Have you ever noticed that much of our doctrinal debate, discussion, and eventual judgment is usually over how such plays out in the auditorium of the church building which, in itself, is not a biblical location?
Yes indeed-y I've noticed that...countless times. Perhaps one of these days it'll dawn on 'the masses'. Thanks for publishing this...you're a light for Him...Hugs
And have you noticed how so much of doctrinal debate is about how others should behave?
It's more about me seeking my own glory. It's about me getting my own way. It's about what offends me. It's about grace for me, but law for others. It's about my weaknesses, covering my ears, and chanting, "lalalala," while insisting that others accommodate my weaknesses.
How much different would the Church be if I were busy asking, "What do you want me to do, God, outside these walls?"
For a few years now I have marveled (not in a positive way) how much time we spend debating, defending and judging over how we "do" church for a couple of hours a week.
My doctrinal concerns lately have been about those who deny the inerrancy of the Scriptures, deny the need for a sinner to have faith in Christ, and deny the omniscience of God by saying that God does not know the future.
Those issues revolve around the nature and character of God and gospel.
Gordon McDonald wrote a book about the "Worldly Church." Your post is it. We bring in what I like to call our: "opinionated doctrine" to the gathering place of God's people and make havoc of it
I do not believe the facilities are a sacred place, however, I believe it is a place to be sacred. When we turn our places into a free-for-all religious debate over ideology, then we have stained the very place that is supposed to be a place of joy, hope, and grace!
Our facilities do matter. When people drive by our facilities, they don't see the place of joy, hope, and grace, they see a place of demeaning and hurtful attacks; so they keep on driving.
I do not allow my children to eat in certain part of our house because we do not want it dirty or stained. Leadership must not allow such stained ridden debate to take place in a place where joy, hope, and grace should flow.
7 comments:
Yes indeed-y I've noticed that...countless times. Perhaps one of these days it'll dawn on 'the masses'. Thanks for publishing this...you're a light for Him...Hugs
And have you noticed how so much of doctrinal debate is about how others should behave?
It's more about me seeking my own glory. It's about me getting my own way. It's about what offends me. It's about grace for me, but law for others. It's about my weaknesses, covering my ears, and chanting, "lalalala," while insisting that others accommodate my weaknesses.
How much different would the Church be if I were busy asking, "What do you want me to do, God, outside these walls?"
WONDERFUL point!!
For a few years now I have marveled (not in a positive way) how much time we spend debating, defending and judging over how we "do" church for a couple of hours a week.
Jay
Not to mention how short the period of time in question is, as if daily life from Sunday lunch to breakfast the following Sunday is of no consequence.
Thanks for a great post Mr. Rush.
My doctrinal concerns lately have been about those who deny the inerrancy of the Scriptures, deny the need for a sinner to have faith in Christ, and deny the omniscience of God by saying that God does not know the future.
Those issues revolve around the nature and character of God and gospel.
Gordon McDonald wrote a book about the "Worldly Church." Your post is it. We bring in what I like to call our: "opinionated doctrine" to the gathering place of God's people and make havoc of it
I do not believe the facilities are a sacred place, however, I believe it is a place to be sacred. When we turn our places into a free-for-all religious debate over ideology, then we have stained the very place that is supposed to be a place of joy, hope, and grace!
Our facilities do matter. When people drive by our facilities, they don't see the place of joy, hope, and grace, they see a place of demeaning and hurtful attacks; so they keep on driving.
I do not allow my children to eat in certain part of our house because we do not want it dirty or stained. Leadership must not allow such stained ridden debate to take place in a place where joy, hope, and grace should flow.
Just my thoughts!
Adjacent Proverbs:
Proverbs 26
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
I'm confused. Should I answer the fool according to his folly, or should I answer not the fool according to his folly? Or have I already?
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