Silly Professional Christians
Monday, 24 November 2008
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Ok, I allowed myself to get worked up by a few people this morning. By the way, I’ve been enjoying this guy’s blog and this post….
Somewhere, from depths of who we are, we long to be vital. Unfortunately, many seem to have transferred their need for significance by name dropping Jesus.
Some would claim by their loud actions and proclamations, to be Professional Christians.
Here are some things that should be common knowledge, but I’ll mention them. Bible verses should not be used as ammunition towards others, but as sharpening tools of accountable love. The church is not to be used as a barricade to culture, but as a bridge from culture to a relationship with God. We are not to appear holier than others, or more knowledgeable, or better in any way…. for none of us are good, except God.
Many Christians may quote Jesus saying “If the world hates you, then it hated me first….” to simply avoid engaging themselves in a culture. “They hate us anyway”…. Jesus met with the woman at the well with five husbands, he saved the prostitute from her death by stoning, and he talked compassionately with a common career criminal while dying on a cross. I am pretty certain that Jesus didn’t mean to avoid culture when he said “the world hated me first…”
The Bible says “love those who hate us.” How do we engage and love the people of a culture that hates us, if we are perpetually stuck in our retreat centers, seminaries, training sessions, Bible studies, small groups, etc?? We are NOT too good to connect with people who don’t believe what we do. Skeptics deserve honest answers to their questions. They do not deserve someone who is seeking to gain his/her own significance by how much Christian stuff they know/say/do. Remember people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
People don’t care if you are a Professional, but they do care that you are honest. People want something authentically bigger than themselves. Are you a Professional Christian? What steps can you take to safeguard yourself from becoming a Professional Christian?
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No. 1 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
silly professional christians http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 2 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
knocked one big email… sort of…. & got mad earlier… http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 3 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
silly professional christians http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 4 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
knocked one big email… sort of…. & got mad earlier… http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 5 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
something I just needed to say….. http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 6 — December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
something I just needed to say….. http://tinyurl.com/5dzj4x
No. 7 — November 24th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I really appreciated this blog. REALLY.
Thanks Evan.
No. 8 — November 24th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Lormarev,
I am really glad you apprecieated it. I thought it was prudent.
Things get under my skin occasionally!
Thanks for commenting. I hope you are doing well!!!
No. 9 — November 24th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Very nice, educated response to a harsh, ignorant group of folks that love to attack using their interpretation of Jesus said. You always say what I am thinking in a much nicer way.
No. 10 — November 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
What a great post man. Great response to a very big and real problem. Honest, authentic grace always wins.
No. 11 — November 24th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Thanks Josh and Brewster. Much appreciated. I feel like people need to hear this.
No. 12 — November 24th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
There are some of those who joined the post discussion to learn/challenge/and be challenged. I don’t know if you lumped me in as part of the ‘professional Christian’ group that you have referred to. I hope that you had a chance to read my last response on the post you have linked in your post.
My intent was not to attack Tony or his church… I am seeking to grow in my knowledge and if asking hard questions is part of that learning process, then I am not afraid to ask them. I am very open to people challenging my viewpoints if they use the bible as the basis for their response. As soon as we leave the bible out of the discussion on God or His desires for us, we cut ourselves off from the only place we can find absolute truth.
I do agree that the bible should not be used as a bludgeoning device. It should be the source of truth that we all wish to grow in and should be treated respectfully because of our imperfect understanding.
I appreciate the post you made here.. may God bless you.
No. 13 — November 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
tony, thanks for responding! we have a lot in agreement! i do agree that Christians need to continue to grow AND step out….so there ya go! have a great rest of your day….esb
No. 14 — December 20th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
[...] Howdy! If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe by email or RSS feed. Thanks for hanging out! Leave a comment…Nearly a month ago I decided to try an experiment with my writings. For a month, write things that people other than myself, will value, learn from, and things that might even start a decent convo. [...]
No. 15 — January 8th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I really liked this blog Evan. It was nice. I love when I get a chance to read your blogs; they always keep me pondering and I love it.
No. 16 — January 12th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Nichole,
Thanks! I appreciate your comment. I hope you keep coming back!!