Is it really necessary? I’m referring to what amounts to a shark feeding frenzy over at the Internetmonk dot com. They posted up the extremely popular four minute video called Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus by bball1989 (Jefferson Bethke). And they contrasted it to the over thirteen minute counter video “Freestylin:Jesus = Religion by Revfisk (Jonathan Fisk) ripping apart the words and intent and theology of the first video and it’s author.
The first video sought to portray a useless works based religion in contrast to true faith in Christ Jesus by personal relationship. The second took exception to the definition of religion as useless and portrayed Jesus as religion itself. Now my extremely short synopsis does no justice to either man’s proposition. There were sufficient credulities and short comings in both; however that is not what I am posing to you. Why is it that when one brother in Christ says something and another brother in Christ takes exception to their frame of reference, idioms, colorations or just their perspective, that everyone has an opinion? At times a well worded scripturally supported opinion which insists it is the correct word.
I’m not saying there isn’t room for commentary, but I am saying that the voracious hair splitting, questionably spirited assaults upon the minutest of points are way over the top. Even though the authors of the videos took pains to carefully define their terms and how they were using them, the commentators (not the moderators) on the blog appeared in many cases to be simply tearing at the flesh of open wounds seeking to satiate their carnal desires. There were a few who appeared to be capable of cogent thought and able to resist the bloodletting. They were also in my opinion, in the minority.
The bitterness of disagreement, the hard heartedness of unequivocally demanded rightness, the strain on Christian love, brotherhood and civility were appalling to me. I have witnessed these feeding frenzies elsewhere with the same level of disconcertment. The one common thread I find is that there seems to be a maddening desire to be right. They often propose that no one can be in disagreement with the commenter unless they are against the truths of God. Sometimes it is revealed in the carefully worded denial or detached apology that is so profoundly contradictory to their own well worded opinions. They strive to be the one who is right, correct, in full agreement with God. It is a sad commentary on those who claim to be the true church that they are the only one who agrees with Jesus.
Needing to be perfectly right in their own mind, to be as the most high, gets you in some interesting company…
I just want to agree to disagree and accept that everyone who thinks they know more than I do, probably does. And I’m okay with that. I love Jesus. They do to. Right?
The topic was necessary enough for thousands of people to get involved and to affect at least 3 blogs. Oddly enough I have even involved myself. Which is odd due to the fact I fallow only one blog!
Whatever the case, I like the words of one and the effects/affects of both. Well I like them both! Everything about the both of them! I wanted to analyse and think on it. After reflection All I want to say is that it is great to wit the fervent passion for the Christ they both display.
So well put. Why argue and wound each other over miniscule details when you both love Jesus? We have an accuser of the brethren and one who roams about as a roaring lion… let’s stop doing his job for him.
I will immediately snatch your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me understand in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
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