On the other hand a political virtuoso might bring off a feat almost as remarkable. he might write a manifesto suggesting a general assembly at which people should decide upon a rebellion, and it would be so carefully worded that even the censor would let it pass. At the meeting itself he would be able to create the impression that his audience had rebelled, after which they would all go quietly home---having spent a very pleasant evening.
-Soren Kierkegaard, The Present Age (Pg. 35)
I think there is much "imagined rebellion" going on in the church today, especially among the emerging church crowd and conversation. Granted, it is good to start somewhere but so often conversation simply becomes the end of the means...not the other way around.
Christians should be troublemakers, creators of uncertainty, agents of a dimension incompatible with society. -French Theologian Jacques Ellul
“The only thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about.”
-Oscar Wilde
6 comments:
Okay, Pastor.... Let me ask you:
What would the life of Christ have looked like in today's world? Whatever it would have looked like, does following Him with our lives and actions mean that our lives must look identical to His? Or does it mean that certain core characteristics of our lives would be idenctical to His, but with a wide variety of manifestations of those characteristics?
Jesus did not call all of His people to be single, childless and homeless, even though that's what He was. He called all of His people to love God and love others in deed and in truth. So how do we find the balance between being faithful with what we've been given (time, money, relationships, talents, resources, talent, etc)and sacrificing those things for those around us who are needy or forgotten? Do we sell our cars and buy beaters or use public transportation so we can give the money to the poor or invest in something that will benefit them? Do we sell our homes and move ourselves and our families into the slums where we can live with and develop close and intimate relationships with the forgotten of society?
I wish I had more time, but break's over...
Mel,
It must of been mesmerizing to hear Jesus say just that. Sell your possessions and give it all to the poor. You defiantly don't hear that kind of teaching anymore and we don't see that kind of christianity that much anymore do we. Maybe one must let go in order to truly receive true riches. Can one say goodbye to all his possessions in a metaphorical way only? I am not sure if Jesus would of let the rich young ruler off with just a heart condition response as we do today. Oh the eye of needle that would be if it were for all...who could get into heaven?
Luke 14:3: Only the man who says goodbye to all his possessions can be my disciple. -Jesus
Luke 12:33: Sell your possessions and give to the poor... -Jesus
Ecc 5:10: Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Acts 2:44-45 (Phi) All the believers joined together and shared everything in common; they sold their possessions and goods and divided the proceeds among the fellowship according to individual need.
Acts 4:32,34-35 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Not to break the momentum of this (which is good, convicting stuff by the way), but to mention something about your "Imagined rebellion". Dude, sympatico. I just started reading a book (see my blog) that is opening my eyes and heart to live like a wild, crazy, revolutionary barbarian for Christ.
Viva la revolution! (again...is it la, or le)
How do you combine the restful, peaceful nature of Christ that you spoke about in your 'Frantic Leadership' blog, with the mover/shaker/troublemaking nature of Christ?
Catch 22.Christians who fight the good fight through prayer and without fists have "blind faith" and are "weak" in the eyes of the world and sometimes even the eyes of the church, and those who preach the gospel with vehemence and war with the world are seen as hypocrites or heretics and occasionally applauded for their boldness.
Though we say "what others think doesn't matter" ; it really does. Because it's these "others" that see Christ through us. And even better yet, all Christians are represented by other Christians doing what they are all "called" to do.
During one of my son's lacrosse games, I watch him stand on the outside of a group of boys wrestling over the game ball with their sticks.I watch as he stands there and does nothing but curiously observes the others fight for possession of this prized item as though he's not even part of the game. After the game I dissapointingly ask him, "why didn't go after the ball like the others?" He tells me " the coach told us that when there are too many people fighting over the game ball to let them struggle. The ball will end up outside the circle and that's when I grab it and pass it down field.
D
I am not sure I understand your post D. Could you clarify a bit more on your question?
:) LOL The ramblings of an old woman strike again.
D
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