tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.comments2009-06-05T22:18:24.236+12:00VISION YOUTH NETWORK (NEW ZEALAND)Clive Smithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832613964154722658noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-48902796891718423382009-06-05T22:18:24.236+12:002009-06-05T22:18:24.236+12:00I'm currently listening to an interesting seri...I'm currently listening to an interesting series from Cornerstone Church, they've just recently held a Gospel Conference, which focuses you guessed it on the Gospel.<br /><br />But was is interesting is that it discusses what it looks like to live the gospel, and perhaps this is the main issue the church and we as ministry leaders face.<br /><br />I'd encourage you to listen into how Cornerstone Church is working through this cultural shift. The series has 5 parts but be sure to also listen to the message entitled "who's the cult" my opinion is that this is part 6 and Francis deals with 3 main questions/hestitations people in his church raise after being confronted with this cultural shift.Kevnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-50647293601294528812009-06-05T16:21:40.143+12:002009-06-05T16:21:40.143+12:00How do we get back in touch with the generational ...How do we get back in touch with the generational semantics? Do we really have a depth of understanding of our current cultural climate that we are trying to communicate to? If not, as is well pointed out, we will be 'missing the mark' (one of the definitions of sin) that the gospel should be hitting...does our lack of orthopraxy stem out of this missing the mark and not communicating the truth of the gospel in way that addresses the current needs, without the cost to the gospel (so therefore avoiding synchretism). Has the church missed the mark by not holding people to account for there lack of orthopraxy in past? I think we have fallen on the side of grace (which is good to lean that way, don't get me wrong) and sometimes missed the part of the gospel where the unrepentant sinner is to be treated 'like the tax collectors and sinners' (while they are still unrepentant).<br />Have we stemmed too far down the grace, to the point of saying one thing (orthodoxy) but allowing something entirely different (orthopraxy)? Does this stem into synchretism where we allow the pervading culture to adopt parts of the gospel that suit? or vice versa?<br /> <br />Truth is hard to define in the best of times, but I think the point is the acceptance or not of an ultimate truth. If one accepts that there is than a way is open or some dialogue about what that truth may be. If however, if ultimate truth is denied then there is no dialogue and so how do we go about addressing the issues we need to.<br /><br />These are just my initial thoughts...I don't yet know the answers, but either way, I do think these challenges definitely face the church...and also individuals in how they witness. After all, if we are to spread the word, we are the message and if we are to be true to the gospel we need to have these sorted at a personal level before worrying about "the church"<br />DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-26818850562345227712009-06-05T15:27:13.256+12:002009-06-05T15:27:13.256+12:00What do you mean by truth? Is truth knowledge or i...What do you mean by truth? Is truth knowledge or is it honesty, authenticity, genuineness? Christian’s tend to think of truth as being knowledge – I know the truth – but postmodern thinkers tend to think of truth in terms of not lying, in which case it makes absolute sense to talk about something being true for me and not for you.<br /><br />I would disagree that absolute truth (as in knowledge) has been rejected – rather I would agree with Brian McLaren when he claims that absolute certainty has been rejected. I would also claim that it is acknowledged that there are absolute truths but ‘we’ have been wrong so many times in the past that it is arrogant to say that I know the truth and you do not. Truth is actually so important that to claim to know it is to claim the impossible. The need to know the ultimate ‘truth’ is thus rejected and instead uncertainty, humility and constant doubt are embraced. For a Christian to come in and say ‘this is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ invites judgments of arrogance and rejection from the postmodern relative listener.<br /><br />We need to understand the underlying ideas and concepts that are shaping the understanding of words in the culture around us. Language is powerful and it is prescriptive, the words I understand and the concepts I have been raised to think from limit my thinking – I cannot think something I have never experienced or been introduced to (a person born in a tribe in Alaska who has never seen tv, never had it described, never heard it referenced is highly unlikely to ever conceive of the idea of a tv). If we are talking with someone who understands truth as something of high importance, something that requires great honesty, authenticity and humility from anyone who dares to attempt to describe it – then to say this is the truth, I am right and you are wrong, is to alienate them.<br /><br />Thats my first thought will continue to process through ur post and respond as I find time lol<br />loves<br />CatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-83483096360590855602008-11-14T21:12:00.000+13:002008-11-14T21:12:00.000+13:00relationships :) interest in the person, not the p...relationships :) interest in the person, not the product.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-34426620436797325572008-11-02T20:38:00.000+13:002008-11-02T20:38:00.000+13:00Hey brother. Thanks so much for investing into th...Hey brother. Thanks so much for investing into the blog bro. Shot ... see you soon.<BR/>mMatthew Martynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00318435197390485301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8253359747192172627.post-73424178465350494622008-10-12T00:25:00.000+13:002008-10-12T00:25:00.000+13:00Hey bro.. so cool. yea i can still remember clea...Hey bro.. so cool. yea i can still remember clearly what you spoke at GC (Gatecrashers) so you were working it for me. <BR/>I am thinking about getting together a couple people this summer to just brainstorm.. what is it to be 'the church' to teenagers in Hamilton. <BR/>Catch up soon GangstaMatthew Martynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00318435197390485301noreply@blogger.com