And i appreciate the sarcasm…it’s why I read this blog :)

we have returned to our regularly scheduled programming.

tony

I think Gabe Lyons did a good job with his book – unChristian when he portrayed the reasons the world doesn’t like Christians. We are seen as Hypocritical, Judgmental, and Anti-homesexual (just rounding out the top three). I would surmise that these are some of the same reasons that Christians don’t like other Christians.

The book also points out things that Sam has pointed out – that the world is going to hate the ideas that we present regardless. We live in a world today that preaches intolerance as a sin. And so they are intolerant of intolerant ideas. Funny how ironic that is… of course the whole post-modern mindset is ironic… but I digress. So, I also have to agree with points that Sam has made because that will always be the case if we are teaching and applying God’s word in a responsible manner.

I believe what Tony M was trying to get to was method of application… and he can correct me on this if I am wrong. I thought his response to me about Christians needing to make application of what they already know was spot on.

In general, the American church is a comfortable place to be. I can’t speak to Tony’s church, never been there. And I may be incorrect when I say, in general. Think about what would happen if we started holding Christians accountable for what they were learning (consuming). I would bet that church would become a whole lot more uncomfortable. I have an accountability partner so I know of which I speak. :) But because I have an accountability partner, I am also much more intentional in my walk. Its not about making our belief into a checklist of this is what I am supposed to do and not supposed to do.

Think of it this way… if you sat in math class and listened to the teacher speak but never worked a problem – how well would you know the material? True knowledge comes through application.

It has nothing to do with religiosity and everything to do with helping people understand the joys that come from application.

Tony M mentioned in the original post that ‘christians’ weren’t fun to be around. I have no idea how to take that statement or infer what he meant. My mind went to wondering how much ‘fun’ it was for Luke to be around Paul. Shipwrecked, beaten, thrown in jail, and all the other hardships that he recorded. Were those fun? Probably not. Were they rewarding? Immensely. I have found that some of the greatest joy in being a Christian has come through times of adversity shared with other christians. We are all drawn closer in our knowledge of who God is and how great His love is for us.

Those are circumstances that teach me to react to the lost world in truth and in love. Christ modeled that approach for us with the woman at the well and the many people He healed.

If I were being direct about this post – I would have this to say. I agree that I don’t like to be around lukewarm people. I want to be around those people who know the joy of Christ or who don’t know Christ at all. Lukewarm people are the ones who stand on the sidelines afraid to get bumped or bruised but tell everyone how they messed up the play. Lukewarm people have no authenticity when they try to invite people to come join the game because they’ve never experienced the game themselves.

If I were being direct – I would wonder if those lukewarm people were Christians at all.

But I won’t be direct because that may be construed as picking a fight.

Peace.

Number one, I understand that your heart is to challenge Christ-followers and make them better doers of the Word…. in addition to connecting w/skeptics so they might connect with Christ.

Doug Fields says something like there is too little time on earth to spend time arguing with the saints. There are just too many skeptics. Perhaps there are too many professional Christians making comments that look exactly what you thought they would look like on your blog.

To be honest, it’s sad that there are professional Christians at all. We should all be learning, growing, seeking, etc. None of us are good…or good at it. I admit it is hard to make a relationship with Christ my goal, rather than a relationship with my rituals.

I am open to new ideas, so I listen to comments like those from Sam and Tony(two) above…. but I don’t see a whole lot of new ideas. Simply verses and texts used out of context.

Jesus knew that Christ followers would be hated….so he told them that, to be prepared…. but many use it as an excuse not to love the people in the world. Not loving the world… don’t jump on that fellas… :-) Jesus wasn’t meaning for us to use that as an excuse not to meet new skeptics, or people who hate us, or to start conversational blogs… You know how I know? His heart shines through all scripture… He met with the woman at the well. He healed those who formerly hated him. He chose Paul, a hater, to be a messenger.

How many of you commenters would have chose Paul to be the messenger he was? (and is…) Probably none of us. That’s why we aren’t God.

I simply find it interesting that the people who applaud “all that is in the Bible” …. would not applaud a culture of Christ-followers trying to act like Christ. I’m not a part of Newspring. I don’t know Tony or Perry. Don’t need to. I support Christ-followers looking more like Christ.

Lastly….Sam and Tony (two) and others… Just because Jesus picked a fight with Pharisees does not mean that you have the insight or spiritual depth to know who the Pharisees are around you. Usually when any of us are willing to point our fingers consistently at other people, we may be the Pharisees ourselves.
Me included.

We are to encourage one another and build each other up.
Pick your enemies well. I’m sure that the enemy that we should be fighting against is a lot more evil than a pastor who is trying to get people to live and love more like Christ. Don’t you think?

Evan
P.S. I could quote a lot of scripture to sound knowledgeable here, but I am not knowledgeable… and come to think of it… I’m still saved by grace… huh…..go figure! :-)