Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting

If there’s one thing I wish God would keep away from our free will it’d be selective reading. In the context of human behavior it seems to be that part of us that ignores all that causes discomfort or even change. It’s the stuff that’s most of the time is essential, yet we chose to not regard it as such. It’s what makes us almost Christians in the most important of times.For the past few weeks the words of Jesus from Matthew 10 can’t get out of my head. They’re like a mosquito bite – you’ve just thought it’s dealt with and then you accidentally touch it… There it goes again – itches for ages. I figured I must investigate deeper the question of Why do Christians seem to never give up trying to get people into heaven?

It’s a question not so much regarding the continuous carrying out of the mission of spreading the Gospel. It’s the issue of us not taking no as an answer. We go, tell people about Jesus and should we get a negative response, then we don’t move on but get stuck, doing everything possible to sneak the other person into heaven. Funny enough, this doesn’t seem to be our task. It’s not what we’re made for and it’s not what we’re responsible for. Our task is to get the message through as clearly and responsibly as possible – to plant the seed. It’s far beyond our job description to actually grow the plant and harvest the fruits.

As Jesus gives authority over deamons to the twelve and notes some other tips for their journeys, He makes one thing sure: if they accept you, stay and be a blessing to them; if they reject you – leave and leave for good. The shaking off of dust is where the power of the message lays. While Israel was a holy land, the land of the Gentiles wasn’t. This is why Jews would shake the dust off their clothes and shoes on leaving a Gentile area. It was a symbol of disregarding any connection with the pagans. So what Jesus is actually saying to the twelve is: if they welcome you, get in and do well; if they don’t – get away and make sure you let them know you’re not coming back. Outrageous, isn’t it? Paul and Barnabas actually did it, just have a look at Acts 13:51.

Today we seem to be carrying the responsibility for everyone’s salvation. When, in fact, all we’re responsible for is telling them about it. With time the Christian message seems to fade and mingle with culture because we’re trying everything and anything to somehow get them to believe it. How much clearer would the Gospel be if it was proclaimed but not imposed? Because imposing is exactly what we seem to be doing most of the time – through material things, relationships, even through changing our own selves. We just sit there and wait till the dude finally gives in and prays the prayer, quits smoking and starts a home group.

If we only were able to let the seed grow in its own time. If only we were able to make it clear that people who don’t welcome God won’t be welcomed in heaven, but in hell. If only we were able to get out of out market mentality – picking out only the fruits that are sweet and flowers that smell nice. If only we were able to shake the dust off when necessary.

They (the believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs wede done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47, NIV

The book of Acts is one of the books that come closest to my heart. Probably because the Old Testament is a bit farther from my personal cultural experience and Revelation simply has too many variables when it comes to interpreting its meaning. Acts, however, speaks at a level I seem to understand easier. Well, anyways. These few verses have been on my mind lately because a few weeks back I was sitting at church on a Sunday, I heard an announcement of a conference and suddenly I thought – It appears that only at conferences we come close to living as it’s described in the quote above.

Now, I say “come close” because even at conferences (at least the ones I’ve attended) it would take quite some effort on a visitor’s side to see the sincere fellowship. That one, which comes to be as a consequence of one’s love for Jesus, not so much because we’re having cookies and coffee and it’s odd not to talk to each other. Perhaps what I’ve experienced so far is cultural – not all cultures have that aspect of immediate intimacy with “strangers”. But then I’d argue – why would that matter – we’re brothers and sisters, not strangers… Or is that just Christian slang?!

I won’t even dig into the financial and material aspects of the passage from Acts. I’ll get too controversial. I would like to focus on the attitude towards these events – the conferences, etc. It appears to me that because conferences are such massive events, long spoken of and lots worked on people attending them are different. When compared to a regular Sunday service the conference shines with: more uplifting music (yet, same lyrics!), more devoted prayer times (go figure!), establishment of new friendships (I suppose at church we can’t get closer friends than we are…), better preaching (yet, from the same old Bible)… And the list goes on.

So, we have the same people (personality-wise), same Bible, same lyrics we sing… just a different location and in different numbers. In this case one might as well call the conference/ congress a social gathering and get it over with. But don’t you dare calling Sunday services so… Have we all become so number and outward-driven believers that when we’re small in number and know each other’s glitches and mis-steps “the fellowship” can’t take place?!

