The Poblem with Post Billy Graham North America

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:10-14)

The message from Christianity to the culture in post Billy Graham North America: You tried drugs, sex, and rock & roll looking for fulfillment, but Jesus is the only way you can experience fulfillment in this life.

Fulfillment? Seems like code for 'happiness'. Is fulfillment in this life really what Jesus died on a cross for? In a society that is attuned to instant gratification we now see the dumbing down of religion primarily to serve the purposes of the here and now.

When an Olympic athlete trains he trains with a purpose - this purpose makes him a disciple of the sport. Those who play beer league hockey are not disciples but treat the activity as an add-on to their life. In the same way Christians in our culture often approach faith as an add-on, combined with the other add-ons, hopefully amounting to happiness. The focus here is not on the eternal but on the temporary. Students go to school to earn a degree but the degree is not the end in itself, rather the beginning of a lifelong career.

Just like the Olympic athlete we train in this life and endure as true disciples of Christ. Our faith is to be our consuming motivation and not merely an add-on to be added to the list in attempt to be happy. True fulfillment does not come as a replacement for the drugs, sex and rock & roll but a completely different paradigm that stands in opposition to the idea of comfort or enjoyment being paramount.

Given the issues brought about by the current economic recession, a friend of mine asked a rhetorical question: "What is up with all us Christians suffering?" I wanted to say "are you kidding?" Does it not say in the scriptures "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust"(Matt 5:45). Jesus Christ is a messiah of suffering and we are called to take up our cross and follow him!

Often when we use the word suffering as Christians we actually mean “being uncomfortable”. Is economic uncertainty suffering like the suffering of the apostles and the martyrs? Or how about our brothers and sisters in Darfur?What of the Christians in Iraq living in danger of acts of terror and murder? What about our African brothers and sisters in Christ who have lived in war torn countries resulting in their children stolen, women raped, and families killed? Contrast this with the suffering we endure and I would label at least some of it as being merely uncomfortable.

Jeff Wilson

Should H1N1 prevent you from taking the Eucharist?

Several church's have issued statements regarding the administration of communion during this current health scare. I think it is helpful to understand why and how we receive the Eucharist.

Our options:

1. Eat the bread, drink the cup
2. Dip the bread in the cup
3. Eat the bread only

The most problematic of these is option #2. By handling the bread more germs are introduced into the common cup than could ever have come from making contacts with your lips. In my humble opinion this method seems kind of selfish. The point of communion is a coming together with God and the whole of the saints both past and present; the last thing on our minds should be self expression, rights, or our own comfort. Communion is a time where we stand in solidarity with Christ's church throughout the ages. Another sign of this is when we kneel to pray we put our hands together showing our solidarity and communion with the martyrs that died with their hands bound.

In some church's it has been encouraged to take the bread only during the current health scare. This is a common practice for those with certain allergies or recovering alcoholics. The presence of Christ is viewed to be complete in either of the elements.

Those concerned should always speak to their priest about these matters, they are the ones ordained to administer the sacrament. I would like to encourage everyone to continue to receive the Eucharist as a sacred mystery that God gives to us for our healing and spiritual benefit.

Jeff Wilson

The Pope’s offer: To swim the Tiber?

It is well-known that the Holy Father has extended a pastoral crozier (shepherd’s crook) towards disaffected Anglicans of a catholic disposition. After much thought and angst I have formed an opinion on the matter.
What is the Offer?
To be honest, we are not sure. Details have been held back presumably until a more final and complete form of the apostolic constitution is available. Let us focus on what we do know.
The Pros Cons

Pro - As the Archbishop of Canterbury told us; Rome has shown us that much of Anglican practice and patrimony is seen as consistent with the Roman Catholicism – big score for ecumenism here.
Con – Potentially loosing some of our strongest clergy and leadership when we need them the most.
Pro – A gracious and pastoral offer to Christians in need – shows real leadership in a vacuum of what has been the ECUSA, CofE and ACofC.
Con – the Vatican still has yet to recognize Anglican Holy Orders or the validity of our sacraments.
Con – many points of concern felt by Anglicans, protestants, and the Eastern Orthodox church’s are remaining unchanged such as: Papal Infallibility and the Immaculate Conception.
Con – Divisive in the Anglican Communion
Pro – inclusive to Catholic minded Christians
Pro/Con - move shows a complete lack of faith in the leadership abilities of the current Archbishop of Canterbury

Despite the “Cons” I still view this as a form of Christian charity and stewardship by the Bishop of Rome. Benedict's unique ability to unite Christians while holding the official line of his church is interesting indeed. The Anglican Communion would do well to have an Archbishop of Canterbury with the same conviction, strength and theological depth Pope Benedict has afforded his office.
This is still not a coming together and mutual respect of Roman Catholics and Anglicans. The Pope has created a raft for those who wish to cross the Tiber and conform to the Roman way of doing things. This should allow those who have decided to leave Anglicanism a way back to Rome while being intellectually honest with themselves. Institutional concessions will make it an easier transition and allow a distinct Anglican feel.
Jeff Wilson