Monthly Archives: April 2009

Swine flu

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Read this (tongue in cheek) extract from a blog recently. In the light of the podcasts on eschatology I found it very amusing…

The book of Revelation foretells plagues. And the swine flu is a sign of the end times disease since it comes from an unclean animal. This is obviously God’s divine judgment since Iowa produces pigs and that godless heathen state in the heartland of America recently legalized gay marriage thereby showing how corrupt our American heart really is. Plus, it is God’s judgment on America because of all the pork in the recent government spending proposed by President Obama, who is the Antichrist. And because the swine flu is coming from Mexico, it’s important to see that Mexico has six letters in it. The numeric gematria of Mexico adds up to 666. Plus, Daniel 11 talks about the king of the south coming to battle the king of the north.

Sad but the above scenario is not too unlikely. Why can’t we let the book of Revelation be the power it was meant to be instead of trying to control it? So… no the swine flu is not prophesied in the Bible.

However, it got me thinking. We are in a prolonged season of trauma and birth pangs. This is a prophetic / eschatological season. I say that without making any comment with respect to signs of the Lord’s coming.

1989, Nov 09 – (9/11) the Berlin wall comes down. A sign in the east / west.

2001 Sept 11 (9/11) 12 years later the twin towers come down – a sign of forthcoming judgments on the western economic system.

2008 Sept 7 years later the economic meltdown begins.

Now we are in a new crisis.

Are these signs – I would say so. There is a groaning in the earth that has to be heard. It is a call for justice and the voice will get louder the coming monghts of this year.

In Feb 2006 I stood with a few others at midnight on Westminster Bridge in London to make a declaration that into the city was coming a flooding, that the economic injustices would be exposed.

However, when the earth shakes the heavens are shaking – and there is a re-ordering… an opportunity for a new world to arise. We are in that season.

Moments in history

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Reflection – particularly of the self-critical variety is seldom ever engaged in by movements. Of course empires cannot afford to do so as they survive through the power of myth. In the mid-90s I had the privilege of doing some further study of a research nature. I did it on the wider-movement I belonged to – the movement that had shaped my faith. That movement was known as the House Church (or New Church) Movement in the UK. I chose as my research our understanding of eschatology. It proved to be a very rich time indeed.

I discovered a waealth in what was understood, and a few slightly concerning aspects too. Overall though I was very positive. I suggested that the season – mid / toward end of 90s was a major-watershed time – and the need was to be challenged again by our own roots.

I am currently re-reading the material with a view to publishing it as an e-book. In dong so I have meditated on the last few sentences of the thesis. It is a little dated (1996 I wrote the words) but the comments seem to haunt me. As I read  them I thought perhaps the house church movement did not respond (of course we can ask if movements can respond or is it down to people to respond?) in the direction of flexibility. Anyway here is what I wrote:

The HCM faces a number of challenges, but rather than erasing its distinctives, there needs to be a fresh embracing of distinctives, even if those distinctives have been somewhat revisioned. The HCM’s current shape is being changed, but the danger is that the change will take place simply through numerical success. To avoid this danger the HCM must become faithful to its roots by allowing its current shape to be changed through a fresh empowering of new ideas. If this takes place then there will be some challenges that it can offer to the wider church.

Those challenges will essentially be that of flexibility, grassroots empowering, of dismantling structures that no longer facilitate the gospel in our era, with the result that effective mission-orientated bodies are promoted. A demonstration that the HCM is committed to an eschatology that is mission-driven and relationally orientated will prove to be the lasting contribution that the HCM will make to the wider church. Such a challenge must be embraced, and such a challenge must be heard.

So how did the mid / end of 90s go? New ideas, grassroots empowering, dismantling structures? Well there’s a few thoughts – and for those in movements today that are perceived as cutting edge. Write your theses, do the self-criticism when that season comes.

AD70: The Coming of the Son of Man

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For those who have been following the podcasts on eschatology there has been a very helpful response from Andrew Perriman, that with his permission I am posting below.

His book The Coming of the Son of Man is one of the best books on eschatology available (and one of maybe 10 books I was able to bring out with me here). I read it some time back, and in the podcasts made a comment along the lines of being left wondering if he ‘is suggesting everything is fulfilled in AD70, and therefore removing what has classically been understood as a personal return of Christ . Andrew makes his framework very clear in the response he made. Read with interest and consider purchasing the book. (Click on title to be taken to Amazon.co.uk)

No, it’s not all about AD 70

Submitted by andrew on Fri, 24/04/2009 – 10:45

I’ve just been listening to what strikes me as an excellent introductory podcast on eschatology by Martin Scott – a nice example of how a rethinking of eschatology along narrative-historical lines has the potential for generating good new theological syntheses. It caught my eye because Martin lists The Coming of the Son of Man as a ‘provocative’ influence on his thinking alongside NT Wright and Open Theology. But he rather spoils the effect, from my point of view, by concluding that I have presented ‘such a strong fulfilment in the events of AD 70 that you’re left wondering if he proposes an actual parousia at all’.

