Christian Fads - Timely Truth?

As with just about any evolving or progressing mechanism where people are involved there commonly are fads, celebrities, and an assortment of hot ideas.

In the Christian community much of the church of today has greater access to national or international Christian fadish schools of thought such as the Shannon Claiborne movement, the Call to courthsip brought to the forefront by Christian couples such as the Harris' and Ludys, the "emergent" or emerging church and many others.

also many celebrities in the Christian community are much more accessible due to technological progress such as the internet and podcasting. Many of these common Christian celebrities are figures such as Andy Stanley, John piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Erwin McManus, Robe Bell, Brian McLaren and the list goes on and on.

Some of these men are inches away from being heretical and don't base much of their teaching on the Bible while others are extremely Orthodox and have an amazing gift of "rightly dividing" the Scriptures.

I have for a long time criticized myself and others who seem to be looking for the next great Bible teacher to catch their interest. Sometimes I find myself looking for a new guy to say something witty and innovative. Simultaneously, I feel guilty not paying attention to the Biographies and offerings of dead saints who have fought the good fight and share seemingly timeless experiences having a deep root in the scriptures.

I am coming to a point where I am starting to believe their is more of an urgency for a balance not one can be more powerful or meaningful than the other. Culture is changing and we must engage culture and "become all things to all men thatt we may win some". Also, truths are timeless and there is "nothing new under the sun" as Solomon said. Essentially the Body needs both to learn from the old and test, sift through, and listen to new godly men on the seen.

I think the new stuff is simple to "dangerous" in our minds and we are hesitant to follow for fear of being led astray, which appears to be a healthy concern. I certainly think it is.

Yet, we tend to ignore the lives and teaching of old saints and their schools of thought simply because they are well...old. and we associate old with being out of touch and therefore not apllicable to our lives, church, or culture. Such an idea is partially valid in one way but completely wrong in another.

People and things on Earth do develop and we do progress as a culture and people. Yet the issues and problems namely sin that the Bible addresses are essentially the same since the first sin was committed in the garden of eden. Therefore sin has not changed, BUT the ways in which that sin is manifested have in some regards changed therefore our engagement of culture must be timely if we are to relevantly and knowledgeably adress and reveal sin, call others including ourselves to repentance, and love people by extending them the Gospel.

Simply as Mark Driscoll said, yes I do support him, "Our doctrine and the truths we believe about God are timeless and our methods and engagement of culture is timely."

May we learn from timeless doctrine preached by tireless Bible-bleeding old saints and may we wisely embrace young Spirit-filled men to guide us in reaching or culture with timely Biblical truth for the Glory of God.

Spiritual Discomfort in the Body

This may seem strange how this and the last post contrast but oh well maybe it will make sense.

I met a Godly girl, kinda sorta asked her out (long story), and she let me know she was not interested in dating due to circumstance.

Awesome right? yeah I thought so too...

The thing that stuck with me while we had this somewhat pre-encounter dtr is that she explained why dating was "not on her radar". She essentially said since she is moving out of this area and kinda getting a real job and moving out of her comfort zone she is ready to experience God in a new way. She elaborated that her relationship with God had always been comfortable and that she felt a sense of necessity for God to challenge her with her following Him even when the journey was uncomfortable. In short, she conveyed she was looking forward to God growing her through a difficult season.

She said this and I for a moment disconnected from the phone conversation...

Immediately my heart went back to high school and the times I had asked God to grow me and stretch me through trials because my relationship too was always comfortable and easy with God

Then it happened two years ago in college where everything began to self destruct and spiritual and emotional depression set in as my world kinda collapsed.

I began to wonder if this girl really sees how difficult this time can be. I began to without thinking say things to myself like "if she only new my story" and "God please guard her faith and not let her break under the pressure, but strengthen her I don't want her to live through the failures and scares that I had to endure." Is that a healthy prayer? Not sure? but regardless your will be done Lord.

I kinda just said a silent prayer in my heart there at that gas station as she was explaining this in more detail and elaborating with excitement.

As for me. I just need to not strive for blamelessness, but BE blameless. Be a man, a man after God's heart, building His kingdom and making Him known.

Praise You Jesus
Praise You Lord
For the gift I can't afford