I used to hear the song, "Give me that old timed religion" and think of a 90 year old woman with spectacles hanging off her nose and a yardstick in her hand ready to give some unfortunate 5-year old a Holy Ghost whoopping. I think it interesting that our generation often thinks of old-fashioned in negative terms whereas, for nearly all of human history (and as it still is in the vast majority of the world living outside the West), the concept of old is identified with wisdom, not archaism.
It could be that I am just a sentimental person, but I rather miss the concept of the old-fashioned revival. More specifically, I miss a lot of the old-fashioned faith teaching that is simply out of vogue in today's contemporary seeker sensitive style of doing church (even charismatic churches). For the past year, I have been on a mental overhaul thinking about how the Christian faith relates to the geo-social-political issues of our time, (more specifically, how the Christian faith (especially American fundamentalist Christian faith) impacts Western civilization and what this means for the current clash of civilizations between the West and Islam. In the process of this contemplation, I have rejected a lot of the militarism (in particular as it relates to expanding American hegemony in world affairs) associated with the particular brand of Christianity that I grew up in (and am currently a part of now). In my upcoming book, "Reformation" I will explain this in more detail.
None of these considerations mattered yesterday as I was sitting in an old-fashioned revival meeting listening to a message about how Jesus defeated the Devil through the power of speaking God's Word. "You can't out think the devil, but you can out talk him," said the preacher. Amen to that! Although I flat reject some of the preacher's other ideas that he preached the previous nights (like bombing other countries for the purpose of opening them up to the gospel), I found it unusually refreshing to be reminded that when the devil is on my back, I can give him a good old-fashioned whooping by using the sword of God's Word against him.
When the preacher was finished, I practically ran down the altar to get my overdose of the Holy Ghost....and to get the devil off my back. Look out devil, I'm armed and dangerous now! You'll be hearing a lot of "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" from me from now on. Better get used to it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
Aaron,
You're an interesting guy.
Pete
I have a feeling that "interesting" is a euphemism for odd. Can't argue with you there. I guess that's a compliment?
After reading my post, I realize that what I wrote probably came off a little too tongue and cheek as if I was being flippant about spiritual issues. The point I was trying to make is two-fold.
1. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.
2. There really is power in speaking God's Word.
Aaron,
Good news for you. The online free dictionary defines interesting as: “arousing or holding the attention” It also offers words such as stimulating and exciting! I think what Pete was trying to say was, “Aaron, you are one arousing, exciting, stimulating guy whose blogging holds my attention!” In fact, I didn’t see one mention of the word odd!
Pete…is that what you were really trying to communicate? *grin*
I am surprised that you went back to hear the preacher again after his comment about the bombing.
Bless you!
Aaron,
I'm sorry for using a word that was slightly confusing. OF COURSE I don't mean to imply that you are odd...I was actually just trying to flat out say it : ). Seriously, your post had me laughing, I just wasn't sure I was supposed to be.
Pete
Thank you for your comments Pete and Brian. I actually intended the post to be both humorous and serious. I just didn't want to appear to be flippant with spiritual issues, which is why I wrote my clarification, not because I misunderstood Pete's comment.
The preacher's bombing statement is my interpretation of what he was saying and not his exact words, although my interpretation is not very far off from his actual words. The preacher is a popular one. I think I may have been one of the only ones who had a problem with what he was saying. Everyone else was applauding. Scary.
aaron,
i liked the tone of the article. i didn't think it was flippant; i thought it was personable/casual.
it's also neat to hear you comment on your own post since normally you just put it out there and let us fight over it like a few dogs ripping apart a steak or yanking around a thick rope in a game of tug of war, drool hanging from the lip on the side of the mouth and gums bleeding and little spots of blood on the rope if you ever see the rope again.
ok, so that wasn't too serious either. but you know what i mean... right?
Post a Comment