Comments on: Internet Monk Radio Podcast 153

By: Ken Stoll

Ken Stoll — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:06:27 +0000

oops, here’s the link for those who wish to check it out.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/2009/08/what-is-consumerist-christiani.html

By: Ken Stoll

Ken Stoll — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:03:42 +0000

Michael, you asked for ideas concerning consumerism and then this morning I bumped into McKnight’s post today and thought of your comments. You may have seen it already but he asks some of the same exact questions you were asking pretty much and also mentions Skye Jethani’s book (which I am sure you are familiar with by now with your handle on all things evangelical–hope you now I am having fun by saying that).

Your podcasts have been really rich of late bro.

By: Ken Stoll

Ken Stoll — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:28:31 +0000

…count me in with David. Please keep reminding us that grace has nothing whatsover “to do” with “starting over again” Michael.

By: Mich

Mich — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:33:10 +0000

iMonk,
I cannot agree with you more about the Gospel. I cannot remember who I found first–you or Steve Brown, but the two of you, plus Rod Rosenbladt preach the Gospel and it has made all the difference in my life. Too many evangelicals are taught–in Dr Rosenbladt’s shorthand–Law->Gospel->Law and it kills them. The Gospel is freedom and Grace and love; its the too Good to be True Good News! As Stever Brown says, if it wasn’t Cheap Grace, who could affored it! This bait and switch Phariseeism is crushing believers and robbing them of their faith and leading them to despair. I think we need a Grace Conference with yourself, Steve Brown, Dr Rosenbladt and others who truly preach the Gospel. I know this sinner desperately needs it on a daily basis.

God bless.

By: Patrick Lynch

Patrick Lynch — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:52:52 +0000

I’m always impressed by the exercises of personal power that go along with “consoling” or “edifying” people in the Christian world. I don’t just mean pastors and family piping up with the voice of God from time to time, but the way that the Christianese employed can so thoroughly obscure the actual transactions taking place – that is, people telling other people why they’re okay, or NOT okay.

I’m reminded of how children treat each other, and it strikes me that in the religious ghetto mentality, these impulses are allowed to persevere and Scriptural fictions are invented to keep the game going: the ‘leader’ tells the other kids what to do because he’s the leader, and he’s the leader because he says so. It’s silly.

Most little kids don’t know how to connect their behaviour with the beliefs they’re being taught to have. My nephew has no trouble bragging about his family is Christian and mine isn’t and beaming with superiority as he monotones his little prayer to himself at dinner rather than pray with the rest of us – he’s takes his parents and preachers promise that he’s special on authority and has not been taught to look for contradictions, or upon stumbling on them, to take them to heart.

It’s interesting because I think the logic his faith is based on is unsustainable, but as a basic approach to life, he’ll do fine: I imagine he’ll abandon the religion and keep the attitude as he
gets older.

As if Jesus ever encouraged that. As if the stillness of prayer ever evokes that attitude.

When this is the religion we’ve produced out of the faith we’ve been given, it’s no wonder so many of us lose the point and wander away.

By: ProdigalSarah

ProdigalSarah — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:10:48 +0000

Monk, I just finished listening to your wonderful podcast, and I absolutely cannot wait to read your book. It sounds like a book written just for me.

I agree that it would not be appropriate for a pastor to quote â€œAll thingsâ€ at certain times.

Ecc 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance

If parents have just lost a child, friends, family and pastor should simply grieve with them and weep with them. I donâ€™t know that there is a need for words.

Later on, as the healing process continues then perhaps the pastor can help them to understand that through their loss they have learned a great deal about grief. They have an opportunity to give this to Christ by helping others who are experiencing grief.

We all experience loss and illness, but in turning to Christ we can turn our pain and sorrow into compassion for those who are experiencing the same thing.

None of us are immune from that natural accidents, ailments and disasters that afflict mortal bodies. But in turning to Christ we can be guided into compassion and empathy for others who are suffering. Isnâ€™t that the fruit that comes from suffering?

By: aaron arledge

aaron arledge — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:20:35 +0000

Most preachers like to hear the sound of their own voice (like myself). Many are constantly looking for teachable moments and such. I have had to learn early and thankfully not from mistakes but from a good teacher that a hug will suffice and not a sermon. Sitting silently mourning with friends, church members and family can do much more than opening ones mouth and saying something that might be true but doesn’t need to be said at the moment.