Hi everyone, just letting you know I'm taking a small hiatus from updating whilst I formulate some new posts.
Will be back soon though.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Thought of me above all? Mobile Reflection 3.
One of many that I fiddle about with around my synapses at church.
For Facebook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYiEyu8Si8
"You took the fall, and thought of me above all."
Has there been a subtle shift of the importance in the gospel story?
Did Jesus come for us or for God?
Is our salvation more important than God's glory?
These are questions that went screaming through my mind as this song was playing at church tonight. People have made this entire culture in church around 'worship', and about how much they get out of church. People talk about church in reference to themselves. People talk about God in reference to themselves. People talk about everything in reference to themselves.
Dare I suggest that we, as a church in the fallout of the Enlightenment, have usurped the central facet of the gospels for ourselves in place of God? Now I'm not saying that this is something that has been done maliciously and deliberately, but has been unwittingly subtle, the gospel stories aren't viewed as mighty demonstrations of God's power through Jesus, they're a love story to mankind, and that is how I've heard them described. Health, wealth, and prosperity is an ever increasing message coming from people in Western cultures.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross was it really us he was thinking about? Or was it God? Was it about freeing mankind from it's mess, or was it about doing the will of his Father? What were the words he cried on the cross, are they not pretty telling about where his mind was? This song is just one of many that I find myself being incredibly critical of, not because they aren't powerful they really tug on the heartstrings of the masses, but I think that is where their danger lies, and where the dangerous lies are to be found.
I think there need to some serious upheavals within the culture that has built up around the church, there are wolves in the flock though not in human form, so I pray that you remain vigilant as to what message is actually being broadcast from your songs, your actions, and your lifestyles.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."
Matthew 7 v15-20
I pray you don't wait long enough to see the fruits, as that may just be too late.
For Facebook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYiEyu8Si8
"You took the fall, and thought of me above all."
Has there been a subtle shift of the importance in the gospel story?
Did Jesus come for us or for God?
Is our salvation more important than God's glory?
These are questions that went screaming through my mind as this song was playing at church tonight. People have made this entire culture in church around 'worship', and about how much they get out of church. People talk about church in reference to themselves. People talk about God in reference to themselves. People talk about everything in reference to themselves.
Dare I suggest that we, as a church in the fallout of the Enlightenment, have usurped the central facet of the gospels for ourselves in place of God? Now I'm not saying that this is something that has been done maliciously and deliberately, but has been unwittingly subtle, the gospel stories aren't viewed as mighty demonstrations of God's power through Jesus, they're a love story to mankind, and that is how I've heard them described. Health, wealth, and prosperity is an ever increasing message coming from people in Western cultures.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross was it really us he was thinking about? Or was it God? Was it about freeing mankind from it's mess, or was it about doing the will of his Father? What were the words he cried on the cross, are they not pretty telling about where his mind was? This song is just one of many that I find myself being incredibly critical of, not because they aren't powerful they really tug on the heartstrings of the masses, but I think that is where their danger lies, and where the dangerous lies are to be found.
I think there need to some serious upheavals within the culture that has built up around the church, there are wolves in the flock though not in human form, so I pray that you remain vigilant as to what message is actually being broadcast from your songs, your actions, and your lifestyles.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."
Matthew 7 v15-20
I pray you don't wait long enough to see the fruits, as that may just be too late.
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