OUR OVERALL THEME: How we practice our faith effects the faith itself.
SUNDAY'S THEME: Found in various places between the bottom of page 67 and the middle of page 68 of Pagan Christianity - The theme is that modern Christianity is plagued by a scourge of pragmatism. Pragamatism is a guiding philosophy that says "whatever works is what is best," while ignoring moral or ethical considerations. (Note: pragmatism is only bad when it is a guiding philosophy for life -- obviously, in a situation where ethical, moral and spiritual implications can be wisely weighed, a pragmatic approach - one that efficiently produces a desired outcome - isn't necessarily bad.) The bottom of page 68 begins a critique of the great revivalist and evangelist, Charles Finney. the authors charge that, "He taught that the sole purpose of preaching was to win converts. Any devices that helped accomplish that goal were acceptable." Here the authors overstate the point. Certainly, Finney would not have approved of topless female dancers to win over the white male heathens. But the idea that making converts was the single priority of preaching allowed him to employ techniques that were not necessarily bad, but not necessarily scriptural either. This gave to Finney the tool of pragmatism, and he employed it.
How might practicing our faith with pragmatism effect the faith itself?
Further down the page they state a solid truth, "The philosophy of pragmatism opens the door for human manipulation and a complete reliance up oneself rather than upon God." We discussed how this is a problem with modern Christianity and we cited "seeker sensitive" churches, mega churches, or any local churches, etc... who are so organizationally focused on winning converts that they have lost the ability to build real Christian community. Their problem is human ingenuity and not miraculous intervention. As part of this discussion we explored the following verses:
- Psalm 127:1 - Unless God is building the house, who labors in vain?
- John 15:5 - Who is the source? Apart from that source what can we do?
- Acts 2:42-47 - Who added to their number daily? What did they do to add numbers to themselves daily?
We revisited the idea, discussed in a previous class, that the church, and each of its members, is part of the BODY of Christ. This means everyone has a duty to perform, just like every part of the body has a duty to perform. For instance, the eye sees for the whole body, the hand grasps for the whole body, the appendix . . . uh. . . well, nevermind. We discussed how open church meetings, like those you woud see in a small group, foster this kind of "every member" participation. We discussed just exacly how open the New Testament church meetings were. We examined:
- 1 Corinthians 14:29-33 - Notice how if one prophet is speaking, and another sitting down has a prophesy, that the prophet speaking is to be quite and let the sitter proceed. This is quite a picture of an open meeting -- not unlike our sunday school meetings, or a small group meeting.
- Verse 31 above: Notice the words "you all." What is the significance of that?
- Matthew 18:20 - We discussed how Christ is the head of all real Christian meetings, and that openess can be o.k. because of this verse.
Considering the 1 Corinthian verses above, we defined what prophet meant in that passage. Does anyone remember how we defined it? HINT, check out 2.f.3 here, for a possible definition. What do you think of that definition given the context of the passage?
Finally, we discussed how during the heat of problems this summer, a friend approached me complaining that he/she wasn't getting anything from church or sermons and felt unfed. I gently explained that I didn't come to church to be fed, but to serve. We discussed this statement in terms of church culture. How mighty you critisize this statement? How might you praise it?
I will see you guys Sunday. Enjoy the rest of the week.
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