Comments on: No offence

By: jkbrkr

jkbrkr — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:06:39 +0000

Jesus’ understandings and ours do not always align. John writes in his gospel, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” (John 14:27, NIV). Most people would think that we will receive peace because our hearts are troubled. Yet, in Jesus’ instructions to his disciples he will first give peace and then their hearts could be troubled. What could this possibly mean? How would Jesus’ peace trouble us?
It is possible that this answers Ms. Sayers’ problem. It is possible that Jesus’ peace calls his followers to confront sin head on. The church’s tendency to embrace all people, no matter their willingness to repent, may fly in the face of Jesus’ peace. The act of ignoring scripture and over-valuing personal experience may not align with Jesus’ peace.
Jesus’ peace calls his disciples to hold loosely to life. Followers are to be willing to lay everything down (career, family, aspirations) if God calls them so. Unfortunately, many representatives of God have become soft and non-confrontational. This leaves a “church” that had becoming known for standing for nothing; unwilling to put their foot down. Jesus was indeed influential in his community (not exactly in the way Sayers described). He was questioned by the authorities (Mark 2), shunned by the Pharisees (Matthew 9), and plotted against (Matthew 12). Jesus made an impact on his surroundings; his church should do the same.

By: Clinton

Clinton — Sat, 21 May 2005 22:14:08 +0000

However, causing offence does not mean that we’re on the right track eithor. Perhaps our lack of victimization is because society just doesn’t care what the church says or does. Offence is only caused when someone cares about what you are saying.

By: Saemon

Saemon — Fri, 20 May 2005 04:08:28 +0000

I wonder if Dorothy Sayers ever read Søren Kierkegaard??

“So inseperable is the possibility of offense from faith that if the God-man were not the possibility of offense he could not be the object of faith, either. Thus the possibility of offense if taken up into faith, is assimilated by faith, is the negative mark of the God-man…one see how little the gratotude of Christianity has been earned through the abolition of the possibility of offense, how it has been made into a pleasant, a sentimental paganism…and in truth, the eighteen hundred (two thousand) years have not contributed a jot to demonstrating the truth of Christianity; on the contrary, with steadily increasing power they have contributed to abolishing Christianity…since it has been demonstrated, and on an enormous scale, that Christianity is the truth, now there is no one, almost no one, who is willing to make any sacrifce for its sake…If it could be made evident to all those orators (and blog-ators) who demonstrate the truth of Christianity by the eighteen hundred years (2000) and win people, if only it could be made evident in them, frightful as it is, that they are betraying, denying, abolishing Christianity - if that cannot be done, then Christianity is abolished.”
(The Religious - edited by John D. Caputo - “Søren Kierkegaard - FAITH: Selections from Practice in Christianity - Page 48)

Are we still causing offence??

By: Garth

Garth — Thu, 19 May 2005 13:11:35 +0000

I would say though that Jesus beef was continually with a church that misrepresented the father. He came and showed us what God really looks like, not what religion would have. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the suggestion that there was no offence per se because thousands followed him like moths to the point of needing to be fed. i think we get the impression that if we really show what being Christlike is like that people won’t be drawn….I think that people will be drawn….its the church that still is given a fractual image.

Two main messages come to mind and they melt together…”God loves you and you’re going to hell”….what a mixed message!

By: Digger

Digger — Wed, 18 May 2005 08:18:39 +0000

Yeah thats a great one hey, will quote that one no doubt. Thats what I love about the whole blogosphere, so easy to access and stael other people’s good ideas and thoughts!

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 18 May 2005 06:40:07 +0000

Just heard someone else say a similatr things, Erwin McManus; who is part of the Willow Network and leads a Moscia community in America.
He talks in language of Christian’s being Babarian’s, but we have made it very civilised & comfortable.
Some interesting thoughts.
I once had someone tell me they wished I could preach some easier messages. Just highlights how comfortable we like to feel.
Last time I checked carrying the cross wasn’t that comfortable!

By: dan

dan — Tue, 17 May 2005 01:56:34 +0000

A UK writer including the author of a number of controversial religious plays. You can read more here

By: nigel

nigel — Tue, 17 May 2005 00:32:12 +0000

Amen
(PS who is Dorothy Sayers?)