Weblog Entry - 03/25/2003: "Two interesting questions"

03/25/2003 Entry: "Two interesting questions"

At the LivingRoom, Darren asks two interesting questions:

What are the 5 most important, non-negotiable, aspects of faith and discipleship for you? If you had to boil it down - you had to get to the crux of it all - what would your core values, your DNA, be when it came to your faith. (It doesn't have to be five - it can be less or more if you wish - but start with a few at least)
What makes a Church unique from any other group of people, whether they be the local football club or a local Mosque?

My answer to the first would be something like:1. The love of God has been most completely revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.2. That love is available to all people of all races, cultures and conditions. It is "for all".3. Freely given, freely received -- that love demands from us a response of obedience which will often calll us to sacrifice and self-giving. The love of God is not therapy.4. However much I think I know about God, there will be stuff I don't know, and other stuff that I'm certain about but will have got wrong. God loves me anyway.

That would be my first try.The second question is trickier, because it would be possible to answer it from a number of different perspectives. So I'll ponder it a little longer. But what do you think? Answers here, or here would be gratefully received.

Replies:

Calm down Greg - you'll give yourself a headache.

Posted by Richard @ 03/26/2003 08:40 AM CST

they are now talking about having church IN a Mosque!

Posted by Greg @ 03/26/2003 04:42 AM CST

Living Room is a space for LIBERALS! Boycott it!

Posted by Greg @ 03/26/2003 04:25 AM CST

Here's my first pass at an answer to the first question:1. Jesus came to the earth to live among us like a man, he died for our sins, and was raised from death.2. I will never be alone, because God is always with me. He protects me and guides me.3. When I think I can't, God can.4. As Christians, we are all part of one body.5. We are called to love our enemies.

Posted by Swan @ 03/25/2003 04:09 PM CST

Actually, let me try to answer the second question first:

(Note: By a church in this answer I mean a local congregation, as that would correspond most closely to a local football club or a local mosque.)

The difference between something like the local football club and the church is that the football club focuses on some relatively unimportant aspect of life, but at the church we focus on THE most important one. In the church you are not thrown out or despised because you are not good enough, in the football club that may happen.

The difference between a mosque and a church is a little trickier, but as far as I know, for a moslem the focus would more be on doing the right things, i.e. working so that you can get into heaven. For a Christian, you are saved first, and then you want to do what's right, but the focus is on God's love, on being, not doing, and on worship.

I think the church, if it is like it is supposed to be, has more love and is more caring than a football club or even a mosque could have.

Posted by Swan @ 03/25/2003 03:35 PM CST

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