If the church is to be the non-judgmental, unconditionally loving, corporate body of Christ it is called to be, how will people be motivated and empowered to increasingly grow out of their sin and become more Christ-like? How do we practically grow in Christ-likeness when we are welcoming all into the celebration of the cessation of the ban? It is absolutely true that God has called us to make disciples, not mere believers (Matt. 28:19). How...
Screwtape Letters – Week 8, Letters 22 – 24
Letter 22 Themes: Spiritual dossiers; hedonism; pleasures of God; power of Christian influence; music and silence. Screwtape-Letters_-22Download Letter 23 Themes: Value of intelligent Christian community; corrupted spirituality; “historical Jesus;” social justice. Screwtape-Letters_-23Download Letter 24 Themes: Spiritual ignorance and pride; need for social validation; humility; arrogance; the inner ring....
Waking Up to Judgment
Scripture repeatedly and emphatically commands us to live in love and to put love above and before all things. “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians. 5:2, ESV “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians. 3:14, ESV It tells us that if we love, we will fulfill everything else the Lord requires of us, but if we...
Resident Aliens – Life in the Christian Colony
By Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon Resident Aliens discusses the nature of the church and its relationship to surrounding culture. It argues that churches should focus on developing Christian life and community rather than attempting to reform secular culture. Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon reject the idea that America is a Christian nation; instead, Christians should see themselves as “resident aliens” in a...
Uncomfortable – The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community
By Brett McCracken It’s easy to dream about the “perfect” church–a church that sings just the right songs set to just the right music before the pastor preaches just the right sermon to a room filled with just the right mix of people who happen to agree with you on just about everything. Chances are your church doesn’t quite look like that. But what if instead of searching for a church that makes us comfortable, we...
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