Spiritual Perspectives
'Stretch your spirit' with visiting Christian scholars

By Elizabeth Windisch
Special to The Independent

Ever the student, ever the seeker, I find myself drawn to intellectual, historical, and theological debates.

It is interesting that two of the most noted, challenging, and passionate emerging leaders in the study of Jesus and the church today are going to be in New Mexico the same weekend, February 23-24. And both will speak on topics they have struggled with and explored through their scriptural, spiritual, and theological investigations.

Philip Yancey will speak in Los Alamos on "Living Our Faith in the 21st Century," and Brian D. McLaren will speak in Albuquerque on "Living an Authentic Faith in the Emerging Culture."

Philip Yancey
Yancey grew up in a strict, fundamentalist church in the Deep South. He grew up viewing God as rigid, legalistic, and angry. God was also a forgiving being though that was not what was impressed upon a young Philip. Then there was the Jesus from the Sunday School class that left him comforted a Jesus with long flowing hair, soft white skin, thin, and handsome. Philip often pictured himself as the lamb snuggled safely in His arms. This Jesus was "kind and reassuring with no sharp edges at all a Mister Rogers before the age of children's television."

Though the author has written numerous books about his personal search for Jesus, I am focusing on his The Jesus I Never Knew because it was my first encounter with Yancey's works and, in reality, its reading and study affirmed my questions and consequently changed the direction I took with my life and work as a Christian education director.

Billy Graham said, "There is no writer in the evangelical world that I admire and appreciate more."

"Yancey both educates and inspires the reader to take a closer look at the biblical Jesus and his motivations.... he helps us gain new perspective on what it truly means to be a follower of Christ," said Dale H. Bourke.

For more information about this exceptional author visit www.philipyancey.com / www.zondervan.com.

Brian D. McLaren
Brian D. McLaren is an acknowledged author and speaker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. Author of The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything, he is the leader of "the emerging church" movement that is looking for fresh ways to move beyond denominational and political labels, and live the Gospel.

McLaren's thesis, as with many, is that the Kingdom of God is not a future heavenly realm, but is here and now, between and among us. Living in the Kingdom is living as Jesus instructed to help the poor and oppressed, work toward peace and justice, and love our enemies. This is far more radical than we understand. The person who's a taxi-driver, a school teacher, a politician, lawyer, bricklayer, nurse, artist or athlete, and others, their work can contribute to God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven. For more information, go to www.anewkindofchristian.com.

Ken Medema will appear as a guest musician with McLaren. He is a master storyteller and interpreter in song and music. His excitement and enthusiasm stays with you long after the event, long after the words have faded. For more information, visit Medema's web site www.kenmedema.com.

Take time to care and renew your spirit. Attend part or all of one of the weekends above to stretch your spirit, learn from and dialogue with others, and be enriched by the wealth of knowledge and understanding that abounds in our universe.

Elizabeth Windisch is the Director of Christian Education at First United Methodist Church-Gallup. She is a member of the Stewards of Creation, NM Interfaith Power & Light Group, and the local Interfaith Stewards of Creation Deep Ecology Group. You may reach her at (505) 863-4512.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.