Check Your Theology
A few weeks ago I linked to a back-and-forth between Brian McLaren and Mark Driscoll on the subject of a Pastoral Perspective on Homosexuality. Most comments, those posted here and those in conversation 'off Blogway', trended against Driscoll's thinking.
Here's another opportunity. On Mark Driscoll's blog this morning he has offered a perspective on Global Poverty, examining the views of U2 frontman and humanitarian Bono. Give this article a read and let me know what you think by posting a comment. I'll chime in with my opinion a little later.
Here's another opportunity. On Mark Driscoll's blog this morning he has offered a perspective on Global Poverty, examining the views of U2 frontman and humanitarian Bono. Give this article a read and let me know what you think by posting a comment. I'll chime in with my opinion a little later.
1 Comments:
YES!
His closing line:
My entire point is simply that when the issue is rich and poor and not righteous and unrighteous we may have allowed red and blue politics rather than Old Testament and New Testament principles to dominate our thinking.
In this debate as in homosexuality, expect Jesus to cut across the lines. It's not that Jesus embraces the Golden Mean, it's that His purposes are vastly different.
Poverty (and Prosperity) Theology focus on this world. But this world is not our home.
Remember how ticked (technical theological term) Judas was that Mary Magdalene broke open a wickedly expensive vial of scented oil to massage Jesus' feet? Remember what the penurious Judas said, "Jesus, reprimand her, that's worth lots of money! That could have been sold to feed the poor!"
Jesus response is a priceless check to both sides, "The poor you will always have with you, I am only here for a short time."
And then, it's noted that Judas made those remarks because in truth, he was not for the poor but for himself. He was skimming from the Disciple's common purse!
It's not that Bono or anyone else is skimming (though of course some are). It's that they're attached to the material.
Just as much as the wealthy.
Bono is dead right on the vitality of ministering to the poor. But dead wrong on the reasons. We do it in Jesus' name, not because He is somehow more there, but because by so doing, we express His love.
In a way, it's just the opposite. We go to the poor specifically because without us, Jesus is NOT there.
D--
By Higher Up, Further In, at 2/16/2006 9:32 AM
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