5 Columns as Catechism

The 5 columns are a graphic showing Creation, Separation, Redemption, Transformation, Completion.  I will be working on it over the next few months as part of my work, hoping to share it with experienced Christian workers and new believers from various groups of people in Asia with very few in their language who are also believers.

The goal will be to have a simple organizing view of the Christian explanation of the human response to good and bad in light of Christ's plan.  (I'm sure I will edit that sentence, a lot).

This is not primarily an evangelism tool.  It is more an early discipleship too.  However, many early discipleship tools can be used for 'ev' if there is enough dialogue going on with someone who isn't sure what believing would entail.  Part of the reason is that the symbols require a willingness to 'see' them.  They are not self-evident and compellingly clear.
crown = God as sovereign
heart = human, created in God's image to give and receive appropriate love with him and people
globe = creation, the world, physical and spiritual (angels, demons, etc), on this planet and beyond (cosmos).

stacked in 1st column

1. crown
2. heart
3. globe

This shows the original order of God/man/everything else.  The point is man's purpose is to be God's representative to the rest of creation, under his authority in a loving relationship.  The aspect of our current experience which relates back to this '1st column' is the experience of 'goodness'; of 'oughtness'.  To phrase it more simply, and like a mini-catechism "Why do we experience good?"  "Because God is good and created a good world with a good role for us as people".

stacked in column 2

1. cloud with dotted outline of crown
2. globe is upside down
3. heart is upside down

cloud with dotted outline of crown = God is there, but not seen directly

globe is upside down = the world is now over man and not working like it should (sickness, death, storms, demonic, etc.)

heart is upside down = humanity has submitted to creation, specifically to rebellious spiritual powers, which results in love not working with one another as it should, and our desire to worship God blocked by creation, which explains why we are natural idolators.   

side by side in column 3

1. heart 

2. upside down heart under a cross

3. heart

The first heart shows the incarnation.  Jesus is the 2nd Adam, humanity as we were intended to be.

The upside down heart under the cross shows Jesus becoming sin for us, taking all of our column 2 failure as if it were his own and dying as a result; in judgment.

The final heart shows the vindication through resurrection.  Righteous Jesus  + sins of the world dying on the cross = resurrected Jesus.  His righteousness is greater than our condemnation.

Column 4

1. cloud with dotted outline of crown
2. globe is upside down
3. heart is upside right with a cross in it

The only differences between column 2 and 4 are the result of the cross on the heart.  Now the cross is turned toward love when it abides in the work of Christ on the cross.  This is meant to show a number of things to believers who are struggling with hard circumstances.

1. God is there, but we do NOT see him clearly as we would like.

2. The world was intended for good, but it is NOT working like it should.  People do get sick and die, spirits do bully, lie and manipulate; life is STILL hard after coming to faith in Christ.

3. We don't have to have our hearts upside down in subjection to creation.  We can be conformed to the image of Christ by resting in his work such that we put off worldly ways and put on Christ's ways.

Column 5

1. crown

2. heart with cross in it

3. globe

This is the final hope, the destination of life which is reconciled with God.  God is clearly seen because he is with us.  Humanity is restored in authority over creation (including spirits) and everything works the way it should.  No sickness, sadness, death remain (all the bad is judged in the transition from column 4 to 5).

How to use it?  For personal reference in processing.

1. processing experiences = good?  thank God for his good creation.  bad?  remember the consequences of leaving God's way for the way of idolatry (ruined the world and life).  choice?  good over bad, in Christ, in me/us, and eventually in all that remains.

2. processing scripture = notice in Scripture God's goodness and intended ways is column 1.  Notice the way of death (idolatry, spirit of Babylon, etc.); that is column 2.  Follow the plan of salvation, from the beginning of Genesis to the resurrection is column 3.  Transformation of someone who turned to God's grace and was changed is column 4 (even in Old Testament stories).  Column 5 is Hope revealed, including Psalm 67, 96 and anywhere the final state of restored completeness is described.

