I was commenting on Paul's blog, and it got long. I thought I'd post it here too...
Go read Paul's post first to get the context...
Why do we have to be so 'us against them' with our differences?
I think it's natural and necessary as culture moves forward and the church tries to as well. Part of moving into a new era is our ability to have to distinguish ourselves from the old. Jesus did it many times when he said, "It it written....but I say..."
My hope is that we don't separate ourselves in bitterness or anger. It was Newton who said something like, "If I can see farther than anyone it's because I stood on the shoulder of giants."
We, as the emerging church, have stood on the shoulders of giants and if we cut them down, how high can we really stand? We'll see no further, and do nothing more, but just maybe see the same thing through different lenses.
So, I for one, as I move forward in what God has called us to do, I do want to distinguish myself from the 'traditional way' but at the same time, lift them up as well. For if I can help them stand on their toes, as I am on their shoulders, than my vision extends even more.
This is not without conflict or passionate disagreement or hurt feelings. When the shoulders I stand on call me heretic, what am I do?
Distinguish myself, ground myself in Jesus, and move ahead...
To uncharted waters.
1 comment:
I think that sometimes, there is only a perceived "us v. them" mentality when in reality it's as you have said David - assessing and choosing to make changes but not dismissing the former or the other as bad or wrong ... simply not part of your ethos.
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