Gospel of John - Revelation is Relationship

The Gospel of John commences in a very particular way. In the beginning was the Word.. The WORD – LOGOS was familiar to both Greek and Jew. The former – Logos meant the ultimate impersonal entity which was at the heart of all coherence in the Cosmos. For Jews; Logos referred to the Word of the Living, personal Lord by which He had created the Cosmos and continues to sustain it. Word with God… Word was God…. Word became flesh. This announcement would/could stop conversation .. even before any discussion about Resurrection. The Word is identified with a man – Jesus – whose story John is going to tell us.  Note John did not write “and the Word was written down” Here at the conclusion of the Gospel Thomas acknowledges Word to be God. In other words the Gospel of John is not some disparate collection of sayings about some figure from the past. This is a narrative that commences and is brought to a conclusion. Note also the reference in the first chapter that ‘we beheld his glory … Not what we understand by glory.  Washing peoples’ feet, healing the sick,

*   I want proof … certitude. Fair request … fair demand. Both in the reading from Acts and here in John Witness is fundamental. AND it is beyond witness to a set of propositions it is witness to a Relationship. Which in the end is far more binding as it certain as it encompasses the whole person. Propositions can so often simply be an academic exercise. I noted that John writes “The Word became Flesh” NOT “The Word was written down” In Islam and in Mormonism Word came in one direction – and Muhammed / John Smith wrote it down. No argument, no relationship, no answer back. From the start the Bible is a call to relationship. In Genesis – “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ 
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.” 

*  Continuing with demand for proof…. Thomas is invited to put his finger in the nail holes etc.  Jesus was no figment of imagination and despite noise to the contrary the resurrection of Jesus was not what the disciples were expecting and wanted desperately to have Jesus back with them. He was crucified by the Romans – people  who were efficient in executing people. Resurrection was understood by Jews and it meant a return of the body. Not a mirage or ethereal spirit.

*    Resurrection NOT a metaphor for going to heaven. It is as the New Testament teaches the introduction to the New Creation. So that whether we live or die we belong to the NEW. As Christ was raised from the dead … the first fruits of His victory those who belong to Him will also be raised. BUT in the meantime we are to live by the Spirit within and demonstrating what this New Creation is. Hence in a very serious way is the Sermon on the Mount and The Beautitudes. These words are NOT aspirational they are Description of this New Creation.

Death is no longer the last enemy … the final control that a tyrant has. If Jesus is Lord then Caesar is NOT Lord. Nor is Democracy, nor Communism nor any other ism.

GIFTS AND WHAT MIGHT FOLLOW.

GIFTS and what Follows.
It began with an unexpected meeting and an invitation to a cup of tea. The couple were Bangladeshis
who are among those whom I would not usually meet. A conversation followed and a gift offered and received. Al Qur-an in English and Arabic with significant commentary. I indicate that I would reciprocate. Then the comments and calls to back away.

Where to take this?  Communication must be two way - a Dialogue is essential. To leave the matter where it is now is most unsatisfactory. Communication does imply .... demand the removal of walls and barriers. This wall must be addressed not just on mission fields over there but in new home situations.
This new friend had no problem in offering me this gift .... it is a beautiful gift. I selected a hard cover without picture on cover copy of the New Testament in his own language. An exchange of gifts yet there is this protest, reinforcing a wall.
According to my understanding there is the instruction in his gift that if he wishes to know what I believe he should ask me. If I had been a Jew a similar instruction is given. He may not wish to know but he ought not the draw conclusions about what I believe unless he does seek information.
My experience in Brunei showed how much misinformation and nonsense is presented by Islam's religion teachers to students at school. The booklet "Fundamentals of 'Aqeedah - Ahl.Us.Sunnah reveals serious error in its implications about the Christian Faith. Mind you some of it deserved given
the way the Doctrine of the Trinity is presented by members of the church. We are supposed to believe
in Three gods - Father, Mother and Son. Given our history it is not difficult to see how this came about.
This means that Christians need to distance themselves from much of it Greek synthesis.
God whom we are invited to call Father ..... Word Who! became flesh and dwelt amongst us ..... Ruah, Spirit ... Holy Spirit proceeding from God and the Word........

Then Leslie Newbigin's notion of Christian Revelation is much more than information it is invitation to relationship.

