It's the day that Jesus was crucified-- how can it be Good?

It is Good Friday, the anniversary of the day that Jesus was crucified. We call it "Good" because over the ages the church has taught that Jesus' death was for our own good. That it was the consummate act in a deal made with God: Jesus would take our sin and we would take his innocence. But this substitutionary theory of atonement has in my estimation (and in the estimation of others more learned than I) only served the powers that be. Substitutionary thought has only served to enslave people to the same kind of religious oligarchy from which Jesus sought to free us. This Friday can only be a "good" Friday if we learn its lessons, and claim the freedom that Christ intended for us and for all.
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30days into a Green Lent

A follow-up on Observing a Green Lent
One way to to use less gas is to get by with one car per family. This is what I have learned since SOMEBODY (not me) crushed the front bumper of the Honda Civic Hybrid last Monday evening. It is easy to have gas-free days when you have no car.
I found, early on, that the most difficult thing about the gas-fast is the same thing that is difficult about any periodic fast: mindfulness. One potentially gas-free day was fouled when I carelessly drove off to rent a video-- on a whim!
It reminded me of the time on choir tour when my classmate Paul Ramierez ordered the breakfast special, corned beef hash and eggs, and then (after he had eaten it) remembered it was Friday! He was mortified, and inconsolable until he went to confession (fortunately, we had a scheduled stop at Notre Dame University chapel that afternoon).
It's not that using a bit of gasoline or eating a plate of corned beef hash is such a bad thing. The point of any spiritual discipline is to be mindful of God's presence. My failure reminded me that most of the time, I move through life unaware of the moment. Maybe that's what Paul felt too.
Mindfulness. We could all use a dose of that. Who would chose to pollute the air, foul the rivers, melt the arctic ice cap and drown the polar bears? Nobody! Who would chose to remove mountains and fill valleys for the coal that fuels electric power plants? Nobody! We act as if we have no power to change the way we live, but we do.
My next door-neighbors are a good example for us all: two adults, one (bio-fueled) car, which rarely leaves the garage. If they can walk, or ride bike, they do. Now, what would be the impact if everyone did the same? What if there were half as many cars on the roads as there are now?

Theology and Economics

Which theory is most influential, economics or theology, in setting the guide posts for life in the 21st century? I have been giving a lot of thought to this question lately. Lent is a great time to be considering this question. Thanks to the Rev. Rick Marshall, Pastor of Brea Congregational Church, for offering a useful frame for this thinking. Rick is providing the commentary on the lectionary texts for this Lenten series available at Process and Faith.

The lessons for the 1st Sunday in lent are quite revealing!

He suggests that the Genesis story of the fall of Adam and Eve reflects our human reluctance to live within the boundaries prescribed by God for a life filled with love, trust and hope, with the goal of the well-being of all persons. He contrasts this story with how Jesus chose to live within the boundaries established by God, even as he was tempted to test God's wisdom by the offer of comfort, security, and power after 40 days of fasting.

Boundaries established by God and reflected in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus or no boundaries reflected in a free market economy - which theory is most influential in shaping life in the 21st century? Which theory reflects a desire for the well-being of all persons?

Should our theology play a role in modifying and managing a free market economy with concern for the disadvantaged, the poor, the powerless and today, even the middle class, by setting boundaries on greed and corruption, and misrepresentation?

Can this Lenten season become a time for you to consider appropriate human boundaries for life in an interconnected, interdependent world?

What do you think?

drdave

Observing a Green Lent

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 6. Traditionally, this is a (forty day) season of preparation for Easter. The practice of fasting (abstaining from food) on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent is a spiritual discipline which is intended to allow a person to experience (in a small way) the suffering that Christ experienced when he fasted for forty days in the wilderness, after his baptism. Centuries ago, the Lenten fast had the added benefit of conserving food during the months when (in northern Europe, anyway) the winter supplies were dwindling.
In that spirit, I have decided to observe Lent with a gasoline fast. I intend to suffer a little inconvenience (and conserve our dwindling petroleum resources) by abstaining from using my car two days a week. I will post my spiritual progress (or failings) on this website for all to see.
Can you think of other ways to observe a green (environmentally benign or beneficial) Lent?

More UCC resources for Lent can be found at i.ucc.org

Join in on the fun!

Hello to our church family! This post is here to let people "test the waters" by reading what's here, and just saying hi!

Let's try this - click on the "comments" link you see right below this post, and tell us why you love our church. You don't have to leave your name, just use a nickname, or post anonymously.

Have fun...and post a comment!

ck

Fear And The Questioning Of Religious Belief

Some folks have stated their anxiety related to putting their questions or comments in writing, on line, right out there in front of God and everyone on this blog.  It is as if God will strike them dead if their questions and comments will not hit a home run in God's ball park.  This quote of the week from from the Process and Faith web site is for you!  "When  questioning is banned, we are in the presence of idolatry."  -  Clark williamson and Ronald Allen

Give it a try!

drdave

Process Theology discussion

If you've been involved with the process theology class, you may want to join the discussion by clicking here. The latest comment is by Lowell J...well worth a read. Click here for his comment.

Check out the next entry below about faith...we'd love to hear from you!