Comments on: jesus brand spirituality: he wants his religion back

By: Luke

Luke — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:18:20 +0000

Ken,
Jesus’ real brand of spirituality is simply an intimate relation with God. Born of a belief in Jesus and a growing of faith through hearing the Word of God. When well meaning Christians don’t hear or feel the presence of God in their lives they make many assumptions. We must make sure that our assumptions are not identical to our conclusions. There are many areas of theology that challenge the mind and delight the heart with the depth and splendor of god. And yet because He is both majesty and mystery, we perceive only as though through a “darkened window pane”, thus leaving open the door for the crafty and the deceitful to creep into the house of the unprepared and lead them astray with something provocatively similar yet disastrously different from the Truth manifested through diligent and prayerful study of Scripture and accepted doctrine. Only through such thoughtful and scholarly deliberations will Christians be able to persuasively juxtapose a consistent and comprehensive Biblical world view against the “vacuous Chicken Soup of the deceived soul.”

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:02:26 +0000

I’m bemused thinking about all the judging that seems to occupy human beings at times – it plages me to this day! Paradoxically I had started going to 12th step meetings two decades ago and was exploring the idea of belief in a power greater than myself. I was also burdened by a intense dislike for those “hypocritical religious people” and this was keeping me away from church. Someone firmly and lovingly pointed out it was hypocritcal of me to label all believers as hypocrites. GOTCHA!!!! I continuously thank God (as I understand him) for the patient, gentle and wise people around me and that I occasionally listen to them.

By: steven hamilton

steven hamilton — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:14:38 +0000

personally, i can’t wait to read it…viva la revolucion!!

what a family to be a part of…yeesh, sometimes more like a pack who eats their weak and young than a tribe with shared concerns.

here are (hopefully) some challenging yet comforting words from a vineyard acquiantance of mine:

“…the judgers and despisers look down on others. They don’t love or respect them. Ah, it never ends. These two things happen simultaneously and perpetually in the life of the community. When we think it is theological exactitude or moral perfection or missional vision that is the point, these are not the point at all. They are important. But they are only the extras. In the last analysis, it’s not going to be what theology you embraced, what spiritual disciplines you practiced, what vision you crafted and pursued, but did you love one another. I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll ever, ever get that.”

By: eva

eva — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:24:11 +0000

Ken,
For what it’s worth I love (I feel that I should find another less potentially misunderstood word here but I really can’t think of one that sufficiently fits what I want to convey) you- in a pure/platonic sense of course. I also find myself somewhat disgusted with the message of the “church” and don’t think I would have found my way back to a community of believers if I hadn’t stumbled across you guys when you were in Milan. I’ve been waiting for your book to be published -I actually got a sneek peek a few weeks ago and it looks wonderful.
hugs, Eva