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November 28, 2005
The Peace of Jesus May not Be the "Peace" Desired by the Modern Church
If we’re honest, most of us prefer to hear religious words and Bible passages that make us feel good. We run away or ignore the truth that convicts; we would rather have our consciences soothed than seared. We prefer a spirituality that is admired, rather than one that upsets and gets under the skin. We like the religion that eases us into heaven instead of one that turns everything upside down.
Charles Moore writes the above and more in a very challenging article. Moore takes on the seeker-sensitive church movement. However, in so doing, he also challenges all of us who are comfortable, modern Christians (to which group yours truly belongs for better or worse). Are we so trapped by the suburbs that we cannot really be effective for Christ? Moore suggests that could be the case. Read and be challenged.
Posted by Mark at November 28, 2005 12:47 AM
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Woah! Amen and amen and gimme five!
Now, THAT'S some preaching!
Posted by: Dan Trabue at November 28, 2005 08:37 AM
I can't say I disagree, but it's a thin line to walk without becoming legalistic.
Posted by: Matt at November 28, 2005 10:11 PM
Do you, Matt - or anyone else, agree with the notion that materialism/greed/economic inequity is one of the bigger issues dealt with in the Bible and one of the bigger problems with the western church?
Posted by: Dan Trabue at November 29, 2005 09:43 AM
The big issue in the Bible is sinful humanity. Sometimes it's an issue of greed, sometimes it's an issue of lust. Inequality is not the issue. Sorry.
As for the Western church, maybe, but as I said before it's a very thin line to avoid legalism.
Posted by: Matt at November 29, 2005 10:43 AM
Inequity is not an issue in the Bible?
How about the "sin of Sodom"? You familiar with that one?
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16
Or how about the institution of deacons and deaconesses, you familiar with why that was needed?
"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." Acts 6
Or how about God's institution of the year of Jubilee? Or how about Jesus overturning the moneychangers' tables in the temple? Or how about the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira? And let's not even START talking about the book of James!
Yes, you are correct there are more sins than just greed-related ones. But you wanna guess which one gets the most bible-time? To be honest, I don't know offhand, but think it's a fairly safe bet that greed/materialism is talked about more than any other sin and it's a WAAYYY safe bet that it's talked about more than homosexuality or even lust.
Posted by: Dan Trabue at November 29, 2005 05:49 PM