I heard an incredible story recently from some friends of ours. The dad of a 5 year old boy was telling me that they were sitting in church with his wife while their son was sitting next to them playing angry birds. That day, the pastor was describing the Trinity. He was referencing different analogies that are commonly used such as water and an egg. In the midst of this, my friend’s son stops his game and says, “Dad, it’s like this,” and then shows him the picture above on his phone.
This is part of a series of top posts from 2011.
#4: My Response to the Rob Bell “Conspiracy”
I’ll give you a heads up in advance. This post is longer than normal so if you are skimming for a soundbite you may want to stop here. If you’re still interested, pull up a chair and engage your mind for a few moments.
You may or may not be aware of the American Church Politics that go on from time to time. It’s mostly petty and always damaging. One group or another is quick to tell all of their people why they should boycott some other influential Christian or ministry. The last time I engaged in the drama was when they were boycotting Paul Young’s book The Shack…
Click here to read the rest of the original post.
The one who commits themselves to the task of helping people really enter into doubt, unknowing, and ambiguity needs to be ten, twenty, even a hundred times better than those who sell certainty. They have got to be prepared to walk a difficult and often dangerous path if they wish to invite people into this murky and uncertain world, for in doing so they bring to the surface a whole host of anxieties that we spend so much of our time and resources repressing.
“God told me…”
It is tempting to say this phrase as a Christian and there are namely two scenarios when this occurs. The first is when it actually happens. I have clearly heard God tell me (not audibly) to do certain things throughout my life. Some have been small and specific in a moment. Others have been huge decisions I needed to make. Often times these leadings seemed to go beyond logic alone. The second, is when Christians are trying to justify something that they want to do that doesn’t line up with reality–or doesn’t line up to what He is saying to other Christians.
This post will address the second of the two.
I recently finished Tim Keller’s book, King’s Cross, and came across this quote which reminded me of my story about generosity versus skepticism.
People will say, “How can you spend your money like that? How can you let that career opportunity go by? How can you be involved with such a needy person when you know she will probably take advantage of you?” A Christian can respond, “It’s not the end of the world if somebody takes advantage of me, or if my money is gone, or if my career doesn’t develop as I might like. I’m not controlled by that fear anymore.” You are replacing the kingdom of this world with the kingdom of God.
144 Subscribers Subscribe
1,283 Fans Like
279 Followers Follow
