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radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 5:09:39 AM
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DeliveredDarling
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Today we see Christians that are very passive and some are even inactive.
Do we see the Jesus freaks as radicals and weirdos? Or do we wish we had what they had?
I'm not sure why it's viewed as such radical behavior, when, for the disciples, that radicalness was the norm.
What do you think about these things?
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:09:32 PM
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Bluethread
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We are called to be a peculiar people. That is because our chosen way of life stands in stark contrast to those of the nations and often conflicts with them. However, we are told, (Ro 12:18) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." and (Pr 16:7) "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." Therefore, being provocative simply for the sake of being provocative or as an evangelistic tool is not Scriptural in my opinion.
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:23:56 PM
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Lapidoth
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I thought the Jesus freaks grew up.............LOL
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:37:23 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
Therefore, being provocative simply for the sake of being provocative or as an evangelistic tool is not Scriptural in my opinion.
I'm not talking about proactive or attention getting. I'm talking about making the choices in life (the really tough ones) that people go hmmmmmm about.
We all should be living a life that causes people to stop and think. However, we have become such a complacent society that people can hardly tell the difference between us and the world.
Many times, the first people to complain about our behavior is the Christians themselves. Maybe out of jealousy and maybe because they are embarrassed to admit they follow Christ.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:43:27 PM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lapidoth
I thought the Jesus freaks grew up.............LOL
we did 
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:45:49 PM
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doinkdom
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I've never thought of radical as provocative. But more of an 180 turn around from what we're currently doing in the Christian "tradition."
Radical is talking to our neighbors, not ignoring them.
Radical is engaging people in spiritual discussion, not yelling through a bullhorn.
Radical is being part of community and not just warming a pew on Sundays.
etc.
etc.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:46:23 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
we did
Ok, so who are they? I didn't realize they were real people. I just heard a song using those words from DC Talk.....
"What would people think if they knew that I'm a Jesus freak".......
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:47:36 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
I've never thought of radical as provocative. But more of an 180 turn around from what we're currently doing in the Christian "tradition."
Radical is talking to our neighbors, not ignoring them.
Radical is engaging people in spiritual discussion, not yelling through a bullhorn.
Radical is being part of community and not just warming a pew on Sundays.
etc.
etc.
Exactly! But somehow people think it is strange.....
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 1:57:18 PM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
we did
Ok, so who are they? I didn't realize they were real people. I just heard a song using those words from DC Talk.....
"What would people think if they knew that I'm a Jesus freak".......
quicksnippit from Wikipedia (not a great source, but it was the fastest...)
Course, now that I remember...Jesus Freak back then referred to the Jesus Movement
<snip>
Beliefs and practices
The Jesus movement was restorationist in theology, seeking to return to the original life of the early Christians. As a result, Jesus people often viewed churches, especially those in the United States, as apostate, and took a decidedly counter cultural political stance in general. The theology of the Jesus movement also called for a return to simple living and asceticism in some cases. The Jesus people had a strong belief in miracles, signs and wonders, faith, healing, prayer, The Bible, and powerful works of the Holy Spirit.[citation needed] For example, a miracle-filled revival at Asbury College in 1970 grabbed the attention of the secular news media and became known nation-wide.[2][3]
The movement tended towards strong evangelism and millennialism. Some of the most read books by those within the movement included Ron Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger and Hal Lindsey's The Late Great Planet Earth.[4]
Perhaps the most illustrative aspect of the Jesus movement was its communal aspect. Many Jesus People lived in communes. Though there were some groups, such as the Calvary Chapel movement, which did not live in communes, these remained more on the fringes of the Jesus movement. Within the commune, the group became more important than the individual and communal sharing of possessions was the norm. One example would be Graham Pulkingham's community described in his book They Left Their Nets. Some of the communes became highly authoritarian.[citation needed]
<snip>
Even made a cover story in Rolling Stone Magazine
and of course, the book Jesus Freaks
eta to fix link
< Message edited by doinkdom -- 10/15/2009 2:04:45 PM >
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 4:57:12 PM
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Elena1030
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
we did
Ok, so who are they? I didn't realize they were real people. I just heard a song using those words from DC Talk.....
"What would people think if they knew that I'm a Jesus freak".......
Wow... that's a flash from the way-back-when machine!! (Senior year of high school... 1992-93.)
OK, that may not be too far back for some ppl.
Anyhooooooz....
DCTalk and The Voice of the Martyrs collaborated on the book Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks.
There are people living radically -- in the sense of risking shunning/rejection from family, injury, imprisonment, and death -- it's just that they live in places outside the United States.
