Spirituality and Credit

An interesting article on CBC.ca this week from Listen Up TV's Lorna Dueck on Spirituality and Credit. I am definitely a fan of Christians getting involved in media, moving up-stream of culture to have an impact on our society. I also know that there are inherent dangers -- the need to get published or broadcasted can often lead to the distortion of the gospel message, as well as the need to sensationalize what we say and write. For example, Lorna writes "I hope the church can cash in on our turmoil." Not really the best sentiment there -- pithy, though.

I can relate a little -- I was interviewed last year and at the beginning of this year regarding my position at school. In both cases, the journalist was looking for that elusive sound bite, that quote which could sum a complex idea up ever-so-neatly for people to easily digest. In the first interview, I was far too detailed to be used for quotes. However, in the second interview, I said something mildly controversial in the first sentence, and knew that was the clip they would show on the daily news. I was right. All of the other brilliant things I said were stolen right from my mouth by the interviewer, and used as her monologue piece, then - CUT! - straight to my contentious line. Oh well, I suppose it was worth my 15 sec. of fame!

Underground

It was interesting to read the account of CBC reporter David Gutnick about his visit to an underground church in Beijing. It has been many years since my own mission trip to Asia, and yet I am still occasionally reminded of the massive crush of people, the attention on a tall, white man (some of it unwanted, as in the case of the secret police), the sea of humanity in front of me as I walk down the streets.

We in the Western world have no clue what it is like to be persecuted. It is interesting to read some of the comments on the blog. How ignorant we are to the workings of Chinese society. There is a real reason why people choose to be members of underground churches, rather than attend the state-sponsored ones. The state-sponsored church denies the supernatural -- no miracles, no creation (however you interpret that as having occurred -- I won't go into that topic now), no resurrection, no Jesus. Cut out the Christ, and you are only left with -ianity. Sounds like inanity to me.

Things have definitely changed since my last experience with the underground church. There is no way that they would have ever agreed to even meet with me when I was there. Now they openly allowed a foreigner to not only meet them, but worship with them. Doors are opening into China, and many seem to be opening from within. It is incredible what prayer has accomplished there in the span of a few very short years.

The First Knell

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." - John Donne "For Whom the Bell Tolls"

Sadly, I've looked on for 3 or 4 years at the blogosphere thinking "I can't even commit to journaling regularly, why try to blog for everyone to see my inconsistencies!" I am resolved, at least, that the my next failure in writing regularly will at least be public, and invite comments and criticisms. This page will hopefully cover all of my interests (see my profile) and more.

If you thought that this page contained info on the Christian altRock band, The Resounding, check out their MySpace page or their web site.

At least we share one thing in common - our love for and faith in Jesus Christ. It's my first and foremost interest. I trust that this faith will be evident in my blog.