I am concerned that the way of Christ has become so, well, narrow. If God’s story is as epic as the Bible makes it seem, why is Christianity such a small answer, an option among the others? Why are church people so similar, church culture so…sanitary? The God of the universe must be more engaging than we are making Him seem. Part of my concern stems from the way we look at Scripture, always looking back at it, never using as a lens to look forward, to dream. That word has had some harsh treatment in some Christian circles. A shame. What if the new covenant, built not with letters, but in human hearts is not as certain as we have so often made it? What if God needs to be revealed differently to each generation, though He Himself doesn’t change? What if difference among Christians isn’t the problem, but the path to knowing the fullness of God? Understanding and ignorance are the paradox, not the problem. This is the paradox of God. And many (even me, I think) find it beautiful.
Monday, January 8, 2007
The Purpose of Posting
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2 comments:
I'm not so much commenting on all of your post... and we obviously have different church experience. Namely my church is Godly and yours.... haha.. of course only joking. But I think that many (though most certainly not all, not even most) times the problem with christians is that we arent applying ourselves to actually living. Often I think while you challenge the way church or christianity is moving, you think that the system is flawed (and probably accurately so) but I think that the people need to start living, more than a new, "improved" system is used.
Just a thought. Prehaps this "new covenant" isn't as new as you think. It is obviously different. more gracious. More free. But Christ was the fulfillment of the law: the conclusion, the satisfaction. It set us free to be justified before God. Just as those under the "old covenant" were trying to do.
I forget what I was saying by now and what you said.. so I'll have to go back and read it.. but just something to think about.
P.S. I dont know how accurate that last paragraph is! haha.
"I am concerned that the way of Christ has become so, well, narrow. If God’s story is as epic as the Bible makes it seem, why is Christianity such a small answer, an option among the others? Why are church people so similar, church culture so…sanitary? The God of the universe must be more engaging than we are making Him seem. "
What do you mean here? Christ's way IS narrow! (matthew 7:13-14) And Chritianity is, I am bold enough to say.. the only option. No matter how many others there are. Not Baptist. Not Lutherin. But THE Way. The "gospel" though I know we've talked about different meanings for that. Jesus and God were both very narrow minded about how things were to be done. I know we like to say "love others".. but if we truly practice HIS love, we would be folling HIS law. yes law. strict and unforgiving. God's way of life is not merciful. He, however, is. Praise God for that. His demands are impossible, but he showed love, in both mercy and in wrath, to offer a way to live life as He intended. With Him.
We typically associate this strict code of God's with short hair,Clean shaven faces, and hymnal filled pews and this is obviously a mistake. In this sense I understand what you are yerning for. A break from this mindset. But I think that a "radical new way of thinking and gospel" is not the way to break from these connotations. A renewed lifestyle is where we start. not a renewed church method. Small groups, missions, food drives, and the like are things that could certainly be done and promoted.. but not the goal, not the focus...
in humble thought
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