In my last post , I went over the idea that “[After baptism] all our sins past are forgiving us, we are now covered by grace so that when we do sin we are forgiven.” It became quite clear that within Armstrongism, grace and forgiveness are earned through a partial keeping of the Old Covenant law. This is not what you’ll read in the literature, but in practice it becomes obvious. This time I would like to move forward and address the idea that law-keeping = loving Jesus
Originally posted here:
If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments
Yesterday I scratched the surface of Relevance Theory in respect to preaching. Let’s look at it a bit more (accepting that there is so much that could be written if we were to really do justice to the theory, as well as to preaching). To reject the need for relevance is naïve. Actually, those who reject the need for relevance and simply preach the Word in a more scholarly and abstract way are still relevant to their listeners. The problem is that the relevance is much weaker. For example, people listen because they have a perceived need to hear a sermon in church, or a fleshly sense of the need to be pressured religiously (or even, that enduring under the sound of biblical teaching is somehow healthy in and of itself, like uncomfortable spiritual callisthenics). The solution to a self-centred pragmatic applicationalism is not to resist relevance and application. Rather it is to see two stages to the solution, rather than one. At one level listeners are distracted and discouraged and perhaps even self-concerned. Offering relevance in a message so that they listen and engage is simply wisdom in action. As I start a message I can assume that the listeners are distracted and not fully engaged. As I demonstrate the relevance of the speaker, the message and the text, early on in the message, I am motivating listening. As I surface a need from the text that stirs interest in the listener, I am motivating engagement. But my message won’t simply meet a felt need. Rather, that is the entrance, the first level of relevance.
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Revisiting Relevance
I’ve been watching GOD IN AMERICA these past two nights and I have mixed feelings about the way it tells the story. I thought it was particularly good on the various revival periods and on painting with a very broad brush. There were way too many talking heads and not enough visuals, visions and stills.
See original here:
God in America and the Story of The Episcopal Church
The field of communications theory is vast and sometimes intriguing. Take, for instance, relevance theory. Relevance theory, in basic terms, argues that perceived relevance over effort required equals response of audience. To put it another way, listeners will respond more when they perceive the message to be more relevant to them, and less effort. So in non-preaching terms, if someone receives a good benefit (reduced risk of cancer), for less effort (just a low-cost drink once per day), they are more likely to respond positively (i.e. make a purchase). In contrast less benefit (marginal increase in strength), for more effort (two hours in a gym every day), they are less likely to respond positively (i.e.
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Theorising Relevance
Sixty-eight days later, and the 33 Chilean miners are coming up to the surface. Thank God. They will be at it for a while, but it has started
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Chilean Miners have begun trip to surface.
We can subconsciously slip into viewing preaching as something other than communication. How so? Well, we can slip into thinking it is about simply teaching information, or view it as a literary exercise (written and read), or view it as a liturgical procedure
Continued here:
People Communicate
Today’s post is over on the Cor Deo site. I raise the issue of offering unhelpful assurance to people that may or may not have eternal life. In particular I focus in on one verse that seems to be massively neglected in this matter. To read the article, please click here.
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Unhelpful Assurance?
From overweight 40-year-old men playing Dungeons & Dragons in Mommy’s garage to now, being an official tax bracket, it seems worshiping the sun, moon, stars and tree sap is finally paying off, according to The Telegraph (UK).
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Boys under the hood: Druids finally a religion.
Episcopal Cafe notes that Fortune (the mag, rather than the really really powerful lady Fortune) lists Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as “a powerful female in the category of religion.” Here is a quote from her from Fortune, by way of the Cafe” “As a church in a rapidly evolving society, we have to be more nimble. .
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Presiding Bishop, Powerful Woman, speaks nimbly and with power.
The State isn’t in the business of determining what is ‘authentic” or not. So when a school expelled a 14 year old for violating the dress code by wearing a nose ring the mother took action. Mother and daughter both say the nose is a part of their religious devotion perhaps as much as a
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Judge Orders School To Take Church of Body Modification Girl