Why do we tend to cry and kneel (before our seats) mostly at conferences? Why do we only clap for all songs at the conferences (well, and lift our hands up all the time of the slow ones)? Why is feet-washing so acceptable at an international conference, but not so in the local church? How come everyone’s attentive to the 45min. sermon at the congress, but can’t wait for the 20min. preaching on regular Sundays to end? Lastly, why in the freakin’ world everyone leaving the conference would say they were uplifted and encouraged in their faith… they worshipped at a brand new level… and this is considered “a special” when it occurs on regular Sundays? Then, of course, we have the fact that a regular church attendant is ready to take an odd 4-5 day vacation and travel to another country to go to church, and that same person can’t find time to travel 30min. to prayer meeting on Wednesday?!

Ah, I suppose I can keep asking questions, but what’s the point if they don’t get answered. Awakening doesn’t take place. And we want revival sweeping throughout – duuh, won’t happen!

P.S. As for the title – what’s described in Acts 2:42-47 seems to be everything but a once-in-4-years-event. Maybe cause they didn’t have the time to prepare one… Who knows! It’s more like daily living, driven by an inner change in the person. I suppose it was the only thing they could do back then.

Now, here’s the complete title of the article: Jesus is my Friend, but the unsaved people around me will still go to hell. Got the chills?! Well, if you can’t handle the sentence in bold above, then I’ll rephrase a quote from the movie The Matrix – Take the blue pill (quit reading), and when you wake up tomorrow morning life will go on as normal, and you’ll think of this sentence as just a dream. If you keep reading, hopefully there won’t be a turning back.

Going to hell. John 3:16 – probably each believer’s first favorite verse from the Bible… You know how it goes. Yet, most believers today seem to stop at the period at the end of v.16. Yet, v.18 is not so happy no more: whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. The New Testament is also pretty clear on the future of the ones who are not together with God. My main point here is – there is going to hell… whether it’s boiling hot there, pitch dark, etc. etc… It’s a place you don’t want to be in. Unfortunately, in the past years Christianity seems to has bent under the pressure of culture and as a result of this the emphasis on heaven and hell is all but present. Instead, all we hear is love. Not that love in itself is bad, but I’ve come to believe that more and more people today also need to recognize that they are in need of salvation. Because many are the unsaved who won’t even care about your Jesus love talk.

The Chills. That’s the other problem with the whole heaven and hell deal. You go tell someone “Unless you’re saved you’ll go to hell.” and then watch what happens. You immediately become the disrespectful one, the close-minded one, the old-fashioned one, the overly-religious one, the stupid one… Frankly, I think that’s because anyone who is seriously told that sentence gets the chills. On one hand it’s funny, because it’ll be burning hot in hell, but anyways… that’s another topic for when I get goofy. Now I’m serious. To me it appears that under the influence of the current culture telling anyone anything negative about them is a no-no. Yet, the Bible is also clear that God and our faith in Him should stand above culture when there is a disagreement between these two (God and culture). But why in the world are Christians today so freakin’ afraid?!

The Irony. It is really ironic – we’re afraid to tell the truth in the eyes of non-believers – some because they don’t want to become the disrespectful and stupid ones, etc. etc., and others – because it seems unloving to contradict people. The first reason is actually so dumm that in my opinion it doesn’t even deserve discussion. As for the second – almost on weekly basis we are taught in our churches how the loving thing to do isn’t always the most or at all pleasant thing to do or experience. So either many are just dozed off on Sunday or are easily chickened out when it comes to applying what they’ve heard. The sad irony is that because of that people around us, whom we say we “love” end up dying without knowing God, or even without being challenged to know God. We’re just given a simple message to convey, and so often we fail.

The other option. So what’s then the other option? I firmly believe that there is nothing stronger than the truth. Both – as the fuel for the one who speaks it, but also as the thing that convinces the one who hears it. That’s at least one reason to not live on as quiet “loving” Christians who don’t dare to tell the whole story because someone might get hurt (physically too, by the way!).

Ultimately, when I am saved only I will go with God. Jesus is a personal ticket for one seat alone. Yes, for everyone who believes… But children, elderly, and so on people are still not permitted a free seat just because I’m on the train or you’re on the train.

I hope at least this got you started on thinking about all aspects of the Gospel and to what extend you’re including them in your sharing thereof with others.

