Jedi and Jesus, Harry and the Holy Spirit

It is often very difficult for young people to connect with the message of the Church. But, religious leaders are becoming more creative. A few years ago I was given a book titled "Christian Wisdom for the Jedi Masters." It was Jedi and Jesus. Looking at the teachings of Christ and the ministry of His apostles and how they aren't that different than Yoda and the work of the Jedi.

Well it took a while, but Christian leaders are finally coming around on Harry Potter. When the first of seven books came out, many Christian leaders demonized the series - saying Potter was "the king of darkness" and "evil". But, now they are using the adventures of Harry and his friends to translate the Christian message to today's youth.

Read more here

Lambeth 2008

One of the hot topics in the Anglican Communion has been the next Lambeth Conference set to take place next summer. There are a lot of things that can happen at Lambeth. But, before anything can happen people need to go. I've been thinking a lot about Lambeth lately and some of the news that I have read around it. Bishops and Provinces have threatened not to attend if certain bishops go and other threaten if certain bishops do not go. I think it is time for us to be a little less American. As I have said before I fully cupport the election of Bishop Robinson, and I think that he is a wonderful person. But, maybe it will be ok if he doesn't go in his full episcopal capacity. For some members of the Anglican Communion his concecration to the Episcopate is a very difficult thing. It will take time for some to accept or understand or whatever word you want to use Bishop Robinson. Maybe if he goes as a guest it will give some of the others the time to talk to him and better understand. We need to not say it's our way or no way, we need to be open to those who are not as inclusive as us. It will not be easy, but nothing worth it will be easy. Unfortunately a small group will pay for the actions of the whole church. But, as a member of that group I am ready for whatever comes. Because, I know that in the end if we can all learn to live in Christ and Serve Christ together to greatness will be achieve. We will be better exaples of Christ's light and messagers of his Word. When it comes down to it that is what matters most.

And now his Holiness . . .

Well, it's been said before, but he'll say it again. On Tuesday Pope Benedict approved a document be released that says other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicisimprovides the only true path to salvation. This is the second move the Pope has made this past week that brings the Catholic Church back to a pre Vatican II. Earlier he revived the old Latin Mass. Benedict attended Vatican II as a young theologian where he critized the church for being to liberal. His moves have been celebrated by the more conservative Catholics, however it has many worried. Several Protestant leaders have been to question past and future ecumenical talks with the Vatican. For an article on the latest from the Pontiff click here

In my opinion this is just more of the same old stuff. The Pope is a conservative man, trying to bring the Roman Catholic Church back in time to more conservative practices - particularly pre Vatican II. However, I think that if continues to reverse Vatican II and bring back the old ways he will agrivate and alienate himself from the other Christian Churches - which doesn't seem to bother him much. However, I think he will loose many from his flock. These changes are, most likely, being celebrated by the conservatives but could very well be turning off the more moderate and liberal Roman Catholics. People who aren't really sure what Church they want to belong to may try the Catholic Church, and after this may leave. Only time will tell what this does for the Roman Catholic Church. But I have a feeling it will either strengthen it or kill it.

On the funny side

So here is something that I found thanks to Susan Russell over at An Inch At A Time. I greatly enjoyed it.