Only in a few places did Paul tie Christian Living into a dress code. Mostly it was about conduct, attitude, judgmentalism.
Yes, and I won't defend the storming of pulpits over constant reinforcing of dress rules as "meaty" teaching on Christian Living. So I know what Renda meant. I was just pointing that out. I'm paddling in your boats on this one!
Yes, and I won't defend the storming of pulpits over constant reinforcing of dress rules as "meaty" teaching on Christian Living. So I know what Renda meant. I was just pointing that out. I'm paddling in your boats on this one!
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Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
And I haven't had a glass of milk in about 25 years (or more). All this talk about some subjects/sermons being "milk" actually makes me throw up in my mouth.
So not to hijack another thread I'm starting this one.
Listening online to several messages from various churches lately it seems they all seem to be focused on staying true to our Apostolic roots, standards, being different, etc.
Shouldn't this stuff be handled on Wednesday nights with just the saints or maybe even in a new converts class and move on to the MEAT of the WORD?
A list of sermon series that I've been privileged to listen to in person or on line that seem more like meat (to me) and are VERY Biblically based are:
Impossible is Unacceptable
The Spirit Empowered Life
Changing Lives to Change Our World
Successful Relationships
Tested by Fire
It's All About the Journey
Praise on Purpose
Maybe they don't cause the shouting and amening that so many expect, but they are life lessons straight from the Bible that make a difference in my daily life and equip me to reach others.
From the view point of one who wants to see the church grow and such, you do have a point.
However, from the standpoint of watching people go through the "new converts" and "discipleship" meat grinder - I'd say it's best to be up front with everybody at the outset.
If the local church has "standards" that are required of everyone, then that should be included in the pitch. I'm tired of the bait and switch. If you believe women's hair is a "heaven or hell" issue, then you should preach it every time you mention heaven or hell. Be up front and honest.
From the view point of one who wants to see the church grow and such, you do have a point.
However, from the standpoint of watching people go through the "new converts" and "discipleship" meat grinder - I'd say it's best to be up front with everybody at the outset.
If the local church has "standards" that are required of everyone, then that should be included in the pitch. I'm tired of the bait and switch. If you believe women's hair is a "heaven or hell" issue, then you should preach it every time you mention heaven or hell. Be up front and honest.
From a guy that doesn't believe those things are heaven/hell, and in fact, many of those things are falsely interpreted:
The cart (teaching concerning Christian living) can't be before the horse (salvation). Christian living is part of the believer's maturity, not their birth.
As Jeffrey pointed out, scripture refers to the basic doctrines of the church as "milk", and other issues as "meat."
Heb 5:12 For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. Heb 5:13 For everyone partaking of milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness, for he is an infant. Heb 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
and
Heb 6:1 Therefore, having left the discourse of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to full growth, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 of the baptisms, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The "milk" is: the [discourse of] the beginning of Christ, repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, doctrine, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Two things:
The milk-eaters are unskillful in the "Word of Righteousness", and the meat-eaters have their "senses exercised (because of use) to discern good and evil."
This tells us what new converts should be learning, and that when they mature, they will be able to discern what is good and evil.
With that in mind, then, basic doctrines should probably be for the main congregation which includes children, new converts, mature saints and sinners all in the same gathering.
Those teachings that have to do with the "word of righteousness" should be reserved for the more mature saints. "Righteousness" means equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.
I would say that ANYTHING having to do with developing the fruits of the spirit in a person's life, developing godly character, the more detailed matters of living for God, and yes, including where we go, what we say, what we read, what we watch, what we listen to, what we wear, what we expose our children to, how we speak to strangers, how we treat our spouse according to the Word, etc. etc.--all of these things should be the meat. The things that we're able to move on to, after the basics are well established. That would be my take on the word of righteousness and discern[ing] good and evil.
Oddly enough, these days, most people consider the doctrinal issues to be the "strong meat." Maybe we should consider the scriptural view instead. Those things should be easy to understand, and shouldn't take a lot of maturity to accept.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
As Holy Ghost filled people we should trust the Holy Ghost to do it's work in people's lives who receive it.
Certainly modesty is for men and women who are disciples of Jesus Christ,and one work of the Holy Ghost is for santification,I think teaching people how to grow and develope in their walk with God,will work out people getting conformed to the image of Christ.
I think things like faith in Christ,the principle of santification,prayer and fasting,bible reading should be emphasized.
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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
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