3. in choices.  

thank God for good.

take responsibility for being part of the problem (we all contribute to sin pollution) when we sadly face evil and suffering in a fallen world.  

pay attention to the sovereign plan of God unfolding in promises, events, and examples leading to Christ.  

humble ourselves under God by trusting in Christ and his ways. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  That grace is given to transform us to be more like Christ.

stay hopeful, even when things are dark and difficult.  Remember where things are headed, and don't be afraid to ask for miraculous glimpses into the final state in the form of miracles even now (healings, etc.).  Part of the discipleship process will include explaining miracles as 'column 5 signs and samples', not as any current pattern.  In other words, God does do amazing things, but the basic pattern of this world, even in the life of someone living a column 4 life, is hardship, suffering, and ultimately death.  Be real (and Biblical), but also be free to call upon God for exceptional provisions, particularly as signs to others of where the future is headed.

This is the general idea to be edited and practiced.

grumpy monday

Monday.  Should be grateful.  Alive and well and all that.  Hmmph. 
ok.... so I need to repent... to metanoia... to rethink.
Alive
well
all that...

ok. doing better.
Life is (including me in process) because ___________.
God is self-existent, and we are contingent... and our contingent reality includes epistemic angst... but there are promises and signs... and so there is hope.  So, there is good that is not an illusion, there is cause for gratitude that is wise, not just obligatory. 

ok.  ready for Monday.

Daniel story of loyalty before idolatry

It was good to be back in house church with Sojos this Sunday, and it went reasonably well, but was a bit muddled.  We are somewhere in size a bit too big for open ended discussion (what I aimed for) but still smaller than a group with a lecturer (though I ended up doing a bit more of that than I prefer).

The goal is to get to clear and honest teaching so we can have clearer and more honest living.  But the bigger the group, the harder it is to say things which involve active paradox.  Harder, that is, to speak to tension without it being awkward.  I imagine there is a sociological/psychological category for this, about communicating in groups according to size and formality, but I don't know enough about that.  I just sense that saying something controversial to a dozen people is much more likely to generate intrigue and pursuit of understanding than doing so in a larger group.  Maybe there is an expectation in a larger group that communication is packaged more elegantly; effieciently... in anticipation of the reality of too many different hearing situations (each individual adds contextual complexities).

So, now that I have a deadline to do administrative stuff which I'm terribly inefficient with, I suddenly have a burst of energy to think and write (this is a complex Aikido style maneuver to use the negative energy of expense reports for the positive) ((and that was pure rationalization fueled by a lack of discipline, but, oh well))

So, Daniel 3 is the story of the really big idol and the Jewish lads not bowing.  Points of interest in the text:

• 60 x 6 - means it was tall (5 stories) and skinny.  It was more like an obelisk (Washington Monument) than a burly statue.  The whole obelisk (and the 6's) is part of the Chaldean-Babylonian-Ancient World - astrological mystery world view of Creation as divine which is morphed but active today.
• The call is to all peoples, nations, languages to unify under the towering statue in Babylon.
• The Jewish lads don't and are persecuted with fierce anger for it.  But, they are resolved about the complexity of God as Creator who CAN do anything, but WILL do what He wills (they believe in the imminence of the transcendent God but not in presumption). 
• tough soldiers die, but the God trusting lads don't
• one like a son of the gods... revelation occurs
• new mandate: God of gods and Lord of lords is proclaimed (or else!)

So, the story has the ethical example, we should be like those 3 who were clear enough about God that they would rather die.  It centers on the question of who/what stands above us?  Above all nations, peoples, languages.  Is it a military conqueror with  spooky astrological symbols and insights into heavenly mysteries?  Or is it the Creator revealed in the story of Abraham and beyond?

For many there is an above below conundrum.  There is the loyalty issue, often rising from familiarity.  I should choose to be loyal to God, that just seems right.  But, the big questions of life are harder when I learn a little Chaldean and see how far and complicated numbers and chemicals and quarks and sociologically directive framing works.  The overload of 'yeah but...' dynamics can strain one's clear and confident resolve, and when it does, it can lead to compromise.

