Which Gospel

Friends, in the name of Christ, Greetings.

Here in 2016, the rally cries are loud and persistent. "Make America great again!" "Bring God back to our nation!" "We need Christian leaders!" Fundamentalists will have us to believe that we are a heathen nation heading to hell in a hand-basket. Yet, for many continuous years, a vast majority of our policy makers and shakers proudly wear the Christian moniker, often with an (R) attached to their name.

The American Christian Fundamentalism sect is just over a hundred years old. In the grand scheme of the ancient two-thousand years history of the Christian faith, it is but a newborn. Judaism, of which Jesus the Christ lived, originates in an Eastern philosophical mindset, completely foreign to a Western mindset. To me, the ACF too often carries itself as if it were a cult.

Lucy Patrick has commented: "Although we live in a democracy, cult behavior manifests itself in our unwillingness to question the judgment of our leaders, our tendency to devalue outsiders and to avoid dissent. We can overcome cult behavior, he says, by recognizing that we have dependency needs that are inappropriate for mature people, by increasing anti-authoritarian education, and by encouraging personal autonomy and the free exchange of ideas." [ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult]

 From the vantage point of evangelical Christianity, one definition might be: A cult is a perversion of the gospel, based upon an unholy devotion to a person, a principle, or both.

 "Cult behavior reflects the wish for a loving, accepting sibling group that is protected and cherished by a powerful, omnipotent parent. The problem with such a wish and its accompanying fantasy is that no human being can fill the role of the superparent, and adults can never again be children. To preserve the fantasy, reality must be distorted, because of this distortion, cult behavior results in a loss of realism."  For many,  the ACF was "initially very warm and loving, until it would reveal its cold, punitive side whenever someone questioned the [ACF] beliefs or behavior. Such dissent was labeled “selfish” or “evil,” and group approval was withdrawn and the dissenter isolated." [http://www.deikman.com/former.html]

It's as if the ACF wants God to fit in their definition of Him, and want to challenge any who dare to believe any different. How is it that they know that their infant belief system is greater than the whole history of the Christian religion? How is it that any other faith practice is deemed inferior?

God's grace and mercy is a mysterious gem with a myriad of unique facets waiting to be discovered. The hard-lined interpretation of the Bible should not be worshipped. The living Word of God is he who we are to emulate and follow. A strict literal following of Scripture by the ACF puts them in contrast to the compassion and welcome that Christ has asked us to share.

The Apostle Paul aptly reminds us, in the book of Galatians, "I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News, but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ."

I am but another mere human with countless flaws, seeking to please God alone, following his grace. My question to followers within the ACF, which gospel is your life showing to the world? Would the world see Jesus the Christ in your condemnations, your judgements, your demanding conformity?

For now,
Kevin R. Tengesdal

2016 Bismarck-Mandan Out of the Darkness Community Walk Address

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121

Kevin R Tengesdal’s address with the 2016 Bismarck-Mandan Out of the Darkness Community Walk to help bring awareness to suicide attempts, depression, and PTSD, along with the stigma and silence of men and crisis mental health situations.

I don't know

I don't know. I have never been clinically diagnosed or stuff.

Out of Context...

2nd Chronicles 7:14 -- Out of Context... America is not God’s chosen nation or land. Americans are not God’s chosen people. America is nowhere to be found in this passage nor is any other nation besides Israel. We need to remember that not everything in the Bible is about us. The Bible is about God first and foremost.

http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2013/a-text-out-of-context-2-chronicles-714/

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us?

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us? How are we as followers of Christ supposed to interact with the marginalized that make us uncomfortable? How can our lives be a living example of His good news?

The Testimony -- Oct 11, 2015

On a warm March day in 1988, there I was, a young 22-year old adventurer, standing alone on a sidewalk under the San Diego sun waiting for a bus. The Navy had just terminated my short career in the military by giving me an honorable discharge, and two intimidating military police unceremoniously escorted me off the base. Riding the bus to the airport as a rebranded civilian, I was ruminating and wondering who I was, where I was from, where I was going. A new chapter was starting in a journey, which began on a small-grains farm in North Dakota.

