Comments on: The American Pull http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/ The Institute for the Theology of Culture, an official program of Multnomah Biblical Seminary Fri, 10 Jun 2011 23:54:46 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Paul Jeff Higenyi http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-21490 Paul Jeff Higenyi Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:20:20 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-21490 Hello, I happened to stumble on this while trying to search for a lost friend, now one thing makes it easy to believe that i finally found him, the enthusiasm and passion that was, when you handed me a bible while i was in Uganda just around the years mentioned in your article/post. Now is this Badriaki a friend to Andrew(now USA) and Brother Mohan from Washington now in Uganda? who was also a member of Calvary chapel in Kampala? Hello,
I happened to stumble on this while trying to search for a lost friend, now one thing makes it easy to believe that i finally found him, the enthusiasm and passion that was, when you handed me a bible while i was in Uganda just around the years mentioned in your article/post.
Now is this Badriaki a friend to Andrew(now USA) and Brother Mohan from Washington now in Uganda? who was also a member of Calvary chapel in Kampala?

]]> By: Christopher laird http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8581 Christopher laird Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:07:57 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8581 Scott, It's too early to tell if your Cavs are ready for the "next level" but the nba is giving you and I a Christmas present this year - lakers/cavs. If we're both in town we have to watch it together or I'll TiVo it. But you guys will have your hands full with celtics before you can go to the dance. Scott,

It’s too early to tell if your Cavs are ready for the “next level” but the nba is giving you and I a Christmas present this year – lakers/cavs. If we’re both in town we have to watch it together or I’ll TiVo it. But you guys will have your hands full with celtics before you can go to the dance.

]]> By: Scott Lowe http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8572 Scott Lowe Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:39:55 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8572 Hey Chris, In response to your 11/12 entry, I can relate as a lifelong Cleveland fan. However, I consider myself a more hearty fan because the last time a Cleveland team won a championship was five years before I was born, yet I'm still standing. I'm not worried though. I think the Cavs will end that drought, most likely at the expense of your Lakers this year. HA! Hey Chris,

In response to your 11/12 entry, I can relate as a lifelong Cleveland fan. However, I consider myself a more hearty fan because the last time a Cleveland team won a championship was five years before I was born, yet I’m still standing. I’m not worried though. I think the Cavs will end that drought, most likely at the expense of your Lakers this year. HA!

]]> By: Christopher Laird http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8450 Christopher Laird Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:20:41 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8450 Being a Laker fan in Portland legitimately qualifies us as a "persecuted minority" group! I understand their pain. I remember that first Kobe-Shaq Championship in 2000 when the Lakers faced the Blazers in Western Conference Finals. Game Seven - Blazers led by 15 pts. with less than 5 minutes to go . . . Blazers couldn't make a shot and the Lakers caught fire! The next year would be the same . . .the Lakers ripping the hearts out of Blazer fan on the way to another NBA Championship! Blazer fan has never recovered. Take heart Blazer fan - you have a young, talented team but I'm not sure if you're ready for the big dance yet. Being a Laker fan in Portland legitimately qualifies us as a “persecuted minority” group! I understand their pain.

I remember that first Kobe-Shaq Championship in 2000 when the Lakers faced the Blazers in Western Conference Finals. Game Seven – Blazers led by 15 pts. with less than 5 minutes to go . . . Blazers couldn’t make a shot and the Lakers caught fire! The next year would be the same . . .the Lakers ripping the hearts out of Blazer fan on the way to another NBA Championship! Blazer fan has never recovered.

Take heart Blazer fan – you have a young, talented team but I’m not sure if you’re ready for the big dance yet.

]]> By: Joe Enlet http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8433 Joe Enlet Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:26:09 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8433 Hey guys. Wonderful discussion. Michael, you touch on a very significant subject that I myself find to be troubling at times. This "scam" as Christopher calls it, is all too often accepted as the norm in the American society today. So much so that it cunningly slithers its way into the Churches' value systems. I find myself troubled because of how the church (including myself) almost never questions these categories of thinking and political partisan loyalties. You are right. We need to be more discerning as we are led by the Holy Spirit and compelled by the love of Christ, in engaging issues in society so that we don't simply take the default position of so many Christians today who, without thinking, jump on the political bandwagon of those who call themselves "the Right".... or "the Left." I was shocked when listening to a radio host who was interviewing an evangelical Christian about the investigation of the alleged tortures of POWs during the Bush administration. The investigation was supported by President Obama. The Christian was not willing to say that the tortures against the POWs were wrong and wasn't even willing to call the actions "torture" instead saying that they were necessary "unconventional tactics" which resulted in much needed intelligence that aided the success of the U.S. military. He was also adamant that people shouldn't be all up in arms because those "tactics" were not even close to what "....those guys do to our soldiers over there" (to use his own words). Yes.... What a "Scam"! By the way Chris,...Go Lakers!! You and I are among some of the biggest laker-haters around : Blazer fans... Yikes!! Hey guys. Wonderful discussion. Michael, you touch on a very significant subject that I myself find to be troubling at times. This “scam” as Christopher calls it, is all too often accepted as the norm in the American society today. So much so that it cunningly slithers its way into the Churches’ value systems. I find myself troubled because of how the church (including myself) almost never questions these categories of thinking and political partisan loyalties. You are right. We need to be more discerning as we are led by the Holy Spirit and compelled by the love of Christ, in engaging issues in society so that we don’t simply take the default position of so many Christians today who, without thinking, jump on the political bandwagon of those who call themselves “the Right”…. or “the Left.”
I was shocked when listening to a radio host who was interviewing an evangelical Christian about the investigation of the alleged tortures of POWs during the Bush administration. The investigation was supported by President Obama. The Christian was not willing to say that the tortures against the POWs were wrong and wasn’t even willing to call the actions “torture” instead saying that they were necessary “unconventional tactics” which resulted in much needed intelligence that aided the success of the U.S. military. He was also adamant that people shouldn’t be all up in arms because those “tactics” were not even close to what “….those guys do to our soldiers over there” (to use his own words). Yes…. What a “Scam”!

