tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27430628.post116773543501004299..comments2007-10-17T21:35:11.942-05:00Justin Formanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00610757439758166235noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27430628.post-65279518632049582672007-10-17T21:35:00.000-05:002007-10-17T21:35:00.000-05:002007-10-17T21:35:00.000-05:00Thanks Steve. I think Landa's point was a very valid one indeed which is why I quoted it. It would be great to view the footage, or at least to ask Landa herself to find out which Pastors were interviewed (if she can remember), and what they meant/whether they were mis-quoted/interpreted, for the record. Furthermore, I think it is dangerous for us to dismiss the research of others without first doing our own comparitive research, in at least as much detail as he supposedly undertook. To dismiss his findings as possible anti-evangelical propaganda is extreme and highly irresponsible without first providing evidence to the contrary. Doesn't it evoke any sense of concern at all?<BR/> <BR/>I live in a country that has been almost completely evangelised, with a very high church-attendance (much higher than in the US) but the lack of discipleship, i.e. the lack of application of faith in one's everyday lives, led to the fastest, most 'efficient' slaughter of human life ever witnessed on this planet (1 million people in 100 days), with the exception of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, with at least 500,000 people (about 7% of the population) involved directly themselves in the picking up of machetes and hacking people to death. I personally don't know about Dallas - but the real point was that there seems to be a lack of application of personal faith into people's every day lives, and I believe this dichotomy is a huge part of that.<BR/> <BR/>Perhaps (and most probably) Dallas would be even worse without such a large number of Christians present. I'm quite sure Landa was not saying Christians make communities worse, or that where Christians are things will be utopic. But whichever communities he surveyed, isn't it a cause for concern - surely the salt and light should be at least tangible not just to the immediate community there in (safe holy huddles), but also in their surrounding communities on their immediate doorstep?<BR/> <BR/>I got into a great discussion recently with some friends regarding the difference between a secular business, a Christian-owned business, and a Kingdom business, and I believe it's the difference between the latter two that is the point I was making. Having a business whereby integrity is practiced is good (and better of course than one that isn't) but having a business that's intentional about bringing about God's Kingdom, as well as operating with integrity is even better. <BR/> <BR/>Let's indeed praise God for the small differences that believers make. I do think though that believers should continue to aim higher as the Lord allows - to quote one well-known individual - 'Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God'. Have we as Christians started to grow complacent, comfortable with our way of life, reluctant to sacrifice, being intentional about our faith in business, and believing some activities are holy and others secular - absolutely! Let's identify what's holding us back from forcefully advancing his Kingdom in the sphere of business and move on.<BR/> <BR/>I say let's fill the pothole, not ignore it!<BR/> <BR/>Blessings,<BR/> <BR/>Chris PageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27430628.post-70490422740340735562007-10-16T20:35:00.000-05:002007-10-16T20:35:00.000-05:002007-10-16T20:35:00.000-05:00Kudos to YWAM, Chris, for "leading the way" once again in a vital area of kingdom endeavor. Thanks for your article!<BR/><BR/>I do wonder, however, about the logic of Landa Cope's underlying thesis, cited extensively here (and I do have her book). What would Dallas be like if there were no Christians in that city? Perhaps far worse. Or maybe the enemy focuses his attention where the battle rages, rather than in the quiet backwaters of his fortified domain? And is the idea of a Christian utopia on earth a biblical notion?<BR/><BR/>Jesus assured us, "The poor you will always have with you." He also pointed out that two kinds of seed, the good and the bad, will be sown simultaneously (Mt. 13:38-39) until the end of the age. To expect that the good seed will completely overwhelm the bad may be setting oneself up for disappointment or even disillusionment.<BR/><BR/>Of Dallas, Landa apparently writes, "no one would want to live in a city in that condition." I have many friends who live in Dallas. They keep trying to convince me to move there. They keep talking about the schools, family friendly environment, low cost of living. For some reason, Dallas is attracting people by the hundreds of thousands.<BR/><BR/>I believe the Gospel is making a huge difference wherever it is freely proclaimed. I've traveled for years between "Christian" regions or communities and non-Christian or anti-Christian areas. The difference can be stark. Take Dallas itself, and observe the contrast between communities where believers abound, and those where the Gospel is seldom heard. (These are probably the communities where Landa's reporter spent most of his time. It only strengthens my contention that believers do make a huge difference in society).<BR/><BR/>A final point. Landa Cope's British documentarian reportedly presented his devastating picture of Dallas to the local Christian leaders and asked for their response. One by one, these leaders "of status and integrity" disavowed any sense of responsibility for the needs around them: “This is not my concern ... I’m a spiritual leader.” I don't know about you, but this sounds suspicious to me. I know dozens of pastors, and can't imagine any of them shrugging off the social and moral needs of their cities in such a manner. I can't imagine, for example, Dallas pastor Chuck Swindoll dismissing the crime and poverty of Dallas as "not my concern - I only deal in the spiritual realm."<BR/><BR/>Let's be open to the possibility that we're dealing with an unbiblical assertion at best, and a clever piece of anti evangelical propaganda at worst. Let's step over the pothole, not into it.<BR/><BR/>We live as faithful pilgrims in a fallen world. Praise God for the "small" but eternal difference that believers make every day, from Dallas to Delhi.<BR/><BR/>Steve Richardson<BR/>Orlando, Floridathepeacechildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444608315467520683noreply@blogger.com