"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A commenter friend at my solo blog relates the leaders at his church saying this to him about his concerns:
We respect where you're coming from with your focus on the gospel and the cross and all that, but our church is just in a different season right now.
The harvest season, no doubt. Where they'll be scythed up as tares and thrown in the furnace.
(Only slightly exaggerating.)
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5383.
Comments on "The Gospel and the Cross and All That":
3. Quaid
- 04/30/2009 8:23 am CDT
Shrode - I think that the Gospel should be preached, but I don't think one should do an altar call or anything. I think that God can use mourning in a very powerful way to draw people unto him. We have to be careful to let God draw and not be manipulative within the situation, but I think it would be a missed opportunity to not give, at least, the basics of the Gospel message.
4. jen
- 04/30/2009 8:30 am CDT
Shrode (and Quaid), your comment about preaching the gospel at funeral is timely. Our pastor just mentioned that in his last message, but more specifically about the resurrection. He noted that the resurrection doesn't get much play at funeral anymore and that he finds it a missed opportunity for giving the hope of the gospel in a time of grief, especially for those who believe in Christ.
Leave a Comment:
Wow.
This is probably related to the "How do you think post", but this post makes me think about preaching funerals.
Should the "gospel be preached" at funerals? If so, how? I've heard some say that's not the time and place for it? I've heard others just give a Billy Graham style sermon that seemed oblivious to the fact that people were grieving.