Erick, you sound more Augustinian than Calvinist today when you say the "old gods" have returned to fill the spiritual vacuum we have created for ourselves. To rebuild, we must look not first to politics, but to our families, churches, and neighborhoods.
I'm reminded of R. R. Reno's argument about recovering the "strong gods"—devotion to God, family, nation rightly understood, moral obligation, sacrificial love, and the inherited wisdom of civilization. Both of you seem to recognize that social change is a byproduct of the Gospel, not its primary aim. We cannot save the nation through politics, but by being the salt and light Christ calls us to be, we can help renew the culture one heart, one family, and one community at a time.
To start, I suggest that youth pastors get rid of all tattoos and flannel.
Your text on being a light to the world would make a great middle school level Sunday School or Wednesday Night lesson topic. This sort of thing needs to be taught and understood by our children. Every middle school child in you church that has been there for more than a year or two should have Jeremial 29:5-7 memorized, as should the adults.
"The solution to what is a spiritual problem is not political." That's your pull quote and it is a good one. We are still called to be set apart, both in the flesh and in the spirit. The question for each of us is how do we set ourselves apart so that the viewer, who never speaks to us, knows Jesus is our Lord and Savior, from afar? I don't have an answer for the question, but I'm noodling it. Be safe Radioman.
Jesus did emphasize four LOVE commandment (and SHOUTED the first). They are hard to live - especially the 3rd and 4th. Having looked down the barrels of "righteous" left-wing and right-wing "christians" pursuing "justice" in their war, and watching the same done to others, the LOVE commandments are difficult to swallow. And forgive. The same can be said of the Church anathemizing those who disagree with their secondary and tertiary belief (I have personally encountered that three times as well). The Church needs a change of heart all the way around. And to learn the way of Jesus and His commands - including evangelicals. Plus 70X7. But She loves to do what is right in her own eyes. Thank you for the good commentary and history, Erick.
Amen brother Erick. As you say, among many other true and edifying statements, may the Lord help us to be salt and light, where we are, and pray that others who see genuine followers of Jesus Christ be drawn to Him through us to trust wholly in Him according to His word.
May the Lord bless for much good what you have written.
I respect Erick's (and anyone's) devotion to Christianity, but I'm not in favor of proselytizing. His message of humanity is ecumenical. It doesn't need religion.
We Christians are to be fishers of Men. We learn when we have opportunity. It's difficult for most of us. But then, it becomes obvious when that time is.
It might boggle your mind, but I have Islamic friends who are Christians. They believe that the only way to salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ. When they pray to Allah using the Arabic name of God, the same name Arab Southern Baptists use, they are praying to the same triune God that you may pray to. Islam is not any simpler that Christianity unless you agree that Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Methodists and Baptists all agree on details of their faith. Yes, many who claim to follow God will be rejected when they arrive at Heaven's gates. Your responsibility is to follow God to the best of your ability and leave judgement on salvation to God.
The ecumenical message though is most often a lie. If you are not listening to the Holy Spirit and becoming noticeably different from the average person in your actions, it is likely that you don't know God. Evangelism has its place, but it is ultimately the responsibility of God. I've heard too many stories to count of Muslims who pray to God and receive direct answers from him in dreams. If we don't speak out, God will still make Himself known.
** If you are Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Atheist, Hindu or have some label, don't worry about the trinity thing Christians talk about. Pray to God. He does listen.
My understanding of where you're coming from is (not an exhaustive list):
1. Judaism doesn't proselytize, and Jews are still Jews even if non-religious.
2. There's, reflexively, a negative response to it because of the history of aggressive, state-led proselytizing of the Jewish people, resulting in forced conversions; Jews were forced to actively break commandments given in the Torah as perpetual commands in order to "prove" their new Christian identity. Which is absurd; it's a twisting and misapplication of Paul's words. Proselytizing has historically been used to strip Jews of their God-given identity.
Even now, Jews are told they must reject their everlasting covenant to accept a Jewish Messiah.
The original command given to the Jewish disciples was to make disciples of all mankind. It should be between individuals, a result of one's lifestyle and testimony, not one run by the state, but that's what it turned into.
What became Christian morals and ethics are actually Jewish in origin, so Christianity has spread ancient Jewish ethics; they are foundational to transforming society. Human nature requires them.
I think Erick is speaking of the spiritual transformation of individuals (thus, society) due to the influence of real Christian-like behavior.
The God of the Bible was Jewish when He visited the world in his human nature. He is also responsible for inspiring the entire Bible including the Old Testament.
Love this, and this is what we are trying to do. It is almost impossible to reason with those who are set on a brainwashed, mob mentality, no matter which side of the political spectrum. But we can pray, shine the light, and love and help our neighbors.
Thanks for reminding us again, Erick. Enjoy your Father's Day!
Erick, Maybe you should consider Delta Private Jets
I love this Erick.
Erick, you sound more Augustinian than Calvinist today when you say the "old gods" have returned to fill the spiritual vacuum we have created for ourselves. To rebuild, we must look not first to politics, but to our families, churches, and neighborhoods.
