Let's Talk about This. Seriously!

[tstew]

Originally Posted by pelathais

It's not just the handful who were "abusive" but an entire movement that cried out - "We don't want to inherit the promise!" It was the entire Oneness Pentecostal nation and all of its "tribes" that has rebelled against God. It's a "we" thing that Rodney Shaw's article stirs up. It's you and me - even though you and I might have had better ideas; we're still part of the problem and we all need to change.

Yes, the mix is great and Ezra seems to have noticed the harmony in that sound. But the "ancient" men were weeping because the "bounderies" of the foundation and porch were "smaller." They remembered an ethereal cloud that may have shone from the Holy Place if everything was just right back in the "ol' days."

Zechariah spoke of a greater glory than that. He said that this "small thing" - this "new thing" would in fact host the greatest glory God had ever manifested. And indeed it did. It was those same stones that were laid down in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah that Jesus Christ walked upon. God had an incredible glory planned for Israel - but the only response He got from a lot of folks was, "that ain't how we used to do it!"

Pel, I believe I see some of the same problems you see, but I'm just saying that not every new thing is good...or every good thing new. I think that the kind of balance that BRo Shaw is talking about is going to be best for both generations and the world.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by tstew

Pel, I believe I see some of the same problems you see, but I'm just saying that not every new thing is good...or every good thing new. I think that the kind of balance that BRo Shaw is talking about is going to be best for both generations and the world.

Yeah, "new" just because it's "new" won't cut it; the same as "old" just because someone said it was "old" hasn't cut it either.

We need a clear and consistent vision based upon Biblical values. Coupled with that, we need to be a bit more open to the inevitable differences that will always exist among us.

We must, however (IMHO of course) rid ourselves of this habit of always wanting to be the first to condemn anything that is new or a bit different. The articles and letters that Shaw's article at least appears to be addressing are a good example - or bad example of this behavior.

Just because some "kid" preached at GC we were all subjected to the rant of his neighbor who was eager to tar the "kid" with everything "emergent." Did the guy even try and visit with the "kid" and share a lunch or a cup of coffee before publishing his anger and resentment for the whole world to read?

You're a wise man Stewie. But best of all - you're also an optimistic man. That's the kind of combo we need to have super-sized.