Comments on: Open Source Religion? http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/ Thoughts on faith and culture from the community of NewLife Christian Fellowship, Glastonbury, CT Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:05:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: A seeker http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3735 A seeker Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:36:41 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/#comment-3735 When you're not sure why you believe what you believe, it can be intimidating to explore other world views especially if it's in a conversation.In 1 & 2 Timothy we are encouraged to: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" & "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Doing so will bring the confidence to look at what others believe and why, and to engage them. At least this has been my experience. When you’re not sure why you believe what you believe, it can be intimidating to explore other world views especially if it’s in a conversation.In 1 & 2 Timothy we are encouraged to: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” & “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Doing so will bring the confidence to look at what others believe and why, and to engage them. At least this has been my experience.

]]> By: Eric Stillman http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3706 Eric Stillman Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:36:41 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/#comment-3706 Thank you Seeker - I'm glad you referenced Ecclesiastes 3:11 and were able to see that "spark". This is why I feel it does no good to "slam" another religion or philosophy - acknowledge and commend these people for genuinely wanting to deal with some of the real problems of the world and "bring heaven to earth" in their own way. But also point to the One who can truly do that, Jesus Christ. This was Paul's approach with the men of Athens in Acts 17, and is an approach that we can benefit from greatly today. Thank you Seeker – I’m glad you referenced Ecclesiastes 3:11 and were able to see that “spark”. This is why I feel it does no good to “slam” another religion or philosophy – acknowledge and commend these people for genuinely wanting to deal with some of the real problems of the world and “bring heaven to earth” in their own way. But also point to the One who can truly do that, Jesus Christ. This was Paul’s approach with the men of Athens in Acts 17, and is an approach that we can benefit from greatly today.

]]> By: A seeker http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3702 A seeker Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:12:29 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/#comment-3702 It's interesting how trends come and go, and how man continues to believe he can build Utopia here on earth. Obviously there is a "spark" inside of mankind that desires something higher, something more noble, something lasting. Although this quest has led to such destruction, as you noted, that spark is not quenched. I think of Ecclesiastes 3:11: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. In some incredible way, the longings of the human heart and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ intersected and a Light was set shining to lead people on the path to the kingdom of God. For those who have taken that path, there is a taste, a touch, a glimmer of that amazing kingdom. It’s interesting how trends come and go, and how man continues to believe he can build Utopia here on earth. Obviously there is a “spark” inside of mankind that desires something higher, something more noble, something lasting. Although this quest has led to such destruction, as you noted, that spark is not quenched.

I think of Ecclesiastes 3:11: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

In some incredible way, the longings of the human heart and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ intersected and a Light was set shining to lead people on the path to the kingdom of God. For those who have taken that path, there is a taste, a touch, a glimmer of that amazing kingdom.

]]> By: Eric Stillman http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3655 Eric Stillman Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:03:53 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/#comment-3655 Thank you Lor - we have experienced God's healing. Thanks for your insights & encouragement. Thank you Lor – we have experienced God’s healing. Thanks for your insights & encouragement.

]]> By: lor http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3649 lor Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:22:06 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/11/27/open-source-religion-2/#comment-3649 man, I love this blog... when I read the opening paragraph in my Reader, I had already answered this. no. part of the other reason that Christianity has not created Utopia (aside from our selfish, sinful nature) is that God values our free will and that He wants us to choose Him. He is a gentleman. He never forces Himself or His way on any of us. It is up to us to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and Admit we've sinned, Believe that Christ died to reconcile us to God for those sins and Choose to follow Him. keep up the good work, Eric, and I hope you and your family have experienced the healing touch of a God who loves you. man, I love this blog…

when I read the opening paragraph in my Reader, I had already answered this. no.

part of the other reason that Christianity has not created Utopia (aside from our selfish, sinful nature) is that God values our free will and that He wants us to choose Him. He is a gentleman. He never forces Himself or His way on any of us. It is up to us to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and Admit we’ve sinned, Believe that Christ died to reconcile us to God for those sins and Choose to follow Him.

keep up the good work, Eric, and I hope you and your family have experienced the healing touch of a God who loves you.

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