I read Duncan Forrester’s essay “Social Justice and Welfare” this week. (In The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, ed. Robin Gill, 195-208. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.) While reading it I was struck by two passaged he quoted. The first was American Lutheran theologian Ronald Thiemann,

Because we know that God will remain faithful to his promises, we are liberated from the devastating fear that the accomplishment of justice in the world depends solely upon our efforts. The primacy and priority of God’s grace frees us from the self-defeating effort of seeking our salvation in the quest for justice. Since our salvation has been secured by Christ’s death and resurrection, we are now free to seek justice for the neighbor in need…We seek justice freely, because we have been freely justified.

and the second from Methodist Stanley Hauerwas,

The task of the church [is] to pioneer those institutions and practices that the wider society has not learned as forms of justice. (At times it is also possible that the church can learn from society more just ways of forming life.) The church, therefore, must act as a paradigmatic community in the hope of providing some indication of what the world can be but is not…The church does not have, but rather is, a social ethic. That is, she is a social ethic inasmuch as she functions as a criteriological institution – that is, an institutions that has learned to embody the form of truth that is charity as revealed in the person and work of Christ.

Forrester asks the following questions which I’ve been mulling over as I think about my own church community.

But how is the church a social ethic, how does it ‘pioneer new institutions and practices’, how does it function as ‘a paradigmatic community’ demonstrating and exemplifying the justice of God?

Still thinking about these questions and will be for a long time, I think.

Forrester also has an interesting essay online “Politics and Vision” where he talks about the nature of social visions within a pluralistic society, the importance of symbolism and Christian engagement with and appropriation of visions. (PDF | Word)

Just caught the end of the review of this on the radio (National Radio – advance to 48 minutes) of THE END OF SUBURBIA which sounded interesting. From the film’s web site

Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream.

But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary.

I see that there’s a public screening next Monday put on by the Green Party here in Auckland (details here).

Does anyone know anything about it?

Had an amazing day today with lots of friends who came around for a day long gathering (11am through to the last people leaving around 9pm). No special reason – just time for friends and their families to come, share some food and drink and catch up with each other and meet some new people. The weather came to the party with a warm, sunny day so the kids could play with water ourside as well as getting in some cricket.

Lots of fun, lots of laughter and lots of special people. Not to mention the odd glass of “Black Brute” and “Old Thumper” beers from the heart of Waitakere, mussels on the BBQ for dinner courtesy of Andrew & Ingrid, and some of Lynette’s excellent chocolate cake.

Big thanks to Fromonts (Leamington) and Graham C (Pirongia) who tripped all the way up from the Waikato for the day as well as to all the other “locals” who came too.

Kim and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (as did our kids) and are now somewhat exhausted (but in a nice way).

[Late Addition] How could I have forgotten Mark Forman’s poetry readings (and pretty good Sam Hunt intonation reading Hunt’s “Porirua Friday Night”).

Following up the last posting these are a couple of responses to Ted Peter’s perspective.

Clarifying Christian Concerns – Randy Maddox, Ph.D.: In Response to Ted Peters.
Science and Beneficence – Cynthia Fitch, Ph.D.: In Response to Ted Peters.

Came across this today while trawling some blogs I visit on an irregular basis. Paradoxology: Is Our DNA Sacred? has some commentary and some interesting third party comments on Lutheran theologian Ted Peter’s perspective on cloning and stem cell research. (See Response: The Seattle Pacific University Magazine – Summer 2004 | Volume 26, Number 7 | Features – Is Our DNA Sacred?)

I’m currently reading Ted Peter’s essay “Cloning Shock – A Theological Reaction.” (In Human Cloning : Religious Responses, ed. Ronald Cole-Turner, 12-24. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.) as I work on an article on Christian social justice and technology so it was good to get another insight into the thought of someone who has a more nuanced approach to biotechnology than the “Just say ‘No!’” crowd. Not that I would agree with all he says but he is right to note that the issues surrounding biotechnology generate a range of religious responses.

The Guardian has the summary of a new report from The Lancet citing 100,000 civilian casualities in Iraq. Possibly more if Falluja is included (the radio today suggested up to 200,000). Violent death is now the biggest cause of death in Iraq. See Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | 100,000 Iraqi civilians dead, says study and the full Lancet reports at: The Journal : Current Issue.

It seems for some people I know this doesn’t count as a “moral issue”. If it isn’t then I don’t know what is.

Science & Theology News – News: Dembski to head seminary’s faith-and-science center

The man who has become both figurehead and lightning rod for the intelligent design movement in America recently agreed to direct a science-and-religion center at one of the nation’s most conservative Protestant seminaries.

William Dembski, a philosopher of science, was hired in September to head Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s new Center for Science and Theology. Dembski’s appointment will begin when the center opens June 1 at the Louisville, Ky., school.

Should be interesting. Dembski ruffled a few feathers at Baylor and, I imagine, will do the same here.

For those of you who don’t know what Dembski and co propose as “Intelligent Design” have a look here: (Intelligent Design Topic : Introduction and History Topic : Intelligence Design. One of the most common places to see ID is in the Focus on the Family video Unlocking the Mystery of Life.

Personally, I don’t think ID in it’s best case scenario goes beyond asserting theism (or even deism in some cases) – a form of general revelation. In fact, it can become another system tainted by “God of the gaps” thinking.

When Dembski was in NZ a year or two back I asked him what could sit under ID – was it exclusively a 6-day creation type position? Basically he said anything theistic can sit under it – theistic evolutionism, progressive creationist as well as the creation science (6-day) crowd.

Very busy weekend for all of us. Multiple birthday parties for friends, a farewell dinner, a triva competition plus all the normal weekend stuff.

Friday night Kim and I attended a farewell dinner for Chris Marshall at BCNZ. After 19 years of teaching NT studies at BCNZ Chris is heading off to Victoria University in Wellingon to be the St John’s Senior Lecturer in Christian Theology. Chris has been hugely influential in encouraging me with my studies – both as a student of his and as a colleague for a year. Always time to talk and offer sage advice, as well as bringing a fresh perpective to the NT – linking it with the real world. (Here’s an article he wrote a while back on Following Christ in Life: The Anabaptist-Mennonite Tradition). Good food, good company and some good speechs from Tim, Jo, Mark and Monica. Tim’s reference in his speech to Chris’ linking of worship to research was very true. We wish Chris and his family all the best for the new venture.
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