tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post112694456194668946..comments2024-01-31T09:33:05.146-08:00Comments on Two World Collision: Build a Bridge and Get Over It!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948061964482528393noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1127254907381104222005-09-20T15:21:00.000-07:002005-09-20T15:21:00.000-07:00"Where I differ with this is we are Church as bapt...<I>"Where I differ with this is we are Church as baptized members of the Body."</I><BR/><BR/>Christopher - <BR/><BR/>There are several questions that arise from your statement: What is the function of baptism in our salvation? If we're talking about baptism by water, what about baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is baptism a mark of "membership" into the Body of Christ? At what point is a person's name written into the Lamb's Book of Life? Is it the moment of personal decision in one's heart or is it the moment of participating in an outward ceremony? Is there a wooing involved where Christ gradually draws a person near to Himself? Is that person a part of the Church even if he/she is in that process of following Christ but has not yet become baptized?<BR/><BR/>I do believe that there is a distinction between those who are a part of the Church and those are not. But does that distinction effect how we ought to relate with all people? In my opinion, no. <BR/><BR/>We are called to love God and to love our neighbor. Our neighbor includes both those who are a part of the Church and those who are not. <BR/><BR/>The problem occurs when we decide who our neighbor is and who we want to love.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948061964482528393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1127235969335264302005-09-20T10:06:00.000-07:002005-09-20T10:06:00.000-07:00Isn't it funny that rather than being known for th...<I>Isn't it funny that rather than being known for their love, Christians are known for their unacceptance?</I><BR/><BR/>Funny ironic, perhaps. I'm more saddened by it.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559254262445527142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1127231049557607742005-09-20T08:44:00.000-07:002005-09-20T08:44:00.000-07:00Eugene and Eric, Where I differ with this is we ar...Eugene and Eric, <BR/><BR/>Where I differ with this is we are Church as baptized members of the Body.Closedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752595488795781895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1127139555387482702005-09-19T07:19:00.000-07:002005-09-19T07:19:00.000-07:00If the Church is going to be effective in connecti...<I>If the Church is going to be effective in connecting with the gay community at all, they are going to have to shift their attitude and approach. They are going to have to really demonstrate sincere love and an interest to build a genuine relationship (minus the agenda).</I><BR/><BR/>Well said. I've been trying to communicate that to some friends of mine. Some of them get it, while others are still caught up in the "we must conquer all the sinners" mentality that's turned the church into an unsafe place for so many people.<BR/><BR/>But at least a few of them are starting to get it. Build community, love unconditionally, and trust God to tell people how they should live their lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1126993103142043272005-09-17T14:38:00.000-07:002005-09-17T14:38:00.000-07:00Eric,I'm very sympathetic to the hurts religion, a...Eric,<BR/><BR/>I'm very sympathetic to the hurts religion, and in our culture, Christianity can inflict. The question really is of one's own relationship and responsibility for that relationship with G-d.<BR/>That doesn't mean healing happens all at once though. And I know, I've seen some rather bad expressions of Christianity in my lifetime. Being a presence of love is the most likely way to open hearts on both sides of the divide.<BR/><BR/>I think we do have certain creative tendencies, and that is one of our great gifts to the Church. Why that is? I don't know. Doesn't matter really, it seems we like and know how to do things beautifully.Closedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752595488795781895noreply@blogger.com