Today I am posting here to ask you to pray about giving – but not to aplacetotalk. aplacetotalk doesn’t have a donate here link, and for now we don’t want to. I have a friend who is preaching peace, non-violent atonement, and God’s amazing radical grace but has come to a crossroads financially. They need to raise $50,000 by May 15th to continue their operations.

Here is a quote from their website. “We take minimal salaries, use our money wisely and have accountants audit our books every year.” Because I trust Michael, I believe that quote is totally true.

I’m not asking or telling you to give, I’m simply asking you to visit the Preaching Peace website and pray about whether or not you WANT to give. I want to give and I’m thinking about what amount I can give, I wanted to give others an opportunity to give as well. If you haven’t heard from or learned from Preaching Peace, you should. I’ll share some ways to hear from Preaching Peace below.

You can listen to Michael’s heart by listening to the podcast he and I recorded a few months ago. You can find the talk by clicking on podcast at the preaching peace site or by linking to my site here.

Another way to hear from Michael and understand the heart of Preaching Peace is to watch Hellbound. It isn’t going to be avaiable on DVD until May 28th, 2013 but there seems to be a 10 minute clip that you can watch for $2. Here’s a link to watch that 10 minute video. If you click on that link, and pay the $2 a portion of that will also go to Preaching Peace.

Michael has also been a guest pod-caster multiple times on Beyond the Box Podcast. Here is a link to one of those pod-casts. Here’s another link.

Whether you are able to give or not, I hope you take advantage of the Preaching Peace Ministry by clicking on every link! Have a great day, Josh.

People often talk to me and then repeat what I say following a line something like this. “I believe this but you Josh say I’m wrong.” Let me start by boldly proclaiming – you might be right and I might be wrong. But when I tell you that I see things differently – I’m not saying you are wrong, instead I’m saying at this stage in my journey I see things differently than you. Of course that may mean that one of us has to be wrong, but it may turn out that we are either both wrong, or we are both partially correct. In life theology, I just personally think the way I do because my studies, prayer, and journey have led me to believe the ways that I believe. Explore my thoughts if you want, see where my thoughts and yours are congruent and then consider where my thoughts and yours are not congruent – that’s fine, that’s healthy, that’s good. But keep in mind, that while I wouldn’t believe something if I didn’t think it was true… I am learning and changing everyday. I’m not capable nor do I think it is healthy to nod my head pretending to agree when you say the opposite of what I believe is truth. When that happens I often in face to face encounters simply say, I don’t believe that. The phrase “I don’t believe that” may be the most repulsive language ever used. Because I’m starting to realize that not believing what someone else believes makes people angry.

Five Things Arminianism teaches: (1) Human Free Will (2) Conditional Election (3) Universal Atonement (4) Resistable Grace (5) Fall from Grace

Arminianism teaches the following: (This is taken directly from the following website, http://carm.org/dictionary-five-points-arminianism)

Human Free Will – This states that though man is fallen, he is not incapacitated by the sinful nature and can freely choose God. His will is not restricted and enslaved by his sinful nature.
Conditional Election – God chose people for salvation based on his foreknowledge where God looks into the future to see who would respond to the gospel message.
Universal Atonement – The position that Jesus bore the sin of everyone who ever lived.
Resistable Grace – The teaching that the grace of God can be resisted and finally beaten so as to reject salvation in Christ.
Fall from Grace – The Teaching that a person can fall from grace and lose his salvation.

How I believe differently.

Human Free Will… I think that free will was somewhat damaged in the Garden of Eden with the first sin. However, it seems to me that somehow the cross put an end to the power of sin, death, and the grave. I can’t say how, but I believe that to some extend the lost freedom that Adam and Eve sacrificed with sin was somehow reinstated at the cross for everyone.

Conditional Election – Election is totally misunderstood by both Calvinists and Arminianists in my opinion. Election isn’t about being elected to salvation but rather elected to illustrate, share, and live out the good news of “Zoe” (Zoe is a Greek word for the absolute fullness of life). I believe Adam was elected to represent humanity living in relation with God, but when he failed and hid in shame others were elected to show what proper relationship with God looked like. That is when Israel became the elect ones, and later after Israel failed to properly illustrate relationship with God to the world… God elected the Elect One – Jesus. Of course God the Father knew from the beginning that He would ultimately be the Elect One in flesh, but for some reason unknown to me He choose to allow the Old Testament stories of Adam, and Israel to play out. Today, the church is or are the elect ones. The ones called to share the good news with the world. The ones elected to demonstrate what relationship with God looks like.