So how did M,S,A, manage to be fully developed Babylonian educated, mystery informed, privilege enjoying cultural elites and still be loyal to YHWH, even to death?!~!

That is the question.

Should... Can... WILL

{For a message at the Gathering}


Completing a study on the Navigator's Wheel Illustration
Today's goal is to review what we have been learning and to make a decision about how to respond to Christ and his way.  To make it useful, I'll need to talk a bit directly, so if you are really doing great spiritually, couldn't be better, then please don't be annoyed.  Just pray for the rest of us who are living a relatively mixed Christian life right now.  I'm talking about the majority of us who are living a 'hai keyi' Christian life.

Ok, we'll start the review with a reminder of the "hai keyi" story.  I'm in China, learning Mandarin, and being way to intuitive about it.  I hear people with skills respond "hai keyi" when they are asked if they have skills. 
You play basketball a lot, are you any good "hai key". 
You are an English major, so you understand English movies ok?  "hai keyi"
etc.
So I get the idea it means something like, "yeah, pretty good".  And it sorta does, in some contexts, but not really.  I found it out most clearly when I used it in response to my language teacher's wife asking me if I like her cooking.  "Hai keyi!" was my effort at being colloquial in complimenting her without being over the top.  "Yeah, this pretty good!"
But Zhang Laoshi was not shy.  "Hai keyi?!?  What's wrong with my cooking?"
huh?
My teacher explained in English, "hai keyi" means "could be better"

So, I'm now taking my Mandarin experience of being 'hai keyi' about learning mandarin, and talking to all of us 'hai keyi' Christians.  People who are willing to admit (at least to ourselves) that although there are some really good things happening in my Christian life, in too many ways it is still "hai keyi" - "less than it could be"

Here is the review:

We Should live out the Christian life, we Can live out the Christian life, so... will we?

• We should know who we are in Christ (the hub)
• We should talk to God in prayer (vertical up)
• We should learn from God in his word (vertical down)
• We should live the Kingdom way with one another (horizontal right)
• We should share the Kingdom way with others (horizontal left)
• We should have a pattern of trusting Jesus in learning new things and being faithful to old things, obeying him with confidence in him (circle that makes the wheel).

WHY?

Because Jesus knows life, and offers life and, in very deep ways which require reflection to begin to appreciate in a sense more than just a slogan... Jesus is Life.

The Navigator's wheel illustration is a useful image to remind me how to get more out of life throughout my whole life.

CAN I DO IT?
IF you are a Christian, you already are doing the Navigator's wheel. 
You do have an identity in Christ which you have acknowledged at least enough to make a profession of faith. 
You do talk to God in prayer, and maybe even listen.
You do take in info from his word, either by reading it yourself, or via sermons, etc.
You do live out Kingdom community when you are a Christian with other Christians
You do represent Kingdom hope when you are around people who are not trusting Christ as King
And you do have a cycle of trusting and doing what Christ says regarding life and love and such...
The question is whether I am doing it as well as I should and as well as I could.

No.  We could do better.  "Hai keyi!" (the story from last week about misunderstanding the Mandarin phrase to mean 'quite good' when it actually means 'it could be better')

The question for today is... WILL I?

First of all, lets be biblical, instead of religious, and say something odd.  Let's say, no Father, I won't do what you ask me.  I will continue to drift, and get by and be puzzled when my ability to process life is not up to life's complicated and painful realities. 

MATTHEW 21 The Parable of the Two Sons

28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. 

 So why would I be so cynical?  It is prophetic tradition

EZEKIEL 33

30“As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ 31My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

33“When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

The unfaithful son fulfills the duty to act AS IF the message from the Lord was good.  The faithful son?  He counted the cost quickly and realized how uncomfortable it was.  He counted the cost deeply and realized how good a deal it was.  What about us?