By the way Chris,…Go Lakers!! You and I are among some of the biggest laker-haters around : Blazer fans… Yikes!!

]]> By: Michael Badriaki http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8263 Michael Badriaki Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:38:12 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8263 Christopher Laid, that awesome! I love the game the Lakers got! I am weary of the "I win, you lose" scam though. Christopher Laid, that awesome! I love the game the Lakers got! I am weary of the “I win, you lose” scam though.

]]> By: Michael Badriaki http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8262 Michael Badriaki Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:34:44 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8262 Thanks Luke for your comments. In many ways you have complimented and brought yet another hew to the "pull" discussion. Yes! I have seen this kind of a "pull" in Uganda yet there also seems to be low enthusiasms for the division this "tyranny of small differences" bring in villages, churches and constitutes. Thanks Luke for your comments. In many ways you have complimented and brought yet another hew to the “pull” discussion. Yes! I have seen this kind of a “pull” in Uganda yet there also seems to be low enthusiasms for the division this “tyranny of small differences” bring in villages, churches and constitutes.

]]> By: Christopher Laird http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8259 Christopher Laird Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:14 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8259 Thanks for sharing your experience with the "pull." What does it mean to be a Christian? Who is Christ for us today? Who is my neighbor? These are the kinds of thoughts that I'm finding useful for reflection these days? What you have discovered in such a short period of time has taken me many years to come to terms with. The nature of partisan discourse is a "scam." The most basic and ancient "social scam" known to man is a simple little formula - "make you wrong/ make me right." In the light of "the scam" it quickly becomes evident that the two-parties need each other like a tick needs a dog. They need each other because they need a partner for the "right-wrong/win-lose dance." The partisan politics game, and arguably politics in general, is a cut-throat game of "winner take all." This isn't to say that there aren't some decent people who are working in the political-shark tank in an effort to serve this country but my point is simply that we need to be honest about the bulit-in rules and values which govern the politcal arena. I am convinced that partisan politics is allot like the world of sports fanatics. The loyal fan is convinced that his team is the greatest team in the league even when they have a losing record i.e. "Raider Fan." Part of my identity as a Laker fan is that I have contempt for the Celtics (this rivallry is over forty years old). This "hatred" is what makes the rivalry work and I am proud to say that this has been my creed since I was a young teen. BTW, I have a theory about why Blazer fan is such a Laker-hater but that's another story (hmmm will I be able to work that into next weeks blog?). Anyway, for what it's worth, I affirm your choice to avoid that whole scam and to find your fraternity and affiliation in a community that's not committed to the scam of "I win, you lose." Thanks for sharing your experience with the “pull.” What does it mean to be a Christian? Who is Christ for us today? Who is my neighbor? These are the kinds of thoughts that I’m finding useful for reflection these days? What you have discovered in such a short period of time has taken me many years to come to terms with. The nature of partisan discourse is a “scam.”

The most basic and ancient “social scam” known to man is a simple little formula – “make you wrong/ make me right.” In the light of “the scam” it quickly becomes evident that the two-parties need each other like a tick needs a dog. They need each other because they need a partner for the “right-wrong/win-lose dance.” The partisan politics game, and arguably politics in general, is a cut-throat game of “winner take all.” This isn’t to say that there aren’t some decent people who are working in the political-shark tank in an effort to serve this country but my point is simply that we need to be honest about the bulit-in rules and values which govern the politcal arena. I am convinced that partisan politics is allot like the world of sports fanatics.

The loyal fan is convinced that his team is the greatest team in the league even when they have a losing record i.e. “Raider Fan.” Part of my identity as a Laker fan is that I have contempt for the Celtics (this rivallry is over forty years old). This “hatred” is what makes the rivalry work and I am proud to say that this has been my creed since I was a young teen. BTW, I have a theory about why Blazer fan is such a Laker-hater but that’s another story (hmmm will I be able to work that into next weeks blog?). Anyway, for what it’s worth, I affirm your choice to avoid that whole scam and to find your fraternity and affiliation in a community that’s not committed to the scam of “I win, you lose.”

]]> By: Luke http://new-wineskins.org/blog/2009/11/the-american-pull/#comment-8231 Luke Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:48:18 +0000 http://new-wineskins.org/?p=1632#comment-8231 I read a phrase that stuck with me and I feel gets at some of what you're describing... "the tyranny of small differences." We love to divide and to exclude based on so many different things (politics especially in America). Some of it is misplaced priorities, some of it is pride. But when it comes down to it, are we going to be united by our love of Christ, the Lord of all? Or are we going to let the small differences rule over us, separating us from each other? Do you see an equivalent "pull" in Uganda? Whether political, cultural, or so on? I read a phrase that stuck with me and I feel gets at some of what you’re describing… “the tyranny of small differences.” We love to divide and to exclude based on so many different things (politics especially in America). Some of it is misplaced priorities, some of it is pride. But when it comes down to it, are we going to be united by our love of Christ, the Lord of all? Or are we going to let the small differences rule over us, separating us from each other?

Do you see an equivalent “pull” in Uganda? Whether political, cultural, or so on?

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