We ought not to be radical just for the sake of standing out more. I think if we totally surrender to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit -- our lives will seem radical to some people. But in other ways, our lives may seem very ordinary.
And really... does it matter whether we can assess our lives for Christ as being radical or not?
Sometimes an act of obedience can look pretty splashy to onlookers. Other acts of obedience are seen by no one but God.
Ultimately, His pleasure in us is what matters. And His renown in the world. So that all people will know the truth of Isaiah 45:5.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 5:01:23 PM
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Eutychus
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From what I've been told by a couple of members of this forum who used to be Jesus freaks, their theology was very, very messed up.
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Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 5:04:43 PM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
From what I've been told by a couple of members of this forum who used to be Jesus freaks, their theology was very, very messed up.
amen...think Christianized flower children 
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 6:39:19 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
We ought not to be radical just for the sake of standing out more. I think if we totally surrender to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit -- our lives will seem radical to some people. But in other ways, our lives may seem very ordinary.
I think you are absolutely right!
quote:
There are people living radically -- in the sense of risking shunning/rejection from family, injury, imprisonment, and death -- it's just that they live in places outside the United States.
I want to be one of these people! Hopefully, I am. I just wish society didn't have such a stronghold on people.
We care too much, sometimes what others think. Can you imagine what would happen if all the Christians lived like the disciples did??????
They did some amazing stuff and lived in very dangerous times. i think the closest I have gotten to that was a mission trip to the gang invested favellas (slums, the equivalent to ghettos) in Brazil.
Talking about it doesn't seem to stir people's spirits, but the stories do! Maybe more mission oriented events need to happen.
Many Christians just don't know what they are missing. the doors of experience that God opens when we are obedient!!!!!
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 7:26:47 PM
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Elena1030
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
quote:
We ought not to be radical just for the sake of standing out more. I think if we totally surrender to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit -- our lives will seem radical to some people. But in other ways, our lives may seem very ordinary.
I think you are absolutely right!
quote:
There are people living radically -- in the sense of risking shunning/rejection from family, injury, imprisonment, and death -- it's just that they live in places outside the United States.
I want to be one of these people! Hopefully, I am. I just wish society didn't have such a stronghold on people.
We care too much, sometimes what others think. Can you imagine what would happen if all the Christians lived like the disciples did??????
They did some amazing stuff and lived in very dangerous times. i think the closest I have gotten to that was a mission trip to the gang invested favellas (slums, the equivalent to ghettos) in Brazil.
Talking about it doesn't seem to stir people's spirits, but the stories do! Maybe more mission oriented events need to happen.
Many Christians just don't know what they are missing. the doors of experience that God opens when we are obedient!!!!!
I think you're right on many points.
I went on my first mission trip after hearing a story of how one volunteer held a Kenyan dying of AIDS till the person went home to Jesus. I think the volunteer had shared Christ with the person before death.
That was the first year my employer began sending teams of volunteers from our organization.
I think many young people are feeling called to missions -- esp. to areas where it is dangerous or "tricky" to evangelize. We're just struggling to support them financially. Giving to missions has decreased in the SBC b/c of the economy.
There are still many unreached people groups.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 7:41:49 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
Giving to missions has decreased in the SBC b/c of the economy.
Tell me about it. The trips are expensive! But worth every penny, especially in how God changes you completely!
I was heartbroken to leave Brazil, however God opened doors here to minister to the same"types" of people here in my own city! it has been an amazing journey. The funny thing about missions, is when you first go, you think you are going to change the world. What you find is God breaking you more than you thought you could ever be broken. He changes your heart completely and gives you a love for people you didn't know you could have.
I can hardly wait to go back and see what God has planned this summer!
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 8:21:31 PM
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DeliveredDarling
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quote:
There are still many unreached people groups.
At your church, do you have to go through the International mission board in order to take trips? Did you end up going to Africa?
I don't know when, but I know I will get there one day!
Our mission team is not sponsored by the board to the best of my knowledge. We just have a team of volunteers that God has called..and we go. Different members are called to different places all throughout the year. Our Pastor's spot is in Uganda.
I looked up Jesus Freaks and found the website by DC Talk. They don't sound like they have bad theology. In fact, I rather liked their pledge or whatever you call it.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 11:21:56 PM
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jhuperetes
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There is a book out there called "No more Christian Nice Guy" by Paul Chauglin that might answer from one angle.
In Western culture, men, whom supposed to be leaders, are no longer leading. Instead, Western men became spineless, synchronistic whimps who rather placate instead of stand up and be counted.
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Today we see Christians that are very passive and some are even inactive.
