tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959214172033831820.post4392420647931216288..comments2024-02-24T06:14:15.330-08:00Comments on God According to a Music Nerd: We are musicians, not fanstoddhooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13002462862211865751noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959214172033831820.post-72617319437825621712009-09-19T02:10:52.535-07:002009-09-19T02:10:52.535-07:00Hi Todd. I'm an atheist, and while I admit th...Hi Todd. I'm an atheist, and while I admit that some atheists would be overjoyed to hear that Church numbers are falling, I also submit that many Christians would be overjoyed to hear of many former atheists joining Christian churches, and that neither of these are necessarily perverse. It's natural to be happy when more people agree with you or when you genuinely think they are making a positive life choice. Of course, there are those on both sides who really do have a perverse reaction to things of that nature.<br /><br />For those of us inclined towards religion, I'm in agreement that people should share it with a community. In all of the things I've read and classes I've taken, it seems that people who experience their religion in a community have better mental health than those who are not in a supportive religious community, or those who are displaced (such as immigrants.) I think ritual is important to religion. I even think ritual is important to those of us without religion, which is why I practice traditions even though I don't believe in God.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03463656042525769002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959214172033831820.post-10819399601939779362009-08-24T10:37:04.115-07:002009-08-24T10:37:04.115-07:00Thanks for the comment, John!
You bring up a good...Thanks for the comment, John!<br /><br />You bring up a good point, and I think a lot of postmodern Christians unfortunately look at the church's not-so-holy history and dismiss the entire idea of affiliating with any religious institutions, thereby reinforcing the "Jesus and me" attitude among believers who might otherwise have a lot to add to a congregation. This is understandable -- having a bad experience in a church setting can be really damaging -- but I think trying to perform "The Word" solo is incredibly naive and incomplete. Even if someone spends every day praying, reading Scripture and otherwise adhering to the Ten Commandments (at least the two most important ones), it is all for naught and can actually become quite maddening if they don't consistently share that sense of holy grace with a particular community. In a way, it amounts to a "strength in numbers" modus operandi, though it is much more nourishing than that.<br /><br />I also think part of the reason there are so many "Jesus and me" folks today is because a lot of the more popular churches are not adequately addressing the issue. In fact, many organizations (*cough* Young Life *cough cough*) seemingly cater to this more self-centered version of Christianity; they're a little wishy-washy toward the concepts of abstaining from sin and helping those in need. It's these kinds of ministries that seem bizarrely pastoral, and the fact a lot of them cater to the younger generation does not necessarily bode well for the future.<br /><br />I think one step leaders should take toward solving the problem is showing postmodern Christians history does not have to repeat itself. A lot of terrible things have transpired "in the name of God" over the last 2,000 years, but the problem lies with the corrupt and/or misguided "Christians" who did those terrible things, not with Christianity itself. You can't taste a few bad apples and then condemn the entire tree.<br /><br />But more importantly, I think leaders must discourage fandom and show postmodern Christians the importance of musicianship. Acknowledge the "Jesus and me" trend's prevalence and take steps to work against it. There is no ultimate reward in humming "The Word" to yourself. We must sing it loud and proud (and well) wherever we go, so that people will understand its beauty and hopefully be inspired to perform in this amazing symphony.toddhooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13002462862211865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959214172033831820.post-79666495158348802542009-08-17T13:00:21.807-07:002009-08-17T13:00:21.807-07:00"I think most halfway-educated Christians alr..."I think most halfway-educated Christians already know "the way"; what many of them are looking for are opportunities to spread the transforming Christian message to the world in a sincere, meaningful and truly integrative manner. It's not about the pastor and other church staff carrying the torch anymore. It's about stimulating imagination, sharing ideas and acting upon those ideas so we can show people what Christ's redeeming forgiveness, generosity and love are all about"<br />.<br />.<br />Interesting ideas on the postmodern Christian attitude. I wonder if, perhaps, postmoderns (including postmodern Christians) are, however, a bit less optimistic than you suggest here? It seems possible and even probable that "most halfway-educated" postmodern Christians do not, as you say, know the Way. Rather, it appears (as we follow missional participation, the flow of money, the more general characteristics of postmodernity, etc.) that our generation has not come to know the Way but has rather reached the less encouraging conclusion that church leaders don't know it either.<br /><br />The testimonies of those postmodern Christ-followers already working to champion full-participation in the "symphony of the Word" are pretty revealing on this. It appears our postmodern Christian culture is not as eager to commit missionally as some might think. <br /><br />Have you heard or read anything that might agree with this experience?John Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09323168351574011376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959214172033831820.post-65051059385414016152009-08-12T21:03:58.117-07:002009-08-12T21:03:58.117-07:00What an inspiration blog, Todd. I can't wait t...What an inspiration blog, Todd. I can't wait to read more! Jo and I would love to sit down and talk to you about this kind of stuff. I keep bugging Josiah to call you -- let's meet up sometime this week?Celestehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15478022096590089850noreply@blogger.com