Don't tell people how to be "Radical for Jesus".

As many of you know, I am a church planter in a major metropolitan area of the country. In addition to that, I am attempting to spread the gospel in what many believe to be the most pagan and liberal area of North America. I am a part of the SBC and the North American Missions Board which simply means that I love the Jesus, the bible, evangelism and the autonomous church. I am also a part of the Acts 29 Network which means that I love the Gospel, Reformed Theology, Missional Philosophy and Church Planting.

That said, I often see things that I fear in American Evangelicalism and specifically within some of the tribes that I roll with. Here are some things to think about...

The movement of The New Calvinism, Reformed Christianity, Missional Living and anti-fundamentalism / attractionalism, has the temptation to lead people into a hyper-theology, unbalanced philosophy of ministry and too much cultural compromise in the name of "Godly Influence". All believers need to learn what it means to be content in the mission of Jesus throughout the mundane rhythms of life. We have to be careful to not fully define what it means to be "Radical for Jesus" or "Living on Mission" lest it become another rule for people to follow that brings no life and in the end births no joy. If we over explain the practical application of the mission of Jesus, we rob people of the beauty of hearing God's voice for themselves and utilizing their own unique gifts in the time, place and culture that the Lord Jesus has put them in.

What sparked this though was recently a good friend asked my thoughts on an article written by Anthony Bradley called: The New Legalism. You can read it here.

Wesleyan/Holiness Camp to Reformed Movement

Thoughts from a friend who has grown up with major inflence from the Wesleyan camp and now is a part of the Reformed movement.

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As I think about the reformed position, it seems to me the issue has more to do with how Wesleyans and Reformed Christians view sin. Growing up, I was taught that ALL sin separates us from God and is cause for judgment. Therefore, we must live HOLY SINLESS lives. This makes it difficult for folks in this tradition to acknowledge sin in their lives because to do so would, for them, would mean their salvation is in jeopardy. It also creates enormous confusion because we all know we are not perfect. So many struggle honestly with what Christian Perfection looks like. Terms like, carnality and living in the flesh were substituted for a believers faults.

The Reformed Christians don't seem to struggle with this simply because they can acknowledge their sin is covered by the blood of Christ. (THE GOSPEL) They understand this doesn't mean "we go on sinning so that grace my increase" but see it as working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Since my sin is not counted against me, I'm more free to confess it and be healed. Obviously, my sin will hurt me and others. Certainly unconfessed sin is the most damaging, but true believers, in the reformed camp, don't see Christs work on the cross STOPPING as a result of their sin.