Saturday, September 22, 2007

Repentance Redefined

We spent the majority of our discussion time last Friday talking about the word repentance and the mental containers we have filled with definition for this word. Almost everyone's definitions related the word to an individual turning away from sin or turning away from a lifestyle that is in opposition to God's lifestyle.

Repentance, in the context of the usage of John the Baptist and of Jesus was always in the context of a national turning or a national realignment of priorities. In other words, it was a call to turning back in obedience to kingdom principles.

How does repentance as a process of realigning ones life to kingdom priorities differ from the traditional view of repentance as the prelude to a personal conversion experience? How might this fuller definition assist us in our spiritual conversations?

posted by CrossPointeDave @ 6:33 PM 3 Comments

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

In Need of a New Approach

This past Friday we dove headfirst into the deep waters of our Christian lexicon. We looked at the potential need to re-lexicon some of the words and phrases we use in our attempts to communicate our faith. Several questions come to mind that I would enjoy reading your input.

We said that words really have no raw meanings, only the mental containers we create for them. Do you agree with that statement and how might you illustrate it?

When we use words like gospel, repentance, sin and salvation, do you think that Average Joe has a concept of what we mean by those words?

What do you think of my suggestion that we've reduced the message of salvation to a simple transaction where the result of the transaction is a seat at the heavenly 50 yard-line? How does a transactional model reflect the biblical model? What are the inherent dangers of viewing salvation through a transactional mindset?

Reply away!

posted by CrossPointeDave @ 8:34 AM 4 Comments