A New Jesus?

Last July, the Washington Post sent a reporter, Kevin Sullivan, to Siberia to research a story on a man who asserts that he is the new coming of Jesus to the earth. Yesterday, in the Post's On Faith section, the paper presented a Q&A with this man who is called "Vissarion," which means "he who gives new life," by his followers.

Sergei Torop, a middle-aged former Siberian traffic cop, lives in a remote village some 2000 miles from Moscow with a few hundred of his followers and with around 5000 more of his followers in neighboring villages. Torop said that when he was 29 he had a spiritual awakening and realized his divine nature. To quote from the July 2007 story, "He said he then understood that God had sent him to Earth because hatred and war and environmental degradation had become rampant." Torop said, "This is the first time I have been needed in 2,000 years. This is a critical point. Only when mankind becomes one family on Earth will the doors to the universe become open to them."

The Q&A session published on Wednesday was fascinating for me. Let me share one exchange.
"Q: Would you consider that you were a revolutionary the first time around? Do you think you are now? A: I’ve never thought about it this way. What I am to pass to people is opposite to the life that they are living now. People’s existence today is based on animal principles. They live with each other not because they love each other and want to support each other, but because it is easier to survive in the “pack”. At the same time each “pack” tries to live in accordance with its own interest and doesn’t take other “packs” into their account. But a human is more complicated than an animal, and the ways of achieving his interests are much more perverted. No one on earth does as much harm as a man. It should not be like this."

Many religions believe that there will be a spiritual leader who will come to the earth in times of great crisis. Obviously, I do not think that Vissarion is the new appearance of Jesus on earth, but many thousands of Russians, many of them highly educated people, do.

That made me wonder. If Jesus were to return to earth before the End of the World as we know it, what do you think he would want to teach the people of the earth? What his message be? Would it be a re-statement of what the gospels say or would there be new teachings pointed to particular contemporary issues?

Let me invite you to post your thoughts about this. I will share your insights, anonymously of course, in an upcoming post.

The Flushing Remonstrance of 1657

I hope you were like me and said to yourself, "The Flushing what ... ?" I did not know what it was either until I read the new issue of Report from the Capital, which is the newsletter from the Baptist Joint Committee that comes to my desk at the college. It contains an article about this document.

Let me give you some background. In 1657, the governor of New Netherland (New York), Peter Stuyvesant issued an order barring the community from assisting a group of Quakers that had moved into the area. The citizens opposed this order because it violated both long standing Dutch law and principles of religious tolerance.

So, on December 27, 1657 a group of 31 townspeople, including the town clerk, sent a petition to the governor protesting the order. Within the text, they said, "Wee desire therefore in this case not to judge least we be judged, neither to condemn least we be condemned, but rather let every man stand or fall to his own Master. Wee are bounde by the law to do good unto all men, especially to those of the household of faith." and " The law of love, peace and liberty in the states extending to Jews, Turks and Egyptians, as they are considered sons of Adam, which is the glory of the outward state of Holland, soe love, peace and liberty, extending to all in Christ Jesus, condemns hatred, war and bondage." and " Therefore if any of these said persons come in love unto us, we cannot in conscience lay violent hands upon them, but give them free egresse and regresse unto our Town, and houses, as God shall persuade our consciences, for we are bounde by the law of God and man to doe good unto all men and evil to noe man."

Now, Stuyvesant did not much like this. He arrested the town officials who signed the document, abolished the town government and replaced it with his own appointees, banished the clerk from the colony, forced the other signers to recant, and called for a day of prayer for the colony to repent of the sin of religious toleration.

The document now stands as a major point on the path toward religious freedom in America. As Kenneth Jackson, a professor of history at Columbria University wrote in a New York Times editorial, there are four major reasons why this 1657 protest was remarkable: 1) it articulated a fundamental right that is now held as a basic American right; 2) the authors backed up their feelings with action; 3) none of the signers was a Quaker, so they stood up for the rights of others, notably a persecuted minority; 4) the language was as striking as the sentiments they expressed.

It is important that the 350th anniversary of this document championing religious toleration took place last month. It is even more important that our nation reaffirm this position now.

Shameless Plug - Again

Just in case you missed this before, I want to highlight it. On the link I have identified (look to the left), The Chittum Files, you will find some important information about a charitable opportunity.

Adam and Jill, our son and daughter-in-law, will be part of an American Cancer Society Relay For Life in the Kansas City area as part of a team from the Blue Valley High School. For those who would pledge to their endeavor, Jill will offer chances on a hand-knit scarf. This is a sketch of the offer; Jill has all the details on her blog.

As anyone knows who knows us, the American Cancer Society is near and dear to our hearts. Roughly 11 months ago, when Vicki began this painful journey dealing with treatments for breast cancer, we consulted many sources for information and support. The American Cancer Society is one of the best. We have participated in a Relay for Life in Habersham County and helped organize a fund-raiser at Christmas for the ACS. Jill and Adam are dedicating their participation in the Relay to Vicki.

So, this is a shameless plug to anyone who reads this blog and does not look at The Chittum Files to CLICK NOW on the link and consider contributing to the ACS and get a chance for a swell, personally hand-knitted scarf - look for the January 25th posting.

Sports Weekend

What a weekend for sports!!

- The University of Tennessee Men's Basketball Team won at Starkville against Mississippi State.

- The University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team defeated Kentucky.

- The clock at Super Bowl XLII finally hit 0:00. The New York (football) Giants defeated the New England Patriots. After being the biggest underdogs in football history, the Giants played tough and played smart and made great defensive plays. Eli Manning has just been announced as the Super Bowl MVP. What a two year stretch for the Manning family with Peyton leading the Colts to victory last year and being named MVP for Super Bowl XLI.

This has been a great escapist weekend. Now, back to work on Monday.