Comments on: The Attack of the Zealots http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/ Clay Pot Chronicles Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:18:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Shaun Sallee http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Shaun Sallee Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:11:48 +0000 http://waynebcox.com/?p=115#comment-11 Jesus didn't seems to like what "religion" had become. Rules are not what saves. Love (Grace) is what saves. Rule 1. Love your God Rule 2. Love your Neighbor Class Dismissed.... Jesus didn’t seems to like what “religion” had become.
Rules are not what saves. Love (Grace) is what saves.

Rule 1. Love your God
Rule 2. Love your Neighbor
Class Dismissed….

]]> By: Wayne http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Wayne Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:10:40 +0000 http://waynebcox.com/?p=115#comment-9 You bring up a good and needed distinction, Crystal. Fences and personal convictions ... There's a part of me that wants to ask: why would we feel a "conviction" to do something outside the command of Jesus (love God/love others)? It can get pretty dangerous to say, "We are not limited from these things according to the Bible, but I believe that Christ can call you personally to be different..." I know it's not where you're going, but this is at the heart of many cults and other groups who start within the church. There's also a big part of me that agrees with what you're suggesting. I think there is a line between personal conviction and zealotry. If, for example, we were convicted to abstain from dancing because it would limit our witness among a certain kind of people, then it is, I think, very consistent with Jesus' command to love them by not making an issue out of it (though our freedom in Christ would permit us to dance). I think in instances like this, or abstaining from alcohol, or any number of other issues, to realize that we are, indeed, acting out of personal conviction. Pray and seek others' confirmation that this personal conviction is consistent with biblical teaching. And finally, be aware of the danger of turning the "fence" we've set for ourselves or our family into a "new law." You bring up a good and needed distinction, Crystal. Fences and personal convictions …

There’s a part of me that wants to ask: why would we feel a “conviction” to do something outside the command of Jesus (love God/love others)? It can get pretty dangerous to say, “We are not limited from these things according to the Bible, but I believe that Christ can call you personally to be different…” I know it’s not where you’re going, but this is at the heart of many cults and other groups who start within the church.

There’s also a big part of me that agrees with what you’re suggesting. I think there is a line between personal conviction and zealotry. If, for example, we were convicted to abstain from dancing because it would limit our witness among a certain kind of people, then it is, I think, very consistent with Jesus’ command to love them by not making an issue out of it (though our freedom in Christ would permit us to dance).

I think in instances like this, or abstaining from alcohol, or any number of other issues, to realize that we are, indeed, acting out of personal conviction. Pray and seek others’ confirmation that this personal conviction is consistent with biblical teaching. And finally, be aware of the danger of turning the “fence” we’ve set for ourselves or our family into a “new law.”

]]> By: Crystal http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Crystal Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:58:24 +0000 http://waynebcox.com/?p=115#comment-8 Understanding and believing that zealotry indeed creates fences around Christianity that God never intended or requires, I am curious about personal convictions?? For instance, there are those who are personally convicted about consuming alcohol or about listening to secular music. Does this border on zealotry? We are not limited from these things according to the Bible, but I believe that Christ can call you personally to be different, and not require others to do the same for personal growth or for purpose of reaching others for Christ (so as not to be a stumbling block). An example I see for this in Scripture is when Paul and Tim\othy are preaching among the Jews and Gentiles. Timothy was circumcised though he was not bound by the law to do so, simply because the Jews they were going to reach would find his uncircumcision to be a problem (Acts 16). Where does personal conviction become zealotry? Is the line a fine one?? I agree wholeheartedly that many zealots give Christianity a "religiousity" fence that God does not require to be put up. I too have encoutered to many people that have been turned-off of Christ by those who claim that Christianity means you have to abstain from "this" or "that" or do "this" or do "that." The evil one prowls seeking out those who he can turn away from Christ any way he can, and often it is through zealots that he wins too many battles. Thank you Wayne for your words that inspire me to search Scriptures. Understanding and believing that zealotry indeed creates fences around Christianity that God never intended or requires, I am curious about personal convictions?? For instance, there are those who are personally convicted about consuming alcohol or about listening to secular music. Does this border on zealotry? We are not limited from these things according to the Bible, but I believe that Christ can call you personally to be different, and not require others to do the same for personal growth or for purpose of reaching others for Christ (so as not to be a stumbling block). An example I see for this in Scripture is when Paul and Tim\othy are preaching among the Jews and Gentiles. Timothy was circumcised though he was not bound by the law to do so, simply because the Jews they were going to reach would find his uncircumcision to be a problem (Acts 16). Where does personal conviction become zealotry? Is the line a fine one?? I agree wholeheartedly that many zealots give Christianity a “religiousity” fence that God does not require to be put up. I too have encoutered to many people that have been turned-off of Christ by those who claim that Christianity means you have to abstain from “this” or “that” or do “this” or do “that.” The evil one prowls seeking out those who he can turn away from Christ any way he can, and often it is through zealots that he wins too many battles. Thank you Wayne for your words that inspire me to search Scriptures.

]]> By: Wayne http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Wayne Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:51:35 +0000 http://waynebcox.com/?p=115#comment-3 Thanks for your comments, Chase. Your connecting zealotry and (binding) tradition really moves the conversation forward in a helpful way. When religious people choose to create a "fence," i.e., tea-totaling, no playing cards, dresses only for women, etc., we often find our identity in the fence issue. We're set apart as different from the world because of some action or prohibition. But, if those actions are outside the great commandment of Jesus (love God/love others), we're creating our OWN religion/morality. And any created system like that needs "tradition" to prop it up over time. Thanks for your comments, Chase. Your connecting zealotry and (binding) tradition really moves the conversation forward in a helpful way. When religious people choose to create a “fence,” i.e., tea-totaling, no playing cards, dresses only for women, etc., we often find our identity in the fence issue. We’re set apart as different from the world because of some action or prohibition. But, if those actions are outside the great commandment of Jesus (love God/love others), we’re creating our OWN religion/morality. And any created system like that needs “tradition” to prop it up over time.

]]> By: Chase B http://waynebcox.com/the-attack-of-the-zealots/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Chase B Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:37:56 +0000 http://waynebcox.com/?p=115#comment-2 I enjoyed this post a great deal Wayne, and I've actually been reflecting on similar lines of thought over the past few months. I feel like sometimes this "zealotry" is what causes us to be "bound in tradition" and in turn removes the dynamic element and the idea of a Church that adapts to its environment. I also feel that some of these nonsense traditions - formed from our zealous approach to Christianity and desire of immunity in the eyes of criticism - cause us to feel safe and secure too often, simply because we feel as if we are going beyond the call of duty. I'm not sure when we reached the point that we thought it acceptable to rewrite and amend the Bible ourselves. Great post - going to retweet it for others to enjoy! =) -Chase I enjoyed this post a great deal Wayne, and I’ve actually been reflecting on similar lines of thought over the past few months. I feel like sometimes this “zealotry” is what causes us to be “bound in tradition” and in turn removes the dynamic element and the idea of a Church that adapts to its environment. I also feel that some of these nonsense traditions – formed from our zealous approach to Christianity and desire of immunity in the eyes of criticism – cause us to feel safe and secure too often, simply because we feel as if we are going beyond the call of duty. I’m not sure when we reached the point that we thought it acceptable to rewrite and amend the Bible ourselves.

Great post – going to retweet it for others to enjoy! =)

-Chase

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