Comments for A Living Text

Comment on Doomed by joelmartin

joelmartin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:17:18 +0000

Me too, but see this:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/2009/12/peak-oil-ask-exxon-mobil.html

Comment on Doomed by markhorne

markhorne — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:03:16 +0000

I’m really skeptical about peak oil.

Comment on secular messianism by joelmartin

joelmartin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:49:25 +0000

I have no idea, but my guess would be that because the Catholic Church has many wings, Michael O’Brien and Cardinal O’Brian don’t see eye to eye on this.

Comment on secular messianism by John

John — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:56:53 +0000

If what you say is correct- that social revolution or social evolution is not how it is supposed to happen, why then is Cardinal O’Brian supporting the Copenhagen gathering on ETS?

Comment on Is Conversion the Answer? by joelmartin

joelmartin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:52:33 +0000

Unfortunately, it seems like the number of churches with actual relationships in them is minimal. I think we really need a revival in that area for anything to change. The early Methodists seem to me like a reaction against the same kind of formality with no relationships that we see today in our circles.

Comment on Is Conversion the Answer? by Mindi

Mindi — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:58:26 +0000

Well stated. Maybe it actually comes down to what a person can stand to overlook. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended in Me,” undoubtedly referring to churches and to relationships in the body of Christ.

While raising teens, we have noticed that having just one or two friends, or one highly respected older mentor, who held onto Christian beliefs and mores could help keep them serving the Lord and making reasonably good decisions, if they maintained that close relationship.

Often churches are more tightly held together by relationships than by doctrine, although doctrine is important. People with no relationships in their local church body are more easily offended when the boat rocks, and more likely to leave if they are treated poorly.

I am disappointed that the Catholics are not doing better than the evangelicals. The grass is always greener, I suppose.

Comment on Iconolatry by joelmartin

joelmartin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:39:04 +0000

Eli, that philosophy is a direct descendant of the various European and Asian idolatries and is the same thing that Bhuddists believe, for example. There is no promise or authority in the Scripture to substantiate such a position. But I do understand that if you are Orthodox or Catholic, that is your position.

Comment on Is Conversion the Answer? by joelmartin

joelmartin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:33:39 +0000

I’m not agreeing with everything he says either, just putting it out there for consideration. Many converts ancticipate perfection and harmony when in fact the new church is just as messed up as the last one.

Comment on Is Conversion the Answer? by mattboulter

mattboulter — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:38:59 +0000

I like that he is not romantic about Orthodoxy (refreshing), but I don’t at all agree with his suggestion that evangelical conviction is a substitute for liturgical tradition.

Comment on Benedictine Daily Prayer by Mindi

Mindi — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:19:43 +0000

I love this post. While I am happy for you, I am also envious that you have located two like-minded people to meet with on a regular basis. Some of my best and longest lasting friendships have started just like that. I have not had a prayer partner or a small group for so long that it seems like it happened in another life.

Within the realm of my experience, it does not always matter what the book is, if it is biblically based and is considered doctrinally acceptable to the people in the group. I feel that somehow I take issue with so many ideas at my church that it would be difficult to be in a small group with any of them. Either I would have to sell out and say nothing when really distorted ideas are taught, or they would think that I am trying to cause division when I am merely stating my opinion.

For instance, I have met another woman who is looking to me for support and some guidance at a critical time in her life. I have done that, and I have agreed to meet with her again because she is desperate, but I have found that I have had to clear out some of the ridiculous ideas in her head in order to help her.

I feel as if I am stamping out little fires with my hiking boots while the Redwood forest a few feet from our table at the coffee house are flaming and ready to fall.

Eventually I will be dropped as a friend, but I will let that be her choice.

I guess I am a desert monk right now, and I just have to be happy with that.