Our Friday lunchbar was on the theme of whether Christianity is arrogant or not. Sarah gave a brilliant talk, even beginning with a 'Once upon...' story to grab our attention. Looking at a quote from Stephen Fry, the arrogance of religion in general was examined but also that of non- religious claims that all religions are the same. Yet when the surface of the world's religions are scratched we can see that they are in fact very different.
So this takes us to the arrogance of Christianity, and its claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. This was one of the questions raised after the talk, and one that is often raised in debates over Christ's role. One of the issues often raised with this claim is that Christians can appear intolerant of others' beliefs. As Sarah explained to attentive listeners while Christians maintain that Christ is the only way to heaven, there is a balance to be struck with respecting other beliefs and retaining our integrity of belief.
So that's it for UEA CU Events Week 2012 apart from Christianity Explored. If anything you have heard over the last week or read on here has intrigued you about Christianity please come along tonight at 8.30pm in Nelson Court Common Room. There will be a free buffet and a chance to hear Mark's Gospel explained and discussed in small table groups. If that's not your cup of tea then thank you for joining us this week, whether in spirit or body.
See you next year at UEA CU Events Week 2013! God bless
engaging you in the conversation on Christianity.
Friday 10 February 2012
Engage with the Social Network: A world in need of relationship
Our last 'Engage' night on Thursday was based around The Social Network, a film following the creation of Facebook and its consequences. The film follows Mark Zuckerberg through two court cases based around the creation of the worldwide social network, flashing back to the events that led up to them. Yet the film's creators appear to be using the film to comment on how something designed to connect us has resulted in a world of disconnected people hooked in to the internet. The biggest irony of the film is that Mark Zuckerberg is portrayed as a disconnected man connecting people together.
Russel's big question for the night was 'What makes us need relationships?' leading to the creation of social network sites like Facebook. His point was that we were created by a triune God for relationship with Him and others. In fact, God so longs to have a relationship with us that He willing sacrificed Himself for us so that we might reconnect with Him. For Jesus was part of our triune God, the Son, meaning that God split part of Himself off breaking a relationship to connect with us. So in an age when our main way of connecting with each other is via a computer screen, knowing a God who longs to know us personally is something incredible. In a disconnected world God has made the ultimate sacrifice in order to reconnect with each other individually, face to face rather than via an internet cable.
Russel's big question for the night was 'What makes us need relationships?' leading to the creation of social network sites like Facebook. His point was that we were created by a triune God for relationship with Him and others. In fact, God so longs to have a relationship with us that He willing sacrificed Himself for us so that we might reconnect with Him. For Jesus was part of our triune God, the Son, meaning that God split part of Himself off breaking a relationship to connect with us. So in an age when our main way of connecting with each other is via a computer screen, knowing a God who longs to know us personally is something incredible. In a disconnected world God has made the ultimate sacrifice in order to reconnect with each other individually, face to face rather than via an internet cable.
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Engage with the Lion King - Is hakuna matata the way to live ?
One of the classic Disney films, the Lion King, directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff provides with a funny yet serious story of Samba’s life. Accompanied by a host of catchy songs, which while the clips were playing people were singing along to, the film is one that everyone can enjoy. The question is though how does this relate to Christianity?
Well certainly one of the more entertaining songs Hakuna Matata, which starts with a line of lyrical genius "when i was a young warthog," raises an interesting point. Should I live my live with no worries and no responsibilities, merely putting the past behind me or as Pumbaa most eloquently put it "putting my behind in the past?" At first this may seem fine but as Russel engaged us further it appeared that this was not so. God creates these rules so that we can live the way that is best for us to live, rather than inhibit our freedom God in fact makes us free, a prime example of this is when we consider the way we relate to others, for example when we have a good friend we want to emulate them and this is so in the case of God. From the passage Mark 12: 28 -34 we realise that when we love God we realise how great his love is and this is why in the passage Jesus says the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” By doing so we can then love the people around us and rather than not care about them and take no responsibility we can show warmth and kindness to people.
This was particularly so when a question was asked about whether God being angry affects his kindness? Russel replied with the idea of a father figure God at times has to punish us, just as a father punishes their children. However this does not stop God being kind towards us in fact by telling us when we are engaging in something we should not, he is helping us to be who were are meant to be. I think that this is a wonderful way of being free to know that there is a God who loves you so much that he wants you to be the best you could be. Therefore it means that I know how to relate to people and to show them warmth and kindness.
If you read this and feel like you want to know more about Christianity then there is a lunch bar, with a free lunch and a short talk tomorrow (09/02/12) at 12 till 1 then 1 till 2 in the blue bar. The topic is "don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself & you're set": has Lady Gaga got it right? Then in the evening we are engaging with the social network at 8 30 in congregation hall 1.20, definitely worth coming along to.
