tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11928317.post7305254185183068941..comments2024-01-29T14:24:46.852-05:00Comments on Wes Ellis: Discipline in Studying Scripturewellis68http://www.blogger.com/profile/06087588494600746854noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11928317.post-75011435420441861042010-04-30T23:29:40.213-04:002010-04-30T23:29:40.213-04:00You wrote: "Now, if we're going to be jus...You wrote: "Now, if we're going to be just as disciplined about social and ethical decisions, then we're going to run into even more frustration. We're going to have to relinquish our need to be right all the time and we're going to have to let go of the pressure to have an immediate opinion about everything. We're going to have to embrace a great deal of humility in order to really listen. It's easy to skip to the end of the process and come to a conclusion in which there is a clear right and wrong. But as we study scripture with the world on our hearts, we're bound to find some tension and we must hold that tension throughout our decision making process. Both extremes lack discipline in this way... look at the homosexuality issue, for example"<br /><br />Well said, and I mostly agree. The danger here, though, is the implied notion that Truth is achieved through thesis, anti-thesis, synthesis.<br /><br />Also, one side will continue to talk until they get what they want, and often if you compromise on one point it encourages them. American Christians seem to have no notion of "get thee behind me Satan."<br /><br />From an N. T. Wright interview: "Paul has some fascinating passages about living with difference within the people of God. In 1 Corinthians 8-10 and in Romans 14, he talks about being prepared to accept one another as brothers and sisters, to eat together and to worship together, despite having differences on whether to eat food offered to idols, to eat meat at all, to drink wine, to keep special holy days, etc. Many people have tried to say, there you are, Paul has this principle of tolerance, and we should simply tolerate one another within the body. There are two problems about applying that right across the board. One is that Paul himself doesn't apply it right across the board. There are many issues on which Paul says, there are no two opinions about this, this is the way it is. If people go a different route, then they are excluding themselves from the fellowship of the church and the church should ratify that."<br /><br />As an Ambassador of Christ, I have to first ensure I hear His voice. I can negotiate, in a limited way. Imagine I'm telling a non-Christian about the resurrection, and they say "Can I be a Christian if I don't believe that?"<br /><br />The answer is no. No discussion, no sharing stories, no "join the conversation" (as the ELCA says).<br /><br />Humility and brotherly love are core and key, but sometimes the answer is no. Every truth claim does not have a middle ground. This includes the truth claim to live at peace with all in so far as it's possible with you.<br /><br />We need ways to stand firm on conscious without wounding our brothers or hating our enemies.Bo Grimeshttp://resident-aliens.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11928317.post-42037813744441344752010-04-29T13:00:05.903-04:002010-04-29T13:00:05.903-04:00And you wonder why you're not sure if you'...And you wonder why you're not sure if you're an Evangelical? LOL Seriously, this is solid stuff, Wes; very thoughtful and, in my opinion, right on the mark.swope.steven@yahoo.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723126408024300817noreply@blogger.com