Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sermon from May 22
Yikes, May is just slipping away! Hmmm...almost slipped away since today is the last day. Anyhow here is the sermon I preached at Calvary on May 22. It is a little jumbled but no too bad. The theme is what we do with the freedom that has been given us in the resurrection. It's better than it sounds.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Watch Your Language!
Language advisory: some might be offended by the language used in this post.
I have been seen some of my friends share information on what is called a "Slutwalk". This is a protest march that took place in Toronto in response to remarks made by a Toronto police representative. At an campus safety information session the representative suggested that women can avoid sexual assault by avoiding dressing like a slut. This evoked outrage from those who saw it as reinforcing the stereotype that sexual assault is dependent on the attire and attitude of the victim rather than the offender.
On the CBC radio show Q this morning I heard two sides of the debate over this event. Whether you are a feminist or not, or what type of feminist you might be, this is a conversation that matters to Christians. Christians are people of the Word. John's gospel compares Jesus to the Word, the organizing principle of the universe--the Word that was spoken by God to create the heavens and the earth. Our friend and saviour is a Word of power and of glory. Our God spoke the world into being. We are a people who worship the Word.
So this debate is partly about reclaiming the word "slut" from its negative connotations, similar to the word "queer" for gay and lesbian people and the word "bitch" for women. I believe it is possible. Look at the word, "God". Never has a word stood for so many different things. At one time it was used for multiple divine beings who were personifications of human tendencies and natural phenomenon. It can stand for a single divine being of the Judeo-Christian heritage. Some use this word as a swear or expression of aggravation. Some use it as a prayer. And yet we still use this word and try to reclaim it from the negative connotations and the use of this word in the Crusades, the Inquisitions and the Shoah.
We still talk about God and proclaim to our society what we think this word means--love, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness--so why cannot women proclaim that the word "slut" no longer defines certain women who are considered to be "loose" or provocative but rather those who use the word to refer to women.
I have been seen some of my friends share information on what is called a "Slutwalk". This is a protest march that took place in Toronto in response to remarks made by a Toronto police representative. At an campus safety information session the representative suggested that women can avoid sexual assault by avoiding dressing like a slut. This evoked outrage from those who saw it as reinforcing the stereotype that sexual assault is dependent on the attire and attitude of the victim rather than the offender.
On the CBC radio show Q this morning I heard two sides of the debate over this event. Whether you are a feminist or not, or what type of feminist you might be, this is a conversation that matters to Christians. Christians are people of the Word. John's gospel compares Jesus to the Word, the organizing principle of the universe--the Word that was spoken by God to create the heavens and the earth. Our friend and saviour is a Word of power and of glory. Our God spoke the world into being. We are a people who worship the Word.
So this debate is partly about reclaiming the word "slut" from its negative connotations, similar to the word "queer" for gay and lesbian people and the word "bitch" for women. I believe it is possible. Look at the word, "God". Never has a word stood for so many different things. At one time it was used for multiple divine beings who were personifications of human tendencies and natural phenomenon. It can stand for a single divine being of the Judeo-Christian heritage. Some use this word as a swear or expression of aggravation. Some use it as a prayer. And yet we still use this word and try to reclaim it from the negative connotations and the use of this word in the Crusades, the Inquisitions and the Shoah.
We still talk about God and proclaim to our society what we think this word means--love, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness--so why cannot women proclaim that the word "slut" no longer defines certain women who are considered to be "loose" or provocative but rather those who use the word to refer to women.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jesus Portrayer Shunned By Hollywood
Recently Jim Caviezel, the actor who played the part of Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was reported as saying that it has been hard for him to get work as an actor after playing the biblical rebel.
I wonder if it is about the controversy about Jesus in Hollywood or the controversy around being linked with Mel Gibson in Hollywood? Irregardless I think that it is a risk to come out with strong opinions about Jesus--not just in Hollywood but everywhere. The Christian faith is widely accepted and supported, but once a person starts to speak out about their faith, they put themselves socially at risk.
I wonder if it is about the controversy about Jesus in Hollywood or the controversy around being linked with Mel Gibson in Hollywood? Irregardless I think that it is a risk to come out with strong opinions about Jesus--not just in Hollywood but everywhere. The Christian faith is widely accepted and supported, but once a person starts to speak out about their faith, they put themselves socially at risk.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Garage Sale this weekend!
If you are in Prince Albert this weekend check out the Calvary United Church garage sale, Thursday (4-8pm), Friday (4-8pm) and Saturday (9-12am)
There is a lot of great stuff there!
There is a lot of great stuff there!
Sermon from May 1, 2011
I had a lot of fun writing and preaching this sermon - and better yet I had people requesting a copy! It's always nice when people listen to one's sermon. Thanks Laurie!
This link should get you there.
This link should get you there.
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