Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice

The Prophetic Word: Shelf Ornament or Treasure? by Eric H. Janzen

I was having coffee with a friend recently and he asked me the following question: “So, what do you do with ‘Big Words’?”

I began formulating an answer and said, “Well first...,”

“You put it on the shelf,” he interrupted.

Ah. There it was. A phrase so common to those familiar with the prophetic that it has become a part of that language known as Christianese. This phrase embodies a deeply engrained attitude towards the prophetic word that assumes an appearance of wisdom. But what is this wisdom? And is it wise?

Meandering Rant (Don't Read) by Eric Janzen

It is quite possible that I am currently dreaming.  And it is certainly possible that I am fully awake.  I wonder some times about the bubble I live in.  If I just pushed hard enough with those invisible hands could I pop what must be a fragile frontier?  Probably not...and that is probably a good thing.  What is beyond that bubble? Terrifying realities or the confirmation of all the things I have come to believe?

Help Now or Later? by Eric Janzen

Recently it came to my attention that the local homeless population here in Abbotsford has seriously exploded.  A friend of mine works quite closely with the homeless via his work at the Salvation Army, and he mentioned to me that they were going to be significantly short of blankets this winter.

"Well!" I thought to myself, "I'll see if some of the folks at my church can bring some blankets one Sunday, and we can give a whack of blankets away to some people who need'em."

What's Coming: A Prophetic Inkling by Eric Janzen

My prophetic sense for the coming year is in line with what many are saying and hearing: prepare the way for the king is coming. Expectation and anticipation of the presence of the Kingdom is appropriate for there will be an increase of the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst. The whirlwind is coming; the wild goose is ready to begin running. The Lord is teaching us about who he is and how he does things; he is teaching us about the spiritual realities that surround us; he wants to give us wisdom and understanding so that we are not people fascinated by power, but rather people who love Him first and foremost. Then he can trust us with the deeper things of His Spirit.

Uh Oh! The Absolute Truth? by Eric H. Janzen

Truth. Seems like a simple enough word. When we look at it written down it is a short five letter construction that has no appearance of menace, no hint of the conflagration of debate it has the ability to set off. Yet, it is perhaps one of the most important words of our post-modern era.

I am deeply fascinated by truth. I think about it often, especially in the early morning hours when my inability to sleep has me pondering questions such as “Is it possible to formulate a singular and accurate description of reality?” I know that most people reading this may have just groaned or mocked me, but such questions occupy my head, and to be honest I enjoy them. The question of absolute truth is one that I come to again and again, and I believe it is an important one. Particularly for Christians this question is not one that can be taken lightly. Jesus does not allow us a laissez-faire option. He routinely made claims and promises that demand acceptance or rejection.