Why not write a much shorter book that spoke directly to the Christians who walk in to be led every Sunday morning? Perhaps a book that would help them think more biblically about their responsibility as a worshiper of God, regardless of how they were being led. A book that leaders could give to members of their congregation.
Let me make a bold, but, I think, defensible assertion: we should approach the Scriptures with the same reverence we would have in approaching Christ.
I do not remember 99% of what I read, but if the 1% of each book or article I do remember is a life-changing insight, then I don’t begrudge the 99%.
Sullivan’s article argues that today’s younger evangelicals (the under-30s) are “expanding their mission” by being deeply concerned not with “fire-and-brimstone conservatism”... but with issues like global poverty, creation care, and inner-city education.
For the sake of moving this debate further along, let me suggest another reason many younger evangelicals might find social justice issues so attractive: it’s easy.
No one argues with the need to feed the hungry. But people are killed for the proclamation of the gospel.
George Whitefield, the 18th-century evangelist, gives this advice for those considering a call: “Ask yourselves again and again whether you would preach for Christ if you were sure to lay down your life for so doing? If you fear the displeasure of a man for doing your duty now, assure yourselves you are not yet thus minded.”The article also lists thoughts by Luther, John Newton, Charles Hodge and Robert L Dabney on the calling of a minister
When you take the time to listen to the Happiness experts, a repeated theme is the vital place of community.
We have bunkered down in private castles and the refuge of a controlled environment untrammelled by the muddy shoes of neighbourhood children. Remote controlled garage doors mean we don’t even have to risk a conversation with nearby residents before pulling down the shutters and retreating to our sanctuaries.
But there is lots of evidence that community is not only good for us, but we are longing for it.
An interesting article in the New York Times considers American’s faith in technology and the surprise we have when technology can’t immediately fix our problems.
Humans don’t do well when not in control.
Among other things, this catastrophe can remind us of where our faith ultimately needs to be: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
