atonement revisited
Mood:  hungry

I feel that I did not do the Classic View of Atonement justice last time.  Some of what I said was accurate, but some was only what some of the Orthodox writers I have read have to say.

The Classic View:

In any view, the Atonement is founded on the Divine Incarnation. By this great mystery, the Eternal Word took to Himself the nature of man and, being both God and man, became the Mediator between God and men. From this, we have one of the first and most profound forms of theological speculation on the Atonement, the theory which is sometimes described as Mystical Redemption. Instead of seeking a solution in legal figures, some of the great Greek Fathers were content to dwell on the fundamental fact of the Divine Incarnation. By the union of the Eternal Word with the nature of man all mankind was lifted up and, so to say, deified. "He was made man", says St. Athanasius, "that we might be made gods" (De Incarnatione Verbi, 54). (from the Catholic Encyclopedia)

Although I am not so sure about the concept of deification, I would say that I agree with the Classic View.  I also agree with the Latin or Judicial View as well.  They work together.  Yes, Christ's death was an atoning sacrifice paying for our sins (Latin View).  Yes, Christ's life and death as an incarnate man reconciled us to God and draw us up into His embrace.

I feel that this is a necessary thing to bring up only because I did it an injustice earlier.  The important thing is that through His life and death, Christ brought humanity and God back together, healing the wounds of sin and fallenness.  Both images are correct; neither is fully complete.

We spend too much time worrying about "which" doctrine or theology is correct, when sometimes, "both" are.

leaving thunder bay

Tonight is my last night in Thunder Bay.  Tomorrow I fly to Ottawa.

I mean, not "never to return" or anything.  Just until Christmas.  But never to live. 

I had big plans for this post.  I know it.  But I'm really tired and drawing a blank right now.

Going to bed instead.

cyprus: a year in photos
Mood:  hungry

So I made a set of photos on my flickr called "Cyprus: A Year in Photos."

I realise I put 140 in it.  Consider that I had btwn 500-600 to choose from.  They cover from September to the end of May.

If you don't want to look at each individually, you can watch it as a slideshow.  At least, if you don't have a really lame internet connection such as I have, that is.

cyprus: a year in quotes
Mood:  a-ok

A selection of quotes that I recorded in and from various sources over the course of this year.  These are some gems.  I’ll post the bulkier version in the Randomness section of the site.  Remember: I read 70 books this year… 

 

Worship is the fuel and goal in missions.

-John Piper, quoted by Giacomo Kim in a talk about spiritual warfare at training

 

The river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.

-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows 

 

Salvation is past tense in that, through the death and Resurrection of Christ, we have been saved.  It is present tense, for we must also be being saved by our active participation through faith in our union with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Salvation is also future tense, for we must yet be saved at His glorious Second Coming.

-What Orthodox Christians Believe 

 

The pirate attack had been a complete surprise; sure proof that the unscrupulous Hook had conducted it improperly, for to surprise redskins fairly is beyond the wit of the white man.

-J M Barrie,  Peter Pan 

 

A disciple says, ‘I hear you.  It’s the nuttiest thing I ever heard of.  It’s risky.  I’ll look like a fool, but I’ll do it.  Because my life is no longer committed to doing my thing but your thing.’

-Rebecca Manley Pippert, Out of the Saltshaker 

 

That is surely childhood’s end, when you look at a thing like a rabbit needing skinned and have to say: “Nobody else is going to do this.”

-Leah in The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

 

As people who live in North America, self-absorbed and preoccupied with ensuring ourselves of a stable country, the next mortgage payment or finding a cheap can of tuna, we need to rediscover the heroic faith that refuses to compromise on spiritual essentials.

-Bob Morris, “Martyrdom: The Ultimate Challenge” on urbana.org

 

The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen.

-G K Chesterton, “The Blue Cross,”  The Innocence of Father Brown 

 

Besides, even the most spiritually advanced—perhaps especially the most spiritually advanced—need frequent times of laughter and play and good fun.

-Richard Foster, Prayer 

 

The proud cannot find you, even though by dint of study they have skill to number stars and grains of sand, to measure the tracts of constellations and trace the paths of planets.

-St. Augustine, Confessions 

 

That is what the Church is: the gathering round the same table of the Last, Mystical Supper; the supper without which we cannot have salvation.  It is only through this that Man is united with God, the Real Life.  In this way, we are freed from the realm of death, where we belong after the fall, that is, the separation of Man from God.

-Rev. Andreas Michaelidis, The Creed 

 

When he has finished censing, the Deacon puts away the censer.

-rubrics in The Divine Liturgy of Our Father Among the Saints John Chrysostom 

 

I do not reject exclusion because of a contingent preference for a certain kind of society…. I reject exclusion because the prophets, evangelists, and apostles tell me that this is a wrong way to treat human beings, any human being, anywhere, and I am persuaded to have good reasons to believe them.

-Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace 

 

Faith in Christianity is based on evidence.  It is reasonable faith.  Faith in the Christian sense goes beyond reason but not against it.

-Paul E. Little, Know Why You Believe 

 

Be prepared to look God in the eye when Christ comes again.

-Bishop Clive Handford, sermon at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Nicosia

 

I find it awkward to walk up to strangers in cafes and say, “What’s my name?”

-Ann Carter discussing ministry

 

He who does not know the truth cannot truly have faith; for by nature knowledge precedes faith.

-St. Mark the Ascetic, “200 Texts on the Spiritual Law,” The Philokalia 

 

Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable?  Quite easily, I should think.  All nonsense questions are unanswerable.  How many hours in a mile?  Is yellow square or round?  Probably half the questions we ask—half our great theological and metaphysical problems—are like that.

-C S Lewis, A Grief Observed 

 

Not to teach a man who is ripe: waste of man.  To teach a man who is not ripe: waste of words.

-Confucius, quoted by Anthony de Mello in The Song of the Bird 

 

Evangelism is never proclamation in a vacuum; but always to people, and the message must be given in terms that make sense to them.

-Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church 

 

It was somewhat to my chagrin the other day that I realized that I’m turning into my mother. Now, I have long since come to terms with the fact that I’ve become my father, but to realize at the tender age of twenty-two that one has assumed the characteristics of not one, but both of one’s parents is somewhat offputting.

-Will Ferrey from his blog

 

Me: It’s good that you ask questions, ‘cause I’m a little vague.  In my brain.

Shannon: That’s called being a guy.

 

Each Sura [of the Qu’ran] (except the ninth) begins with the words BISMILLAH RAHIMAN IRRAHIM—“In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”  Rahiman and rahim are words more intense than the superlative degree in English, and refer to different aspects of God’s attribute of mercy.

-Ishmael My Brother, compiled by Anne Cooper

 

This is authentic Roman rebar.

-“Frank” in Salamis

canada or cyprus
Now Playing: Gordon Lightfoot

At the moment, I can't decide what to write about.  Shall I write about what I see lacking in Canada?  Or should I begin my final posts on Cyprus, looking at the year as a whole?

Hm...

Just got back from Calgary.  Just so much...bigness.  Too much.  Too much money.  I'm a little afraid of the materialism of the West--either that I'll lash out unjustly or be sucked in.  I'd like rather to be able to speak forth to my culture, hoping that it will change.

Sometimes it's hard to tell people about Cyprus, to find the words, even though I'm bursting to say things.  Mind you, the "How was Cyprus?" line has begun to get a bit old.

"Good."

Lame answer.

The word good has been destroyed forever.  There were things in Cyprus that were wonderful and delightful and that I really enjoyed.  But there were also some really, really hard times.  I would say that some of the hardest and some of the best times of my life were had in Cyprus.

And here in Canada, I'm having a little trouble meshing.  While thankful for freedoms, I wish people wouldn't abuse them.  Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.  Doesn't mean it's right.  I feel somewhat detached from Canada and Canadians.  Certain things just don't resonate with me.

Like shopping.  I still like books, but only to the degree of finding ones I'm already looking for and which serve a purpose.  I mean, we have libraries here!  Big ones!  Why buy books that I'll read once that I can acquire from the library?!  I mean, there are those I'll reread and others I can't borrow from the library.  So these I buy.

Or the amount of money we spend just to entertain ourselves.  Bleah.

Not that people don't spend ridiculous amounts of money on entertainment in Cyprus.  I just wasn't one of them.  Nor did I spend much time with any.  International students and missionaries have fairly tight budgets.  So we did more communal things to entertain ourselves--things that require no more than friends and maybe a couple pounds each.

I like Canada.  But I kinda miss Cyprus.

canada
Mood:  cool
Dad is sleeping. Then he'll shower. Following this, we're going out for supper at a restaurant. Apparently these exist in rural Saskatchewan. Today, Jonathan, Dad and I dismantled a tree house.

And now, while I wait, allow me to share with you about Canada.

The True North Strong and Free.

So. Canada. First of all, let me talk about the things I enjoy about Canada. Canada has a lot going for it, my friends. In Canada, there's Dr. Pepper, for one thing. And doughnuts, and Slurpees (as well as Slurpee knock-offs), and pie. People drive on the right side of the road (as opposed to the left). They also speak with Canadian accents and use Canadianisms.

Other things that are great about Canada. Not all of these are things that are necessarily opposed to the way Cyprus is. Cyprus has a lot going for it as well. But I'll reminisce on that later.

