1. Seeing life through Latino eyes
David Kirkpatrick, who is pursuing a PhD focused on Latin American evangelicalism, writes about the reality of life for Latinos in the United States, as seen through Latino eyes:
I was recently struck by what a Latino pastor wanted me to see. Before immigration reform and other hot button issues, he said, “I would like Anglo churches to see that Latinos are a suffering community.” When you see a Latino walking down the street or sitting in a local business, what do you really see? The current immigration debate has poisoned the well of compassion and replaced it with the residue of resentment. While multicultural ministry brings an array of challenges, I believe our greatest need is to see rightly.
2. The good and the bad in medieval Christianity
Jake Belder, an assistant minister in the UK and a really thoughtful blogger, reminds us that despite what children of the Reformation tend to believe, “not all medieval church leaders were bad.” Church history is more complex than that:
The point is simply that we need to approach history with graciousness. Yes, the medieval church was in dire need of reformation, and was in many ways thoroughly unbiblical. Yes, men like Wycliffe played a major role in stirring up that reformation and reclaiming biblical and theological perspectives that had been lost. But it is important to remember that men on both sides had good intentions – some in the establishment were genuinely concerned for the preservation of unity and what they understood to be truth. Just as true, men on both sides had bad intentions – not all Protestants were solely motivated by a concern for the authority of Scripture and the glory of God.
3. The wisdom of renewal through rest
Chris Seiple, president of the Institute for Global Engagement (“a think-and-do tank at the forefront of the emerging field of religion and global affairs”), has a pretty demanding job, as do many of us in one way or another. In this piece, he reminds us all of the wisdom found in the biblical command to rest:
Do you believe that if you rest, your Creator will provide for you? Do you acknowledge that He understands you better than you understand yourself, that you need to be physically and spiritually renewed through rest? Although the New Testament never commands us to set aside the seventh day, how do you spend your “Sabbath”? Do you make time for Sunday every day? And when you do, are you truly resting in Him and anxious for nothing? As you vacation this summer, work at rest. Make time to focus on your relationship with God, resting in His gentle but mighty hand, knowing that He will provide for all those things that seem so important, so needing of your time. And commit to extending this habit into the fall and next year. If you can find time to rest in Him, you will, strangely enough, be more productive. For He will return the honor that you have given Him.
4. Introducing Bedford Ideas
Bo White, who serves as Director of Community Care with Word Made Flesh, has launched a new blog called Bedford Ideas, and it looks like it’ll be wonderful:
My plan is to explore the transformative impact of stories and how stories shape us, mold us, and frame so much of our life. I also want to continue to grow in my understanding of grace, which is unique to the Christian faith and truly amazing in its implications and applications. And finally, I want to engage with culture in such a way that we encourage one another to think deeply, but also act creatively. If these things interest you, then you’ll find some items of interest here that may be helpful, useful, and simply thoughtful.
5. Churches and social media
Mashable has published an infographic based on a recent survey about churches and how they’re using social media. Following this piece in the New York Times earlier this year, it’s interesting to see coverage of social media use among Christians. It’s interesting stuff to ponder, especially in light of concerns about how the Internet changes how we discuss things (included in last week’s Repaso).
6. Actor Chris Kipiniak reads a real Yelp review
This has been going around a lot this week, but in case anyone hasn’t seen it, it’s pretty funny. Think before you Yelp, or yours might be next!
Repaso is intended as a thought-provoking compilation of news and commentary from the past week related to the intersections of faith, development, justice and peace. As always, I welcome your thoughts on any of the links and ideas in this roundup!
[Photo credit: Door of St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn, NSW via redbubble.com]
