Signposts
My class at church has been reviewing a book and reading various passages of the Bible. During the past weeks we’ve been discussing community. What does it mean to be a Christian Community? How did we get to where we are today – alone or in contact with others? What were some significant benchmarks on the road of your Christian walk that lead to where you are today?
In addition to the individual answers that can be added, my question here is what these mean in a broader community sense. What does it mean to be a Christian Community in the world today (i.e. what sort of example do we as Christians show the world?); How did we get to where we are (i.e. what other communities influenced our own Christian congregations, and the Church as a whole?); who were the significant Christian examples in the past that shaped the Church as it is today; and what are the significant benchmarks in the past years that formed the various congregations, schisms and conglomerates to which we associate?
Christianity has much to be thankful for. There have been great men and women in history who showed us our conscience, shook up our assumptions and lead us forward through controversy. Who are these people today? Do you know them?
Christianity have much to ask forgiveness for. Inquisitions, Crusades, pogroms, and community purity campaigns have shown the intolerance and viciousness of some who think that their actions express/protect their faith. Gamaliel said it best, 2000 years ago; “[I]f this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.” Why do we seem to be so concerned about protecting our own rights when we should be preaching the Gospel and protecting the rights of those who cannot protect themselves?
And, Christianity has much to be aspiring to. There is a plan that God has for His people. We need to determine what that is and work to be within that plan. It isn’t our plan – it’s His. If we spend too much time defending ourselves we don’t have time to defend the Gospel. It isn’t about one’s right to practice our faith; it’s about our faith being the right one to practice.
So, how did we get to this point? Did we miss the signposts or ignore them? Or, have we forgotten the signposts that got us here? And then, come to think of it, are we signposts? And if so, to what are we pointing?
In addition to the individual answers that can be added, my question here is what these mean in a broader community sense. What does it mean to be a Christian Community in the world today (i.e. what sort of example do we as Christians show the world?); How did we get to where we are (i.e. what other communities influenced our own Christian congregations, and the Church as a whole?); who were the significant Christian examples in the past that shaped the Church as it is today; and what are the significant benchmarks in the past years that formed the various congregations, schisms and conglomerates to which we associate?
Christianity has much to be thankful for. There have been great men and women in history who showed us our conscience, shook up our assumptions and lead us forward through controversy. Who are these people today? Do you know them?
Christianity have much to ask forgiveness for. Inquisitions, Crusades, pogroms, and community purity campaigns have shown the intolerance and viciousness of some who think that their actions express/protect their faith. Gamaliel said it best, 2000 years ago; “[I]f this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.” Why do we seem to be so concerned about protecting our own rights when we should be preaching the Gospel and protecting the rights of those who cannot protect themselves?
And, Christianity has much to be aspiring to. There is a plan that God has for His people. We need to determine what that is and work to be within that plan. It isn’t our plan – it’s His. If we spend too much time defending ourselves we don’t have time to defend the Gospel. It isn’t about one’s right to practice our faith; it’s about our faith being the right one to practice.
So, how did we get to this point? Did we miss the signposts or ignore them? Or, have we forgotten the signposts that got us here? And then, come to think of it, are we signposts? And if so, to what are we pointing?
posted by genebko at 1:24 PM
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