Thanks for this. Really enjoyed it. The concept of Jesus taking a stand on issues but not being what people expected either for or against resonated with me. Reminded me of when Joshua met the Angel of the LORD:
“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
I have always been the middle my whole life in fact I am the middle child too! This feels like you have been in my head which makes me feels less alone than I have in years. I never understood the phrase “I love Jesus but not his people” until these past couple of years to the point that I have isolated myself. Thank you for this today I can’t even begin to tell you the timing of me reading this!
I’m sorry that you have experienced that. People are people, broken and flawed. I wish it was different, but that’s why we need Jesus. Praying for you and your family.
I debated even writing this, I prayed that god would give me the words, I prayed that he gave me the grace and wisdom, because I am a sinner. I am not perfect and sometimes I come off as aggressive. Tonight was the first time in my whole entire life, I truly believe I saw the real side of who you are, I connected with you, I saw that no matter what I was told or how others felt. That person who spoke on this podcast wasn’t the person I knew growing up. My mom and your wife are first cousins, growing up my mom always felt like people were better than her, she use to the term “ snotty in their religion”. She would tell me make sure I was on my best behavior and watch what I said because she didn’t want to be judged. But the man I heard tonight wouldn’t have judged her for who she was because this person knows no one is perfect and god loves everyone. Maybe my mom shouldn’t have let other people’s words and beliefs bleed onto her. I prey tomorrow when I send her this podcast she learns that even her own family stands in the middle with her that they too are servants of Jesus. One last thing I want to thank you for this podcast because it has come into my life at one of my weakest moments and it has turned me towards god
Tricia, first of all...so great to hear from you. It's been a while since our family reunions where I was trying to figure out who everyone was in my wife's family.
Second, thanks for taking the time to listen to this. It's been a passion project for me to try to re-present the real Jesus in a wild time and culture.
Lastly, from one sinner saved by grace to another, I appreciate you for writing this. Extended family dynamics (in blood family and church family) can be tricky. I think that's why it's incredibly important that we don't take our cues of faith from people at a distance, but we all need to keep our eyes and faith on Jesus alone. We will get it wrong most of the time, but Jesus was perfect.
Another great post. Jesus’ example in everything is both challenging and our path to take. Right along with your post, in John 1 the disciple wrote that Jesus was “full of Grace and truth”. Accidental word order? Not a chance! Grace first, then truth. In Jesus’s recorded earthly life, it was always that way. Woman at the well. Man born blind. Woman caught in adultery. Matthew. Zacheus. He offered them Grace before presenting them truth. I remember Carlos Rodriguez a few years ago teaching at Northway. Wherever we draw a line, Jesus crossed over and invited us to join him.
Great installment, Kent. Your anecdote at the beginning is an unfortunate but, admittedly, a somewhat amusing story.
I am wondering about the practical application of taking the Radical Middle in the current religious climate, though. How can we take this approach when the Christian landscape was formed by taking sides (i.e., the Reformation) and is the dominate feature today? At some point in all of our lives, we will have to decide which church to go to, at what point to baptize our offspring, and how we are to follow Christ's commandment to "do this in remembrance of me" (i.e., the Eucharist). To complicate this, how are we to approach this without being a reed blown and tossed by the wind?
The idea of not picking sides is appealing to me, but it seems inevitable.
I will try to sum up my doubts with a (hopefully) answerable question. In your ministry, how have you addressed questions about what church to attend and/or what confession of faith to hold?
As always, thank you for the expected thought-provoking content and I am looking forward to hearing more. :)
The Reformation is a good example of refusing to take a side that was perpetuated into the only acceptable theological culture as Luther dug into Scriptures and discovered just how far the pendulum had swung away from God's Kingdom way. You could also argue that Luther swung the pendulum so far in the other direction as he literally tore out Scriptures and pages of the Bible that he didn't agree with. Not exactly follwing The Kingdom Way by following the fullness of the authority of Scripture in his theology. Can't disregard just because we disagree.
I've addressed your question by saying, keep your eyes on Jesus, not a church tradition. Jesus, not a particular pastor. Test the tradition and teaching against God's word because that's what Jesus and the Scriptures teach.
When I take a stand on all things I learn in my life to be God’s truth, He lets me know that I must now take a stand in the “radical middle” which will teach and instruct me to turn on all the lights and not just some of them.
Great word, Kent. Sometimes life is more nuanced than I try to make it. I do believe there’s one Truth, but I also believe I’m often wrong about what that is. 😬 One of my favorite things Jesus said (often) was “you’ve heard it said…but I tell you…”. He turned the status quo on its head so many times. Pointing back to the way it was intended to be from the beginning, not what it had been twisted to become.
Sorry to preach, I’ll leave that to you. 😄 Keep em coming PK.
Great stuff Kent. I haven’t walked away from the real Jesus, but I have deliberately distanced myself from a tradition that I had chosen as the right side. I could write pages on my experiences on how arrogant I became within this tradition, and why I now believe that I was wrong and how the Church tradition fed into my arrogance and hypocrisy. I won’t though because I don’t want to distance myself from one side only to take the other side. I want to live in the radical middle. I just wish there were more voices like yours out there. Something I am praying for.
I have realized over the years that there are extremely smart and humble people on theological sides. I have been in great conversations where we agree to disagree without canceling each other. I'm not against taking stands on essentials, but I want to do it like Jesus. God help us all.
Love this series. Thank you Pastor Kent!
My privilege! Thanks for reading/listening!
Thanks for this. Really enjoyed it. The concept of Jesus taking a stand on issues but not being what people expected either for or against resonated with me. Reminded me of when Joshua met the Angel of the LORD:
“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Joshua 5:13-15
Are you with us or against us?
