As one reporter noted, even when Christians know correct doctrine, they are afraid of speaking the truth for fear of offending others. What right have I to impose my beliefs on others? is a thought that shapes too many of us believers.
This is why J. I. Packer, on his 80th birthday, said that the greatest challenge of evangelicalism is to re-catechize our churches. More than ever, Christians need to be able to speak intelligently and courageously about the hope that lies within.
Personal faith is of course vital, but it is not sufficient. And yes, doctrine has often been taught so that it comes across as dry and dusty. But as Dorothy Sayers noted, once we grasp what Christian doctrines teach, "The Dogma is the Drama."
This is only an excerpt - the whole thing is good.
We need to remember why Jesus came. He didn't come to fit in. He came to radically change things. When Jesus went into the temple and confronted the money changers, he wasn't polite or docile. He kicked them out forcefully. When Jesus confronted the Pharisee's he was truthfully blunt and showed no mercy. I think we need to take a walk on the Jesus side and remember what we are here for. We are to be in the world but not of it.
ReplyDeleteJesus constantly reminds us that he does what he sees the Father doing. If Jesus didn't compromise, how can we.