* Clarification: Chances are that by now you’re thinking something very weird about how I believe Christianity should be shared. In few words – I’m not excluding love from the big picture, nor am I encouraging a hard-core heaven-or-hell preaching. If that’s what you’re thinking – reconsider what you know about me (that’s if you know me at all), or simply read carefully all I’ve posted so far and things will become clearer.

How is selection being practiced by Christians? It’s quite simple to answer actually – just pay attention to it as you go in your everyday life. The first thing which comes to mind is (sadly enough!) God’s very Word. We (me including) all have what we call “favorite verses”, favorite books, favorite characters. But what about the rest? Does our narrow focus mean that we don’t consider the rest of the Bible as important, as valid, as applicable… as directed to us? Yes, yes, yes!!! That’s exactly what it means. I know this will challenge you a bit, but answer to me, please, why then do you not study all parts of the Bible equally and apply them so? A bit too many Christians rather learn the “give me” and “bless me” verses, than the “I will do” or “I will be” ones.

Christian music… I’ve two examples to share and will leave the thinking to you. The first is Luther’s song “Create in me a pure heart” which is based on David’s Psalm 51. Way too often I’ve heard this song only in its first half – God make me this, make me that… But in reading Psalm 51 one clearly sees the heart of David’s devotion to God. He wants God to make him all this and “Then I will teach transgressors your ways… and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.” See, right there is the power of Psalm 51. Strip that and it turns into a selfish and fake prayer. The second example is Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name“, a song, the last verse of which states:

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Now, I’ve heard that one way too often stripped as well. Here it’s more an issue of complete dependency and Paul’s joy from all of Philippians. Have we turned into selective Christians?!

One more thing I have noticed very often among Christians is complaining about one’s circumstances. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve done it too, and most likely I’m still doing it on daily basis – just not noticing all of it yet. However, I want to turn my and your attention to the issue, because I see it growing and growing… Circumstances in life are a funny thing. Actually, most of the time we pray for the circumstances, but not for ourselves. We pray that God will change this or that… but only rarely do we pray that God will change us. And it is even more rare that Christians in general do take on the daily journey to changing themselves consciously. And this is a hot topic because we cannot select the circumstances in which we live – be it poverty, loneliness, cancer, opression… This is for most people the moment when we hit the floor and come broken and empty before God.

Lastly, many Christians world-wide do selective theology. Life isn’t black and white they say, so I can twist a bit the meaning of God’s revelation. No! You can’t! If there is only one truth, one true way of living, and one true belief… It is black and white! Just that we’ve all been in the dirty and sticky waters of our culture for too long doing nothing, and now it seems impossible to live differently. And people get to claim their right to select when things get rough and tough. That’s when we tend to twist meaning and interpret a bit too much.

So, are you a selective Christian too? Remember, God doesn’t call us to select from Him only what we like. He has called us to obey His will… entirely! And that doesn’t always coincide with our own wishes and desires. Most of the time it actually opposes them.

The thought of lost lives has been on my mind for quite some time, but these sermons helped it develop much deeper. Have you ever thought about the lives of people you read about in the news? Where will they end up? Take it a step further – as God’s sent one does it impact you at all? I mean, we’re so used to reading about people dying today in so many ways, that it would take a fairly rare or massive death to shock us or surprise us. And that’s just heart breaking! Have we become so cold towards the human life? Has it totally lost its value? No? Are you thinking No, of course it hasn’t! Well, then why in the world are we just playing Christians… as if it’s a role-playing game for preschool kids?!

I see a Church which struggles. I see a body of believers which is far from being united. I see crippled Christians – lame in their faith, deaf to God’s voice… mute to the call to proclaim the Word which brings life. Where did the faith that move mountains go? When did the everlasting and unchanging God switch to a different mode? When did the voice of God stop calling? What happened to the water that gives life?