In Canada, we are free to be we. We can be Anglicans. Or gay. Or gay Anglicans, for that matter. Or Indians. Or First Nations persons. Or Indians married to First Nations persons. Or Mormons. Or French. Or English, for that matter. As a Canadian, I am free to go anywhere in my country I wish. I am allowed to believe as I wish. I am allowed to be an Anglo-Scots Canadian.

Sometimes it can be culturally difficult to celebrate whiteness. But other times, it is a blessing to be a white guy in Canada. As a white guy with Scots ancestors, I can Highland dance or go to Highland games or all sorts of things. As a Canadian with a little Metis heritage, if I wish I could get Metis status and be able to celebrate that part of my heritage as well.

I, myself, am free to be I in Canada. I am free to be an Anglo-Scots heterosexual evangelical traditionalist Anglican who plays the clarinet, Highland dances, and reads a lot of books. I am also free to do all sorts of other things.

If I like, I could write a post criticising Canada. Canadians are free to criticise the government. We are free to hold our own political opinions and publicly state them. We are free to hold our own spiritual beliefs and practise our spirituality freely.

In some countries, people can't even read religious or political documents on the internet, regardless of whom or what the documents support. Books are not in abundance and are often even banned. In Canada, we have access to a wealth of information about all sorts of topics--arts, science, politics, philosophy, religion, medicine. There is a fairly free flow of information in Canada.

Furthermore, we have access to education that can enable us to be able to think critically about the information we access through these books and off the internet. Sure, people will try to convince that their opinions are the right ones, but we are free to think and believe as we will.

This is a freedom to cherish and celebrate.

I am glad to be Canadian.

brief note
I'm in Sasquatchenon.

And I don't think that's the last time I'll tell that joke.

Just posting to say that the last photos from my journeys overseas are up on my flickr if any of you care to check it out.

retrospective on toronto (for uncle bob)
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot
I'm sitting in my dining room in Thunder Bay drinking Dr. Pepper (can't get that in Cyprus!). As I type on my brand new super-fast laptop, I recall the four days I spent in Toronto...

The first day began in Gatwick Airport at 7:00 AM GMT. It ended at 10:30 Eastern time (aka 3:30 AM GMT the next day). I was up for a very, very long time. Thankfully, I slept during the bus ride from Gatwick to Heathrow and for the beginning of the flight.

Uncle Richard and Aunt Sherri collected me from the airport. First stop: Mr. Horton for doughnuts. Mmm...doughnuts. Doughnuts cooked properl. Doughnuts that are fresh and sticky and sweet and happy and...mmm...

...

mmm...doughnuts...

...

Sorry. Uh...what happened next? Ah, yes. Went to their place and hung out with my cousin Daniel. Listened to Opeth, a Swedish heavy metal band that can make music. Seriously. And then ate. Following eating, Jennifer called and we talked. Then I talked to Aunt Sherri and Uncle Richard about why I wouldn't become Orthodox. This led into a discussion of baptism.

The baptism discussion was kind of funny, because the next day at church there were baptisms. And the pastor preached about baptism. Basically, he says that when a person is baptised s/he receives a special grace from the Holy Spirit, releasing the Spirit's work in his/her life. And that you should get baptised as a grown up even if you were baptised as a baby or child so that this grace will be released in your life.

Guess Uncle Richard and I aren't living full Christian lives.

But what IS the age of accountability?

Anyway, the most exciting part of that day was my first-ever trip to Canada's Wonderland! Daniel took me on a tour of all his favourite rides. It was pretty much awesome. Screaming makes it way more fun. Except I had a sore throat for the next few days. Meh. It was awesome! Last amusement park I went to was Calaway Park, and Wonderland is way bigger than it! My favourite was Top Gun 'cause it's really fast and twists and turns you upside down and stuff. Three cheers for Canada's Wonderland!

Monday, June 19, saw me emerging tiredly from the Pape Station and walking onto Danforth having no clue which was was East. Naturally, I walked West. First building I saw had a Cypriot flag on it! Navin lives in Greek Town. Upon establishing that I had gone the wrong way, I turned around and went to Navin's.

That day, Navin (my supervisor at the Canadian end), Rebecca (IVWS coordinator), and I talked about Cyprus and the year and what the debriefing in Barcelona was like and what I've learned and how I've grown and all that good stuff.

That night was the most depressing hockey game EVER.

We'll leave it at that, although I got to eat 6 pieces of homemade Italian pizza.

mmm...pizza...

...

And then on Tuesday, Navin, Rebecca and I read John 15-17. Jesus is talking with and praying for His disciples. He talks about how He is the vine, we are the branches, the Father is the gardener. We have to remain (abide) in him in order to bear fruit. And we should love each other. And HE will send the Holy Spirit. And all sorts of other stuff.

