Comments on: The Shock of Culture Shock - Christians go to war

By: Christening a Zine | NeoZine

Christening a Zine | NeoZine — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:48:17 +0000

[...] engagement with “pop religion” is admirable, but unfortunately he goes into “The Shock of Culture Shock” and strengthens the strongholds. It’s a real losing strategy championed by American [...]

By: Hakes

Hakes — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:54:10 +0000

Well it looks like there’s hope on the horizon. I don’t know if it’s accurate to call my generation “post revolutionaries”, but it seems to fit. We have the opportunity now to bring back what was lost, to actually rejuvinate the Christian Revolution. The college ministry was able to increase by 50% last year, that’s incredible! If nothing else, it shows me hope. I have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that he will be able to use us to soften hardened hearts and open sleeping eyes. It is for freedom that Christ sets us free.

By: Keith McCallum

Keith McCallum — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:53:53 +0000

Yes, we need to publish an article about the connection between tribalism and legalism, which is actually a very strong connection: the Tribal Love Defect, for example, is all about structure and rigid rules.

By: greg

greg — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:37:51 +0000

That’s so true about xians and politics. Part of me is so glad the Democrats are in charge because the energy poured into politics by xians is very disheartening when you think about what Jesus really wants for people and wants people to see.

By: lbeech

lbeech — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:30:31 +0000

@Dar – These are thought provoking questions. I’d like to believe that we as a Body of Christ are offering people freedom from lists of DO’s and DON’T’s. For example, DO “X, Y and Z” to be a Christian and DON’T ever do “A, B, or C’ and above all never spend time with “E, F or G.” It’s not a life spent in pursuit of power, prestige or possessions, but a life given to others in love and in mercy. This sort of giving builds momentum and invigorates the listless and awakens the lifeless. This offer is not something that we just made up either. It is grounded in scripture! We have truth manifest in active love to offer others and it changes lives.

Lately, I have been presenting my heart to the Lord. Seriously, I take it to Him as it is (rotten and self-consumed), asking Him to heal it – to change it. I want to have a tender and merciful heart. I’ve never quite done it this way – ever. James says that “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” I desire to be different – to be changed – but have I ever asked for him to change a very specific thing about my heart? To be honest, not really. I tend to go the easy route and generalize. So, based upon scripture and belief in the goodness and power and authority of Christ I am asking for Him to transform my heart. This time I’m very specific.

I’m learning something very interesting – very powerful. It is life changing. Mercy triumphs over judgment. I am becoming eager to give – without resentment or from obligation. Dare I say, it is FUN.

I think this all has to do with my heart – and I can’t hide it – that joyous freedom from lists is shining through. Guess what? I like it. This is what I hope that people see in our Body of Christ.

By: Dar

Dar — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:07:36 +0000

It is very interesting to me that along with the preservation of the church institutions, a focus on behavior became even more prevalent. The way one looked and behaved on the outside became the litmus test of whether one was a “real” Christian or not. And yet, the inward and hidden (though not from God) heart was protected from ever having to be touched by the Revolution of Love began by Christ. “I will take your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” was one of the first OT insights into how the coming of the Messiah would effect this Revolution.

That is the disturbing thing. The fundamentalist church was satisfied in settling for outward conformity. And in the ensuing years, the church lost the heart of its youth who were then swept up into the cultural revolution because it seemed to offer something the church had not delivered on.

What ARE we offering to people that is different than what people can find somewhere else? What do people see in us that is not merely attractive but magnetic? Because our heart DOES manifest itself in our behaviors and actions. What behaviors and actions should others see in us who are revolutionaries? What do the behaviors and actions in your life (as a result of the Holy Spirit replacing your heart of stone with a heart of flesh) tell others about you?

By: lbeech

lbeech — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:08:11 +0000

I watched part of the series From Jesus to Christ from Frontline last night. The segment on Why Did Christianity Succeed was especially interesting. This series actually grazed the topic of revolution. Well done, for a liberal program.

Has anyone else seen this doctumentary?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/

By: Kalie

Kalie — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:18:46 +0000

What a sweet vision for a Jesus Revolution in America!

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:11:50 +0000

I’m guilty of feeling resigned to the thought that people have grown cold and therefore will be unresponsive to the Christian message. I just gotta repent of this attitude! I know that there are people out there ready and waiting for a revolution of change and love – to just sit on this great message for ourselves is so wrong!