Part 12 (1/2)

Practice the presence. While we need to cultivate an awareness of G.o.d's presence on a moment-by-moment basis, it's helpful to set aside special times to engage in this spiritual discipline. Carve out a segment of time in which you stop all other activity and simply become aware that you are surrounded by G.o.d's eternal, perfect, unconditional love. Attend to the details of what you see, hear, touch, smell, and perhaps taste in this moment, but do so against the backdrop of this infinite love. In other words, allow G.o.d's loving presence to be the canvas on which your experience of the world is painted. See how long you can remain aware of his presence. When you notice that G.o.d's presence has drifted out of your awareness, don't get frustrated with yourself. Just become aware, once again, that you are engulfed in his perfect love. While we need to cultivate an awareness of G.o.d's presence on a moment-by-moment basis, it's helpful to set aside special times to engage in this spiritual discipline. Carve out a segment of time in which you stop all other activity and simply become aware that you are surrounded by G.o.d's eternal, perfect, unconditional love. Attend to the details of what you see, hear, touch, smell, and perhaps taste in this moment, but do so against the backdrop of this infinite love. In other words, allow G.o.d's loving presence to be the canvas on which your experience of the world is painted. See how long you can remain aware of his presence. When you notice that G.o.d's presence has drifted out of your awareness, don't get frustrated with yourself. Just become aware, once again, that you are engulfed in his perfect love.

Along the same lines, many people have found it helpful-and sometimes revolutionary-to go on a silent retreat. These can last anywhere from a day to a week. The goal of these retreats is to take a break from the business of our ordinary lives, to quiet one's mind, and to grow in one's capacity to remain continually aware of G.o.d's loving presence.

Reminders of G.o.d's Presence. Our secularized lives run on habit. Almost all of our thoughts, whether we're conscious of it or not, are determined by habit. This is why remaining aware of G.o.d's presence on a moment-by-moment basis is so challenging. To counter this, consider putting Post-it notes in places you come upon during the day: the bathroom mirror, inside your front door, the car steering wheel, the refrigerator, and other places. Let them remind you to wake up to G.o.d's presence that surrounds you in that moment. Our secularized lives run on habit. Almost all of our thoughts, whether we're conscious of it or not, are determined by habit. This is why remaining aware of G.o.d's presence on a moment-by-moment basis is so challenging. To counter this, consider putting Post-it notes in places you come upon during the day: the bathroom mirror, inside your front door, the car steering wheel, the refrigerator, and other places. Let them remind you to wake up to G.o.d's presence that surrounds you in that moment.

Act on a nudge. As you train yourself to listen to G.o.d throughout the day, commit to spontaneously responding to inner promptings you receive. I encourage you to begin by doing at least one thing each day that you hadn't planned on doing. You'll find that spontaneously acting on these impulses sometimes brings about what I call ”Kingdom coincidences,” that is, you do or say something that just lands perfectly in the moment, and it's evident that the prompting is not ”just you.” Over time you begin to develop an ability to discern what is and is not ”just you” (though we always need to remain humble and careful not to a.s.sume our thoughts and impulses are from G.o.d). As you train yourself to listen to G.o.d throughout the day, commit to spontaneously responding to inner promptings you receive. I encourage you to begin by doing at least one thing each day that you hadn't planned on doing. You'll find that spontaneously acting on these impulses sometimes brings about what I call ”Kingdom coincidences,” that is, you do or say something that just lands perfectly in the moment, and it's evident that the prompting is not ”just you.” Over time you begin to develop an ability to discern what is and is not ”just you” (though we always need to remain humble and careful not to a.s.sume our thoughts and impulses are from G.o.d).

Also by Gregory A. BoydThe Myth of a Christian Nation

NOTES.

CHAPTER 1: GIANT JESUS.

