"Sunlight looks slightly different on this wall than it does on that wall..."

Our next Theology on Tap gathering is this coming Sunday, May 10th at 7:00 in the upper room at Ceoltas on 2nd Street. 

We'll be discussing this article from the Christian Century. 

I'm also offering a poem by the great Persian poet, Rumi (1207-1273), which I believe to be of the same theme:

Move beyond any attachment to
names.
Every war and every conflict between
human beings
has happened because of some
disagreement about names.

It’s such an unnecessary foolishness,
because just beyond the arguing
there’s a long table of companionship,
set and waiting for us to sit down.

What is praised is one, so the praise is
one too,
many jugs being poured into a huge
basin.

All religions, all this singing, one song.
The differences are just illusion and
vanity.

Sunlight looks slightly different on this
wall than it does on that wall.
and a lot different on this other one,
but it is still one light.
We have borrowed these clothes,
these time-and-space personalities,
from a light,
and when we praise,
we pour them back in.

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. I was recently discussing childhood behavior (esp. on the playground) with my senior high youth.  They were saying that they were even meaner to each other when they were young.  They thought the name calling was really bad in middle school.  Why is that?  How do our children learn to denigrate and belittle others? What purpose does the name calling serve?
2. What were you taught as a child about Christianities role in relation to other religions as a child?
3. What do you believe now?
4. How much interaction do you have with persons of other faiths or traditions? What have you learned from those interactions? 
5. What do you think of the Rumi poem?  What is he trying to say?  Do you agree with him?
6. How have people of faith hurt others outside their community?
7. What are some of the gifts that people of faith have to offer?

Comments

[Drew]

How terribly disappointing, you have just captured the tenets of secular humanism. So much for claiming the name of Christ. (John 14:6) “I am the way, the truth, the life. No man comes to the Father except by me.”

I’m not sure which is more disappointing though that a website that surely influences the pulpits of America would publish such rubbish or that it’s even a topic of discussion. That the author would vainly attempt to mock relationship with the Ancient of Days, by suggesting that to believe fervently or as he said ‘devoutly’ is immaturity is plainly insulting. Though he did accurately identify the problem. Religion. Man’s religions are a failed attempt to reach God, righteousness or ‘forgiveness’ as someone phrased it to me this very morning. It is an organized approach, (we love our laws don’t we) and rituals to achieve the supernatural. Scripture is quite clear on this matter, and as the inerrant word of God, should be our only text. “there is not one righteous, no not one” “all we like sheep have gone astray” “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Sounds like we cannot hope to attain righteousness or forgiveness or salvation by deeds. I could go on. On to the questions:
1) We are born into sin. John 9:34
2) The Lord Jesus Christ before His ascension into heaven gave one more final commandment “go ye into all the lands and preach the gospel’ doesn’t sound like a suggestion to me
3) God is immutable, and it still doesn’t sound like a suggestion
4) a. A significant portion b. They will defend a position and that will always fail to stand against truth.
5) a. Rumi never had a relationship with the most high God. b. Rumi seems to think it’s ok for the Christ and Belial to hang out. (2 cor 6:15) c. No
6) In every way imaginable, “every imagination and the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5) nothing has changed on that front
7) Gifts? Wow, that’s another topic all together. Paul speaks on the gifts of the spirit, that is the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives the church to build up and edify the body, the bride of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 12. These are not to be confused with talents which are also a gift from God.

It is no wonder there is such moral decay in this nation. Fortunately, our position in the world is controlled by the one who spoke all of creation into existence, the one who raised up and put down, Egypt (twice), the Assyrians, Babylonians, and others. Fortunately, we don’t have a position or function in the end of times so as we decline I say, "Abba Father! Bring forth your righteous and holy judgment on this wicked land! Maranatha