O'Byrne's and loop holes
O'Byrne's Irish Pub.
Thanks goes out to Michael Warf, who turned me on to flickr today. (psst Perhaps your card will work when we visit this fine establishment.)
Really longing this week for authentic gathering, not tied to the sunday morning rig-a-ma-role. Thanks Matt for reminding me of the incarnational reality of life in Christ. I remember a year or so ago becoming aware of some of the Eastern Othodox views on the incarnation.
It all dovetails very well with the Parousia. Christ's coming being not so much a flash in the pan as a sunrise. We are in the day of the Spirit, the new creation order. The idea that all things are being filled by He who is all in all. That we need not wait for some further revelation, but that Christ (and therefore the Father) has made his abode with men.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace toward men with whom he is well pleased"
Now this "in whom he is well pleased" at least when i was growing up was used as a sort of loop hole in the comprehensive grace of god, suggesting that peace and good will would only come to those who somehow try hard enough and are into good christian living. I've come to think of it this way. God is pleased with mankind and he extends peace and goodwill to all. (period). In as far as God is concerned every tongue tribe and nation are acceptable to the Father because of Jesus Christ's faithfulness.
Come to think of it I was exposed to all kinds of loop holes supposedly in the word of god as a young person. Like god's promise to Noah (and therefore all of mankind) to never again wipe out every living thing. The loop hole? "Ahh he promised never by flood but what about by fire? " What a crock! and what a twisted view of the Almighty.
Fact is loop holes and the like are required when we misplace the full presence of God and quaranteen in to either past or future. But hey I've gone from the thought of gathering some brothers down at an Irish Pub to somewhat of a rant. Forgive me. I just am eager to get on with being the spiritual community that I know is preferable in whatever context, including O'Byrne's.
peace
Thanks goes out to Michael Warf, who turned me on to flickr today. (psst Perhaps your card will work when we visit this fine establishment.)
Really longing this week for authentic gathering, not tied to the sunday morning rig-a-ma-role. Thanks Matt for reminding me of the incarnational reality of life in Christ. I remember a year or so ago becoming aware of some of the Eastern Othodox views on the incarnation.
It all dovetails very well with the Parousia. Christ's coming being not so much a flash in the pan as a sunrise. We are in the day of the Spirit, the new creation order. The idea that all things are being filled by He who is all in all. That we need not wait for some further revelation, but that Christ (and therefore the Father) has made his abode with men.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace toward men with whom he is well pleased"
Now this "in whom he is well pleased" at least when i was growing up was used as a sort of loop hole in the comprehensive grace of god, suggesting that peace and good will would only come to those who somehow try hard enough and are into good christian living. I've come to think of it this way. God is pleased with mankind and he extends peace and goodwill to all. (period). In as far as God is concerned every tongue tribe and nation are acceptable to the Father because of Jesus Christ's faithfulness.
Come to think of it I was exposed to all kinds of loop holes supposedly in the word of god as a young person. Like god's promise to Noah (and therefore all of mankind) to never again wipe out every living thing. The loop hole? "Ahh he promised never by flood but what about by fire? " What a crock! and what a twisted view of the Almighty.
Fact is loop holes and the like are required when we misplace the full presence of God and quaranteen in to either past or future. But hey I've gone from the thought of gathering some brothers down at an Irish Pub to somewhat of a rant. Forgive me. I just am eager to get on with being the spiritual community that I know is preferable in whatever context, including O'Byrne's.
peace
posted by Paul Seburn at Monday, July 11, 2005
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