Here's an excerpt from an article interview I read in Modern Reformation Magazine, which I think helps explain the dilemma in the Church today of extremes.
"So, first of all, what I say is important for the deep church. When we look to form our church, we're looking at three things: we're biblical; we want to connect with the culture-being contextual and being all things to all men in order to reach them, which is important; and we have this great tradition. Obviously, Scripture is the most important, but the other two are also critical for understanding how we as the church can be connected into the twenty-first century. I think that gets us to what Newbigin says: the problem with most churches is that we're either syncretistic and we look exactly like the culture, or we're completely irrelevant and we don't connect with the culture. I think when we have Bible tradition and a desire to be missional in the culture, we're neither syncretistic nor irrelevant. We're actually extremely relevant, but distinct at the same time. We're really what Hauerwas wanted, which was a resident alien. We're both alien to the culture, but we're also residents in the culture."
This article originally appeared in the [insert current issue date] edition of Modern Reformation and is reprinted with permission. For more information about Modern Reformation, visit www.modernreformation.org or call (800) 890-7556. All rights reserved.
7 comments:
I saw your question about "casting lots" on Pyromaniacs. That would have been my question, too. Do you have an answer or explanation or ANY thoughts or information you could share?
The Roman soldiers, when they cast lots for the Lord's clothes was evil. It was coveting, and sinful, and done from a dark heart.
When Peter cast lots to choose a new disciple it was done with a good heart.
Gambling to me is more what's going on in the heart, then what a person does with his finances.
And the obvious gambling as a sinful, and coveting heart is just that obvious.
If some one gave me a lottery ticket, then I would thank them, and see if I won. If a won a hundred dollars than I count it a blessing from the Lord.
Do I go and buy lottery tickets? No. I don't want to spend my hard earned money on stuff like that.
I did loose a dollar the other day to my employee on a bet about the downspout he made, whether it would fit perfectly or not. It was a fun thing to do.
I don't know if that helps or not.
Thanks for stopping by.
The post was interesting, but so is this rabbit trail.
A former pastor used to counsel people about the lottery. They would go on and on about how God COULD use that as a means to achieve his ends, so this pastor said:
"Fine. How many chances does God need? One, right? Go out and buy ONE lottery ticket. If God wants you to win, you'll win, but if you don't win, stop playing, because that would be wasting the Lord's resources."
Thanks for the answers.
That was good Craver.
Have a blessed and joyful weekend and Lord's Day with your fam.
this be an interesting quote! I do worry about churches that are so theatrical just to get people to come in the doors!
While 'church shopping' down here in FLA we went to one church which was passing stuff out about a play that was coming while Eucharist was being served. Needless to say we don't attend there!
That kind of stuff is very common today mommanator.
And on the other side of the extreme there are churches that are in love with their tradition more than the Lord, and His people.
Have a blessed Lord's day!
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