So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore?

[Guest]

AARONDAISEY,

I read their Credo, and it seems to me that they are not a virus. It is obvious that you were offended by these videos and the expect some to be offended. But, it can be argued that the messages are valid and can be debated among Christians without proclaiming one side to be non-Christian. If you have not read their credo I have provided the link below. However, I don't want to get to involved in defending this because this is the fist that I have heard of this group, I can only take them at their word.

http://www.thechurchyouknow.com/credo.html

Robin

[Guest]

I read through their credo. And through much of it they sound to be so very sincere in trying to help people. But I can see that is not the heart of the matter. I guess I am one of the "stupid, humorless people" that they talk about in their credo.

Although they are wrong about me being humorless because I don't find their garbage humorous. I am the type of guy that laughs very easily. My wife thinks I'm an idiot for laughing at some of the stupid things I laugh at. But people making fun of some of the very things I practice (as if they have a clue about that which they speak) is not funny at all. They have a horrible approach if they are sincere about educating (or should I say miseducating) the body of Christ.

It's like Derek said. They are going to be applauded by some of those that agree with them and despised by those (like me) that think their opinions are foolish. How are they going to win anyone over to their opinions like that?

[Guest]

read their Credo, and it seems to me that they are not a virus. It is obvious that you were offended by these videos and the expect some to be offended. But, it can be argued that the messages are valid and can be debated among Christians without proclaiming one side to be non-Christian. If you have not read their credo I have provided the link below. However, I don't want to get to involved in defending this because this is the fist that I have heard of this group, I can only take them at their word.

I think these guys are Christians. However, I think that there approach is worldly and is not much less inspired by the spirit of the world than that which they are making fun of. Kind of ironic actually.

I agree with and see the same problems that they see, however, I would think it wiser to use scripture and my brain to convince other Christians of my point of view than to parody them.


From thier site:

We intend to stimulate, to question, and to provoke – hopefully in love – the Church, because we love the Church.

I have been seeing a lot of this lately. Someone says something obviously offensive, and then tries to patch it up by saying that it was done "in love".

I was on a Calivnist site where one fellow calls Arminians heretics to "correct their error in love".

Of course there is such a thing as correcting somone in love, even disciplining them, however, this, like the above mentioned Calvinist, doesn't fit the "in love" description in my opinion. It will only annoy and anger those that they supposedly wish to dialogue with, causing them to not even listen. Rather counterproductive.

Imagine making fun of Muslims or homosexuals in an attempt to to "stimulate, to question, and to provoke."

I guess I am one of the "stupid, humorless people" that they talk about in their credo.

I think that was a "joke".



God bless,

[Guest]

I finally had a chance to watch them all. The first two struck me as a bit childish. I agree with the points they were trying to make, but thought they missed the mark, perhaps by trying to be too cute. The others I loved, especially "Pastors" and "Tithing".

I think there is a place for sarcasm. Paul employed it. God employed it in Isaiah 44. Jesus used it regularly. Sometimes sarcasm or parody is an excellent tool for highlighting the absurdity of something. Some of our attitudes and customs in the modern American church are absurd.

Yesterday I was reading Mark 7:8-13 where Jesus says to the Pharisees and teachers of the law:

"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions."

And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

I found myself wondering if Jesus might say the same thing today about some of our modern church practices, such as creating hierarchies of clerical authority or giving tithes which, for the most part, don't go to the poor.

[Guest]

I thought most of them were pretty good. The "body" one was crude, but did make the point.

Anyway, while these video's may offened those who don't agree with them, we must also remember our spirit in the matter:

1 Cor 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.

We don't want someone else to provoke us into thinking evil towards someone else, just because they may offend us. Would we want to find out about all those people we offended (on judgement day) and didn't know about? Would it not be wise to ask God to be forgiven as we forgive others of their trespasses against us?

I certainly get offeneded (even though I shouldn't) at others in the body when I think they are damaging the body but I just have to realize that God is bigger than I am. I think we just have to respect other peoples opinions, even when we disagree with them, just as they have to listen to our opinions sometimes.

[Guest]

check out this editorial from the "Wittenburg Door", a christian satire magazine, regarding the usefulness of humor/satire in the church. it has some good insight:

http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/archives/ ... d-208.html