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I have really liked what I've read in book form by Edwards, and have been a bit wondering about some stuff I've seen on the net.
His allegorical fiction is well worth reading.
He was way ahead of the curve on leaving Legacy Church, and some of his writings have been instrumental in many people seeking more from God. I was especially inspired by the concept of the "Torch of the Testimony", the idea that there has always been a parallel work of God going on in addition to the institutions.
Like many who left IC a long time ago, I think he may have gotten a bit stuck in the "anti" movement so much that he may be missing how ready people are, now, for an even more radical New Testament Church than we were, say, 20 years ago. Likewise with Viola. He is stuck preaching to the past. Alright, already, let's just get out there and model the real thing instead of arguing about the old thing!
Edwards' reprinting of important works on the deeper life, such as Jeanne Guyon, have been wonderful additions to people seeking the Spirit-led life.
Wow, John, I think the whole apostle thing certainly deserves a whole topic of its own!
There's so much there... working in a church-saturated, un-hospitality oriented society makes it hard for me to get my mind around what apostolic ministry should look like, here. And yet there is a very obvious need for the simple preaching of the gospel to people who think they already know it - just like the Jews of Jesus' day thought they already knew it...
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
quote:Laurie Ann said: I think he may have gotten a bit stuck in the "anti" movement so much that he may be missing how ready people are, now, for an even more radical New Testament Church than we were, say, 20 years ago. Likewise with Viola. He is stuck preaching to the past. Alright, already, let's just get out there and model the real thing instead of arguing about the old thing!
Then may I ask you this question Laurie Ann? What, or maybe where do you see The Church going? Can you hit me with some of this "even more radical New Testament Church" you are talking about?
Also, I tried reading some of his stuff about the eight "disciples" of Paul. There was so much speculation and conjecture, I just had to stop. Maybe his fiction would be really good. He did seem to be quite eloquent. Any title suggestions?
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Recommendations: A Tale of Three Kings Divine Romance
Reprint of Madame Jeanne Guyon's "Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ". Now that book addresses simplicity: It assumes that the person who wants to know Christ may be illiterate, and only know The Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23.
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
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An example of people's readiness: I am so amazed by how many people who are so "in the box" that I think they will blow up at me when I say "house church" who actually say, "I want to know more!"
A week or so ago I went to a gathering where I didn't know most of the people. A young woman walked in, and as soon as I saw her I thought, "Oh, No, there's an IC worship leader". I could just tell. Anyway, we got to talking, and she wanted to talk about health, nutrition, and house church. I was blown away - and chastised by my lack of faith! So, who expects a Texas Cheerleader type worship leader to be ready to leave church-as-usual and talk about kefir? I guess I do -- now!
Laurie Ann
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
posted
I have mentioned home fellowship to a couple of people (at least I thing it was a couple, could have been three or four) and have gotten nothing negative or positive. Have you had people blow up on you? What do they do? What do you believe they are afraid of? Is it because you have a fellowship in your home? Or, is it something (in their eyes at least) more sinister?
I really enjoy learning from someone who has been there. That way I can kinda go in and not not be surprised when the same thing happens to me.
By the way, thanks for the suggested reading. I'll see if I can get my wife to pick up those books from the library for me.
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'Anti' is a word that encapsulates the way some regard us house church folk. My first internet aquaintence, Dan Beaty, described the hc camp as "against everything." He was proudly in that camp, btw. But I'll never forget his short critique.
It is true that those who disagree with us might feel such, but is there any validity in the hc movement being overly negative? I'm not certain and I would say that it varies. But if so, how might this be overcome without us becoming men pleasers who stand for little or nothing?
The home fellowship I go to doesn't really do the "anti" thing. I think they have all been out of the ice... I mean ick... oops! the ic for so long they have all pretty much gotten all of their frustrations out about it. They understand mine, but have little interest in commenting much past the occasional "we understand." That's actually been good for me. No need to live in the past...
I think another factor is the fact that they have kinda the same format as the ic. They sing, teach the children something, teach the adults, sing, pray, and then go home. We find the evening fellowship much more "lax", so we go to that one.
We both (my wife and I) feel like we don't want to exchange one format in a "church" for the same thing in someone's home. I guess I said that to say... I agree, it varies. We personally just go where we feel The Lord is most free to move. That's how we are trying to both honor The Lord, and not get into the "men pleaser" thing.
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Awe, Dan Beaty. Those were some good days here, too...
What about that very rebellious guy named Good- or Luck- something who ate ham sandwiches sitting on a cesspool with sewage on his hands? Is he still healthy? Is he still alive?
I would not recommend doing as he did 'cuz I found out that people who work with sewage are required to take special shots to prevent hepatitis. But of course this guy was discarding health laws to prove his freedom in Christ. I guess he thought that in the NT nothing was unclean. Not exactly sure what point he was trying to make. Perhaps just trying to prove how foolish he was.
What he doesn't realize is that God has promised to protect us, sure, but even Jesus would not tempt His Father to protect Him by casting Himself down from the steeple. When he eats with filth on his hands and expects God to protect him he is basically putting God to the test or literally forcing God to protect him. Like he is asking God to prove Himself. Rather presumptuous, me thinks!
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the ic for so long they have all pretty much gotten all of their frustrations out about it. They understand mine, but have little interest in commenting much past the occasional "we understand." That's actually been good for me. No need to live in the past...
