Christian pacifism is a hard topic to think about, I think because much like therapy we have to face where we are "getting it wrong". Not to say that it's all wrong or everyone is wrong, hopefully that makes sense. But it's really so challenging to be open to where I need grow in areas where I rather like our comfort. I don't have answers here, except to say that I can completely own my comfort in simply having automatic faith and belief in the American Military system and structure. When it gets into the tiny details where there is clearly right and wrong happening, much like the virtues chapter, I would rather shut my eyes and plug my ears and just take out the bits I like and move right along. But I am enjoying these conversations and responses, knowing I'm not alone.
Also, so much yes on early 2000 book stores. It was probably 08 or 09, during the recession for sure when it seemed like every mega pastor or Christian speaker was putting out self help books. I was not in church at that time, raising 2 little boys, and was in the book section at Walmart looking for a new book to read to them when I saw it those rows and thought, "what is happening in the church?" And then kept right on walking.
And this may be controversial but I think Proverbs 31 TALKS and BOOKS have done more damage than good. I caps the talks and books because I don't mean the literal scripture, but rather the attempts on teaching it. So much emphasis is placed on modeling a set behavior over following Jesus with our whole heart and letting that settle into our very souls and our bones even and allowing it to change us from the inside out. But also I think not enough importance is placed on all the various ways that the world feeds us the opposite, that we have to go and do and pursue to be worthy. But worthy of what? I find that I have to watch my social media intake, cut back on secular music, make prayer time a priority. If I don't, then I find myself become restless and even resentful, of everything. It's not like I'm being asked to do more than anyone else at my job, my boys are teens and have extacurricular activities, so I cook less than I ever have (for these small mercies Lord we are grateful haha! ) and yet I'll be angry for having to do it at all. And once I focus on Jesus, it just all comes back into balance and I realize that I was upset for no reason that I can really put a finger on.
OK, I'm rambling, I so appreciate reading all the comments, and thanks again Aprile for all your hard work. I do get a lot out of these 10 minute segments.
Your story of the pastoral search committee reminds me of a similar internal battle. When two new candidates for elders were mentioned by my husband (on the board) I told him, "I passed both of them over in favor of others to lead a small group in Sunday school, how do they fit the 'able to teach' qualification?" He gave a sort of excuse for why 'able to teach' didn't necessarily mean they had to be able to teach in a particular setting. It became so clear that the character qualifications of elders were able to be fudged or adjusted, however any leeway on allowing women who were capable and qualified was considered immoral. Realizing this difference was really revelatory for me.
Is that an American virtue or a "biblical" virtue? (It's not always easy to tell)
I find that when I'm wrestling with a topic, I'm inclined to me a little more humble to different perspectives. It puts me in a good place.
Non-violence and gender roles are a couple wrestling points for me as well. May we all enjoy the journey!
Christian pacifism is a hard topic to think about, I think because much like therapy we have to face where we are "getting it wrong". Not to say that it's all wrong or everyone is wrong, hopefully that makes sense. But it's really so challenging to be open to where I need grow in areas where I rather like our comfort. I don't have answers here, except to say that I can completely own my comfort in simply having automatic faith and belief in the American Military system and structure. When it gets into the tiny details where there is clearly right and wrong happening, much like the virtues chapter, I would rather shut my eyes and plug my ears and just take out the bits I like and move right along. But I am enjoying these conversations and responses, knowing I'm not alone.
Also, so much yes on early 2000 book stores. It was probably 08 or 09, during the recession for sure when it seemed like every mega pastor or Christian speaker was putting out self help books. I was not in church at that time, raising 2 little boys, and was in the book section at Walmart looking for a new book to read to them when I saw it those rows and thought, "what is happening in the church?" And then kept right on walking.
And this may be controversial but I think Proverbs 31 TALKS and BOOKS have done more damage than good. I caps the talks and books because I don't mean the literal scripture, but rather the attempts on teaching it. So much emphasis is placed on modeling a set behavior over following Jesus with our whole heart and letting that settle into our very souls and our bones even and allowing it to change us from the inside out. But also I think not enough importance is placed on all the various ways that the world feeds us the opposite, that we have to go and do and pursue to be worthy. But worthy of what? I find that I have to watch my social media intake, cut back on secular music, make prayer time a priority. If I don't, then I find myself become restless and even resentful, of everything. It's not like I'm being asked to do more than anyone else at my job, my boys are teens and have extacurricular activities, so I cook less than I ever have (for these small mercies Lord we are grateful haha! ) and yet I'll be angry for having to do it at all. And once I focus on Jesus, it just all comes back into balance and I realize that I was upset for no reason that I can really put a finger on.
OK, I'm rambling, I so appreciate reading all the comments, and thanks again Aprile for all your hard work. I do get a lot out of these 10 minute segments.
Your story of the pastoral search committee reminds me of a similar internal battle. When two new candidates for elders were mentioned by my husband (on the board) I told him, "I passed both of them over in favor of others to lead a small group in Sunday school, how do they fit the 'able to teach' qualification?" He gave a sort of excuse for why 'able to teach' didn't necessarily mean they had to be able to teach in a particular setting. It became so clear that the character qualifications of elders were able to be fudged or adjusted, however any leeway on allowing women who were capable and qualified was considered immoral. Realizing this difference was really revelatory for me.