Posted on 01/05/2009 12:39:29 PM PST by Between the Lines
I think it’s wrong because it is a works-based program: if I read the book in the prescribed schedule, meet with my small group... it will change my life. BS!!! Only a relationship with Christ, through faith, will change any body’s life. But, if you want to really see the ugly part, get (or borrow, I wouldn’t pay a cent for it)a copy of The Message. I understand why some people like modern translations, I myself am sold on the New King James. But The Message is downright blasphemous at times. Imagine Jesus saying “I came so that you could find yourselves”, or “when you pray say ‘Hi Pop, what’s up?’”.
(I'm not associated in any way with vendor or book)
Fair enough, but I noticed the large billboards and advertisements for church only when I moved down south, I never saw anything like that in the northeast, anywhere I’ve lived or visited.
I see few billboards in California and those I do see don’t feature a denominational name, at least one I recognize. In my hometown of 82,000, we see lots of newspaper advertisements for churches but few if any list their denominational ties. So the “hide the denomination” trend is happening out west also.
“Just because something is fun does not mean its of the devil.”
Agreed - I play with some musicians who can rock the house in jazz, bluegrass, blues and rock and it’s fun - and most of it is Christian music. That doesn’t mean playing to the unchurched is preaching the gospel. At best it’s disingenuous, at worst it’s bait and switch. Neither honors the baseline message, which is Christ and Him crucified.
many people won’t set foot inside a ‘baptist’ church or other mainstream denomination. mostly because they have hardened their heart based on some past experience.
But does that changing the message right? I agree that some of the mainline denominations have been too rigid in “following the rules”, and that it’s driven some folks away; however, I also see too many people using that “the church is just full of hypocrites” BS to justify their own sloth and lack of commitment.
Once again, violent agreement. I see what he wanted to do with the Message, but most of it just makes my skin crawl.
Sorry, not trying to be a smart guy, just saying that there is more to finding the higher being than marketing. Seems too many of these type groups go at it very strongly.
I know you are a kind being as you have been very respectful.
Thanks
...and when I say “playing to the unchurched”, I don’t mean music, I mean changing the outside cover to attract unsuspecting people. That’s just shallow, IMHO, and it shows a distinct lack of respect for peoples’ basic intellect.
“At best it’s disingenuous, at worst it’s bait and switch. Neither honors the baseline message, which is Christ and Him crucified.”
So you invite people to church, play music for them and then worry about a bait-n-switch? Most people figure that when they go to a church they are gonna hear something religious.
“I also see too many people using that “the church is just full of hypocrites” BS to justify their own sloth and lack of commitment.”
Absolutely, I’m just not willing to condemn them to hell because of that. IMHO anything we can to to bring people to accept Jesus is a good thing. As long as its true to the Bible and to Christ’s message.
We have both traditional and contemporary services every Sunday and the preaching is straight from scripture. We are a church, not a “worship center”. We don’t pretend to be something we’re not, so no, I don’t think we’re guilty of bait and switch. What you see is what you get.
And “condemning them to hell” isn’t our job. Our mission is to present the gospel. No more, no less.
I think we’re in the same ballpark, you and I.
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