Frankly, nothing has changed ever since the Spirit of God hovered over the waters… and then God said Let there be light! And there was light. Where is God’s light today? Surely it isn’t in the latest model of any piece of equipment, neither is it in the discounted clothes. It’s not even in the Church’s financial department. I believe God’s light is right where it is supposed to be, just that we’re often a block before it or a block past it. And it is only when we “accidentally” pass by the right corner that we are elevated to a new level of our faith. Maybe someone turns back to God, another one is baptized… a couple gets married. Have you realized that for most of the Christians you know these are occasions that we call special or extraordinary? Sure there’s extra to all of them, but how low is the mere ordinary then? Are we living a whole life to simply experience a moment or two? Why isn’t the Christian’s life today extraordinary all around?! Well, whatever the reason is, I believe it’s that same thing that is on the way of God’s love and light. Materialism, individualism, selfishness, pure laziness… It sure has a lot of names.

Have you ever imagined what it would be if you could shed God’s light into the lives of the people who have just died? I’m not saying that all of them are lost for good… Who am I to judge? But how much better is it to be certain of the eternal future of those people’s lives? Much, much better! And the price for it – you and I living a true Christian life. Simple.

What do I mean by double faced? In brief – the fact that among Christians I behave in one way and then among non-Christians in another. That was too simple… I don’t want to be misunderstood. I’m not talking about details, certain use of language, etc. I’m talking about a general attitude.

How do I behave among Christians… Well, I’ve noticed that I’m more critical, I expect more… often you would say I’m not as welcoming as I ought to be. I realize that often it’s also harder for me to truly love Christians (compared to non-Christians).

Then among non-Christians I catch myself to be much more lively, much more welcoming, certainly show more understanding… It’s just much much easier for me to express and show love for those people – whether they like me or not.

Recently I was reminded several times of the attitude of many of the religious leaders during Jesus’ time – they simply said despised those who did not profess a belief in God. My case is close to being the exact opposite of that. I’m saying close because I don’t think I’m that far to the extreme they had reached. The issue is alarming to me also because I’ve heard a number of people share with me that they feel in a very similar way.

I wondered and I pondered… Clearly there is no simple answer. However, several things which became more obvious, and I think have to do with the problem, are these:

• Love is much more than what we often limit it to. And by saying this I mainly refer to Jesus’ words that it’s easy to love the ones who love you, but we must love everyone equally. Naturally (for our current condition of humanity impacted by sin) it is preferable to focus our love towards the people we agree with, accept, need, etc. As for the others – some we tolerate, other we ignore, and some we strongly dislike. It should become our priority to love.
• Incomplete forgiveness is another aspect of the problem. We say we forgive, we try to act upon it, but very often our experience is that very few actually make it completely. Most of the time we end up stuck in the middle, not being able to forget and move on. Our interaction with other people sooner or later results in situations which demand forgiveness. However, what I often sense among the body of believers is that forgiveness does not come out of the depths of one’s heart and love, but out of the fear for being labeled a bad Christian by the others. Maybe sometimes we’re too quick to forgive and thus not being able to do it with our whole heart and mind. Forgiveness must be complete.
• We, Christians, often also believe others to be without mistakes. I say it this way, because it doesn’t quite make sense why we would expect it unless we believe it. Yet, all Christians make mistakes. And this is where it gets much more comfortable among non-Christians – because we believe them to be full of mistakes and actually expect them on regular basis.
• Sometimes, in the midst of our religious busyness we totally forget that it is not only the non-Christians who need Christ, his love, and our support (which testifies of it too). That’s what I call the exciting part of being among non-Christians – we get to save them (as if it’s us who do it!), get them in the right way, and move on to the next one. But with our brothers and sisters in Christ we behave in such a way, that thinking of God being present there just makes me ashamed and speechless.

Am I a double faced Christian? – Often, yes. Do I want to be? – Not at all. How do I change my current behavior and way of thinking? – Not quite sure yet… But this list is a good point for me to begin working from. What is your case?

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“My King” by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

My King was born King.

The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King.
He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King.
He’s the King of righteousness.
He’s the King of the ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of glory.
He’s the King of kings
and He is the Lord of lords.

Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him.
Do you know Him?

Don’t try to mislead me.
Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament show His handiwork.
My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well,
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
That’s my King.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s saviour.
He’s the centrepiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He’s honest.
He’s unique.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He’s supreme.
He’s pre-eminent.

Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He’s the supreme problem in high criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
That’s my King.

He’s the miracle of the age.
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
He’s the master of the mighty.
He’s the captain of the conquerors.
He’s the head of the heroes.
He’s the leader of the legislatures.
He’s the overseer of the overcomers.
He’s the governor of governors.
He’s the prince of princes.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.

