I was also thinking of the very reductionist discussion the cross between Jesus and the thief. Good thing Jesus went for it instead of delayed for Bible study next week.
Ted, you are spot on. Recently I proposed teaching a 9 week study to orient believers to the faith, called Fight the Good Fight of Faith and the church leaders asked to reduce it to four weeks because people would struggle staying in it for so long. But I persevered and the 9 weeks was fruitful for those who had ears to hear. Our world is asking for everything to be summarized and compressed and we are losing our ability to focus and be deep people of God as a result.
I like the Apostle Paul to the Philippian Jailer: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Pretty reductionist, yes?
But then, he goes and "speaks the word of the Lord to him", which probably involved more than a simplistic Gospel illustration.
Probably a both-and and not an either-or...
I was also thinking of the very reductionist discussion the cross between Jesus and the thief. Good thing Jesus went for it instead of delayed for Bible study next week.
Ted, you are spot on. Recently I proposed teaching a 9 week study to orient believers to the faith, called Fight the Good Fight of Faith and the church leaders asked to reduce it to four weeks because people would struggle staying in it for so long. But I persevered and the 9 weeks was fruitful for those who had ears to hear. Our world is asking for everything to be summarized and compressed and we are losing our ability to focus and be deep people of God as a result.
Always make us think! Thanks bro!!