1 See, for example, John 13:15; Ephesians 5:1 2; 1 Peter 2:20 21; 1 John 2:6. Many today embrace the erroneous view that getting ”saved” is about avoiding h.e.l.l. The biblical concept of salvation is not about avoiding the See, for example, John 13:15; Ephesians 5:1 2; 1 Peter 2:20 21; 1 John 2:6. Many today embrace the erroneous view that getting ”saved” is about avoiding h.e.l.l. The biblical concept of salvation is not about avoiding the consequences consequences of sin (h.e.l.l) but about being freed from the of sin (h.e.l.l) but about being freed from the sin sin that leads to those consequences. It's about being empowered to walk in a Kingdom way that leads to eternal life, not death. This is why the New Testament speaks of salvation as something that that leads to those consequences. It's about being empowered to walk in a Kingdom way that leads to eternal life, not death. This is why the New Testament speaks of salvation as something that has has happened, happened, is is happening, and happening, and will will happen. When I speak of salvation, or ”being saved,” throughout this book, happen. When I speak of salvation, or ”being saved,” throughout this book, this this is what I mean. is what I mean. 2 2 This sermon series can be found at This sermon series can be found at whchurch.org/content/page_721.htm whchurch.org/content/page_721.htm. The story was later picked up by the New York Times New York Times (July 30, 2006) and can be found at (July 30, 2006) and can be found at nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30pastor.html nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30pastor.html. This sermon series formed the foundation for my book The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006). (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006). 3 3 The term ”Christian” was used by non-Christians in the New Testament to refer to followers of Jesus (Acts 26:28; cf. 11:26). Never did Jesus-followers refer to themselves as ”Christian.” Given the significant negative a.s.sociations many today have with the label, I prefer to refer to followers of Jesus simply as ”Jesus followers” or ”Kingdom people,” though I'll occasionally use the word ”Christian” in contexts where its true meaning is understood. The term ”Christian” was used by non-Christians in the New Testament to refer to followers of Jesus (Acts 26:28; cf. 11:26). Never did Jesus-followers refer to themselves as ”Christian.” Given the significant negative a.s.sociations many today have with the label, I prefer to refer to followers of Jesus simply as ”Jesus followers” or ”Kingdom people,” though I'll occasionally use the word ”Christian” in contexts where its true meaning is understood. 4 4 Following the pattern of the New Testament, I'm using the word Following the pattern of the New Testament, I'm using the word church church (Greek, (Greek, ecclesia) ecclesia) to refer to the tribe of those who have responded to G.o.d's call to live differently from the world by pledging their lives to Jesus. I'm not using the word to refer to any identifiable human inst.i.tution. to refer to the tribe of those who have responded to G.o.d's call to live differently from the world by pledging their lives to Jesus. I'm not using the word to refer to any identifiable human inst.i.tution.

CHAPTER 2: CHRIST AND CAESAR.

1 Early Christians of ten pointed to the uniform commitment of Christians to love their enemies rather than use violence against them as proof that Jesus is Lord. It was, I believe, a profoundly biblical apologetic. See, for example, Justin Martyr, ”Dialogue with Trypho,” Early Christians of ten pointed to the uniform commitment of Christians to love their enemies rather than use violence against them as proof that Jesus is Lord. It was, I believe, a profoundly biblical apologetic. See, for example, Justin Martyr, ”Dialogue with Trypho,” Ante-Nicene Fathers Ante-Nicene Fathers, Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds. (Peabody, Ma.s.s: Hendrickson, 1999 [1885]), Vol. 1, 254; Tertullian, ”An Answer to Jews,” Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, 154; Origen, ”Against Celsus,” Ante-Nicene Fathers Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4, 558. For a cla.s.sic overview of Christians' att.i.tudes toward the use of violence throughout history, highlighting the uniform pacifism of the early church, see Ronald H. Bainton, Christian Att.i.tudes toward War and Peace: A Historical Survey and Critical Reevaluation Christian Att.i.tudes toward War and Peace: A Historical Survey and Critical Reevaluation (Nashville: Abingdon, 1960). (Nashville: Abingdon, 1960). 2 2 On the meaning of Jesus' ironic command to ”give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” see On the meaning of Jesus' ironic command to ”give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” see Myth of a Christian Nation Myth of a Christian Nation, and Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, Jesus For President Jesus For President (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008). (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008). 3 3 On the other hand, some make a rather compelling case for Christians to abstain from voting as a matter of principle. See Ted Lewis, ed., On the other hand, some make a rather compelling case for Christians to abstain from voting as a matter of principle. See Ted Lewis, ed., Electing Not to Vote: Christian Reflections on Reasons for Not Voting Electing Not to Vote: Christian Reflections on Reasons for Not Voting (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf and Stock, 2008). In America where so many mistakenly a.s.sume it's a ”Christian's duty” to vote, this perspective desperately needs to be heard. (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf and Stock, 2008). In America where so many mistakenly a.s.sume it's a ”Christian's duty” to vote, this perspective desperately needs to be heard. 4 4 See Gregory Boyd, See Gregory Boyd, G.o.d at War: The Bible and Spiritual Conflict G.o.d at War: The Bible and Spiritual Conflict (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1997), especially chapters 2 and 3. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1997), especially chapters 2 and 3. 5 5 On the apocalyptic worldview, see N. T. Wright, On the apocalyptic worldview, see N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of G.o.d The New Testament and the People of G.o.d (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992), especially 280 99, and Boyd, (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992), especially 280 99, and Boyd, G.o.d at War G.o.d at War, 172 80 6 6 For a discussion on illness and deformities as demonically caused, see Boyd, For a discussion on illness and deformities as demonically caused, see Boyd, G.o.d at War G.o.d at War, 182 84. 7 7 Here I'm following the example of Walter Wink in his acclaimed trilogy, The Powers. See especially Walter Wink, Here I'm following the example of Walter Wink in his acclaimed trilogy, The Powers. See especially Walter Wink, Naming the Powers: The Language of Power in the New Testament Naming the Powers: The Language of Power in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984). (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984).

