Sacra Furia
Interesting thoughts from Tony Jones's blog about anger:

...lately I've heard a wave of, "You're so angry," and "You emergent people are so angry." To which I say, if you're not at least a little angry at the impotence of the church, then there's something wrong with you.I sometimes wonder if the you're-so-angry defense is really a duck, so one does not have to deal with the real issues that the emergent church is raising.

I think Tony is right. There's a place for anger...and sometimes holy anger and fury. It's part of the process of change to point out the need for change. Another thing I hear quite frequently (well, actually mostly here on the blog comments) is "all you ever do is complain...what are you doing about the the problems?" But I'm not sure pointing out problems is complaining. It's simply pointing out problems. And it is a necessary step in the move towards change.

I also don't think it's fair to expect people who see and point out problems to also have solutions to the problems. How many of us have a solution to the health care issue for the U.S.? Should we quit talking about it? What about Iraq? Would you tell an alcoholic, "Hey, I don't want to hear about your problems until you've come up with a solution!" It could be that the first instigators of change are simply those who know something is wrong...that things could be better though they may not know what the better is. It could also be that someone's calling is to point out wrong and imminent disaster. We have a healthy dose of Biblical predecessors to find models of such a calling.

Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.--the prophet Jeremiah (chapter 20, verse 8)



posted by Jimmy at 7:47 PM | |