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A Reaction to Osama bin Laden’s Death

May 2, 2011 in Faith and Culture with 6 Comments

Ian David Philpot

Web Editor Ian David Philpot shares his reaction to the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death.

I read the news in a text message from my fiancée late last night.

Shortly after, I was reading Facebook and Twitter updates covered in people celebrating and others quoting Scriptures from Psalms and Proverbs about not rejoicing in your enemy’s falls.

And I was torn.

I wanted to celebrate what had happened. I remember nearly ten years ago crying in classrooms with fellow students as we watched the tragedy of September 11 unfold, and I wanted those tears to be wiped away by this step towards a “safer world” (more on that below).

“I don’t think it’s a day for going to a bar. I think it’s a day to maybe go to church.”
–MSNBC’s Chris Matthews

The part of me that wanted to celebrate was the patriotic side. It wanted to write to everyone quoting the Psalms that David’s hands were so bloody that God wouldn’t let him build a temple. And to those quoting Proverbs, I wanted to remind them that Solomon reigned in peace because of the killings his father was able to execute.

But the patriotic emotions didn’t last too long.

Jimmy Spencer, friend of mine and of Relief, wrote a note on Facebook titled “Whose Death Does God Cheer?” (You can read it on Jimmy’s Tumblr.) It infuriated me and calmed me at the same time. Those who commented on his post felt either one way or the other.

Here are a two snippets of the comments on Facebook that got my attention:

“Get real. Take your Jesus and stuff it…”

“Thanks for voicing something that goes against what 90% of my facebook feed says.”

After reading all of this, the spiritual side of me took over. The side that loves others, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. I almost feel disappointed that it didn’t come out sooner, but I’m just a regular ol’ imperfect person.

And it’s not that I think we should’ve let Osama bin Laden continue to murder people. But I think we need to observe a stillness for the loss of life.

I saw this video clip on MSNBC of Chris Matthews talking about what will happen now. He said something that really stuck out to me: “I don’t think it’s a day for going to a bar. I think it’s a day to maybe go to church.”

That hit me hard.

Our world isn’t any safer. Gas prices won’t go down. We still won’t be able to get through airport security with a bottle of water. There hasn’t been a big shift in how our world works.

But hopefully there can be a shift in our hearts for how we view those who have wronged us.

Relief News Tuesday: 4.12.2011

April 12, 2011 in Relief News with 5 Comments

Thank You Christopher Fisher

Over the years, Relief has been stewarded by some amazing people, all of whom have served our literary vision as volunteer staff. This journal is a labor of love, and few have given their hearts as Christopher Fisher has, first as a Relief author (and Pushcart nominee), then as our Fiction Editor (there was dancing and woohoo-ing when he accepted the position), and finally as Relief‘s Editor-in-Chief. Whether as an author or editor, he has been an asset to this journal, so it is with sadness that I must announce his resignation.

In this next season of life, Christopher will be focusing his considerable talent on building his editing consultation business and returning to his own long-neglected creative writing. As much as we hate to see him go, we must admit that the world needs his writing, and we’re grateful for the chances we’ve had to publish his work. His final issue (at least as Relief staff, though hopefully not as a Relief author) will soon be shipping, so make sure you’ve ordered your copy!

A New Role for Brad Fruhauff

With the position of Editor-in-Chief open, ccPublishing’s Board of Directors was quick at work to find a replacement, since we will begin accepting submissions for issue 5.2 in just a few weeks. After careful deliberation, Brad Fruhauff, Relief‘s Poetry Editor, will be stepping in as interim Editor-in-Chief. Brad will continue his hard work as Poetry Editor, but he has agreed to take on the extra responsibilities until a permanent replacement has been found.

Are We Due for a Split in Christianity?

March 30, 2011 in Faith and Culture with 21 Comments

Jimmy Spencer

Ian David Philpot, ccPublishing’s Web Editor, has been reading about a possible division in the Christian faith and shares his thoughts.
Jimmy Spencer, a friend of mine and of Relief, wrote a note on Facebook recently that got picked up on a blog. It was titled The Coming Evangelical Split? Feel free to click on the title to read it, but for those of you who prefer a summation, here you go: Jimmy believes that Rob Bell’s new book, Love Wins, is either starting or bringing to light a split between hardcore conservative evangelicals and progressive evangelicals. Jimmy doesn’t know if it’s good or bad, but he know’s it’s coming, and it is, in large, thanks to the Rob Bell controversy.