I have come across this misunderstanding – or at least, misrepresentation – a number of times. I’m not sure how it comes about, unless people are only reading the first two or three chapters; but I will take this opportunity to clarify my argument. It seems to me – and I think the point is made clearly enough in the book – that the New Testament has three quite distinct future horizons.

The first horizon is the foreseen war against Rome, interpreted as the final historical outworking of God’s wrath against a disobedient people. This is basically Jesus’ horizon. As Martin says, following Wright, Jesus is the eschatological prophet to Israel, calling the people to a renewed faithfulness – but also warning them that they are otherwise walking a broad political-religious path that within a generation will lead to the destruction of the nation. Jesus looked to this event as the concrete vindication of his prophetic stance, which he

The second horizon comes into view as the church moves beyond the borders of national Israel into the pagan world and finds itself opposed by a vast, powerful, and at times virulently hostile belief system, at the pinnacle of which sits the divinized emperor – the king who thinks equality with God a thing to be grasped. Rome is the ‘beast’ that will be the instrument of judgment against Israel, but God will not allow the empire to have ultimate victory over his people. So Paul, in particular, foresees a historical triumph of Jesus as Lord over the lordship of Caesar, and the eventual vindication of the ‘saints’ who suffer at the hands of the blasphemous oppressor. This is how he restates or re-applies the parousia motif – it is the ‘coming’ of Jesus, on the one hand, to deliver his followers from their enemies and, on the other, to receive the ‘kingdom’ that has been taken away from the fourth beast.

The third horizon emerges on the outer edge of New Testament expectation as a corollary of the resurrection of Jesus. I think that Jesus’ resurrection has its conceptual origins – if we can put it that way – in the hope of Israel’s restoration; but a real victory over injustice and death raises the possibility that the whole of creation might be made new. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is seen to entail not only the mundane renewal of the microcosm but also the ultra-mundane renewal of heaven and earth and the final abolition of injustice and defeat of the last enemy of creation, death. The important point to note is that this final horizon is not associated with the language and imagery of the parousia motif, which has to do fundamentally with the historical vindication of the people of God.

So where are we now? We have moved beyond the first two horizons, which have become part of our story, integral to our identity, definitive moments in the the transformation of the historical people of God. But we derive a fundamental hope in the Creator from the vision of a new creation, and we allow that hope to shape our life and mission.

Easter at Whitby

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Whitby – where the Celtic church submitted to Rome. 664 – one of the presenting issues was the date of Easter, though there was much more beneath the surface. It stands in the history of the British isles as a turning point with respect to the demise of the Celtic tradition: the tradition that held together the charismatic, the miraculous and a strong theology of creation. This was the place where Steve Lowton and team began their historic walk to Rome from.

On the 19th April a number met there to celebrate Easter: perhaps for the first time on that (Celtic) easter date since 664. I have asked permission to reproduce Greg Valerio’s report on that time here. He writes…

Dear All,

On the cliff edge of the North Yorkshire Moors and the grey waves of the north sea, a small group of some 70 people gathered within the roofless broken down walls of Whitby Abbey. The morning of the 19th April being the aboriginal dating of easter on these islands found its voice again as those who had travelled from across the British Isles (Wales, Scotland & England) stood together to worship The Holy Trinity, break bread and remember the glorious sacrifice made by the Son of Man for our freedom and to call for the future to take root in the present.

As we broke bread a white goose walked into the circle and straining its neck up begged bread from the hands of Baz Gascoyne, as we laughed together the symbolism of the moment was not lost on any of us. The natural world was participating in our moment. A goose the celtic symbol of Holy Spirit and white for the colour of purity! All of creation, ancient, modern, natural and created had come together in the name of Christ to say ‘The indigenous spirituality of these islands that we called for and desired for many years was now open for business’.

A performance prayer of Patrick’s Breastplate echoed round the walls of the Abbey and our hearts were lifted as the future opened up before us.  For many there Whitby Abbey and this day held a special significance, a point of departure as well as a point of arrival. Many said goodbye to the hurts of the past and institutional religious control and opened the doors on fresh dreams, a horizon without limits and the freedom to be free with Jesus.

As the Father continues to pour out his Holy Fire in the margins of our lands, the wild freedom we are called to live in has found a deeper reality in all of us and Jesus really is the centre, the purpose and the only reason we exist. Creation is the arena of our faith now and a roofless abbey that echoes with the prayers of ancient and modern saints is what the future holds. There were a number of angelic encounters that morning and it seemed that for a moment at least, time was suspended and heaven and earth merged as it is destined to do when we are fully embraced by eternity.

