Comments for 520life.org

Comment on Contextualization: Can a Muslim or a Hindu be a Christian? by Nirobindu

Nirobindu — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:49:14 +0000

Hi Chris,

“To be in flesh (body)” might be the meaning for “In Carnation (carnal)”
Avatar generally means, as I understand, “to get into a form of someone, something, or pretending to be someone”. I hope this may bring confusion. The simple understanding of the term has to do with “Incarnation.” God coming into the flesh form. (Pls see John 1:1-14, esp. 14).

I appreciate your experience in Chandigarh. Its an eye opener.
I have never thought of coconut being used for Lord’s Supper. But have often wondered if this history were to take place in India, what fruit would Jesus use, would he have used mangoes and its juice? and so on.

Contextualizing the Gospel: God speaking to mankind through mankind, in their language, context (place), as He did by the sea of Galilee: fishm, net; on the mount–sower and the seed . . . .
As long as we do not dilute the message of the Plan of Salvation which is a free gift of God (Eph 2:8-10), and that we aught to follow Him if we love Him (John 14:15).

May God bless you as you serve the Lord.

Comment on What really happened to John James of the Newsboys by Chris

Chris — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:45:57 +0000

Wow, that’s so cool! Thanks for sharing, Heather.

Comment on What really happened to John James of the Newsboys by Heather

Heather — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:29:21 +0000

John James just visited my church tonight and gave his testimony! WOW! Not too many dry eyes in church. What an amazing testimony and it really hit home for alot of people. I have ALOT of respect for him and love that he is open and honest about his past. Alot of people gave their lives to Christ tonight thanks to his honesty and sharing his life…..

Comment on Two year tale of the well drilling project by Chris

Chris — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:47:51 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement, Dave and Joanna!

Comment on Two year tale of the well drilling project by Joanna and Dave Moore

Joanna and Dave Moore — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:47:02 +0000

Yes, it seems God is more interested in the spiritual fruit He is producing in the process than anything… “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way…” and my fav Scripture I hold onto when things go on and on without seemingly an end or answer…”He makes all things beautiful in HIS TIME…” (Eccles. 3:11) God is in it all! May His hand be evident at every step. May He give you all favor with God and man…

Praying for much fruit for His kingdom… the Maine’iacs Dave and Joanna

Comment on Team or church? by Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:23:29 +0000

Thanks for pointing us to your blog post, Guy. I like your definition of church there. I always enjoy reading your blog, and would encourage readers here to check out the post and ensuing discussion on the definition of church you linked (as well as the rest of the blog!). If we could only come to see the Church and the kingdom the way God sees it, I know it would blow us away and change us forever.

Comment on Team or church? by Guy Muse

Guy Muse — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:01:48 +0000

I’ve enjoyed the challenge of reading your last two posts (as well as the one on economics!) about how we view/understand church. To me it goes back to how one defines “church”. We have long gone round-and-round trying to get a clear picture of what ekklesia is. My own thoughts and how we teach this were recently blogged here. If one uses the definition we believe is what the NT teaches then, yes, teams, families, etc. can be churches–if they seek to be what a NT ekklesia. Just my 2-cents.

Comment on Contextualization: Can a Muslim or a Hindu be a Christian? by Chris

Chris — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:37:48 +0000

Billi, thanks for joining the conversation. I think your question about avatars is a very interesting one to explore. I wish I understood the idea well enough to try and offer an informed answer, but I just don’t. If anyone else wants to weigh in, though, it would be cool to hear.

Comment on How to make disciples – the simple way (part 2) by Chris

Chris — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:29:06 +0000

I agree with you, Miguel, though I didn’t emphasize that very clearly in the post. I was trying to put out the idea that we should not overly complicate discipleship and start with a simple focus on the most basic commands. But what you say is exactly according to Scripture: “teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you”. Thanks for calling attention to that.

Comment on Contextualization: Can a Muslim or a Hindu be a Christian? by Billi

Billi — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:36:40 +0000

Hi Chris,

I’m finding this post (and your blog in general) so interesting. I am currently a Seminary student studying the Hindu religion for the first time, and I too am running into many of the quandaries you and others have discussed here. I had no idea that a Hindu could be Hindu in culture without being religiously Hindu. The more I study, the more I realize how little I actually know. It’s all so fascinating!

A question I would like to pose to you that I have struggled with regards the incarnation of Jesus and its comparison to the Hindu idea of Avatars. Our class discussion this week has been in reference to this topic, and I have seen commentaries from various Christians that go both ways. Some believe the two are similar enough and it may be beneficial for the sake of evangelizing Hindus to relate the incarnation of Jesus to something they understand. Others believe there are enough differences between the two that trying to compare actually them limits the power of Jesus and what He did for us by coming to earth and dying for our sins. I’m finding that I’m leaning towards the latter idea, but I was wondering if you had any experience with this and what your thoughts are on the matter.