Bucks Fizz conquered Europe with a song with this title at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981! If you want a reminder check it out. You'll find it on you tube. Yes that really is Terry Wogan! This phrase always leads me to sing the song, but it also reminds me how difficult it is to make my mind up at times.
On Sunday we held the Election Hustings in Fareham and listened to 5 of the candidates tackle a number of questions. It was a great evening - 250 people from the churches in Fareham attended - we heard from them, watched them, challenged them, but at the end of it, I still have to make up my mind who to vote for.
There are so many things that I have to make my mind up about and different people will have different perspectives on the same thing. Book reviews, film reviews, music, people, changes... so many views, so many opinions.
Take this 20 minute film. It's called 'The Butterfly Circus' and is tagged with the word Hope. If you have 20 minutes, watch it. www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=4dd298f102c77b625cf37a9e7744ac68 Is it weird or wonderful or what? I think it is beautifully shot, a powerful message, but is it good or bad, brilliant or barmy? I'm not sure. What do you think?
Or what about 'Pope-gate', the fuss over the circulated memo from the Foreign Office. It was the top headline on Sunday morning and caused a variety of opinions to be shared. The Catholic Voice spokesperson shrugged his shoulders about it whilst the news reporter wanted him to denounce it so the story could run and run. It soon slipped down the headline list. Were you disgusted by it or did you laugh about it?
I've been reading Philip Pullman's book - The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ - and I'm still not sure what to make of it. It seems he is just using the Bible text and adding little to it - pretty lazy writing and a bit rich putting his name to what someone else has written. Then he'll add something so bizarre that you wonder if he is just being controversial for the sake of it, but then he'll say something that surprises you and actually gives you hope that he might just understand who Jesus really is.
My hope is that as people read the book they'll want to check out the Bible story of Jesus, because no matter that Philip Pullman doesn't believe Jesus was divine, what Jesus did was remarkable and strange and different and it might just get people thinking. Perhaps then they'll be able to make their mind up about Jesus.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
THE ELECTION (2)
It's time to talk about the election once more after a week of listening and watching the seeming eruption of support for and interest in, the Lib Dems. In the past the Lib Dems have always added to the debate but without any hope of having any significant impact on the outcome. But there is a distinct feeling that this time could be different. It looks more and more likely that they will have enough seats to make a difference on 6th May and it will be fascinating to see how the Labour and Tory parties respond. Are they able to stop the bandwagon or will they have to join it? If the Lib Dems do hold the balance of power, this could be the last time we have the existing electoral system and it could be the end of one party dominating a Parliament for ever! That is quite a moment in history. People will be asking, 'Where were you when the political system was changed for ever?' I'll be up all night watching it!
If you're still wondering if you should vote or not here are 10 reasons why I think you should: (From 'Just Politices' by Krish Kandiah)
This is an opportunity to be involved, to make a difference, to make the cross count.
If you're still wondering if you should vote or not here are 10 reasons why I think you should: (From 'Just Politices' by Krish Kandiah)
This is an opportunity to be involved, to make a difference, to make the cross count.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
THE STORYTELLER AND THE STORY
I've just started reading Pullman's new book and I'll let you know how I get on. What struck me about the cover was that on the back, in big letters, it says, 'THIS IS A STORY', which is an interesting contrast to Dan Brown's assertion at the beginning of 'Da Vinci Code' when he said that everything in the story is accurate.
Fair play to Pullman for stating it clearly but I was left concerned after the first few pages. He cleverly weaves elements of the Bible account of Jesus with fanciful story telling, the back cover implying that everything in the book is just a story with no basis of fact at all. My prayer is that the readers will see the truth amidst the fiction and it will cause them to explore the true storyteller that this modern day story writer seems to be fascinated by.
Having the privilege to be given time to read, study and prepare for a Sunday sermon brings new insights and understandings which I wish I'd known before. I'm able to engage in the story and meet the storyteller every day. The Bible always amazes me because there is always something new to learn and the familiar stories take on new twists and turns as God speaks today through the words written hundreds, thousands of years ago by people who had no idea of the culture I would be reading the text in. That's the genius of God for you! It is truly the Living Word of God.
I stumble across passages and connections between the Old and New Testament and wonder why I haven't seen them before or why I wasn't taught about them when I trained for church ministry. Have I just been lazy or does God open my eyes at just the time I need to understand something new? I had one of those moments recently as I was flicking through some passages. It was a serendipitous moment - I was looking for one thing and discovered something completely different that I wasn't looking for but was glad to discover. It had always been there, I just hadn't been looking for it. But it was an, 'A-ha' moment that helped me understand a bit better the story of the prodigal son that Jesus told and Luke recorded in chapter 15 of his good news story of Jesus Christ.
