tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post1351146691482109833..comments2023-05-11T08:00:50.001-05:00Comments on A Glass Darkly: When the gospel is not the gospelDenis Haackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-25682913611705346152010-09-27T15:44:50.327-05:002010-09-27T15:44:50.327-05:00Sarah,
I am so sorry you need to identify yourself...Sarah,<br />I am so sorry you need to identify yourself that way. It was not meant to be, not at all. And you are most assuredly not alone, not at all.<br /><br />I agree wholeheartedly that another way the gospel has been reduced is to give it an "abstracted individualized" character. Propositional truth is a good gift, but if all truth could be reduced to propositions Jesus would not have told so many stories. One time a number of years ago I assigned a short story to be read by our small group. One person (he happened to have a doctorate) said he didn't have time for fiction and asked for the "point of the story." It's sad how such highly educated people can be so, well, uneducated.<br /><br />Reducing evangelism to technique has resulted in all sorts of mischief. The worst is a whole lot of people, both within and without the church, who believe they have told/heard the gospel when they haven't. The message they were involved in did not adequately introduce Christ in all his amazing grace, did not reflect the scope and depth of God's redemption, and did not present anything close to the Christian hope which extends Christ's Lordship, in resurrection power, over all of life, reality and culture.<br /><br />It's actually damnable, but then God uses his church anyway. Takes my breath away.<br /><br />The two verses you note could be used as highlights for this entire conversation. Well said.<br /><br />By the way: you think too poorly of your comments. Don't find them rambling at all. Thanks for being part of this.<br />BlessingsDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-90573067127490380932010-09-27T15:29:02.497-05:002010-09-27T15:29:02.497-05:00Cassandra:
Knowing Steven as I do, I know he will ...Cassandra:<br />Knowing Steven as I do, I know he will be pleased you felt championed by what he wrote. Grace does that, and if my brother exudes anything, it is grace.<br /><br />I'm like you. I found the conversation wonderful, and hope I can continue to post things that can result in similar discussion.<br />BlessingsDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-85638320713296330392010-09-27T10:29:59.542-05:002010-09-27T10:29:59.542-05:00I'm back! I'm so appreciating the addition...I'm back! I'm so appreciating the additional comments. Thanks to all. I found myself feeling championed in some way by Steven's comments. It is probably my own baggage, but when I read Stephen's response, my heart hurt a little bit. No direct criticism toward Stephen, but his response put me in mind of the many people I have met in church who seem to put knowledge and being right over anything else. <br /><br />I just reread the chapter titled Membership in CS Lewis' The Weight of Glory. I will have to reread it, but I think it speaks a little to Sarah's thoughts.<br />Thanks again to everyone.<br />Cassandra (who desperately needs to get a gmail....)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-91606338159421184602010-09-27T10:29:23.597-05:002010-09-27T10:29:23.597-05:0024/7 Mom:
You are wise to bring Romans 8 into this...24/7 Mom:<br />You are wise to bring Romans 8 into this discussion because it is right on target. The reduction of the biblical gospel that occurred in revivalism also tended to restate the Christian hope. Biblically the Christian hope is the resurrection; in revivalism is became the rapture. Resurrection involves the physical, a raptures rescues us from all that. It's not that denied a resurrection but buried it, opening the door more widely for the gnosticism that lurks beneath the surface.<br /><br />In your email you asked me about "Romans 8, suffering, creation and especially the "if/then" statement in verse 17 (and seemingly reiterated in the following verses). How do I reconcile this with Eph. 2:8,9?" In Eph 2 St Paul insists that salvation is not due to our merit nor can we do anything to earn it--"Not by works." Salvation is by faith alone. In Rom 8 Paul is addressing the question, "Well, if salvation is by faith not works, what sort of faith is that?" The faith that justifies, Paul says, is a faith that does not turn back at suffering. We do not earn or merit salvation by suffering, but the faith that saves is not destroyed by suffering.<br /><br />This touches on another reduction that occurred. The biblical teaching about assurance is best stated as "the perseverance of the saints," i.e., true faith will persevere to the end. We aren't saved by being good perseverers, but true justifying faith is characterized by being persevering. This rich teaching was reduced to "eternal security" meaning that "once you have decided for Christ, you'll never be lost again." Perseverance keeps our attention on Christ's grace, eternal security shifts it to an experience we had.