The trouble with being generous.....

...is that it's difficult to interact with those that are not generous.  I currently find myself at a crossroads in dealing with a few people who view the world differently.  Disagreements are usually a hard situation to navigate in the first place, but when the disagreement revolves around religion or the Bible the situation worsens exponentially.

We've all been there before and know exactly how it plays out.

One person is right and the other person is wrong.  This has plagued the church ever since the Protestant Reformation when we found out it was easier to separate than to reconcile.  Separation allows us to keep our integrity in our minds because we stood up for what we believed in.  Some might even think that they have suffered for the gospel.  But what if suffering for the gospel meant putting aside our own personal beliefs/convictions and learning how to live in a way that reflects the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

So let me ask your take/advice on this matter.  How does one continue to pursue generosity when it is not reciprocated?  How can one begin a dialogue that might lead to a disagreement and not have it blow up in their face?  Lastly, what does generosity look like in the face of great frustration?

Missional Theology

Last Friday, I and 3 others from my church went to Biblical Seminary to hear a conversation in Missional Theology.  The occasion was in honor of one of their theology professors, John Franke, who was being installed as the Lester and Kay Clemens Professor of Missional Theology.  I have read two of Franke's books and recommend them both, The Character of Theology and Beyond Foundationalism.  The best part of the event was that Franke asked 4 presenters to come in and talk about Missional Theology.  The presenters were Scot McKnight, Tim Keel, Darrell Guder and Brian McLaren with a few breakout sessions lead by some local leaders in our area.

I will spend the next few posts talking about the meat of what was covered, but I want to make one general point before I do that.  I was totally blown away by the way a generous orthodoxy was embraced at this event.  Having grown up in a denominational setting my whole life, I have trouble breaking out of a sectarian mindset.  I am constantly fighting the desire to draw the battle lines between the other and myself, when in reality we are on the same team!  I think that is in large part why Mission Theology is resonating within me.  It is speaking a new language that seems so right to me.  Missional Theology does not seek to further point out our differences, but instead to find commonality that will move towards uniting us as the people of God.  Thank you Biblical Seminary for being courageous to live out this conviction.  May God continue to build the Kingdom here among us all.