This is my prayer today as I endeavor to articulate a theory that I believe will help many people. Like I’ve said, I feel an incredible amount of peace and joy because it has resolved a torturous intellectual struggle I’ve endured for decades. After years of study, contemplation, meditation, and experience, when I was just about to give up on this project, clarity came. It is not perfect, but I am going to attempt to make it so. This is my life’s purpose: to serve others and set others free, and I believe that this theory, paradigm, structure… whatever… is going to help me to do just that. I hope it promotes unity on an incredible scale. I know it is going to cause trouble for me since there are many who would like me to think, believe and be a certain way. But I cannot and will not conform to the expectations of others if it means being diverted from what I believe is my vocation. My conscience is clear. In fact, I am overcome with a peaceful joy. But that doesn’t mean I’m innocent. I realize that too. I will be held accountable. But if I set people free, then I’ve done what I feel called to do. And for that I will be truly grateful.
David Hayward is an artist trapped in a pastor's body, stripping to the essential.
David, it is my hope that the joy you are now experiencing will continue.
How about some Chang Tzu quotes
“Men honor what lies within the sphere of their knowledge, but do not realize how dependent they are on what lies beyond it”
“The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten the words? He is the one I would like to talk to.”
“We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.”
NP, the past few days of posts concerning your Z theory have been polarizing. It’s very difficult to discern on a computer screen the heart of people – condescending, mean, arrogant – all words hurled back and forth. Most of those who respond must be pastors, or at least theologically trained. I on the other hand am just a small town Christian seeker trying to embrace the mystery of Jesus. I envy the peace and joy you now have, but am glad you have found it. I appreciate the public forum in which you choose to flesh out “stuff” (for lack of a better word). I on the other hand, choose the safety of a small virtual accountability group – all diverse in thought and background. I still don’t know what to think about the details of the z theory that caused all the “ruckus” (again, for lack of a better word), and I’m not sure I agree with it. HOWEVER, I admire your desire to bridge gaps and to develop and maintain relationships with those the church has historically ostracized. I’ve joined the fray on rare occasions and it’s obvious by those entries that my wife and I have been burned by well-meaning people who would rather be “right.” Until I can forgive them, I’m going to continue to be “shackled.” I just want you to know that I can disagree with you and still respect, appreciate, and love you as a Christian brother…unconditionally! Thanks for this outlet.
I read a paragraph with a lot of I’s and my’s and me’s, but not my will but Thine be done. Jesus has been in the business of setting people free for ages…are you now taking over the business? Is what you are doing pointing people to Christ or somewhere else? It’s all about Him, by Him and for Him. If Jesus isn’t the focus of what you are doing, then your eyes are fixed in the wrong direction.
Gary
I am tending to agree with Gary on this one…. if the SON sets you free then you ARE FREE INDEED !!!
further to my comment, an excellent read by Major Ian Thomas entitled the INDWELLING LIFE of Christ …
Just a question – is it possible that a good thing can be elevated above the only thing ?
I’d like to know how you know that your theory isn’t from the devil?
He comes all dressed up as an angel of light, you know.
Why now? Why you? After thousands of years God is just now using YOU to make all this clear to people?
It’s funny – it seems like the more unifying you try to get, the more controversy you cause. Isn’t that kind of counterproductive?
You can’t make us more free than Jesus…
Maybe you’re seeing chains in the wrong places?
Oh and google ads is giving me some random Scientology video for this blog. I find that strangely ironic..
Mark…if it is good,does it not belong to Goodness?
The way you shocked me with your grand theory doesn’t take away that you have helped me through some of the toughest days in my ministry and to me doesn’t mean that you won’t be used by God in future in my life in a meaningful way. But ,man I find this Z thing hard to swallow as well as the kind of arrogant confidence (I know I’m being judgemental when I describe you like this-sorry)you have in it. I have printed it out and contemplated it but still find it contra Who I believe in. Hopefully I am just to stupid to grasp it…only time will tell. Looking forward to further explanations.
steve martin said, on June 28th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
“I’d like to know how you know that your theory isn’t from the devil?
He comes all dressed up as an angel of light, you know.”
Ok Steve, now try applying that to every single area of your life, church, family, work, entertainment, etc, etc. My guess – if people try hard enough, they can find a “devil” in just about everything.
I’m sorry, but this reeks of the mentality of the dark ages, when many people were murdered after being accused of dancing with the devil.
Bob,
Don’t be sorry…you CAN find the devil in just about everything,including our hearts, since we are fallen people, inhabiting a fallen world.
It is in the Word of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are redeemed. And yes, they realized this fact in the dark ages.
It is in these so called “enlightened” times that the truth of God in Christ Jesus, and His coming to us to save us seems like an archaic and old fashined notion.
“Claiming to be wise, we have become fools and worhip the creation, rather than the Creator.”
OK.
Bob…you are a good man.
Bob…you are a good man.(Steve Martin)
Bob, just remember, you have the Devil in you too. So Steve, does that technically mean the Devil is good too? Ahh help me, my head is spinning.
As good as a man can be.
Jesus told us that “there is no one good but God.”
We are all compromised…yes indeed.
maybe the devil’s dirty handprints or our own sin. Surely not the Devil himself? he lays out the bait and we go or not.
And God lets the numbers be what they will, although he controls the outcome… hmm
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faithlessinfatima said, “Mark…if it is good,does it not belong to Goodness?”
Yes, and I like very much NP’s effort’s to find unity in the division he see’s around him. My reaction to his thoughts are ones of caution. An open mind is quite similar to a hole in the head at times.
I just can’t get past the thought that if it isn’t centered on Jesus as the Christ then it isn’t Christian. Maybe that is the path that NP is on. I just wonder if what needs to be given up is worth the price ?
Mark…whatever path David might be on, I see no reason to be anxious of the outcome…shldn’t we, in the spirit of Gamaliel, rest in the knowledge that if the metaphor accurately explains,illuminates and challenges problems that exist in his world,then it can be of divine origin?…in other words,the proof is in the pudding…why not taste and see? Remember,it’s just a metaphor..not a creed