Many thanks to everyone who made the journey at considerable expenses to themselves. A special thanks to Anne & Tim O’Hare and Malc Garda who led our time of worship, Lucy Frazer, Tamsin Carter and Juliet Larken for Patrick’s Prayer and Baz Gascoyne for breaking bread and talking to the goose. On this day we made history by aligning ourselves with The Celtic Easter date on this site for the first time since AD664.

May our journey continue to be filled with fire for the sake of the future.

Much love,

Greg

Eschatology #12

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This is a transitionary podcast. I give a summary of what we have covered so far (so it is a reminder but also if you have missed a podcast this will be a good one to listen to, or if you are looking to join in from now on).

I also give some of the influences on me: Ladd, Wright… Perriman.

Then finally some heads up on where I am going in the next set of podcasts. After this podcast I will begin to look at the NT material, starting with a background to NT expectations.

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A few more miles

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Walking east and then south (the bay is a big curve) we managed to rack up a few more miles. So maybe we have now walked over the 2 days about 1/12 of the island. Beauty – yes; freedom to be on the road; but to focus on what should be done / how should it be done to see the beauty of Jesus accessible for one and all? Those are the real issues that becomes the focus as we walk.

So  here are a few photos:

Team boldly going... (plus 1 photographer not in picture)

Team boldly going... (plus 1 photographer - Rachel - not in picture)

A view across the bay to home

Across the bay to home - and the start. The monument on the hill - to a 'saint'.

The finishing straight

The home straight - uphill and a few more miles. Thank God for sun cream.

On the road

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Today we walk again… this is so awesome. Walking and praying – such a combination. It clears the mind, the heart,and helps to keep a focus as to the task. So south east from the Cathedral. Walking with purpose, walking without all the answers – but I have no doubt being joined by angels.

Here is (on another subject!!) a link to an awesome project about waste management. I consider it kingdom work. video link.

Dreams and thoughts

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Places are fascinating. Many of those who read this will know that I have tried to use the seven letters of Revelation as a grid to help understand places. Here we are in a Sardis / Philadelphia type place… dreams are common. I am awake early awake from another dream.

Dreams about the history, the language, the culture, the future – all of that has taken place. But I am also experiencing (soulish) dreams challenging what I / we are doing here. Those are good because unless one is challenged how is it possible to know you are doing what is the right? In the wider picture, unless we doubt how can we have faith? (BTW: for those who have not picked up on this check out A.N. Wilson and his finding of faith.)

So today – and be aware of the immediate (annual) season we enter today through to May 1 as one of intense spiritual activity and upheaval – I write for those who are seeking to position themselves in something new without the presence of the old success markers.

Success!! People crying out ‘what must I do to be saved?’ Sure, but what about when God positions you where that is not taking place? What about when the Lord places you in a situation that is in measure isolated, that is sowing seed for a future in ground that is resistant? (And I am not particularly talking of geographical land here – work, hostile environment etc.)

Let me tentatively suggest that it is important not to  define yourself by the success markers of others. There has to be a new level of approval. I wrote in November, 2008, that a big battle this year is over the dependency culture. Those wishing to be involved in the next push have to be free from being dependent on yesterday’s approval.

When we can tick the success markers of others we can receive support – but the season we are in is about the support from heaven.

I admire those in the next generation who are breaking ground – refusing to allow former markers to define them.

As this is headed ‘dreams and thoughts’ allow me the luxury of pushing this a little further and making it personal to here. I have no doubt that with a little re-adjustment that it would be possible to begin a church here. There is always enough people ready for something ‘new’, ready to be trained in a new emphasis. Or to join with something (not necessarily the same things as being joined to people) existing and finding a role within it. Newsletters home (strange word – here is home: another blog – what is home? …unless we understand being aliens how can we ever really talk of home… unless we know that home is only in relation to the presence of God… I digress greatly) that then speak of numbers, a role, an impact – newsletters that give the language relating to the right markers. Maybe you get the picture.

But I write for you who cannot tick the right boxes. Listen to home in this season. Don’t be afraid of the doubts. There is a breaking of wrong dependencies; there is the removal of old anxiety patterns. There is rest.

Prayer and signs

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Living here is a privilege. Learning a new language is a privilege. Likewise trying to understand another culture; how does ‘community of faith’ develop in such a landscape; when the old markers of success are jettisoned what does it look like – all of that is a rich learning curve and a wonderful experience. And finally in my little list: to know that one is in the right place is the biggest bonus of all.

However, spiritual powers are for real. There is real hostility in the spiritual realm against making an impact for the Gospel here. Yesterday, we were with Kyle, Rachel and Hannah for some pressing in with prayer. They have made such an impact but often there are many discouragements on the way. Survival is always the #1 priority for this year!!

