Yes, I do see a lot of "Christ, the King" and "No King But Christ" around. As long as people understand that it bears no resemblance whatsoever to actual kingdoms -- the human institutions -- then I don't quibble with people's choices of words :-)
Loved this essay. (and thanks for the shout out) Your observation about how people react to someone opting out of the pledge or national anthem is spot on.
You're welcome on the shout out! As much as I've enjoyed doing hour-plus, open-ended podcast interviews, I also appreciate when longtime radio pros like yourself do the faster-paced, shorter formats. Keeps me on my toes as a guest and as an audience member!
Dom, you always do a good job when you engage in these podcasts, but a lot of the success of an interview does depend on the person asking the questions, and where they take the interview. This one had a particular theme that came out, and perhaps that is what needed to happen for the kind of audience that listens to the show. I thought you did very well at not getting defensive when the attack, albeit good-natured, on the 'foibles' of pseudo-Christianity were brought to the fore by the interviewer. The real beauty of your ministry is to help people see underneath the veneer of the mythos of Christ that so many have been sucked into, which are actually very inaccurate.
My favorite part, and the most powerful moment I felt came at the end when you asked the question about What DID Jesus DO when He WAS here and had the opportunity to institute a government?
It's something that deserves a podcast of it's own. Or maybe a whole series of podcasts. Something that I ought to probably get around to doing. I don't want to give up on the written word just yet, but there is a certain appeal to podcasts. People can 'multitask' while they listen...not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
It's a better question or a better way to form the question so often used 'what WOULD Jesus do?' When we put it that way with the word 'would' we put the answer under our own scrutiny and tend to answer it with our own preferences. Better to just look at what He actually DID.
> My favorite part, and the most powerful moment I felt came at the end when you asked the question about What DID Jesus DO when He WAS here and had the opportunity to institute a government?
That part was unexpected for me! I don't think I've ever been asked that before, in any sort of conversation. I surprised myself (in a good way!) with the answer.
> It's a better question or a better way to form the question so often used 'what WOULD Jesus do?' When we put it that way with the word 'would' we put the answer under our own scrutiny and tend to answer it with our own preferences. Better to just look at what He actually DID.
And that's why I've never been fully aligned with WWJD. It's a hypothetical that could put the asker in charge of inventing a response and then assigning it to Jesus. "What Does Jesus Teach/Model?" is a better question, because it centers the asker on the Gospel and the evidence of Jesus' recorded ministry. The former is easier to rationalize; the latter takes more effort, attention, and understanding of the Gospel to discover the relevant principles.
Allbest with your podcast idea. And if you need a guest . . . I know a guy :-D
And I've found that the those most offended when I opt out, are patriotic Christians! It's disconcerting to be a Christian and realize I don't even really fit in with mainstream Christians!
Well, I do live in a Kingdom that is here and not yet. And that sounds like a government to me. Now, my king isn't coercive and subverts violence.
Yes, I do see a lot of "Christ, the King" and "No King But Christ" around. As long as people understand that it bears no resemblance whatsoever to actual kingdoms -- the human institutions -- then I don't quibble with people's choices of words :-)
Loved this essay. (and thanks for the shout out) Your observation about how people react to someone opting out of the pledge or national anthem is spot on.
You're welcome on the shout out! As much as I've enjoyed doing hour-plus, open-ended podcast interviews, I also appreciate when longtime radio pros like yourself do the faster-paced, shorter formats. Keeps me on my toes as a guest and as an audience member!
Dom, you always do a good job when you engage in these podcasts, but a lot of the success of an interview does depend on the person asking the questions, and where they take the interview. This one had a particular theme that came out, and perhaps that is what needed to happen for the kind of audience that listens to the show. I thought you did very well at not getting defensive when the attack, albeit good-natured, on the 'foibles' of pseudo-Christianity were brought to the fore by the interviewer. The real beauty of your ministry is to help people see underneath the veneer of the mythos of Christ that so many have been sucked into, which are actually very inaccurate.
My favorite part, and the most powerful moment I felt came at the end when you asked the question about What DID Jesus DO when He WAS here and had the opportunity to institute a government?
It's something that deserves a podcast of it's own. Or maybe a whole series of podcasts. Something that I ought to probably get around to doing. I don't want to give up on the written word just yet, but there is a certain appeal to podcasts. People can 'multitask' while they listen...not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
It's a better question or a better way to form the question so often used 'what WOULD Jesus do?' When we put it that way with the word 'would' we put the answer under our own scrutiny and tend to answer it with our own preferences. Better to just look at what He actually DID.
> My favorite part, and the most powerful moment I felt came at the end when you asked the question about What DID Jesus DO when He WAS here and had the opportunity to institute a government?
That part was unexpected for me! I don't think I've ever been asked that before, in any sort of conversation. I surprised myself (in a good way!) with the answer.
> It's a better question or a better way to form the question so often used 'what WOULD Jesus do?' When we put it that way with the word 'would' we put the answer under our own scrutiny and tend to answer it with our own preferences. Better to just look at what He actually DID.
And that's why I've never been fully aligned with WWJD. It's a hypothetical that could put the asker in charge of inventing a response and then assigning it to Jesus. "What Does Jesus Teach/Model?" is a better question, because it centers the asker on the Gospel and the evidence of Jesus' recorded ministry. The former is easier to rationalize; the latter takes more effort, attention, and understanding of the Gospel to discover the relevant principles.
Allbest with your podcast idea. And if you need a guest . . . I know a guy :-D
And I've found that the those most offended when I opt out, are patriotic Christians! It's disconcerting to be a Christian and realize I don't even really fit in with mainstream Christians!
Disconcerting at first for me, too . . . I'm used to it now :-D