tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post5560870509889816289..comments2023-05-11T08:00:50.001-05:00Comments on A Glass Darkly: The decline of orthodox Christianity (II)Denis Haackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-56828465082017694482012-08-20T17:07:24.132-05:002012-08-20T17:07:24.132-05:00Im:
Though it seems strange to write this, it'...Im:<br />Though it seems strange to write this, it's too bad that what I wrote happens to be be true. One saving grace is that though orthodox Christianity can not be separated from the church (the grace of the means of grace are given only to the church), the faith transcends the human institution.<br /><br />Your comment about the Old Testament was especially poignant to me, and though I have no illusions about having many answers it would be a delight to sit, share a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and talk through some of the texts you find "dry, vicious, or obtuse." I'm grateful you called attention to Andrew Marin, since I was unaware of his work, and the positions he takes. Very glad to know about him.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-47149818849365603452012-08-09T05:50:10.967-05:002012-08-09T05:50:10.967-05:00Sadly all these traits I recognize all too well. I...Sadly all these traits I recognize all too well. In general I think Christianity is characterized outwardly as an abstaining, a lacking, a rejection and unfortunately that seems to be mirrored by many within the faith as well. It's much easier and clearer to define a faith by a list of 'thou shalt nots', whether that's drugs, excessive alcohol, sex before marriage, etc - than positively by a list of more holistic and open traits. <br /><br />Sexuality, the environment and money are three themes you've touched on which have been addressed problematically or very little - to me they're key contemporary areas of discourse and lifestyle which are crucially important personally and to many of my friends, which the church as a whole has failed to dialogue on in a considered fashion. It's a shame because the Bible takes strong, radically different positions on all three which are highly relevant, but instead of solomon's sensual sexuality, eden's stewardship of nature or jesus' nomadic poverty, it's Christians who are waving the gay hate placards, driving the SUVs to church and celebrating a rampant capitalism indistinguishable from everyone else. I too have often wondered just how many disclaimers I have to put before the title 'Christian' before I'd actually want to claim it. <br /><br />I'd love to say I could see evidence of 'human flourishing' in other christians or in myself but that's largely not the case either. I find much of the Bible (especially OT) to be either dry, vicious (in terms of human life and value), obtuse, or a combination of the above, finding instead moments of joy which somehow resonates spiritually through an everyday occurence in the city or a performance piece by an artist. On rare occasions something labeled as 'Christian' does resonate and I find I can stand behind it without disclaimer or commentary, the most recent example being Andrew Marin's apology and hug at the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, his Marin Foundation group refuses to take a political or polarising stance - indeed any official stance - on homosexuality, freeing them up to connect instead of divide.lmhttp://www.lukemunn.comnoreply@blogger.com