|
|||||
|
It is a very exciting time to be alive!!! We are living through a HUGE change in the way we do church. Some of the issues that are being debated today have the potential to RADICALLY change Christian theology and practice. These changes could be positive or negative depending on the issue and how [...]
I pray with my whole heart that the Pentecostal movement will humbly accept these Theses and work towards reforming their movement as the greater Church NEEDS their input and passion. I pray this as one who, while currently not within Pentecostal movement per say, grew up within Pentecostalism (my family tree is covered with Pentecostal pastors and leaders) and has a love for the greater body of Jesus regardless of doctrines, styles or labels. [Below is a brief summary of Samuel Lee's full paper - which I would HIGHLY recommend reading as he gives a lot more detail on each of these 15 Theses] Reforming Pentecostalism1. Emotionalism versus Balance Pentecostalism should direct her followers into a deeper understanding of the Word that involves experiencing the Christian faith and church in a broader framework of knowledge. The Pentecostal movement lacks essential knowledge on how to practice faith in a more balanced way and in understanding the Word in a wider context relating to the global society. The Pentecostal movement indeed does offer her own theology on exegesis (interpreting the Bible) and practical matters on individual levels, but we give less attention to essential global and societal matters. We have thousands of books written about prosperity and how to get blessed, or how to become rich in order to have villa’s and private jets for the ministry, yet far more than half of the Christians in these ministries are red in their bank accounts, suffering in poverty not only in the developing world but also in the so called “First World”. 2. Demand to perform versus being yourself Secondly, there is an over emphasis on performance, numbers and prestige. Let me explain: it is no more about souls, but about numbers….In this Reformation of Pentecostalism, however, we should not focus on numbers but on the fellowship of the human spirit with God, the breaking of the bread and drinking the wine which is the sign of the new covenant! Lately, I have the impression, as a professing and preaching Christian, there is a demand for me to perform! To perform miracles, to perform in order for people fall on the floor, to perform a prophesy etc. I am tired of this “demanding me to perform”. The Post Modern man needs a new kind of Pentecostal leadership, the kind of ministers who are honest and just. We do not have to perform but be honest in pouring out our hearts, and in speaking about our weakness and confessing them to one another!
However, this post is not a full movie review…instead I want to focus on one comment in the film that I believe caries a ton of weight in today’s world. Yet, before I can talk about the comment, I guess I should give you guys an overview real quick (with one spoiler…which really won’t affect things too much…) The earth’s ozone has been destroyed by war – turning the planet into one big desert. Survivors are making due the best they can with limited resources… The protagonist of the film, Eli, is traveling west looking for a safe place to deliver the last remaining copy of the Bible. He has been on this journey for 30 years – moving slowly across North America and protecting the book from folks who would either destroy it or use it for evil (i.e. twist the message it contains). Near the end, Eli makes the following comment:
Wow! Powerful… simply powerful….and heart piercing… How many of us get caught up in trying to ‘protect’ the Bible? Fighting battles of Biblical inerrancy…. trying to prove the scientific and historical accuracy of the Bible….or fighting to keep it in public eye through posting Bible verses in court rooms, street corners, schools, etc… I was chatting with a friend this morning in the office break room when I happened to glance down at the front page of the Wall Street Journal. To my surprise I saw the below headline/article: Yeah…apparently, learning how to “Undress a Victorian Lady” is a hot topic in America and should be [...] Sometimes the timing of events can be more powerful then the events themselves… or, as the case may be, the timing of a blog post can sometimes cause one to remember it more then the content of the post. This proved to be true this week when I read James K.A. Smith’s post concerning [...] Last year a group of folks presented an “Eighth Letter” to the Church in North America (the previous seven ‘letters’ are those listed in Revelation to the church in Asia). In that same vain, David Fitch – author, church planter, pastor, seminary professor – recently wrote a letter to the “Christians in North America.” [...] Jan Hus (c.1369 – July 6, 1415) Today marks the martyrdom of one of the great, but largely forgot about, Christian reformers. Jan Hus (sometimes called John Hus or John Huss) was a Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) priest and professor who lived from c. 1369 to July 6, 1415. Using his position [...] I officiated my fourth wedding Sunday – and, I must say, it was one of the most relaxed weddings I have ever attended. The wedding was held on Dry Buck Mountain (20 to 30 minutes north of Sweet) at a campsite where the couple and some of their family/friends spent the night. The ceremony [...] A few days I stumbled upon a “You Might Be An Evangelical Reject If…” list and had a good laugh. Seeing how I agree with 88% of the list, I figured I should post it. (umm…for you non-math folks, that means all but 3 of the items are true for me.) You’re uncomfortable [...] This is just TOO funny not to share!! Thanks to Chad Estes for sharing this video. |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2012 Requisite Danger - All Rights Reserved |
|||||
Recent Comments