Of all the disciples Peter fascinates me the most. Perhaps that is because he seems to be one of the most passionate and yet true-to-life personalities that emerges from the New Testament. In the Bible, the second chapter of Acts, Peter is in the midst of a life-changing moment for the birth of the Christian faith.

The Holy Spirit takes “center stage” and the gifts of that spiritual change enabled and empowered believers to communicate the story of Jesus Christ wherever they went. The apostles were “on fire” for Jesus Christ. It was a Pentecostal experience of truest ecstasy.

That moment of Pentecost was a beginning of passion-for-God and for Christ. It was a fire that could not be quenched. And, it reminds us of the fire-of-faith that can burn brightly for the purposes of life and faith change, creative building, mission, and teaching. This was just the beginning of the gift and work of the Holy Spirit.

However, the shadow or opposite side of that passion can be the fire-that-burns for vengeance, destruction, punishment, prejudice, judgment and leads to paths of acting out that understanding. We are talking about punishment, war, intolerance, violence, and so forth. Those are not “acts” of love, but actions from old patterns and a negative image of God and of self. This only calls for more work from all of us for a better understanding of ourselves as well as intentional teaching, and modeling of love. It is a difficult and long process.

Pentecost and Peace. Images of passion and harmony. Hot-yet-cool, red-yet-blue, movement-yet-calmness; a tension of opposites. Polarities that pull us apart as we struggle to deal with spirit and yet the soul of work as Christians.

This issue of EcuMiniNet™ Online! brings together different thoughts about our theme. Our writers are sharing everything from personal “faith birthing” experiences, to their perspectives of Pentecost, peace, war, reconciliation, tolerance, faith, and spiritual energy. Peace is an issue. Pentecost is vital. Separately they represent two entirely different pictures. Together, they tell the story of our lives as Christians.

I pray that this issue will open new doors of wondering, exploration, discovery and meaning for all of us who struggle with the tension of this paradox within faith.

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