Posted by Rachel on: 04.12.2007 /
In response to our first post Welcome to Justice and Compassion, NCxian shared that she would like to learn more about New Monasticism. With help from Joe Turner (thanks, Joe!), I was able to connect with Shane Claiborne and he has agreed to do a telephone interview with me on Wednesday the 18th. Shane is a founding member of a New Monastic community called The Simple Way and author of The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. Shane traveled to Iraq in 2003 as part of a peacemaker team. He is also reportedly quite an accomplished circus performer.
So I’m looking to you all to supply me with interview questions. Are there topics that you would like me to ask Shane about when I chat with him? It could be about New Monasticism, his book, social action, peacemaking in Iraq, circus performing, or any random stuff about which you would like to hear Shane’s perspective/input/musings.
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Comment by: Anna - Age 11
1 04/14/07 9:09 PM | Comment Link |I have one. What were the pranks you did at Wheaton College that you wouldnt tell us about in the book?
Comment by: Aubrie
2 04/15/07 3:15 PM | Comment Link |Does he think going to Iraq with his group has helped stop terrorism in any way?
How was he recieved by the local people, did they understand his reason for being there?
Then back to The Simple Way, how did he learn to do things like making his own pants and other things to keep things simple, in community, and reusing quality goods?
Comment by: Meg
3 04/15/07 3:52 PM | Comment Link |Comment by: Benjamin Ady
4 04/15/07 3:54 PM | Comment Link |Questsions for Shane: Rachel, feel free to use any or none of these =)
1.Is there some 3rd way for us beyond choosing to be either perpetrators or victims, or are we stuck with being one or the other or both?
2. Do you think the typical American “Christian” is enormously out of touch with the way/teachings of Jesus when it comes to the area of social justice? Whatever your answer, *why* is this–what does it mean?
3. Is it true that from the perspective of the average Iraqi, “American” and “Christian” are nearly synonymous? If this is true, what does it mean? What would you have to say to someone like myself who chooses *not* to identify with Christ partially because I find “American” actions in the world so repugnant?
Comment by: John L.
5 04/16/07 12:22 AM | Comment Link |Shane, The desire for worldly comfort seems override many of the teachings of Jesus who asked us to be willing forsake all to follow Him. Do you believe the less we have as far as material goods makes it easier to follow Him?
Comment by: Helen
6 04/16/07 7:21 AM | Comment Link |Meg, could you elaborate? ;-)
Comment by: Helen
7 04/16/07 7:21 AM | Comment Link |I sooo want to hear the answer to Anna’s question!
Comment by: Karlene
8 04/17/07 11:36 PM | Comment Link |Besides agreeing that it would be great to hear the answer to Anna’s question, I’m interested in what Shane has to say about reconciliation between classes in the church. Most churches are divided along class lines, and most seem to like it that way. How does reconciliation happen and what does it look like?
Also, when does charity become a bad thing?
Comment by: joe
9 04/18/07 3:35 AM | Comment Link |Ask him about making his own clothes.
Yes, you heard me correctly. The guy. Makes. His own. Clothing.
Comment by: Rachel
10 04/18/07 3:51 PM | Comment Link |Thanks Aubrie, Benjamin, John, Karlene, Joe & Anna for all the wonderful questions! I had a great conversation with Shane this afternoon and I used one question from each of you. Shane is a blast to talk to - very thoughtful and very funny! We will be posting the interview on May 6th to link it up with the May Off the Map e-zine. Stay tuned…