I believe in Universal Atonement, just like Arminianism.

I don’t know if God’s grace is resistible, because it sure seemed irresistible to me. I’m not certain that every single person will ultimately be drawn to the party but I am hopeful that all will ultimately be drawn into a relationship with God.

Fall from Grace – I don’t think this gets the point and way of salvation at all. If a person does nothing to earn their relationship with Jesus Christ, then nothing they can do will end that relationship either. So I simply don’t think the terminology “fall from grace” nor “perseverance of the Saints” has much to do with proper Soteriology (Soteriology is basically just the theology of salvation or the study of salvation). We certainly aren’t saved by doing right, therefore there is no chance we do right to keep our salvation or do wrong to lose it.

I know I’ve got plenty of other things I should be working on right now, but I can’t help but sit here and think about the possibility of another Holocaust-like event. I would not consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but the first two thoughts that crossed my mind on the day Chantae’ called to tell me about Sandy Hook were “If our government did this, we must stop them.” and number two, “it probably was a kid on SSRI’s, instead of a government conspiracy.” I’m not buying into the video about the Sandy Hook fraud, but I am concerned that something was covered up.

Here’s what I want you to consider… Hitler didn’t really have to implement gun control, it was already in effect. The earlier Weimar government had already passed gun registration laws. This may have in fact paved the way for Hitler. So, if you are like me and you don’t know if our current federal government is corrupt or not, you ought to at least consider the possibility that a future government might come along later and be corrupt. If that were to happen, and the only people with guns were the military under the control and payroll of the government… watch out. If you are a life loving person and who don’t want to see more people killed then you need to own a gun. Not because you plan to use it, but because you believe the very presence of guns may do enough to halt a crazy madman tyrant.

Why bring up Hitler? Well I don’t want to be hiding in an attic in 20 years wondering what would’ve been different if we would have owned and held onto our guns.

If you claim to be a pacifist and claim that you’ll never shoot anyone, good for you, but I don’t personally believe that you really know what you’ll do until you are actually facing that situation. That is true for me too. What I can say is what I hope I’ll do. At this point in my life, I want to do what I consider to be the most like Jesus I can possibly attempt to be. Here’s my plan… (by plan I mean what I hope to do – don’t test me I might react and shoot you even though my heart is to die for my enemies)

I’ll carry a concealed handgun, (just like Jesus told the disciples in Luke 22:36-38 about swords) and then I’ll refuse to use it to actually hurt anyone. This seems to be following Jesus. It seems to me that He says take a sword but don’t plan on using it. Take it to show that you aren’t just going to be pushed over, but then when it comes time to fight – instead of pushing back freely sacrifice your life for the love of others.

I really think this is the plan of God for me. I want America to be equipped with weapons much like Switzerland (Switzerland Gun Laws), but as a personal follower of Jesus I want to be able to show strength but sacrifice that strength to reveal the “enemy love” that dwells inside of me in the person and Spirit of Jesus Christ.

I’d love to hear your thoughts… email me at aplacetotalk@gmail.com or comment on Facebook. If you would like to talk, feel free to call.

Check it out if you are interested in liberty.

This week we’ll be looking at the Greek word transliterated Krino.

Here is the first page of verses that contain the Greek word Krino.

I’ve been on a journey toward non-violence for a while, as you know if you’ve been reading my blog. But historically I’ve been part of a very Republican, highly right wing, extremely conservative politically, gun-carrying religious group.

Over the past few months, it seems that every conversation I’ve had with any hard core person from my own team (again I’ve been hard core right wing conservative Republican most of my life) has become volatile. Whether it is about non-violence or my concern about the mistreatment of Palestinian Christians the right has taken offense and nearly taken my head off. I have some hard core right wing friends who aren’t ugly, but more often I’ve been ridiculed, mocked and treated pretty ugly. I’m not claiming persecution… sticks and stones would be necessary for persecution and you know the old rhyme.

Anyway, to the point. Can we have a dual allegiance to the Kingdom of God and to the United States of America? I’m not answering this question in this blog… I can’t answer it. I’m only thinking out loud. I don’t secretively have an answer that I’m trying to subtly promote, I’m really asking the question and thinking about the answer.

