Comments on: Jesus didn’t turn anyone away… http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6 The personal thoughts, opinions and typos of Ron Shank Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:07:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ron Shankhttp://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-16994 Ron Shank Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:07:29 +0000 http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/#comment-16994 "WASPy?" No offence taken. But if I had my choice, I'd prefer "Honky Lips." “WASPy?” No offence taken. But if I had my choice, I’d prefer “Honky Lips.”

]]> By: Father T.C.http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-16836 Father T.C. Mon, 11 Sep 2006 04:18:58 +0000 http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/#comment-16836 As I remember the ad, which I must say was aired rather widely here in New York, it was not simply the two "couples" that you mentioned who were "turned away". If I remember correctly, there was a person in a wheel chair who was not admitted, I believe a black person and possibly an Asian person as well. The bouncers did, however, let a, pardon the phrase, WASPy sterotype of a couple in ahead of everyone. It was a cheap shot and a sad commentary on the state of affairs in whatever that denomination was who paid money to boost an apparently apathetic membership. You don't get nailed to a cross for being "an agreeable fellow". "What would Jesus do?" I care more about what Jesus did. And what he did was let people walk away on their own. Remeber how many could not stomach the "Real Presence" language about the Eucharist? Jesus, by his very words, turned countless people "away". As I remember the ad, which I must say was aired rather widely here in New York, it was not simply the two “couples” that you mentioned who were “turned away”. If I remember correctly, there was a person in a wheel chair who was not admitted, I believe a black person and possibly an Asian person as well. The bouncers did, however, let a, pardon the phrase, WASPy sterotype of a couple in ahead of everyone. It was a cheap shot and a sad commentary on the state of affairs in whatever that denomination was who paid money to boost an apparently apathetic membership. You don’t get nailed to a cross for being “an agreeable fellow”. “What would Jesus do?” I care more about what Jesus did. And what he did was let people walk away on their own. Remeber how many could not stomach the “Real Presence” language about the Eucharist? Jesus, by his very words, turned countless people “away”.

]]> By: N.http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-6985 N. Sun, 29 Jan 2006 20:08:51 +0000 http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/#comment-6985 Funny how just about everyone can and does 'take what they want' from the Bible, and 'leave the rest'.... Taking a lot of Scripture 'out-of-context' has been the big problem with 'mainstream' Churches....N. Funny how just about everyone can and does ‘take what they want’ from the Bible, and ‘leave the rest’….
Taking a lot of Scripture ‘out-of-context’ has been the big problem with ‘mainstream’ Churches….

N.

]]> By: Ron Shankhttp://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-3029 Ron Shank Tue, 06 Dec 2005 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/#comment-3029 Thanks for your thoughts, Paul.I have a couple (or more) thoughts and questions, if you don’t mind.Why don’t you think homosexuality is a sin? What other biblical sins do you think are not really sins? Is lying a sin? Is theft? Also without repentance (of any sin), what do you think you are welcoming folks to? Can one become a member in good standing in your church if he is an unrepentant practicing adulterer? Is the Bible true? If not, how do you know which parts to follow?Respectfully,Ron Thanks for your thoughts, Paul.

I have a couple (or more) thoughts and questions, if you don’t mind.

Why don’t you think homosexuality is a sin?
What other biblical sins do you think are not really sins?
Is lying a sin?
Is theft?
Also without repentance (of any sin), what do you think you are welcoming folks to?
Can one become a member in good standing in your church if he is an unrepentant practicing adulterer?
Is the Bible true?
If not, how do you know which parts to follow?

Respectfully,

Ron

]]> By: Paul Lambehttp://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-3028 Paul Lambe Tue, 06 Dec 2005 16:25:02 +0000 http://www.shanktified.com/archives/jesus-didn%e2%80%99t-turn-anyone-away%e2%80%a6/#comment-3028 I am a straight UCC member and feel that my Christianity is well-represented in this Ad. I can understand that it feels offensive to Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin, and I respect that. I hope you will grant the same respect to me and many other Christians who do not share this belief and feel that the message of a challenging acceptance of people is far more central to scripture. Not all Christians agree that homosexuality is a sin to be repented therefore we do not consider it “horrific” or condoning and welcoming sin when we invite homosexuals to join us. Rather, we understand that historically and currently, homosexuals and other groups have been rejected from our churches. Therefore, we need to be specific and clear about what our invitation means. This is not intended as a gesture of defiance to those who disdain homosexuality, but a modest effort to reach out to those who do not consider Christianity as open to them.Christ never discussed homosexuality in the Bible but he always welcomed those who were shunned by the predominant culture. e.g. Samaritans.As a member of an homogenous mostly straight white UCC church, I feel challenged by this Ad to be more accepting in an active way to welcome others who might not think they have a place at the table ofChrist. I am not sure how well my church can truly communicate this but I will try.Who am I to deny people access to God through worship? I imagine that many Christians will feel uneasy about this ad. Jesus also had a real knack for making us feel uncomfortable!If we are truly to evangelize, why not welcome all of God’s children? Even if people sincerely believe that an active homosexual is a “sinner” and should repent before being welcomed to our churches I think we lose an opportunity to share the good news. My sense is that we have a much better chance of truly helping people to explore a life in Christ by welcoming them into the life of the church rather than rejecting them. Let me be clear that I do not doubt the love that you hold for all Christians, I differ on how that love is expressed and that seems to be based on our interpretation of faith.As I consider the scriptural reference to the rich man scripture it is could be argued that what the bouncers in the ad should really be checking bank balances and rejecting those who are too rich. Now THAT would be a controversial Ad and a lot more clearly Christian. Peace I am a straight UCC member and feel that my Christianity is well-represented in this Ad. I can understand that it feels offensive to Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin, and I respect that. I hope you will grant the same respect to me and many other Christians who do not share this belief and feel that the message of a challenging acceptance of people is far more central to scripture. Not all Christians agree that homosexuality is a sin to be repented therefore we do not consider it “horrific” or condoning and welcoming sin when we invite homosexuals to join us. Rather, we understand that historically and currently, homosexuals and other groups have been rejected from our churches. Therefore, we need to be specific and clear about what our invitation means. This is not intended as a gesture of defiance to those who disdain homosexuality, but a modest effort to reach out to those who do not consider Christianity as open to them.

Christ never discussed homosexuality in the Bible but he always welcomed those who were shunned by the predominant culture. e.g. Samaritans.

As a member of an homogenous mostly straight white UCC church, I feel challenged by this Ad to be more accepting in an active way to welcome others who might not think they have a place at the table ofChrist. I am not sure how well my church can truly communicate this but I will try.

Who am I to deny people access to God through worship? I imagine that many Christians will feel uneasy about this ad. Jesus also had a real knack for making us feel uncomfortable!

If we are truly to evangelize, why not welcome all of God’s children? Even if people sincerely believe that an active homosexual is a “sinner” and should repent before being welcomed to our churches I think we lose an opportunity to share the good news. My sense is that we have a much better chance of truly helping people to explore a life in Christ by welcoming them into the life of the church rather than rejecting them. Let me be clear that I do not doubt the love that you hold for all Christians, I differ on how that love is expressed and that seems to be based on our interpretation of faith.

As I consider the scriptural reference to the rich man scripture it is could be argued that what the bouncers in the ad should really be checking bank balances and rejecting those who are too rich. Now THAT would be a controversial Ad and a lot more clearly Christian. Peace

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