Alister McGrath recently said that people in our culture do not know the ending of the story anymore so it needs explaining. We also need to understand the shock of the ending to the first hearers. And it is that which I am slowly beginning to understand.
In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the Law outlines what should happen to a 'stubborn and rebellious son.' His mother and father will take him to the elders at the gate of the town, shall tell the elders that their son is a 'profligate and drunkard', then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. Which is exactly what Jesus did not say. What a shock to all the listeners that day. For the religious it was not the ending they were expecting and for the 'sinners' it was not the ending they were expecting. One group hated Jesus even more, the other loved him even more. Great stories bring you to a point of decision.
This is radical storytelling by a radical storyteller who speaks words of hope to a desperate and marginalised community, who speaks words of God to people in need of love, acceptance, welcome and compassion.
Phillip Pullman has written a story, but it doesn't come close to the story of Jesus. Jesus put into action what he said and still today shocks and challenges the ending we want to hear. It's not as clear cut as we sometimes want it to be. Jesus did things differently and as I read the Word of God I hope that I will be willing to understand a different ending to the one I'm expecting.
By the way, have a read of Deuteronomy 21:22-23. What does that say about Jesus' death on a cross?
Fair play to Pullman for stating it clearly but I was left concerned after the first few pages. He cleverly weaves elements of the Bible account of Jesus with fanciful story telling, the back cover implying that everything in the book is just a story with no basis of fact at all. My prayer is that the readers will see the truth amidst the fiction and it will cause them to explore the true storyteller that this modern day story writer seems to be fascinated by.
Having the privilege to be given time to read, study and prepare for a Sunday sermon brings new insights and understandings which I wish I'd known before. I'm able to engage in the story and meet the storyteller every day. The Bible always amazes me because there is always something new to learn and the familiar stories take on new twists and turns as God speaks today through the words written hundreds, thousands of years ago by people who had no idea of the culture I would be reading the text in. That's the genius of God for you! It is truly the Living Word of God.
I stumble across passages and connections between the Old and New Testament and wonder why I haven't seen them before or why I wasn't taught about them when I trained for church ministry. Have I just been lazy or does God open my eyes at just the time I need to understand something new? I had one of those moments recently as I was flicking through some passages. It was a serendipitous moment - I was looking for one thing and discovered something completely different that I wasn't looking for but was glad to discover. It had always been there, I just hadn't been looking for it. But it was an, 'A-ha' moment that helped me understand a bit better the story of the prodigal son that Jesus told and Luke recorded in chapter 15 of his good news story of Jesus Christ.
Alister McGrath recently said that people in our culture do not know the ending of the story anymore so it needs explaining. We also need to understand the shock of the ending to the first hearers. And it is that which I am slowly beginning to understand.
In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the Law outlines what should happen to a 'stubborn and rebellious son.' His mother and father will take him to the elders at the gate of the town, shall tell the elders that their son is a 'profligate and drunkard', then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. Which is exactly what Jesus did not say. What a shock to all the listeners that day. For the religious it was not the ending they were expecting and for the 'sinners' it was not the ending they were expecting. One group hated Jesus even more, the other loved him even more. Great stories bring you to a point of decision.
This is radical storytelling by a radical storyteller who speaks words of hope to a desperate and marginalised community, who speaks words of God to people in need of love, acceptance, welcome and compassion.
Phillip Pullman has written a story, but it doesn't come close to the story of Jesus. Jesus put into action what he said and still today shocks and challenges the ending we want to hear. It's not as clear cut as we sometimes want it to be. Jesus did things differently and as I read the Word of God I hope that I will be willing to understand a different ending to the one I'm expecting.
By the way, have a read of Deuteronomy 21:22-23. What does that say about Jesus' death on a cross?
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
THE ELECTION
Finally today the announcement that everyone was expecting was made by Gordon Brown. It did feel a little of an anti-climax. In fact I felt more excited about the election in the build up to the announcement than the thought of 30 days of wall-to-wall coverage. But I still can't wait for election night, sat alone watching the results come in. Sad!
What has encouraged me today is the number of reporters who have emphasised that we are voting for a local MP not a national Prime Minister. It is hard to remember that with the cult of personality seeming to overtake the need for us to scrutinise the person who will represent me where I live. The expenses scandal has at least put the spotlight back on to individual MP's and I hope, and pray, that we will all have learnt a lesson - check out the people standing in your constituency, question them about their values and the policies they support and vote for the person who matches your beliefs (or as near as you can get). That's democracy. Then we will have taken part in the process as we should do rather than being swayed by the national scene and the party machines, wordsmiths and clever spin doctors.
