"Is it possible that the message of Jesus was less like an advertising slogan --obvious and loud --and more like a poem whose meaning only comes subtly and quietly to to those who read slowly, think long and deeply, and refuse to give up? I wondered. And I still wonder." -from Chapter 4Not what I originally planned, but an appropriate review for a podcast, this show is my raw reflection from Seattle's Pyramid Alehouse on Brian Mclaren's latest book: The Secret Message of Jesus. Overall this is an excellent book, and if readers (of all colors) focus on living out Jesus' secret message more than dissecting and debating it --we're in for some exciting and transformative changes in this world. I will be posting more of my favorite quotes from this book in my next post...so stay tuned...
"A shared reappraisal of Jesus's message could provide a unique space or common ground for urgently needed religious dialogue --and it doesn't seem an exaggeration to say that the future of our planet may depend on such dialogue" -from Chapter 1
Shownotes:
-Intro
-Congratulations to John & Kea Louviere!!!
-Book Review: The Secret Message of Jesus.
-Listener Emails (Sable Chicken, Brian Sage, Jon Hudson & David Williamson)
-Various Announcements, inlcuding:
New personal (friends & family related) podcast/blog: zinniazoo
New personal (audio experiments, musical, freedom to whatever the #@! I want) blog/podcast : leifomatic
-Shoutout to lifeonfire podcast: Thanks for playing my promo, stay open and keep seeking!
"If you are part of this kingdom, you won't slit Roman throats like the Zealots. Instead, if a Roman soldier backhands you with a blow to the right cheek, you'll turn the other in a kind of nonviolent resistance and transcendence. if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, you'll carry it a second mile as an expression of your own transcendent free will; you choose a higher option, one above either passive submission or active retaliation. If you are part of this kingdom, you won't curse and damn the notorious sinners and scoundrels to hell; instead, you'll interact with them gently and kindly, refusing to judge, even inviting them to your parties and treating them as neighbors --being less afraid of their polluting influence on you than you are hopeful about your possible healing and ennobling influence on them...." -from Chapter 2
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6 comments:
I started the book last week, but I had to put it down for a bit. I'm reading Borg/Crossan's "The Last Week" for the holy week and posting comments during the week. I'll pick Mclaren's book back up next week and finish it. I'm happy to discuss it with you and your listeners as well as talk about practical ways to live out the secrect message.
Hi Leif,
I wonder if you would be willing to do another review of Mclaren's book. Your present review is a little vague or "abstract." I guess I want more of a review essay. It might have been the beer buzz. Anyway, it's good to see that you all are doing well and multiplying.
After listening to your interviews with Mclaren and other podcasts, I'm not sure if you are still a Christian. Maybe you can let me know what you're up to, that's if you feel comfortable with sharing. I can't tell if you are a universalist unitarian or a charismatic christian.
Hi Danutz,
That would be great to move in the practical-wards directions.
Hi Derek, ouch.
Sorry to disappoint you. As stated in the podcast, its all I can do at this time in my life. As for not being sure if I'm a CHristian...I guess thats not really ultimately up to you to judge now is it? I'm not sure either these days to be honest...the kind of life and love I have looks so pale compared to Jesus.
-Leif
Hi Leif,
Feel no way about either of my comments. Just trying to feel my brother out. It's been a long time. Last time I saw you, you were trying to turn the vineyard pastors into some kind of trio with the church joining in. It was something only you could get away with and the seattle vineyard would allow to happen in a service.
On the book, I don't have the time to read it, so I was just hoping to hear more. Pure laziness. Anyway, I haven't had time to listen much and usually while doing other things, so I was sort of trying to feel where you are coming from...no judgment homes.
Stay up!
Derek from the Vineyard!
What a trip -I confess I hadn't read the name closely and made the connection (and I suck with names anyway). I popped onto your blog --wow, congratulations on the beautiful kids! (:
Well, there are plenty of shows if you are interested in learning about where I'm coming from --the Mclaren new kind of Christian interview has been most popular, and the post about 'mus current spiritual struggles' would get you most closely to where I'm at these days. The bare-ass dialogue about Jesus would be, well, just that (;
Warmly,
Leif
Cool man. Congratulations to you as well. It's good to see y'all growed up.Watching John's wedding was a trip.
Man, that's beautiful and it's also beautiful that you have all stayed cool with each other over times. It must be a SPU thing. Nonetheless, that in and of itself is a testimony to God's goodness and the beauty of Christian fellowship. I'll be checking you out.
Best,
Derek
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