by revelife crew

We’ve recently gotten feedback from folks indicating they didn't feel comfortable discussing their views here on revelife. Some folks felt like they were being attacked.

Our hope is that revelife can be a place where we can openly discuss anything, including some of the really deep and difficult issues that go hand-in-hand with questions of faith and Christianity.

But we also want people to feel comfortable here. So we would love your help. Is there any way you think we can address some of the more emotional and controversial topics without causing negative or hurtful reactions, or are there just some topics we should not discuss here on revelife?

 by mr willow

There’s a lot on my mind lately, but, though it’s not really a great pressing concern to me, I keep coming back to one particular issue.  Perhaps that means it will be illuminating to somebody, so here it is.

From several places, I’ve heard what appears to be a common objection to the Gospel message:

“Why did Jesus have to die?  If God was so eager to forgive us, why go through the whole shtick of executing an innocent person?  Why is that even necessary—why couldn’t God just, well, forgive us?”

This is a perfectly valid question, and it makes a lot of sense to ask it.  After all, there is something that seems just plain wrong about saying, “God decided to punish an innocent person instead of you… because He is so concerned about justice.” 

But one thing I’ve found about many people’s objections to Christian beliefs is that they object to something that it is absolutely right to object to, except that it doesn’t happen to be a Christian belief.  (For instance, I saw a post the other week wherein somebody was railing against the Apostle Paul because (he said) Paul taught the false doctrine that Christians were obliged to keep the whole Old Testament Law to be saved.  That doctrine is certainly worth objecting to, which might be one reason the Apostle Paul objected so strongly to it in his epistles.)

Be that as it may, I think we have a similar case here.  The idea that God punished an innocent person instead of just forgiving us does seem objectionable.  But is it really the Gospel message?  Maybe not.  Hang onto your hats; let’s take a look.  More Here...

by mrs violet

This came through my email this morning (I wish I knew who wrote it) and it reminded me of Mr Pine's post the other day.

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word "Guidance," I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.  When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.  The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. 

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. 

My eyes drew back to the word, "Guidance." 

When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i." "God," "u" and "i" dance.  More Here...

by miss marigold

I'm sure that at one point or another, most of us have been challenged by someone to do something pretty improbable. Maintain a cumulative 3.9 GPA for four years. Lose 50 lbs. Give up TV for Lent. Stay married to your spouse. Run a 10k marathon. Take care of your ailing relative for six months. Pass your driving test in Chinese, which you do not understand in car terms (that was mine four years ago...) 

Since moving back on campus and reuniting with my suitemates, friends, and frenemies, God's given me a very basic, but nonetheless challenging, command: "You've told your secular friends that you are a Christian. Through your actions, let them know that that actually means."  I'm a little hestitant to even acknowledge that it's a legitimate, personalized challenge and not just something I cooked up from church or reading the Bible; God's really convicted me to be "slow to anger," to forgive others, and to be more discerning of people.

I compare myself to Moses, who cited his speech problem as the reason why God shouldn't make him the guy who leads the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. I've asked God again and again why He continues to challenge me when I not only fail him time and time again, but I don't always feel up for His calling.

My Christian friends often mention brothers and sisters they admire. "Oh, Person A not only reads gets up early to read His Bible, but he's actively concerned for others!" "Person B is such a moving worship leader!" "Person C's love for Christ is so apparent; she prays and worships even when things are crashing down!"

And hey, I admire these people too, which is why I always bring them up when God puts me in a position where my Christianity will be heavily scrutinized. I ask God why I'm the one with tons of non-Christian friends, and why I'm the one writing for Revelife;  There are better Christians out there! Someone like Person C would be a way more effective testimony. You should wait till I'm like Person A before you use me. Person B is less likely to stumble in his faith if he had tons of non-Christian friends. Hey, I didn't ask for this! I'm not ready! More Here...

by mr maple

Rules:  Answer off the top of your head; no wikipedia or sources allowed (including other people's responses)! Answers and commentary in next post. We'll get harder as we go... you can just cut & paste the questions below into the comments.

1) What ethnic group is most widely recognized to have been persecuted in the Holocaust?

2) Nazi doctors justified the extermination of certain people groups based on what pseudo-scientific theory?
Bonus: What philosopher is credited for providing the utilitarian justifications for the Holocaust?

3) The movie "Hotel Rwanda" featured genocide of what ethnic group?
Bonus: What US military conflict immediately predated and influenced involvement this genocide?

4) The current genocide in Sudan is primarily taking place in what region? More Here...