What blows my mind is that the people you cite are within the evangelical side of things. If only people listened! No whether reformed or neo-calvinist this is evangelical theology in the sense that you are inviting us to truly bring the good news to the most vulnerable.
Thank you bro. You’re right. One of the reasons I’m so explicit about writing from Reformed neo-Calvinism is in the hopes people will listen. For those who have been in this world but have been concerned over the lack of emphasis on social justice, I want to encourage them they’re not wrong and their own tradition agrees with them. For those in this world who have neglected the poor, I want their consciences to be stirred toward just ends.
Deeply challenging series, thank you. It’s a great encouragement that you frame your exhortation in terms of an expanded vision of the kingdom. This isn’t about fruitless guilt, but about moving forward into fruitful ministry.
I appreciate you saying that! I think many Christians are afraid to engage in these conversations because of suppressed or inflicted guilt. I don’t want to add to either.
As always, well said, Ben. Let me only add this ongoing comment:
>>>General ministry philosophies also tend to favor majority cultures while neglecting those on the margins.<<<
Agreed. And inherently, in a majority-rules culture, the majority will of course take care of themselves, at the detriment (even if unintentional) of the minority.
And if true, then we see the utter injustice WITHIN THE CHURCH, of being fragmented into a thousand 'autonomous' groupings in our city. Majority churches do just fine. Minority churches & their neighborhoods suffer. We've quickly discarded the doctrine of the unity of the (diverse) church at XYZ city -- not giving it a second thought on any given Sunday. Not even when observing Communion.
What blows my mind is that the people you cite are within the evangelical side of things. If only people listened! No whether reformed or neo-calvinist this is evangelical theology in the sense that you are inviting us to truly bring the good news to the most vulnerable.
Thank you bro. You’re right. One of the reasons I’m so explicit about writing from Reformed neo-Calvinism is in the hopes people will listen. For those who have been in this world but have been concerned over the lack of emphasis on social justice, I want to encourage them they’re not wrong and their own tradition agrees with them. For those in this world who have neglected the poor, I want their consciences to be stirred toward just ends.
Deeply challenging series, thank you. It’s a great encouragement that you frame your exhortation in terms of an expanded vision of the kingdom. This isn’t about fruitless guilt, but about moving forward into fruitful ministry.
I appreciate you saying that! I think many Christians are afraid to engage in these conversations because of suppressed or inflicted guilt. I don’t want to add to either.
As always, well said, Ben. Let me only add this ongoing comment:
>>>General ministry philosophies also tend to favor majority cultures while neglecting those on the margins.<<<
Agreed. And inherently, in a majority-rules culture, the majority will of course take care of themselves, at the detriment (even if unintentional) of the minority.
And if true, then we see the utter injustice WITHIN THE CHURCH, of being fragmented into a thousand 'autonomous' groupings in our city. Majority churches do just fine. Minority churches & their neighborhoods suffer. We've quickly discarded the doctrine of the unity of the (diverse) church at XYZ city -- not giving it a second thought on any given Sunday. Not even when observing Communion.