Recently I read an article about the different kinds of chili that can be found across America. I'm not a cook myself, nor do I care much for anything made with beans, so I found this quite interesting because I had never thought about that before, as much as from my ignorance as from never sampling such a wide variety of culinary creations in my vagabond travels by taste and by choice.
But after reading through this humorous tract it made me think of the many types of churches, faith congregations, and individual worship styles and beliefs existing around the world when it comes to all things Christian. And it is exactly this style of effort and expression that causes me to think of a broader, wider, deeper vein of faith not found in many of its more earnest forms today that seem separatistic, individualistic and dogmatically driven.
However, it is exactly this style of faith that Emergent Christians should look forward to as a participatory body with one another. An Emergent faith that revels in its plurality, its flavors, its expressions, colours, tastes and attitudes. That refuses to be locked down by any one ideology or cultural portrayal. That is wide, generous, vital, and beautifully expressed around the world as one multi-ethnic, multicultural, pluralistic body of Christ. And like chili, though it is made with differing ingredients, methods, and a variety of culinary dashes of expression, is still in its essence, chili.
This is the promise of Emergent Christianity... and for that matter, any Christian faith that would lift Jesus up as Lord and Savior. A faith that is adaptive to society, progressive with the times, assimilating to the responses of humanity, regardless of race, colour, nationality, class, gender, rich, poor, sideways or anyways. One that lifts Jesus up before all else so that every idol, every ambition, every idea, trade, pride or possession bows its knees to the Messiah King of all Creation. At its heart this faith is Christological, Christ centered, Messianic, and Spirit bourne.
Moreover, the Christian faith is an authenticising faith, one that cuts a path deep and wide as a leveler of society among all the religions and dominions of mankind. Where those who bear the cross of Christ flavour their faith with love, tolerance, respect, justice, righteousness, care and mercy. One that is selfless, sacrificial, and serving. A faith that may be hard to define, hard to grasp, even hard to follow because of its many costs, but one that in the end is founded upon Jesus above all else whatever its differences of expression. This is the strength of God's new covenant with a redeemed humanity. A covenant that reaches out to all men everywhere with life eternal that begins here-and-now in our present experience. Our present lives. Our present earth-bound societies and communities, friends and family. It is an experiential faith bearing spiritual realities too sublime to grasp when Spirit-born by blood and by water. One that is separated from an earthly faith filled with fear, threat, uncertainty or disambiguations.
Though hard to define the Christian faith is nonetheless, in its essence, still the faith of its Savior. Let us then praise God for His wisdom and grace! For the beauteous fellowships of His many peoples and faiths! And perhaps, when we think about it, we can see God's wisdom when He describes Jesus' life, and the faith of His followers, to that of necessary foods and drink - as yeast, salt, wheat, bread, wine, water, various fruits, drinks, seasonings, spices, herbs, honey, olive oil and on and on. A faith that can be as bitter as it is sweet. Filling as it is beggarly. One that is nurturing to the needy. Bounteous to the believing. Considered as nothing to those lost in darkness and pride. A sumptuous feast to those who would dine. But a contemptible table that is despised in the land of sin and the wilderness of the devil. Or as a table of plenty for those lost in wildernesses of disillusionment and destruction. Perhaps a sustaining flask of oil-and-meal to those found at life's end like the hated prophet Elijah fleeing before the wicked hands of an idolatrous king and queen but helped by a merciful widow caring for a starving son. Or like manna from heaven that waits upon expectant hands.
We have a wonderful God who is a living Savior that will provide for the children of His household. "Come and eat," says the Groom. All has been set and is ready for service. "Come," says the Bride, "Come dine with me at my bridal table." The table has been set and awaits your attendance. "Come," says the Spirit. "Sup of the fruit of the vine and find life everlasting." It is the table of Gethsemane on the eve of the Savior's hardships and cross. "Come," says the Savior, "I am thy bread and thy wine." Let us bow our heads and offer thanksgiving together at this moment of sacrifice and redemption.
Come then, and worship the Lord God Almighty, all ye who are weary and laden with sin. Come to the table of the Lord our Savior and King of Kings. The Alpha and the Omega. The Lion and the Lamb. Our High Priest and holy offering. He who serves as the very temple vessels themselves before the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire in the Holy of Holies. He who is God's smoke by day and heat by night. Who gives grace to beggars by the pools of healing. And mercy to the lame and blind upon God's right hand. He who is, and was, and is to come. The trumpet of the seven seals of God on that last day immemorial. The coming One who walks among the seven churches of God. Who lives both now and forevermore. Come and eat as thy very fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of life. He who is the bread of God and Manna upon the high altar of holy fire. Come.
R.E. Slater
March 1, 2012But after reading through this humorous tract it made me think of the many types of churches, faith congregations, and individual worship styles and beliefs existing around the world when it comes to all things Christian. And it is exactly this style of effort and expression that causes me to think of a broader, wider, deeper vein of faith not found in many of its more earnest forms today that seem separatistic, individualistic and dogmatically driven.