Open Book #150907

My Life is an Open Book Ramble #150907:
2011 - "Death" of an apartment, beginning in a new one. Rekindled a dark relationship with depression.
2012 - A sizeable chunk of old friends departed because of what I had become with depression and muck. Suicide came knocking several times. Invited in for visits a couple times.
2013 - A year with a few significant health traumas. Loneliness started courting me. Ended a thirty-plus-year dependent relationship with alcohol.
2014 - Living life without alcohol, emotions experienced life raw and not numbed. Continued the relationship with depression, and nurtured simultaneous relationships with social-anxiety and fear-of-life. Discovered a new church family who gave welcome.
2015 - Social-anxiety and fear-of-life began to grow into sizeable, controlling critters. Loneliness and I grew quite fond of each other. July was tough hearing the fundamentalist crowd chanting a war-cry against LGBT because of marriage equality.
Then August hit. Hard. A close friend kicked me out of town to go on vacation by myself. Alone. Lots of praying and thinking and wondering among those miles. Since that journey, dependence upon anxiety, fear of life, loneliness, muck, they have lost interest in me, and I in them.
The journey continues as I continue to purpose to live without them, without alcohol, without muck. I am grateful that God, his grace, mercies and mysteries have never left me, have never shook me off. I am glad for the old friends who have stayed. I am giddy with the new friends life has given me. I am going to be fine. It is not about me, but Christ in me.

God is Still in Control

Same-sex attractions and love have been throughout the course of world history. Today, we have become a religion worshiping scripture heralding the exclamation of "But the Bible says, or does not say..." as the primary modus operandi in which to judge someone different than us.

Rambling Journal Entry #150406

Rambling Journal Entry #150406: I think there might a point or a question to this lengthy rambling, hope you can find it.

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402: May I come clean, come out, and let you know the truth of the matter, the truth of my psyche? If not, please pass on, for the poop is about to get real and raw.

Rambling Rumination #150308:

So, Jesus met a woman. Even asked for a drink from her. Yes. A woman. Even more scandalous was that she was a Samaritan and he was a Jew.

How I Remain Passionate

Published on Feb 18, 2015

Join us as we talk to Jason Martozke, CHS Counselor, about supporting LGBTQ youth and his upcoming ND Counselors Association conference. We also talk with Rep. Joshua Boschee about SB2279 (which passed the Senate!) and why it's important to LGBTQ North Dakotans and their families, friends, and allies. Then we close the show with our series called Strength Through Stories. This episode features Kevin R. Tengesdal of Bismarck with "How I Remain Passionate."

The OUTLoud Podcast - Season 1, Episode 1

From the podcast, here is the text for the remarks that I shared:

The Greatest Grace

 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:28-31 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark12:28-31&version=NIV

Open Book Rambling Journal Entry #141227

Open Book Rambling Journal Entry #141227:

The end of 2011 through 2012 into 2013, one of my darkest and deepest dalliances with depression. Boozing, slicing, and attempting escapes. Many friends departed, several stuck closer.

Through 2013 into 2014, a time of purging and stripping me down to the core. Medical traumas and emotional roller coasters laid me bare and showed me who is there.

End of 2013 into 2014 was a departure from alcohol forcing me to experience life unnumbed. No more security blanket to hide me from myself and my anxieties. Meds, friends, and a kilt, have often helped.

Through 2014 has been a refreshing renewal and time of discovery. Rediscovering and renewing old relationships. Discovering and developing new friendships. Delving into deeper devotion of the Divine. Rejecting and removing myself of ruinous relations.

To name the many friends who have been there would be nice, but just know that I greatly value you for not giving up on me. To those of whom I have offended and grievously hurt, I know I can never apologize deeply enough to remove the wounds I gave you.  Yes, I am sorry. To each of you one and all, I am so grateful to you for the life you have shown me; and I am ever grateful to God my Creator for all that has been, is, and will be.

Now let's get 2015 started in great anticipation! It will be my 49th after all. HUGS!

P.S. Yes, I am on the inside amidst the rubble ruminating about a revolution to revitalize and rebuild. If you while on the outside looking in see something I am missing, please speak up. Please?

Five Days of Self Appreciation

Mary Mitchell tagged me in a reflective exercise "Three things I Like About Myself, for Five Days." I am to tag three others each day to join along, if they wish.

