Exploring Framing Stories(Part 2): Trying To Move Forward!

In my last post we looked at the idea of "framing stories" and the 2 general framing stories that are alive in western Christianity. However, what happens once you define and establish which framing story (conventional, emerging or another), and you then find yourself at odds with other framing stories.

Using the examples from last post, the Conventional Framing Story is finding itself more and more at odds with the general public. Why? There are many reasons. What it most generally boils down to is that someone grows up exposed to the conventional framing story, but because of new experiences and education (not meaning formal ness., simply education that comes with experiences) when leaving home and the overwhelming influence of the conventional framing story. In other words, they experience a new and different reality. It can come from college classes, a change in lifestyle, visiting another country, studying global issues, or simply physically removing themselves from the conventional bubble they were accustomed to.

However it happens, more and more people are connecting with the emerging framing story(EFS). Those that cling to the conventional framing story(CFS), fight hard to hold control and power within that context. This leaves those in the new(yet I would argue more ancient/orthodox FS), in a conundrum. They are drawn into these arguments and thus the last 10 years that we have seen this EFS come to fruition has been riddled with debates and arguments. Alas, we are beginning to see that this way of doing things is getting us nowhere.

There is still this problem: we know that there are many people within the Church that are dissatisfied with the form of religion being fed to them, but are unaware that an alternative FS exists. Then there are those outside the Church that are not in connection with anyone who can offer them the emerging framing story. Thus they are left thinking that Christians only care about Heaven, hell, and fire insurance while ignoring the global issues of the day!

However, this EFS seeks to reconcile all of Christ's teachings and Biblical themes in the lives of people. This means that Christ has once again become our example Christian prioritization. Christ was most concerned about helping others. McLaren and others argue that Jesus himself came offering his 1st century contemporaries a NEW FS! In he midst of an empire that marginalized many and enforced their version of peace, the Pax Romana. There were many Jewish sects that fought over the right way to approach this empire that was suffocating them (Pharisees, Zealots, Essences, etc...), however Jesus came in to offer another way...God's way! And this new view offered by Jesus was the only way for which true peace and equality could be achieved. This is the FS that the EFS seeks to work within. One that cares about what Christ cared about, who seeks to follow his teachings and examples of life, not just the afterlife.

But what do we do? What comes next? Here we are with this EFS that is vital and relevant in today's world, and yet most of those that fall under the banner of "Christian" have not been exposed to this new option. Do we continue to fight? Do we campaign? What?

Again, let's look to Christ for an example.

Here was Christ, holding this new FS which was vital to the world, and he went low key. He didn't fight (although he had many chances). Instead he TRAVELED! He went from place to place teaching and showing what this new FS looks like. Along the way, he picked up more and more people who caught on and were captivated by this new FS. Yet, he didn't walk aimlessly. He walked TOWARDS the reality of seeing this FS come to fruition. He traveled TO the cross! Along the way he simply invited others to join in his journey. He never showed hatred, or acted non-compassionately towards those that didn't get or agree with his new FS. He simply, like the "Rich Young Man", allowed them to continue on their way. He allowed them to keep practicing what they felt was right, while continuing to live the life of this new FS.

A life of love,

Of Service

Of Sacrifice

Of Giving

Of Equality

Of Hope

Of Peace....

This is the EFS...The same FS we see in Christ!

Thoughts?

(Painting by Greig Leach: Jesus Washing The Disciples Feet)

Exploring Framing Stories(Part 1): What Are They?

As a photographer, one thing that you consider when taking a picture is what's called framing.  Framing Is deciding how to take the picture that best tells the story that you want to tell.  The picture here is one that I snapped while kayaking down the Colorado River on the Nevada boarder.  I decided that I wanted to capture the landscape and water, but I also wanted to frame the picture so that it told the story that we were kayaking in the middle of the beauty.  I also wanted it to tell the story that I was not alone, so I snuggled my kayak up next to my wife's (as close as we could get) to try and show the beauty and intimacy of our trip.  In other words, the story that I wanted to tell in the framing was that my wife and I were sharing in this beautiful experience in nature.  I know that myself and my wife are outside of the frame, but that is on purpose.  Framing stories don't always give away the full details at first glance.  

My Bible Study Group has been reading Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change on Sunday Nights and discussing it.  I have gotten far more out of the book this second time of reading because of 1) paying more attention to the details, and 2) because of the wonderfully insightful comments that have come from members of our group.  

One thing we talked about last night was the idea of the Framing Story: The story that informs how we understand and interpret life, culture, and religion.  Just like the picture analogy, the way that our story is framed and focused determines how we act and react to the world.  McLaren uses an example of 2 different religious/Christian framing stories.  

