tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post1003476320789928100..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Hyper-Muscular Christianity -- SightingsRobert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-34839481386727779852009-02-25T09:21:00.000-05:002009-02-25T09:21:00.000-05:00Elaina,Thanks for introducing yourself. Glad to h...Elaina,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for introducing yourself. Glad to have you aboard!<BR/><BR/>BobRobert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-15919648447639867582009-02-21T07:51:00.000-05:002009-02-21T07:51:00.000-05:00Albert Schweitzer said of the Quest for the Histor...Albert Schweitzer said of the Quest for the Historical Jesus, that the questers had looked down into a well and saw their own reflection.<BR/><BR/>To some degree we look into the scriptures and see the Jesus we want to see -- one that either reflects who we are or who we want to be.<BR/><BR/>The problem for all of us is that in the process of interpretation it is difficult to read such things into the text.<BR/><BR/>Jesus wasn't a kick boxer or an ultimate fighter. Neither was he afraid of his shadow.<BR/><BR/>He faced down the authorities, but not with a sword or with a mob. Instead, he gave his life. He said love your enemies, turn the check, go the extra mile -- not as a doormat but as a protest. It is a principle that MLK learned and used and it changed the world. The problem for Christians is that once Christendom emerged we forgot who Jesus was!Robert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-43973650866497552652009-02-20T20:04:00.000-05:002009-02-20T20:04:00.000-05:00Bob I agree with both your concerns. Jesus become...Bob I agree with both your concerns. Jesus becomes either a wimp or someone ready to kick butt and take names. I don't think he was either. He hung out with sinners and many of the uptight conservatives we cringe. He also made bold claims on how to live that would stop many cold in their tracks. He could gather a huge crowd by feeding masses, but then disperse them with a hard teaching.<BR/><BR/>The fear I have on both sides is what Jody said that its recasting Jesus in our own image or the image we want him to be, rather than who he truly is. <BR/><BR/>ChuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-51773735890187846062009-02-20T18:53:00.000-05:002009-02-20T18:53:00.000-05:00Chuck,These are difficult issues -- the gender iss...Chuck,<BR/><BR/>These are difficult issues -- the gender issues.<BR/><BR/>My concern is that too often we over react. One one side there is the call to remove all masculine references and on the other to so over emphasize them that the real Jesus disappears.<BR/><BR/>I agree that many portrayals of Jesus picture him as effeminate -- this is especially true of Hollywood. Though, interestingly enough, The Last Temptation of Christ didn't. <BR/><BR/>But to make recast him into a kind of Jesus the Barbarian makes no sense either.<BR/><BR/>My greatest concern is with how such portrayals undermine the equality that exists between men and women.Robert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-20462154927592087032009-02-20T17:52:00.000-05:002009-02-20T17:52:00.000-05:00But isn't his any faith on the "tails". On the fl...But isn't his any faith on the "tails". On the flip side you could talk about the movement to remove "Father" and "Him" because the male reference is offensive. Neither side is right in my mind.<BR/><BR/>ChuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-55439992202606637982009-02-20T13:15:00.000-05:002009-02-20T13:15:00.000-05:00Ah, Paul's warning in Colossians 2:8 is applicable...Ah, Paul's warning in Colossians 2:8 is applicable yet again: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Driscoll and his like-minded pastors and leaders are promoting a gospel that says in order for men to be real Christians, they must be real men first. Instead of preaching circumcision or dietary laws, they're preaching hyper-masculinity (as defined by the culture! Kind of ironic for someone who bills himself as Reformed, isn't it?) as a precondition for men to show an authentic Christian discipleship. i think Mr. Driscoll needs a reminder there's neither "male nor female" in Christ, and if any man is in Christ, he is a "new creation"- not one who's a man according to the old rules!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com