Chaos, Chaos, Peace.

Season3 Episode 7 – CRT: Global Edition

Again – CRT stands for Christian Response to Tragedy. Since the tragic events at the Boston Marathon a couple of weeks ago things seem to have gone back to normal, or at least have died down. Yet there continues to be a need for Christianity to have a voice in the midst of such chaos.

In the initial reactions we saw a good deal of jingoism, especially on Facebook – people saying that they loved Boston, etc. and that is good. Yet it can go a little far, it can become commercial in its own way because people are looking for meaning and understanding. What can we do? We can say that we support Boston. We can talk about how we are effected by the bombing. But we cannot do much more. The feeling of hopelessness can be overwhelming.

This is where Christianity has a voice that is needed.

We (people of faith) can point to scripture to offer comfort. For example, Isaiah 40 or Psalm 23 speak to God’s presence and the comfort that can be found in God. We can point to Luke 12 as a passage reminding us that we do not have to worry because with God all will be well. This gets into a specific theology of the cross so it may not help all, but as Christians, I think it speaks to a profound hope that we need.

We can point to chaos and suffering in the Bible and God’s presence in that suffering. This is where the book of Revelation has much to offer. It paints a picture of a time of great suffering and then gives the hope that suffering, violence, and chaos will not be the end. In the end God will prevail. The point is, there is much in scripture that can offer hope.

Now, what should you do? First, pray. Then, take care of yourself. Even if you weren’t directly effected, take care of yourself. This is something that I don’t think many people do well.

Finally, claim that hope in your faith that God’s justice, and mercy, and kingdom will prevail over hatred, violence, and death. In the face of tragedy at a global level it is what we need.

Railage:

Charley is on a rampage against the New York Post. You probably should read the Vanity Fair article to see what has Charley in such a bother.

Jonathan just doesn’t like the idea of the History Channel doing a thing on The Bible. He thinks you can actually read it for yourself and use your own imagination. Is there an App for such an endeavor?

A Liturgical Exegesis

Matthew 1:1-17

I dare you to try to read this passage out loud without stumbling! It is a long list of names, but some that you might not expect. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (who is indirectly mentioned), and Mary. If such unexpected, scorned, and unorthodox individuals are brought into the lineage of Christ, then what does that say for us?

Bonus: check out Hannah Lee Corbin, John Leland, and Andrew Bryan

Watcha Into?

Jonathan is excited about his recent crop of Dandelions and his Dr. Who binge.

Charley is bleeding for Christ. Well, actually he is bleeding so his blood can be used to help out others. Actually he isn’t bleeding at all, but he wants people to donate blood. Charley is a vampire.

Next week: Church events that are stupid! Can such a thing exist?