Tonight we're starting Chapter 7 in "The Jesus Proposal." For those of you who might be confused, that's page 123. It's an interesting look at the means and methods that we often use for determining who's "in and out" in terms of God's people. Moreover, it's an attempt to look more at the Christianity as a process rather than an event. One of my favorite excerpts is not from either of the two authors, but from a quote of Alexander Campbell:
"It is the image of Christ the Christian looks for and loves; and this does not consist in being exact in a few items, but in general devotion to the whole truth as far as known." Mr. Campbell goes on to expand on the "as far as known" idea by saying, "Ignorance is always a crime when it is voluntary; and innocent when it is involuntary."
The author goes on to quote a youth minister, Tony Jones, saying, "...it could be said that we ought to first evangelize experientially and teach the content of the faith later!"
Essentially the Mr. Jones is suggesting that we should demonstrate the lifestyle before we discuss the matters of deeper faith. Or is he? What do you think about that idea? Is there a biblical basis for it? Does it make sense logically? Let's talk about it.
Hi Brice! I am not in your study (obviously) but this made me think! One of our main purposes as Christians is to show people to the kingdom of God, Evangelize. With that being said what is the most successful way to do that? I think in a lot of cases actions first and biblical discussions is probably more effective… the bible can be a very intimidating thing as a new Christian. I think that non-believers and new believers can relate more to matters of experience, faith, trust, hope, defeat, renewal, etc. than biblical stories and verses. As a somewhat veteran Christian I want to know more about the principals of my faith, the why’s and how’s. I need to know why I believe what I believe, I crave it! However, I seek God’s commandments because I am in love with Him. Would someone who is just experiencing God or learning of Him for the first time seek in the same way or see the commandments and principals of faith more as another set of rules to be followed? Just some thoughts… thanks for making me think :)
ReplyDeleteHey Steph, of course it doesn't matter if you're in my class, and thanks for the comment. I think you've really hit something that makes a lot of sense. So often we want "newbies" to commit to the tenants of the faith for membership, before they even know why they want to be a member. That may be because we haven't really been taught how to witness or because we haven't thought a lot about what it means to be a Christian in terms of the "experience, faith, hope, defeat, renewal" stuff and so it's easier to verbalize the rules rather than the "reward." One thing that is brought out in the book is how Christ discipled... he didn't say, "hey, you guys in the boat, do you believe I'm the Son of God here to save you from your sins?" Instead he said, "follow me." Of course a deeper implication is that He had a life worth following, and that's a question I think we as mature Christians need to ask ourselves... are we living a life that others would want to follow? If not, how do we do that? Thanks for the comment, I loved reading your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteYour cousin,
Brice