Comments on: The Church Directory http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2005/01/15/the-church-directory/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:58:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Bene Diction http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2005/01/15/the-church-directory/#comment-3551 Bene Diction Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:40:11 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=1189#comment-3551 I tried very hard to use Joe's words above and I think he'd be open to discussion. One difficulty I have arises in the notion of culture war and political influence. I too pause, and appreciate what you have said. I am also wondering if the joiners are responding to what they know - (a premininary look at their demographics) It is the third attempt or fourth attempt I've seen over the years in the religious blogosphere to boost numbers and influence. Like the Blogdom of God, Joe is very clear about the goals and process in his invitation. I've no doubt The Church Directory will achieve the success it is seeking. I tried very hard to use Joe’s words above and I think he’d be open to discussion.

One difficulty I have arises in the notion of culture war and political influence.
I too pause, and appreciate what you have said.
I am also wondering if the joiners are responding to what they know - (a premininary look at their demographics) It is the third attempt or fourth attempt I’ve seen over the years in the religious blogosphere to boost numbers and influence.

Like the Blogdom of God, Joe is very clear about the goals and process in his invitation.
I’ve no doubt The Church Directory will achieve the success it is seeking.

]]> By: Paul Johnston http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2005/01/15/the-church-directory/#comment-3550 Paul Johnston Sat, 15 Jan 2005 19:22:03 +0000 http://ss75.shared.server-system.net/~benedictionblogson.com/?p=1189#comment-3550 While I think Mr. Carter's initial premise is valid, I tend to disagree with the way in which he encourages Christians to apply it. Salvation, very often, requires our committed efforts along with God's grace. While it is possible for God to grant anything to anyone, particularly I believe, with regards to the young and defenceless, it would be prudent to encourage everyone to live a life of pro-active righteousness. Simply put, test the likely consequences of your potential choices. Do they honour God? Do they love him? Do they reflect a love of self? Do they reflect a love of others? If the answers are yes to the above questions, consider it reasonable that such a choice would be the will of God for your life. As for seeking "power and authority" in a liberal democratic context, be advised that such a desire is the domain of the spiritual principalities of darkness. A spirit that seeks to confuse and seduce people into believing that they can resolve the problems of life through personal and political means. Christ Jesus, was wholly apolitical. His life and his ministry were the perfect example of love of God, self and people. That his legacy has had monumental personal and political implications is because of that truth, not because he came to affirm individual rights or recast political institutions. To suggest that we should network in order to achieve secular popularity and by extension, political influence, is a huge mistake. It is being both in and of the world. Jesus never spoke to us about conforming to worldly expressions of propriety and acclaim. We are, by our loving understanding and humble submission to the will of the Father, meant to be transformers, not the transformed. To that end, I think it is important that we dialogue so that the seekers and believers may come to a truer understanding of God's will for our world, ourselves and our brothers and sisters. We should be looking to strenghten our existing community, increasing prayer, encouraging fasting and in all the details of our lives, big or small, giving praise and honour to Him that made us. When we as a community, become a truer reflection of God's Kingdom and not man's, the Holy Spirit will influence the rest of mankind in accordance with God's will. Peace. While I think Mr. Carter’s initial premise is valid, I tend to disagree with the way in which he encourages Christians to apply it.

Salvation, very often, requires our committed efforts along with God’s grace. While it is possible for God to grant anything to anyone, particularly I believe, with regards to the young and defenceless, it would be prudent to encourage everyone to live a life of pro-active righteousness.

Simply put, test the likely consequences of your potential choices. Do they honour God? Do they love him? Do they reflect a love of self? Do they reflect a love of others? If the answers are yes to the above questions, consider it reasonable that such a choice would be the will of God for your life.

As for seeking “power and authority” in a liberal democratic context, be advised that such a desire is the domain of the spiritual principalities of darkness. A spirit that seeks to confuse and seduce people into believing that they can resolve the problems of life through personal and political means.

Christ Jesus, was wholly apolitical. His life and his ministry were the perfect example of love of God, self and people. That his legacy has had monumental personal and political implications is because of that truth, not because he came to affirm individual rights or recast political institutions.

To suggest that we should network in order to achieve secular popularity and by extension, political influence, is a huge mistake. It is being both in and of the world. Jesus never spoke to us about conforming to worldly expressions of propriety and acclaim. We are, by our loving understanding and humble submission to the will of the Father, meant to be transformers, not the transformed.

To that end, I think it is important that we dialogue so that the seekers and believers may come to a truer understanding of God’s will for our world, ourselves and our brothers and sisters. We should be looking to strenghten our existing community, increasing prayer, encouraging fasting and in all the details of our lives, big or small, giving praise and honour to Him that made us.

When we as a community, become a truer reflection of God’s Kingdom and not man’s, the Holy Spirit will influence the rest of mankind in accordance with God’s will.

Peace.

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