"Modern" Christianity outdated?
Sometimes it was disturbing. Sometimes it was incredibly freeing. Sometimes it connected to my deepest doubts. But I am not sure it provided much salve. Sometimes it gave me insight into my deepest wanderings. Sometimes it gave me night terrors, and sometimes it provided the peace of Jesus.
I think this is the point of the book. We need to be free to be intellectually honest while being biblically grounded in our passionate love for Jesus and Others.
In response, what am I thinking? Within modern/post-modern wrangling, we can know Jesus. Not in a new way, but in a revived way. Let's not dig up our foundations for the sake of digging. Let's not crack our foundations for the sake of being real. But, let's not be intellectually dishonest and pretend our doubts don't exist. Let's not accept things just because we were told to. Tradition is awesome, but tradition without thought proves hurtful, debilitating, and incredibly stifling. Let's be transparent with God and others. Let's be in intimate fellowship with Jesus and our community. Jesus wants real people, not religious people.
There is no need to "repaint the Christian faith" (Bell's words), but I think there is need to "dust off, reform and revive our response to the old painting" (my words).
It made me think, and that is good.
Rob
Comments
Jesus wants real people, not religious people.
There is no need to "repaint the Christian faith" (Bell's words), but I think there is need to "dust off, reform and revive our response to the old painting" (my words).
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For many years "the church" did not give us permission (in its teaching) to embrace our faith and to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit that God gives those who believe. We barely had permission to "believe God" for Who He is and what He can still presently do. I think it's a revival of the heart that is taking place in many these days - understanding how active, alive and participating our faith in Christ really is. He gives us that faith and He gives us the privilage to praticipate in what HE is doing! So cool!
As you said... I want to be REAL, not religious! I want my faith to make a difference in my own life and the lives of others. Christ was "others" oriented - and so should we be!
Revive my heart Lord Jesus!
I want to share something with you.
I am having a "reconciling doubt" year. I feel a constant tug from God to become more convicted and make some decisions about who I am and what I believe.
Last night, at a Bible study, a friend mentioned this book. I find it interesting that one random visit to a link I chose from a large list took me to your blog where you are writing about this book!
Now I plan to read it. Thanks for sharing.