Friday, 03 July 2009
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Christians Don't Follow a Book. Christians Follow a Person.
by Brant HansenHere's an excerpt from A Jesus Manifesto, which is newly-written by authors Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet. Thought I'd post it, since it echoes so well some of the stuff we talk about on the show. Can't hurt to have someone else say it...
It is possible to confuse an academic knowledge or theology about Jesus with a personal knowledge of the living Christ himself. These two stand as far apart as do the hundred thousand million galaxies. The fullness of Christ can never be accessed through the frontal lobe alone. Christian faith claims to be rational, but also to reach out to touch ultimate mysteries. The cure for a big head is a big heart.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with CliffsNotes for a systematic theology. He leaves his disciples with breath and body.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with a coherent and clear belief system by which to love God and others. Jesus gives his disciples wounds to touch and hands to heal.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with intellectual belief or a “Christian worldview.” He leaves his disciples with a relational faith.
Christians don’t follow a book. Christians follow a person, and this library of divinely inspired books we call “The Holy Bible” best help us follow that person. The Written Word is a map that leads us to The Living Word. Or as Jesus himself put it, “All Scripture testifies of me.” The Bible is not the destination; it’s a compass that points to Christ, heaven’s North Star.
The Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living. The “good news” was not a new set of laws, or a new set of ethical injunctions, or a new and better PLAN. The “good news” was the story of a person’s life, as reflected in The Apostle’s Creed. The Mystery of Faith proclaims this narrative: “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.”
The meaning of Christianity does not come from allegiance to complex theological doctrines, but a passionate love for a way of living in the world that revolves around following Jesus, who taught that love is what makes life a success . . . not wealth or health or anything else: but love. And God is love.
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Comments (41)
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - For once in my life? When did you and I meet before? I wasn't always a Christian. Why don't you follow the words of Jesus that are in the bible?
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - Couldn't the same be asked of you? Why not try thinking for yourself instead of regurgitating the same tired atheist talking points that have been repeated ad nauseum.
@scrambledmegzntoast@hardestlevel - I'm not an atheist, @musterion99@xanga - and I'm not a Christian.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - I didn't say you are, I said you are using their talking points. So I would say that should make your lack of original thought even more troubling.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - Ok, then why are you telling me what to do? I am a Christian.
I think this blog is a bunch of BS. We have the Bible and Jesus Christ is the word made flesh. He is what we have from God. Jesus taught us how to live and that's recorded in the New Testament as well as in the letters to the church. Sure, there is the still small voice but trying to separate the two and say whether we should follow this or that is crazy.
@HeartOfPandora@xanga - The Bible is God's word written by inspired men. In it's origional texts it is infallible.
@designandart@xanga - I'm right there with you. Great call.
2 Tim.3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. The worst thing we could do is follow our own hearts. Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, Who can know it?
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. If I wanted to see if the president of the United States lived in the white house, would it be foolish to look into the white house to see? In the same way, if you want to find God you will find Him in His word!
This post quotes the book as saying: "The Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living. The “good news” was not a new set of laws, or a new set of ethical injunctions, or a new and better PLAN. The “good news” was the story of a person’s life, as reflected in The Apostle’s Creed. The Mystery of Faith proclaims this narrative: “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.”"
It seems that the 'good news', the gospel, was that Christ made complete atonement for our sins. Gospel is not the Law. As to the 'Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living', this is a curious statment. Jesus spoke of two commandments: 'Love God with all of your heart; love your neighbor as yourself.' Seems to be a plan for living to me. No, it is not new; it is the same injunction as from the beginning. The Gospel is not just "a story of a person's life"; it is the proclamation that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from sin and death, the Messiah has come.
@HLPU@xanga - You are correct! The gospel is not law however the gospel is also not lawless. The two commandments you gave are really a summary of the ten commandments. Believe it or not it is still a sin to not put God first [1st commandment] Idolatry [2nd] blasphemy 3rd etc.. lying [9th] stealing [8th] and so on. Repentance is a must and that is turning from Sin to God. Jesus said in Luke 13 EXCEPT YOU REPENT YOU WILL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH! I do want to be clear though it's not our repentance that saves us, it is Jesus who saves and He produces the contrition which leads us to become broken over our sins, and see the cross as the most amazing act of mercy and kindness, as He died on the cross to take the punishment we so rightly deserved. Gods wrath was poured out upon Jesus on the cross so that it woudn't have to be poured out on us!
I believe it is extremely dangerous to try and separate following Christ from following the bible. The bible is Gods word and primary way he speaks to us. Jesus prayed to the Father ...sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth! And remember Heb.12:14 Without holines [sanctification] no one will see the Lord!
;]
@scrambledmegzntoast@hardestlevel - @scrambledmegzntoast@hardestlevel - Perhaps we should consider John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and is God." To worship the BIBLE alone = problem. To follow the teachings should be the same as following the teacher who taught them. Though, I would also say there's a bit more to it, but I think that'll suffice for now.
imagine a world without religion. it actually sounds pretty good to me. because really why are you debating about what you believe when pretty much you all believe in the same god who care if you call him jesus Yahweh or whatever. honestly it really just bottoms down to having decent morals. and you defiantly do not need god for that. why not just live without thinking of the supernatural and start thinking about what you can do as a person, as you.
@LanguageCity@xanga - Actually that's not true at all. Let me make it a little more understandable for you. As you said about havind decent morals. Do you? Have you ever told a lie? Ever stolen something regardless of value? Ever looked at someone with lust? Jesus said whoever looks with lust commits adultery in the heart. If you have stolen you are a thief, if you have lied you are a liar.
Creation proves there is a creator, conscience tells us we have done wrong. If He judges you by that standard you will be found guilty and end up in hell because He is good and just. But He is also kind and merciful and not willing that you perish, so God became a man and lived a perfect life unlike you and I. When He went to the cross He bore the Fathers wrath against our sin so that we wouldn't have to. If you repent and trust JESUS He can then allow you to live and not recieve the justice you deserve, and He will give you a new heart with new desires, so that you will no longer be His enemy but His child. We need Him because we don't have decent morals. Just look into the perfect standard of morality the ten commandments and compare yourself with the standard by which you will be judged, then think of God dying on a cross to save you and let it break your heart!