I'm reading three books at the same time (as usual). Two by Shane Claiborne and one by Rob Bell. They're not for the faint of heart. Not sure I'd even recommend them they're so radical. If you feel adventurous, they're called "The Irresistible Revolution," "Jesus for President"and "Jesus wants to Save Christians." All pretty wild.
The point of these books - and the Bible in many ways - is that Jesus came to bring a new kingdom. A totally different way of life. That religious business as usual was over and there was a new way, a new king, a new life. And it was pretty much upside down/backwards from all they had known. It still is today.
I am constantly asked what I think the "answer" is in the Middle East. I always say "Jesus" and then people laugh and say "No, but seriously." Hmmmm? How about "The way of Jesus." That's an even better answer. So...what's his "way" in a time like now?
Would Jesus kill the terrorists or root out the insurgents? Would he ask us to do that? Or is there another way?
What did he model? How did he live? How did he treat actual bad guys? What about Occupiers? How were the ones with the power to treat the ones without power?
These are real questions that he actually answered in both his teaching and his life.
So how do we answer those questions? There are answers we just don't like them. But they will bring life! Live or die? The choice is ours for our own lives and for the lives of others. Which do we choose?
About Me
- Carl Medearis
- Carl Medearis and his family lived in Beirut, Lebanon for 12 years. Through his unique and strategic approach around the Arab world, he has taught many Muslim university students, business professionals and political leaders to live their lives by the principles of Jesus in order to change their nations. Today Carl spends much of his time working with leaders both in the West and in the Arab world with the goal of seeing a total transformation of the Arab Middle East through the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
2 comments:
i just finished "Jesus for president" and it was really great and wild...currently reading the rob bell book, which makes just such a compelling case that we have been in a time where myself and others are playing that game of "adventures in missingthe point" (another good book by campolo and mclaren)
thanks for you ministry and letting the Lord use you to inspire us...
سلام
the answer is Jesus...another original thought from carl. haha. So where do you encourage people to look in the Gospels specifically as they wrestle with this Gaza situation? Or are you referring generally to the nature of jesus' teachings to "love your enemies" and "do good to those who persecute you"? What are your thoughts on those who call themselves christian Zionists and always side with Israel on every situation at hand?
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