Friday, August 08, 2003
I recently received an email of a long article on Postmodernism. The following were the toughts I got on the subject.
Brothers and sisters,
I must first say that I have a strong dislike for any thing that attempts to lump an entire generation together as if they were of one mind. Postmodernism is such a concept. I heard a statistic once, (how they measure this, I'll never tell you) but that all known knowledge doubles every 18 months and it's getting shorter. In other words humanity will know twice as much as it does now in a year and a half. With change that rapid, we must be on our faces before the Lord asking Him for the approaches that will reach the Lost and obedient to the Spirit's leading, that is the only way we can possibly keep up.
Above that, we must realize that no one comes to Christ that is not led by the Spirit. By the time society gets a handle on what post modern is, it will be over, replaced by a new hype. The best thing we can do is follow the Spirit, pray, meet people where they are and share the love of Jesus in word and deed. I'm doing a study of Acts right now with my church plant and the thing that hits me week after week is that the model for the first church will still work today. Sometimes it seems that the church cannot stay relevant for 35 minutes, yet the model God gives in His Word (the Acts church) has managed to stay fresh and vibrant for 2,000 years. That's the power of a God who transcends time. The answers are still found in the Word. The more that things change the more God stays the same. Traditions are traditions. They are negotiable. The Word never changes if we build our churches on the Word and hold fast to the Word and allow the Spirit to adapt our traditions to the times (or dump them if HE sees fit), we can minister the truth of the Gospel to anyone. Be led by the Spirit and stand on the Word and God will do amazing things.
God bless,
Dave
(0) comments
Brothers and sisters,
I must first say that I have a strong dislike for any thing that attempts to lump an entire generation together as if they were of one mind. Postmodernism is such a concept. I heard a statistic once, (how they measure this, I'll never tell you) but that all known knowledge doubles every 18 months and it's getting shorter. In other words humanity will know twice as much as it does now in a year and a half. With change that rapid, we must be on our faces before the Lord asking Him for the approaches that will reach the Lost and obedient to the Spirit's leading, that is the only way we can possibly keep up.
Above that, we must realize that no one comes to Christ that is not led by the Spirit. By the time society gets a handle on what post modern is, it will be over, replaced by a new hype. The best thing we can do is follow the Spirit, pray, meet people where they are and share the love of Jesus in word and deed. I'm doing a study of Acts right now with my church plant and the thing that hits me week after week is that the model for the first church will still work today. Sometimes it seems that the church cannot stay relevant for 35 minutes, yet the model God gives in His Word (the Acts church) has managed to stay fresh and vibrant for 2,000 years. That's the power of a God who transcends time. The answers are still found in the Word. The more that things change the more God stays the same. Traditions are traditions. They are negotiable. The Word never changes if we build our churches on the Word and hold fast to the Word and allow the Spirit to adapt our traditions to the times (or dump them if HE sees fit), we can minister the truth of the Gospel to anyone. Be led by the Spirit and stand on the Word and God will do amazing things.
God bless,
Dave
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
In a recent posting to a Christian artists list I am a part of, the question was raised what is the role of a Christian artist?
The purpose of the Christian artist is the same as every other Christian to give honor and glory to God. We in the church go on and on about giving our lives to Christ. If we give our lives to Him, that means everything, even our art. How that manifests itself in the life of the artist will be different in almost every case. Some will do work that contains images of the Lord for the edification of the church. Some will do work with an evangelistic thrust designed to reach the lost. Some will do it for a living, some will do it as an avocation. Here's the only thing I can say for sure. Your life and your work belong to the Lord. You cannot in good conscience do work that goes against scripture. You belong to the Lord.
In my case, for years I was compartmentalized. I was a Christian, but my work belonged to me. Hell or high water, I was going to make a living as an artist, it was my God given gift. I held my work back from the Lord and it became an idol in my life that almost made me lose EVERYTHING. I had to make a decision and one day I did. I quit art, period. I laid my talent on the altar and said, Lord if I ever pick it up again it will not be for money but only for your glory. In that time God called me to the ministry and slowly He gave me my gift back. Now I use it totally to His glory. I haven't sold a piece in years but I give a lot away, I've actually gotten better. One of the big ways I use my gift now is called A.M.O.K. Arts Ministry Outreack for the Kingdom. In A.M.O.K. I create resources for people interested in using the arts in ministry, do seminars, and use it in the outreaches for my church. It's awesome.
I guess the big thing I would ask the members (and all of you reading this) is, is it time for you to lay your art on the altar, walk away and get your priorities straight? Maybe yes, maybe no, but please be honest in your assessment of how you are using your gift. Is it to His glory or is it dragging you away?
Just something to think about,
Dave
http://www.radicallyreal.com/amok
(0) comments
The purpose of the Christian artist is the same as every other Christian to give honor and glory to God. We in the church go on and on about giving our lives to Christ. If we give our lives to Him, that means everything, even our art. How that manifests itself in the life of the artist will be different in almost every case. Some will do work that contains images of the Lord for the edification of the church. Some will do work with an evangelistic thrust designed to reach the lost. Some will do it for a living, some will do it as an avocation. Here's the only thing I can say for sure. Your life and your work belong to the Lord. You cannot in good conscience do work that goes against scripture. You belong to the Lord.
In my case, for years I was compartmentalized. I was a Christian, but my work belonged to me. Hell or high water, I was going to make a living as an artist, it was my God given gift. I held my work back from the Lord and it became an idol in my life that almost made me lose EVERYTHING. I had to make a decision and one day I did. I quit art, period. I laid my talent on the altar and said, Lord if I ever pick it up again it will not be for money but only for your glory. In that time God called me to the ministry and slowly He gave me my gift back. Now I use it totally to His glory. I haven't sold a piece in years but I give a lot away, I've actually gotten better. One of the big ways I use my gift now is called A.M.O.K. Arts Ministry Outreack for the Kingdom. In A.M.O.K. I create resources for people interested in using the arts in ministry, do seminars, and use it in the outreaches for my church. It's awesome.
I guess the big thing I would ask the members (and all of you reading this) is, is it time for you to lay your art on the altar, walk away and get your priorities straight? Maybe yes, maybe no, but please be honest in your assessment of how you are using your gift. Is it to His glory or is it dragging you away?
Just something to think about,
Dave
http://www.radicallyreal.com/amok
