CLASS DISCUSSION
One of my favorite classes is Intro to World Missions. It is my favorite not only because of the content :) but also because of Professor Young. He is an excellent teacher. He uses biblical passages, some of which do not seem to relate to the subject matter, to build up to his point. Due to a business trip in China, he has actually been in class only three times, and from those three class times I have learned more and have been challenged more than in any of my other classes. For example, last week, we were looking at how Paul related to the Corinthians in his first letter. One of the tasks or challenges of being a communicator of the gospel is learning how to be a beneficial presence to others which entices them to ask about the gospel. Prof. Young brought up the fact that a lot of times we identify ourselves the "right" way and actually end up driving people away from the gospels. Some examples are: identification as a Republican shuts down opportunities with Democrats, vocalizing anti-homosexual remarks turns away homosexuals. The finals thoughts of class: "We are making a lot of noise that causes people not to ask about Jesus. We are called to be redemptive, not right." I started wonder about that. The question I am struggling with is this: Where do we draw the line between promoting God's truth and being attractive for the cause of the gospel? (The example in my mind with regard to this question is same-sex marriage.) Don't get me wrong, I am not promoting sin, but what about truth? What are your thoughts? I hope I have explained this sufficiently.
BOOK CORNER
I highly recommend Walter C. Kaiser's Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations. We have been reading it in my missions class, and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable, quick read. It demostrates that Israel was God's chosen people not in the sense of the only ones to be saved, but rather they were chosen to take God's salvation to the nations. When they didn't , He intervened. This was a new concept for me, and I have learned much from it. The book says it much better than me so read it!
CONCLUSION
I was going to post a recipe, but I need to do some homework instead. Later!
One of my favorite classes is Intro to World Missions. It is my favorite not only because of the content :) but also because of Professor Young. He is an excellent teacher. He uses biblical passages, some of which do not seem to relate to the subject matter, to build up to his point. Due to a business trip in China, he has actually been in class only three times, and from those three class times I have learned more and have been challenged more than in any of my other classes. For example, last week, we were looking at how Paul related to the Corinthians in his first letter. One of the tasks or challenges of being a communicator of the gospel is learning how to be a beneficial presence to others which entices them to ask about the gospel. Prof. Young brought up the fact that a lot of times we identify ourselves the "right" way and actually end up driving people away from the gospels. Some examples are: identification as a Republican shuts down opportunities with Democrats, vocalizing anti-homosexual remarks turns away homosexuals. The finals thoughts of class: "We are making a lot of noise that causes people not to ask about Jesus. We are called to be redemptive, not right." I started wonder about that. The question I am struggling with is this: Where do we draw the line between promoting God's truth and being attractive for the cause of the gospel? (The example in my mind with regard to this question is same-sex marriage.) Don't get me wrong, I am not promoting sin, but what about truth? What are your thoughts? I hope I have explained this sufficiently.
BOOK CORNER
I highly recommend Walter C. Kaiser's Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations. We have been reading it in my missions class, and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable, quick read. It demostrates that Israel was God's chosen people not in the sense of the only ones to be saved, but rather they were chosen to take God's salvation to the nations. When they didn't , He intervened. This was a new concept for me, and I have learned much from it. The book says it much better than me so read it!
CONCLUSION
I was going to post a recipe, but I need to do some homework instead. Later!
posted by Beth @ 8:22 PM
2 Comments:
At 8:04 PM,
Beth said…
Here are some verses to help answer my question though I have not come to a conclusion yet.
• John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
o 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
• Ephesians 6:14a “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
o John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
At 8:47 PM,
Amanda said…
Ok dearest, I have wanted to write a response to your ‘class discussion’ and now I am taking the moments to do it…
First of all, it is a very deep question with many facets, so here are my thoughts.
I think an important place to look, is always at Jesus - and He never compromised the truth for the cause of the gospel, yet when we look at those He spent the most time with we will see there had to be a differing of opinions or values. If I may be bold, He was quick to love first, shunning the Pharisee way of writing off tax collectors and prostitutes.
My next thought is that some value their words above listening, which can lead to heavy debates and hard hearts.
Proverbs 17:27
‘He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is a calm spirit.’
Proverbs 15:1
‘A soft (or gentle) answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.’
Proverbs 29:11
‘A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.’
I know that right now some people and their ways of life or political stands are taking what was once tolerance and forcing it into acceptance.
One example is from the state of CA where a law was being passed that parents would be declined the right to remove their children from a class teaching not only on sex but also on homosexuality.
Because of this it will be mainly the followers of Jesus who will speak out against such things, thereby turning homosexuals away from these vocal Christians, who are “making a lot of noise”. Which, I am sorry, but on things like this, I want my brothers and sisters to resound with the truth.
Remember, “...God gives the increase.” I Corinthians 3:7. It is always through God that we are saved, not our actions, not our brilliant or not so brilliant words or theology.
1 Corinthians 2:1-4
‘And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God,
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.’
I think being the aroma of Christ will make us “attractive” enough for Jesus without compromising the moral absolutes we must hold fast to; especially if we are to continue to claim the bible as our Holy Book, one without error. Our focus must always be one where Jesus is the core.
Reference: myself, NKJV bible, and a dash of M. Britton
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