tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post5259453168914994256..comments2024-03-25T14:27:40.121-05:00Comments on Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength: "Pagan Christianity", eager audiences, and some legitimate criticismsWeekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-26737933287712388932008-02-02T08:27:00.000-06:002008-02-02T08:27:00.000-06:00"things developed by Christians long after paganis..."things developed by Christians long after paganism had lost its force in the world" <BR/><BR/>I'm quoting this part because paganism has not lost it's force in the world. It just goes by many other names--including Humanism, Secularism, and even Neo-Paganism... just to name a few...<BR/><BR/>We must not be fooled... The roots of paganism have not been dug up. The tree may have been chopped down, but the roots still run deep, and they will continue to run deep until the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the age...<BR/><BR/>You make some great points-- Paul's comments to the Corinthians about the communion supper, for example. <BR/><BR/>However as you mention prayer shawls/stoles I think of the College Greek System. Some fraternities & sororities mention this type of attire in their handbooks... Some still use this practice (I'm sure) while others find it atiquated (sp?) <BR/><BR/>Where do they get this practice from? Greeks who were known to be Pagans...<BR/><BR/>How do we know if wearing stoles/shawls didn't creep into the church during ancient times-- <BR/><BR/>I think about the Scripture that talks about the way men and women should pray (uncovered and covered)but I would have to go back to those passages... <BR/><BR/>Anyway, just because it's old does not particularly mean that it's the way God intented...<BR/><BR/>We won't know for sure until He comes back.<BR/><BR/>The fortunate thing is that God looks at our hearts.. As the word (and your blog says) He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength... And to love our neighbors as ourselves.<BR/><BR/>We must be seeking truth and sharing truth-- no matter the cost...<BR/><BR/>It may mean looking at tradition and realizing that certain "traditions" were not a part of God's plan. <BR/><BR/>I have not read the book, in fact I had not heard about it until coming here. But I want to read it... <BR/><BR/>I think that is what the book is trying to do-- It's challanging the traditional mindset that has lulled the church to sleep... <BR/><BR/>This is what Jesus, Himself, came to do-- He came to bring understanding... He challenged the religious traditions that were oppressing the people AND He got nailed to a cross for it. We can not forget that...<BR/><BR/>Emotional reactions-- got our Savior nailed to the cross... People did not want to see the truth... It's the same today. Some people regard tradition higher than truth... <BR/><BR/>Let me be clear--I'm not pointing the finger at you WF... I think that this mindset is every person's condition (my own included) until God rightly divides the word in our hearts-- on each issue... That why we as Christ followers struggle... We wrestle between following the ways of God or the ways of man...<BR/><BR/>The NT talks many times about what the church would look like in the last days... I respect Barna's research because I see it lining up with Scripture... <BR/><BR/>There will be many Christians caught without oil in their lamps at the return of the Bridegroom.Keishia Lee-Louishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10136315905856838195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-76791999286579910082008-01-21T12:29:00.000-06:002008-01-21T12:29:00.000-06:00Nope. I didn't even get a review copy. I bought ...Nope. I didn't even get a review copy. I bought my copy when I saw the discussion erupt online.Just a Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824211267708068069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-66539036414794797682008-01-21T12:27:00.000-06:002008-01-21T12:27:00.000-06:00Last time I commented on a book, the author stoppe...Last time I commented on a book, the author stopped by to comment. The comments you make and the way you make them cause me to wonder, are you associated with the book? <BR/><BR/>As for the reviews and the unstated assumptions, almost everybody has assumptions that they haven't stated. I wouldn't worry too much about that. <BR/><BR/>Take care & God bless<BR/>Anne / WFWeekend Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-10020527583848150932008-01-20T21:37:00.000-06:002008-01-20T21:37:00.000-06:00I think the reviews are a real mixed bag. There i...I think the reviews are a real mixed bag. There is a strong emotional reaction. Lots of people are talking about "unstated assumptions", it "feels like" or "seems like" the author is believes such and such. <BR/><BR/>To get a good sense of what the authors are saying one would need to be very careful to understand the terms as the authors are using them.<BR/><BR/>I think the book is almost excessively footnoted and the Tyndale editing staff double checked the those footnotes. Because I've seen other authors address similar issues I'd say the research is accurate but they may not always present both sides of a specific issue.Just a Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824211267708068069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-59452240028226814502008-01-20T19:52:00.000-06:002008-01-20T19:52:00.000-06:00From some of the reviews, you'd think that Barna h...From some of the reviews, you'd think that Barna had thrown in his hat with Dan Brown and Bart Ehrman as far as Christian origins, though of course seeing himaself in the role of loyal opposition. <BR/><BR/>I have to expect that the provocative title of the book was a calculated market maneuver. I can't speak for the other author, but Barna at any rate is no stranger to market nuances. If the title had been a problem, they'd have changed it. <BR/><BR/>The sample chapter I read on-line had a protest of market-driven trends in the church. But how much was this book just another market-driven trend, I have to wonder. Sure fits a popular niche-market ... Cynical, cynical. If the cynicism is just (or unjust) one place, why not both? <BR/><BR/>Would you say the reviewers are fairly representing the authors' points? <BR/><BR/>Take care & God bless<BR/>Anne / WFWeekend Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-1286112037957188382008-01-20T17:11:00.000-06:002008-01-20T17:11:00.000-06:00The author defines "pagan" in the book as anything...The author defines "pagan" in the book as anything that came from culture. He makes is very clear that just because something is "pagan" in this sense that does not mean it needs to be rejected.<BR/><BR/>The book is a deconstruction of church practices and often leaves the reader to discern whether the practice is worthwhile or not.<BR/><BR/>I think many of the reviews have missed the nuances and the depth of the author's positions. While the intent of your post is to talk about the reaction to the book you really can't understand that reaction until you go to the primary source.Just a Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824211267708068069noreply@blogger.com