Welcome to Common Grounds Online. Readers of Common Grounds have suggested a website to continue the explorations they began in the book. In keeping with the interactions of Professor MacGregor, Brad, Lauren and Jarrod, the theme of this site is ‘learning and living the Christian story.’
I have invited friends, and a few friends of friends, to communicate aspects of the Christian story that have been significant in their own lives. We’re all trying to find joy and pleasure in this life and the next, but often we forfeit the joy that could be ours by living out foolish, competing scripts. What distinguishes Common Grounds Online Contributors is not our own goodness, achievement or service, but rather the recognition of our need of God’s grace abounding in our lives.
Comments
Bravo to him. It seems to me
Mon, 11/12/2007 - 14:22 — Ben G. (not verified)Bravo to him.
It seems to me that points #3 and #5 (and perhaps the rest of them) are greatly aided by something he doesn't directly mention (though he clearly practices): keep going back to Scripture.
For the third point (developing theology), that's of pretty obvious application - "good books that focus on theology" are wonderful, but they all derive what worth they have from explaining and highlighting what is set forth in the Bible.
But even beyond that, coming back to the Word constantly keeps us accountable to what God has actually told us. It keeps us from lapsing into what Rule 5 prohibits - tired, canned formulas, "Christianese," sloganeering in place of authentic dialogue. It is so easy, isn't it, to assume we know what the Bible says, and present as such what is really nothing more than what we would prefer that it say?
Great ground rules. I hope evangelical culture as a whole begins to learn the wisdom of them.
Amen. I think it reflects
Mon, 11/19/2007 - 18:47 — Sarah Grace (not verified)Amen. I think it reflects well on Jesus's ministry...if we ever wanted to bullet point those three years of Jesus's life.
I very much appreciate what this post had to say. For so long, I've struggled with a deep desire to know what is of the world and what is of Christ. I think this piece articulated what it is that makes me loves literature, art, culture of 'non' Christian varieties and still have a very strong desire to serve and love the Church and Christ. Not that the two are mutually exclusive, but sometimes it's hard to sift out the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees of American Christianity and resist worldly temptations that lead to evil.
I could go on about being in the world, but not of the world--with I think this article teaches us how to be. I agree with needing to know scripture and Thorn's point of being able to speak the language of culture. Being a language major myself, it is so important to learn languages, especially of those of Scripture and Secularism, in order to powerfully engage both. I feel that's what will radically bring about the Kingdom!