Posted on 07/24/2004 7:12:11 AM PDT by buckeyesrule
If you read the entire article it is a 5 year old ministry that is already bearing fruit.
Oddly enough, if it's Christian and working there will be two reactions on the part of other Christians.
1) Adopt it.
2) Bash it.
I don't know why Christians who don't want to adopt it can't choose:
3) Let it be and pray that it blesses.
Shalom.
Why do I get the impression there is a high distraction quotient at these things?
3) Let it be and pray that it blesses.
Amen.
It seems to me as if we are saying the same thing. They were drawn to Him because they were thirsty for Truth because their life was not satisfying the thirst for Him. Repenting isn't necessarily just a quick decision. He must first be revealed to us, we must see ourselves in that light and desire to change. The sinners who came to Him, just as we come to Him come in the same way - as did those before His incarnation.
Yes, the Lord sent and sends us out among the sinners, but your own words are my point. If they do not accept and desire to have Him be the Lord of their lives, to accept the gospel, and the multitude of other ways to say it, then we are to move on as He leads. But.. that is not what is happening here in having 3+ yr long "bible study" at Hooters. (If I read the article right.). It is one thing to proclaim Him to those who frequent there, or other places. But it is another to continue to stay there and "teach" truth - to continue to bring people back to that place, which has a reputation for feeding on sexual lusts - to teach God's Truths. That is my point. In your analogy, these people are continuing to stay at the place where God's Truth is not really accepted.
I think you left out the line about a "true Bible study only being in the King James Version"
I am not sure why you said this, and I won't get into that debate, but if you are KJVO, I can send you many references to debunk that. If you meant it as a personal slam, then that would show how off base you seem to be, or how you have misread what I am trying to say.
Jesus revealed himself to people in different ways and in different depths depending on the circumstances.
He still does!
If he walked with the disciples for 3 years before he revealed himself and he told people he had healed not to reveal his divinity why do you assume one of his followers should not spend one night a week for a year introducing a sinner to the person of Jesus Christ?
There are many differences between then and now. First, He did not always tell others not to say who He was - but those He did was because it was not yet time for His sacrifice on the cross. That is no longer the case. I am not saying it may not take many times lifting up His name, in multiple ways on multiple occasions before they come to the Lord, but just not in a place like Hooter's. FYI - our daughters (and sons) spent several years, witnessing (in many ways) and bringing many of their friends to our house for food, love, etc before several of them really starting coming to the Lord. But we are not to be always tempting others to sin while showing them the Lord. It is an oxymoron to say the least.
Very few come to the Lord through apologetics and being given the "Christian rule book " before they know Christ.
I would agree. It is the power of God's Word, working in out lives (thus I quoted the Hebrews 4 passage). I think you have misunderstood, or perhaps I did not say it clearly. It is NOT about what we say - it is the power of God's truth working in us that brings anyone to salvation (and sanctification). And that comes from the Word/Truth of God. Taking bits and pieces from scripture (usually out of context) usually does not convey that, which is what it sounds like is happening with this group. Most of the time, it does not present the whole counself of God. That is why we need to be discipling others by teaching them that they must seek His face and the the best way to do that is to develop a love for His Word.
The only "rule" book is the Word of God - which reveals WHO God is and who we are in relation to Him and the consequences of whom we choose to be putting our trust in. Thus we are brought to a choice. Trust in Him and His goodness and righteousness, and holiness, and sovereignty and merciful kindness, or in our own sinful powerless self.
Paul said:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
When you proclaim their is only one way to have a Bible study and their are places the Gospel should not be presented you deny God's sovereignty.
This article was not about them presenting the gospel in Hooter's, but to have an ongoing bible study there for their group. I would hope and pray that my words have never indicated there is ever a time when we should NOT be proclaiming His Truth, but there is very much a limit on where we disciple others. The article appears to be about the latter - continuing to disciple others at Hooter's. And, I read your post as saying that it was acceptable to be doing that. That is what I responded to. My apologies if that is not what you were saying.
I am sorry that you misunderstood my question. I guess I did not phrase it well enough. My question is not about an area that Jesus would not go and teach about His Truth, on a large scale, but rather in specific establishments. Saying Gallilee was like giving the answer of Georgia when I was asking for a specific example comparable to Jesus teaching at a Hooter's in Atlanta. If it were acceptable according to God's Truth, then wouldn't we expect to read of Jesus teaching in the brothels in Israel, or Paul preaching at the temples of the pagan gods? Instead, we find Jesus teaching at synagogues, the Temple, people's homes, the hillsides, and other places, and Paul in the synagogues, to groups of Jews and then from their, or gentile's homes. I don't see any difference here. Instead, it seems like a slap in the face of God's Truth and His desire for us to let His resurrection life live in us by continuing to bring others into a tempting, lustful situation. Again, 1 Cor 8.
...However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
yeah, outside of a covenant marital relationship. Not in general. Hard to argue back against this statement because it's so vaguely worded...
Whatever this is, it's not a Bible study.
Good point. There are too many distractions at Hooters to focus on the Word. They don't focus on the Bible at this Bible study anyway.
After I read this article, the first question that came to my mind was, why Hooters? If you want to discuss some scripture passages or study the Bible in depth, why not go to a coffee shop? Why would Hooters make some folks more relaxed? And if that's the case, why not hold Bible studies in the local topless joint?
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.
I'd like to take this opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions about the Single Focus Atlanta Bible Study. I am a supporter of the ministry and personal friends with the people who operate SFA.
While the recent press has concentrated upon the Hooter's Bible Study, this is only one of the venues where SFA holds weekly sessions. Meetings are also held in a local Mexican restaurant, a sports grill and a downtown Atlanta restaurant where they gather for Bible study and "life" discussions. The sessions are attended and led by both men and women regardless of the location. A more in-depth, believer oriented study is held each week in the home of the founder.
The goal of SFA is to meet the spiritual needs of young adults at a transitional time in their lives. We are a college town and this is a real need in our community. Many of the college-aged crowd work as wait-staff and/or socialize in local restaurants. Nothing is pushed on anyone. The meetings happen and anyone who is curious is welcome to take part. Anyone who indicates an interest in becoming part of a local church congregation is referred to one in the area. I have joyfully welcomed many of these young people to my church where several have chosen to become members and take their new relationship with Christ to a deeper level of discipleship and servanthood.
I understand that this ministry is not for everyone or every church, but God uses each of us in different ways to reach unbelievers. Single Focus Atlanta is called to do just what it is doing and it is making a difference in lives of young people who don't always feel "good enough" to walk up the steps of the church. Through SFA, they experience God's grace and love in a very real way.
I would think he meant they didn't bring Bibles, but had discussions...it is odd, but hey if it works to get them to church that would be something.
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