Comments on: A Perfectly Dreadful Christian Dilemma

By: HeatherSolos

HeatherSolos — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:42:05 +0000

Ron, This is completely off topic, but I could not locate your e-mail address on the site. I'm a freelance blogger for the Post and Courier (I find it mildly ironic the P&C was mentioned in this post) and I read and highlight Lowcountry blogs here. If you live in the Lowcountry, I would love to include your blog in the round-up. Please e-mail me if you would like to be included.

By: Ron Goodwyne

Ron Goodwyne — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:18:10 +0000

While I agree that Paul was speaking to the church, the basic idea has universal application. That is, people must take responsibility for themselves. We cannot, as Christians, just throw money at people to make ourselves feel better when we may, in fact, be making their situation worse by helping to perpetuate it.

Your second point above, about the way Paul and Jesus viewed others is valid and I agree wholeheartedly. I plan to post more on this whole social gospel business. Christians have a definite responsibility to the poor. But I have problems with the social gospel approach. I don’t want to do a whole post here in the comments so let me just say that I intend to get in to the social gospel, what I think our Christian responsibility is, and where I think the social gospel goes off track.

These are difficult issues. As Christians we want to do what Jesus commands us to do and acts as Jesus would have us act. But it isn’t always easy to do figure out how that works out, much less actually do it. One things certain to me. That is, help must actually be help. We don’t get off doing things that are easy and make us feel better.

By: semperreformanda

semperreformanda — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:02:29 +0000

An update on my thoughts:

One response to the things I am sure is Christian is distress over the effects of the curse. At the very least, we as Christians should view those who are wasting away in their sinfulness and self-destruction, and weep bitterly. As Christ wept as he saw the effects of sin and the curse on his friend Lazarus (John 11), and as Paul wept as he considered the horrible fate of so many of his kinsmen (Romans 9), we should also “be deeply moved in our spirit, and greatly troubled” to see those who are perishing.

By: semperreformanda

semperreformanda — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:39:47 +0000

While I’m not completely disagreeing with your point, I will say that Paul’s words are intended for how to reprove a brother within the Church who is idle and lazy, and towards the end of refining and reforming that brother, I would agree. However, I’m not sure those words apply to the unbeliever. The text also says to “keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness.” If this is meant to apply to the non-believer, than we should not take steps to reform any person who is lazy, but should just leave them to their peril.

By: Ron Goodwyne

Ron Goodwyne — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:27:46 +0000

I understand your struggle but I have to disagree with you. First, I think it is a matter of stewardship. Repeatedly we are adminished to use our resources wisely, both in the Old and New Testaments. And Paul plainly said that if a man won’t work he shouldn’t eat.

By: semperreformanda

semperreformanda — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:22:53 +0000

Obviously there is a difference between the federal responsibility, and the Christian’s responsibilty in matters. I’m getting from what you write that you don’t think the Christian, based on the gospel should continue to help one that will not help himself. I’m not sure I’m with you.

i struggle with this. For me the question is this: Is there a point when Christian charity should end? Are we to make the call that someone is no longer fit to receive our graciousness?

The problem here is how I understand grace, especially as concerns the gospel. I believe the work of Christ goes to those who would not help themselves, the most stubborn, unloveable people there are. And this grace continues despite our unwillingness and uncooperativeness. So I guess the question that must be answered is whether or not Christ’s method of saving the lost is an example for how we should treat people in our society. I have a difficult time saying it isn’t to be one.

At the same time, I have found myself being around some low parts of society, particularly the same ones for an extended period of time. I have seen all of my efforts go towards what appears to me to be absolutely no good end. And also we must discern how to apply Paul’s words of brushing off the dust and not throwing our pearls before swine. Tough call. I haven’t figured out where to fall yet. Not even almost.