And what we need to do is abide in Him and love each other so that we can bear big, juicy fruit. (It's gonna move ya...) This is what I unthinkingly said.

I also noted that it's interesting that here in John's Gospel, Jesus is talking so much about loving each other as He loves us and whatnot, because John's letters are about love. Navin's comment: "Yeah, that's right. First John is all about crazy love!"

Then I went off to the airport and flew on to Thunder Bay.

And now I'm discussing Orthodoxy over MSN with a Catholic friend...

blogging away in thunder bay . . .
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: the sounds of john wayne wafting in from the next room ...
So I am back in Canada. Back in Thunder Bay. Back in my old bedroom.

Barcelona was a really great time. I really enjoyed it. We covered a lot and learned a lot. It was a good experience just to tell our stories to each other and begin to make the transition from the focussed life of ministry abroad to "normal" life at home.

Barcelona had two things that I think help make any conference excellent. First: All you can eat buffet! I said grace one night, including the phrase: "Thank you, Lord, for all you can eat buffets." Shannon's son said, "Mommy, if someone can't find something they like here, they must be crazy!" I agree.

Second: Every day began with prayer, praise, and Bible teaching. We looked at 1 Kings, at Elijah. My favourite was the talk on Elijah vs the Prophets of Baal. Lessons: By making things easy for God, we insult Him. You can trash-talk when you know you're better. We are in a battle.

But unlike Elijah, we ought not to go about killing 850 false prophets (or anyone else, for that matter).

It was a good week. It really helped prepare me for re-entry and life back here in Canada. Mostly it did so by giving me the right mental equipment and perspective.

Now I'm in Thunder Bay. On Sunday, I get to give the message at church--twice! And later in the week I'll be doing the whole missionary presentation thing...

blogging away in oxford...
Mood:  happy
Oxford is the sort of place that just makes you feel smarter. Or stupider and makes you want to be smarter. It's the sort of place that makes people dream big dreams. It's the sort of place that just being in it for a day or two makes you want to come and dream big dreams, create beautiful art, and think deep thoughts. Forever.

This is what I was thinking as I slipped my copy of The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy L. Sayers into my most excellent Nepali bag. Then I stood up and walked back outside of The Eagle and Child. It's a bit of a blow to learn that, seeing as how she was a woman and never actually drank with the Inklings, Sayers wasn't really an Inkling. But I don't have any stuff by any authentic Inklings with me, and she's close, having been friends with both CS Lewis and Charles Williams.

Anyway, I walked out onto St. Giles Street, Oxford. I turned right and semi-limped my way along the street (I hurt myself carrying 44 kg all over London the other day). Along the way, I passed The Martyrs' Memorial, which honours Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley, who were all burned at the stake nearby. It's quite impressive--one of those Gothic-style "crosses", with a cross on top, and a statue of each, and an inscription in their honour.

I turned left onto Broad Street and walked past Balliol College. On my right was a cross that is actually part of the street, made out of bricks. It marks the spot of the burning of the martyrs. As I passed the gate of Trinity College, a guy tried selling me a copy of The Big Issue, this magazine homeless people sell to make a little money here in England. I already had a copy.

I really wanted to sit down and read--either Sayers or my copy of The Big Issue. But the bench in front of Trinity College was full. So I wandered over to the Sheldonian Theatre (architect: Sir Christopher Wren), but there was nowhere there to sit. So I wandered back after taking a picture of a most excellent grotesque. Grotesques are like gargoyles, only they aren't downspouts for rain. Oxford has a lot of them. The ones on the wall around the theatre are large men's head's with wonderful facial expressions. I also got a photo of a gargoyle up on the tower at the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin--it's a person with batlike wings, with an open mouth for the water. Apparently there's one gargoyle of a monkey at Magdalen College from whose legs the water comes...

When I got back to Trinity, the guy wanted my copy of The Big Issue, 'cause he needed more to sell so he could eat supper.

By now, the bench in front of Trinity was empty. So I sat down and read a little. Then I got worried, because I was going to a concert tonight with some of Ann's friends, and I was told to meet them at the gate. So I was at the gate at Trinity. But what if Charlie meant the gate at the Sheldonian? So I wandered to the Sheldonian, saw no sign of Charlie, wandered back--and there he was!

Then we went to a concert in the Sheldonian Theatre, the home of Oxford's greatest music. It is also the building used for matriculation and graduation. It is a beautiful baroque building, both inside and out. The seats are uncomfortable. And tonight, for the very first time at the Sheldonian, the "composers" included Gershwin, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. I thought that it was brilliant to hear a big band in such a setting, with its shiny angels and Classical pillars and moulded ceiling and marblesque facades!

Then I came home.

Oxford has been wonderful. The buildings are beautiful. The parks are beautiful. The river is beautiful. The people are nice. It is a great place to be.