tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post2530528864991756336..comments2008-05-08T14:54:15.554-05:00Mike L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15978997781556741350noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-24505705274258187412008-05-08T14:54:00.000-05:002008-05-08T14:54:00.000-05:00Peter,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting! I completely agree that America has been so very wrong in its response to 9/11. It makes me sick to think how we ignored Christ's message of non-violence and love of enemies. <BR/><BR/>I agree with Rev. Wright on most points. My only concern was his recent implications that were racist. He implyied that black people are only "right brained" and white people are only "left brained". That is bad science and poor taste. I know what he was trying to say, but he missed the mark. The jury is still out on his comments about governments inflicting aids. <BR/><BR/>His other criticisms of America were on the mark.Mike L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15978997781556741350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-73475505467873376902008-05-08T13:59:00.000-05:002008-05-08T13:59:00.000-05:00I'm a white Christian married to a black African Christian lady and we have Christian mixed race children - and we're British.<BR/><BR/>As I watched the events unfold on 9/11 I said to my family, "This day will change the world. In what way it will change will depend on whether America chooses repentance or revenge." <BR/><BR/>So I was in front of Jeremiah Wright and America chose revenge, deliberately turning it's back on God's message in Old and New Testaments.<BR/><BR/>Did the prophetic Christian church in the USA stand up for Jesus and denounce this national policy? NO, it encouraged it. <BR/><BR/>Most American "Christians" are Americans first and Christians a long way back - and America was founded and has continued to this day on hypocrisy and bloodshed.<BR/><BR/>Doesn't the prophet Jeremiah's critique of Judah's society apply equally to capitalist USA right now? Why should it receive a lesser judgement?<BR/><BR/>By the way, wasn't Jonah's initial refusal to go and tell the truth to Nineveh founded on his hatred of the place? So how can those who DO preach the truth be accused of hating their hearers?Peter Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-30687980163574571972008-03-19T10:35:00.000-05:002008-03-19T10:35:00.000-05:00Thanks for the clarification Drew.<BR/><BR/>The Gospels are "post-resurrection" stories so everything in them is written knowing that the legend of resurrection was already swirling around the communites. You are right, it is hard to get away from that fact.<BR/><BR/>For me, the stories of Jesus' Resurrection were created to make a strong statement that God affirmed Jesus' "way". The zealots claimed that Jesus' non-violent approach failed so they revolted and "failed" big time (AD66-70). But this resurrection story means that victory is not always won in this life. It means the task is bigger than one person accomplishes in life. It will take millions of people taking up their crosses.<BR/><BR/>So, I don't think Jesus in any way changed the goal of Jewish eschatological language. But, he did change the method to make it happen. He changed it from a violent revolt to a non-violent protest. He gave us an alternative way to fight Empire. <BR/><BR/>I think Rev. Wright's prophecy works in tandem with Obama's message. You need to recognize despair in order to develop hope. The book of Lamentations is critical to the OT message of eschatological hope.<BR/>We need Lamentations. We need to morn the exhile. We need the prophet's criticism if we are going to find our hope.<BR/><BR/>Obama's speech yesterday said exatly that. He basically said the problem with Wright was that he (or maybe the media's coverage of him) only got as far as Lamentations. Obama said clearly we've already made progress and the kingdom is not only a possibility, but it is also at hand. He is proof.Mike L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15978997781556741350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-62283387773563186392008-03-19T09:50:00.000-05:002008-03-19T09:50:00.000-05:00My point is just that it's hard to look at any eschatological passage without looking to the resurrection as something decisive. So the question is if the resurrection is so pivotal and decisive in the way that God enacts judgment, then what kind of judgment should we expect among the nations now?<BR/><BR/>I don't know the answer, but I think it's a good question.Drewhttp://notes-from-offcenter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-47713252856162815102008-03-17T19:09:00.000-05:002008-03-17T19:09:00.000-05:00Mike,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the reflections. Wright's words are difficult for us to hear, especially we who are white! I wouldn't agree with all that he has said, but he does stand in line with the prophetic tradition. The question then is not whether he says what we like to hear, but whether what he says has some truth to it. And, there is some truth to it -- even if he stretches things.<BR/><BR/>As to Drew's question, I think that Jesus falls into the prophetic tradition. Paul does seem, working in a different context, to try to dampen it down. But I think we need to hear the whole thing!Pastor Bob Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-91451043542490276922008-03-17T17:30:00.000-05:002008-03-17T17:30:00.000-05:00Drew, <BR/><BR/>I'm not sure what you mean. You might want to explain your quesion or just come out and say what it is you intend to say.Mike L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15978997781556741350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929683.post-47566754124079257002008-03-17T16:52:00.000-05:002008-03-17T16:52:00.000-05:00So how does the person and work of Christ change the message of the pre-Messianic prophet?Drewhttp://notes-from-offcenter.comnoreply@blogger.com