However, it is exactly this style of faith that Emergent Christians should look forward to as a participatory body with one another. An Emergent faith that revels in its plurality, its flavors, its expressions, colours, tastes and attitudes. That refuses to be locked down by any one ideology or cultural portrayal. That is wide, generous, vital, and beautifully expressed around the world as one multi-ethnic, multicultural, pluralistic body of Christ. And like chili, though it is made with differing ingredients, methods, and a variety of culinary dashes of expression, is still in its essence, chili.
This is the promise of Emergent Christianity... and for that matter, any Christian faith that would lift Jesus up as Lord and Savior. A faith that is adaptive to society, progressive with the times, assimilating to the responses of humanity, regardless of race, colour, nationality, class, gender, rich, poor, sideways or anyways. One that lifts Jesus up before all else so that every idol, every ambition, every idea, trade, pride or possession bows its knees to the Messiah King of all Creation. At its heart this faith is Christological, Christ centered, Messianic, and Spirit bourne.
Moreover, the Christian faith is an authenticising faith, one that cuts a path deep and wide as a leveler of society among all the religions and dominions of mankind. Where those who bear the cross of Christ flavour their faith with love, tolerance, respect, justice, righteousness, care and mercy. One that is selfless, sacrificial, and serving. A faith that may be hard to define, hard to grasp, even hard to follow because of its many costs, but one that in the end is founded upon Jesus above all else whatever its differences of expression. This is the strength of God's new covenant with a redeemed humanity. A covenant that reaches out to all men everywhere with life eternal that begins here-and-now in our present experience. Our present lives. Our present earth-bound societies and communities, friends and family. It is an experiential faith bearing spiritual realities too sublime to grasp when Spirit-born by blood and by water. One that is separated from an earthly faith filled with fear, threat, uncertainty or disambiguations.
Though hard to define the Christian faith is nonetheless, in its essence, still the faith of its Savior. Let us then praise God for His wisdom and grace! For the beauteous fellowships of His many peoples and faiths! And perhaps, when we think about it, we can see God's wisdom when He describes Jesus' life, and the faith of His followers, to that of necessary foods and drink - as yeast, salt, wheat, bread, wine, water, various fruits, drinks, seasonings, spices, herbs, honey, olive oil and on and on. A faith that can be as bitter as it is sweet. Filling as it is beggarly. One that is nurturing to the needy. Bounteous to the believing. Considered as nothing to those lost in darkness and pride. A sumptuous feast to those who would dine. But a contemptible table that is despised in the land of sin and the wilderness of the devil. Or as a table of plenty for those lost in wildernesses of disillusionment and destruction. Perhaps a sustaining flask of oil-and-meal to those found at life's end like the hated prophet Elijah fleeing before the wicked hands of an idolatrous king and queen but helped by a merciful widow caring for a starving son. Or like manna from heaven that waits upon expectant hands.
We have a wonderful God who is a living Savior that will provide for the children of His household. "Come and eat," says the Groom. All has been set and is ready for service. "Come," says the Bride, "Come dine with me at my bridal table." The table has been set and awaits your attendance. "Come," says the Spirit. "Sup of the fruit of the vine and find life everlasting." It is the table of Gethsemane on the eve of the Savior's hardships and cross. "Come," says the Savior, "I am thy bread and thy wine." Let us bow our heads and offer thanksgiving together at this moment of sacrifice and redemption.
Come then, and worship the Lord God Almighty, all ye who are weary and laden with sin. Come to the table of the Lord our Savior and King of Kings. The Alpha and the Omega. The Lion and the Lamb. Our High Priest and holy offering. He who serves as the very temple vessels themselves before the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire in the Holy of Holies. He who is God's smoke by day and heat by night. Who gives grace to beggars by the pools of healing. And mercy to the lame and blind upon God's right hand. He who is, and was, and is to come. The trumpet of the seven seals of God on that last day immemorial. The coming One who walks among the seven churches of God. Who lives both now and forevermore. Come and eat as thy very fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of life. He who is the bread of God and Manna upon the high altar of holy fire. Come.
R.E. Slater
MOTHER LODE: If you give an alien a bowl of chili...
http://www.mlive.com/advancenewspapers/opinion/index.ssf/2012/02/mother_lode_if_you_give_an_ali.html
Published: Friday, February 24, 2012, 12:05 PM Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012, 12:08 PM
Published: Friday, February 24, 2012, 12:05 PM Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012, 12:08 PM
Now and then I come upon some aspect of American culture that is puzzling to me, so puzzling that I wonder how anyone from another culture could possibly make sense of it. It happened just the other day when I was talking with some friends about recipes for chili.
Imagine a friendly alien from outer space landing in your driveway and knocking on the door requesting lunch.
