joshua - 04/17/08 11:50
I wanted to go there but didn't say it... I agree that if more people lived as Jesus did (and really this doesn't necessarily connote Christianity in my view - Jesus was a great guy regardless of faith) our country would be inherently more compassionate.

drew - 04/17/08 11:28
Look forward to your post.

I think it is a betrayal of the message that more Christians don't live like Shane, since he behaves a lot like Jesus did.

But I can't criticize them too much, because I am one of them.

If everyone lived faithfully, things would not need to be "Evened out," by the government, or anybody else. Shane would say that the governemnt, more often than not, makes things more uneven, or at least maintains inequality.

Anyway, I just finished the book today. The first half is almost all Biblical history/theology. The second half is application of it. I think I could spend a lot of time talking about the book, so if you get done and want to have a beer, I'm game.

joshua - 04/17/08 11:06
Yeah, I was taken aback slightly at his seemingly radical approach... and by "radical" I'm not suggesting any negative connotations. I've just never seen a Christian take this approach before, and in many ways this guy is breaking the mold for how Christians typically think, look, act and live.

Thats his name! I watched the video you posted of him a bit ago and I was sucked in... I had to know where this guy was coming from so I went to his website and read sections of his book.

Personally I don't think government is unjust... even the suggestion of it begs me to ask what exactly someone would mean by that, or if its entirely appropriate for government to serve the function as someone like Shane would like to see it. I'm not of the opinion that government should be the vehicle for "evening things out" as it were, but you know what? Guys like Shane are right when they say that many so-called Christians do not live their spiritual life the way Jesus did. Evangelicals in the Falwell mold are not compassionate people in my view, and betray the message that Jesus gave his disciples and all Christians throughout history. Not that this is a new phenomenon, as we know. I admire what Shane does for his community. He is fighting the good fight and that is all I care about. Bottom line!

I'm about to post a somewhat personal (in my family anyway) spiritual story that you may find incredible, and maybe even inspiring!

drew - 04/17/08 10:08
Yeah. It is a theological book (and a radical one at that) rather than a political one.

Shane Clairborne is the author. He founded and lives at the simple way in Philly :::link:::

He's more interested in setting up alternative communities that more or less work outside the systems of government (or even against them, in love). Wallis, is more interested in helping governments be just, and Clairborne things that government is inherently and systematically unjust.

joshua - 04/17/08 09:58
I've read part of it. Personally I think Jim Wallis' "God's Politics" is more suited towards people who aren't necessarily interested in theological discussion, and at least what I read from the book seemed to lean heavily on discussion of scripture to make his points.

I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of the author, but he seems like an interesting guy. Isn't he the one that lives in a commune in Philly?

james - 04/15/08 12:05
If he can do for third world debt relief what he did for those scant few loves and fishes he has my vote.

Sorry, I don't know anything about this book to make an intelligent comment... not that this stopped me.

drew - 04/13/08 18:40
Thanks.

And yes, he's a yellow (and grey and white) lab.

jenks - 04/13/08 15:10
is buckley a golden-ish lab-ish looking dog? I think I saw you guys walking him on North last week. :)

james - 04/13/08 14:32
Jim and I are your guys. Jim owes you for teaching him how to drive stick.

That and Buckley is the easiest dog to petsit.

fellyconnelly - 04/13/08 11:18
Oh man this would be a perfect time for me to thank you and pay you back with assistance, but i'm not going to be home between early saturday morning till sunday afternoon...

james - 04/11/08 10:39
I read an article on this topic called "It's the Math, Stupid" that showed Clinton can win only if the completely improbable happens.

I would love to know why she is still in the race. Every answer I come up with is sinister and I just don't want to think that poorly of her.

changeisgood - 04/14/08 10:19
First the EVA, next the world!

tinypliny - 04/11/08 00:09
In my country that is the equivalent of being accepted into the Panchayat. :)

Badhai Ho!

:::link:::

fellyconnelly - 04/09/08 23:07
congrats!

mrmike - 04/09/08 22:19
Congrats!

james - 04/09/08 21:49
Now we know who to complain to ^_^

Congrats

jbeatty - 04/09/08 21:09
Congratulations!