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I’m a BAD Dawg
Posted on July 30th, 2009 by kmccallum
I’ve got other issues besides the “Old Dawg” problem.
Look at what I did last week at CT:
Current culture on the left (from the move "28 Days Later"); the Christian response on the right.
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but just in case here’s the 1,000 words (10-minute version of the teaching)…
by all means, feel free to comment and let me know if I lost my mind or not…
The teaching concerns the following passage:
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thess. 5:11
And they had a contageous love:
Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. 1 Thessalonians 4:10
Dear Keith, How should we respond to justified criticism of a great church, run by sinful humans? Why not 1st peter 3:15 with gentleness and REVERENCE. And Romans14:19 pursue the things which make for peace and building one another up.
I have always loved your work and Xenos Christian Fellowship.
Even though I do not attend a HC anymore. God has me at Vineyard Columbus Celebrate Recovery for now to get my own life back in order. Please keep me in your prayers!
Hi Tom, it’s great to hear from you again, and I will pray for your great turnaround & ministry there are Vineyard.
I’m sorry if the above caused personal offense…it certainly wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular. I have many friends attending the Vineyard, and I have the highest regard for their ministry and fruitfulness.
But I don’t think it’s at all unfair nor un-biblical to criticize ideas. Christians are the only ones in this culture not allowed to “think outside the box” — even the World System questions its own traditions and institutions.
But Christians fiercely hold on to traditions and institutions so antiquated, Christianity is virtually an acronym. I don’t understand why we have to treat traditions “with gentleness and respect” — traditions don’t have feelings.
Jesus, Paul, and the entire New Testament ridicules traditions:
Matthew 23:5 (NASB) “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments…”
It seems Jesus was making fun of their traditional garb.
Yet when Jesus dealt personally with Nicodemus (John 3), he applied the principles of respect which you mention above.
I think we need to make a separation between institutions/traditions and people–they really aren’t the same.
Oh, I meant to point this out: take a look at http://www.revolutionaryjoy.org/ and I think it’ll be a little more clear why we feel it’s necessary to start saying something about antiquated traditions.
Thankyou Keith, Yes, Jesus is our best example of this. I personally did not feel threatened or violated. I think sometimes I want people to know Him so much that I try to defend what little ground they do have left. The Body of Christ is a huge place with differing methods, ideas,content,ect ect, much wider and deeper than we ever thought or imagined. Jesus will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail. Keep on fighting the good fight of faith Keith. My prayer is that Xenos will explode all over the United States and everywhere. We may not see this in our lifetime, but future generations will.
That’s a wonderful, sweet message Tom. Thanks so much, you’ve really edified me.
I agree there are a variety of ways to approach God and worship Him; and my greatest concern today is the apathy (or alienation) Millenials feel towards the traditional Singing Worship Service. For older generations, this isn’t an issue, and it works just fine.
But it seems appropriate to open the doors to the Millennials by acknowledging their heart-felt complaints, especially since these traditions are not sacred, nor should we ever confuse the Wineskins with the New Wine. And I know we agree on this point.
I do so very badly wish to see a revolution spread across the US.