eChurch Blog

The Pope has held court with Russia’s President Dimitry Medvedev. This is the first visit by a Russian leader to the Vatican since the two states established full diplomatic relations in 2009.

In the course of the cordial discussions, the parties expressed their pleasure at the good state of bilateral relations and highlighted their desire to strengthen them, also in the wake of the establishment of full diplomatic relations. The broad-ranging collaboration between the Holy See and the Russian Federation was recognised, both in the promotion of specifically human and Christian values, and in the cultural and social field. Subsequently, emphasis was given to the positive contribution inter-religious dialogue can make to society. Finally, attention turned to the international situation, with particular reference to the Middle East.

Source: Vatican Information Service

The establishment of diplomatic relations was precipitated by a ‘thawing’ in the relationship between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.

Many observers are viewing this meeting as a potential prelude to a historic meeting between the Pope and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.

I wrote about the current relationship between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches last week, in which I noted:

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Benedict are both theologically conservative and both ecumenically minded. Some of this ecumenical impetus is undoubtedly driven by the ‘threat’ of European secularisation. There is a recognition by both parties that a united and cooperating Church would be far more effective in the ‘re-evangelisation’ of Europe.

Although this meeting – in my opinion – is most certainly a positive indication of a potential future meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch, some caution must be exercised in view of the Moscow Patriarchate’s recent comments:

“The Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church maintain a regime of constant communication and consultations at various levels. And when, in the view of both parties, the time comes for the meeting between the leaders of two Churches, we will notify the international community,”

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Personally, I hope they do meet and move toward a full communion agreement in which we may witness the fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus.

Man can I relate to this:

I see the gray area as being on the margins.  Not really part of the crowd, but on the outskirts of it, where I can see and hear what’s going on but not get swept up in it.

[......]

I’ve always been drawn to other people on the margins, for whatever reason.  The outcasts.  The not-quite-right people.  The socially awkward, the nerds, the one person of a different race.  The ones who choose to sit on the outskirts of the crowd rather than in the thick of it.  These are my people.  They know me, even when we’ve only just met, because we recognize each other as inhabitants of the gray area.

Source: Undercover Nun

Perhaps this is one reason why I blog.

I simply found this uplifting….do remember this family in your prayers.

A mother who refused to abort her unborn baby after discovering she had leukaemia, has stunned doctors by giving birth to a healthy baby girl.

Victoria Webster, 33, was diagnosed with cancer during a routine blood test when she was 21 weeks pregnant.

Medics pleaded with her to have a late termination so she could start on a course of life-saving chemotherapy – but warned the medication would kill her unborn daughter.

The mother-of-two decided to keep her baby, and delay her treatment – and incredibly, she is now on the road to recovery after giving birth to a healthy baby girl.

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“What [the field of economics has] discovered is what you’ve known for at least a century,” said Paul Collier, director of the U.K.-based Centre for the Study of African Economies. “What makes people work properly, is not primarily incentives. It’s internalizing the objectives of the organization.”

“Around the world, the church has built organizations that do just that,” he said.

Collier addressed a plenary session of the 2011 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which brought about 300 leaders in Catholic social ministry to Washington Feb. 13-16.

The economist said that development failures in Africa stem from two unsuccessful models. The first is based on 1950s European style state-run organizations that have proved to be ineffective, and the second, popularized in the 1990s, uses monetary incentives too closely tied to performance standards.

These models produced organizations, Collier argued, that often fail to deliver on their promises and mission because people who work for them put their own interests and the organizations’ interests ahead of those of the general public.

By contrast, church organizations have time and again proven that they are effective at delivering basic social services like education and healthcare because it is understood that the chruch provides a common good and a service that is in everyone’s best interest, he said.

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I’m involved in a thought provoking conversation over on the Premier Forum. I know it’s not like me to foray into these areas on this blog, but just for once, especially as I’m listening to music that makes me somewhat wistful.

The question posed in the opening post revolves around the use of the terms: “rebel, controller, manipulator”, for Jesus.

The author is not happy with this and posits:

I can see Him as revolutionary, but not a rebel, not rebellious. Perhaps it is because I see rebellion as a sin.

I think semantically this is correct, but feel the author is viewing these terms as pejorative, which if applied to man is accurate, but not for God.

One commenter (Iggy) commented:

I think to describe our Lord as a rebel or as rebelling against the world (or the Pharisees) is to look through the wrong end of the looking glass. It is mankind that is is frequently in rebellion against God, not vice versa.