My goal is wrapping up our time together is to move toward Jesus' most simple and compelling invitation to action.  We will get ready for the Lord's Supper.  I'd invite you to consider not taking it.  But after considering not taking it, out of fear that you are too used to lazy, selfish, worldly, compromising ways and that you don't want to be guilty of being a hypocrite... consider a little more deeply.  

The story of what you Should do (intentionally following Christ's ways) is actually hopeful because it does not make a big deal of your will power.  In fact, it turns it upside down.  God opposes the proud, including the religiously 'christian' proud... but he gives undeserved kindness (grace) to the humble.  What you should and can do is humble yourself and say, I make no promises, I just confess that Jesus is good and that I want him.  "Lord help my unbelief"- better translated - unfaithfulness.

You should and you can come to the Father like the prodigal son, even as a normal Christian at a normal church listening to a normal church message.  And you can expect the normal response from the Father: an unashamedly enthusiastic embrace, encouragement... a feast of love from God, from his resources, into your life.

You should.

You can.

You will?

Cross-culture conversions

hard work helps make a happy soul, if…

Sometimes I hate hard work. Not too weird, is it? But actually I only really hate hard work if it is missing a few things.


In the same way sometimes I hate not having something to work hard on. Why?

A big part of what I do is look at things from opposing angles, trying to get a sense of contradictions and such so that I can find principles that last in multiple contexts. Single dimension observations aren’t as useful. (note to self- high frequency direction finding /triangulation; dialectics; holograms)

Summer vacation is the more concrete illustration for this thought. “Schools, out, for, SUMMER!” Yeah, no more work, just fun and goofing off and such. That used to be such a great feeling. But then I remember going over to Brett’s house.

“Hey, what ‘cha wanna do?”

“I dunno, what do you wanna do?”

“I dunno know, whatever you wanna do.”

And then we would walk in 105 degree heat, barefoot on asphalt, for a mile and a half to get a coke and spree and sit on an iron cross beam over a creek….

When it was time to go back to school, we tried to act irritated, but partly it was exciting to get back to structured work. For about 2 days.

Do I like my work now? Not as much as I should. I have such a good setup I almost feel guilty for not enjoying it more. Then I read something that got me more focused than my usual daydreaming about life, meaning, satisfaction, hope, disappointment, food and soccer.

p. 173,4 of Malcom Gladwell’s OUTLIERS (regarding poor immigrants in NY developing a garment business)

When Borgenicht came home at night to his children, he may have been tired and poor and overwhelmed, but he was alive. He was his own boss. He was responsible for his own decisions and direction. His work was complex: it engaged his mind and imagination. And in his work, there was a relationship between effort and reward: the longer he and Regina stayed up at night sewing aprons, the more money they made the next day on the streets.

Those three things - autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward – are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.

Bingo! A relearning happened for me (which is why I am reluctant to write; everything seems obviously ‘nothing new under the sun’ once stated).

I have dropped in natural enthusiasm currently because I have allowed a bit of disconnect in one of these categories. Solution? Add it back in. Make things possible to succeed or fail, risk/reward, in meaningful ways. Is there no risk or reward currently? There is, but not in meaningfully coherent ways.

Scripture?

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

(Proverbs 14:23)



The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

(Proverbs 12:24-28)

A righteous life includes a wise and just pursuit of productivity with reward. Other truths have covered this up in my mental clutter. I’m glad to have come across it again.

4 questions on doing stuff well and being glad about it

1. Should I?
2. Can I?
3. Will I?
4. Did I?

(repeat)

1. Should I? - What is good and right to do??  Treasure wisely.
2. Can I? - What would it take to be able to do this good and right thing?  Train for it.
3. Will I? - When will I take what I could do and make it what I actually do?  Aim it purposefully.
4. Did I? - What have I actually done now?  Celebrate

(repeat) keep treasuring wisely, pursuing that good, and celebrating when it is actualized.