Protestantism

» pink101 - The Soul of Christianity

In response to The Soul of Christianity posted by Brother_Jones:

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Never heard of him.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - The Soul of Christianity

In response to The Soul of Christianity posted by pink101:
no sweat. Here is a link:

www.explorefaith.org/books/soulofchristian

the oldtimer

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» pink101 - The Soul of Christianity

In response to The Soul of Christianity posted by Brother_Jones:

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The link doesn't work. You must not have copied it correctly. Try again.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - Hutson Smith

http://www.explorefaith.org/books/soulof...

Maybe I just don't know how to do these links anymore. I am getting old. But that is it.

the oldtimer.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» pink101 - Hutson Smith

In response to Hutson Smith posted by Brother_Jones:

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Sounds like an interesting book.
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Tell us about it.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - Hutson Smith

In response to Hutson Smith posted by pink101:

I think Smith is struggling with the knowledge that liberal Christianity is losing members and influence in society. He is attempting to give some sort of rallying dogma to them, that whether they believe in God or not, the symbols of Religion have great value..and feeling an awe of Symbols is just about enough in this day and time for what God might expect from anyone.

He often goes back in his writing to the past setting in his childhood home in China with dedicated missionary parents, where bible reading was taken seriously and with some real dedication. Unlike a lot of folks, he cherishes his upbringing in the faith, and yet he lost his mainstream Christian beliefs as an adult. The book is about uplifting the soul of Christianity while giving several logical attempts to frame the life of Jesus into legend and myth. It could possibly work for some liberal minded folk who wish to circle their children at Christmas and Easter and explain the story of Jesus in the same way you might express an idea about Santa and the big bunny. Smith is quite the publishers darling boy because he is considered to be one of the best writers in religious literature both in style and subject matter, based on his original classic,The Religions of Man. His own life story is pretty fascinating, and he relates quite a bit of it to Bill Moyers on the PBS shows taped in the 90's. And he comes across to me as an off the chart brilliant person who is struggling with the nature of God.

the oldtimer.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» pink101 - Hutson Smith

In response to Hutson Smith posted by Brother_Jones:
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I read the short blurb on Smith and his latest book at the link you gave. Danced with Sufis. In Iran?
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Combined with your last post, I was impressed with the idea of "serious Bible study" in the home.
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As I recall, I was the only child in my family that was involved in "serious Bible study" when "we" all sat around in our evening Bilbe readings and discussions. My older sister was off to Bible school and my younger sister was too young to understand. My brother was off with his gang someplace or other. My father was already sleeping as he had to get up so early to go to work. So, the "we" that sat around in "serious Bible study" was my mother and myself. And, I'm the black sheep of the family when it comes to being a proper person including going to church which I don't.
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Maybe "serious Bible study" infuses the developing child with the idea that it is acceptable to question authority? I do recall that I asked questions the answers to which were not satisfying to my young mind. I WAS a prodigious child and, like most such I suppose, not recognized as such.
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You are making me think.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - Hutson Smith

In response to Hutson Smith posted by pink101:

Maybe "serious Bible study" infuses the developing child with the idea that it is acceptable to question authority?

You seemed to have skipped over stage one. Serious bible study or serious study of the idea of God convinces a person that there is an authority higher than themselves. The basic problem that Smith sees with folks that lean in the direction of your type of thinking is that you are man centered and eventually self centered. You take the argument about being personally responsible in life to cover areas of spirituality that attempts to answer very profound questions about God that cannot be answered from the single portal of your own eye socket. Just because you haven't experienced redemption and grace, that shouldn't be a closed door to everyone else. That is the argument that Smith makes that seems to be pretty honest and effective against secular naturalism, imo.

i'm just an oldtimer for the Lord.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» Migisi - Magic pill

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From the book review Jones linked:
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(quote) "It would be helpful to see (perhaps in another volume) fuller elucidation of the opening "world-is-in-bad-shape" premise, and how precisely foundational Christian beliefs may serve as a remedy for the decay induced by the scientistic worldview." (end - my bold)
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Koise raises a good question in general. First, has science alone induced world decay? If so, how can Christianity remedy that decay? Christianity is 2000+ years old and has spread to every continent, yet most preachers insist that world conditions have worsened. Of course, these preachers point to unbelief as the cause. But consider the Christian-dominated third world countries. If foundational Christian beliefs are the cure-all, these third-world countries should be Eden on Earth, misery-free zones. We know they are far from it. So, what has Christianity really done - other than convince people that their earthly suffering (whatever its cause) will be rewarded after they're dead?
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-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - An Annoying Habit

In response to Hutson Smith posted by Brother_Jones:
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Just because you haven't experienced redemption and grace, that shouldn't be a closed door to everyone else.
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It is an annoying habit you have of deciding what others do and don't do in their own thoughts--most presumptuous of you.
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But, perhaps I'm the presumptuous one here. Maybe you have more to say about that. So, will you explain your comment here?
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-- posted by pink101