Here's the thing: there is nothing new under the sun. All these doctrinal debates? All the fear of heresy? All the either/or discussions and stances about all the nuances of what one believes and how one ought to live it? It's been around, folks. Since the 4th century. Presumably earlier.
I find this somewhat comforting. None of my fears are unknown. None of my wildest hypotheses are out of the realm of the normal. Someone else has thought the same thing. And someone else has disagreed with them.
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You know what else has been around since the 4th century? Church politics. We may have separation of church and state in the western world, but there are still politics inside the church. And the church can be quite political. This came up quite clearly in the past couple of weeks, and frankly, it makes me anxious. I don't want to get all broiled up in politics and manoeuvrings. Can I be involved in church/ministry without it? This connects to thought #3...
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Unity. Is such a thing possible? On what scale? Does unity have parameters? Is it right to say at some point, to some other person or group, "We cannot work together." I'm speaking mostly in a Christian context, in light of Jesus words' and early teachings on how love and unity are central to reflecting God. But this does extend beyond "church." What does it mean to have peace with others?
Do any of us want unity, or are we all secretly hoping for uniformity? Or at least a degree of uniformity... Is unity separate from uniformity? We like to talk about how it is different. I am inclined (today) to believe they are more synonymous than we pretend.
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If you are interested in the music I like, and want some of it for yourself, I am a big fan of the Music for Ants mixes and have just downloaded the new autumn mix. Please feel free to follow suit.
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This is the last weekend of September, and I am sad. Socks are a thing I have to wear now, and sweaters. My hands get cold on the bike rides to school, and my nose is all sniffly in the wind. Oh autumn! You're beautiful, but you're coldhearted.
I find this somewhat comforting. None of my fears are unknown. None of my wildest hypotheses are out of the realm of the normal. Someone else has thought the same thing. And someone else has disagreed with them.
---
You know what else has been around since the 4th century? Church politics. We may have separation of church and state in the western world, but there are still politics inside the church. And the church can be quite political. This came up quite clearly in the past couple of weeks, and frankly, it makes me anxious. I don't want to get all broiled up in politics and manoeuvrings. Can I be involved in church/ministry without it? This connects to thought #3...
---
Unity. Is such a thing possible? On what scale? Does unity have parameters? Is it right to say at some point, to some other person or group, "We cannot work together." I'm speaking mostly in a Christian context, in light of Jesus words' and early teachings on how love and unity are central to reflecting God. But this does extend beyond "church." What does it mean to have peace with others?
Do any of us want unity, or are we all secretly hoping for uniformity? Or at least a degree of uniformity... Is unity separate from uniformity? We like to talk about how it is different. I am inclined (today) to believe they are more synonymous than we pretend.
---
If you are interested in the music I like, and want some of it for yourself, I am a big fan of the Music for Ants mixes and have just downloaded the new autumn mix. Please feel free to follow suit.
---
This is the last weekend of September, and I am sad. Socks are a thing I have to wear now, and sweaters. My hands get cold on the bike rides to school, and my nose is all sniffly in the wind. Oh autumn! You're beautiful, but you're coldhearted.
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