Comments on: Taking the Gospel to "The Found"

By: wildwinddave

wildwinddave — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:07:39 +0000

Yes, Keller, I like him! Yes, Christianity is not self-help. But Christianity is clearly the message that help is both sorely needed and readily available.

You mentioned (Kierkegaard mentioning) transparency. I think sin is the thing that prevents transparency between us and God from occurring (and the reverse – whatever prevents this transparency is sin). It seems like to whatever extent we are seeking real transparency with God, we must be seeking to abandon, through him, all that keeps transparency from being possible. The question is how this happens. Certainly not through simply gritting our teeth and trying harder, and certainly (from my point of view) not by giving up and saying transformation is neither possible nor intended for us.

By: Jeff Vannest

Jeff Vannest — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:55:53 +0000

I believe it was Timothy Keller’s book, The Reason for God, that made a very good point on this issue: The point of Christianity is not self-help. People don’t get “better” by being a Christian. Instead, people get saved. They still murder, they still divorce, they still look at porn, they still share the same human condition as everyone else.

Kierkegaard wrote, “Sin is: in despair not wanting to be oneself before God…Faith is: that the self in being itself and wanting to be itself is grounded transparently in God.”

I think he has the right of it: it’s not whether we sin, but our willingness to be transparent before God about it when we do.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:49:42 +0000

In looking at why church goers are failing to implement life changing activities, it could be good old fashioned procrastination robbing everyone of their motivation. Think of that seminar at work that is supposed to improve productivity – everyone leaves motivated and fired up, but you get back to your desk and there is a pile of papers to deal with, improvement must wait. So too are failed New Year’s resolutions, diets, home improvements, promises to stay in touch with friends, etc. More so than ever, the hectic nature of our society has most people in a sort of “survival mode” (not to sound dramatic), where we just barely have time to do what is needed, and what is wanted falls by the wayside.

People at church are probably highly inspired, know what they should do, and intend to do it. But as the glow of Sunday morning wears off and the realities of their obligations set in, the churchgoer is in the same grind as the non-churchgoer. Both groups have the same short 24 hrs to deal with it all. “I would love to change lives, but it will have to wait until tomorrow”

By: wildwinddave

wildwinddave — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:34 +0000

Looks like you’ve been on quite a journey, Terry. Thanks for your comment.

By: wildwinddave

wildwinddave — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:12:57 +0000

Thanks Kim!

By: Terry Dorn

Terry Dorn — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:44:28 +0000

Church is not the cure, but the Bible is a road map. If the ministers would stop trying to be the door to salvation with their programs and nice show and start giving the individuals more keys to study and become Christ-like I believe it would help. Those programs are nice and do draw people but why get them stuck in the door? The key to becoming christian is to become Christ like. Christ like requires Christ inside. We need more sincerity within the ranks of the believers. Even a mommy weens the baby after a while and teaches the infant to walk on its own. She will be there to assist, but not to do all the feeding. This is my belieif, think about it. Meanwhile read my book, (The Cross and the Psychiatrist) see at amazon.com also google it! Terry Dorn

By: Kim Shimer

Kim Shimer — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:22:36 +0000

I really enjoyed your post and found it quite thought-provoking. It occurs to me that you might enjoy a new book by Russell Rathbun titled nuChristian: Finding Faith in a New Generation. It challenges us to be transformed from unChristian (as we’re often perceived by “outsiders”) to nuChristians who are:

* Transparent
* Holistic
* Loving
* Engaged
* Just
* Humble
You can find Russell’s book here: http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=13514. See what you think!

By: wildwinddave

wildwinddave — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:51:42 +0000

I do not, and cannot, believe that Jerry. I think in any and all generations, people can make choices to live certain ways or not to live certain ways. I do not accept that the choice is no longer available to people about how they will live.

By: Jeremiah Diehl

Jeremiah Diehl — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:20:29 +0000

When an animal is neutered they are incapable of reproducing no matter how hard they try.
Is it plausible that cultural and environmental factors for this generation have spiritually neutered people? Rendering them completely incapable of true and significant life-change?

By: wildwinddave

wildwinddave — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:08:20 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, Jerry.