This is sort of an extension of the previous post, or perhaps more me wondering how you would feel about considering this an extension of the previous post. I'm reading some Bill Hicks (peace be upon him) at the moment. He's not a theologian in any classic or esteemed sense, he's a dead american stand-up comic (/prophet?) who got in lots and lots of trouble for making a lot of sense about lots of things and who threw in lots of coarse humour to ensure nothing he said would be swallowed whole or uncritically.
One of the things he's quite excited by and talks about a few times is his understanding of the word 'enthusiasm' coming from 'En Theos' or the 'God within'. What this says to him is that it's God in us that is at the root of things we get excited about. You see where this ties in to questions of authority. Is Bill too close to 'if it feels good do it' / 'be your own God'? Or in line with the idea of being 'Spirit led'?
Hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm.
27 February 2008
Says who?
I've been thinking a little bit about authority and how that relates, theologically and hermenuetically, to the training i'm doing. Suppose i come to train (sorry, be formed / undergo ministerial formation - that's the lingo), and i'm of the persuasion that scripture is THE authority under which all other authority is measured, or, to put it another way, scripture is, in absolute terms, true and authoritative.
As I study and learn and gain more of a historical perspective on scripture and events recorded (we're still supposing here, ok) i would be put in a position where i was having to make a choice, on certain situations, between historical evidence and what scripture tells me. Suddenly i'd be finding myself as the one who has authority, because it would be me having to make that judgement call. Two things are realised in this.
First, that what God has done in allowing me to exist is give authority to me! I can choose who/what to authorise to have authority over me. Wow! How freeing, gracious and risky God is.
Secondly, My supposed intial position, where i believe the Bible to be authoritative, is a false idea. In reality what's gone on is one would've chosen to give authority completely to scripture, or more likely, one would've given authority completely to whoever it was teaching that the Bible has complete authority. How Ironic. The bottom line appears to be that we're empowered and encouraged to think and question and take ownership. That couldn't possibly be something ordained by God could it? Arrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhh.... Oh no, i can't pass any bucks any more, i have to take responsibility for my own existence. I'm going to tidy my room.
As I study and learn and gain more of a historical perspective on scripture and events recorded (we're still supposing here, ok) i would be put in a position where i was having to make a choice, on certain situations, between historical evidence and what scripture tells me. Suddenly i'd be finding myself as the one who has authority, because it would be me having to make that judgement call. Two things are realised in this.
First, that what God has done in allowing me to exist is give authority to me! I can choose who/what to authorise to have authority over me. Wow! How freeing, gracious and risky God is.
Secondly, My supposed intial position, where i believe the Bible to be authoritative, is a false idea. In reality what's gone on is one would've chosen to give authority completely to scripture, or more likely, one would've given authority completely to whoever it was teaching that the Bible has complete authority. How Ironic. The bottom line appears to be that we're empowered and encouraged to think and question and take ownership. That couldn't possibly be something ordained by God could it? Arrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhh.... Oh no, i can't pass any bucks any more, i have to take responsibility for my own existence. I'm going to tidy my room.
Ha! I'm back!
Right, first things first, Spurs are league cup champions! Let's have a little look shall we. This is the best video i've found so far. What an incredible seat this guy had. Two moments to look out for
1. The reception given to Avram Grant
2. Someone claiming they've touched God.
1. The reception given to Avram Grant
2. Someone claiming they've touched God.
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