RABBONI...which is to say, Master

1 - wow, I could talk about these for days! First on the second one, I about fell out of me seat at the "Do you really thing Jesus would worship on a Saturday?" line. That's funny.

I am a little uneasy at making fun of those who are overt in their Christianity. But then I wonder about Jesus and the religious leaders of Isreal.

Very clever and I am sure they are hitting a demographic that finds them very refreshing. Take the tag line off the end "christian no more" and I would like them better. But maybe I need to shed some religousness for discipleship.

Where are they running? (Comment this)

2 - I like the videos. If the term Christian has more to do with "religion" than reality then let the term go. We don't need the suits, the J-pods or the bumper stickers. But whatever the alternative is, it can just be rebellion against the status quo. Time will tell if the Community Christian Church is authentic or just clever.

Ben
(Fixed my blog problem by changing to wordpad. Thanks for letting me know about the problem) (Comment this)

3 - "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

Lee,

I think the videos are cute. Very nice. Perhaps even thought provoking, but maybe mind numbing too, ironically.

I sense a huge swell of opinion these days that can be characterized in the phrase, "Give me Jesus, keep your religion." I think that is a shame. Where did the wedge between Jesus and religion come from? God? I don't think so. I think if you are to follow Jesus, you must be very devoutly religious. And I think "religion" has taken a beating in my generation.

Some will say it is a matter of semantics. And I would agree, in part. But it is more than just semantics too.

However, this does not mean that I am "an old fuddy duddy." I am far from it. I am a tattooed minister. I dig tattoos and Metallica (and U2) and motorbikes etc. I am friends with hookers, drug dealers and convicts. My waredrobe is excessively black in color. etc. etc. etc....

I am not your father's oldsmobile, when it comes to faith. But on the other hand, I read a lot of the books the first video lampooned. I see nothing wrong with dressing nice for church, though I don't often do it myself (however, go to a black congregation and see how they dress!)

I do have a problem with picking on how other people live, express themselves and so forth. The "Christian" did not pick on the "follower" in any of the videos. Of course the "follower" did not instigate any ridicule either, though the production was designed to ridicule nonetheless. This is where my biggest problem with the video is. It makes fun of a way of life that was not sinful nor did it ridicule others. And it puts the sympathiser on a moral high horse.

However, if the video had shown a Bible thumper who was scolding the "follower" for not reading good books and wearing the right clothes etc, then I would have a very different opinion. And I think that in years gone by, such scolding did happen. But those days are largely gone now, in my estimation. Any reaction to them now is latent and/or cosmetic.

I also do not believe there are hardly any "legalists" left anymore. Only in small enclaves. They do not rule the roost anymore. And yet preacher slike Chuck Swindol have made a career out of hounding them. Why? Their day is gone. And what is wrong with legalism anyway? It is not condemned in the Bible. Obedience is highly praised and commanded. "Legalism" is not a word even found in the Bible. I am a legalist. I follow the two most important commands in the Bible to the best of my ability and I insist that others who wish to follow Jesus obey them too. All the law and the prophets hang on them. They must be obeyed.

I am getting off subject now. Sorry. I just hate to see those of us who are laid back about what we were to church etc, then turn full circle and criticize others unjustly. It is entirely okay if you are your father's oldsmobile when it comes to faith, as long as you love God and each other in so doing it.

I love your blog, Lee. Always innovative. Always fresh.

Many blessings... (Comment this)

4 - Allow me to adjust that comment a bit. I just watched the videos again.

Yes, the Christian did ridicule the follower. But he did not scold him. He did not hunt him down to riducule him. The video production did that and the follower is the one promoted by it. So, perhaps I should say that two wrongs dont make a right.

On the other hand, my wife loved them. She laughed.

Go figure.

Many blessings... (Comment this)

5 - Tommy, I think these clips may be running in the church's viewing area that made them.

Ben, Isn't funny how what is "in" today, becomes the "fad" of yesterday. All the more reason to adapt to becoming all things to all men to win them.

Mike, I don't think the intent of the producers was so much to embarrassed and put down, as to cause us to take a look at how we are perceived in today's world.

I am going to share my thoughts in the post for today. (Comment this)

6 - Lee,
I enjoyed watching the videos. I think the production value is good and timely. I have to say that the videos were apparantly done in the spirit of intent...ie: parody the Mac comercials. The Mac commercials are very embarassing to the PC makers/users thus the controversy here. I take these videos as "fun" pieces that may invoke conversation with the intended audience (the Community Church). (Comment this)

7 - Howdy Keith. Thanks for your analysis! Your new Blog looks great! (Comment this)

8 - These videos are really divisive. The brothers of Christ shouldn't be making fun of each other through videos on the internet. How do you think these videos make people feel who dress up for church? Why in the world would you seek to increase the division between formal and informal churches? Jesus prayed for unity in the church on the night before HE DIED FOR OUR SINS. Why on earth would you make this video? (Comment this)