Do we see the Jesus freaks as radicals and weirdos? Or do we wish we had what they had?
I'm not sure why it's viewed as such radical behavior, when, for the disciples, that radicalness was the norm.
What do you think about these things?
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/15/2009 11:55:51 PM
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Elena1030
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jhuperetes
There is a book out there called No More Christian Nice Guy by Paul Coughlin that might answer from one angle.
In Western culture, men, whom supposed to be leaders, are no longer leading. Instead, Western men became spineless, synchronistic whimps who rather placate instead of stand up and be counted.
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Today we see Christians that are very passive and some are even inactive.
Do we see the Jesus freaks as radicals and weirdos? Or do we wish we had what they had?
I'm not sure why it's viewed as such radical behavior, when, for the disciples, that radicalness was the norm.
What do you think about these things?
Hmm... hadn't thought about that book from that angle. Interesting take.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/16/2009 10:39:42 AM
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doinkdom
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IMO...I believe that being radical is much more than a mission trip to another country (which in itself is not bad, only when that replaces local community) when the people we live next door to are dying. I believe we live in communities for a reason...community. And yet we do whatever we can to avoid our neighbors...giving a quick wave rather than an actual conversation.
For our little church body, we chose to make our local county our mission field. We do support a missionary in Kenya - actually a dear friend, too. But he is not attached to a denomination and receives no funding, etc. So we are a perfect match for him with our financial support.
Anyways...radical also means getting out of our comfort zone and paying attention to the people God places in front of us every day.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/17/2009 10:54:25 AM
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humbleinspirit
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
From what I've been told by a couple of members of this forum who used to be Jesus freaks, their theology was very, very messed up.
amen...think Christianized flower children
Jesus Freaks of the 70's and the 90's are very different things, the later being more of identification with being a Christian than being an ex-hippie.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/19/2009 1:21:19 PM
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Gloryandgrace
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So, you mean Jesus Freak as in looks beard, hair, clothes? Or Jesus Freaks as in what they did?
I was stationed in California when I was young. I was saved 76' I was in the Marine corp for 4 yrs. I preached on the beachs and boardwalks in Huntington beach, Sunset beach, Newport beach, Laguna beach...then on to downtown LA, Mac Arthur park, cities of bell, downey, paramount, bellflower, Montebello, hollywood. Back then preaching with megaphone, or from the sidewalk was common. Lots of Christians did street witnessing teams and it was the norm for a friday nite witnessing team full of teens to college age to go out. We handed out tracts and did sidewalk one on ones, prayed for the sick, visited homes of those who asked us and brought alot of folks to church. Preaching or witnessing at the piers was common during that time of late 70s thru early 80's I saw about a 12 yrs window of this kind of activity where it was pretty average to see folks. I know there are some that still go to the piers, but not as many as then.
This was the norm, not radical, not super christian, just plain vanilla Christian. The more devoted Christians would fast and pray, quit their jobs and work odd jobs to just get food and have a place to stay, their lives were more dedicated time wise to ministry. One brother worked 3 months hard and made all he could, then preached and witnessed the other 9 months. This guy was certifiably devoted...and looked the hippie part as well.
One guy got saved and God really did a work in heart, he didnt waste a week before he started street witnessing and talking to folks one on one at grocery stores. He met me one monday...and said.."john, I did the best I could over the weekend but I saw so many people not come to Christ, so many walk away". I asked him, "Well, did you lead anyone to Christ?" He said, "Yea only 27, I was able to pray with 27 and they accepted Christ"
I was so proud of him for being so bold. Thing of it was, he thought he had blown it.....God was good to so many of us, God has always been good to us when we believed him and didnt fear men.
John
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Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.....
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/19/2009 2:18:31 PM
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Elena1030
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From: Music City, USA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Gloryandgrace
So, you mean Jesus Freak as in looks beard, hair, clothes? Or Jesus Freaks as in what they did?
I'm not sure that the Jesus Freaks of the 70s are what DCTalk was talking about in the 90s... or what deliveredarling was talking about...
quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Ok, so who are they? I didn't realize they were real people. I just heard a song using those words from DC Talk: "What would people think if they knew that I'm a Jesus freak"
See also the previous posts that refer to the book Jesus Freaks, which DCTalk produced in partnership with The Voice of the Martyrs.
As far as being radical goes.... the two version of Jesus Freaks may indeed have much commonality... besides being devoted followers of Christ.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/19/2009 2:20:54 PM
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doinkdom
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70's Jesus freaks were a bunch of hippies who got saved.
90's Jesus freaks were more missional Christians and martyrs.
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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