A Reflection St Catherine’s Men’s Fellowship exists as a gathering for men in the parish. It is described as a Fellowship with the following four objectives. 1. To establish fellowship among people in the parish 2. To welcome newcomers to the Parish 3. To support the parish priest in projects which may arise 4. To promote Christian Principles and ethics in the Community and provide an opportunity for discussion in such matters. What does this mean? Christian Fellowship is the companion of the Christian Gospel. Do we see ourselves as a Christian Fellowship? What does a Fellowship of Anglican (Christian) men look like? If we are no different to Rotary or Probus then what is our purpose? How are we reaching out to the other men who are connected to the Parish? What kind of connection needs to be made? This leads onto the second objective, What are we doing to welcome newcomers to the parish? While we may maintain our monthly Tuesday gatherings are there other ‘events/ activities’ we could be establishing to make newcomers welcome? … Is this where a few Saturday morning gatherings fit? The third objective invites an engagement with the Parish Priest (and Parish Leadership) to identify aspects of ministry that Men's Fellowship could undertake or at least encourage, or even initiate. This does not necessarily mean maintenance of grounds and building, however because we have grounds and building then there is a responsibility to maintain them. ‘Aspects of ministry’ means more than this. I am suggesting that 'projects' is NOT the appropriate word. The fourth item begs some definition. What Christian Principles? What are they? What are Christian ethics? I think there is an assumption that we all know what these are. Yes, notions of honesty, integrity come to mind but these are principles that many would claim belong to all people, not necessarily Christian. # “Christian ethics grows from a faithful response to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is shaped by the history of God sending His People to be a holy and righteous witness to the nations so that others might know how God's salvation is demonstrated in national life, community and family relationships.” # Matthew 5 : 1 – 12 The Beatitudes set a clear description of what is to be understood by Christian principles. “ Jesus' disciples came to him and he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” These words are NOT aspirational, they describe who we are, how we live. Bishop Tom Frame said the other day: “If we are not living the Sermon on the Mount we should pack up. Stop pretending we are church.” We are to live as if the New World has arrived and it has begun in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.” This is Living by Faith. They are words to describe the men of the fellowship and give direction to what we might be doing as a fellowship. In other words these are addressed to us first and how we live – cause for reflection. Do newcomers see anything different about us and the group that would cause them to want to join with us? This “Sermon” formed part of Christian instruction in the early church as being People of the Way. The first Christians were called the People of the Way – Not: ‘the people of the experience’ nor ‘the people of the right doctrine’ nor ‘the people of the church’. They saw them-selves as a community. This gives a significant clue as to what ‘fellowship’ should mean when applied to a group that calls itself Christian. I trust I can use the words “Anglican” and ‘Christian’ interchangeably. # The call to Justice, Beauty and Homecoming as noted by Bishop Tom Wright needs exploration here. Note Ministry of Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5: 11 – 21 and its implications for Fellowship. # There is the injunction for all Christians to “Go forth and make disciples of all nations”. Where does this fit with our objectives? Note the word ‘disciples’ is far more than saving souls. # There has been some concern that Men’s Fellowship not be Evangelical. The suggestion is that if it was it would frighten men away. In the light of what I have written I am concerned as to what is understood by ‘Evangelical’ Some added comments: 1 Jonathan Andrews and later John Brummell more recently came and made their Christian commitment known in their talks and the connection of the Christian faith to their topic. Were these encrouching on this Evangelical border line? 2. A suggestion from our Parish Priest embraces the view that Father’s Day raises issues about what “Father” might mean today. Do we/ Can we engage with Men in the community to support men being fathers and enabling young men to clarify what this role might mean for them. The absent father is a significant experience for many children today in our society. What does this say to boys in particular. What does it say to girls? 3. A further comment from a friend suggests another focus “how one can be a better Christian in the home, in church and in the community?” 4. From tonight’s Men’s meeting a conversation with John Stevenson raised the possibility of “Father and Son” gatherings – perhaps twice a year. As a young fellow I went with my father to such gatherings and found them a great privilege. 5. Another matter raised comes from George Smith the co-ordinator of ABM in Brisbane. Earlier this year he gave me a booklet of studies called “The Faith Effect – God’s Love in the World” It has five sessions : On Earth as in Heaven … Religion Poisons Everything …… God’s Love in the World …… What Can we do? And So what next? A suggestion is that with ten meetings in the year every second meeting could be a viewing of the DVD and a study/discussion of one of these five topics. 6. The parish is seeking to assist/ to minister to those who have been offloaded from work. Is this perhaps another aspect of ministry that we as a fellowship could connect with?
 Consideration: If you reflect on what I have written how might we write our Men's Fellowship Objectives?