The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester At America’s Holiest University by Kevin Roose gives a unique perspective on the different cultures in America and how diverse each one can be. Kevin Roose, an undergraduate at Brown University, decides to “study abroad” at the conservative evangelical Liberty University to see what it was like in stark contrast to his liberal Ivy League. Upon arriving there, he was an outsider who was used to seeing those types of people (evangelicals/born-again Christians) as kooks and weirdos, however, as he really dives into Liberty’s culture, he realizes that the students there really don’t hold secret meetings to create anti-abortion rallies or beat up gay kids in their spare time. There was a surprising amount
According to Howard Thurman in Chapter One, the conventional Christian word is muffled, confused, and vague. Thurman discusses how there is no basic relationship between just having the simple practice of brotherhood in relations of life and the ethical pretensions of our faith. Thurman states how for years we have studied different people of the world, and how the one’s living next to us as our neighbors as objects of missionary work. He comments how we don’t treat them at all as if they are our brother or sisters in Christ.
He examines how we do nothing and that God alone works this saving faith in us. Next on the list is having a biblical understanding of evangelism. Dever believes that the way we evangelize has a lot to with the way we understand biblical conversion. Dever sought to answer: What is evangelism? Who should evangelize?
P P C 1 0 3 , T i c a r r a | 2 Jesus was a member of a minority group in the midst of a larger, dominant and controlling group. Jesus was fully man and knew the powerful sway the demonic kingdom sought over the mind of man, except that he never succumbed to it (Thurman, 1949). Some major points are that we have to love our neighbors as in our brothers and sisters.
1) The way a winner runs (v24) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” • Zeal o Romans 12:11, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” o Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” • Commitment o Romans 6:13, “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” • Focus o Phil 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my
The most surprising world view I discovered in the book, The Transforming Vision, by Walsh and Middleton was the ability for a follower of Christ to be open-minded toward other cultures that are different in their beliefs, practices, and values. The reading has taught me not to be so one-sided on issues, but to listen to others who have a different perspective than I do. We all come from different backgrounds and not everyone shares the same values. The book gives examples of how each culture practices their traditions and customs. For example, the Japanese value the trait of loyalty.
In conclusion, it is possible to uphold the five ethical standards that Deni Elliot (2008) proposes for responsible communication across cultural differences, especially within an evangelist context (235). The values display tolerance for varying views in the form of respect and honesty of behalf of all parties involved. Meaning, it is okay to agree to respectfully disagree with a person or group without diminishing or disregarding them as valuable human beings. Also, possession of self-assurance enables any individual with the ability to remain true to their values although they might be part of a minority or “non-dominate culture” (235). Equally important to note is the true purpose of evangelism which is to share the good news of Jesus Christ
“Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power- And How They Can Be Restored” is a powerful and intellectual book written by Marcus Borg. In this book, Borg explores many ideas and thoughts of the Christian faith that have been twisted or have lost their historical meaning overtime. Words such as salvation, God, Jesus, believing, faith, sin, forgiveness, and more are taken apart to find the true meaning and interpretation. Borg believes that Christians have lost the true, ancient meanings of their language and the modern world has literalized much of the Christian language.
Louis Pasteur A chemist, innovator, and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur brought forth a wide number of accomplishments; large and small. A list of the most renowned achievements includes the discovery and invention of pasteurization, vaccines for both rabies and anthrax, and germ theory; all significant advances in the world of science. Beginning his life in the commune of Dole, located in France, Louis was now a part of the Pasteur family. He was described as an average student by his teachers in his early times, although having an artistic talent.
Servant leadership is not the only leadership theory that is compatible with the Christian worldview. Others Christian-compatible leadership principles include Transformational Leadership Theory. Northouse (2016) states transformational changes and transforms people. The theory concern with emotions, values, ethics, standards, and goals while assessing followers’ motives, satisfying followers’ needs, and treating members’ as full human beings. Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX).
Dr. Ed Stetzer is the Executive Director of the Lifeway Research Division. Stetzer has obtained two masters degrees and two doctorate degrees, and he currently serves as pastor of Grace Church in Tennessee. In addition to being the Executive Director for a division of lifeway and a pastor, Stetzer is also a contributing author for Christianity Today, Executive Editor of The Gospel Project, Executive Editor of Facts & Trends Magazine, co-host of the BreakPoint This Week Radio Program, and a columnist for Outreach Magazine. In his article, Better Discipleship: 5 Broken Views of Discipleship and How to Fix them, Ed Stetzer writes on the topic of discipleship.
Since more cultures are crossing geographical boundaries, it seems that it would be much easier to be a servant for Christ. Elmer says, the “focus is relational
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them” (Proverbs 24:17-19, NIV). How do you as a Christian balance the competitive spirit with Scripture that tells us not to rejoice when we see our opponent fall? To answer the question, “How do I as a Christian balance the competitive spirit with Scripture that tells me not to rejoice when I see my opponent fall?” After pondering this question, I must admit that I have been guilty when hearing that something may have happened to someone who has done spiteful things towards me and I must admit that I have been guilty of rejoicing in their downfall.
Charism plays an important role in both the communal and individual life of a believer. Here Menzies is in agreement that “the rich variety of gifts granted to every believer for the common good appear to be a natural extension of Paul’s larger pnuematological perspective”(Fee, 192). The significant thing to note though is that for Paul the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is connected to our participation in the body of Christ. As we walk in the Spirit, He produces fruit in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is not just individualistic and for personal benefit but for corporate benefit of the body of
