Wednesday, October 25, 2006

A tradition of reform

I've been reading (and listening to the audio version on my ipod) "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell again lately. I was just sitting at lunch, and the following passage caught my attention. (and by the way, you can get the audio version, unabridged from itunes - I highly recommend it.)

I'm part of this global, historic stream of people who believe that God has not left us alone but has been involved in human history from the beginning. People who believe that in Jesus, God came among us in a unique and powerful way, showing us a new kind of life. Giveing each of us a new vision for our life together, for the world we live in.

And as part of this tradition, I embrace the need to keep painting, to keep reforming.

By this I do not mean cosmetic, superficial changes like better lights and music, sharper graphics, and new methods with easy-to-follow steps. I mean theology: the beliefs about God, Jesus, the Bible, salvation and the future. We must keep reforming the way the Christian faith is defined, lived and explained.

Jesus is more compelling than ever. More inviting, more true, more mysterious than ever. The problem isn't Jesus; the problem is what comes with Jesus...

(Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis pg. 12)

Comments? Thoughts? I found this to be an interesting thought, somewhat provacative, but worth considering...