CHAPTER 4: THE REVOLT AGAINST JUDGMENT.

1 For a full development and defense of the relations.h.i.+p between judgment and ”the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,” see Gregory A. Boyd, For a full development and defense of the relations.h.i.+p between judgment and ”the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,” see Gregory A. Boyd, Repenting of Religion: Turning from Judgment to the Love of G.o.d Repenting of Religion: Turning from Judgment to the Love of G.o.d (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004). (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004).

CHAPTER 5: THE REVOLT AGAINST RELIGION.

1 For those who might be interested, I wrote about the beliefs and practices of this brand of Christianity in a book ent.i.tled For those who might be interested, I wrote about the beliefs and practices of this brand of Christianity in a book ent.i.tled Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992). (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992). 2 2 On a few of the more notorious moments in church history where ”Christians” were involved in perpetrating violence and slaughter, see Joseph Perez and Janet Lloyd, On a few of the more notorious moments in church history where ”Christians” were involved in perpetrating violence and slaughter, see Joseph Perez and Janet Lloyd, The Spanish Inquisition: A History The Spanish Inquisition: A History (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006); Christopher Tyerman, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006); Christopher Tyerman, G.o.d's War: A New History of the Crusades G.o.d's War: A New History of the Crusades (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Belknap, 2006); David Nirenberg, (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Belknap, 2006); David Nirenberg, Communities of Violence Communities of Violence (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998). For a succinct overview, see ”Chamber of Horrors” in Bruxy Cavey, (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998). For a succinct overview, see ”Chamber of Horrors” in Bruxy Cavey, The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2007), chap. 4. (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2007), chap. 4. 3 3 For a good account of this, see Ronald H. Bainton, For a good account of this, see Ronald H. Bainton, Hunted Heretic: The Life and Death of Servetus Hunted Heretic: The Life and Death of Servetus (Boston: Beacon, 1953). (Boston: Beacon, 1953). 4 4 On the persecution and martyrdom of Anabaptists see Thieleman Van Braqt and Joseph F. Sohm, On the persecution and martyrdom of Anabaptists see Thieleman Van Braqt and Joseph F. Sohm, Martyrs Mirror Martyrs Mirror, 2nd reprint ed. (Scotdale, Penn.: Herald, 2001). reprint ed. (Scotdale, Penn.: Herald, 2001). 5 5 See David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, See David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, unChristian: What a New Generation Thinks about Faith...and Why It Matters unChristian: What a New Generation Thinks about Faith...and Why It Matters (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007), for an overview of non-Christian perception of Evangelicals. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007), for an overview of non-Christian perception of Evangelicals.

CHAPTER 6: THE REVOLT AGAINST INDIVIDUALISM.

1 Our main ministry is called Providence Ministries, and it was started by Marcia and Greg Erickson ( Our main ministry is called Providence Ministries, and it was started by Marcia and Greg Erickson (providenceinhaiti.blogspot.com). 2 2 R. C. Kessler, ”Prevalence, Severity, and Unmet Need for Treatment of Mental Disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys,” R. C. Kessler, ”Prevalence, Severity, and Unmet Need for Treatment of Mental Disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys,” Journal of the American Medical a.s.sociation Journal of the American Medical a.s.sociation, 291/21 (2004): 2581 90; J. Colla, S. Buka, D. Harrington, and J. M. Murphy, ”Depression and Modernization: A Cross-cultural Study of Women,” Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 41/4 (2006): 271 79. 41/4 (2006): 271 79.

CHAPTER 7: THE REVOLT AGAINST NATIONALISM.