Day One of Five, Monday:

community

community

the addled boy upon the corner

Rambling Journal Entry 131205

Pauline Gospels and Christ. This morning in my Bible reading I was in 2 Corinthians 5-9. These verses in chapter 6 particularly jumped out at me:

Rambling Journal Entry 130926

So there I am in my morning Bible reading, in the Book of Nehemiah, when it starts describing rebuilding the portion of the city walls of Jerusalem across from the Tomb of David. I could see it, as that was just in the backyard of our campus. For me, from that year in Palestine with the Institute of Holy Land Studies and education at Columbia Bible College, the Bible is a living entity, not just a bunch of dusty words.

Buy All The Presents!

Luke 2:8-15ish In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began to be filled with stress, panic and worry saying to one another, “Oh good grief, what are we supposed to buy for him? We need to find that perfect gift. The gift that will be so much better than all others! BUY ALL THE PRESENTS! Hurry! We must stampede the marketplaces in search of the greatest everything! We need an entire new wardrobe too! Can we remodel the house before too?”

Is that the true nature of the birth narrative? Is that what God was expecting for us in remembering the birth of His Son in human flesh on earth?

Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

I have written in another post before: "The humble circumstances of the birth scene was quite appropriate for the One “who for our sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God was demonstrating true, eternal values in his arrangements for the incarnation of his Son, values that emphasized family relationships and being culturally relevant. As well, the circumstances of his birth imply that Yeshuah understands and identifies with the poverty in which most of the world lives today and always has lived. Finally, the simplicity of Yeshuah’s birth demonstrated the fact that though He was God in human body, He could be approached by anyone and would welcome all who would come to Him."

It's Christmas. Don't panic. Don't stress. Seek and enjoy the simplicity of the quiet of the Season to remember the birth of God With Us.

How Silent Was That Night?

 A Look Back at The Nativity Story...

It was an intriguing story worth investigating. A young married couple, the wife in hard throes of labor, had been rejected admission to a hotel. They were forced to lodge in a barn where the young woman gave birth to their first-born child. It is difficult to imagine a hotel manager being so cruel and heartless as to deny the basic comforts necessitated for such a situation. Fortunately for us Americans, this happened in a foreign culture, a culture we could consider base.



After careful studying and living in the culture of this young couple, and learning from those more educated in this area*, I discovered Western tradition has influenced the telling of this story. From these studies I hereby submit a synopsis closer to what may have actually occurred on a night that may not have been so silent.

Beth Lechem Suq

This young couple began their journey in the small town of Nazaret. Yoseph and Miryam had been recently wed when the Governor of Judea called a census for all residents of the small nation. It was required for each male to return to his ancestral home for this census. For Yoseph and Miryam, it would be in Beth Lechem some 75 miles south. Yoseph, though young, knew that it would be wiser to begin this trip early in Miryam’s pregnancy.

The arduous journey would be approximately a week or so. Fortunately they would not have to travel alone as there were other residents of the Nazaret region who also had to return southward to Beth Lechem for this census. Traveling in a caravan would offer security from bandits; and it would provide comfort for Miryam as there would be several mother-figures to dote over her being with child.

The easier route would be to travel eastward through the Yizreel Valley to reach the Jordan Valley and follow the river down to Yericho. After a period of repose, they would turn southwest and begin the exhausting ascent to Yerushalaim. A stop in Yerushalaim would allow them to visit with Miryam’s relatives, Zekaryah and Elisheba; and a required yet cherished pilgrimage to the Holy Temple overlooking the Eastern Hill. After a time of warm hospitality, they would continue their journey southeasterly to Beth Lechem, a trek of only five miles.

Once in Beth Lechem, they would lodge with Yoseph’s relatives. According to the account written by Luke, they stayed at an inn. A bit of clarification for the “no room in the inn” part of the story – the original Greek word that the author Luke used in this passage is “kataluma”, which is used elsewhere in the Last Supper stories (Luke 22:11 and Mark 14:14). “Kataluma” in its original context refers to an upper room or to a guestroom. When Luke refers to an inn as in the Good Samaritan parable, he uses the Greek word, “pandocheion”, which is a word that refers to a public place where all are received.