To which I responded:

Yes agreed. This is of course to view through the theological grist – which is accurate – however, from an unregenerate human perspective, Jesus was a rebel in informing us that God is topsy turvey to the world, or of course – more accurately – visa versa.

I note however, he paid his dues to the authorities at every turn.

In summary, I’m happy for the term “rebel” to be applied to Jesus.

But what about the terms: “Controller” or “Manipulator“?

Again, I’d posit these terms are viewed in the main pejoratively, and when applied to man this is essentially accurate.

But when applied to God these terms are not at all pejorative.

I’m not going to offer a sophisticated Biblical exegesis, as I’m simply not qualified, but will attest to experience. I believe that God is both “controller” and “manipulator“, and I’m thankful that he is.

As an avowed social scientist and atheist, I would never have come to, and accepted, Jesus on my own intellectual steam, and do attest to a God that broke through into my life, without acquiescence to me.

I can also attest to a God, who has manipulated people, circumstances, and the world around me, to save my life and soul, and I’m eternally grateful he did.

Does this make him egotistical? Certainly not, and frankly if anyone has a right to be the same, then it is God.

If you didn’t see the thoroughly disturbing Channel 4 Dispatches programme on ‘teaching’ in a Muslim school and violence in a Madrassa, then you can soon view it here (UK only).

Richard Bartholomew has the best synopsis:

Channel 4 Documentary on Extremism in Muslim School and Violence in Madrassa

And both Cranmer and the Church Mouse have blogged on this.

I’ve nothing constructive to add.

Stacy over at Accepting Abundance has an interesting post entitled: Why does the heart get credit for love?

I’m reminded of when a friend noted that we are not in the habit of saying;

I love you with all of my blood pump

Which I found intriguing.

If you check out the online definition of “Heart” over at TheFreeDictionary, you of course encounter the scientific anatomical definition:

The chambered muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from the veins into the arteries, thereby maintaining the flow of blood through the entire circulatory system.

However, aside from this are many more definitions relating to emotions, sensibilities, feelings, beliefs, intellect, imagination, character, mood, sympathy, generosity, compassion, courage, resolution, fortitude,  and of course, love and affection.

I’m always reminded of the words of Jesus ascribing thoughts and inclinations to the heart, such as:

Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Odd isn’t it?

Anyway, that was a few random thoughts whilst I sup on the Cava I bought wifey. Do check out Stacy’s post, who’s a lot smarter than I.

Accepting Abundance: Why does the heart get credit for love?

Traditionally I’m wont to highlight the rather extreme reactions to Valentine’s Day by Islamic players, and of course this year is no exception with Iran outlawing Valentine’s Day.

However, there is one difference this year that I’ve not witnessed previoulsy, and that is a Christian Church endorsing  similar action:

Authorities in the Belgorod Region of Southern Russia have canceled public celebrations of St. Valentine’s Day due to its negative influence on young people, a regional government spokesman said on Friday.

Deputy Governor Oleg Polukhin last year signed an order on measures to “ensure spiritual security in the Belgorod Region,” the spokesman said.

Under the decree, which was blessed by the Orthodox archbishop of Belgorod, local authorities should not allow celebrations of St. Valentine’s Day and Halloween at educational, cultural and other institutions.

“The atmosphere of these holidays does not help young people to develop spiritual and moral values,” the spokesman said. “Their celebration is first of all beneficial to commercial organizations.”

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Mad Priest has an interesting post relating to Christian bloggers and although I’m more than familiar with this particular neurosis…

I have not yet come across a single Christian blogger who is 100% convinced that they are doing the right thing and, if it is an experiment, the chances are none of us are doing the right thing all of the while.

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….I’m simply a Christian who blogs rather than a Christian blogger, and of course I’m not right all of the time.

It’s widely acknowledged – within informed circles – that I am the greatest living air-guitarist in the world today.

For those of you devastated by the shattering news that Guitar Hero is no more, I have some wonderful news. I have discovered the greatest living guitar player walking our fair earth.

How this guy went unnoticed by me is a profound mystery in itself, but courtesy of wifey, last night, I watched my birthday DVD and discovered a whole new world.

Welcome to the spine tingling, guitar god that is Tommy Emmanuel.

Enjoy, and may your world ever be changed for the better:

UPDATE: This guy’s a Christian and I’ve booked tickets to see him in April. Oh yes!