Interesting thought, however I would have to challenge your thought in the term "Pentecostal." The only Pentecostals who have used this term as slick-haired, Bible-thumping preachers spitting, and scowling women with their hair in buns are those who have narrowly defined "Pentecost" as holiness as describes by following a list of do's- and don'ts. There is a LARGE body of Spirit-filled Pentecostals that this aspect is not any a twitter of a thought in the definition of this word.
Hmmm, with all areas there is a ditch on either side of the truth. It would appear that he jumped from one ditch into the other. Just as a strict guideline of how you should or should not have your hair has no affect on your Chrisitanity, don't deceive yourself into thinking that this is a "Prophetic act of consecration" either. Does he proclaim to be a Nazarite or something?
If you really wanted to get in a debate on this from a spiritual side you would have a VERY weak position as the history of dreadlocks is tied to spiritual movements, non of which is about the Jesus we preach (Dreadlocks are associated most closely with the Rastafari movement, but people from many groups in history have worn them, including the Hindu Shiva worshippers of India,). So to declare that it is a prophetic consecration I would tell him just live clean and come out from among other groups.
He may not practice Rastafarian, but he is utilizing their beliefs. It is interesting how peopel use words like "radical Christian" as though "Christian" needs some kind of pre-fix to it. A true Christian has died to themselves and their desires and realizes that their life has been bought with a price and they are not their own. Wow! I don't think a Christian needs a pre-fix to describe who they are.
Amen on that point!
I have a problem with the usage of the world "relevant." People using this word tend to imply that the Bible is not "relevant." That is what has birthed the whole seeker sensitive movement, now the emergent church movement, not long ago the Todd Bailey thing.
What most call "relevant" is error. It is a doctrine that allows a person to stay the same and fill good about themselves. Want to know what is relevant in the world we live in today?
Without Jesus you are sinner bound for hell!
That's relevant!
I read a study not so long ago that in "Today's Christian colleges" as you stated that up to 50% of the professors are not even born again. Of course they are nauseated by any form of "religion"
Now, you mention "hype", "blow-dried evangelists", "insincere appeals of offerings", "faked healings", etc. I would agree that any Christian would be turned off by these. The problem is the people you are talking about would call in type of an appeal to live clean and deny yourself "hype."
They would call any evangelist "blow-dried" that told you that you needed a Savior and that the walk of a Christian will cost you in denying the things of this world.
They would also call any offering an "insincere appeal" because it is not about the offering it is about their desire to spend their money to satisfy their carnal nature and not the funding of the gospel so others can hear it.
It was probably a good speech and there is a valid point in it. We are to glorify God wherever we are. The only thing I would add is "don't chase a career, chase God. What does God want you to do with your life?"
The best way to glorify God is to allow God to control your life.
Awesome story! Something everyone should keep in the forefront of their thinking.
Humanitarian work is awesome and much needed. It also opens the door to evangelism and fulfills many scriptures about helping those who are less fortunate than yourself.
However, those who do humanitarian work must always remember to keep the first thing first. While, giving someone clean water so that they are not dying prematurely or suffering from disease is good, if they spend eternity in hell it was a mute point. Rescuing an exploited girl is phenomenal, but if she is only rescued and not saved you've only achieved a temporary solution.
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