Hi, Paul. I’m a Teddy-come-lately to the board (in the past few months) and I haven’t seen you around lately until this post. Greetings in Christ to you!
There’s a lot of things I like about the link that you provided. For example . . . .
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Last Sunday, IBC Director of Spiritual Discovery Marc Harrienger preached a message on "stepping out of the box" as a church. Bottom line, he challenged us to follow the New Testament pattern of engaging in radical prayer and authentic worship, engaging with lost people in the world where they are, and then anticipating God's transformational work in their lives. It's that second step that challenges me, because I find it's far more comfortable in the church box than in the real world of hurt where most folks live. Don't you?
. . . . . I like what Pastor McQuitty wrote here about the need to engage with the lost people in the world where they are, and then to anticipate God’s transformational work in their lives. And I, like Pastor McQuitty, find that extremely challenging. [My sinful nature . . . . <heavy sigh>]
I also like VERY much what Pastor McQuitty wrote about the movie character, Shelby . . . . . . .
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My problem is with what seems to be Shelby's tacit assumption that to show genuine compassion for those hurt by sin requires Christians to drop biblical definitions of sin. She seems to feel that caring for those struggling with premarital sex and homosexuality necessitates a lowering of the biblical standard with respect to those activities. Thus her statement, "I don't think there's one right answer."
. . . . . regarding the TRUTH of the Bible.
And as a parent, I particularly agree (and am challenged by) what Pastor McQuitty wrote here:
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Those of us who believe the Bible is God's word and that it does give us "the right answer" when it comes to lifestyle and values issues see that and get spooked. We think "slippery slope", and wonder as we try to get out of the box and minister in the world if that means eventually jettisoning our faith in the veracity of the scripture. We fear that showing compassion for sinners means condoning the sins (even though we're all sinners, and don't condone our own sins!). So fearful are we of going down that road that we retreat back into the safety of the box.
I also like his discussion of John 8 and his conclusion . . . . .
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Maybe Shelby is off base in essentially saying only, "Neither do I condemn you." But aren't we "in the box believers" off base in essentially saying only, "Go and sin no more"? What IBC needs to be about in these days is saying BOTH.
But . . . . after saying all that, Paul, I’m not a big fan of the letter that Pastor McQuitty wrote to the person in a gay lifestyle.
My problem with the letter boils down to the same thing that others here at the board appear to be struggling with – the lack of “conviction of sin.” Without it – “conviction of sin” – there can be no true appreciation of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Or, to put it in Pastor McQuitty’s words, it lacks “BOTH.”
