David. The meme reveals the typical anthropomorphic liberal theology of classic Liberal theology. I am reminded of Richard Niebuhr’s statement “ “a God without wrath brings men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a ministry of a Christ without a cross.
Dr Watson, I have issues with this meme as well. First of all, Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome, chapter 12:1, that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, and that this is our true act of worship. The author of this meme seems to be unaware of this fact. Secondly, he or she seems to credit our own sanctification to our own power and strength. Thirdly, I don’t believe that it’s our task to try to make this world a better place. I believe the reason that we are corporately predestinated to be conformed into the image of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is so the Church can serve as a preview to the forthcoming consummated Kingdom of God. “The Church is to be that better place.” A quote from author John C. Nugent, “ The Endangered Gospel “.
I'm left wondering whether this "memer" (I like that term!) has found a loophole to the biblical assertion of "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." I hardly think so. Thank you, David.
The most scandalous thing about this meme, to my mind, was that it was posted by a once high-ranking United Methodist leader. The fact that someone of that level of influence would confess such a high degree of blasphemy is worthy of note. You should see the screeds he has published on Twitter for years. If we imagine that a huge number of folks in UMC leadership don't share the same worldview...we are in denial.
This article is a great example of reading more carefully and from the very beginning! When I opened this the first thing I saw and read was the actual meme. I did not see the first sentence first. My only excuse is on my phone the text is very small and the meme was very big and it caught my attention and I started there
Needless to say, starting with the meme, I became quite alarmed. Here was David Watson, a learned man who so obviously loves Jesus, saying something I immediately found troubling. If I had stopped there I would have had a very new perspective on David's theology and it would not have been favorable!! But, squinting my eyes, I continued to read and was so greatly encouraged when I could see he was giving a reasoned and scriptural rebuttal of such a provocatively unrighteous statement (it was this immediately to me while reading the meme.)
I was delighted to read the rest of the article and concur.
Praise the Lord for Christian writers who love Jesus, worship Jesus and speak truth!
Thank you for calming my heart about a dear brother,
whom I am coming to hold in high esteem, potentially spouting horrible words and ideas about my Savior, my Lord and His children!!
Read on and don't judge an article by the first larger text!
Maybe the meme of my response should be something like "don't just read the large, shiny text, but read the whole article!"
Some of these Memes and other comments I see on Facebook make me wonder sometimes why I'm even on there. I too have quit responding and it has helped my sanctification or maybe I should say I sound more sanctified now, being quiet does that I think.
David. The meme reveals the typical anthropomorphic liberal theology of classic Liberal theology. I am reminded of Richard Niebuhr’s statement “ “a God without wrath brings men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a ministry of a Christ without a cross.
Dr Watson, I have issues with this meme as well. First of all, Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome, chapter 12:1, that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, and that this is our true act of worship. The author of this meme seems to be unaware of this fact. Secondly, he or she seems to credit our own sanctification to our own power and strength. Thirdly, I don’t believe that it’s our task to try to make this world a better place. I believe the reason that we are corporately predestinated to be conformed into the image of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is so the Church can serve as a preview to the forthcoming consummated Kingdom of God. “The Church is to be that better place.” A quote from author John C. Nugent, “ The Endangered Gospel “.
Yes, it is a kind of low-Christology pelagianism.
So when I share this link in the comment section of offensive memes should I use your office number or your cell? :) A seriously good article...
Ha! Thanks, Lewis
I'm left wondering whether this "memer" (I like that term!) has found a loophole to the biblical assertion of "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." I hardly think so. Thank you, David.
The most scandalous thing about this meme, to my mind, was that it was posted by a once high-ranking United Methodist leader. The fact that someone of that level of influence would confess such a high degree of blasphemy is worthy of note. You should see the screeds he has published on Twitter for years. If we imagine that a huge number of folks in UMC leadership don't share the same worldview...we are in denial.
This article is a great example of reading more carefully and from the very beginning! When I opened this the first thing I saw and read was the actual meme. I did not see the first sentence first. My only excuse is on my phone the text is very small and the meme was very big and it caught my attention and I started there
Needless to say, starting with the meme, I became quite alarmed. Here was David Watson, a learned man who so obviously loves Jesus, saying something I immediately found troubling. If I had stopped there I would have had a very new perspective on David's theology and it would not have been favorable!! But, squinting my eyes, I continued to read and was so greatly encouraged when I could see he was giving a reasoned and scriptural rebuttal of such a provocatively unrighteous statement (it was this immediately to me while reading the meme.)
I was delighted to read the rest of the article and concur.
Praise the Lord for Christian writers who love Jesus, worship Jesus and speak truth!
Thank you for calming my heart about a dear brother,
whom I am coming to hold in high esteem, potentially spouting horrible words and ideas about my Savior, my Lord and His children!!
Read on and don't judge an article by the first larger text!
Maybe the meme of my response should be something like "don't just read the large, shiny text, but read the whole article!"
Thanks for continuing to read, Marcy!
I am trying to think of where Jesus discourages worship of Him/God? Where did that come from?
I'm not aware of any such passage.
Why do you call me good-there is none good but God.
Maybe from the comment about call him good- only God is good. (?)
Some of these Memes and other comments I see on Facebook make me wonder sometimes why I'm even on there. I too have quit responding and it has helped my sanctification or maybe I should say I sound more sanctified now, being quiet does that I think.
I appreciate this response and this way.
When Googling the first sentence of the meme, a Quaker pastor name of Gulley comes up. It that correct? Thanks
I guess that worship could be in conflict with living.