I felt that the Aussie Jesus section was a bit weak. It just seemed to be a handy title for having a go at a certain group of young men, rather than an analysis of a particular view of Jesus found among a section of the Australian community.
As a single young-ish Christian man, two of the ministers from my church (separately) asked me if I was offended by Driscoll’s comments in this section. I wasn’t, as I haven’t lived at home full-time since I was 12, and don’t think that I can be accused of a Peter Pan mentality (despite my love of Sci-Fi). However, there was an edge of “married good, single bad” in this section that I don’t think is supported from passages like 1 Corinthians 7.
It was during the Country Jesus section that he stated something like the further people got away from the city, the more in touch with their spiritual side they became - back to nature and that sort of thing, I think. But he then went on to talk about urban cities. The fact that 25% of people now living in Australia were born overseas. Our cities are “marked by density and diversity” - with over 250 languages spoken in Sydney. Two thirds of Australians live in urban cities. He also looked at the Biblical timeline going from the ‘garden’ ( in early Genesis ) to the ‘city’ ( in Revelation - ‘the book of conclusions’ ).
Looking forward to seeing the DVD - with the others who went along - and discussing the implications for our community from last night. It certainly was a “kick-in-the-backside for some” as I read somewhere today.
“Marriage good, single not as good” is still not the view of 1 Corinthians 7.
I think we need to properly understand what Paul is saying about singleness in 1 Cor 7:7-9. While being single may be better for gospel ministry, it’s only better for those ‘cut out’ for singleness (because sexual desires will otherwise be a burden and a distraction from ministry). So, perhaps those “single unattached Christian guys” that Kevin refers to feel that for them staying single will be more of a burden than a freedom.
Mark’s view of 1 Corinthians 7 as given on Wednesday at Moore is that Paul is addressing Christians in a context of high levels of persecution. Paul’s advice was that ‘now’ was not a good time to marry, as it would be a bad idea to get married and have kids just as your about to die.
He also said he thought the jury was still out on whether or not Paul was always single. He said he believed in a strong possibility Paul was a widower, based on an assertion that those who were members of the Sanhedrin were family men.
His personal arguments for the need for a wife in a ministry context I found most convincing. He doesn’t have many friends, he needs his wife’s support.
I heard him speak tonight with the 300 men for Jesus crew. He spoke on Gen 1-3, and though it wasn’t really too expository, it was still very challenging. I think I’ve realised I might still really be a boy…
I didn’t agree with everything though, especially with what he said about marriage. While it may be possibly be unwise to stay at home into your late 20s, I think he’s been shaped by his American culture just as much. And we have to remember that many of the men in the Bible didn’t get married till long after then (though they lived longer too often) and that marriage was just as much about bringing a wife into your father’s house as it is about leaving home and becoming one with your wife! Jesus himself is at his father’s house preparing a place for us now.
Mark’s view of 1 Corinthians 7 as given on Wednesday at Moore is that Paul is addressing Christians in a context of high levels of persecution.
Persecution? It seems to me that, if anything, many in the Corinthian church were “living it up” if Paul’s words in 1 Cor 4:8 are any indication. Perhaps rather than persecution, Paul’s expectation of Christ’s imminent return (1 Cor 7:29) was a factor in his advice regarding marriage.
Anyone else going to Engage this weekend? I thought it strange that they called it ‘Engage’… its all coming together now…
As I posted yesterday, I’m going with quite a few others from Penrith, almost all of whom are single. Mmmm...maybe that’s why they’re going. And why we are the only couple going together. (Our minister and assistant minister are going without spouses). And why we’re the only B&B;people, the rest are in backpacker dorms (I don’t do shared bathrooms!) It all makes sense now!
Does anyone know if the CD and DVD will be on sale this weekend at the Engage conference? It would be a smart marketing move, and from what I’ve heard about last night from people who were there, it would be a worthwhile purchase.
Stock of CDs and DVDs will not be there - but they will be taking orders !
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