“Sure, come on in,” you say. “I’m making chili.”
“Ah!” says the alien, anticipating the collection of some new data about this amazing planet that is the current topic of study. “Please explain. What is chili?”
And you say, “Chili is the favorite meal of Americans in January and February. There are contests to see who can make the best chili. It starts with ground beef and lots of onions and green pepper. Add canned whole tomatoes and smash them with a metal spoon. Mix in kidney beans, salt and pepper, and as much chili powder as you like.”You serve up a big bowl of home-style chili to the alien, along with a slice of fresh cornbread or possibly saltine crackers. The alien thanks you, then heads back out to the exploration unit (the mother ship is hovering far above) and flies off to Texas to take a few more notes.
Thanks to the warm reception it received earlier, the alien knocks confidently on another door. The owner arrives holding a shotgun and restraining a large barking dog, but the alien doesn’t mind. The customs of other native groups intrigue him.
“Do you by chance have any chili?” it asks.
“Durned if I didn’t jist take a kettle off the range,” says the homeowner, chaining the snarling dog to the leg of the sofa and returning the gun to its pegs above the door. “Sit yerself down.”But the alien does not recognize the food before him. It is chunks of meat in a smooth sauce, with no beans or tomatoes, with tortillas on the side. Its first taste makes it wonder if humans’ mouths are lined with polyethylene, but the alien is not one to complain.
“Thank you,” it gasps, and quickly flies off to California for more observation. At an outdoor café it orders chili, and is served a creamy white soup containing bits of chicken and white beans. Perhaps the server, wearing rollerblades and bobbing his head to music coming through earphones, did not understand the request. The alien leaves a handful of diamonds on the table in payment and quietly leaves.
More research does not resolve his confusion. Chili, it seems, contains meat or no meat, red or black or white beans or no beans, tomatoes or no tomatoes, sweet potatoes or winter squash in chunks or pureed.There is, however, one unifying characteristic – chilies, either whole or powdered. But chili powder might be a mix of many kinds of peppers, and the powder may contain cumin and/or oregano, garlic and other stuff.
Life is like a bowl of chili – all good, but hard to define.
Seasonings, Spices and Herbs
Fruits and Nuts
- Apples (Song of Solomon 2:5)
- Almonds (Genesis 43:11; Numbers 17:8)
- Dates (2 Samuel 6:19; 1 Chronicles 16:3)
- Figs (Nehemiah 13:15; Jeremiah 24:1-3)
- Grapes (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 23:24)
- Melons (Numbers 11:5; Isaiah 1:8)
- Olives (Isaiah 17:6; Micah 6:15)
- Pistachio Nuts (Genesis 43:11)
- Pomegranates (Numbers 20:5; Deuteronomy 8:8)
- Raisins (Numbers 6:3; 2 Samuel 6:19)
- Sycamore Fruit (Psalm 78:47; Amos 7:14)
Vegetables and Legumes
- Beans (2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)
- Gourds (2 Kings 4:39)
- Leeks (Numbers 11:5)
- Lentils (Genesis 25:34; 2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Onions (Numbers 11:5)
Grains
- Barley (Deuteronomy 8:8; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Bread (Genesis 25:34; 2 Samuel 6:19; 16:1; Mark 8:14)
- Corn (Matthew 12:1; KJV - refers to "grain" such as wheat or barley)
- Flour (2 Samuel 17:28; 1 Kings 17:12)
- Millet (Ezekiel 4:9)
- Spelt (Ezekiel 4:9)
- Unleavened Bread (Genesis 19:3; Exodus 12:20)
- Wheat (Ezra 6:9; Deuteronomy 8:8)
Fish
- Matthew 15:36
- John 21:11-13
Fowl
- Partridge (1 Samuel 26:20; Jeremiah 17:11)
- Pigeon (Genesis 15:9; Leviticus 12:8)
- Quail (Psalm 105:40)
- Dove (Leviticus 12:8)
Animal Meats
- Calf (Proverbs 15:17; Luke 15:23)
- Goat (Genesis 27:9)
- Lamb (2 Samuel 12:4)
- Oxen (1 Kings 19:21)
- Sheep (Deuteronomy 14:4)
- Venison (Genesis 27:7 KJV)
Dairy
- Butter (Proverbs 30:33)
- Cheese (2 Samuel 17:29; Job 10:10)
- Curds (Isaiah 7:15)
- Milk (Exodus 33:3; Job 10:10; Judges 5:25)
Miscellaneous
- Eggs (Job 6:6; Luke 11:12)
- Grape Juice (Numbers 6:3)
- Honey (Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 8:8; Judges 14:8-9)
- Locust (Mark 1:6)
- Olive Oil (Ezra 6:9; Deuteronomy 8:8)
- Vinegar (Ruth 2:14; John 19:29)
- Wine (Ezra 6:9; John 2:1-10)
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