I think that Matthew 24 pretty well describes the times we are living in. That is why it is meaningless for Christians to be placing so much of their confidence in a political party. Jesus has told us that these turbulent times would come, so our task is to spread the gospel so that those whom God is calling will come in to the fold. I see pacifist trying to work up people into a revolution mode and that is so useless. Pray, lest we be taken unawares and pray specifically for our President and our leaders and their advisors.
Happy New Year to you, as well, Mary Ann, thanks for stopping by.
Anon said: "so our task is to spread the gospel"
I agree. Our task IS to spread the gospel. Where we disagree most likely is what we think "gospel" means.
Most evangelicals take it to mean that we are to get people to say a "sinners prayer," accept the gift of eternal life, start going to church and stop drinking, smoking and having sex outside of marriage. Cussing and drugs are no-no's, too.
That's how I used to define it, as well, as that was what I taught.
But I'm trying to work on taking Jesus more seriously and more at his word. Jesus defines gospel for us in his opening statement to his ministry:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Put our faith in a political party? No, that would be foolish. Put our faith and life in working to follow Jesus teachings? Yeah, THAT makes sense to me.
Revolution? Yes, that's what I think we're called to do. Be involved in God's work to turn things around. Why would that be useless? It's our calling as Christians.
Yet you seem to think it was wrong to set the captives under Saddam free. Just because we desire peace, does not make the enemies of freedom turn their swords into plows. The door for the gospel- "good news of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, His resurrection" our atonement for sin, was opened more during the war in Iraq than at any other time. Why are you so sure that you know the answers?
Anon, I'm not sure of anything except of my own failures. And yet, within my own feeble limitations, I am impressed by the clear cut instructions of Jesus to us to Love our enemies, to do good to those who'd hate us.
Not only do I think Jesus' teachings on this matter fairly straightforward, I am also convinced of their efficacy, inasmuch as anything can be a workable solution in a fallen world.
I'm a poor stupid fella with a rapidly aging brain and so I will rely upon what Jesus said and said clearly. It works for me and I believe works as well as anything else does in this world.
We've had enough evangelization by the sword in our shameful and bloody history, I'd think that Christians of all folks would be ready to repent of this and work on better adhering to Jesus' actual words and not the traditions of humanity.
8 comments:
Happy New Year!!
I think that Matthew 24 pretty well describes the times we are living in. That is why it is meaningless for Christians to be placing so much of their confidence in a political party. Jesus has told us that these turbulent times would come, so our task is to spread the gospel so that those whom God is calling will come in to the fold.
I see pacifist trying to work up people into a revolution mode and that is so useless.
Pray, lest we be taken unawares and pray specifically for our President and our leaders and their advisors.
Happy New Year to you, as well, Mary Ann, thanks for stopping by.
Anon said:
"so our task is to spread the gospel"
I agree. Our task IS to spread the gospel. Where we disagree most likely is what we think "gospel" means.
Most evangelicals take it to mean that we are to get people to say a "sinners prayer," accept the gift of eternal life, start going to church and stop drinking, smoking and having sex outside of marriage. Cussing and drugs are no-no's, too.
That's how I used to define it, as well, as that was what I taught.
But I'm trying to work on taking Jesus more seriously and more at his word. Jesus defines gospel for us in his opening statement to his ministry:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Put our faith in a political party? No, that would be foolish. Put our faith and life in working to follow Jesus teachings? Yeah, THAT makes sense to me.
Revolution? Yes, that's what I think we're called to do. Be involved in God's work to turn things around. Why would that be useless? It's our calling as Christians.
Yet you seem to think it was wrong to set the captives under Saddam free.
Just because we desire peace, does not make the enemies of freedom turn their swords into plows. The door for the gospel- "good news of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, His resurrection" our atonement for sin, was opened more during the war in Iraq than at any other time.
Why are you so sure that you know the answers?
Well said aideu to the old year Dan.
I've been reading more Kierkeggard lately. I think we need him more than ever now.
Dan,
May the revolution begin! Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you Mr. President, Marty.
Anon, I'm not sure of anything except of my own failures. And yet, within my own feeble limitations, I am impressed by the clear cut instructions of Jesus to us to Love our enemies, to do good to those who'd hate us.
Not only do I think Jesus' teachings on this matter fairly straightforward, I am also convinced of their efficacy, inasmuch as anything can be a workable solution in a fallen world.
I'm a poor stupid fella with a rapidly aging brain and so I will rely upon what Jesus said and said clearly. It works for me and I believe works as well as anything else does in this world.
We've had enough evangelization by the sword in our shameful and bloody history, I'd think that Christians of all folks would be ready to repent of this and work on better adhering to Jesus' actual words and not the traditions of humanity.
Thank you Mr. Pastor, Dan. Well said.
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