becoming

今期 Interpretation 唔知攪乜，全期足本上網，主題係：Revelation as a Critique of Empire。

視啟示錄為基督信仰對羅馬帝國的批判，其實並不新鮮。還是華人教會因著時代論的影响而將這樣明顯的主題視而不見。

[HT: Euangelion / NT Gateway Weblog]

Recent studies on the political nature of Jesus’ ministry often begins with the Isaianic New Exodus. Rome is the new Egypt, where as Jesus, the new Moses (or the embodiment of Israel). It is further suggested that the Exodus is the principle story of the OT and as a result, God is a God who liberates. The poor and the oppressed are the ones that the Lord truly cares about, therefore the Ekklesia and Empire are constantly in opposition and competition until the New Heaven and New Earth etc…

Similar to the presupposition of Liberation theology, what fall to the background with such reading are the promise and covenant of God. Before God is a God who liberates, He is a God who keeps His word. Faithfulness precedes Liberation; Love before Justice.

Isn’t it interesting that the Jews decided to begin their story with Creation and not with Exodus? (Yes, I do understand that the Exodus is foundational to them as ONE people of God). The Lord listens to the cries of the Israelites both because they are in misery AND because that they are “my people”.

省府高官要在教會為ESL開發佈會，早上七點多，一堆人已經來到Setup。看看他們搬來的器材，是可以在沙漠也一樣開到發佈會的那種。

九點半鐘發佈會前，本來用的班別告示，通通換過更大和彩色的。教會的banner不是抽出，就是反轉。一輪「去教會化」之後，發佈會開始：

若你有機會從電視看到發佈會片段，記著提提自己：「原來水銀燈下的影像，真的經過處理。」

影像，永遠和真實，有一段距離。

是如此的緊張。

Obama和McCain一戰，連我們家中的討論也緊張起來。

話說家人「發口痕」跟著香港這段時間的報導，說Palin怎樣不可能接到（講到好像）隨時瓜得的McCain作總統。跟著再比較Obama怎樣掂，經驗比Palin如何如何豐富…

一來我奇怪家人會討論美國大選，二來我總覺得討論有點不妥，於是加把口說，將Palin和Obama比較是不公平的：一個是選副總統，另一個是總統候選人。另外Palin可不可以接McCain位是一個假設性的問題，這個情況根本沒有出現。要比較應將兩個總統候選人作比較，因為這是必定出現的情況。

誰不知，此話一出，引來很大迴響。我彷彿成了共和黨的死硬Fans，斗膽對那萬人景仰的大英雄Obama說三道四！

嘩，豈敢、豈敢…

當我還詫異著家人的反應，頓時驚嘆，
這場美國大選，

竟然可以令全世界，包括我的家人
如此的緊張。

美國、傳媒、Obama，
果然唔講得笑！

From Guardian via Alan Mann:

Environmental campaigners have attacked Starbucks after the discovery that millions of litres of water are wasted in its coffee shops every day, contradicting its much-boasted green credentials.

An investigation by the Sun revealed that over 23.4m litres of water are poured down the drains of 10,000 outlets worldwide due to a policy of keeping a tap running non-stop.

It is enough daily water for the entire 2 million population of Namibia in Africa, which has severe droughts, or to fill an Olympic pool every 83 minutes.

我是週一休息的。

這朝早，送完女兒上學，買了返港前需要的一些東西。之後打算回家為這個星期的3份講稿搏命，於是先走進一間鄰近的茶餐廳，吃個早／午餐才回家。

這間茶餐廳，位於一所中學的旁邊。

十點多，一進去，淨下的三四枱明顯地是隔離學校的學生，清一色中國人。

還是和我以前見過的一樣，坐埋，就是打PSP，還是一人一部的那種。

不過令我目定口呆的，不是他們，而是另有一枱的兩位女學生。

專心的，拿出了自己的laptop電腦，17吋平幕的Dell。

打開，四目聚焦在播放的粵語劇集DVD。

利害。

What is going on? 而家返學定係打機，上堂抑或㷛碟？

又是消耗生命的活動。

是不是我年紀大了、成了甚麼也看不過眼的Grumpy old man？

Can someone tell me what’s going on?

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8500億劫貧濟富的救市方案，用納稅人的血汗來填平一些人自掘出來的墳墓，

Can someone tell me what’s going on?

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別人插個牌支持自己喜歡的議員和政黨，你卻可以癲到剪了人家車子的brake lines。現在說的不是論戰、罵戰，而是會死人的！

Can someone tell me what’s going on?

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「三聚氰胺」已經成了全城Freak out的熱話。當大家搏命互通消息、互send短信、email——甚麼甚麼品牌有、甚麼甚麼品牌不要吃。似乎無人察覺我們已經被這些信息佔據了我們的生活。「三聚氰胺」成了我們的新偶像。不要忘記，偶像不一定要以愛愛你來說服你，更多的偶像是藉恐懼來將你的生活懾服。正如死亡可以是一種偶像，健康也一樣可以——

Can someone tell me what’s going on?

From Fermi Project:

It seems these days, Christians have been asked to stand behind their political perspectives with unprecedented fervor. Even within the Christian community, there is stark contrast and heated discussion. And whether you find yourself aligning more closely with the views of Senator McCain or Obama, it’s likely that your decision was not made lightly.

So, does this make the Christians appear defensive and too political, in the eyes of the general public?

Gabe Lyons and Dave Kinnaman have re-released their chapter speaking into these compelling discoveries of unChristian. This chapter, called “Too Political,” includes research regarding the perception of Christians and their role in the current political environment. Hear the authors discuss new research on this very timely topic in a Fermi Podcast, here.

The free chapter, called “Too Political,” is available for download as a PDF on www.unchristian.com.

US or Canada, as we are approaching the election, I think it is worthwhile to take a look at the issues and perceptions.

[link]

Email received from AFC:

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Dear all,

On behalf of JCCSA (Jubilee Centre for Christian Social Action 銀禧社), greetings in the Lord!

2008 Federal Election is fast approaching. According to Election Canada, young voter turnout is at an unprecedented low, in the federal election in 2000, young voter turnout was approximately 25%. In order to further understand this phenomenon, JCCSA is conducting a survey to ascertain the perspectives of our young voters.

We would like to invite the young adults ranging 18-30 years of age in your community to participate in this survey. A survey has been developed in our website, www.jccsa.org or you can forward this link directly http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nxO4wE1opcmKZKmzZUgiXQ_3d_3d to the young adults in your community. Please note that the survey end date is October 6, 2008.

Thanks for your continuous support to JCCSA.

Sincerely,
Philip Lim on behalf of JCCSA