Reading Stanley Fish’s article ticked me off a little bit, so I commented and sent a response to the New York Times that I am adding here. I however, am not posting Fish’s article at this point because I do NOT wish to share his views here. If you wish to see the full article, you can do so by clicking the link below.
Blessings!
pd
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MY RESPONSE:
You have got to be kidding?! I am a believer and my lens on the world is a bit different. Number one, having is only for giving. It really bothers me when we divert our attention from teachings of Jesus to teachings of men for the ANSWERS… “Calvinism.”
What do we do with these two passages…
1 – Jesus tells of a farmer that stores up his harvest in a barn and it overflows, so he builds another barn and fills it and goes to bed that night feeling at peace. He dies in the night…
2 – Jesus tells about a steward that has done poorly with his boss’ household that found out he was going to be let go. Before his boss can fire him, he calls in all his boss’ debtors and tells them to write down their debts and pay off what they can immediately. The boss comes in realizing that he got more money back quickly than he would likely realize in his own time, yet taking a loss that probably ended up in some either break even deals or a little better than break even due to the time value of the debt repayment. The boss then says, “Great job…”
What do we do with this?
I think that we are ridiculous when we come from any direction trying to religiously give a framework to this present reality. This economy is what it is and IS NOT DIRECTLY TIED IN ANY WAY TO THE economy of heaven.
Remember, they use gold for asphalt up there…
Actually, I believe the ONLY thing we are to begin to think about in Western Christianity is something that Eastern Christianity and other world religions and EVEN SECULAR ATHIESTS have BEEN doing WELL to our shame and that is that we MUST TAKE responsibility for our neighbor, our brother and the needs of our communities.
Jesus ends the second verse much like the first one…
“Use your wealth on earth to make friends for a coming Kingdom…”
I don’t care what faith group they come from, I PLAN TO USE ALL I HAVE TO HELP MY NEIGHBOR!
Christians… Stop simply using the teachings of the Bible and of more specifically Jesus for your own PERSONAL agendas and own PERSONAL economies and begin to GIVE BACK!
Today, let the Christians of the United States and the West begin to ask forgiveness from all those around us for this whole last ten years of adventures in missing the point.
Thanks to all you guys out there in other world religions, ie: Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Secular Atheists, etc. for taking time to CARE FOR OUR WORLD AND OUR NEIGHBOR!
The church has much to RE-LEARN!
Blessings!
pd
www.renaissanceofasoul.com
Guys, you aren’t going to believe this! The NEW YORK TIMES REJECTED MY COMMENT! I am blown away. If you go to the article online and see the CRAP that people are writing, you would think that the New York Times would have the GUTS to print something that is a thoughtful response. I sent my comment in on March 3, 2009 and they rejected it before March 4,2009. So, the post you see here is the only copy you will find. However, whether or not they give ear to my thoughts, they are recorded here and the article, well, it’s just Bull Cocky! HAHAHA!
Blessings!
pd