The blogging community has impacted my walk with the Lord, because it has impacted my thinking. I stumbled across Larry James' Urban Daily and from there was introduced to the call of Jim Wallis and Sojourners. Those of you who are up-to-date with current Christian movements will recognize that I am flirting with the "religious left".
Why am I so vulnerable to the influence of these leftist? Because prior to getting acquainted with these voices, I was sensing a disconnect between my desire to reach out to some specific people and my understanding of how to accomplish it. I wanted to help but I did not know how. I felt that unless I could meet some of the pressing practical needs, I would not be given an opportunity to meet greater spiritual needs. To that dilemma, the religious left does have something to offer.
Lately, I have been looking closely at Acts 2. You are familiar with Peter's great sermon on the Day of Pentecost. His message was focused on Jesus. His entire message funnels to one definitive statement, "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." (Acts 2:36 TNIV) But then look at the immediate fruit of that message: All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 2:44-5 TNIV)
Peter, a leftist? Peter preached Jesus. The fruit of that message materialized in a myriad of ways. Clearly, some of those ways involved the practical world of economics and social needs.
What do you think about them apples?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Thoughts from Acts 2: Social Gospel?
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3 comments:
You know, it really shows us how pathetic we all are in comparison to the early Christians. When they heard the truth, they acted upon it.....right then. They didn't have to think about or having a group discussion on the matter. They just obeyed.
Naturally, back then the gospel was fresh and new. The people didn't hear it preached to them a hundred million times only for them to become hardened to it. I want to go back to that time when everything was fresh and raw and people responded to Jesus being preached the FIRST time they heard it.
I have to admit, there is something interesting about the idea of whatever we are told we cannot do, we want to do more than anything. No wonder persecuted nations are the most dedicated Christians.....even to death! Americans need a goose in the butt! (Also known as Revival).
I liked reading your question at the end about apples, Jason. It brought back a fond memory of one of my sisters when she was about 2 or 3 years old. She was really, really mad at someone and my mom and dad had always used the term "How do you like them apples?". Well, when the time came for my sister to say something in response to her aggrivation, she hollered out "Do you like apples?!!!" Needless to say, it didn't quite bring about the reaction that she had wanted. So funny!
Jennifer said, "The people didn't hear it preached to them a hundred million times only for them to become hardened to it."
I think what is most significant about the situation of these earliest Christians is that they did not have any reason to assume that the gospel would not transform their lives in dramatic ways. The gospel was preached with Power and they naturally expected and experienced Power.
Today, we have too many examples of Christians who do not expect or experience God's power in their lives. I, myself have been too often an example of powerless living. We have even gone so far as to manufacture doctrines/philosophies that instruct us not to expect God to work powerfully in our circumstances. [Please note: I am not necessarily speaking about miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit per se, but rather, God's direct intervention in our lives]
I think if we could restore that sense of expectancy, we might restore the experience as well.
Jason,
I am often amazed by Peter's sermon after Pentecost, but I am particularly blown away by verse 40:
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." How often do we plead with others? How often do we warn? Not often enough, it seems. Can you imagine that after such a stellar sermon, Peter nonetheless "pleads" with his neighbors to save themselves? I love it.
Have you read Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"? I used to be more of a leftist Christian than I am today: I find myself disagreeing with Sojourners. Isn't that interesting? But Rand nailed something for me, and I've called it (elsewhere) a "Godly selfishness". It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on her book. It really had a profound impact on my life, not so much because of its literary but its philosophical values. And Rand is just amazing––as an atheist––when she talks about morality. Oh, that more of us who actually BELIEVE could view morality with such simple, incisive clarity!
Anyhow, blessings to you.
Gnade
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