Trans4m

Compromising With Capitalism

It is absolutely amazing to me how we as the Church of Jesus Christ have become so adept at rationalizing and justifying our idolatry of wealth. We live in deep denial of our addiction to acquisitiveness and the constant desire we have for more. In an effort to avoid the issue we use defenses like, "Capitalism may have problems, but show me a better economic system." Well, there are plenty of potential alternatives, but they would require us to sober up real fast and actually engage in denying ourselves. For starters we could reexamine the economic thinking of Thomas Aquinas, John Locke and R.A. Tawney. In fact, according to Tawney, "social transformation requires most basically a change in attitude. The attitudes of governments to social questions is wrong, profoundly wrong. but it is wrong because the attitudes of individuals to each other is wrong, because we in our present society are living on certain false and universal assumptions ... what we have got to do first of all is to change those assumptions and principles." Moreover, Tawney states that, "Compromise is as impossible between the Church of Christ and the idolatry of wealth, which is the practical religion of capitalist societies, as it was between the Church and the State idolatry of the Roman Empire." What will it take to shake us out of our denial? What does it actually mean to "love our neighbor as our self?"

The fire of Revolution

Jeremiah was a true revolutionary - actually the model revolutionary in many ways. Jeremiah was called by God to address the injustice and immorality that had come to characterize Judah in their complacency. It was an unpopular but true message. Jeremiah knew that people did not want to hear what he had to say, but he still had to say it - he could not hold it in - it burned in his belly! Jeremiah says, " ... these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. And I can't stop! If I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!" (Jeremiah 20:8-10). We need more Christians today who see the injustice and immorality in our culture and, like Jeremiah, cannot remain silent. I am not talking about bashing sinners and labeling the lost ... I am talking about calling the Church and Christians to account! Jeremiah was prophesying against God's chosen people, not the pagans of the day! The same was true for Jesus, Jesus didn't bash sinners and call them names and blame them for everything that was wrong in the world - he treated them with love, mercy and compassion. But for the self-righteous religious leaders Jesus had a message of condemnation that ultimately got him killed! Do you have anything burning in your bones? If not, why not?

"Christian?" Christian Bashers

As a result of my recent encounter with Mr. Brannon Howse, I have become sickened by those who claim to be self-appointed protectors of "orthodoxy" and "true" Christianity and who do so by literarily bashing other believers void of all love. What possible scriptural defense can one claim for bashing and maligning other believers when they have never even been concerned enough to pursue meaningful conversation with those they attack? This is the same form of religious and ideological fundamentalism that is at the root of terrorism throughout the world. People so blinded by their "rightness" that it in their minds legitimates any activity necessary to defeat the infidels. Of course this is just my opinion. God help us all.

Brannon House Response

Here is the latest response from Brannon Howse. In spite of saying he would correct the article, he has not. And when asked to do so by me once again, this was his response. I was wrong, I guess he is a spiritual insurgent afterall ... just dropping his literary bombs then running for cover.

Sam,
I don't think I am wrong...Have you read the latest version? I think I have been more than fair.
I don't think there is really anything to dialogue on...I think we have to agree to disagree.
Trying to say the word mystic or mysticism is comparable to the Biblical word "mystery" is just not reasonable and without reason there can be no positive dialogue.
I think you guys just need to move on and not push me on this anymore or I may decide to write a few more articles about some of the other things I have read in Erwin's book.

So, just leave well enough alone and do your thing....

Still Waiting for Corrections and Retraction

My last post indicated that things seemed to be moving toward satisfactory resolution in my (and Bethel's) disagreements regarding numerous distortions and blatant mistakes of fact made by Mr. Howse in an article he had written about Bethel. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for appropriate corrections to be made and I am left wondering why my response to his original article has not been posted to his website as have others since mine. Bethel has issued a press release on the matter; to read it go to my website at: www.samrima.com and click on the Discussion Board.

Update!!

Addressing my previous post, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a personal call from Brannon Howse and we had a very productive and pleasant talk. I admire his integrity in calling me and us being able to set the record straight. So I guess that answers my final question in that post.

Responding to Spiritual Insurgents

Recently a man by the name of Brannon Howse, some conservative, self-appointed protector of Christian Orthodoxy, engaged in a blatant smear of Bethel Seminary and our Doctoral program. He posted an extremely negative article on his website that was riddled with blatant factual errors.Click Here to Read the Article He also bashes Erwin and Alex McManus. Rather than contact me as Director of the program he chose to malign, he just dropped his dirty little bomb and ran. I'm not sure he has the integrity to respond to any of my responses or emails to his article. Below is my Response to him:

Mr. Howse:
I am the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Bethel Seminary. It is truly unfortunate that in an effort to be sensational you have done an incredibly shoddy job of fact checking. But then facts might get in the way of a good story!

First, if you cared to notice, Bethel College is now Bethel University (for almost two years now).

Second, the Bethel Doctor of Ministry for Emerging Leaders does not mention the "Emergent Church" any where on it's website. It is designed for "Emerging Leaders." Webster defines "Emerge" as "To come out into view; to become manifest." This Doctor of Ministry Program is for younger leaders whose leadership potential is coming into view and becoming manifest. I think I remember some Bible verses about teaching young leaders who can teach others as well.

Third, Mr. Howse, you erroneously linked Leith Anderson and Erwin, stating that together they are launching the Doctor of Ministry in "Emerging Church Leadership." This is patently false. Erwin's cohort has been meeting since May 2005 and its focus is Entrepreneurial Leadership while Leith's cohort is beginning in July 2006 and is focusing on Equipping Leaders for Larger Churches. Neither one of these cohorts in our Emerging Leader program can at any point be linked with the Emergent Church movement.

Funny, for someone who takes such pride in biblical interpretation and proper hermeneutics, when it comes to creating a sensational story I guess a little eisegesis can be overlooked. Mr. Howse, if you are a man of integrity, you will admit your errors and formally apologize to Bethel University, Bethel Seminary as well as Alex and Erwin McManus. To hide behind the guise of an "opinion piece," as if that releases you of your personal responsibility for maligning the character of Bethel Seminary and our programs is flimsy indeed. If you are serious about wanting to be a protector of orthodox faith and practice, you might want to go back to your Bible and look up some of the verses on gossip. You might start with Paul's admonition to " ... Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear (read) them ... Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:29-32).

Mr. Howse, had you cared enough to contact me as the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program we could have enjoyed a mutually edifying conversation on this subject and you could have avoided writing gross distortions of fact regarding Bethel Seminary. My contact information is below should you yet care to act responsibly and contact me for an apology.

Sincerely in Christ,

Dr. Samuel D. Rima