More Than Stone

Tracking the Edge: Now I know how it feels.

Take 10 minutes and read Cindy’s post. She writes with humor and honesty about an encounter she has with someone trying to get her “saved”.

I’m reading a book called “Speaking My Mind: The Radical Evangelical Prophet Tackles The Tough Issues Christians Are Afraid to Face.” by Tony Campolo. In the book, he addresses tough topics. A brief survey of the chapters follows:

Is Evangelicalism Sexist?
Are Evangelicals Handling The Gay Issue All Wrong?
Is There A Second Chance For Those Who Die Without Christ?
Is Islam Really An Evil Religion?
Can we help the poor without making matters worse?

Tony C. brings some topics to the table that are heavy and well worth the time to ponder. His chapter on how the evangelical church handles the gay issue is both thought provoking and heart breaking. He simply poses the question, if gays aren’t allowed or welcomed in our churches, where does that leave those people that hunger for God? He speaks truth when he states that many in the evangelical church will say that anyone that does not accept Jesus is going to hell, yet with the same breath, say that an infant or mentally handicapped person is exempt from damnation. Where is the scripture reference on that little piece of doctrine? (My wording, not Tony’s). The book also speaks of the fact, that though much evangelical missionary work has done great things, it has also brought a cultural, contextualized Gospel.

I think the book is worthwhile reading. Perhaps some of you have already passed into post-evangelicalism. I’m still walking that out. Either way, if you are/were of an evangelical heritage, it’s a good book to open eyes to some of the harm that we evangelicals have done.

Matthew 21

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Technorati Tags: Tony+Campolo, Evangelical, Evangelicalism, Gay, Hell