Comments on: Finding the Center—The Question http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/06/finding-the-center%e2%80%94the-question.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:27:48 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dan Edelen http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/06/finding-the-center%e2%80%94the-question.html#comment-45124 Dan Edelen Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:55:30 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1241#comment-45124 Susan, A Kingdom-centered view can't afford to lose ANYTHING, especially the cross. It all fits together. Susan,

A Kingdom-centered view can’t afford to lose ANYTHING, especially the cross. It all fits together.

]]> By: Susan http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/06/finding-the-center%e2%80%94the-question.html#comment-45123 Susan Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:12:26 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1241#comment-45123 Hmm, I know I"m coming in here late but better late than never eh? I've just read your most recent post on Kingdom -centred and well, I need to print it out and re-read it...a few times. It's not that I disagree with you - the terminology just has a few negative connotations *for me*. A church that I used to be a member of many years ago (the church I attended when first came to know God) claimed to be kingdom oriented and well, suffice to say that I have had to unlearn a lot of mis-teaching over the years...mis-teaching from my early years. I've always preferred the term 'Cross-centred' for without the Cross, it is all nothing. The Cross is the very centrality of my faith. The gospel (Jesus the Messiah, His death & resurrection, repentance, forgiveness, grace, being brothers & sisters) is not the gospel without the cross...so it is central/core to my life, to my faith. To take the cross out of Christianity simply makes it 'just another religion' where man tries to work or philosophise his way to God. Hmmm, interesting. Thanks! Hmm, I know I”m coming in here late but better late than never eh? I’ve just read your most recent post on Kingdom -centred and well, I need to print it out and re-read it…a few times. It’s not that I disagree with you – the terminology just has a few negative connotations *for me*. A church that I used to be a member of many years ago (the church I attended when first came to know God) claimed to be kingdom oriented and well, suffice to say that I have had to unlearn a lot of mis-teaching over the years…mis-teaching from my early years.

I’ve always preferred the term ‘Cross-centred’ for without the Cross, it is all nothing. The Cross is the very centrality of my faith. The gospel (Jesus the Messiah, His death & resurrection, repentance, forgiveness, grace, being brothers & sisters) is not the gospel without the cross…so it is central/core to my life, to my faith. To take the cross out of Christianity simply makes it ‘just another religion’ where man tries to work or philosophise his way to God.

Hmmm, interesting. Thanks!

]]> By: Keith Brenton http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/06/finding-the-center%e2%80%94the-question.html#comment-45109 Keith Brenton Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:04:52 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1241#comment-45109 "As a Christian, I try to live a <b>grace</b>-centered life. That grace is from Christ, of course, who points me to God the Father and empowers through the Holy Spirit. This, unfortunately, makes me feel very <b>off</b>-centered among many in my church family, because ... "My church emphasizes a <b>behavior</b>-centered Gospel. I fear that puts the emphasis on us, rather than grace ... which motivates further grace in gratitude, drawing ourselves and others closer to God through Christ in the power of the Spirit. “As a Christian, I try to live a grace-centered life. That grace is from Christ, of course, who points me to God the Father and empowers through the Holy Spirit. This, unfortunately, makes me feel very off-centered among many in my church family, because …

“My church emphasizes a behavior-centered Gospel. I fear that puts the emphasis on us, rather than grace … which motivates further grace in gratitude, drawing ourselves and others closer to God through Christ in the power of the Spirit.

]]> By: Valerie in CA http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/06/finding-the-center%e2%80%94the-question.html#comment-45104 Valerie in CA Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:23:05 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1241#comment-45104 1. Gospel-centered Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. (2 Tim 2:8-9) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-- and that by God. (Phil 1:27-28) 2. Program-centered, pastor-centered, propping-up-the-institution centered :( (but the people are nice...) :( 1. Gospel-centered
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. (2 Tim 2:8-9)

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved– and that by God.
(Phil 1:27-28)

2. Program-centered, pastor-centered, propping-up-the-institution centered :( (but the people are nice…) :(

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