No!
Haha
haha. yep, joshua did not see that answer coming.
Focus on Jesus and His ways are exactly what we need in this divided and devicive time... preach brother
Yessir!
I have always been the middle my whole life in fact I am the middle child too! This feels like you have been in my head which makes me feels less alone than I have in years. I never understood the phrase “I love Jesus but not his people” until these past couple of years to the point that I have isolated myself. Thank you for this today I can’t even begin to tell you the timing of me reading this!
I’m sorry that you have experienced that. People are people, broken and flawed. I wish it was different, but that’s why we need Jesus. Praying for you and your family.
I debated even writing this, I prayed that god would give me the words, I prayed that he gave me the grace and wisdom, because I am a sinner. I am not perfect and sometimes I come off as aggressive. Tonight was the first time in my whole entire life, I truly believe I saw the real side of who you are, I connected with you, I saw that no matter what I was told or how others felt. That person who spoke on this podcast wasn’t the person I knew growing up. My mom and your wife are first cousins, growing up my mom always felt like people were better than her, she use to the term “ snotty in their religion”. She would tell me make sure I was on my best behavior and watch what I said because she didn’t want to be judged. But the man I heard tonight wouldn’t have judged her for who she was because this person knows no one is perfect and god loves everyone. Maybe my mom shouldn’t have let other people’s words and beliefs bleed onto her. I prey tomorrow when I send her this podcast she learns that even her own family stands in the middle with her that they too are servants of Jesus. One last thing I want to thank you for this podcast because it has come into my life at one of my weakest moments and it has turned me towards god
Tricia, first of all...so great to hear from you. It's been a while since our family reunions where I was trying to figure out who everyone was in my wife's family.
Second, thanks for taking the time to listen to this. It's been a passion project for me to try to re-present the real Jesus in a wild time and culture.
Lastly, from one sinner saved by grace to another, I appreciate you for writing this. Extended family dynamics (in blood family and church family) can be tricky. I think that's why it's incredibly important that we don't take our cues of faith from people at a distance, but we all need to keep our eyes and faith on Jesus alone. We will get it wrong most of the time, but Jesus was perfect.
God bless.
Another great post. Jesus’ example in everything is both challenging and our path to take. Right along with your post, in John 1 the disciple wrote that Jesus was “full of Grace and truth”. Accidental word order? Not a chance! Grace first, then truth. In Jesus’s recorded earthly life, it was always that way. Woman at the well. Man born blind. Woman caught in adultery. Matthew. Zacheus. He offered them Grace before presenting them truth. I remember Carlos Rodriguez a few years ago teaching at Northway. Wherever we draw a line, Jesus crossed over and invited us to join him.
Drop the Stones was a great series!!
Great installment, Kent. Your anecdote at the beginning is an unfortunate but, admittedly, a somewhat amusing story.
I am wondering about the practical application of taking the Radical Middle in the current religious climate, though. How can we take this approach when the Christian landscape was formed by taking sides (i.e., the Reformation) and is the dominate feature today? At some point in all of our lives, we will have to decide which church to go to, at what point to baptize our offspring, and how we are to follow Christ's commandment to "do this in remembrance of me" (i.e., the Eucharist). To complicate this, how are we to approach this without being a reed blown and tossed by the wind?
The idea of not picking sides is appealing to me, but it seems inevitable.
I will try to sum up my doubts with a (hopefully) answerable question. In your ministry, how have you addressed questions about what church to attend and/or what confession of faith to hold?
As always, thank you for the expected thought-provoking content and I am looking forward to hearing more. :)
The Reformation is a good example of refusing to take a side that was perpetuated into the only acceptable theological culture as Luther dug into Scriptures and discovered just how far the pendulum had swung away from God's Kingdom way. You could also argue that Luther swung the pendulum so far in the other direction as he literally tore out Scriptures and pages of the Bible that he didn't agree with. Not exactly follwing The Kingdom Way by following the fullness of the authority of Scripture in his theology. Can't disregard just because we disagree.
I've addressed your question by saying, keep your eyes on Jesus, not a church tradition. Jesus, not a particular pastor. Test the tradition and teaching against God's word because that's what Jesus and the Scriptures teach.
Thank you for your response! That does clarify things for me. I am looking forward to your next post!
When I take a stand on all things I learn in my life to be God’s truth, He lets me know that I must now take a stand in the “radical middle” which will teach and instruct me to turn on all the lights and not just some of them.
Again, thank you Kent.
Yes, taking a stand with grace and truth from God's perspective is hard to do. Keep standing!
Great word, Kent. Sometimes life is more nuanced than I try to make it. I do believe there’s one Truth, but I also believe I’m often wrong about what that is. 😬 One of my favorite things Jesus said (often) was “you’ve heard it said…but I tell you…”. He turned the status quo on its head so many times. Pointing back to the way it was intended to be from the beginning, not what it had been twisted to become.
Sorry to preach, I’ll leave that to you. 😄 Keep em coming PK.
Keep preachin', Aaron! I love your point about Jesus saying, "you've heard it said...but I tell you." So good!
Great stuff Kent. I haven’t walked away from the real Jesus, but I have deliberately distanced myself from a tradition that I had chosen as the right side. I could write pages on my experiences on how arrogant I became within this tradition, and why I now believe that I was wrong and how the Church tradition fed into my arrogance and hypocrisy. I won’t though because I don’t want to distance myself from one side only to take the other side. I want to live in the radical middle. I just wish there were more voices like yours out there. Something I am praying for.
I have realized over the years that there are extremely smart and humble people on theological sides. I have been in great conversations where we agree to disagree without canceling each other. I'm not against taking stands on essentials, but I want to do it like Jesus. God help us all.