It never seemed to be a problem for the world I grew up in. In fact, I’m sure I attended dozens of Vacation Bible Schools where we pledged allegiance to both the American Flag and The Christian Flag. Truth is we usually pledged allegiance to the bible too, but that’s another conversation for another day. Remember, I’m thinking out loud… “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” “I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.” Both pledges make a claim to represent a kingdom or republic.

Can I have a dual citizenship? Can I be both a citizen of the Kingdom of God and simultaneously a citizen of the United States of America?

As I continue to think, I want to ask myself this question too… Can I be simultaneously a citizen of a Kingdom without swords and a participating member of a Republic who uses guns, tanks, fighter jets, and bomber planes as weapons of war? I know some of you are already mad… STOP, I’m not making a decision here and I’m not asking you to either. I’m simply thinking.

I have friends and family who I LOVE… and who I REALLY TRULY BELIEVE are both believers in Jesus Christ and simultaneously citizens of the US and members of the Airforce, Army, National Guard, Marines, and Navy.

I’ll also add that after the 911 tragedy that I remember reading the stories about bad guys coming in and beating up the old lady next door and how doing nothing about it would be wrong. I remember thinking, if someone was attacking my neighbor I would go next door and do whatever it took to stop the criminal. That was a justification for some of the recent wars.

I’ve been told most of my life that America is a Christian nation and that we should govern as such, but I don’t think that is true today and it may not have ever have been really true.

As I said at the outset of this blog, I’m moving more and more toward a practice or lifestyle of non-violence but I don’t think it is fair or even reasonable for me to try and impose that concept on a people group like the United States of America. It is silly to every expect someone to live by your faith if they (he, she, or the group) doesn’t share your faith. That is exactly why I voted against Amendment 1 earlier this year. While I believe homosexuality is missing God’s best for a person, I am opposed to mistreating someone or denying someone rights based on a personal belief or lack thereof.

So, can I separate my allegiance as a Christian with my allegiance as an American? Can I theologically believe in non-violence and politically vote to send troops into war? Can I personally commit to defend my family by sacrificially giving myself to an intruder and vote to defend our borders with any weapons necessary? Could I choose non-violence in my personal life and still fly a bomber plane that would take out an enemy?

Clearly some do live with a dual citizenship… I guess I’ve lived like that for the past 19 years.

Here’s a quote from an article about dual citizenship. “Along those lines, I read an article recently by professor David Gushee at Mercer University, in which he identified what he calls the “abdication” option of citizenship among some Christians in America today. He says that this is a surging trend among Christian academics and activists in which loyalty to Jesus Christ as Lord leaves no room for allegiance to nation at all. He points out that some Christian writers and thinkers such as: Stanley Hauerwas, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne, advocate that Christians should be loyal to Jesus Christ alone – not the country at all. They say that our king — our “president”, in effect – is Jesus, and that our nation here is corrupt, and filled with violence and injustice. The author of the article says that these thinkers are trying to help Christians fall out of love with America so that they might fall in love with Jesus. ”

I hope you get this article.. I’m not giving an answer, I’m simply thinking out loud.

Pictures like these (below) have caused me to cringe, and caused me to think… these pictures really bother me. The picture at the top of this page makes me sick too… I’m not really for flags at all, but if I were going to fly a Christian flag, I’m pretty sure I would want it flying above the American and not below it! I’m not a fan of worship services where we seem to do more worshiping the American Flag than we worship Jesus either, in fact… I’m not really in favor of ever having an American Flag in a church setting. To me it sends the wrong signal. To me a human is a human, and I don’t see an American as any more important to God or to me than a Haitian or even a Russian. I’m not laying down my American citizenship, but I’m thinking about my citizenship and how to live as dual citizens of the Kingdom of God and the United States of America.

I recommend that you go to this link and on the right sign up to receive Frank Viola’s blog in your email box… but for now, I’ll try and put the best ones up here.

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
“He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it is folly and shame to him.” ~ Proverbs 18:13

One afternoon, a small group of men were eating lunch at a private golf club. All were members of the club, except for one. He was a guest – a friend of one of the members.

As the men finished their meal, one of them pulled out of his pocket a very rare coin that he had recently purchased. The man glowed with excitement as he passed the precious coin around the table. Each man marveled as they held the coin in their hand and heard the story behind it. The owner of the coin shared that this was the only coin of its kind in existence, and he purchased it at half the price of what it was worth.