That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah.
That’s my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you,
but He’s indescribable.
He’s indescribable.
Yes.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.

I’m coming to tell you,
the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explaining Him.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hands.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him,
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

That’s my King. Yeah.

He always has been and He always will be.
I’m talking about He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor.
There’s nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him.
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign.
That’s my King! That’s my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King.
We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power,
but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power.

Yeah.
And the glory.
We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves,
but the glory is all His. Yes.
Thine is the Kingdom
and the power and glory,
forever and ever
and ever
and ever.

How long is that?
And ever and ever and ever and ever.
And when you get through with all of the evers,
then, Amen.

I’ve been thinking. What I’ve been thinking about is the problem of today’s church concerning transparency. Now, this is a fairly new term in the realm of human relationships, but I think it very well relates to the aspect of holiness and wholeness we so often hear about.

What is transparency?

“free from pretense or deceit : FRANK b : easily detected or seen through : OBVIOUS c : readily understood”

This is what Webster Dictionary says about the adjective form of our word. This is also the general understanding of the term with which I approach my problem with today’s church.

I somehow struggle to see a church which is transparent in its everyday ministry – in any direction. Transparent from the lay-people to the leaders, transparent from the leaders to the lay-people, transparent from inside to the outsiders, etc. etc. This is, I want to see a church which is not afraid of sharing its “secrets” with the people within and outside… Of course, I don’t talk about the churches under persecution having to stand out and proclaim where all their meetings and all that happen… Not at all. I’m talking about our well secured and comfortable church in the West.

The Biblical Side??

At least in my NIV Bible the word transparent/transparency does not appear in the text… However, I cannot but think of Jesus’ relationship with the disciples… Yes, the disciples didn’t always quite understood what their Master was trying to say to them, but one thing stands out to me – Jesus never kept them in darkness concerning who he is, what is he here for, and what are they (the disciples) to do… Yes, even what expects them in their future ministry – see Matthew 10. How much of this type of openness and sharing is present among the people of God today?

? To challenge your understanding of how far is too far – James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.” (NIV)

Now we either don’t have any righteous people, any true Christians in our churches, or we’re just not liking God’s message to us! Many today will not like this verse, first because of their own sins, but second because nobody likes standing bare naked before his friends and fellow believers. And this is sad. It’s sad, because we ought to be different. We ought to be able to open up, share our sins… TRUST EACH OTHER… But frankly, we don’t. We just don’t trus each other enough within the (supposedly!) united community of believers, so that we can share such things. And yet we boast that we’re different from the world…

So why is that? Why is it like this, that leaders from the church don’t like giving all the reasons for their decisions to the people they impact – the lay-people of the same church? Why is it that one Christian doesn’t always share with another all they perceive, think, wish for, struggle with…?

Why? Why? WHY?

drop me a comment with your thoughts and repsonse… I truly hope you have one! Otherwise – take it as a challenge and come up with a standpoint on this…

Currently I am not going to point out any Biblical examples of why people are to be treated the same. Yet, I’m going to address what was answered to me recently… Jesus chose the twelve disciples (concerning this – I said earlier – leaders are appointed by God and I can’t say anything against that!), he spent more time with them than with the crowds, he did choose to have a special meal with them (referring to the Last Supper)… I somehow can’t buy that! Fine, Jesus did spend time with them… Yet, in the majority of the time we have accounts for in the Bible he was with them… and with the crowds! Sure, Jesus did
choose to have a special dinner with them, but that’s once! How often do leaders today share a meal with the rest of the people from the church and only with themselves?

I’ll pause here… until a future post comes out. Now a bit of clarification why all that noise…

I’m questioning all this, because I become to see more and more the impact this separation has upon the unity in the church. The truth is that many lay people won’t say they feel well included in the church – how many are privileged to travel around for at least one of the wonderful and great, and so on and so forth conferences that the majority of leaders don’t miss. This is happily changing for better here and there, but for the rest – what’s happening for the rest??

Why are leaders always publicly addressed with much more fanfare than a simple lay person, who does pray every day, and does suffer under the realities of the sinful world we live in? Are the “Rev.” “PhD.” “Dr.” and all the like leading somehow to God?! I can’t see that somehow. If we’re to give all the praise to God, shouldn’t we then ask ourselves more and more – but by doing this and that, aren’t we actually drawing more praise to ourselves?

