Comments on: Christian de Chegre http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/christian-de-chegre/ The Institute for the Theology of Culture, an official program of Multnomah Biblical Seminary Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:46:29 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Braxton Alsop http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/christian-de-chegre/#comment-8220 Braxton Alsop Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:37:28 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1628#comment-8220 I loved the phrase "like happy thieves," I felt it was a beautiful sentiment that goes completely against the Pharisee of Luke 18, who thanks God that he is not like the sinners. De Chegre has every reason to see his executor as an enemy and to seek some consolation in the justice of God. He has every reason to glorify himself and to point to his willingness to risk death for Christ's sake. Instead, he sees his own solidarity with his executor. He sees they are both "thieves" in need of grace, and if God blesses his executor with the grace to know him, that the two of them will later embrace in joy. Which is why I think you're right on, Kelsi. Our entire culture is centered, economically and politically, around getting what's "ours." Too often I fall into that trap and forget I am called to be broken for others who share in God's image, to give up my rights and power for the sake of others. I forget I am to love my enemy, even when he slaps me on the cheek. I loved the phrase “like happy thieves,” I felt it was a beautiful sentiment that goes completely against the Pharisee of Luke 18, who thanks God that he is not like the sinners. De Chegre has every reason to see his executor as an enemy and to seek some consolation in the justice of God. He has every reason to glorify himself and to point to his willingness to risk death for Christ’s sake. Instead, he sees his own solidarity with his executor. He sees they are both “thieves” in need of grace, and if God blesses his executor with the grace to know him, that the two of them will later embrace in joy.

Which is why I think you’re right on, Kelsi. Our entire culture is centered, economically and politically, around getting what’s “ours.” Too often I fall into that trap and forget I am called to be broken for others who share in God’s image, to give up my rights and power for the sake of others. I forget I am to love my enemy, even when he slaps me on the cheek.

]]> By: Kelsi http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/christian-de-chegre/#comment-8205 Kelsi Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:33:29 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1628#comment-8205 I am moved that his "most burning curiosity" is to see his enemies the way God sees them. I would argue that this is the last thing that many of us American Christians hold as our most burning curiosity. Our language is dominated by rights, power and proving the other as wrong and evil, than deeply desiring to see all of humanity (including our enemy) as God's precious creation. Much to learn from this man. I am moved that his “most burning curiosity” is to see his enemies the way God sees them. I would argue that this is the last thing that many of us American Christians hold as our most burning curiosity. Our language is dominated by rights, power and proving the other as wrong and evil, than deeply desiring to see all of humanity (including our enemy) as God’s precious creation. Much to learn from this man.

]]>