The Many Ways of Destroying the Church

My mom is so cool..

I sent her this post and asked her if I could post her response. She agreed...

The Many Ways of Destroying the Church

via Challies Dot Com on 12/19/09

I read a great quote earlier this week on Timmy Brister's blog and thought it was worth sharing. It comes from D.A. Carson (in his book The Cross and Christian Ministry). What struck me about these words was just how many of these ways of destroying a church I've witnessed either up-close or from afar. As soon as we remove the cross from the center of all the church is and does, something will inevitably rush in to replace it.

The ways of destroying the church are many and colorful. Raw factionalism will do it. Rank heresy will do it. Taking your eyes off the cross and letting other, more peripheral matters dominate the agenda will do it-admittedly more slowly than frank heresy, but just as effectively over the long haul. Building the church with superficial 'conversions' and wonderful programs that rarely bring people into a deepening knowledge of the living God will do it. Entertaining people to death but never fostering the beauty of holiness or the centrality of self-crucifying love will build an assembling of religious people, but it will destroy the church of the living God. Gossip, prayerlessness, bitterness, sustained biblical illiteracy, self-promotion, materialism-all of these things, and many more, can destroy a church. And to do so is dangerous: 'If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Cor. 3:17)." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Mom's repsonse:

Dear Johnny,

Thank you for sending this to me.  I think this is excellent in explaining how insidiously and subtly the church turns into a religious social network.  I would love to see how building a true church with the additional beautiful aspect of grace would look.  They must be rare because I haven’t seen too many.  This reminds me of the dual calling in the New Testament of living in truth and love.  Truth without love beats people up with the law.  Love without truth places people above God.  It is a lovely thing to see a person (let alone a whole church) living in harmony this way.  You can’t miss God if these are working equally and people are truly transformed.

I am looking forward to Christmas.  However, I am really looking forward to having times to talk to you.  I miss you and am counting the days until you and Jessica get here!

Love you,

Mom

FOXNews.com - Abortion, Social Justice and Health Care Reform

This is a wonderful article on the issues facing the health care overhaul and the hypocrisy of the self-proclaimed more socially-oriented left.

FOXNews.com - Abortion, Social Justice and Health Care Reform

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How murder actually works.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580567,00.html

U.K. Man Jailed for Killing Wife With TV Remote Control

 

	This makes me wonder.. Do we interpret murder as a successful act? When we think about how Jesus defined it, we see a different angle. Jesus is talking about the attitude of the heart. Sadly, the attitude of the heart still accomplished it's end, even if others want to call it a fluke.

Publish Post

How to Get Stuff

Ok, I am at work, but I wanted to vocalize a struggle while I am in the midst of it, so that I can vocalize the resolution on the other side.

Basically the problem is this: I have stuff, and in the U.S. part of living here is getting more stuff to take care of your other stuff. Getting more status to get more money to take care of your stuff. Getting more family and friends and more status to pay for their stuff and for them.

So the question that arises, is this: Where in scripture do we find instruction for getting stuff? Even good stuff? Where do we find direction for things like buying a cheeseburger, or going out for a movie? Where do we get instruction for going out to buy a house?

Its weird. We know that Jesus told us not to borrow from anyone and to not expect any sort of repayment for loans that we give out. Yet, we knock ourselves into debt to go to school, to "own" houses, and to drive cars.

What I have been told as I go through these thoughts are things like, "These aren't bad things," and "how else are you going to live," and "we are expected to be wise with these things." I dont want to disregard any of these responses, but I am also trying to reconcile the general timbre of the New Testament with these statements.

Here is what is in my head with regard to this dilemma:

Peter said, "His divine power has given us everything that we need for life and godliness by his own power and goodness."

Jesus said, (paraphrastically) "Don't worry about tomorrow," and "Don't strive for clothing, food, shelter, etc.," because the Gentiles strive for these things. And then he points them to the birds and the lillies of the field. "How much more does your Father in heaven love you than these, and they dont have to worry about provisions."

Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content in riches, poverty, and any situation." He said this after saying this:

Phil 3:17-21 - "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

So, if anyone is out there reading.. I know this will seem elementary, but go with me on this. Can you can think of Scripture that speaks to the following question? If so, please comment:

Question: Where does scripture give instruction for when you are faced with a need and how to know when it is right to purchase something, go into debt, invest, etc.?