I was in a lecture today with a guest lecturer. They were speaking on transformation and young people and spiritual formation in modern culture. It was a pretty big topic and so much that he could have spoken on, so it was a wonder he got through as much of it as he did. But it has got me thinking a little. So these are just my thoughts on what he said today.
- He was talking about how we don't use the passage in Jeremiah 29:11 -14 (for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and bring about the future you hope for) and the one about the rich man asking Jesus what he can do and Jesus responding "Go sell all of your possessions and then come follow me" together....I was wondering why we would put those together, but then he said something about our culture using selective exegesis for so long, that we have forgotten that everything in the Bible is placed there to be put together and as one long lesson for humanity.
- I liked the fact that I was confronted about the difference between my life at the moment and the way my life would look if I was to completely and fully follow Jesus in this time. and how Jesus would have used one way of teaching us, through hands on (i guess its called experiential) learning and taking people into liminal space (where all true and lasting transformation can occur) to get them to learn something and make lasting change.
- Also, we were speaking about two strands of change that Richard Rohr has identified. Either the thinking OR the behaviour changes, which will ultimately lead to changing in both thinking AND behaviour. Which branch of change, I guess is my question, leads to lasting change or is that only when we come to having new thinking and new behaviour does lasting change (true transformation) happen? and I guess taking people into liminal space and experiential learning make it easier for true transformation.
- I also liked the fact that God did not create us and allow us to live a consumer life. He created us to follow Him, although how we do that is very different for everyone due to what they choose to believe about God and about Jesus and their teachings. Although, I guess thats because we live in a society that lets use pick and choose even when it comes to "religion" and faith.
- We were taught that above all, Christianity was an Eastern religion before it became Westernized. As is Islam and Hinduism and others of that nature. So, some of the practices that Islam practice now, have their roots in the Bible. For example, people facing Meccah (sorry if this is incorrectly spelt) was originally from Daniel, who faces Jerusalem. Also, Praying multiple times a day, was from one branch of Christians, who prayed seven times a day, I think it was.
- The idea of transformation. And how it can be a lifelong journey of sorts. And that how my parents act can affect journey and transformation and how I act can transform others, even without us actively realising that this is happening. And asking the questions. How do people change? Why do people change? Why do people not change? What does it take for people to change? Can we manipulate environment to facilitate change (and change lives)? Transformation and experiential learning is a big part of TEAR and also a big part of the YITS program.
There were several other points the lecturer made during the two hours that we had with him, but I have not thought them through enough yet to make complete sense of them....
So I guess thats all i had to say at this point in time.
Apart from the fact that I learned to knit on Wednesday night, so am spending most of my spare time knitting myself a scarf... though it is a long process, but do not want to give up....
Cheerio
Jess
