Rev. Dustin ParkerTheology and Attitude, part1
Theology and attitude
Part1
Me and God had an interesting conversation this morning while I was driving to work. I was listening to a preaching CD that I had gotten from a preacher that had visited our church recently. I won’t name him, but he is American and preaches in what I guess one could call a very American style. Lots of shouting, lots of exclamation marks. But just as I was thinking, “well, I like the sounds of it, but the guy has a bit of an attitude.” God asked me a great question. “Josh, if you can’t argue the theology, what does the attitude have to do with it?” Good question. To be honest, I’m still thinking about my answer.
A good attitude is immeasurably important. This has been proven more times than I think is worth recording. The ability to make the best of a situation, to hope for the best, to work for the best is a value that I cannot at all take away from. It is not always something I am good at, but I’m trying. But the question that God asked is a brilliant one, as it also asks the question about how important theology is. Theology/philosophy does affect a lot of our attitude to pretty much everything else. If we have the thought/belief that people are good and worthwhile, we generally act that way. If we think/believe that they are jerks, or less worthy than us, we tend to act that way. The amount of theology that has caused damage in this area has been and still is exploited. Churches have bashed, and in some areas still do bash, women, other races, other religions and other sexualities. Not what I was going to highlight, but it is the best example I could think of.
I guess for me personally, a lot of the theology I have trouble with is that “Everything is possible, everything is doable, you were born to rule and reign, live large and in charge!” A lot of the time I ascribe this simply to attitude, and look at it sideways as far as it being theological. I see it as more being irresponsible, sensationalism and usually causing more harm than doing good.
I could be wrong though.
JZ
Part1
Me and God had an interesting conversation this morning while I was driving to work. I was listening to a preaching CD that I had gotten from a preacher that had visited our church recently. I won’t name him, but he is American and preaches in what I guess one could call a very American style. Lots of shouting, lots of exclamation marks. But just as I was thinking, “well, I like the sounds of it, but the guy has a bit of an attitude.” God asked me a great question. “Josh, if you can’t argue the theology, what does the attitude have to do with it?” Good question. To be honest, I’m still thinking about my answer.
A good attitude is immeasurably important. This has been proven more times than I think is worth recording. The ability to make the best of a situation, to hope for the best, to work for the best is a value that I cannot at all take away from. It is not always something I am good at, but I’m trying. But the question that God asked is a brilliant one, as it also asks the question about how important theology is. Theology/philosophy does affect a lot of our attitude to pretty much everything else. If we have the thought/belief that people are good and worthwhile, we generally act that way. If we think/believe that they are jerks, or less worthy than us, we tend to act that way. The amount of theology that has caused damage in this area has been and still is exploited. Churches have bashed, and in some areas still do bash, women, other races, other religions and other sexualities. Not what I was going to highlight, but it is the best example I could think of.
I guess for me personally, a lot of the theology I have trouble with is that “Everything is possible, everything is doable, you were born to rule and reign, live large and in charge!” A lot of the time I ascribe this simply to attitude, and look at it sideways as far as it being theological. I see it as more being irresponsible, sensationalism and usually causing more harm than doing good.
I could be wrong though.
JZ
Rugby World Cup 2007
I could be wrong though.
You could be...but I don't think you are.
I am really looking forward to Part 2 Josh. This is excellent.
...and I may be wayyyy off base with this...but... have you ever thought about being a preacher?
It's just that...your style of writing...I feel you speak this way too and if you do...wow...
...and you have that in truckloads.
I hope you are well JZ. I'm sorry I haven't been around. I will visit more.
much warmth buddy...
Dusk
ps. is Nata well?
it is interesting that part two will take me awhile.
Most of the scriptures that I am going to have to research for it will take me awhile. Context is a bigger word than seven simple letters.
The problem about faith is that it can be sometimes used to justify what cannot be justified. Which is the point sometimes......
Dusk, it is always great to see you around here.
JZ
p.s. Nata is doing GREAT!! And she is looking amazing. And she is fantastic, a great kisser, wonderful, and a true blessing to me. I love her, ochen ochen ochen ochen ochen ochen!!!