And yet more links...

I was quite behind in reading, so the last few posts have been attempts to catch up and share the wealth with others who might not follow the same blogs I do.

In keeping with the theme of yesterday's closing link on community, Scot McKnight has a post quoting from a book that asks what the basis is for our decisions:

Individualistic values center on the rights and needs of each person. Examples of individualistic values would be freedom, independence, self-sufficiency, self-esteem, individual achievement, personal enjoyment, and self-expression. Collectivistic values prize most highly the person's obligations and duties to others. Examples of collectivistic values would be duty, loyalty, kindness, generosity, obedience, and self-sacrifice.

<idle musing>
Good question. Like Scot, I think it is a bit to black and white, but it is worth thinking about.
</idle musing>

Alan Knox is looking at the book of Jude, and made the following observations:

I think it is very interesting that Jude tells his readers to "contend for the faith" (and thereby thwart the work of divisive, deceptive, and ungodly people) by encouraging one another to remain in God's love and by having mercy on those who are doubting or sinning.

I'm not sure that this is the way the church is attempting to "contend for the faith" today. It seems that we tend to tear down those who disagree with us and ridicule or label or dismiss those who are doubting or sinning. Could it be that its not "the faith" we are contending for?

What if showing love and mercy contends for the faith more than apologetic arguments? What if helping and strengthening one another (other believers) preserves the faith more than creeds and confessions? What if "the faith" is more about living in God's love and trusting him than it is about a set of systematic doctrines?

What if the church focused on love and mercy and allowed God to continue to deal with the divisive, the deceptive, and the ungodly as Jude shows that he always has in the past?

<idle musing>
Worth thinking about, isn't it? The early church (at least through the time of Julian the Apostate) was known for its love. They were very much aware that their citizenship was in heaven, not on earth, but that is another thought for another day...
</idle musing>