Isolation Island
I’m alive. There is much going on and difficult to blog the past week or so. I’ve posted several things happening from some of my friends around the world. BUT, my mind has been working fast and my journal filling up as I’ve been reflecting over the past few months. I’m convinced that, more than ever before, most of us struggle from an isolationist view of life. This is especially true in the US. Here we are on this big continent--a big country with two oceans on both sides. It isn’t our fault. And, though, in many ways we are diverse. In other ways we really aren’t. One of the things that hits me in the face when I’m overseas and then home is how we are so “closed” religiously. For all the talk of how fast Islam is growing, it’s not nearly as much if you understood how small it is. Larger percentages come from small groups. For the most part, this postmodern, post-western place still has traces of Christianity lining it everywhere. This is why we debate theology so much in the US. If there were more Muslims, Bhuddist, Atheist, Hindus, etc. we would focus more on who Jesus is and the life He taught. But because most “religious” books are by “Christians” here in the US, we basically talk to one another with similar threads. Furthermore, we reserve our hottest anger, not for those that are opposite us, but those most similar. That’s what the Bosnian Grand Mufti said a couple of weeks ago at a meeting I attended--and I believe he’s right. I think we need more Muslims, Bhuddist, Atheist, Hindus, etc. so that we can focus in on the message of who Jesus is. Oh, oh, oh, could that be the secret of the church’s explosion in other parts of the world--its Christianity being forced to bump up against other religions instead of being an isolated religion? HUGE, HUGE, HUGE implications . . . . . .
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Mar 18, 2008 at 02:12 AM
yes yes yes, it so saddends me that we as Christians focus on the differences we have when Paul so beautifully told us .............its just about the Gospel..........the Good News..........The death, burial, resserection . Thank God He rose again.............thats what is different about our faith and that same power that God himself used to raise him.............is how those huge huge huge implications can happen to explode and revive and revamt the church of the living savior to meet the needs of this so chaning world.......................I do not want to be isolated...........So Bob keep revealing and acting on the vision and wisdom God imparts to you.............your call and gift...........go and tell...............living it out...........................prayers for such power
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Mar 18, 2008 at 06:21 AM
How very true your words are! In the US, it's easy for all of us to have that isolationist view of life. After all, we are all busy with our own lives, we have our own beliefs and unless you've actually been there, you don't really see the struggles and day to day lives of those from other countries.
I spent seven weeks in India where the majority are either Hindu or Muslim. I may not believe the way they do but I have to tell you I have so much respect for their devotion. During one religious week-long holiday celebration, I watched the Hindus walk for miles to the nearest temple to pray and meditate. Their trek took place late at night because they would pray from midnight until 5am each day. Can you imagine telling members of Northwood that your next sermon would be in the middle of the night and OH, by the way, they would have to walk to the church? And once they get to the church, they will be staying at least five hours......
I was also there during a Muslim holiday where fasting took place daily. They ate nothing from sun up to sun down each day. During this time, they also prayed at set times during the day, so no matter where they were or what they were doing, they stopped to pray. Can you imagine here in the US working for a major corporation and telling your boss that you had to leave a meeting because it was prayer time? My driver carried his prayer cloth with him in the car and would tell me that if he disappeared not to worry because he would return to pick me up but it would be AFTER his prayers. How many of us in the US go to such lengths to talk to Jesus. I think sometimes we don't really want Jesus to interrupt our busy lives!!!
The Christian population is very small in India but I had one bright spot. I met a young man in the office who told me his name was James. I was very curious about that since most of the people I met were named Mukesh, Sandeep or Prashant. So I asked him how he had been given such an "American" sounding name. He looked me in the eye and very quietly said, "Because I am a Christian, ma'm."
So I agree with you when you say we need more Muslims, Hindus, etc. Learning the religions of others is not a bad thing. In fact, I think it can make us closer to Jesus when we spend time learning about them.
Mar 18, 2008 at 06:43 AM
I really resonate with the "Isolation Island" reflections. I just returned from Jamaica, where I have been part of an ongoing mission / humanitarian endeavor. The intriguing thing is that Jamaica is influenced heavily by Christianity. They have weaved Christianity into the way they handle life. They speak very little about variant theological positions. Something draws folks to Jesus, whether in a nominal sense or in full devotion. I think the hardship, economic distress, increasing violence, etc. draws folks to look intently at the core of what they believe. Thus, I met a lot of spiritually minded Jamaicans that have a sense of discussing Jesus. They have less affluence and security. Thus, they seem to focus on the essentials. Jesus makes sense when you feel oppressed.
Perhaps, along with the idea of religious diversity fostering a clearer conversation concerning Jesus, there is a sense that our affluence and perceived security in the U.S. has the potential to distract us from focusing on conversations about Jesus. We have to work hard to "keep our eye on the ball".
Mar 18, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Haha! Ahh!!! It's because we're all wrapped up in our Christian sub-culture thinking we've got it ALL figured out. We arrogant, prideful, and MUST be broken. "Lord please come in and break us. Teach us how to learn from those who we think we're more right than". You'd think we'd have figured out by now that we, as Christians, SUCK at reaching the lost. Hopefully someday we'll learn...Keep doing what you're doing, Bob, and we'll keep learning. JAM.
Mar 19, 2008 at 05:20 AM
Bob, how do you see this idea playing out in the middle east? So much tension and division? Is it because people view themselves as citizens of a country first and Christians, Muslims, Jews second? Just curious.
Mar 19, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Andy - welcome to the comments!!!! Matt - absolutely - I think our citizenship first has to be the kingdom of God
Mar 19, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Thank you for your wonderful preaching in Korea
http://www.jiguchon.org/gmc_sermon/media/sermon_media.asp
Mar 26, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Bob, great to see you still moving and thinking and talking and shaking . . .I was in Austin last week but didnt have time for a pilgrimage up north to your church. maybe next time.
Mar 26, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Thanks brother andrew - next time you're in Texas - call me -
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