A proud dad …
Grace and I have four amazing kids, each of whom we love and respect immensely. Our first-born was written up recently in a local periodical ...
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I saw Avatar …
Some of the writing was cliched, and the violence was typical of an American film, but I loved the movie and as I left the theatre started planning when I could see it again. Then I read David Brooks insightful and important critique of the film, and felt conflicted, because Brooks strikes me as being dead on in his analysis, pointing out some disturbing messages the film carries.
A few days ago, I came across Steve Bell's wonderful reflection on a scene in the movie, and somehow was able to love Avatar again, holding the negatives and positives of the film together at the same time. (A little "non-dual" moviegoing, I suppose!)
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Recent Responses and a passing …
First, this tribute to the maker of the classic claymation shows Gumby and David and Goliath. When I was a kid, David and Goliath captured my imagination. If you ever get a chance to see an old episode - they were commissioned by the Lutheran Church - you'll see the moral substance beneath the colored clay.
A reader from South Africa writes about my posting on the primitive brain:
Thank you, as ever, for taking the trouble to write yet another long, sensible and rational blog – this time (12-01-2010) on the topic of terrorism and our need to put aside the instincts of the primitive brain. I agree with much of what you say, but may I point out the following?
(1) It was the primitive brain (the originator of fear) that caused Simon Peter to deny Christ. And it was the primitive brain that caused the other disciples to flee (in fear, obviously) when the arresting party arrived in Gethsemane. And what about Jesus himself? The Agony in the Garden must, surely, owe something to that same brain. My point here is that these scenes are, I think, the most moving in the Gospel. Let me put it another way: the primitive brain is part of our redemption. Let us not despise it too quickly, for all its faults and warlike ways. It is, at least, honest, and not capable of the crafty sophistication that leads to, say, smugness and hypocrisy.
(2) I am inclined to believe that fear and love are closely linked. If I am correct, then this suggests that the we may be treating the primitive brain in much the same way we treat our shadow self. Something to be denied and repressed – and yet something that is of enormous value. And, to return to the gospels – “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” – again, another of the most moving of scenes, and one that owes nothing to the light of rationalism or the evolved mind.
I could write much more, but I know you are very busy and that you receive hundreds of e-mails every day, so I will leave it at that. Thank you, once again, for the quality of your writing – and thinking.
R: Thanks for these excellent insights. You're right - the dark and "primitive" are part of our story, and we must not simply vilify them. This is an important theme of the last section of my upcoming book.
More after the jump ...
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Q & R: Don’t read McLaren!
Here's the Q:
I have just finished reading your book "A Generous Orthodoxy" and have been moved spiritually, emotionally, philosophically and whatever other "lly" there is. I want to say thank you for writing the things you did and in such a humble way. I must confess that I was warned by some "Don't read McLaren!!" but the book's premise really is something that I had been wrestling with myself. Needless to say I am more than glad I ignored those "warnings" and followed my heart.
Secondly, I was wondering if you would consider mentoring a young minister? (continued after the jump)
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Going to Israel
Grace and I leave in a few days for a pilgrimage to Israel. Our primary purpose will not simply be to see the sights where Jesus worked in the past (although that will be wonderful), but rather to see the places where the Spirit of God is working now - for reconciliation, justice, and peace in the midst of turmoil. We have a wonderful group of folks in our little band of travelers, and hopefully you'll be hearing from several of them as guest bloggers over the next few weeks. If you've never subscribed to the site for automatic RSS updates, this would be a great time to do so.
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