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Dr. Gary W. Downing

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Member for
21 weeks 3 days

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Date Comment Source View
12/30/2011 - 4:57pm

Having left a parish after decades of ministry, I resonate strongly with Rob Bell's affirmations and warnings. It is too easy to "ego-fuse" a person with an organization (i.e. Rob Bell's church) or for a person to lock his/her identity within the movement they have facilitated. I find most resistance to creative change comes from those who benefited most from their past experience thereby blocking newcomers from finding the same "DNA" suitable for their fresh experience of Jesus. Bell's warning against moving from flesh to word, from person to product describes the condition that so often characterizes local parishes who refuse to change. For those who "won't even take change from a pop machine" Bell lovingly challenges us to allow the scandal of grace to open our hearts to the ancient/future hope of the constantly "re-new/ing creation" God's Spirit has in store for us. Well spoken, my brother in Christ!!

 Rob Bell's Parting Epistle to Mars Hill: "Grace + Peace" view
12/30/2011 - 4:27pm

I agree with the desire - and need - for "joint Palestinian/Israeli non-violent actions for peace." I'm not sure what forms they could take. Recognizing the fear and hatred based intifada bombings and subsequent military retaliations as barriers to peace with justice justifies neither. But finding ways for Jesus followers (and like-minded people) on both sides of the Wall/s to join together in common actions for peace will require, I think, a different approach than "taking sides" with either political entity. I know history blocks reconciliation. Yet I believe that future hope for peace and security, prosperity and freedom will ultimately overcome the deep divisions that separate Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Arabs, Zionists and Palestinians. I have the luxury of observing and praying from afar. Christians in the Holy Land (living on both sides of the Wall/s) will have a crucial, albeit sacrificial, role to play. Their unity (unlike the tragic display of disunity recently in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem) can be a model and inspiration for others to follow. As "spectators" from afar I encourage Western Christians particularly to remain even-handed and extremely supportive of the "living stones" - those diminishing number of Christians living under the shadow of violence, repression, fear and hate in the Holy Land.

 Heeding the Bethlehem Call: Freedom Comes from Tenacity view
12/29/2011 - 2:25pm

I admire Tom G. and agree with much of what Tom G. writes.  However, the answer to the child's question remains unclear to me.  Having lived in the Holy Land in 1967-8 and travelled back some 14 times with groups or for private study, I've watched the unraveling of the potential for peaceful cooperation between the Israelis and the Arabs with feelings of dread.  In 1967-8 I could hitchhike without fear all over Israel, the West Bank, Gaza - even the Sinai desert.  I was welcomed into Jewish, Muslim, Bedouin, Christian and secular homes.  There were no walls and only rare military checkpoints.  There was a deep sense of freedom, security and hope as life became better for so many people in the region. 

What changed?  Do all sides share the blame in the deterioration of the potential for peace?  Are outside forces manipulating both Israelis and Arabs for their own purposes - at the expense of the lives of residents in the Holy Land?

I'm afraid a one-sided political answer as posed by Tom G. does little to contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying events and issues that have contributed to the current hate and hostility experienced, especially by Christians caught in the middle.  How can followers of Jesus be accurately supported in their ministry of reconciliation when key historical and contemporary factors are ignored or overlooked?

I do pray "for the peace of Jerusalem" regularly.  I applaud efforts to stand in solidarity with our Christian sisters and brothers caught in "no man's land".  I see a two-state solution - with security and justice - as a crucial step towards the higher goals of peace, posterity and prosperity.  I believe Christians are uniquely poised to be key catalysts in achieving those lofty goals.  I expect it will require much sacrifice humanly speaking, and the intervention of the Holy Spirit to bring about such a vision in our lifetimes. 

Even so, as "outsiders" commenting on the situation, I caution us against taking stands against Jews, Israelis, even Zionists that only contribute to the atmosphere of fear and hatred.  Saleem, Shalom, Peace!

 Heeding the Bethlehem Call: Freedom Comes from Tenacity view
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