tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post7577362512265229046..comments2024-03-22T08:29:51.173-05:00Comments on UM & Global: Lifestyle Evangelism and Moral ConvictionsDavid W. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-85470308830445701692021-08-17T07:40:41.704-05:002021-08-17T07:40:41.704-05:00Why is it always about left and right? Did you mis...Why is it always about left and right? Did you miss the lesson on the "fruit of the Spirit." It's not about human morality or cultural relativism. It's about transformation. Additionally, following Jesus in a fallen world assumes that the disciple will be counter-cultural. Over time, we believe that God will shape the culture to the extent that God transforms the people. Not all societies are equally fallen. Ultimately, we are not called to affirm the morality of sin and sinful practices that dominate the broken world. Rather, we are called to give witness to a Jesus who saves us from sin and enlists us in the work of reconciliation. <br /><br />Finally, I note that you do not talk about the morality of the LGBT lifestyle in relationship to the teaching of Scripture. Rather, how one treats them is the moral issue. Yes, Jesus wants us to love our enemy, our neighbor, and sinners of all sorts. Yet, the radical and crazy love of Jesus does not lead us to love sin. In my church, we have a lesbian couple and cross-dressers. We loved each of them deeply. We even allow the gay couple to live in our parsonage rent free. They attend church, work in our breakfast center, and study scripture with us. No one has been mean to them. Everyone has loved them and helped them. They were living in a car when we found them. Yet, not a single member of our church affirms the practice of homosexuality. In fact, we are trusting that the HS will change them as we love them and lead them closer to the heart of God. Perhaps this is a form of lifestyle evangelism. Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141558221519018805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-45570486645683766552021-08-17T01:09:21.281-05:002021-08-17T01:09:21.281-05:00Quick note - comments above are by Robert Hunt, ac...Quick note - comments above are by Robert Hunt, accidentally logged in as his wife.Robert Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12733025264316575349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-69089726646000118582021-08-17T01:06:43.453-05:002021-08-17T01:06:43.453-05:00It is problematic, but common within contemporary ...It is problematic, but common within contemporary Christianity to posit an obvious choice between a moral lifestyle and one dedicated to the "pleasures and possessions" of the world. And it is common to call Christians to show the value of their faith by their choice between the two. <br /><br />But the phrases "becomes attractive over time" and "works in making . . " are critical here. The moral choices made by Christians are not self-evidently either moral or useful in either our cultural environment or that of Ancient Rome or 18th century England. They are even less so when they allow themselves to be caught up in our current "culture wars" and are thus weaponized for political purposes. The obsession on both sides around LGBTQ issues is a good example of how the complex tilling involved in nurturing moral behavior is beaten into a sword for political warfare. <br /><br />Is it possible to both live out a commitment to justice while taking a determined stance of pacifism in regard to the culture wars? That may be the greatest witness to the love of Christ we can make today.Periwinklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14004278320149880013noreply@blogger.com