It's too simple to just point to Jesus. There's more to it - there's doctrine, religion, church, Church, religious politics, political religion, evangelism, and the list goes on and on. Joel O'Steen and James Dobson have something in common - neither rarely mentions the name of Jesus.
I think that's largely how We - the Church - have lived for the past 2,000 years, certainly the past 100 years. We've lived, acted, worshipped and carried on as if there is much more to life than the spiritual connection to Jesus.
That's just too naive and simplistic.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Kent,
I don't follow. More elaboration please.
Many blessings...
Hey Mike - I think generally the church has shied away from the discipling process of deepening our relationship with the Savior, rather, we've focused on doctrinal and (now) political issues. I think we've fallen into the trap of thinking it's Jesus and...., not Jesus. Thanks.
Okay, I get you now... I think.
I think I am with you too, but with stipulations. I mean, I am a "Jesus is Lord" guy. By that I am saying that I do not exclude Baptists and Pentecostals and Methodist etc... (even Catholics) from fellowship if they are willing to confess that "Jesus is Lord" and live accordingly as fully and sincerely as they can (or as I do -at a minimum). Point there being not to define that too minutely but to be fully inclusive of others who worship Jesus.
On the other hand, and not to undercut what I just said at all, I think there is much to be done yet. I agree with you. We need to challenge others and be challenged to discover Jesus as Lord of the world in all its fullness and at any and all cost.
I am not really a Lucado fan, but I heard him put into words once this idea: God loves you just the way you are, but he does not want to leave you like that. And our (mostly former) doctrinal neuroses and (ever more present) political neuroses are both often entirely the wrong direction or irrelevant to cross-bearing discipleship.
Just my thoughts in a nutshell of this shape.
I hate to over burden the blog-0-sphere with more blogs, but I just started a new one where I am currently dealing with some of this kind of thing -at least as I understand it. find it at alleyjesus.blogspot.com.
As always, it is a pleasure and many blessings...
Kent,
Thanks for stopping in.
I have changed names of people to protect them. But you have a nose for it. It was careless of me to use real names in the beginning.
Many blessings...
Post a Comment