becoming

這正正就是問題的所在：當基督教媒體也一樣以make some noise的態度去做所謂「借題發揮」的福音預工，我們的誠信在哪裡？這次影音的手法，和NG早前發報Gospel of Judas的手法，又有何分別？考古的工作，有行內公認的規則，你要偷步，人就會指責。

若真的如他所說，「就算話題屬假，但人還是會繼續信耶穌」— 先不說這是否有數據支持他的個人「感覺」— 就算屬實，我們應該看為是神的憐憫？還是說這是神所認同的手法？

我深信，當保羅說「向甚麼樣的人，我就作甚麼樣的人。無論如何，總要救些人」，他總沒有 想過，為要救些人，而甘願將未能證實的資訊，作大事報導的「渲染人」。

—-

Update: Anson那邊有網上對影音使團過極批評的回應。

很多超級巨型教會的信眾，會在別人面前，大大聲埋怨說：「哎喲，多人到咁，識唔到人，亦無人識你…」

跟著，當人問他上甚麼教會，他又會沾沾自喜的答道：「XX教會囉，我們有20個牧師，80個傳道，一日10堂崇拜，我們有xx事工、yy部門….」

我好奇，若教會的牧者有朝一日，對他說：「好，我們聽到你的意見，請你預備時間，一一認識我們2000多的會眾，彼此交心認識」，這個人會有甚麼反應。

另外，我也好奇，若有人追問他：「那你除了主日崇拜那個半鐘出現於教會內，你支持過教會的甚麼工作？」，這個人又會怎麼回答。

這就是我所指，

大教會信眾的矛盾——

是「新造的人」朝向「新造怪人」的一種基因病變。

有時，音樂需要這樣的荒謬，才可以道出人間的荒謬。

別要甚麼也賴　別信淚水最大
藥引被吹熄竟繼續攻擊真相任你擺
其實甚麼最賣　其實上天最大
回望自己的一塊田給蛀 爛你別費解
在華麗水晶燈背後只有一聲聲拜拜

Scot Mcknight says some interesting stuff for the new book Jesus and the Land by Gary Burge:

Most evangelical Christians, because they’ve been taught to think this way, simply believe that Israel’s presence in the Land today is not only a God-given promise, but there is a future eschatology tied to that presence in the Land. In fact, many today think the Temple will be rebuilt and Israel will rule in the Land. In other words, many think Israel’s recognition as a nation and having their “location” in the Land of Israel today is by divine-appointment in such a way that it both fulfills promise and portends a fuller possession of the land someday.
But not all are so sure, and very few Christians today have given a serious look at what the NT says about Land — and how little is actually said about the Land. And those who have studied it have written technical books very few read. Until Gary Burge: Jesus and the Land.

And here is the book blurb:

In Jesus and the Land, respected New Testament scholar Gary Burge describes first-century Jewish and Christian beliefs about the land of Israel in order to help contemporary readers develop a Christian theology of the land and assess Bible-based claims in discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. Burge provides a full survey of New Testament passages that directly address the question of land and faith and offers an honest and compelling presentation of present-day tensions surrounding “territorial religion” in the modern Middle East. This accessibly written volume will appeal to undergraduate and seminary students, pastors, teachers, and anyone interested in the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

And now read the endorsements from some  biblical scholars heavyweight!

“Gary Burge has made a valuable contribution to the ongoing matter of the ‘Holy Land’ so contested by Israelis and Palestinians. He recognizes the powerful impulse to a territorial dimension in much of Judaism. But then he reflects on New Testament texts–notably those by Luke, John, and Paul–to see that Jesus and the early church distanced themselves from any territorial dimension of faith. This leads Burge to offer a powerful, compelling critique of ‘Christian Zionism,’ to which ‘the NT says: No.’ Clearly a faith that intends to reach Gentiles must, perforce, refuse any closed tribalism that makes exclusive territorial claims. Burge’s reading of Scripture is persuasive and provides a fresh way to think about ‘faith and land.'”–Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

“Burge writes out of a deep knowledge of Scripture and personal acquaintance with the Middle East to demonstrate how the concern for the geographical land in the Old Testament is transmuted into concern for a spiritual inheritance for God’s believing people, both Jewish and Gentile, in the New Testament. His exposition of the biblical material offers a gracious corrective to some inadequate and misinformed ideas about the role of Israel in the plan of God and about the Palestinian-Jewish situation and has important consequences for Christian belief and behavior. I warmly commend this thorough and scholarly but nevertheless clearly and simply written presentation.”–I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen

“Burge may be American evangelicalism’s foremost expert on a biblical theology of the land of Israel. This book reintroduces sanity, common sense, and exegetical acumen into a discussion that often sadly lacks these traits. Absolutely essential reading for any Christian who wants to hold a biblically defensible position on the topic.”–Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary

“Burge’s accessible consideration of ‘holy land theology’ in relation to New Testament texts cannot be overlooked. From now on, Christians who wish to engage responsibly with this highly charged and controversial issue will need to interact fully with Burge’s careful, constructive, and challenging presentation.”–Bruce W. Longenecker, Baylor University

Interested?

[link: Baker Academic | HT: Jesus Creed]

Telling Buddhists about Jesus. I like its sane, and non-combative approach.
[link: the Briefing]

Forget Avatar and others, I think Mary and Max is indeed the best film of 2009. Yes, all of us are not perfect, and good that we have imperfects like Mary and Max telling us just that.

Go get a copy and watch it. You’ll be glad that you did.

Dear Mary, please find enclosed my entire Noblet collection as a sign that I forgive you. When I received your book, the emotions inside my brain felt like they were in a tumble dryer, smashing into each other. The hurt felt like when I accidentally stapled my lips together. The reason I forgive you is because you are not perfect. You are imperfect, and so am I. All humans are imperfect, even the man outside my apartment who litters. When I was young I wanted to be anybody but myself. Dr. Benard Hazelhof said if I was on a desert island, then I would have to get used to my own company. Just me and the coconuts. He said I would have to accept myself, my warts and all. And that we don’t get to choose our warts, they are a part of us and we have to live with them. We can, however, choose our friends. And I am glad I have chosen you. Dr. Hazelhof also said that everyone’s lives are like a very long sidewalk. Some are well paved. Others, like mine, have cracks, banana skins and cigarette butts. Your sidewalk is like mine, but probably not as many cracks. Hopefully one day our sidewalks will meet and we can share a can of condensed milk. You are my best friend. You are my only friend. Your American pen pal, Max Jerry Horovitz.

— Mary And Max

Countless emotional and patriotic speeches and comments can be heard on TV and found on the web. Many are expressing how proud they are to be Canadian, which makes me wonder:

Are we proud to be Canadian? Or,

Are we just proud to be winning?

And yes, I think there is a difference between the two.

Don’t know why, but I thought of her today. She would have been 65 years old on January 26 of this year.

Jacqueline du Pre, and her Elgar’s E Minor… who can forget?