Skip to main content

Easy Believism

Hi friends,

I've been "off-line" for a few days...the result of some rather busy things in life...some very enjoyable, like our 40th wedding anniversary, and some just plain busy in work - like pastoring a church and teaching a college class.

I'm still reading through the scriptures...but I am in the prophets - today it was Micah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. One has to have perseverance to continue to read the Prophets. There's not much good news, and when you find one (like today's Micah 5:2) you find it as a gem in the midst of a lot of weeds. I admit, it's not a section of scripture that I "just love to read".

I'm reading a couple of books right now: "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" is a well written biography of his life, and as well, his thoughts on Christ in life. The other book is some collected works of Bonhoeffer's writings - "A Testament to Freedom: The Essential Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" - which I decided to get because the biographer refers to a number of his writings, but doesn't always get deeply into what he had to say.

What I appreciate about Dietrich Bonhoeffer was his capacity for honesty and faithfulness to Christ, no matter what the cost. It is counter the "easy believism" that pervades much of christian culture today.
All of us face this difficulty. We are people surrounded by the temptation to relegate Jesus to a 2 hour slot on Sundays. Then we go on the rest of the time being pragmatic and doing what works - which regardless if it is good or not, is not for the sake of Christ, but just because it works for each of us in our own way. I'm no different than anyone else in this, and yet I deplore a spirituality that is "easy", as if to say, there really isn't a cost for following Jesus afterall.

There is...if for no other person than Christ...there is.

Peace

Comments

paul said…
E, You are too modest. Reading Bonhoeffer, reading 6 chapters of Micah, Bible studies.....I could go on. You are definately different than other people. I don't think most people are doing as much as you to stay focused on Christ. All he requires of us is to believe, but some people go much further than that-to the benefit of both the person and God, and the relationship between the two.
June 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wednesday, Day 25: Christmas Eve - God Loves Us (So We Can Relax)

For Kids: There’s a lot of things we have to do each day. Get up from our sleep, Get dressed, Eat Breakfast, Get ready for School, Listen to the teacher, play with friends, eat our lunch, and after it’s all done, go back home. There’s time to play, Then we eat our supper… And eventually we have to get ready for bed and go to sleep! And then we do it all over again the next day. Sometimes there’s a vacation - like right now - and we get more time to play, to have fun and not have to do work at school. Our parents are good at helping us know what time it is and what we need to do next – even when we don’t want to move on to the next thing.  God is also good at helping us know what time it is, and what is next.  He doesn’t shout at us, or yell, or even scream…he does it peacefully, quietly.  He wants us to understand that he does it, most of all, for us. Christmas can be quite busy and there’s lots of things going on at once…but let us not forg
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov
1 comment
Read more