Conventional Framing Story: This says that basically we are all a sinful product of the choice of our Adam and Eve ancestors, and that we are all doomed to eternal punishment in hell because of this "original sin" and our "sinful nature".  Therefore, Jesus came to save our souls from hell and give our undeserving selves a chance to go to heaven because he took the place for us on the cross and through his resurrection and defeat of death.  However, this "grace", although offered to all, is only given to those who fall into the "selected category" (this is both the Calvinist view of predestination, and the view that only those who become a part of the selected religion, "Christianity").  "This is the Good News" 

In this framing story, the purpose of Christ was to "solve the problem of original sin, meaning that he helps qualified individuals not be sent to hell for their sin or imperfection.  In a sense, Jesus saves people...from the righteous wrath of God, which sinful human beings deserve because they have not perfectly fulfilled God's just expectations, expressed in God's moral laws.... Those who receive [offered grace] enjoy a personal relationship with God and seeks to serve and obey God, which produces a happier life on Earth and more rewards in Heaven".  (EMC pg. 78-79)

Emerging Framing Story: God created the world as good, but human beings have rebelled against God--both as individuals and groups-- and filled the world with evil and injustice.  God wants to heal humanity and the world from its sickness.  Left alone, humanity would spiral downward in this sickness and evil.  

Jesus came to address the question, "What must be done about the mess we're in?"  This question refers to the general state of the world as well as the specific context of "his contemporaries" living under domination of the Roman empire and the need for liberation.  

"Jesus' response to this says, 'I have been sent by God with this good news--that God loves humanity, even in its lostness,...God graciously invites any and all to turn from his or her current path and follow a new way.  ...You will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right now.' This is the good news. Jesus came to be the saviour of the world, meaning he came to save the earth and all it contains from its ongoing destruction because of [humanity]."(EMC pg. 78-80).

As part of his transforming community, we can experience liberation and participate in the liberation of others.  We can be partners in God's "global transformation and liberation," as well as deliverers of hope and justice.  

_--__--_-_

So here we are with 2 Christian Framing Stories.  It's kind-of like the picture.  I have other pictures taken where I zoomed in on the landscape.  The story that those frames tell is that I saw a canyon with  river.  But when I zoomed out and reframed the picture into its original context, we find that there is far more to the story than a pretty landscape.  We see a narrative form that involves a more accurate perspective: that we were actually floating on that pretty river between the canyon walls, which is a completely different experience altogether!

This is the same with looking at these different framing stories.  Many people are forsaking religion and church because they are working out of a different framing story than the conventional one put forward by our religion.  One that perhaps has zoomed in way too tightly in it's focus so that we've only been focusing on a portion of the picture.  Framing Stories are important, and I want to focus more on that in a second post.  

For right now, what do you think about "framing stories"?  What are other framing stories that you see or have experienced?  What does it mean when we are working with multiple framing stories under the same religion?   Where does this mean we go from here?

I know this is 101 for many people, but I am finding more and more people that need to hear this because they haven't heard it before.  I'll speak more about that in my second post.  

Your thoughts!

(Photo by Justin Bowman)

Hope is Crazy!

Brett Dennen - Make You Crazy (Feat Femi Kuti) 

You Know, It`s hard to be Yourself,
Free Yourself, To see Yourself,
When all around You there are Lies just to get You,
Spies just to get You, To Buy so they can get You

There are Cameras in the sky, Lasers in our Living rooms,
There are Wolves watching wearing Sheep`s Costumes

It`s Enough to make You go crazy (woah)
It`s Enough to make You Mad
It`s Enough to make You go crazy (woah)
And, I`m amazed I Haven`t yet

Isn`t It, A Shame The way We cheat Each other, 

Treat Each other, Beat Each other??

It`s, A Shame The way We use One other, 

Abuse One another
And, Screw One another, It`s true.

They will Lock You up in Prison, But They won`t call it slavery, 

There are stolen Children raised and Trained in Armies

It`s Enough to make You go crazy (woah)
It`s Enough to make You Mad
It`s Enough to make You go crazy (woah)
And I`m amazed I haven`t yet

Don`t hesitate to speak Your Mind? (speak Your Mind)
Never hesitate to speak Your Heart? (speak Your Heart)
They`ll call You crazy, When You speak Your Mind? (When You speak Your Mind)
So never, Never hesitate? (never hesitate)

`cause It`s Enough to make You go crazy? (woah)
It`s Enough to make You Mad
It`s Enough to make You go crazy (woah)
And, I`m amazed I haven`t yet

__________

This guy is worth checking out!  If you haven't already, Brett has become one of my fav. artists over his 3 albums.  He sings a LOT about things I truly care about: 

Hope

Love

Acceptance (of yourself & each other)

Awareness of the atrocities going on around us, and how we're in a position do actually better this world.  

Check Him Out!!!!!

"Ain't No Reason"

Adding To The Mix

I apologize for being slightly negligent on the blog this week.  It has been busy.  I hope to make it up to both you who read my posts regularly:)

Until then I thought I would point you to another post that explains an exciting opportunity that I am partaking in.  A conversation being put together by by good friend Tripp (PhD student at Claremont and co-blogger/podcaster of Homebrewed Christianity) for Transforming Theology.  

You can read all about it over at "Recliner Ramblings", who is also participating in this project.  

Here's also a video explaining the overall project.  

This is a huge project that could make a lot of positive and effective changes in many areas of Christian Life.  The beauty is that it isn't just in the academic world, but that this can impact and change for "the people in the pews" as well.  I'm grateful to be a part of this.  Your comments can also add to this conversation!

The book I will be discussing (as seen on my "Kindle Kollection" sidebar) is Incarnation and Imagination: A Christian Ethic of Ingenuity By Darby Kathleen Ray.  You should see AT LEAST one post concerning this book as I read, but we may also look at some of her thoughts as we go.  Your comments will be welcome here and I hope that we both enjoy the ride.