Are you authentic? « The Barrett Clan

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Are you authentic?

August 29, 2007 by KB

(HT: Baptist Blogger)

Posted in Videos | 3 Comments

3 Responses to “Are you authentic?”

on August 30, 2007 at 1:21 pm1 Jenn

Hey Kyle! It’s been a while. Had a couple of questions for you about this video. After I watched it on your blog, I posted it on mine. The last part of it is pretty applicable to what is going on in my life right now–getting off my theological campus and talking to my neighbors (for me, co-workers).

Anyways, my friend Kyle wrote a comment cautioning me about these videos, as they promote being a cool Christian. He provided me with this link:

http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2007/08/gospel-rant.html

Ok. So none of this has been a question yet. I guess what I’m wondering is, did you put this video up to promote it or to scorn it? Were you aware that there were other videos in the series? What do you think about the post in the above link? My impression of this this video was to take all the knowledge and scripture and makes sure we are sharing it with the lost world. It seems like the people over at Baptist blogger took it to me “Sola Scriptura.” What was your impression of it?
Not a huge deal, just thought I’d drop by and ask. And if you don’t have time to answer, I shall not be offended

PS Emma is adorable. I, like everyone else, see so much of you in her!
on August 31, 2007 at 8:52 am2 KB

Hey Jenn…

Great to hear from you! Hope things are going well in Gator Town. I miss that place (in the Fall anyways!).

As for the video - I posted it because I thought it was funny and made a point that I resonate with. Too many times Christians huddle themselves together and think they’re pleasing God because they can cross every theological “t” and dot every doctrinal “i”. Those things are crucial but they are a means to an end - the glory of God in the salvation of sinners. I’m not on board with churches who sacrifice truth to gain a following of disenchanted Christians and unchurched folks. No truth, no gospel. No gospel, no salvation. None of that flies with me. But neither am I on board with churches or people who will have Bible study after Bible study and service after service and not once feel the weight of the depravity and lostness around them and the fact that people are going to Hell. The “authentic” crowd can blur the lines of the gospel by not pressing truth claims but the “religious” crowd can do the same by making the means the ends. The tricky part is the balance.

So to answer your questions. Did I post it to promote it or scorn it? Honestly - neither. Am I on board with the church who made the videos? In many ways probably not. I don’t know a thing about them. But with this one video I can say I think they’ve made a legitimate critique. Am I saying they’ve provided a legitimate solution? No. At least the first step is their though.

Jared’s response over at Gospeldriven Blog was a little over the top I thought. He lumps the Emerging Church in with the Health/Wealth folks which is not entirely fair. EC is a diverse movement some of which is great, alot of which is awful. I understand his frustrations with those who downplay and even deny the centrality of the gospel but I don’t think he’s fair in his criticism.

Anywho. That’s my 2 cents. Thanks for the comment. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

kb
on September 6, 2007 at 11:17 pm3 Jenn

The ‘Ville is rocking, as it always is this time year. Everyone seems to be counting down the days until the Tennessee game next week, as it will be our first real test. I actually have run into Robert Mceachnie a few times already this year (he is here getting his doctorate in history). It’s been nice to see a familiar Brandon face

I would agree with your thoughts on the video. It’s very easy for me to get caught up in my “bubbles” and forget the war that is going on for the souls of my peers, co-workers, and friends. It’s pride, selfishness, and obliviousness on my part. These are things which the Lord, in his mercy and by his Spirit, is constantly putting to death in my life.

And I agree that it’s a balance of theological knowledge about God and demonstrating that love/knowledge to others. I guess you could say it’s a both/and situation, not either/or.

I also agree with your take on Jared’s response. A little intense.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. By the way, I come to Louisville ever year on Memorial Day weekend for the SovGrace New Attitude Conference. I’ve gotta say, I kind of like your town