Much of the work I do is teach Christian formation in an activist context and this series is one of the most succinct helpful things I’ve come across. Excellent stuff!!
I love the distinction between acts of service and practice. If we practice daily in generally what we do all the time, aligning ourselves with those values and behaviors that Jesus taught and modeled, well... that becomes a bit of a problem. One is now forced to look at how they behave all the time, the kind of parent, friend, neighbor, and co-worker they are, how they treat others while doing business, where they work and the impact their employer has on others, how they vote, what they purchase...and well, it means being accountable in a big way. Personal piety seems to be the way those I was raised with (fundamental evangelicals) get away with pretending they behave as good christians. They don't smoke, drink, have sex supposedly outside of marriage... and they do teach sunday school... so they are good-to-go. Following Jesus is way harder in many ways and pits us against capitalism and modern society. That is a conundrum most don't want to face.
Much of the work I do is teach Christian formation in an activist context and this series is one of the most succinct helpful things I’ve come across. Excellent stuff!!
I love the distinction between acts of service and practice. If we practice daily in generally what we do all the time, aligning ourselves with those values and behaviors that Jesus taught and modeled, well... that becomes a bit of a problem. One is now forced to look at how they behave all the time, the kind of parent, friend, neighbor, and co-worker they are, how they treat others while doing business, where they work and the impact their employer has on others, how they vote, what they purchase...and well, it means being accountable in a big way. Personal piety seems to be the way those I was raised with (fundamental evangelicals) get away with pretending they behave as good christians. They don't smoke, drink, have sex supposedly outside of marriage... and they do teach sunday school... so they are good-to-go. Following Jesus is way harder in many ways and pits us against capitalism and modern society. That is a conundrum most don't want to face.