A Sign of Contradiction

We've established that we're all Christians around here.  So what?  What does that mean exactly?  How are we to interact with this culture of ours?  And what about our kids......what messages are we sending them about living the Christian life?  Deacon Tim just took Sarah, his sixth and final college student, to her freshman orientation.  He was rather alarmed, and he'll tell you why.  I, of course, am glad that it made for an interesting podcast.  Tell us what you think!

To listen right now, click here and play '023 A sign of Contradiction'

To download, right click (NOT the normal mouse-clicker- the other one) and save this:Download 023_a_sign_of_contradiction.mp3

Comments

[Ann S]

Again, another thought provoking podcast.

I am always so dismayed to see young parents depending upon TV, video games, etc. to babysit. I have an acquaintance that puts a video in the car TV just to go to the grocery store. My kids (we have four) and I always seemed to have our best discussions in the car...neither one of us could escape!

[Jenni in KS]

How do we live in this world and not allow the world to become mixed in us without closing ourselves off to others? How do we stay open to people and show them God's love without putting them off with how "different" we are or conforming to the world's standards? We follow the example that Jesus Christ set. I think it becomes pretty obvious when we read the Bible and see how Jesus Christ conducted himself among many different types of people.

Now many good, well-meaning Christians *try* to do that, but end up doing something else entirely. Their (and my) actions sometimes resemble those of the Pharisees that Jesus frequently had to reprove.

I believe the answer lies mostly in our motivation. Are we doing what we're doing out of love? Or are we concerned about whether or not what we're doing *looks* right? How do our actions/attitudes/words effect others? Are we seeking to please ourselves or God? Are we attempting to earn our own salvation through our good works and the right style of dress, or do we fully acknowledge that it is by grace we're saved. If your motives are right, it doesn't neccessarily guarantee that all your actions will be, but it sure helps.

Diversity and Tolerance:
When I say I respect someone else's beliefs, I suppose I don't really mean that. What I mean is I respect their *right* to believe what they choose. God gave us freedom to choose Him or not because He wanted sons and daughters who would truly love Him, not automatons programmed to serve him. Each person must make the choice for themselves. I'm charged with spreading the Gospel and making it available to others, not with ramming it down their throats;o)

Sending Our Children "Out Into the World"
Proverbs 22:6 says:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
It's our job as parents to teach our children. In addition to teaching them "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not", we need to teach them *how* to make good decisions for themselves. Although our children may continue to heed us and learn from us long after they leave home, that prime window for teaching is limited. At some point they have to go out on their own and they will have to know how to weigh decisions and how to choose right over wrong.

As much as it grieves any parent to see their children make mistakes, we have to realize that our children have also been given the blessing and the responsibility of free will. We can teach, advise, and pray, but we cannot choose for them. That's why it is so important to equip our children with the tools they need to make the right decisions in life. In letting go and allowing our children to choose for themselves, perhaps we see a little bit of God's heart, His joy, and His pain as our Father.

[Miz Booshay]

Oh Jenni,
That is so well said.
I loved this podcast but felt at a loss to contribute without sounding trite.

Walk in love.
Don't be afraid to say no.
Don't be a hypocrite.
Listen.
Pray.
Trust and Obey.

[Iota]

I listened to this podcast with interest, and agree with much of it. I couldn't help feeling, however, that I did also agree with the implicit message that was given by the college. It didn't sound so very bad. As children grow up and mature, they do need to think about the values they were taught as children, and it is healthy for them to consider other people's views and ways of living. Your own beliefs are often stronger for having been tested against alternatives. It seemed rather fearful to worry about "one mistake". Mistakes are a part of life. It is also a mistake to live without questioning your own way of life and to assume yours is better than other people's.

This sounds rather critical of the podcast, and I don't mean it to be, as I did agree with much of what you said. But part of the job of an educational institution is to encourage people to think widely and to think for themselves, and that is surely a good thing. My kids aren't at this stage yet, so I suppose I have the luxury of being able to comment without it being an acute issue for me.