Well certainly one of the more entertaining songs Hakuna Matata, which starts with a line of lyrical genius "when i was a young warthog," raises an interesting point. Should I live my live with no worries and no responsibilities, merely putting the past behind me or as Pumbaa most eloquently put it "putting my behind in the past?" At first this may seem fine but as Russel engaged us further it appeared that this was not so. God creates these rules so that we can live the way that is best for us to live, rather than inhibit our freedom God in fact makes us free, a prime example of this is when we consider the way we relate to others, for example when we have a good friend we want to emulate them and this is so in the case of God. From the passage Mark 12: 28 -34 we realise that when we love God we realise how great his love is and this is why in the passage Jesus says the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” By doing so we can then love the people around us and rather than not care about them and take no responsibility we can show warmth and kindness to people.
This was particularly so when a question was asked about whether God being angry affects his kindness? Russel replied with the idea of a father figure God at times has to punish us, just as a father punishes their children. However this does not stop God being kind towards us in fact by telling us when we are engaging in something we should not, he is helping us to be who were are meant to be. I think that this is a wonderful way of being free to know that there is a God who loves you so much that he wants you to be the best you could be. Therefore it means that I know how to relate to people and to show them warmth and kindness.
If you read this and feel like you want to know more about Christianity then there is a lunch bar, with a free lunch and a short talk tomorrow (09/02/12) at 12 till 1 then 1 till 2 in the blue bar. The topic is "don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself & you're set": has Lady Gaga got it right? Then in the evening we are engaging with the social network at 8 30 in congregation hall 1.20, definitely worth coming along to.
Cosmic Dictator & Rule Book: Is there more to Christianity?
The question of the image of Christianity seems to be very popular on campus at UEA. Todays lunch bar consisted of some great sandwiches, an excellent talk by Emily, our UCCF staff worker, and some brilliant and intriguing questions.
The main idea of Emily's talk was the way in which we view freedom; do we want the removal of all rules and regulations and the ability to do and believe whatever we want? Or is there meaning and purpose in living life to a moral standard? And where does that moral standard come from?
This seems to be a big issue this week; is there morality outside of God? For me, I don't think there is. If all we are is a collection of chemicals and a series of reactions, there can be no higher purpose, no essence of right or wrong- life simply is. But with God, we find that higher purpose, we find meaning to this life.
The whole point of these events is to give people a place to ask questions, make comments and hear more about Jesus. Even when the questions are difficult, its such a blessing to see this happening, and to see people being incredibly respectful when doing it. Let's respect their views as we want to them to respect ours!
Once again, so many people were so supportive in making it happen- hosting this event is super simple thanks to you all!
Tonight, engaging with The Lion King! 7.30 in Nelson Court Common Room. excitement
The main idea of Emily's talk was the way in which we view freedom; do we want the removal of all rules and regulations and the ability to do and believe whatever we want? Or is there meaning and purpose in living life to a moral standard? And where does that moral standard come from?
This seems to be a big issue this week; is there morality outside of God? For me, I don't think there is. If all we are is a collection of chemicals and a series of reactions, there can be no higher purpose, no essence of right or wrong- life simply is. But with God, we find that higher purpose, we find meaning to this life.
The whole point of these events is to give people a place to ask questions, make comments and hear more about Jesus. Even when the questions are difficult, its such a blessing to see this happening, and to see people being incredibly respectful when doing it. Let's respect their views as we want to them to respect ours!
Once again, so many people were so supportive in making it happen- hosting this event is super simple thanks to you all!
Tonight, engaging with The Lion King! 7.30 in Nelson Court Common Room. excitement
Engaging with the Dark Knight: Is the Joker right?
Our second 'Engage' night was based around the Dark Knight, the second of the Batman trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan. One of the most popular films around, Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker has become legendary with just the right mix of unhinged madman and criminal genius.
Once again Russel was doing the talk, this time on the fact that actually human beings don't have it all right and we are 'twisted'. Mark Chapter 7 was the passage for the evening and from this Russel was able to draw this idea of how the Joker was actually right when he says that all humans can be drawn down to his level of immorality. An uncomfortable thought to be sure; I know I like to think that I am an innately moral person. Who wants to be compared to an unhinged criminal genius? Yet as Russel pointed out with personal examples, we all mess up and we all cause hurt through acting immorally no matter how small the action might be.
Yet once again Jesus provides the answer here. As the one perfect being, who gives us the moral standard to live by, Jesus provides the example to live by. Part of being a Christian is about growing to be more like Jesus and following his example. By following this example we are able to disprove Ledger's Joker when he accuses all humans of being immoral. And maybe we can prove Batman right... that humans do wish to have some form of morality, order and justice in the world?