I'm reminded of R. R. Reno's argument about recovering the "strong gods"—devotion to God, family, nation rightly understood, moral obligation, sacrificial love, and the inherited wisdom of civilization. Both of you seem to recognize that social change is a byproduct of the Gospel, not its primary aim. We cannot save the nation through politics, but by being the salt and light Christ calls us to be, we can help renew the culture one heart, one family, and one community at a time.
To start, I suggest that youth pastors get rid of all tattoos and flannel.
At the funeral of a great man, Lamar Lussi, we were all asked to wear flannel.
Erick,
Your text on being a light to the world would make a great middle school level Sunday School or Wednesday Night lesson topic. This sort of thing needs to be taught and understood by our children. Every middle school child in you church that has been there for more than a year or two should have Jeremial 29:5-7 memorized, as should the adults.
Exactly, thank you.
Amen! Glad you finally made it home!
"The solution to what is a spiritual problem is not political." That's your pull quote and it is a good one. We are still called to be set apart, both in the flesh and in the spirit. The question for each of us is how do we set ourselves apart so that the viewer, who never speaks to us, knows Jesus is our Lord and Savior, from afar? I don't have an answer for the question, but I'm noodling it. Be safe Radioman.
Not really a quick note, but worth every word! Inspired. Thank you.
Amen.
Jesus did emphasize four LOVE commandment (and SHOUTED the first). They are hard to live - especially the 3rd and 4th. Having looked down the barrels of "righteous" left-wing and right-wing "christians" pursuing "justice" in their war, and watching the same done to others, the LOVE commandments are difficult to swallow. And forgive. The same can be said of the Church anathemizing those who disagree with their secondary and tertiary belief (I have personally encountered that three times as well). The Church needs a change of heart all the way around. And to learn the way of Jesus and His commands - including evangelicals. Plus 70X7. But She loves to do what is right in her own eyes. Thank you for the good commentary and history, Erick.
Excellent, Erick! Thank you for those inspired words!
Well said, nothing to add. Now for the AvGeek question, Boeing or Airbus?
Amen brother Erick. As you say, among many other true and edifying statements, may the Lord help us to be salt and light, where we are, and pray that others who see genuine followers of Jesus Christ be drawn to Him through us to trust wholly in Him according to His word.
May the Lord bless for much good what you have written.
Glad you made it home safe and sound. Great advice that more of us should emulate in out daily lives.
I respect Erick's (and anyone's) devotion to Christianity, but I'm not in favor of proselytizing. His message of humanity is ecumenical. It doesn't need religion.
We Christians are to be fishers of Men. We learn when we have opportunity. It's difficult for most of us. But then, it becomes obvious when that time is.
Also, happy Father's Day, Erick!
The ecumenical message that you refer to makes no sense without the God of the Bible as the foundation and the King of kings.
It might boggle your mind, but I have Islamic friends who are Christians. They believe that the only way to salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ. When they pray to Allah using the Arabic name of God, the same name Arab Southern Baptists use, they are praying to the same triune God that you may pray to. Islam is not any simpler that Christianity unless you agree that Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Methodists and Baptists all agree on details of their faith. Yes, many who claim to follow God will be rejected when they arrive at Heaven's gates. Your responsibility is to follow God to the best of your ability and leave judgement on salvation to God.
The ecumenical message though is most often a lie. If you are not listening to the Holy Spirit and becoming noticeably different from the average person in your actions, it is likely that you don't know God. Evangelism has its place, but it is ultimately the responsibility of God. I've heard too many stories to count of Muslims who pray to God and receive direct answers from him in dreams. If we don't speak out, God will still make Himself known.
** If you are Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Atheist, Hindu or have some label, don't worry about the trinity thing Christians talk about. Pray to God. He does listen.
I guess you aren’t Jewish, right?
My understanding of where you're coming from is (not an exhaustive list):
1. Judaism doesn't proselytize, and Jews are still Jews even if non-religious.
2. There's, reflexively, a negative response to it because of the history of aggressive, state-led proselytizing of the Jewish people, resulting in forced conversions; Jews were forced to actively break commandments given in the Torah as perpetual commands in order to "prove" their new Christian identity. Which is absurd; it's a twisting and misapplication of Paul's words. Proselytizing has historically been used to strip Jews of their God-given identity.
Even now, Jews are told they must reject their everlasting covenant to accept a Jewish Messiah.
The original command given to the Jewish disciples was to make disciples of all mankind. It should be between individuals, a result of one's lifestyle and testimony, not one run by the state, but that's what it turned into.
What became Christian morals and ethics are actually Jewish in origin, so Christianity has spread ancient Jewish ethics; they are foundational to transforming society. Human nature requires them.
I think Erick is speaking of the spiritual transformation of individuals (thus, society) due to the influence of real Christian-like behavior.
Shavua tov...
The God of the Bible was Jewish when He visited the world in his human nature. He is also responsible for inspiring the entire Bible including the Old Testament.
Love this, and this is what we are trying to do. It is almost impossible to reason with those who are set on a brainwashed, mob mentality, no matter which side of the political spectrum. But we can pray, shine the light, and love and help our neighbors.
Thanks for reminding us again, Erick. Enjoy your Father's Day!
May be near impossible but still going to try though. Class and decorum and positive. As he noted salt and light. “Shining city on a hill”.