Mark Roberts' take on a fascinating New York Times piece by Harvard president, Lawrence Summers, What You (Really) Need to Know. What are the implications for church ministry and discipleship?
What we really need to know, in the realm of spiritual truth, will never change. How we impart that knowledge to each other takes many forms. Should the fact that everything in the bible is always accessible to us from our smart phones excuse us from writing God's word on our hearts? Is there still a place for reverence in the midst of our multi-tasking?
If this is not a place where tears are understood, Then where shall I go to cry? And if this is not a place where my spirit can take wings, Then where shall I go to fly? I don't need another place for trying to impress you With just how good and virtuous I am. I don't need another place for always being on top of things; Everybody knows that it's a sham. I don't need another place for always wearing smiles, Even when it's not the way I feel. I don't need another place to mouth the same old platitudes; Everybody knows that it's not real. So if this is not a place where my questions can be asked, Then where shall I go to seek? And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard, Where, tell me where, shall I go to speak? So if this is not a place where tears are understood, Where shall I go, where shall I go to fly? -- Ken Medema
I wonder if this belonged to one of the apostles? Simon the Zealot strikes me as the kind of guy who would wear an earring. I recall the time, when I was graduating from seminary, I received an invitation to start a new congregation in a college town. In the letter, they outlined the vision, the demographics of the community, and their expectations for the pastor. The letter ended with a p.s. -- "and of course, your wife will not be permitted to wear earrings." They forgot say anything about ME wearing earrings. For a while, I was tempted to go ahead, take the position, and get my ear pierced.
What we really need to know, in the realm of spiritual truth, will never change. How we impart that knowledge to each other takes many forms.
ReplyDeleteShould the fact that everything in the bible is always accessible to us from our smart phones excuse us from writing God's word on our hearts? Is there still a place for reverence in the midst of our multi-tasking?