<br /><br />And your comments to Mr Ross are spot on.<br />Thanks for writing.<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-26645356556229553832010-09-26T22:48:06.545-05:002010-09-26T22:48:06.545-05:00Thanks for this. I'm sort of a wounded sheep r...Thanks for this. I'm sort of a wounded sheep right now; occasional affirmation that I'm not totally alone in the wilds s appreciated :-).<br /><br />It seems to me that another, perhaps especially American, twist to the truncated Gospel is its individualistic, abstracted emphasis. Christ is our "personal Savior," we "accept him into our hearts." The Gospel is defined as a discrete set of propositions that, when assented to, bring us into the Kingdom. <br /><br />I'm not knocking propositional truth. Some statements are true, some aren't. Jesus IS the Son of God. We ARE sinners who need redemption. These truths and others are descriptions of eternal realities that, if denied, walk us out of Christianity and put us on a collision course with the Creator. But the message of Jesus points us to a real, living Christ - whose presence is revealed not only in propositional truth, but in lived truth. We are the embodiment of redemption and restoration in progress.<br /><br />I run in evangelical circles, and it often seems that while no evangelical I know would deny the reality of Christ's presence in our lives, the emphasis on words - preaching, teaching, apologetics, "witnessing" - takes precedence at a practical level. Mentoring, serving, resolving conflict, bearing real burdens, deep relationship, living the life of Christ as his people and body are themselves truncated. Christ isn't just out there somewhere in the heavenlies waiting to come take us all away; he's here, with and in us, now. Evangelism is important, but I don't think it was ever intended to be a stand-alone activity wherein verbal proclamation is considered not only sufficient, but primary. Again, not knocking verbal evangelism, preaching, or teaching; all are necessary. But when they're cut off from the living Body they're designed both to build and flow from, they fall far short of their original purpose. I think this is especially true in a world where relevance and authenticity are prized.<br /><br />Two Bible passages have been on my mind a lot lately - "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35), and "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:26). Sometimes I wonder if in our pursuit of the perfectly packaged church service, persuasive argument, memorable message or meme, we've forgotten where our greatest source of power (and proclamation) lies - in our lives, individually but especially in community, lived faithfully (not perfectly!) in Christ.<br /><br />Again. thanks for the thoughtful post, and for putting up with my ramblings :-)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942576139114146172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-57805837620449137362010-09-26T12:45:14.364-05:002010-09-26T12:45:14.364-05:00I'm home from church today with a sick son, so...I'm home from church today with a sick son, so took the time to read the Bible and do some studying. Interestingly, I read Romans 8. I likely came out of it with as many questions as answers, but one thing is becoming very clear in reading Romans; physical groaning (in all of creation as well as ours) is an object of God's redemption. I recently began to notice that, in the presentations that I've heard, the resurrection is seldom mentioned. We celebrate it on "Easter" (avoiding the controversy over that term), but rarely hear of it the rest of the year. A physical resurrection demands that we consistently refute the underlying gnosticism that still plagues our society. I've even heard gospel presentations that refer to the "heart" as the "real person". It is also promoted as the dwelling of Christ's Spirit, giving an alternative to the biblical teaching that our <i>bodies</i> are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Paul goes so far as to say that Christ's death took care of our sin, but the resurrection provided our justification (4:25, with surrounding context). Without it, we would not be brought to God (a theme that I'm finding throughout the book). <br />Having said that, I know that my mind tends to exalt the spiritual above the physical. It likely has to do with the teaching I've received in the past. While you are consistently gracious in your speech, you also as consistently challenge notions like the ones skittering through my brain as I type. You said, "We can embrace the physical as a part of legitimate spiritual experience. For us the physical is not less important than the spiritual, nor need they be