Comments on: Jesusanity vs. Christianity

By: roger olson

roger olson — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:49:33 +0000

Please list for me the “basically true” and the “non-basically true” parts for the bible. Especially in light of 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Would list list be “basically” the same as the ‘essenstials” and “non-essentials” list? I worry that since I’m no scholar that I might leave something off one list or the other. Thank you.

By: Reg

Reg — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:02:50 +0000

Michael:
It seems this message is part of a series – Dr. Bock mentions “in the first hour I talked about”…do you have a link to the other parts of the series?

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:40:33 +0000

I wish churches here did make some attempt to engage the intellect. If I hear one more vacuous “daddy loves you” prophecy I think I’ll scream.

Intellectual assent is not the sole component of Christianity, but it is an important part. After all, how can people give their allegiance to a person or position when their intellect is rebelling against every part.

After all the commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart mind strength and soul.” That is with the whole person.

By: Don Andersen

Don Andersen — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:49:54 +0000

Vladimir:
I still think that the emphasis of the Church should be focused on the education and nuture of Christ’s sheep.

A Hearty AMEN Brother!! Read Acts to Revelation and this is abundantly clear. Ever epistle Paul wrote was to the believers! Too often churches get bogged down with ONLY the gospel in every service and there is no food for the sheep. The gospel is important but so is spiritual education. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us that even the “newbies” desire this in order to grow. I believe Heb 5:10-14 is speaking of a situation where the older believer needed to go back and start over because they hadn’t been fed meat yet, but by this time they should have advanced to that point. I think we do the sheep a disservice when we concentrate only on the gospel.

By: Dale

Dale — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:05:08 +0000

This is one of my pet peeves about Christianity. Some Christians want to push people to live the morality of a Christian or to accept extra-biblical orthodox views before the people come into a saving relationship with Christ.

We should never expect someone who lives an immoral life to change their ways before they know Christ. How much energy has the church wasted fighting specific sins rather than addressing the root problem, knowing Christ.

By: Ruben

Ruben — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:40:06 +0000

I think it is too true that most churches engage the intellect only, I think
we have used “sola scriptura” to an extreme, in that one’s study of the
Bible is the chief goal. I think we overcomplicate in many ways, for me it is
better to simplify and focus on the actual core message. Sometimes I
think there are way too many trends and gimmicks and arguments. I also
have been attending this church where I have yet to hear a sermon using
a text from the gospels (to be fair however, they have series’ on OT heroes
and the like so it will take time to get to the NT!).

By: grg

grg — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:54:17 +0000

@Vladimir — Good points. Those are some very good criticisms of many modern churches and believers, especially the ’shallow preparedness’ and ‘intellectual assent.’

I think one of the reasons many Christians don’t grasp the “lostness” in an unbeleiver’s mind is that they don’t grasp the lostness from which they were (presumably) saved. Sadly, too many churches and Christians preach a gospel in which intellectual assent is a satisfactory response.

Press on!
grg
Jude 3

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:55:37 +0000

Thanks Susan and others for your input. The conceptualization of “Jesusanity” as stated by Susan is a prevailing view among unregenerate university scholars in Europe and in liberal secular institutions here in America.

While I don’t wish to minimize the importance of evangelism, it is not the sole commandment in the NT. In fact, I think the shallow preparedness of Christ’s sheep has caused the Church at large to swallow some unsavory morsels from the godless intruders into her ranks, e.g. tolerance of homosexuality, women in church offices, social ethics that equal philanthropic secularism. This and these ecumenical manuvers have nullified the sharp dichitomy between Christ’s kingdom and that of satan.

I too, don’t think most Christians grasp the strength of “lostness” in an unbeliever’s mind. Only the Spirit of God could ever unlock this impenetratable stronghold.

I also think the (eastern) Orthodox have a better grasp of the relationship of justification and sanctification, repentance and good works. It is a completely other way of life under Christ’s reign – not simply a mechanical and intellectual assent.

Vladimir

By: grg

grg — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:46:19 +0000

@Michael and others — Excellent points about differentiating the gospel from hot-button topics. Peoples’ most pressing problem is not that they believe in evolution, drink alcohol, vote Democrat, wear jeans, or whatever else trips our triggers that day. Their most pressing problem is that they are dead in their sin and need to trust the completed work of Christ on the cross. That is the abiding, uniquely Christian message of the Church.

Those other things — or at least some of them — may be important, and the Church should speak to those things, but to the extent we stray from the gospel as our first love and primary message, we cease to be the Church.

Press on!
grg
Jude 3

By: “Jesusanity vs. Christianity” : The Daily Scroll

“Jesusanity vs. Christianity” : The Daily Scroll — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:40:10 +0000

[...] Hear the audio of this message by Dallas Seminary New Testament prof Darrell Bock (HT: Parchment and Pen). [...]