NT Wright on Thinking Wisely

I was reading the latest Relevant Magazine issue and came upon a quote by NT Wright that I thought I'd share, as it is keeping in theme with the whole 'own your faith' idea. When asked the question "what is the biggest problem facing the Church today?" Write answers,

"I think it has to do with relearning the issue of how to think. The 18 century stressed Reason, with a capital "R." Reason, to many, is discounted; people don't really do that stuff very much. If you try to mount a sustained argument, looking at evidence and thinking it through, people don't want it. They want sound bytes, slogans and so on. The Church ought to be at the forefront of helping the wider world think wisely. But along with this goes a wise reading of Scripture.
The Bible still waits there as this wonderful, huge, enormously energizing, complex book, which actually has the robustness and the suppleness to carry us forward into the new places we should be."

I can't believe he described the Bible as being supple. Excuse me a second while I ROFL. (to those who didn't grow up with ICQ and MSN Messenger, that means 'rolling on the floor laughing.') Seriously, though, this quote emphasizes the issue I've had, which is that very few people my age like to think for themselves, to think wisely about their beliefs and converse wisely about them. I'm glad someone agrees with me on this subject - though I'd have to be more inclined to share Shane Clairborne's point of view that consumerism and the prosperity gospel are the biggest problems facing the Church today, that 'The Christian experience (has become, to some) just about what you can get."

On another note, I was watching The Hour with George Strombolopolopoloupombolopulous (is that how you spell it?), the 'hippest show on CBC' you might call it, the other day. Reverend Dollar was on. This is the pastor from Philadelphia or somewhere who has two, thats right, TWO Roles Royces. Yes, he's the prosperity gospel guru. I admit he was very charming and had some good answers to some bad questions (George, I'm afraid, just isn't the brightest bulb on the tree) but didn't give much Scriptural weight to his conviction that its ok to live so lavishly besides a Psalm or two about being Blessed. Last time I checked, wasn't it JESUS, the guy who started this whole CHRISTIANITY thing, who said:

"If you want to find your life, you better give it away" - John 15:13 ?

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"

-Matthew 19:21

?


or, worst of all...

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'"

-Matthew 25:41-45

??

We will all be judged for how we have treated the poor. I firmly believe this. If you are driving two roles royces when there are kids dying because they drink unclean water, or don't have enough food or proper health care, well...

Jesus also said "judge not." So, I guess I should take that into consideration. But judgement is coming, whether you like it or not.