divided to achieve mature spirituality." and "The notion that some Christians hold that culture (art, science, cooking, whatever) is less important than "spiritual" things is ...heresy..." You're quite adept at jostling my comfort zone. <br />A note to Mr. Ross - I tend to think that sometimes (not always), there is a disconnect because there's a misunderstanding between the "older" generation and younger folks trying to figure out the maze of life. Both assume that the other generation just isn't interested. I've spoken with several senior citizens that feel that they've been put on a shelf, with no more usefulness to God or others. Granted, there are some seniors who are ignoring the not so subtle messages of our culture and are getting to know the youth and young adults in our congregation. Many, however, wrestle with feelings of inadequacy; the older we get, the more we see how little we know. I tend to think that there is at least one older couple/person who would be honored with the question, "Will you come join our group? We need a mentor." They might keel over from shock (carry smelling salts with you) or protest initially (the more likely of the two), but please continue to pursue their wisdom. Culture tells me that the more wrinkles and gray hair I have, the less relevant I am, and L'Oreal is making a hefty profit from that message (ok, I still use it... for now). Scripture tells me that those persistent gray hairs are a crown of glory. I'm taking that seriously and embarking on an initiative that will hopefully impact young people to become insanely devoted to Christ. Again, I would encourage you; find an older person that you respect as a believer and defy culture; pursue his/her wisdom. (Denis, are you ok with this?)24/7 Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166841629485557878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-62342580271175753862010-09-23T21:45:43.134-05:002010-09-23T21:45:43.134-05:00Thank you, Steve.
Generous words I take seriously....Thank you, Steve.<br />Generous words I take seriously.<br />Life has been richer since our friendship began so many years ago in the mountains of Colorado.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-48303912427538698132010-09-23T18:57:44.521-05:002010-09-23T18:57:44.521-05:00Denis--
You have done well with this, from beginn...Denis--<br /><br />You have done well with this, from beginning to end. I have passed the blog posting on to several friends, and I have learned more grace from you as I have read your responses. <br /><br />We do see out of our hearts, which is why the Hebrew vision sets forth the heart as the center of the biblical anthropology. It cannot be other than that. So while you may know all of your correspondents, of course I don't. For example, the first one, Stephen, brings an agenda to his reading that is perplexing. We did not read the same words as we read your words. His words are familiar to me, as I understand them and use them; but they don't make sense in relationship to what you wrote.<br /><br />Like you, it was in listening to Schaeffer in True Spirituality, and Pollution and the Death of Man that I first began to understand the richness of the biblical story, a story which becomes incarnate in the gospel of the kingdom. The "gospel" is never something different than the drama of amazing grace which makes all things new-- sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, as well as the whole cosmos. <br /><br />I have lived my life for "the crown rights" of Christ, as have you. But that is never theological partisanship. Rather it is that very commitment that makes sense of the reason-for-being for Ransom Fellowship, and then of course of the blog posting itself. <br /><br />You have served your readers and friends well, Denis. Thanks.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02078568503420440509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-74733586759270222002010-09-23T08:44:05.202-05:002010-09-23T08:44:05.202-05:00Glad it gave whispers of glory, even brief tiny on...Glad it gave whispers of glory, even brief tiny ones.<br />BlessingsDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-90080847059152645422010-09-23T08:34:34.681-05:002010-09-23T08:34:34.681-05:00Thank you, Denis I just posted this on facebook. I...Thank you, Denis I just posted this on facebook. It is good to be reminded of this daily, especially when you work for a church and feel like there's only one emphasis.<br />holistic holistic holistic is the lord God almighty! :)whispers of beautyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253186223413253690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-13270753073891758982010-09-22T17:13:00.009-05:002010-09-22T17:13:00.009-05:00Ruth:
