tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post1979148456927613822..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Everything Must Change -- Transforming Christian Theology, ch. 6Robert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-50697813877530335612009-11-29T20:35:11.205-05:002009-11-29T20:35:11.205-05:00I think you are right David. The most effective m...I think you are right David. The most effective method of sharing the word (news of the Kingdom) is to share the peace that comes from living in the word (Kingdom living). People will want to know where that peace comes from.<br /><br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06245470576919732592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-60443832430266408952009-11-29T18:21:25.064-05:002009-11-29T18:21:25.064-05:00Really, could it be as simple as to show ourselves...Really, could it be as simple as to show ourselves to be at peace, and for those around us to be curious enough to explore the source? I'm being too simple-minded I suppose. David McAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-88695006261114680142009-11-29T12:11:59.357-05:002009-11-29T12:11:59.357-05:00John,
I so long to have the discussions on the dee...John,<br />I so long to have the discussions on the deep theological issues than the others. Sadly, I see more heated conversations on the color of the carpet or padding in the seat than on what scripture says. Most claim their protestant heritage like a football team, with no real grounding on what their denomination stands for. <br /><br />I agree that many of our conversations are silly when taken out of the US and placed in a third world country. Does a praise band vs organ really matter? Does the building matter? Paul was very wise to warn of "disputable matters" and I wish we could real agreement to address those items in our own culture.<br /><br />ChuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-63123194760410197892009-11-28T23:56:17.581-05:002009-11-28T23:56:17.581-05:00I think most will agree that the way the Church co...I think most will agree that the way the Church communicates its message must be responsive to the culture in which it at work, and that it must adapt its presentation to each such cultural circumstance. I also think the everyone will agree that the integrity, the heart of the Gospel needs to be preserved while at the same time it must be communicated effectively. In other words, the Church must maintain the true core of Jesus' teaching and it cannot ignore the cultural context in which it is being preached. If we lose the core message we will dissipate into meaninglessness. If we wait for the people to find and embrace us, we will never be found and we will embrace fewer converts every year.<br /><br />The first challenge is to distinguish between the core message of the Gospel and those notions which are not. The second challenge is to distinguish between message and style. <br /><br />The third challenge we are presente with is the discovery that styles and media which are effective in communicating the message to one group of real or potential believers is often ineffective in communicating the message to a different group - even though the core message is necessarily the same. A single style of worship and preaching will not work for everyone - the explosion of protestant denominations is proof of this. We need to accept that different styles of worship and preaching work with different people and that this is a necessary aspect of living in a pluralistic society.<br /><br />Of the three challenges I think that locating and maintaining the core of the Gospel message has presented the greatest difficulty in the current age. I don't know how you resolve what for me is the most profound theological conflict: the argument between those who believe in double predestination on the one hand and those who believe in universal salvation on the other. If you believe in the former then you can abandon (or condemn) those whom you perceive as inveterate sinners to their predestined fate. If you believe in the latter, then you MUST reconcile yourself with the perceived sinner on the presumption that he, together with his sins, will be with you in heaven, together with your sins. You cannot get away with condemning anyone or relying on God to do the condemnation, as all are loved equally and each will participate in life everlasting in the presence of God - therefore, no one's sins are any worse than anyone else's.<br /><br />I can only pray that God will provide the answers.<br /><br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06245470576919732592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-61544086173979726902009-11-28T13:51:48.809-05:002009-11-28T13:51:48.809-05:00Ahh.. change. It is the real word of current Chri...Ahh.. change. It is the real word of current Christianity. Some fight it tooth and nail.. of course they fail to realize that today's church service would is an INCREDIBLE change to the first century. On the flip side.. there are those that get addicted to change. Everything must change.. even when it changes, we much change.. change, change, change. We elected a president on change. The question back is.. "change to what?"<br /><br />There obvious good in both school's of thought. I wish both sides would sit down and discuss what should change, whats a "non negotiable" and likely both parties are closer than they ever realize. Lets get out of the media and into a small room and discuss real change. (isn't that what happened in the upper room?)<br /><br />ChuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-36337710051491642802009-11-28T00:19:58.459-05:002009-11-28T00:19:58.459-05:00It seems odd to me. Twitter, Facebook and even thi...It seems odd to me. Twitter, Facebook and even this blog (the responses) seem like 1984 in reverse. Spy on me, spy on me! It seems people can't handle privacy anymore. We used to live in our own heads. David McAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com