My thoughts on the Kingdom and Davinci.

Several years ago as I read through the synoptics I became fascinated with the gospel fo Jesus. Or better put, the gospel Jesus preached. Since becoming a Christian the only gospel I had ever been told was that of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. But as I read through the Synoptics I found Jesus to not teach of his death, burial, and resurrection, but that of the coming Kingdom of God.

Growing up a futurist and believing that the Kingdom of God was completely in the future I learned there were two groups of futurists.

The salvation by faith in Jesus crowd. This group seemed to careless about this world, the earth, or its residents; unless it meant getting them to pray the prayer and get their fire insurance.


And the legalists. The legalists all gave lip service to grace and salvation through Jesus, but they taught that you had to do(or not do things as it seemed so often) things to get to heaven.

My question becomes what if accepting the true gospel of Jesus, that of his coming kingdom both implies belief in his coming death and resurrection and partaking in ushering in that kindom–being part of that present kingdom that desires to bring the values of the future kingdom here on earth as they will be in heaven.

This post was created in mental silence despite the music if Shawn Mcdonald playing, and with a thirsty tongue wishing for a decent pinot noir to sip on, but to lazy to walk down to the basement and open a new bottle.

PS after all the church's anti-Davinci Code rhetoric I gladly took my wife out to the movie theater tonight a gave our $14 to see a decent movie. Upon departure from the theatre my wife looked over at me in the car and said, "By telling people to not go the movie, the church did exactly what the movie implied the church has always been about–keeping secrets." Funny how religious leaders have fallen into that trap with this movie.

"Then he found Jesus and the whole place went to crap."

Many of you who know me know that I really enjoy old Volvo's. I just like working on cars. It is peaceful for me. Well last night I chatted with a friend who owns and operates a local Volvo repair facility. I am just asking questions to learn more about him, his story, and his journey.

Before he ever owned his own shop he worked for a local Portland Volvo dealership and before that a Volvo dealership in the Bay area. From having chatted with him before I knew that his experience at the local dealership and been worse than bad. "The beaurocracy, the politicising, it was rediculous how certain techs were favored more than others."

So I asked, "Well is it like that at all dealership? Or just here." His response wound up catching me off guard.

"Well the dealership I used to work at in the Bay area was great. Company picknics, company outings. Laid back. Work hard. Pay was hourly. Then the owner said he found Jesus and whole place went to crap. The bean counters came in and reorganized things, no more picknics and outings. Techs began getting paid per job instead of a flat rate."

So my friend has a bit of a nic on his shoulder concerning people who have found Jesus. I was kinda heart broken last night. I fell sorry for my friend that he feels that way about Jesus believers, but also I was heart broken knowing that I have probably caused people to feel that way, and if I have not I probably will one day.

Some how I just don't understand how this whole Christian Enterprise been going on for 2000 years, when it is full of sinful, hurting, and broken people. Or those who care more about the world and themselves than Jesus. How God enables it to keep going I will never understand.

Grrr!!!! I hate Christian Book Stores...and Fiction

A couple of weeks ago Kathryn needed to make a trip to Michaels, a local craft store, to get some teaching supplies. Not really in a crafty mood I decided to go and buy Mclaren's newest book at Christian Supply.

A little background, I try my best to stay away from Christian book stores. I despise them, they are the capitalism of my faith and it seems so counter to what Jesus taught. I occasionally have dreams of Jesus walking in the division street Christian Supply and clearing it out much in the same fashion he cleared the temple...but alas my dreams never happen.

So I walk into Christian supply like a dog with my tail between my legs. I just want to get in and get out. I have spent countless hours in bookstores and pride myself on being able to find books easily and thriftily. Well I searched and searched. After about 10 minutes I got frustrated and asked one of "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Mclaren. She looks it up says, oh we have one copy and it is in the Theology Section.

So I go back trying to find just the theology section. Frustrated I ask if she can point out the theology section. She comes over and points to it. There are 9 books!!! Only 9 f-ing books in the theology section at a Christian Bookstore. She apologies for being a small story. I quip "well Christian fiction doesnt seem to be hurting, you have 2 aisles for Christian fiction."

She says, "well that's what sells."

I finished her comment under my breath saying, "sadly." I was pretty upset that they didnt have the books I wanted, but I was even more appalled that books concerning theology and doctrine have become so undesired by Christians, and their reading has fallen to Christians Fiction that should have been left behind the shelves for no one to read.

Luckily Portland redeems itself with a bookstore like Powell's that despite being highly confused about Christian things finds itself more than willing to buy the more edgy Christian stuff.

This post was written under the delightful influence of dark chocolate covered almonds and a little 1999 Late Bottled Vintage Graham's Port.

If anyone out there is a port fan. Try and find the 1994 and 1999 Taylor Fladgate LBV....and even if you don't like port, find them, and I will buy them from you..hehe. Have a wonderful day everyone.