It's been fun to watch the changes in the personalities of these men as they are confronted by cultures and practices completely foreign to their norm - especially the spiritual and ritualistic. In nearly every culture the 'sporting event' has been preceeded by a ritual that sought to gain advantage by spiritual empowerment.No matter who we are, or what our culture, we look to the spiritual to find advantage, to claim hope, to seek direction. Even the agnostic and the athiest look to something bigger than themelves when theyare in trouble, or hurt.
For some of the tribes featured in The Last Man Standing their ritual points to a belief in a god of war, a god to be bargained with and sacrificed to; a religion motivated by fear; a selfish religion with a reliance on sorcerey and 'black magic'...
Some of the other cultures revealed a more kindly, benevolent god; there was not such a reliance on sorcery, but rather a religion celebrated through dance, song and constant celebration.
It made me wonder how you would define the God I serve if you watched me at work and play for a week. Would you see a god like that revealed by the Pharasees: stern and legalistic, couched in a life governed by 'decency', authority and duty, reinforced by preaching that induces guilt. Or would you see a god revealed by the example of Jesus, who loved misfits, dropouts, marginalised (sinners) and therefore enjoyed parties, lived spontaneously in a world that revovled around feasting and joyful celebration.
Would I reveal a model of ministry based on the Pharisee who demanded repentance before acceptance, or like Jesus would you see me turn that expectation around?
My conception of God radically influences my living, and both intentionally and unintentionally influences your imagination of god too. That's a huge responsibility!