But today we had some real signs of a shift. Gayle and I have been focused on praying regularly for the right person / people to connect with who would help us with our Spanish and we can help them with English. In a local shop the cashier said ‘maybe I can help you with your Spanish and you can help me with my English’ without that being part of the conversation!! Then… (sorry longer story)

As we came to finish our prayer walk last week, Kyle stopped and spent time with a guy who had a major shopping trolley full of luggage. We carried on and finished the walk and then Kyle caught us up. The story – his marriage had broken up, he needed to get home to Portugal, had no money for the fare, etc. What do you do? I said to Gayle if we see him again and his story remains consistent that we need to buy him the ticket.

This morning there he was on the end of our street!! Of all the places to be. The next boat to Valencia is Monday, the same day as we plan the next prayer walk. It just felt like there was a connection. Met at the end of the last prayer walk, hopefully on his way home to a better life at the beginning of the next. Maybe symbolic, maybe some praxis – maybe story telling.

So signs. Only signs. sometimes that is all one needs, as signs point to the reality and draw the reality to earth.

Happy day. Oh and I am getting my fitness back (had 6 months last year when I could only do short runs due to an achilles strain).

Praxis

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Doing good to all, cups of cold water. The values of the kingdom are so strange. Not that they are not ‘valuable’ but that they are connected to the kingdom – hence they are strange. For surely a kingdom should be visible, so strong, so evidently full of  all the answers.

-oh and while I remember, what a game last night- good advert for English football. [In the technical books they call that an excursus, but then it should have something to do with the rest of the written material. But I have no excuse, I just enjoyed the game!!]

Story-telling and praxis. What we do tells a story. Stories change the world: why else do empires use and create myths about themselves?

For all you anabaptists, the story of Dirk Willems is well known. For others, it might be new.

Dirk had been baptised, was involved in baptising others, church was in his home. This of course was illegal. He was running to escape from a would-be capturor across a frozen river, when the ice cracked under the feet of his assailant, who then slipped into the icy water. He struggled and would have probably drowned.

Dirk turned back and helped him out – this eventually meant he himself was captured and lost his own life.

Did he do right? Did he need to do that? Had God intervened and given him a way of escape?

What is sure he told a story. Perhaps we would have run on, having escaped, and also had a story to tell. What if both ways are right – to run and escape and testify or to turn and lose one’s life? What if one is more right than the other?

Praxis and story.

Symbolism

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Assuming that Jesus had middle eastern dirt under his finger nails, that he was ‘one of us’, that he (re-)told the story of Israel in ways that disempowered the power hungry rulers of his day and gave hope to the ones who had no hope… what does that mean for his followers now?

Today this will be a ramble…

Symbolism. It is present everywhere. Not just in art and architecture, but in how we live our lives. The same dirt under our finger nails as the person next door – the same values in the heart? And if shaped by the future hope is there any evidence that my life is shaped by that hope?

My ecclesiology is so far removed from the processions that are in evidence here over Easter. But I am challenged by the symbolism – a story is being told. Next month my daughter gets married – the wedding style has been their choice, but I am so glad that how they are choosing to do it tells a story of their beliefs. It will not be in a ‘church’, but will represent their convictions about church. So often at the key points – ‘hatch, match and dispatch’ – those who espouse an emerging ecclesiology fall back to the traditions they wish to critique.

I have been freshly empowered these past days since prayer walking with the concept, not of changing the world, but of living a little more symbolically, so that there might be a few more people who become intrigued by my faith. And if no-one notices a story can still be told – a pathway can still be made in the spiritual realm that runs in and through all of creation.

And the dirt is real. ‘Fallen’ dirt. So the story has to be ongoing and the inadequacy of the story / symbolism will also be visible.

So what am I seeking to say through all this? Power to you and me today as we live lives of simplicity and in big or small ways, symbolise that the power hungry will continue to go hungry but the meek will be increasingly positioned to inherit the earth.

Symbolism: does the symbolism of (and around) my life tell that I am in the world… and does it tell that I am not of the world (this domination system: thank you Mr. Wink for that definition).

In the world – roof over my head / not off the world – what kind of roof? A bank balance – what kind of bank balance? Why start with those 2? Because somewhere I have to tell the story of his protection and provision. And sometimes I will fall into the trap of anxiety.

Eschatology #11

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This is the second podcast where I am looking at the theme of Creation – Exodus – New Creation through the lens of the cosmos as God’s Temple. This has obvious implications for the hope for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. I end this podcast with Matthew’s Gospel, and how the Great Commission is a renewal of the Creation Mandate to fill and steward the earth, and with Revelation 21 and the cubic-shaped New Jerusalem.

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