Towards the end of the evening, I realised that I couldn't nthink of any problem that Christians face that doesn't fit either one of these two categories:

• Church-less mission: without a church (a community shaped by baptism, euscharist and word-ministry), proclamation, service and other missionary acts lack any basis or focus.
  
• Mission-less church:without a mission (presence, proclamation, persuasion, power and propogation) a group claiming to be a church lacks any meaning or purpose.

Can all of the problems of the Christian life be reduced to lack of church or lack of misison?

Three great blogs, three great posts

I just wanted to highligh three fantastic posts from blogs I frequent:

• Mike Bird at Euangelion posts on the Together for the Gospel conference. It's a long post, but goes to the heart of the gospel and is well articulated. He raises important questions the sex, togetherness and the gospel.
• Andy Rowell at Out of Ur posts on image, depth and transparency. His reminder that image isn't everything is well put, and well intentioned even if he's preaching to the choir.
• Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed posts on emerging (missional) evangelism. He gives an almost comprehensive list of what is wrong with the worst of evangelism, and prompting new approaches.

I salute Mike's bravery and prayerfullness in particular. I'm also keen to see how the discussion at Jesus Creed develops.