//The good news of Caesar

In the 1st century, Christians found themselves living as a subversion to the powers and politics of the kingdom around them.  They saw themselves as bringing in a new Kingdom, one that has existed since the beginning of time, but was crashing into this world, bringing hope, light, and True peace.  They preached the Good News of Jesus Christ, which in the 1st century, had some very steep implications.  It meant that they were opposing Caesar.  They had a different King.

In the 21st century, Christians have chose live with and within the powers and politics of the kingdoms around them.  Christians now travel, not carrying the Good News of Christ, but preaching the good news of Caesar (now namely Obama or McCain). We are trading the Hope of True hope, light, and peace for the empty hope that can be found in politics or a politician.

May God's Kingdom, not man's, truly come.

//Christian role in government?

What is our role as Christians when it comes to our involvement in politics/government.  This is a huge topic right now among evangelicals.  I have read many blogs, articles, essays and even books on this topic, and by no means am I going to regurgitate what I have read onto this blog post...so don't worry.

I do however have many opinions and views on the matter, but if you are interested in dialogue, I would love to talk face to face.  I enjoy the blogging community, I believe it is healthy to dialogue online and find it very intellectually stimulating.  But on the other hand, seeing the effects of the so called "online community" and realized (and learned in my Sociology of Community class) that online dialogue leave out one important aspect of community...face to face interaction which requires sacrifice and reciprocity.  

anyway...here is an interesting quote I took from a blog on Christian Anarchy

"...Get along with the ruling powers as much as you can, but put no trust in them. Let's let our lives reflect the truth that governments are part of a fallen world order that has been rendered obsolete in Christ. May our lives reflect the truth that the hope of the world lies in the power of the cross, not the sword -- or the vote."

- Greg Boyd, author of Myth of a Christian Nation

I would recommend checking out the rest of the article:

http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2008/01/call-to-christian-anarchy.html

Any thoughts? Agree/disagree?

Rich Young Ruler//Derek Webb

Ok so here is another one of my favorite Derek Webb Songs...

//Rich Young Ruler

Poverty is so hard to see
When it's only on your tv and twenty miles across town
Where we're all living so good
That we moved out of Jesus' neighborhood
Where he's hungry and not feeling so good
From going through our trash
He says, more than just your cash and coin
I want your time, I want your voice
I want the things you just can't give me

So what must we do
Here in the west we want to follow you
We speak the language and we keep all the rules
Even a few we made up
Come on and follow me
But sell your house, sell your suv
Sell your stocks, sell your security
And give it to the poor
What is this, hey what's the deal
I don't sleep around and i don't steal
I want the things you just can't give me

Because what you do to the least of these
My brother's, you have done it to me
Because I want the things you just can't give me

good song...

//uncensored Truth...except I have to censor it.

So I heard a amazing story the other day about a homeless man.

It held Truth that is raw, offending and many may disagree with how it has been manifested.

It lies in one quote, in which I will censor in order not to offend any further...

"Jesus don't care how you come, as long as you motha' f***in' come."

unless of course, you use the "F" word...then all deals are off.