Comments on: Subcultural Spirituality or “I know he’s a Christian because I saw it on his bumper sticker.”

By: dfault312

dfault312 — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 07:10:31 +0000

your first paragraph is aimed at evangelicals. i can relate to the feeling. but if you think about it, it is not just evangelicals for whom “methodology creates theology” but everyone. it is human nature for our beliefs to be reinforced by our actions. one of my theology teachers once taught a sermon along the lines of, “you can pretend to be someone, as a means of becoming more like that person” … probably why Jesus doesnt say, “Get your theology straight, and then you’ll be fit to start a church” instead, he simply says “follow me”, and upon following, together we become a body, constantly maturing and becoming more like Christ. none of us have our theology straight. but if we’re following Jesus, we’re approaching his theology.

By: BK

BK — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

You are very much on point. I especially agree with your statement that: “In other words, we were shaped by this emphasis on an event rather than by a balanced, Biblical and humble approach to evangelism.” Too often, in an effort to get people involved in any task in the church, we make an event out of it and make is seem as if you have to do this to be “the right kind” of Christian. But it is the humble effort that is the type that God seems to desire (if I read my Bible right).

Still, without the fanfare, how do we get Christians to engage in certain–shall we say–less comfortable tasks. Very few of us are willing to go door to door in any neighborhood unless we feel as if it is necessary. So, how do we encourage the one without causing the other?

By: MBurke

MBurke — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

To answer the previous poster’s question… you preach the gospel of salvation by grace through faith consistently and constantly to those in the pews and expect that God will do what He promises in His Word. Do not look for results, but trust that He will get the ones He wants.

We get caught up in “how do I…”, not realizing that these things must be completely of God’s doing for them to succeed. Not simply cooperation, but total submission, doing nothing of our own initiative but only that which God leads. We just must be faithful in what little things He gives us to do… He is the general, we’re the infantry, who are we to question His designs?

My church, for example, realizing that people weren’t excited about such things, chose to begin training them solely on “application”, believing that the parishoners already “knew enough Bible facts.” In fact, the very wording of their directive was: “Teach less Bible, more application.” I was reminded of the Scriptures which state: “There is a way that seems right unto a man…”

By: Diane A.

Diane A. — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

“When I look at my life, I long to have the kind of spirituality I see in the lives of those who value solitude, love to read the Bible, know how to pray and find quiet ways to love and serve others without applause. I want my life to show the evidence of the Spirit of Jesus and not the imprint of all the religious hucksters and hawksters that need my butt in their seat and my dollar in their cash register.

I want to do these good, simple, and beautiful things because they are what I passionately desire in my life. ”

I’ve thought about these things for the last several years. As the years have gone by; the revivals have fizzled out; the huscksters get more brazen; the entertainment business and record businesses who have corrupted so many talented Christian artists and the lastest books telling us “how to” whatever; I just removed myself from the pew from whence I had begun to take note of all the heartbreaking things going on.

Do I know how to pray? I don’t know. The important thing I ask myself is; do I know how to listen to what our Father is saying. That, to me, is more important than anything I can say to Him that He doesn’t already know anyway. I need to hear Him and know Him more and more as the years go by. I’m 60 years old now. I’ve seen a lot of junk come and go in the religious circus.

On the other hand, I have met and loved many people who are not religious but have a heart for God and it shows in all they say and do whether they go to church or not.

I know women who have given up men she could love and who could love her but would have to compromise her commitment to God to have him. We don’t hear a lot about sacrifice and it’s truly hard to bear…to hear. Some women have given in to some weaknesses only to have to repent and let go what may seem her only happiness in the earthly realm of relationship. It’s a big mess out there where relationships are concerned and we don’t seem to have the answers or want to address them or even know how to address them-……

What is church? It’s loving God and each other and showing it in everyway we know how; in whatever gifts and talents we have been given for the good of the Body of Christ. At least, that’s my opinion.

As for knocking on doors to evangelise…let’s just knock on the doors of our neighbors’ hearts and love them THEN maybe they will come to us to ask to know the Jesus in our hearts.

By: Paul A

Paul A — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

The call of Christ to every believer in every age has been to deny one’s self and follow Him. I suspect that call has always been counter-cultural if we believe in the doctrine of the total depravity of man. As our current western culture dumbs down more and more each decade and we find, at least in Canada that we actually live in an anti-Christian culture, not a post-Christian one, the rot insideously creeps into the church and is reflected in our consumer oriented excuse for worship. Time honoured, classic Christian spiritual disciplines are barely comprehensible by a generation raised on sound bits who really believe history began at the time of their birth. Silence and reflection seems to be a lost art and may only be recaptured in small modules through individual demonstration. Unfortunately, quiet service, Godly humility and a new fear of the Holy may go completely unnoticed in the socially chaotic, event riddled,noisy and self-centered direction of our current conservative evangelical culture.

By: Graebner

Graebner — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Cake and circuses…the mainstay of the modern American church.

By: Beniamin Nitu

Beniamin Nitu — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

it’s like Tozer said it: if Holy Spirit will leave the church no1 will notice, because we have “programs”.
I also remember Francis Schaefer in “True Spirituality” saying that at one point in his life he stoped and really wonder where is the difference between our lives and the non-christians? Did Bible failed us? Did Bible lied?
Of course, God’s power is more than enough, but it seems that God’s church is more and more imature.
that being said, we need to help our brothers and sisters, not to get out and wash our hands saying we’re not guilty. We need to give an example and be a light in our own local churches.
first God help me
then … God help us.

By: How Now, Brownpau?

How Now, Brownpau? — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

GravenCube

The Evangecube! Because sometimes among the heathen, bibles and Jesus Movie screenings and Passion of the Christ jewelry just aren’t enough. (Via Michael Spencer on…

By: Tantalizing if True

Tantalizing if True — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Really small youth rallies

Michael Spencer has good ideas. In his article, Subcultural Spirituality or “I know he’s a Christian because I saw it on his bumper sticker.”, he warns against replacing personal disciplines with church campaigns.

I appreciate the need for person…