Virtue Reborn Chapter Four

Some of you will be aware that I am currently, and slowly, reading Tom Wright's Virtue Reborn. So far I have commented on chapters 1-3, and for an index of where to find those comments click here.

The title of chapter four is 'The kingdom coming and the people prepared'. Already we have seen, that part of what the Christian is supposed to be about (between believing and dying) is related to the final goal, the kingdom of God. A kingdom that is not just future, but can already be practised in the present.

In terms of character formation and right behaviour I have found the images of learning a musical instrument or a foreign language helpful - in that you practise and practise and practise, but at some point you discover that those things you've practised have become second nature.

In chapter 4 Wright looks at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and in particular the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11). What is its purpose? Are these rules to be followed? Targets to aim for? Or are they a declaration of what life in the kingdom of God is like, with the understanding that that life, which seemed so distant and remote is in the process of coming true on earth.

And when the kingdom of God comes finally in its fulness some of the virtues we read of in the Beatitudes (humility, meekness...) will shine through all the more powerfully. But other virtues will no longer be relevant - such as those related to mourning or persecution.

The virtues of the Sermon on the Mount are not be understood as, 1) if you live this way you will be rewarded, or 2) now that you believe in me this is how you must behave; but rather 3) these are the habits of heart which anticipate the new world here and now. They are the signs of the new life that Jesus came to bring.

In terms of the importance of being true to yourself - being authentic - Wright strongly makes the case that the Christian life is not about doing what comes naturally. If the authenticity that matters is living in accordance with the genuine human being God is calling us to become, then this sort of authenticity will start to happen as we follow Jesus. It will be hard work - but it is within reach. There will be signs of life - as green shoots grow through concrete - faith, hope and love; as there is the development of character formed by overflowing generous love.

So the Christian is not just a person who has received the love and forgiveness of God and new life - but they are an agent of it in the world. And so those who have had their hearts changed by God become heart changers themselves.

Wright points out that we are not to read the gospels with the aim of reading about a Jesus who says to us, 'this is how it's done; copy me'. Rather we read about a Jesus who says, 'God's kingdom is coming; take up your cross and follow me'. Jesus' example is not so much about how to do it - but what to do - love, forgiveness, self giving...

As I look back over chapter 4 there is so much that I have not covered ... see you in a few weeks.

Reasonable Reason

A Risky Business

A couple of Sundays ago was Pentecost - the day when Christians celebrate God sending the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Acts 2. This reading was a part of our E100 Bible reading programme a few weeks ago, and was followed by two weeks in the book of Acts reading stories of persecution, evangelism, church planting and church growth, wrestling with issues, escape from prison...

They were indeed exciting times - and I wonder if we ever read Acts and wish things were just a little more exciting these days. But surely they could be. Could we even say that they should be. The Spirit that came upon the disciples in Acts 2 is the same Spirit that God promises to believers today.

I was listening to a long term missionary speaking on Sunday evening. One of the things he said in response to a question asked about why mission organisations are seeing a drop in long term mission personnel is that we, as Christians in the west, have become comfortable and risk averse.

Part of being risk averse is that we never willingly put ourselves anywhere near a situation where we are going to be out of our depth or beyond our resources.

The trouble is that those are the very places where our faith will be strengthened, and we will have to rely on God rather than on ourselves. Those are the places where we will see the Spirit at work, because we can't do it for ourselves. Those are the exciting places.

We don't need to join a long term mission team canoeing up the Amazon to put ourselves beyond our own resources. If you're a Christian reading this then I'm sure there is something that comes to mind when asked the question, what is it that God is asking you to do - that you haven't done yet?

Thy will be gun

If you get offended at being offended, or would never visit my blog again if I included a video clip that contained the F word then please stop reading, ignore this post, and come back next week - and whatever you do, do not play the following video.

A friend of mine on Facebook had a link to this clip - with similar warnings to the ones above. It is a short extract from an American TV programme 'Real Time with Bill Maher' on HBO. It is a thought provoking (and potentially offensive) reaction, by someone who is not a Christian, to the reaction of some Christians to the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

If you are offended - sorry - but you have been warned.

International Sunday

I am still here! Just a bit behind with the posts.

Today was our International Sunday at church - a day when we celebrate the diversity of our multi-cultural congregation. At the beginning of the Bible we read that humans are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and at the end of the Bible we read of John's vision of heaven where people from every nation, tribe and language are involved in the worship of God (Revelation 7:9). So it is good to get in some practice by praising God together, now.

This morning we had 20 nationalities represented, with a colourful range of clothing and a delicious lunch on offer. With 20 nationalities there are of course more cultures - as countries are made up of different ethnic, language and tribal groups. Which gives plenty of scope for misunderstandings. For example a friendly gesture or an acceptable form of greeting in one culture may be quite offensive in another.

In Acts 10 and 11 we read how the early Jewish Christians struggled to come to terms with the truth that the church was a place for everyone from every nation, and not just for a select few. And that transition was not an easy one and it was one that took time. And it is something that we still get wrong.

As we celebrate our diversity and unity we look back to the beginning of the story in Genesis, we look ahead to the end of the story in Revelation, but we recognise that right at the centre is the cross. Whoever we are, wherever we come from - we fall short of what God expects and yet God still loves us, and Jesus still died for us. And as his disciples Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. That means that we seek to see the best in others. It means that we are quick to forgive. It means that we are gracious and compassionate and merciful. It means that whatever offence I cause you through some cultural misunderstanding we can still sit down and eat together.