Yes, correct. Although I wouldn't want t...Ruth:<br />Yes, correct. Although I wouldn't want to speak for Greg, I assume he means what I would.<br /><br />Creation is about origins, certainly, in that it tells us who we are where we came from. We are not the products of blind chance in an impersonal universe. But there is so much more.<br /><br />Creation also provides us with so much more. Before the Fall we see Adam and Eve beginning art (Adam's poetry about Eve, forever enshrined in holy Scripture), science (naming the animals which involves identifying and distinguishing them), technology (agriculture in the Garden), and relationships (with each other and God). When God instructs them to "cultivate the earth" (the Creation mandate), the term is related to "culture." Thus, the calling of all humanity is to cultivate--make culture--in all its parts and aspects. Like all other parts of life, culture and culture making were perverted by the Fall, but the cultural mandate was not repealed by God.<br /><br />The notion that some Christians hold that culture (art, science, cooking, whatever) is less important than "spiritual" things is thus not a biblical belief but one they bring in from Greek pagan thought. This sacred/secular dichotomy is thus actually a heresy (I use the word on purpose) that distorts the biblical message.<br /><br />Christ died not just to save souls but to redeem all that the Fall has perverted--as the Christmas carol puts it, "far as the curse is found."<br /><br />Thus, the gospel is good news to all Creation. It is centered in God's calling a people to himself, redeeming them through Christ's work. We have forgiveness in his death and new life in his resurrection. The forgiveness is to be shown in our love for God, others and God's world. The new life is to be shown in every aspect of life and culture.<br /><br />So, when we cut off the true biblical meaning of Creation--in how we talk about it or live--then the power and effectiveness and extent of redemption is not shown to a watching world. No wonder they look at the evangelical community and are not impressed!<br /><br />And I am proud to have you be my sister!<br />Love<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-61535595555947538752010-09-22T16:18:43.947-05:002010-09-22T16:18:43.947-05:00Thank you, thank you, thank you. That is all so h...Thank you, thank you, thank you. That is all so helpful in my thinking. When Greg said that evangelicals fail to understand "the doctrine of creation" and all that it mandates... I assume that means other than the oft-repeated argument of "creation versus evolution", but the mandate to take care of the earth, the variety of skills needed for that, etc. Is that what you are referring to? Which therefore would coincide with the need for hospitality, cooking, unhurried time, weaving, knitting, etc. So many of those things would be what we "are" with people, rather than what we just "say". Am eager to learn more...<br />Thankful for your ministry AND that you're my brother! ;-)<br />RuthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-67262428887259479982010-09-22T09:21:14.976-05:002010-09-22T09:21:14.976-05:00Greg:
As usual you said it with your normal clarit...Greg:<br />As usual you said it with your normal clarity and conciseness. Sadly, you are correct on both points. What is also sad is that attempts to rectify this misshapen understanding of the gospel is met with resistance because the fear is that the gospel is being tampered with. What isn't understood is that is has already been tampered with and we are trying to restore the biblical understanding.<br />Alas.<br />Blessings to you and MJ on your work in Austin.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-13551868844576570412010-09-22T08:58:56.356-05:002010-09-22T08:58:56.356-05:00Failing to understand the doctrine of creation-- e...Failing to understand the doctrine of creation-- especially the cultural mandate and its implications-- inevitably leads to a simplistic fall and a truncated doctrine of redemption and restoration. <br />Unfortunately most evangelicals I know don't understand the doctrine of creation.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14581701969652331893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-2911319824221507812010-09-21T16:18:35.746-05:002010-09-21T16:18:35.746-05:00Mr Ross:
Good for you--cast iron is the best. At l...Mr Ross:<br />Good for you--cast iron is the best. At last year's Rochester L'Abri Conference my wife Margie did a workshop on cooking with cast iron. To prepare she cooked endlessly wonderful meals in her various dutch ovens and pans. I did my part by showing up on time to each meal.<br />Love it.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-91663870043973689302010-09-21T16:04:15.982-05:002010-09-21T16:04:15.982-05:00Thanks for the response. It is very helpful and re...Thanks for the response. It is very helpful and resonates with me (a young married man with 2 little kids). I think you are right that we (young people) need models in this. It's difficult to find people who are experienced in living (older folks) who really want to spend time with people less experienced in living (younger folks). And I mean "time" like you are describing for discipleship. My "small group" is all young men with young kids. We are missing the wisdom of experience. I'm glad to read about your ministry and hope to continue to learn more about it. Blessings to you and your wife. And by the way, my wife and I exclusively use cast iron in cooking.Mr. Rosshttp://plymouthabbey.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-56131867763554132172010-09-21T15:15:49.220-05:002010-09-21T15:15:49.220-05:00Mr Ross:
