Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice

Methinks he budged: An evening with J.I. Packer by Brad Jersak

We don’t often get to meet our heroes in the faith. But after twenty-five years, I did have the privilege of a face-to-face encounter with one of mine: Dr. J.I. Packer. He is much taller than I’d imagined, more energetic than I’d expected and every bit as charitable as I had hoped. And even knowing that I am on “the other side” (his phrase) of the atonement debates,1 he generously signed the presentation page of my new ESV Bible and later acknowledged me as a brother.

Thus began an evening of revelations (hosted by House of James2) that started with the topic of Christian unity and climaxed in a discussion of evangelicalism’s current hot button topic: penal substitutionary atonement. As he shared, Dr. Packer made it clear that on the core points of classic Reformed Puritan tradition, he has not budged. Yet when he tenderly presented his sense of the Father’s heart towards Jesus during the crucifixion, I think we all felt God’s presence in the moment. On this point, I believe that the good doctor moved beyond the Reformers so as to carry the discussion forward in important ways. As I take up Dr. Packer’s exhortation to test the truth of his words, I hope to suggest how this is so.3

Why Columbia U. Got It Wrong by Jim Hall

This past Monday (Sept. 24) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University in New York. I happened to be watching CNN when it was happening live and heard the introduction by the President of Columbia. As the headlines in Tuesday's papers indicated, it was a scathing rebuke, which I found astonishingly blunt. It was simply incredible to watch. The TV news shows have not done justice to the full extent of his remarks, but in characteristic form, have chosen to zoom in on the most pointed quotes.

"Into the sky" by Jason Upton

Eastern Orthodox perspective on "the End Times" by Archbishop Lazar Puhalo

As in most Christian sects, Orthodox Christians do believe in a “Final Judgment”, but the Orthodox differ in their belief in that people - ultimately - judge themselves...One Orthodox prayer says that God is "...everywhere present and fills all things.” Therefore, Hell, to the Orthodox Church, is only a metaphor. Hell isn’t a place of eternal punishment inflicted by God, but a human soul's inability to participate in God's infinite love, which is given freely and abundantly - to everyone - for all time.

On 8.19.07, Jerome McDonnell interviewed Archbishop Lazar on Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ 91.5 FM). To hear the interview, click here or on the "listen" link.

Follow Me...Now What Does that Mean? Part 1 by Eric H. Janzen

A simple, yet haunting, question has been on mind for several years now. As I have sought to mature in my faith, my spirituality, and my commitment to being a follower of Jesus Christ, I have come face to face with His words “Follow me.” I recall on an early morning three years ago hearing Jesus whisper to me. I was brushing my teeth, minding my own business when he said these words: “Eric, follow me.” Since then, I have spent a fair amount of time attempting to answer that call, as well as pondering what it means and what it looks like. Because I like to write, the following made it to paper (and a whole lot more actually).

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Follow Me...Now What Does that Mean? Part 2 by Eric H. Janzen

In part one we looked at what Jesus called the two greatest commandments. Now let us consider the call to follow from another angle. For, if we love God we will obey him. The question we must ask then is what does he want of us?

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

1. Jesus called his disciples with the words “follow me”. What does it mean to follow him, to follow his Way? In contemplating this question further I have chosen the above verse from Micah 6:8. In this verse we find three requirements the Lord asks of those who would follow his ways. In considering these three elements is there something that binds them together, that is common to each? I suspect that yet once more the thread that weaves them together is the importance of relationship.