the Good Question

Before reading this, I strongly encourage you to read the last post, "Cliff Notes on Galatians," an abridged version of the theological substance of the Galatian Epistle.

The way I understand Paul on the theme "love versus law" in Galatians—and this is radical coming from a (now former) Pharisee, mind you—is something like:

"It's no longer beneficial for you to judge your actions by asking 'Is this against the Law, or according to the Law?" Instead, judge your actions by asking 'Is this what love does, or is this not what love does?'

Labels: conscience, faith, first-century thinking, Grace, Heart, justification, Law, love, morality, radical change

I have been contemplating some things from the 17th-century theologian and founder of Rhode Island Roger Williams, contemporary Christians and co-hosts of The God Journey podcast Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings, and author of "The Shack" William Paul Young... lots of things. Things like liberty of conscience, love, relationships, and control. I'm not spending the time right now to write out a full exposition, but I'll leave you with a few quotes that will get you started on a train of thought, a brief discussion of control in relationships, and a couple of additional quotes to prompt you to continue the train of thought past where I've taken you.

Grace is God's acceptance of us. Faith is our acceptance of God's acceptance of us. (Adrian Rogers)

We are more sinful than we ever dared believe, but through Christ we are more accepted than we ever dared hope. (Timothy Keller)

The problem is most of us don't know we're loved, therefore we don't live like we're loved, and because we don't live like we're loved, we do all kinds of stupid things to ourselves and to others that God calls "sin." (Wayne Jacobsen)

It seems to be a natural human habit to motivate people by guilt, shame, and fear probably because it is so very easy. You manipulate relationships in order to get people to do what you want them to do because you need to be in control of everything. The more control you get, the more your sense of security and validation. You coerce people to do something for you that you would like for them to do, but when you coerce them to do it, they do it with false motives. You coerce people to conform their lives according to your standard of conduct, but when you coerce them, they do it with the wrong intent. And if they do not do what you want, if they do not meet your expectations, then you try your best to resolve the issue with conflict, or you give up and allow the relationship to splinter. But this is not unconditional love.

Labels: community, conscience, faith, Grace, Heart, love, Organic Community Life series, radical change, The Upside-Down Way

It's just passed 3:30am on the 5th of November, 2008, and the U.S. presidential election is nearly at a wrap. And if by some divinely-orchestrated miracle of ignorance you haven't already heard: Mr. Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America.

But this isn't about that. Well, okay. Sort of it is.

Although this comes a little late for you to apply to your decision-making process for the 2008 election, my hope is that you will perhaps give it some thought for the next general election or the 2012 presidential election. Here it is:

...Alright, so I don't have anything to say that hasn't already been said, but that's actually my point. I wanted to forward you to an article written by Derek Webb. Derek said all the things I would have said here, only better. Sure, that's not much of a complement... but, well, just trust me. Read the article.

Conscience is the issue in "How Then Shall We Vote?".

Labels: conscience