I appreciate your kind words, and am happ...Mr Ross:<br />I appreciate your kind words, and am happy to expand on the second point. If I don't address exactly what you have in mind, please ask further.<br /><br />My sense is that the younger generation yearns to be married yet is fearful of getting married. Coming from fragmented homes they don't want to make the same mistakes as their parents (or the older generation). They need more than teaching on the topic. They need models.<br /><br />We believe that radical Christian discipleship today includes such things as:<br /> listening<br /> opening our home in warm hospitality<br /> feeding people<br /> providing a safe place to talk<br /> the grace of unhurried time<br /><br />For one thing, the way into the church, for many of the postmodern generation, will be through the living and dining rooms of people who demonstrate this sort of authentic discipleship. For another, many young adults want to learn how to do such things. We find young adults naturally crowd into our kitchen and love being involved in setting the table, preparing food, making the setting lovely with a few flowers, or whatever. In the process of deepening relationships and meaningful conversation, passing on skills is occurring.<br /><br />Today young adults are forming knitting groups, wanting to learn to spin yarn, use cast iron in cooking--so many of the things their grandparents did but their parents tossed aside. Margie and I want to come alongside them there.<br /><br />Young families have a natural opening for the gospel: simply pursue such things in simplicity and you will help humans flourish. And older couples can come alongside to pass along skills, encourage, cheer, and help make it happen.<br /><br />This is the gospel in life, Christ's Lordship in the ordinary things of life, love reaching to the very deepest yearnings of the human heart. And it is all firmly rooted in God's good Creation, now so sadly torn by the Fall.<br /><br />Hope this helpsDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-49826111108825293262010-09-21T12:55:22.451-05:002010-09-21T12:55:22.451-05:00Please keep writing. As in this post, I appreciate...Please keep writing. As in this post, I appreciate your ability to distinguish what's happening in a culture and the Truth of the Gospel message. Your responses to the comments here are also very helpful and it's not often that someone takes such time and care in responding to comments. I would really like to hear more about your response to Ruth on the need for a proper understanding of Creation in this generation, especially number 2 and how that looks practically for families and young families trying to make a life.Mr. Rosshttp://plymouthabbey.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-4367931868442030762010-09-21T11:53:50.995-05:002010-09-21T11:53:50.995-05:00Cassandra:
Sweet words, and I'm grateful.
As l...Cassandra:<br />Sweet words, and I'm grateful.<br />As long as this is what is happening, even for a few, then maintaining this blog is MORE than worth the time and thought and effort.<br />Thank you.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-36444631237908964712010-09-21T11:42:19.998-05:002010-09-21T11:42:19.998-05:00Thank you, once again, for your thoughtful communi...Thank you, once again, for your thoughtful communication. As usual, I have to read, and reread. I concur with Sandra Oster. <br />You should know, I've been struggling for years now with the shape of my faith. The foundations have not altered, but the way I live out my faith is in flux right now. I have been very disappointed in the church, and very turned off by a lot of the dialogue out there. That is my affirmation for you, and for your wife. I know I can read your blogs, and be encouraged and challenged.<br />Please don't stop! I am sure I am not alone in that I need dialogue to temper my understanding. <br />And, though I don't have anything to add to the discussion just now, I am processing the ideas you've set forth.<br />Thank you~<br />Cassandra (Just like Jefferson, no account)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-48982003975157063952010-09-21T11:04:19.199-05:002010-09-21T11:04:19.199-05:00Choldridge:
Thanks for the encouraging words.