In the days of Yoseph and Miryam, inns were located along the well-traveled routes such as up near Yerushalaim or Yericho. As well, these inns were frequented more often than not by the wealthy, especially Romans or other foreigners. This couple was of quite modest means and they had family in town. For this culture it is an honor to offer hospitality; and it is considered an insult to reject such an offer, especially for the women who knew Miryam was pregnant with her first child.

Sometime after their arrival in Beth Lechem, it was the celebration of the autumnal Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths. This was a time for the Jews to celebrate the harvest and to remember their ancestors’ journey from Egypt to Canaan. During this week of celebration, on their rooftops they crafted booths made of branches and boughs of trees. They would dwell in these temporary shelters to remember how their ancestors dwelt in the wilderness for those forty years of wandering. This may have been the upper room where “there was no room”.

The home of Yoseph’s relatives had to have been a maddening chaos what with this crazy census gathering many distant relatives to this humble abode. But it was a joyous time for them as they began many preparations to celebrate the Feast of Booths. The home was small, built in a typical split-level style. The main level was the family’s living area and usually in this upper level was an area considered to be the guestroom of sorts. The lower level would have housed the livestock. Stables, as we have come to know them, were not in use in Judea. Flocks of sheep were protected in sheepfolds made of stone walls. Other animals were brought into a section of the house for safety and to provide warmth. Being Yoseph was undoubtedly the younger of the relatives, the elder guests were given priority to the guestroom, or to the booth crafted on the rooftop.

So amidst this impromptu family reunion, “the time came for the baby to be born.” This phrase indicates that Yoseph and Miryam chose not to return immediately back to Nazaret after the census as she was entering the third trimester. It was not an opportune time to be traveling the rugged terrain. In this culture, women of the family would never leave a young mother alone to deliver a firstborn child. The house was abuzz with excitement for the birth of this firstborn baby. Add to this excitement, the anticipation for the birth of their long awaited messiah, a message promised to Yoseph and Miryam by the angel.

When Miryam entered the first stages of labor, the women helped her down to the lower level as there was more room and privacy in the stable. The men paced the floors while one of the elder women helped usher this child into the world. It was God donning human flesh coming to live among them. They were struck with awe when they gained their first glimpse of this innocent baby boy. He looked just like them—black curly hair and shining dark eyes, so perfect and full of life.

Meanwhile in the rocky hills along Beth Lechem were a group of shepherds watching their flock of sheep. Shepherds were considered the lower end of the social scale; after all they did smell like sheep. But it was to this group disdained by society that God sent his angelic messengers to announce the birth of his son here on earth. Some speculations as to why God chose this group of lowlife: Yeshuah’s ancestor David had kept his father’s sheep on the same hills near Beth Lechem; and these shepherds may have been tending sheep destined for Temple sacrifices, so their relating news received by angels would be quite credible.

What are the implications of understanding the culture and the background of this much-heralded birth? For one, Yeshuah was born, grew up, worked, lived and died in a cultural context quite similar to that of the majority of people in the world today. Imposing a “Western” worldview on the circumstances of his birth tends to distort the depth of the event for ourselves. As well, it deprives non-Western people of an opportunity to identify with the people of the Bible. Through an understanding of the circumstances of this birth, they are afforded this chance.

The linguistic and cultural backgrounds of Scripture indicate that the Messiah was born in a home that reflects the simplicity of a majority of homes today. He was born in the context of an “extended” family and was cherished as a firstborn male child. Yeshua was born as the result of a supernatural conception, but according to normal physical processes.

The humble circumstances of the birth scene was quite appropriate for the One “who for our sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God was demonstrating true, eternal values in his arrangements for the incarnation of his Son, values that emphasized family relationships and being culturally relevant. As well, the circumstances of his birth imply that Yeshuah understands and identifies with the poverty in which most of the world lives today and always has lived. Finally, the simplicity of Yeshuah’s birth demonstrated the fact that though He was God in human body, He could be approached by anyone and would welcome all who would come to Him. Will we go to the Messiah this Holy Season and allow Him to dwell in our lives all year through?

--by KRTengesdal

*These thoughts have been gleaned from studies under Dr. Fr. Madros and Prof. Lancaster of Jerusalem University College; from studies and lectures under Dr. Hulbert, Dr. Beyer and Dr. Williams of Columbia International University; and from www.ChristianAnswers.net.

Originally published in the Minot Daily News, December 1999.