The Highest Form of Hope

A lesser known treasure of the Louvre.

In this months Herald, Tim Geddert writes an article on atonement, specifically addressing some of the discussions/arguments that have been popping up in the MB world as of late. In the article he gives a bit of clarity as to some of the different atonement theories floating about as well as some much needed perspective - like that it is unhelpful to call people who don’t agree with your perspective heretics (imagine that!). I also appreciated this perspective inducing quote: The Bible majors on images, symbols, and narratives while we split hairs over philosophical concepts and formulas. Well said indeed.

But with this dose of perspective he does not simply dismiss the issue. Rather, Tim Geddert explains where the obstacles to consensus are coming from and challenges some major assumptions. I found it a very helpful article in providing some context to other discussions I’ve been reading over the past few months.

If I were to throw my two cents in, there are a few pitfalls I could see in some of the discussions on atonement, or perhaps these may be more a throwback to how I was taught about salvation in my younger years. I suppose that one of the worst ways to talk about atonement is to somehow attribute suffering and death as being key agents in the salvation of humanity, that somehow God is complicit or even an instigator in the suffering of Christ. The whole point of the death and resurrection of Christ is the defeat of death, and I don’t think many are actually promoting that God is a bloodthirsty diety, though sometimes the language employed may unintentionally point in this direction.

Another point, though not right away obviously connected to atonement (but has been important in my own understanding), is the concept of God’s justice as forgiveness. The way some speak of atonement it would seem that God’s justice and his mercy are opposed – that there is some kind of internal dilemma. Seeing God’s justice and mercy as part of the same story has been helpful for me. The entire narrative of Christ’s life, death and resurrection must be read as one cohesive picture of God’s justice, which is forgiveness. This is the ultimate defeat the powers of darkness and death – to forgive.

The way I’ve best read atonement described is through the lens of the Trinity – that it is the way God moves in dynamism within the three persons… the Son gives up all to the Father and Father in turn gives back infinitely spilling over to us, inviting us into the love relationship of gift and response… just as in Article 5 of the MB Confession of Faith, it states: “God’s love is fully demonstrated in the life death and resurrection of Christ.”

Labels: atonement, forgiveness, justice, MB Herald, trinity

In preparation for my future studies, I thought it might be appropriate to commit to writing more “theological” posts rather than merely blogging about my vacation (which I’m sure you’re all sick of). Accompanying this thought is the thought of dividing my current blog into two – one about life in general and another dedicated to what I’ll be learning in the next two years. But having TWO blogs to update feels a little overwhelming considering I have trouble updating my facebook status more than once a month (and don’t get me started on my twitter account). So unless you would have me spread myself even more thinly over cyberspace than I already am, those who read this out of personal interests may have to put with a few boring posts now and again. And those of you who read this blog to know my “deeply profound” thoughts (all zero of you) will be blessed with pictures of my cute kids, various failblog videos, art rants and other things… I am aware that this is in some violation to an unwritten code of blogging, but I’ve decided that I’m okay with that. Nothing is separate – the daily ebb and flow of life, reading to my kids, the back-lit leaves in the garden, and the new things I’m learning - it ‘s all connected. I’ve decided it is okay that my blog reflects this.

I look forward to the process of gathering new words, ideas and images over the next couple of years and I hope to share a little bit of this on my blog, as long as it remains clear that whatever I write when it comes to what I’m learning is because of what I’m learning. I mean this in that anything I would write shouldn’t somehow give credit to me, but a credit to those who have taught me, either directly or indirectly. I hope that in anything I write, an inconsequential as it is, I can maintain the attitude that anything I have, I have been given. At this season in my life I am feeling very close to this truth.

Labels: blogging, faith, life in general, writing

We're home at last after a two week vacation in London and Paris!! In the process of organizing my pictures (you can see more on my facebook page), I can scarcely believe how many things we've seen and done - though my calf muscles are thoroughly convinced!

We left for on London via Calgary on June 6th after spending an evening with friends from college - very nice to catch up and see how much their three kids have grown - and arrived in London at 9 am on the 7th. We pushed through the jet lag to see Big Ben and the National Gallery. Some other highlights of London included Westminster Abbey, Tate Modern (my highlight, not so much Paul's!), the Victoria and Albert Museum, taking Paul to his first Broadway musical, the British Museum, and of course our three hour bus ride through purgatory to get to Wembley Stadium in order to see England thoroughly trash Andorra 7-0! Halfway through the week the Underground worker went on strike causing London to become gridlocked the day of the game. It took us three hours to bus 8 miles in hot, overcrowded bus full of soccer fans and angry commuters. London is not a "pretty" city per se, but it's certainly full of culture and history (and anger, especially in hot buses). One thing that makes London particularly unique is that it has found a way to both architecturally and philosophically meld the old and the new. We saw this most clearly as we travelled from St. Paul's Cathedral down over the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern. Somehow it felt cohesive and unified - unlike Paris where skyscrapers seem unfortunately out of place.

Due to my ineptness at reading the 24 hour clock, we left for Paris at 5 am on Friday morning by train. We were a little nervous about the language barrier and that old stereotype that the French are rude to North Americans... be we needn't have worried. We found Parisians very warm and helpful people, and most spoke a little English (my grade ten French wasn't very helpful). Thankfully Paul's worries about the apartment we rented being a scam turned out to be unfounded. Other than being a little noisy at night with happy partiers in the streets our accommodations really made the trip. We were literally 100 feet from Notre Dame which lit up in all its glory every evening. We spent a good deal of time just sitting on the window sill, reading or people watching. If any of you want a fun, cheap place to stay in Paris we'll connect you to our hosts - they were awesome!

I think out of the two cities I enjoyed Paris the most. Paris was more relaxed - people take the time to enjoy life visiting and eating with friends, spending three hours at the local cafe, playing soccer in the parks... it was really very refreshing. Paris also seemed more family orientated and less materialistic than London (or any other North American city I've been to) - and the art wasn't bad either!!!! The only unfortunate things about Paris were that its completely packed with tourists, and that the Metro system was not nearly as easy to navigate as London's (when it was open). Some highlights of our time there was St. Chapelle's, the Military Museum, the morning market near our apartments, the Pompidou Centre, a cute Mexican restaurant we frequented, a bike ride around Versailles and the Rodin Museum.

I'm pretty sure I've now seen just about every major western artist now from 1300 - 1950 - sadly I only saw one Paul Klee and it was very small, but one is better than none I suppose! I really enjoy Rodin's museum and I got to see a number on unfinished Rouault paintings in the Pompidou - I nearly cried. I also became more well-acquainted with Raphael, seeing his cartoons at the Albert and Victoria, and then several of his paintings in the Louvre. I like him now more than ever... he is fast becoming my favorite Italian Renaissance painter!

So it was good to come home feeling a little more connected to the world and to history, but two weeks was almost too long to be away from our kids. When we picked them up from Grandma's house Noah clung to me for a good 15 minutes (until he saw the toys we brought him). Sasha has filled out a bit since we left and has excelled at his coloring skills! Noah is talking in longer sentences and his reddish brown hair is now decisively blond! Things can change so much in two weeks... It is good to be home!

Labels: art, family, london, paris, travel, vacation

Tomorrow I leave for EUROPE!!!!!

Labels: art, europe, travel, vacation

Labels: hepburn, photography

"Thing and Deception" Martinez Celaya   oil on canvas  1997

Labels: art, doubt, faith, modern art

He is the water: you need only mould
the cup out of two hands extended yonder:
and if you kneel as well---why, then he'll squander,
and pass all your capacity to hold.

              Rainer Maria Rilke

Labels: family, life in general