When I read that, I didn’t want to believe it at first. Religion feels so global to me. And do people in other countries really care about what some guy in Grand Rapids, MI, is saying about whether Ghandi is in heaven or hell? Would that really cause all of us to pick a side and split?

But Jimmy’s a smart guy. If he’s sure it’s coming, then why I am trying to think he’s not right.

Later, I saw Evangelicalism Won’t Split, It’s Erroding–a response to Jimmy. (I’d sum up, but you can get the basics from the title.) Then I read about a pastor in North Carolina who lost his job after writing something on Facebook in support of Love Wins. No joke.

Historically, the Christian church goes through something big about every 500 years. In Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence, she points out events of the past that show a pattern. Going back from present day, there’s the Protestant Reformation in 1517 (thanks to Martin Luther, some paper, and a nail), the Great Schism in 1054 (when the Greek Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church excommunicated each other), the fall of the Roman Empire in the late sixth century which greatly affected the Roman Catholic Church (aka (basically) the only church back then), and the apostles work in the first century. So there’s a decent pattern there. And Tickle believes that we’re on the edge of the Great Emergence–a change in the church that will link religion and culture in a way that changes Christianity. (I don’t know if I believe it, but she does.)

So, my guess is that Jimmy is predicting that we are nearing, what I will call, the Great Contest–where either love wins or conservative evangelicalism wins, depending on which side you’re on.

I, personally, think Jimmy’s right. I think we’re close to something. I just don’t know if it’ll be something we notice, or if it will be something that takes a decade to settle before we realize that we’re not as close in doctrine with as many denominations as we thought.

Do you think we’re nearing a split in Christianity and/or Evangelicalism? Can Christianity stand to take another split or is it too close to obliteration (or marginalization) as it is?

Jimmy Spencer started Love Without Agenda, a nonprofit organization with a simple yet compelling message: to encourage people to change the world–and themselves–one act of love at a time. Check out lovewithoutagenda.com where you can download a free copy of Jimmy’s new book, Love Without Agenda: My Journey Out of Consumer Christianity.

Relief News Tuesday 3.28.2011

March 29, 2011 in Relief News with 0 Comments

Issue 5.1 to Print and Shipping Soon!

You’ve been waiting patiently, and we’ve appreciated it. We’re very excited about this issue, and we can’t wait to start packing them to send to you. If you haven’t purchased one yet, you’ve only got one week to take advantage of the presale price–$11.95 (20% off retail).  Order now >>

LoveRelief Update

We know you love Relief. It’s the reason that you’re even reading this right now. But if you really love Relief, we’d appreciate it if you helped support us. As a non profit organization, we run off of donations and sales. All donations go right into operating costs. With a full volunteer staff, every dollar put into Relief can be seen either on this website or in our print materials. We’ve got less than 3 weeks to meet our goal of $1,500, and we still believe it is possible, but only if you make your mind up to click on the “ChipIn” button on the right.

Relief News Tuesday 3.8.2011

March 8, 2011 in Relief News with 1 Comment

#LoveRelief Update

So you may have already noticed, but our support raising campaign is really coming along. We’re at 13% of our goal and feeling good about it. But do you know what would make us feel better? Giving to us if you haven’t already so we can get that 13% over 20% by the end of this week.

If every person that visited our website last month gave us $1, we would have more than enough money to meet our campaign goal. If everyone who visited our website in the next two days gave us $1, we’d be over that 20% goal for this week. Just $1. That’s a cup of cheap coffee. We’re not asking you to donate the cost of a cup of Starbucks coffee–though we wouldn’t mind it. But maybe if you just gave up the cost of a cup of coffee that you’d order at that run-down diner you visit too late on Saturday nights. Really, that’s all we need here.

So if you’ve got some spare change sitting around, think of the positive effect it would have if you gave it to your favorite edgy Christian literary journal. :)

Travis Griffith

Introducing Travis Griffith, Blog Manager

Relief is proud to announce the arrival of Travis Griffith as the new Blog Manager. Travis has blogged for Relief in the past, and we appreciate his willingness to conquer the tasks that are required in this new staff position. Travis is a Relief published author, and he has a book out called Your Father Forever. Please join me in welcoming Travis to the Relief staff.

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