And one last word, thank you to the decoration team who put in plenty of effort particularly with the bat signal created from paper, pencils and a lamp!
Once again Russel was doing the talk, this time on the fact that actually human beings don't have it all right and we are 'twisted'. Mark Chapter 7 was the passage for the evening and from this Russel was able to draw this idea of how the Joker was actually right when he says that all humans can be drawn down to his level of immorality. An uncomfortable thought to be sure; I know I like to think that I am an innately moral person. Who wants to be compared to an unhinged criminal genius? Yet as Russel pointed out with personal examples, we all mess up and we all cause hurt through acting immorally no matter how small the action might be.
Yet once again Jesus provides the answer here. As the one perfect being, who gives us the moral standard to live by, Jesus provides the example to live by. Part of being a Christian is about growing to be more like Jesus and following his example. By following this example we are able to disprove Ledger's Joker when he accuses all humans of being immoral. And maybe we can prove Batman right... that humans do wish to have some form of morality, order and justice in the world?
And one last word, thank you to the decoration team who put in plenty of effort particularly with the bat signal created from paper, pencils and a lamp!
Can a good God allow suffering?
Tuesday's lunch bar saw the question of whether the God in the bible, who is all powerful, all knowing, all loving and always present, why would He allow to see people go through suffering.
Russel confronted this issue head on with his own story of suffering from 12 years ago, and the impact that event had on him and his family. Although different circumstances see people suffering in a variety of different ways, it is the same God who is there throughout this time.
When Jesus died on the cross he went through a very real and painful experience in which he suffered and died as a man, and that is why he can relate to us when we are going through painful events in our own lives. Due to being a sinful race that have fallen short, we need our imperfections to be covered by someone who has not sinned. The only one who is eligible to take this is Jesus. And on the cross he took it for each and every person who ever lived or will live, because of the great love He has for those He created!
Want to find out more or ask any questions? Feel free to come along tomorrow and the rest of this week to our free events...All welcome!
Russel confronted this issue head on with his own story of suffering from 12 years ago, and the impact that event had on him and his family. Although different circumstances see people suffering in a variety of different ways, it is the same God who is there throughout this time.
When Jesus died on the cross he went through a very real and painful experience in which he suffered and died as a man, and that is why he can relate to us when we are going through painful events in our own lives. Due to being a sinful race that have fallen short, we need our imperfections to be covered by someone who has not sinned. The only one who is eligible to take this is Jesus. And on the cross he took it for each and every person who ever lived or will live, because of the great love He has for those He created!
Want to find out more or ask any questions? Feel free to come along tomorrow and the rest of this week to our free events...All welcome!
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Engage with Inception: Guilty and Redemption in the real world
Last night (Monday 6th February) was the first of our 'Engage' film nights, concentrating on Inception and how it relates to the message of Christianity. For the first night the room was fairly full of people, some recognisable and some new, enjoying the free sweets and drinks. Russel's talk was spot on for something which is really a delicate subject, looking at how we normally deal with guilt as human beings through the storyline around Cobb and his wife Mal. The sharp contrast of Ariadne's advice to just move on and deal with it to that of Jesus giving us redemption encouraged questions that I'm sure many people have thought at some time in their lives. The story in Mark's Gospel of the paralysed man being healed AFTER his sins were forgiven illustrates the redemption we find in Christ and that only He may grant us it. When compared to this idea Ariadne's advice of 'move on' falls short as most people struggle to do so.
One of the more intriguing questions was 'What if your guilt is what defines you?' but it was the answer that I found more startling. Essentially, Russel began his response with 'Being defined by guilt is good because it means you recognise your sin'. Yet as he continued he made more sense, speaking of how we need to recognise our sin in order to give it to Jesus and be redeemed. After all, how do you give something up if you don't know what you're giving up?
All in all, a good night was had by all, spending time with friends and getting to know a bit more about Jesus and where He fits in today.
See you tonight hopefully at the Hive 7.30pm for 'Engage with the Dark Knight'.
One of the more intriguing questions was 'What if your guilt is what defines you?' but it was the answer that I found more startling. Essentially, Russel began his response with 'Being defined by guilt is good because it means you recognise your sin'. Yet as he continued he made more sense, speaking of how we need to recognise our sin in order to give it to Jesus and be redeemed. After all, how do you give something up if you don't know what you're giving up?
All in all, a good night was had by all, spending time with friends and getting to know a bit more about Jesus and where He fits in today.
See you tonight hopefully at the Hive 7.30pm for 'Engage with the Dark Knight'.
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