Comments on: USAmerican Evangelicalism: Ritalin* for the Soul

By: “Ritalinization” of the evangelical church « A Ruach Journey

“Ritalinization” of the evangelical church « A Ruach Journey — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:41:02 +0000

[...] Posted by ruach on April 6, 2009 Here is a link to some fine writing by John over at Jesus the radical preacher on the ritalinization of the evangelical church… [...]

By: David

David — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:25:23 +0000

Sorry, one more, your reference to tribal units–have you read Tribal Leadership? A great read on discerning where one’s organization is and what is important to the individuals and to the culture within. Last one, I promise

By: David

David — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:22:36 +0000

Let me make a few comments about balance. As one in charge of member care and trying to survive in cross-cultural ministry, I preach balance. I see too much drivenness in ministry and after awhile, how easily we forget why and sometimes even what we are supposed to be doing. Of course, I am not preaching complacency. Whatever God has called us to do, we should do it with a faith and passion that is spirit empowered. Seeking to achieve a rhythm and balance in my life is a constant challenge–in doing so, I seek to remember that this is not about me but Jesus. There is some growth but I have a long way to go on this journey and need others to walk with me. Thanks

By: David

David — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:11:51 +0000

John
You have stirred some people up, usually a good thing. I listened to Instead of a show by Jon Foreman last night and thought if you had not heard it, worth mentioning here. Here are first few lines.

I hate all your show and pretense
the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show

Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your
singing ‘em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood
of justice
An endless procession of righteous
living, living
Instead let there be a flood
of justice
Instead of a show

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:05:25 +0000

John- Way to go dude. Pick a fight! Bring it! Love the dialog this topic is generating. I am with you (for once)… My role model is Mother Theresa who was called to “enter the dark holes of the poor and to bring the light of God’s love to every corner of the world.” As I read the daily news I see mug shots of people that I love. People that have shared their stories with me. Have eaten with me. Have comforted me. Balance and safety is not our calling. At least not mine. Christians who refuse to risk, to speak out, to live in courage, to connect in genuine, long-term relationships in redemptive mission are missing out on “touching Jesus.”

By: After the Blackbird Sings

After the Blackbird Sings — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:01:33 +0000

John,

I work in the valley of the shadow of death. I’m responsible for this group of people, but they’re all dying. There’s no hope that these people will walk again or live in their own homes or learn new skills. They’re just waiting to die, and they say to me, “Please, get me out of here.” But I can’t save any of them. And I hurt all the time.

These days, I beg Jesus to show me resurrection. I want to experience resurrection. But I also think that I’ll never set foot in a church service again. Maybe church services mean something to some people, but none of it makes sense to me anymore.

By: » Random Acts of Linkage #105 ::: Subversive Influence

» Random Acts of Linkage #105 ::: Subversive Influence — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:22:55 +0000

[...] John Frye goes on the edge: USAmerican Evangelicalism: Ritalin* for the Soul [...]

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:01:43 +0000

Thanks for this. Very thoughtful.

Best, Matt Dowling

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:55:22 +0000

John,
On this last point, I fully agree with you, and with Barna. I do think that there is a monolithic acceptance of sub-biblical Christianity in the American church. We should approach it as a pastoral issue, never giving people the impression that they need to simply pick themselves up by their bootstraps, as I was saying before. But certainly, it needs to be addressed. If someone is really sold-out for the Lord, then his life will look significantly different than his neighbors’. This must be so if we are willing to admit that we live in a hyper-individualistic, hyper-materialistic culture. And American culture is nothing if not autonomous and greedy.

By: John Frye

John Frye — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:37:24 +0000

Chaplain Mike,
Thanks for the affirmation and push-back. I think it’s true that when bland Christians read “radical” they tend to think violent or extremely coercive. The term radical has a root meaning of “root,” going to the core of the matter. Jesus was radical–taking us to the root of authnetic human life. I don’t mean violent or ghetto-minded. What I mean is Christians living the Jesus Way communally so that they are viewed as an alternative society, an outpost of the future, to the mess we’re in as a human race. Bland means, as Barna points out, that there is *no difference* in values and lifestyle between USAmerican evangelicals and the prevailing culture. How we can pass this bland living off as authentic Jesus-following is perhaps the most dangerous deception.