This is an insignificant blog from a middle-aged man's perspective.
01 August 2007
aahh...
Institution
4 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Contrasting Mother Teresa to Teenage Jesus-Worshiping Christians? Isn't that, in the words of Dogbert, "Like sandblasting a Saltine"?
A favorite theologian of mine contrasts thick religion versus thin religion. He uses these terms to discuss the temptation to enact religious violence, but I think we can steal them for this conversation.
What I see in just the last two posts is a praise of thick Christianity (institution) and a rebuke of thin Christianity (culture). A discipleship of costly actions versus a discipleship of co-opting labels. But why is that thin Christianity attractive? Why do people resonate with it? Why is it wrong? Also, are there other, perhaps more sturdy examples of the culture that you can critique, such as the core beliefs that create things like "The Sin Exterminator" shirt?
Tony! I am in the middle of praying a Novena (9 day prayer) of Mother Teresa. Yesterday's prayer included this quote from her:
"Love Him trustfully without looking back, without fear. Give yourself fully to Jesus. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His Love than in your weakness. Believe in Him, trust in Him with blind and absolute confidence because He is Jesus."
Yea, wow.
Much peace of Christ to you, Tony. May you always seek that "thicker" and more costly discipleship in Christ.
I have this very picture on my refrigerator right below this mission statement I stole from--yes, it's true--a CHURCH:
'Imagine a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that it is not about them, but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by His story and His heart for their city.
They are seed-throwers and fire-starters, hope-peddlers and grace-givers, risk-takers and dreamers, young and old.
They link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, seek the lost.
They serve together, play together,worship together,live life together. Their city will change because God sent them.
They are us.
We believe that small things done with great love will change the world.'
4 comments:
Contrasting Mother Teresa to Teenage Jesus-Worshiping Christians? Isn't that, in the words of Dogbert, "Like sandblasting a Saltine"?
A favorite theologian of mine contrasts thick religion versus thin religion. He uses these terms to discuss the temptation to enact religious violence, but I think we can steal them for this conversation.
What I see in just the last two posts is a praise of thick Christianity (institution) and a rebuke of thin Christianity (culture). A discipleship of costly actions versus a discipleship of co-opting labels. But why is that thin Christianity attractive? Why do people resonate with it? Why is it wrong? Also, are there other, perhaps more sturdy examples of the culture that you can critique, such as the core beliefs that create things like "The Sin Exterminator" shirt?
Tony! I am in the middle of praying a Novena (9 day prayer) of Mother Teresa. Yesterday's prayer included this quote from her:
"Love Him trustfully without looking back, without fear. Give yourself fully to Jesus. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His Love than in your weakness. Believe in Him, trust in Him with blind and absolute confidence because He is Jesus."
Yea, wow.
Much peace of Christ to you, Tony. May you always seek that "thicker" and more costly discipleship in Christ.
Mother Tersea of Calcutta: Pray for us.
I have this very picture on my refrigerator right below this mission statement I stole from--yes, it's true--a CHURCH:
'Imagine a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that it is not about them, but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by His story and His heart for their city.
They are seed-throwers and fire-starters, hope-peddlers and grace-givers, risk-takers and dreamers, young and old.
They link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, seek the lost.
They serve together, play together,worship together,live life together. Their city will change because God sent them.
They are us.
We believe that small things done with great love will change the world.'
Jamie, that is beautiful.
Tony, Thanks for the image.
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