I was just sitting down to post about how I can't remember the last time that I read a blog post from a Christian blogger (including myself, to be fair) that really said anything about Jesus, and here one is!
But this confused me: "Maybe we should talk some more about mysticism?"
Why not just talk more about Jesus?
Hi Kristy,
Welcome! That line about mysticism was something of an "inside" comment for a few "regulars" (when I used to post regularily!) who I had begun a discussion with last year on that topic. I got sidetracked, but it seemed that the idea that we might look to the mystical tradition within Christianity as a way to move beyond the left/right, modern/postmodern paragigm, seemed to resonate with some folks.
Of course all of that is worthless if it dosen't lead us to Jesus. 
I think that some of us...well, myself anyway...need to find some new ways to talk about Him. Not co-opt Him, or reinvent Him, but encounter His timeless truth in a new way. I think that spending some time with the "mystery" of it all might help.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
Thank you. 
That is a really interesting idea, using the mystical to get beyond divisive issues. I'll have to ponder that.
Let me know where your pondering lead if you don't mind!
Part of it, for me, is the storytelling piece. Jesus seemed to teach not so much in a propositional way, but rather by telling stories that forced people to get outside of their own situation and use some moral imagination. I'm not sure we do that any more.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
Whoops...posted that too soon.
cont.
I see that a being tied to the mystical tradition becasue I really think that it takes a powerful recognition of the living, present Christ to make sense of many of the moral questions that seem to be dividing the Church. WWJD indeed. To the mystic, this is not a question soley to be answered by the Book, but also through conversation with the living God.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
The story thing is what caught my eye, too, and I think you really hit on something with your last comment.
I don't think we really understand story anymore. As a culture, our way of approaching story tends to be very passive and anti-social. The storyteller is very removed from his or her audience. When Jesus told parables in the Gospels, the reaction that he got was highly emotional because there was a dialog going on between him and his audience. You don't see any of that in church when the Gospel readings are read. The crowds were filled with wonder, and we politely try to stifle a yawn.
The Church's birthright is a story, but that's the part we tack on felt boards pass off to children. Maybe we fight so bitterly because we know that so little of what really counts is at stake.
Well I wasn't put off by the AbY's remarks at all. In fact we can't say it enough - over and over again -
It's not about us, it's about Jesus. Finding him in the scriptures and stories, sure, and finding him in one another. All the rest is unimportant, I believe.
Thanks for a good post Joe, though I must admit I don't get the Harry Potter stuff at all.... I must be weard.
Finding Jesus...or being found by him. Yep, that's the hope. We create so many distractions for ourselves though don't we?
LOL...it must be hard to be a "muggle" in a world gripped by "pottermania." Did you read the books and not like them, or do they just not appeal to you enough to pick one up? Just curious. I was a doubter for the first couple of years...not wanting to just follow the crowd...but I finally picked up the first book and was instantly hooked.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
I fear I just lack the imagination necessary - never been a Narnia fan or Potter fan or such. I suppose I'm too much of a meat and potatoes guy! Plus the scriptures are so full of sufficient "marvels" - way beyond my comprehension, that I find this genre "confusing".
BTW do have a look over at my friends at:
www.thelandofunlikeness.com
They have a new post on Potter which is excellent.
Thanks for the heads up Davis...it was a very good post indeed...much to chew on.
I'm hoping to have a "potter post" up myself this week.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
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