I’ll truly be thankful to hear more comments on what and how you’ve experienced concerning being a leader or a lay person… in the midst of a present hierarchy, which believe it or not – does impact all of us, all the time.

Servant leadership is a keyword… But how about in practice?
Keep yourself up-to-date with the posts, as I’m hoping to write more in the coming days.

Your brother,

Pesho

____________

Edits and adds

One clarification to Ali’s reply on “Reaction on a post” – I did not mean to address the titles of various people in the church in my earlier words (see above). What I mean to (and sorry if it wasn’t clear) address was the fact that these “more important” people – or the leaders, are often treated in a way which doesn’t make the rest, or the lay people, feel comfortable. It is often the case that only the leaders are invited to a fancy dinner, only the leaders get to be introduced for 5 minutes, when a lay person gets a minute or so… I do recognize that apostle Paul does make some claims but this is because he has to establish authority. I’m not against the authority of the leaders. I’m just against the fact that they often seem to not lead in servant-like manners. Maybe to make it even clearer – I think leaders are to humble themselves more? – try to say no to these fancy dinners and show that for you it’s not important that you go there… This will give an example to the lay people, and when they fall in a similar situation they’ll say no, and then non-believers will begin to recognize that Christians are different.

In the original words of the post I talked about PhDs and all that… I personally don’t agree with these titles and the fact that they actually do make some people feel inferior. Personally, I’m pretty strong and rarely feel inferior. But, yes – even when I do feel like this I ask myself – are these titles supposed to make me feel inferior? I just don’t think that the Bible would teach and agree with such phenomenon… Paul also addresses this in the early church’s context of marriage… There the woman was thought to be inferior of the man, but what Paul is saying is that both are to submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21 and following). All I’m saying is that leaders and lay people are to submit to one another as well. And I somehow lack many examples of that around me.

More comments are welcome… My adds and edits, and responses will go below…

Unfortunately I’m not able to invest all the time I want in addressing the issue, but at least I’ll be able to lay out my worries.

1. One of my greatest struggles for the past three years has been in understanding the place of academics in Christian life. From one side I face the argument that education was necessary, it is still necessary, etc., etc. My concern, though, is not with the presence of education itself, but with the methods of education. And while in the Jewish world the connection between the Rabbi and the students was strongly personal and spiritual before knowledge-driven/oriented, today I notice that Christian education leans more towards the (I would dare to suggest) differing in this Greek Academy. To make that simpler, Christian education seems to be bound to the secular understanding of education in great measures. Christian institutions (sorry for the nasty word here, but it’s just for the sake of sparing me some more lines of explanation) – like schools, collegels, universities, etc. have inherited their curriculums mainly from the secular ones. This also reminds me of the trend ni many churches today to apply business models of leadership and communication to their ministry… Well, no wonder it doesn’t last! I’ll stand by for a while at that point – giving you an option to respond, as well as myself time to formulate further my words…

2) The drying out of the spirit. This has much to do with the previous point, but also with some other things. My struggle began when I was starting to face the pressure of academics. To be honest, at times it can be difficult to decide where to invest more time – in the quiet place, or in the study room. In addition, it’s interesting to consider what influence the continuous academic talk on theology can have on one’s hunger for the Word of God. Sadly enough, today I read my Bible more for getting a grade, than for getting God, which is a bit ironic. The drying out of the spirit, I believe has much to do also with the Christian environment one finds themselves in. One good thing of it is that I recognized the importance of a strong community… of prayer. Too bad that most of the time this came to me via negativa (just throwing out some big words here…). The disappointment in Christians for me personally has been a great issue. I know that often I expect much of myself and others, but at the same time, I’ve been dealing with this issue also shoulder to shoulder with others, who see the same thing. So, that kind of makes me feel that it’s real.

Now, I think I’ll stop here. I mean for now. I’ve been just writing out some basic thoughts, which need to be developed further, in order for one to be able to apply them. But my concern for the time being is mainly that these issues are brought to realization. Sadly enough, Christians often look at the outward performance, and let the spirit dry out… starve… wither… Well, not really… thank’s God, but nearly.

I believe the Lord has not left unnoticed my attempts to crawl near him… And that’s my hope!

P.S. For those interested in a discussion – please, post comments. More on the topic will come soon.