March 1, 2008 Cohort Meeting

Greetings everyone, and sorry for the late e-mail.

Our next cohort meeting is Saturday March 1, and it will be at Panera by the Fairfield Mall in Beavercreek. I am hoping to see some new faces and we will try to discuss something that always makes for a fascinating conversation, namely "What is the Kingdom of God?"

Recently someone asked the question: "In reading McLaren's books, and your interview with him, I've come across the phrase "Kingdom of God". I just wanted to know, what exactly do you or McLaren mean by "Kingdom of God"? Is it here already, or is it something we are working towards?"

Join us Saturday and we'll discuss the wonderful topic, The Kingdom of God. I will also bring a copy of Shane Claiborne's latest book, Jesus for President (see http://www.jesusforpresident.org) and Tony's new book The New Christians (see http://tonyj.net/); they will make for interesting conversation as well.

God bless!

Atonement Metaphors -- A Contest

by Tony Jones, national coordinator:

Have you heard the one about the father who operates a railroad drawbridge and sends his young son to manually fix the tracks, only to watch his son be crushed by the oncoming train? Or the one about the judge who condemned the prisoner to death only to disrobe and go to the electric chair in the prisoner’s stead? Or maybe you’ve see the drawing with God on one side of a chasm called “sin,” a stick-figure man on the other, and a cross as the bridge between the two.

These metaphors for the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross are powerful, and they capture the imagination. But these metaphors and images — the ones that many of us grew up with — are predominantly reflective of one theory of the atonement, called “penal substitution.” As far as atonement theories go, penal substitution is important, to be sure, and it commands a lot of respect these days, particularly among Western, Reformed theologians. But it’s merely one of several theories of the atonement that have held sway over the Christian imagination for the past 2,000 years. In Scot McKnight’s superb book, A Community Called Atonement, he likened the many historical theories of the atonement to the many clubs in a golf bag — each useful in a different situation.

Read all the details about the contest here.

Shane Claiborne meeting tomorrow

After a few scheduled meetings and subsequent cancellations, Shane Claiborne will be able to speak at Apex Community Church in Kettering at 5200 Far Hills Ave. (see map here: http://tinyurl.com/2u9oxa)

Apex was gracious enough to host this event for the community tomorrow (Feb. 11) at 7:30 PM. Admission is free and an offering will be taken.

Another exciting event is also scheduled at Apex later in the month; Alan Hirsch, author of The Forgotten Ways will be at Apex on Feb. 21 - Feb. 23. You can find more details about this event on http://region1.apexcommunity.net