Shallow Minded Christians

[The Journey]

Ray,

I too have found the same thing. Sometimes is comes from shallow life experiences in those teaching the message. A lot of time in school...and in books...not a lot of living going on. Theology is practical but only for those who have lived.

Other times I have found ministers who simply want to "preach". Often they have a very shallow understanding of theology and very shallow life experiences. Thus they "preach" canned little sermons that don't apply very well anywhere.

I have found very few pastor teachers that have a broad understanding of God's Word coupled with deep life experiences. But when you do they are a treasure.

Just my thoughts.

Steve

[Guest yod]

The "true" Messianic Jew has a rich background from which we gentiles would be very blessed to understand. But with that said, as with any denomination of Christianity, you have to be very careful whom you choose to associate yourself, because there are also some real whacky Messianic type churches out there as well.

Hard to argue with that!!

I wasn't trying to promote messianic judaism as much as giving my own anecdotal story of why I love my congregation. The rabbi Marty Waldman is still the best teacher I've ever heard (including anyone on TV or Radio)

But there is plenty of weirdness out there calling themselves "messianic" so you should be careful if you go searching

[Guest A Stone]

I have different opion or deeper thought which is good but is not where the instructor is at?

ray :sweating:

I know exactly what you are talking about! Actually I was 10 years old when I had the same yearning - that, surely, the words I was reading, must have a deeper meaning. Yet the ministering never came. I was 30 years old before I heard wonderous sharing and saw real shinning faces that 'sparked' my spirit. Since then the words, "God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and reality" has in fact become my reality. You cannot know God in your mind.

We must 'touch' our spirit to know the higher, deeper things of God.

I have also come to the conclusion that what we read and understand of God's word is not the end of it. The more we grow in Him, the more meaning each verse takes on. Think about it. God is sooo much and so high, do you really think that the initial word that you read and understand (at the moment) is all there is to it? Not hardly!

It all goes back to the two trees in the garden. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. Are you going to eat of the Tree of Knowledge (Reasoning) or are you going to eat of the Tree of Life? "Ye need not that any man teach you, for you have the leading of the Holy Spirit."

[jamie]

Well, I have grown up in the church setting all my life.

Edited May 8, 2004 by jamie

[Guest aka_mary]

Hi Ray,

this is just my own personal experience that I'd thought I'd share. I've been a christian for 8 years. About 2 years ago I felt the Lord challenging me that it was time to get off the milk, and onto the meat...

For me personally it meant it was time to take what I had learned in bible study, and church and start applying it. It was time for me to start walking in my gifting, and being a witness.

I was being challenged in so many areas of my life. It was time to deal with deeper issues. Issues that would have been too overwhelming at the beginning of my walk with the Lord. Growing pains hurt, but we all have to grow, and mature.

Maybe your going to have another growing spurt :il:

[stevehut]

Ray,

35 years? Sounds like yer stuck in a rut. I haven't read the other responses yet, but this is my immediate response...

Are you depending on the church to do everything for you? Do you read the Bible on your own? Attend a small-group Bible study in someone's home, where you can discuss in more detail than you can at church?

Do you read about church history, or read Bible commentaries? Do you share your faith with others, and teach them? There's so much more to Christianity than attending church meetings.

Twice on Sunday and once on Weds? Sounds like Church of Christ...yes? Where do u live?

[ray]

Stevehut said

Ray,

35 years? Sounds like yer stuck in a rut. I haven't read the other responses yet, but this is my immediate response...

Are you depending on the church to do everything for you? Do you read the Bible on your own? Attend a small-group Bible study in someone's home, where you can discuss in more detail than you can at church?

Do you read about church history, or read Bible commentaries? Do you share your faith with others, and teach them? There's so much more to Christianity than attending church meetings.

Twice on Sunday and once on Weds? Sounds like Church of Christ...yes? Where do u live?

No I'm not depending on the church to do everything for me. Yes, I read the Bible on my own but not as much as I would like but who does. Yes, I attend small group in someones home.

Yes, I have read about church history and many commentaries. Yes, I do share my faith with others. Yes I teach them as best as I can. Yes your right there is more than attending church meetings. But what are they with out sinnning?

Yes, it is church of christ, but thats not the point. Going to meetings on a regular basis is not the point. Having a relatioship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is imporant.

However, even when I attend other churches beside the church of christ it always seem that i can predict what will be siad next because I have heard for so long. When do we besides small groups, when in church can we get to more stories that are not always the same.

Why, can't a person who even one who has heard the story 3,000 plus time before why do some shallow minded christians not accept a new thought or idea about the story. IF I have to go to church one more time hear the same story again and again I need there something to be new fresh about the story. And I need to be able to feel free to express my idea without being rejected everytime i have new perspective or understanding of the story. Also if someone else is going to teach the class for the quarter he or she should at least know the audiance in which he or she is speaking to and not seem like you are unprepprared every time you come to teach me about the Bible.

ray

[jamie]

We all need life application teaching not just bible stories and expounding scriptures.

Dont hold your breath for change ray.

I know exactly how you feel, we left a church that did the same thing.

Most people stay stuck in a rut for the sake of tradition but there might come a day when you have to decide to stay or go.