Redemptive Collateral Damage

Tonight I was part of a small group discussion on… well … lots of stuff surrounding the many sides of the personality of Christ. We got caught on the idea of reconciling the “turn the other cheek” ethic of the NT with the “kill ‘em all let God sort ‘em out” approach that at least seems to be present in the Old Testament. We kicked around the idea that the “collateral damage” of the Old Testament was a necessary evil in order to bring about God’s redemptive plan so in a round about way was ultimately motivated by love but that violence is not a valid response any more because that phase of the redemptive plan is finished. I’m not sure it’s absolutely accurate but I think there is something to it. Do you?

The One Thing

I'm back from CR - it was cool. I feel used (in a good way) and spent (in a less good way). Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime. Kelly and I just decided to get internet at home so my post may become more frequesnt. maybe not.
The more I read and study and think and talk about the key differances between Catholicism and Protestantism the more I think there is really only one differeance. The being the beleif in what has ultimate athority - the Bible or the Church. The more I think about it the more I can easily see how people could easily come down on either side of the issue and the more charity I have towards those who fall on a different side than I do. We all beleive that both have authority it's just a question of who has more, who has final say. There also seems to be a cyclicality to the whole thing in that the scriptures get their recognition of authority from the chruch that put them together and the church get's it's proof of authority from the scriptures that describe her inception. Is this issue really that simple - if so is there a way this understanding can help bring a greater unity between Catholics and Protestants and if not could we (the protestants) and them (the Catholics) solve this whole issue with a friendly game of paintball and if so who would win?

Great Wisdom and Good Bye

This will probably be my last post before I head off to Costa Rica on Tuesday. Thanks for all of you who commented on the last post. It helped me think it through and I had fun doing it. Yea theology! I'll leave you with some funny stuff that a guy sent me the other day. The top one will become the new slogan for the regime:

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just prettymuch leave me the heck alone.

2. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal yourneighbour's newspaper, that's the time to do it

3. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't bePromoted.

4. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple ofCar payments.

5. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in theirShoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away andYou have their shoes.

6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it wasProbably worth it.

7. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side,And it holds the universe together.

8. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

9. Never miss a good chance to shut the heck up.

10. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxativeOn the same night.