I've come across a really interesting website - www.votematch.org.uk You get to respond to 25 policy statements and at the end you can see which party most closely matches what you believe. It's a great starting point to then delve a bit deeper with the individual candidates. If you're interested in how your existing MP has voted on key policy decisions you can go to www.theyworkforyou.com
I'm challenged at this election to take great care with my vote and not just to vote for the party or person I've always voted for. I am going to dig deeper and try to see the person behind the label because I'm reminded of something God said quite a few years ago:
That seems a better way of voting. That way we'll get the person we deserve.
What has encouraged me today is the number of reporters who have emphasised that we are voting for a local MP not a national Prime Minister. It is hard to remember that with the cult of personality seeming to overtake the need for us to scrutinise the person who will represent me where I live. The expenses scandal has at least put the spotlight back on to individual MP's and I hope, and pray, that we will all have learnt a lesson - check out the people standing in your constituency, question them about their values and the policies they support and vote for the person who matches your beliefs (or as near as you can get). That's democracy. Then we will have taken part in the process as we should do rather than being swayed by the national scene and the party machines, wordsmiths and clever spin doctors.
I've come across a really interesting website - www.votematch.org.uk You get to respond to 25 policy statements and at the end you can see which party most closely matches what you believe. It's a great starting point to then delve a bit deeper with the individual candidates. If you're interested in how your existing MP has voted on key policy decisions you can go to www.theyworkforyou.com
I'm challenged at this election to take great care with my vote and not just to vote for the party or person I've always voted for. I am going to dig deeper and try to see the person behind the label because I'm reminded of something God said quite a few years ago:
'Do not consider his appearance or his height. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' (1 Samuel 16:7)
That seems a better way of voting. That way we'll get the person we deserve.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
PHILIP PULLMAN AND JESUS
Having read Philip Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials a number of years ago, it has been interesting to read the reviews of his latest book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. The title alone is enough to get the blood boiling but I think that is his intention, But it also grabs my attention, as I expect it will for others, and demands that I explore what he is writing about. Too often Christians are known for what they are against and it is all too easy to simply dismiss the book by its cover rather than delve into it and be in a better position to talk about it.
Many people will read it there is no doubt and if I don't then I will be in no position to talk about what I believe in response. It was the same with Harry Potter. We mustn't just moan about it, be frightened by it, be afraid of it, we must understand why it has been written and then make our case for what we believe with other people who will read it. Perhaps that is the problem, we don't feel confident about what we believe to 'give a reason for the hope we have.'
This is from Philip Green's review (Evangelical Alliance Public Theology Research Assistant)
Now Pullman is a bit negative about organised religion to put it mildly, but it does seem that he has a grudging respect for the man Jesus and, try as he might, he cannot get away from the fact that Jesus was a pretty amazing person. Even in this book there is something that will get other people thinking and Jesus is big enough to be able to handle someones attempt to knock him down. He has a habit of getting up again, a great track record of rising again!
Why not get the book, read it and then let's see if we could use it to help people encounter the real Jesus. We don't need to be afraid, just equipped. Perhaps in the process we too might learn something new that will strengthen our faith in the public sphere as well as the private space.
I'm ordering mine now!
Many people will read it there is no doubt and if I don't then I will be in no position to talk about what I believe in response. It was the same with Harry Potter. We mustn't just moan about it, be frightened by it, be afraid of it, we must understand why it has been written and then make our case for what we believe with other people who will read it. Perhaps that is the problem, we don't feel confident about what we believe to 'give a reason for the hope we have.'
This is from Philip Green's review (Evangelical Alliance Public Theology Research Assistant)
'The premise of this novel is a common one: Jesus was a good man, a wise teacher who helped lift the spirits of the poor and oppressed. He never wanted any more than this. However, others took the stories and used them to create an earth-changing and people controlling movement. Some parts were tweaked, other aspects were exaggerated, while several components (including Jesus’ divinity and resurrection) were completely fabricated. To this end, Pullman has not produced anything new. However, the way he has done it is altogether fresh, unique and engaging.'
Now Pullman is a bit negative about organised religion to put it mildly, but it does seem that he has a grudging respect for the man Jesus and, try as he might, he cannot get away from the fact that Jesus was a pretty amazing person. Even in this book there is something that will get other people thinking and Jesus is big enough to be able to handle someones attempt to knock him down. He has a habit of getting up again, a great track record of rising again!
Why not get the book, read it and then let's see if we could use it to help people encounter the real Jesus. We don't need to be afraid, just equipped. Perhaps in the process we too might learn something new that will strengthen our faith in the public sphere as well as the private space.
I'm ordering mine now!
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