Your support is very much appreciated
The work of running the Christians Together website is dependent on those who appreciate and support the ministry – in prayer and, as the Lord leads, in giving. If you would like to make a donation to the work please click on the button below. Many thanks. Colin
|
|
| |
|
(page
1
2)
| | | Rosemary Cameron | 01/12/2010 18:27 | I think the point I am trying to make is that we should pick our battles. Unfortunately some churches don't seem to realise that we are in a battle and others are incredibly naive, particularly when it comes to the internet. If a church decides to put controversial stuff on its webpage it should be prepared beforehand for the likely consequences. Part of that preparation could be making sure that the church is not beholden to secular authorities for rented premises or charitable status!
I'm not saying we shouldn't court controversy - we just shouldn't do it foolishly.
| | | | Rosemary Cameron | 01/12/2010 18:28 | PS. My comments are general and are not aimed at the particular church headlined in the above article.
| | | | Tom Meeks (Guest) | 01/12/2010 20:10 | Re 'passwords' I was just meaning that a church could not be accused (by the authorities) of giving gratuitous offence if its sermons needed a password to access i.e. the person who claimed to be offended would have to explain how they accessed the material (by hacking into the site).
Re 'courting controversy' I agree that we should be wise and polite; and not go looking for trouble. However 'preaching' means 'public proclamation' and the Gospel is an 'offence' (1 Peter 2:8). So while we should not court trouble, we will inevitable attract it.
| | | | Peter Carr | 01/12/2010 20:16 | "If a church decides to put controversial stuff on its webpage it should be prepared beforehand for the likely consequences."
So, we shouldn't publish on the internet what God has already revealed in His Word (which is available to anyone who buys a bible)?
| | | | Rosemary Cameron | 01/12/2010 21:15 | I didn't say that Peter. I said you should be prepared. And I wasn't thinking of publishing bible verses so much as some of the other sort of statements which we all know can cause controversy!
| | | | Tom Meeks (Guest) | 01/12/2010 21:33 | "statements which we all know can cause controversy!"
I'm afraid the Gospel is full of 'offence' to the carnal mind. What Christians would see as a basic statement of core beliefs or a sermon on the divinity of Christ would be quite enough to cause offence around the world. We cannot tip-toe around the Truth lest we offend someone, somewhere, somehow.
Any church worthy of the name 'Christian' (and sadly many have deserted the faith) needs to boldly preach the Cross of Christ.
All this is of course not new. It's just that (after such a long period where the Christian faith was an integral part of the nation's life) we are now faced with a hostile environment - in politics, multi-faith religion, the media, the legal system, etc. etc.
All we need to do is recognise the change and keep going.
| | | | Martin Lisemore | 02/12/2010 00:26 | 'All we need to do is recognise the change and keep going.'
Tom, yes, because if we don't own Him now, He might not own us at a moment more important to us than right now.
We have not been given leave to desist from preaching the Gospel, or making disciples of all nations. It goes on.
'Any church worthy of the name 'Christian' (and sadly many have deserted the faith) needs to boldly preach the Cross of Christ.'
In the final analysis, I wonder how many churches are 'Christian.' I've been around so many in recent years and am left wondering, 'where is Jesus in all this?'
My point about hacking is, nothing is secure on the net! You would be surprised (I think) what may be learned from an email, or even just accessing a website. What records are kept. And the state has a very long memory. It was always thus.
| | | | Peter Carr | 02/12/2010 09:37 | Tom said, "All we need to do is recognise the change and keep going."
Amen! The Gospel (God's Word to all nations, and all people everywhere) is full of offence to those who refuse to be reconcilled to their Creator on His terms. We only need to faithfully proclaim, publish and generally let it be known what God's will is in order to cause offence. But it must be done sensatively, but also without compromise!!
Matt 28: 18 - 20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
| | | | Rosemary Cameron | 03/12/2010 22:02 | I don't think I would disagree with the last 3 posts. I just think we should also heed the injunction to be as wise as serpents. Part of that is recognising that things have changed. I've been reading through the gospels recently and am struck by the way Jesus interacted with the Pharisees and other enemies. He was always in control of the situation. He never reacted. Sometimes he responded to their accusations, sometimes he didn't. He never let the Pharisees set the agenda - instead he did his father's will. That's what I think we should be aiming to do.
| | | | Peter Carr | 04/12/2010 08:34 | Rosemary said, "I've been reading through the gospels recently and am struck by the way Jesus interacted with the Pharisees and other enemies."
Matt Ch 23 is always worth a revisit in this respect!
|
(page
1
2)
|
|
|
