Here’s a cutting critique of the attempted capture of Jesus by neo-conservative economists who believe that the answers to the world’s problems can be solved by encouraging production and decreasing taxes.
Wes Ball took parts of a comic strip (art by Don Simpson) from Al Franken’s book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, and animated the panels set to the author’s narration. Working with Wes was Adrian Loudermilk who died in tragic car accident not long after.
I voted in the Australian federal elections for the first time on Saturday. It was a moment our family had looked forward to ever since we became citizens on Australia Day earlier this year. We walked as a family down the local polling booth, run by the local Church of Christ.
Waiting outside the door were three party representatives with ‘how to vote sheets’, one on the left from Labour, and two on the right from Liberal and National. No one from the Greens or Democrats. I used to think the practice of ‘how to vote’ cards was an affront to democracy. But looking at the complexity of the voting form I can now see how handy it is to get some support from the preferred party. The House of Representatives voting form in Fadden had eight candidates, whom I was required to vote for in order of preference. When it came to the Senate I had the choice of ticking a party’s box or numbering all 65 candidates from Queensland in order. I chose to do all 65.
I’ll put my colours on the mast by saying that earlier in the week I’d had a great conversation with Rana Watson, the local Labor candidate for Fadden. We talked about ways in which the federal government can foster respect for the unique approaches to land and economy provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We both come from New Zealand originally and naturally think about the distinctive natures of the Maori and Aboriginal peoples. It was good to hear about how Rana got involved in politics through mobilising his fellow workers.
When it came to voting for the Senate I found myself hoping for an alternative voices that would keep Labor and the Coalition honest. Having made my top choices it was a matter of wading through the seemingly harmless Fishing Party and Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party before consigning genuinely dangerous voices to the bottom of the heap.
After lunch out, and a leisurely walk home, it was time to head off to find aerial cables to connect up our TV in the new house.
Despite it clearly being a landslide to Labor, candidates generally refrained from public bitterness and bravado. Courtesy and dignity and respect for the democratic process came through in such a way as to put the lie to Sunday morning’s newspaper headlines of “PM’s pain as reign ends in night of blood”, “Invisible man fells minister”, and “Tribal warfare in western suburbs”. (Sunday Mail)
I am so looking forward to a climate in which a wide range of political leaders can provide leadership in their field and invite collaboration and consultation. I’m even tempted to explore joining a political party if that’s what it takes to become part of the development of the future policies of this country.
Heavenly Sanctuary, a Christian conference organisation focusing on the character of God, have stirred public opinion with a set of posters showing Jesus washing the feet of international leaders.
In the poster Jesus kneels at the feet of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former English Prime Minister Tony Blair, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, US president George W Bush, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Jiang Zemin, former president of China.
The poster was designed by Lars Justinen from the Justinen Creative Group for use on posters advertising the conference. Different versions of the posters had captions such as “Follow the Leader,” “God IS Great,” and “Jesus - Still Too Radical?” Heavenly Sanctuary had the posters in several Seattle malls but had to take them down after complaints from the public about the inclusion of Osama Bin Laden in the line up.
Greg Boyd reflects on the negative reactions to the poster by suggesting that many Christians have tragically allowed their patriotism to co-opt their faith.
“They have allowed their American citizenship to take priority over their Kingdom citizenship, despite the New Testament’s instruction for disciples to consider themselves “foreigners” and “exiles” wherever they happen to live (Heb. 11:13; I Pet 1:17, 2:11) and to consider their real citizenship “in heaven” (Phil 3:20). Many American Christians seem to want a Jesus who will defend their country and hate their national enemies as much as they do. Many want the Jesus of the Middle Ages whom Crusaders called on to help them slaughter, not serve, their Islamic enemies. Many seem to want to reduce Jesus to just another version of the tribal gods that have been called on for centuries to bless tribal battles. Most wars throughout history have been fought under the banner of some god or another.”
Greg goes on to write about the real Jesus who wrapped a towel around his waist and washed the dirty, smelly feet of people he knew would deny and betray him in a couple of hours.
What I find interesting is that Jesus is actually washing Kofi Annan’s feet. The guy who’s been responsible for challenging, rebuking, negotiating, supporting and resourcing world leaders, is the first to have his shoes off and treated to a foot bath by the one many would consider to be the ultimate expression of God’s character in the flesh. The others know that they’re possibly next in line for this treatment. They’re being taught a valuable lesson in leadership and character, a radical alternative to the survival-focused model of rule or be ruled.