It i...Choldridge:<br />Thanks for the encouraging words.<br />It is astonishing how often Christians are cut off from the rich heritage of the last 2000 years, and how blase they are about it when their loss is made evident. For far too many sola scriptura has been turned into individua scriptura. Not at all the same.<br />Blessings.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-51178550819857827232010-09-21T10:50:56.769-05:002010-09-21T10:50:56.769-05:00Denis-we do read your blog. keep it up. i'm su...Denis-we do read your blog. keep it up. i'm sure there's more than just the product that you're after. it takes a lot of work to crystalize 2000 years of gospel movement in one blog post. that's good exercise, man. you've done here what we (wy wife and I) often attempt to do with others in conversation: get them off of the pap of cultural pop-gospel and onto the meat.choldridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282168832482191261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-13447300388902226232010-09-21T10:18:17.932-05:002010-09-21T10:18:17.932-05:00Ruth:
Hope the discussion in your group goes well....Ruth:<br />Hope the discussion in your group goes well.<br /><br />The need for Creation is particularly keen for the postmodern generation for several reasons.<br /><br />One is apologetic: they have a moral sense that the earth should be cared for and when evangelicals downplay creation we appear immoral or less moral than they are. This in turn plays into the hands of those that blame Christianity for the capitalist tendency to rape the earth for the sake of profit. And it happens they are correct: it IS immoral--against biblical moral standards--to fail to care for God's good creation.<br /><br />A second reason is that the fragmentation of families and relationships have tended to cut the younger generation off from the delight of the physical in the deepening of community. Such things as cooking, hospitality, lost arts like knitting, spinning, and weaving, unhurried enjoyment of nature, the embrace of beauty. When these things are part of our lives, human flourishing in increased, which is an essential part of God's shalom. To bypass Creation in practice and talking is to cut off a deep need produced by the Fall in this generation.<br /><br />Another reason is that the Christian belief in Creation stands out among all other religious options. We can embrace the physical as a part of legitimate spiritual experience. For us the physical is not less important than the spiritual, nor need they be divided to achieve mature spirituality. All other options--radical environmentalism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, secularism--all with exception can not make this claim. Thus only biblical Christianity provides for a spirituality that applies to all of life and culture under Christ's Lordship. The absolute wonder of this has been lost by evangelical Christians who flirt with various forms of Gnosticism which introduces a sacred/secular dichotomy. ALL of life lived for God, ALL of reality redeemed, ALL of culture bringing glory to the King--this is our hope that makes ALL of the Christian life so rich.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-89411931389961106432010-09-21T09:13:31.355-05:002010-09-21T09:13:31.355-05:00Thank you, Denis, for your thoughtful comments. W...Thank you, Denis, for your thoughtful comments. We will be reading this blog in our Bible study group tonight, as we continue discussing Jerram Barr's book "Learning Evangelism from Jesus". It is what I have been longing to experience.<br />One question: You said that this generation, in particular, needs to have the "creation" aspect. Could you please expand on that thought? <br />Thanks, <br />RuthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-70068201859326735052010-09-21T07:42:36.932-05:002010-09-21T07:42:36.932-05:00Sandra,
Thank you for your encouraging words, my f...Sandra,<br />Thank you for your encouraging words, my friend. Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads my blog, making me ask whether I should continue it. Other times I wonder if the time it takes for the give and take is a wise use of time, again making me ask the same question. Conversations like this help me answer that question, and I'm grateful.<br />Blessings on the other side of the world.<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.com