Suddenly the coin disappeared. The owner asked what happened to it. Each man swore that he had passed the coin to his neighbor. The last man who was supposed to hold it denied having received it at all, and no one could tell where it was now.

A hasty search was made; chairs were pulled away from the table, the tablecloth was turned back, and each man stood up. But after 20 minutes of frantic search, there was no place else to look.

The coin was gone.

“Someone here must have taken it,” blurted the owner, his pale face turned red.

One of the men stood up and said: “We should all be searched. I offer myself first.”

Every other man at the table promptly expressed his willingness to be searched except one man – and he was not a member of the club. He was the guest.

“I will not be searched,” he declared. “I haven’t stolen your coin, so why should I be subjected to such an indignity?”

There was a storm of protest. Why shouldn’t he be willing if all the others were? The guest shook his head. He didn’t care what the others did or said. And he defied anyone to put a hand into his pockets.

One of the men said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do. No one must leave this table until the police arrive.”

A very old waiter who was standing near the table had something on his mind. He noticed that there was no pepper on one of the other tables. So he asked to borrow the pepper from the table where all the controversy was focused on. He lifted the pepper shaker from off the table, and to everyone’s shock, there lay the missing coin!

The contention was over.

The owner of the coin asked the guest. “Why were you so stubborn about being searched? Why did you refuse? What was the big deal?”

The guest breathed a sigh of relief and said, “No one would have believed me, especially because I kept quiet in the beginning. The fact is, I am also a collector of coins. And the coin that you have is not the only one in existence. There is a duplicate that I bought two weeks ago in Paris. I thought mine was the only one at the time. I brought it here to show everyone today. It’s in my pocket right now. But I didn’t say anything about it because I didn’t want to dampen your enthusiasm . . . Now who would have believed what I just said 10 minutes ago?”

Each doubting member of the group looked at one another with regret in their eyes.

Things aren’t always what they seem. It’s better to trust, even though we are sometimes deceived, than to live lives of suspicion and accusation.

Love doesn’t think the worst about others; it always thinks the best.

Related:

Beyond Evangelical

Forgotten Words of Jesus

Have You Heard?

The Art of Being a Jerk Online

We Have Not So Learned Jesus Christ

An Important Insight from President Obama

Legalism, License, Liberty, and Lordship

Anyway

I think I’ll just let this song stand on its own. It is brilliant!

http://youtu.be/B9Kcm2OAWNA

Don’t forget to scroll down a bit to ask for or demand that this movie come to Hickory!

NOTE here that I am posting an email from Steve Taylor – not my writing below, his. Steve Taylor is the director of Blue Like Jazz, Blue Like Jazz was originally a great book written by Donald Miller. I recommend both the movie and the book.

An Unexpected Phone Call
by Steve Taylor

I got a most unexpected call Saturday night. It was from Alex Kendrick, director of a string of hit movies from Sherwood Pictures. He was warm, humble and generous on the call, and we spoke for over twenty minutes.

He explained how he and his brother/filmmaking partner Stephen had no prior knowledge that their church’s Executive Pastor (who is also an Executive Producer on their movies) had issued the edict last year that I described in a previous blog, wherein he let it be known that anybody who worked on Blue Like Jazz would not be working on future Sherwood Baptist movies. Alex told me that, while he and his brother are members of the church and have worked closely with this pastor in the past, they disagreed with his decision, and he further confirmed that none of them, including the pastor, have seen Blue Like Jazz.

I was grateful for both the call from Alex and the spirit behind it. Without putting words in his mouth, I got the sense that he was as surprised by their pastor’s edict as I was. I think it was a difficult phone call for Alex to make—he wanted to distance himself from the edict without distancing himself from the man—so I didn’t press Alex for more details beyond the fact that it happened and the Kendrick Brothers weren’t involved.

As I’ve stated before, I have great respect for what Alex and his brother have accomplished as filmmakers. Making movies is hard. They’ve had extraordinary success using very limited resources, and each time they do it they get better. We’ve had a number of their fans tell us how much they liked Blue Like Jazz, and Alex and I agreed that there are a variety of ways for Christians to approach storytelling. We’re humbled and grateful that he reached out to us in such a direct and personal way.

Near the end of our conversation, I asked Alex if he wanted me to do a follow-up blog relating our discussion, and he said he’d leave that to my discretion. So since my assumptions about them proved wrong, I want to relay the gracious spirit behind the phone call of a Christian brother who wanted to make things right.