Someone named Rebecca K. Reynolds posted this on Facebook…and it’s too good to leave there.
“Faith in Christ doesn’t give us permission to saunter into the world pretending to be experts on foreign policy, economics, evolution, global warming, sociology, psychology, or anything else we haven’t studied thoroughly and objectively.
Knowing Jesus means we know Jesus. Knowing him well means we reflect his teachings deeply in our lives.
Faith isn’t a “get out of school free” card. It doesn’t allow us to skip the hard work of years of research and just shoot from the hip, confidently proclaiming our opinions about every issue.
Faith doesn’t instantly zap you with the wisdom to conduct a heart surgery—nor does it zap you with the wisdom to speak as an expert on science, history, or culture.
Such mastery requires hard work. There’s no other way around it.
The “culture-wars” mindset has led churches to host too many evangelical seminars promising to fill Christians up with an arrogant swagger that will “dominate” libs and atheists. They’ve trained us to saunter into America dropping smart aleck memes that are supposed to “prove” our way into winning power.
But this is dishonest, ineffective, foolish—and it works against the methods of sharing faith that Jesus told us to use.
Christians should have the integrity to admit what we do and don’t know.
We should study harder and with more objectivity than everyone else.
We should have a reputation for being patient learners, peaceful, trusting—not ridiculous quacks who never look deeper than whatever meme we just forwarded.
Know Jesus. Walk in Jesus. Walk with Jesus in you.
Then go study. Don’t be lazy. Don’t be proud. Have the humility and the character to study fair and deep.
Look at all sides; look at primary research—take years to figure it out if you need them—and until then, be willing to say you don’t know yet.
I am reading 2 books – my bathroom book is The Case of the Dangerous Dowager – a Perry Mason mystery, and my general around the house read is Gil Hodges, a Hall of Fame Life.
RKR’s message could apply to anyone, not just Christians. Sanctimony isn’t limited to religion.
In other news, my buddy in Portland sent me a news story about cows being mysteriously murdered and mutilated in eastern Oregon, around Pendleton. They are bloodless killings. it’s a recurrence of similar killings in the past. Cowpires? Satanists?
Too many Christians get puffed up with spiritual pride and think they’re an expert on everything, especially things they know little or nothing about. Not sure why this shouldn’t lead to humility!
“Stay in your lane” is excellent advice, and not just to avoid being
killed by a 2-3000 lb. car or truck.
I lost my sister over 2 weeks ago, and now a friend of the family (my mom) is dying of cancer. Please pray for Sherrie and keep her in your thoughts, if you’re so inclined.
It’s all yours today…
Someone named Rebecca K. Reynolds posted this on Facebook…and it’s too good to leave there.
“Faith in Christ doesn’t give us permission to saunter into the world pretending to be experts on foreign policy, economics, evolution, global warming, sociology, psychology, or anything else we haven’t studied thoroughly and objectively.
Knowing Jesus means we know Jesus. Knowing him well means we reflect his teachings deeply in our lives.
Faith isn’t a “get out of school free” card. It doesn’t allow us to skip the hard work of years of research and just shoot from the hip, confidently proclaiming our opinions about every issue.
Faith doesn’t instantly zap you with the wisdom to conduct a heart surgery—nor does it zap you with the wisdom to speak as an expert on science, history, or culture.
Such mastery requires hard work. There’s no other way around it.
The “culture-wars” mindset has led churches to host too many evangelical seminars promising to fill Christians up with an arrogant swagger that will “dominate” libs and atheists. They’ve trained us to saunter into America dropping smart aleck memes that are supposed to “prove” our way into winning power.
But this is dishonest, ineffective, foolish—and it works against the methods of sharing faith that Jesus told us to use.
Christians should have the integrity to admit what we do and don’t know.
We should study harder and with more objectivity than everyone else.
We should have a reputation for being patient learners, peaceful, trusting—not ridiculous quacks who never look deeper than whatever meme we just forwarded.
Know Jesus. Walk in Jesus. Walk with Jesus in you.
Then go study. Don’t be lazy. Don’t be proud. Have the humility and the character to study fair and deep.
Look at all sides; look at primary research—take years to figure it out if you need them—and until then, be willing to say you don’t know yet.
There are no ethical shortcuts.”
Really good stuff here! Thanks for posting.
It said what I’ve wanted to say better than I could say it…
I’m working my way through David Bentley Hart’s defense of patristic universalism…what are the rest of you reading?
The Northern Thebaid
https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/nth.htm
‘The Troubled Republic: Visual Culture and Social Debate in France, 1889-1900’
by Richard Thomson
Open Blogging comments, 9/20/2019
LOL!…well done, Kevin…
Christian faith walks hand in hand with humility – there is no other way
The Heart of the Gospel – Robert Coleman
I LOVE single volume theology books, and this one isn’t bad.
I am reading 2 books – my bathroom book is The Case of the Dangerous Dowager – a Perry Mason mystery, and my general around the house read is Gil Hodges, a Hall of Fame Life.
Gil Hodges! Dogder legend!
And Dodger legend too!
A Thicker Jesus by Glen Stassen
Kingdom Ethics by David Gushee and Glen Stassen
RKR’s message could apply to anyone, not just Christians. Sanctimony isn’t limited to religion.
In other news, my buddy in Portland sent me a news story about cows being mysteriously murdered and mutilated in eastern Oregon, around Pendleton. They are bloodless killings. it’s a recurrence of similar killings in the past. Cowpires? Satanists?
Well played, Kevin H!
I really like what RKR has to say.
Too many Christians get puffed up with spiritual pride and think they’re an expert on everything, especially things they know little or nothing about. Not sure why this shouldn’t lead to humility!
“Stay in your lane” is excellent advice, and not just to avoid being
killed by a 2-3000 lb. car or truck.
I lost my sister over 2 weeks ago, and now a friend of the family (my mom) is dying of cancer. Please pray for Sherrie and keep her in your thoughts, if you’re so inclined.