Sunday
Apr192009
Who Said That?
Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 09:46PM 
"We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God . . . [We are] discovering the Bible as a human product. . . . The Bible is still in the center for us, but it's a different kind of center. We want to embrace mystery, rather than conquer it."
You know the drill! Leave your guess in the comments section below. Answer to follow next week.
Update on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 01:30PM by
Kim Riddlebarger
Kim Riddlebarger
This is a quote from Rob Bell (along with his wife Kristen) from a recent CT interview. It can be found here (http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/000271.html).
Reader Comments (35)
You almost sound like a Lutheran, ie., "a theology of the Cross" and "embracing mystery." I am much more attracted to Lutheran spirituality as practiced by Luther and other confessional Lutherans then to Reformed or Presbyterian spirituality. Luther learned the art of begging before a Holy God and what Christ did through him never ceases to boggle my mind. I always have thought that Rod Rosenbladt's Weak on Sanctification T-shirts puts our human efforts in their proper perspective. Another argument for weekly communion eh? How we grow spiritually is certainly a mystery to be embraced rather then understood. The only thing we know for sure is that it has to do with understanding Word and Sacrament better.
I remember many years ago, I would read, take every class, and witness using every apologetics tool that I could learn. If I ever saw someone with a Darwin fish on their car, I would really try to convert them, right on the spot!
One thing that I've really come to learn, is that both the Lutherans and the Reformed are both much more into their theologies than apologetics.
Yes, both are into reaching the lost. But, it is just so much more effective, to just give people the law and the Gospel, and let the Holy Spirit do its work. How? Invite them to church, and they can hear the law and Gospel proclaimed.
Even if you listen to the WHI, their aplogetics are mostly Christ crucified, rather than trying to reason someone into the kingdom of God.
Much of the apologetics of today, is Arminian -- trying to talk someone into making a "decision for Christ." Unfortunately, some Christians will actually try to turn the Bible into a book that explains science, taking the Bible out of context, in trying to convert the evolutionist's.
St Paul says in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, WHO SUPPRESS THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. There are no atheist's, according to St. Paul, but men "suppress the truth."
In reading Luther, he stuck with the Law and the Gospel. I don't see a lot of need for all of the "pre-evangelism", that many are into today -- and I was into many years ago. God does His converting, by calling the lost, with His Gospel, and than HE gives them the faith to believe. Please see Phil. 1:29.
The Celtics hopes for repeat certainly look dim without KG. The Bulls are one power forward away from becoming a challenge to the Celtics and Cavaliers next year. Preferably Amore Stoudimire from Phoenix or Chris Bosch from Toronto. The Bulls have a lot of draft choices available from previous trades and some good players to trade away this upcoming off season. They need a big name power forward to complement Derek Rose.
You are not getting under my skin at all.
I was just making a point -- more for myself -- about how much time that I wasted trying to covert people with apologetics, rather than just going with just giving them the law and the Gospel.
Amare Stoudemire doesn't play any defense. Look elsewhere!
That's good to hear. Great game last night- I thought the Bulls outplayed them and deserved to win. They made some inesxperienced mistakes near the end of the game (taking some bad shots, problems with coming off picks and not having a time out left at the end of the game) which prevented them from closing it out. They also got out rebounded and they are probably going to have to be more physical in the upcoming games. Pierce has not really done much so far so that may pose a problem in game 3.