If I Post, they will come! Not necessarily true I see. Well, the post has been active for less than 24 hours, and no one has responded. Of course, I need to let people know that the Blog of all blogs is here. Plus, I need to learn to put pictures on it. Ok, I just learned how to do it. In case you were wondering, that is Matthew and Paige at our wedding. Don't they look adorable?
Today, I was speaking with three friends and we were discussing various methodologies within the context of the church. One of my friends said, "The modern church attempted to place truth within the confines of 'right and wrong', which then is forced to draw conclusions." We do not preach a message so that people will be convinced by our arguments, but we preach so that we can draw closer to God's way of being involved with us in the earth. Meaning there is an 'overlap' of the ages, with this present age and the 'age to come', i.e. the return of Christ to the earth. I am coming to realize that Jesus, as well as Paul taught us a new way of living, a new way of being, which embraces the reality of our humanity, while embracing the transcendence of God. This is NOT a dualism, because it in this way humanity lives the incarnation of Christ in the earth. It is as if God is revealed to us, our eyes are opened. The most amazing part that truth is that God was with us the whole time.
13 comments:
Pizzel
I think it is funny that the if you build it they will come menality is the attitude that many churches have today--- if we build a cool enough service, preach a cool enough message, build an exciting culture, they will come, but we don't realize that we are actually creating consumers of religion in the process rather than inviting and empowering disciples.
I'm glad I have another blog friend
peace out homey
remember hell of a friend
Paul-
Have you ever thought of joining Jews for Jesus. I mean that in the most anti-anti-semitic way. Your a good bro. Your neighbor, Joel
i think paul should start his own group
www.little/portuguese/descendents/that/talk/smack/to/everyone/wherever/anywhere/anytime/do/it/do/it/i/dare/you/do/it/4Jesus.com
i think paul should start his own group
www.little/portuguese/descendents/that/talk/smack/to/everyone/wherever/anywhere/anytime/do/it/do/it/i/dare/you/do/it/4Jesus.com
peace
corey
somehow, that gave my message three times and also chopped off half of your website
the rest is
o/everyone/anywhere/anytime/doit/doit/i/dare/you/doit/4jesus.com
Corey Paxton.org
Corey, your first comment in my opinion is so true. The modern age of church though would say, "exactly", that is why we must keep church to preaching God's Word. Even though modernity encompassed the world of suburbia, which built the consumer laden age of which we now live. I think that we can have contemporary church, new themes, creativity, but we also must understand that the culture of church stands against the culture of society. Most would agree, until we start talking about War, Corporations, money, the poor,etc...Consumerism is something which is so engrained in society that we do not even realize that's what we are until someone points it out, so thanks Corey.
Is there any such thing as right and wrong? If not... If so, are there lines to be drawn? If so, where (or is that not up to us?)? How long can the Christian message survive in the land of ambiguity? Is there a point at which we need to respond directly when people ask us if what they are doing is wrong?
Well, I can only play the devil's (parden the pun) advocate for so long. Paul, you da man!
Dave
I think it was N.T. Wright who said, "Church, Smurch."
I would respond to the comments, but I am not sure any of them are serious. N.T. Wright did not say, "Church Smurch", he said, "Church? Who needs it!" Just kidding, N.T. Wright is one of the greatest New Testament theologians and come from a High Church position. Dave Scott, thanks for the serious dialogue.
Dang it Paul. In one swift blow you completely debunked my seminary education.
Yo, do you think u r Nicholas Cage or something?
I am attempting to not be sarcastic in all my responses to Corey's posts, but he is making it very difficult. These responses are challenging me theologically to attempt to engage the culture of B-movies which Nicholas Cage has made since The Rock in 1996. Just kidding, Nicholas Cage is extremely funny in most of the movies he makes.
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