I posted a real criticism and got a positive response from Bruce.
Now lets think together just a minute, if your REAL intent is the edify someone. To begin by suggesting they should consider resignation from their job, especially the job they have taken as a ministry calling, is not the way to go. Perhaps you were misunderstood. But I do not know anyone who is going to respond well to any kind of criticism constructive or not, following a suggestion like that. I think there was plenty of debate allowed for here. I don't think you want debate. You have determined that you are completely right. You don't claim to have a different perspective, you claim to have THE perspective that is "biblical." As if you somehow own the only true insight to scripture. I often partially agree with your perspective on some issues as I have a more conservative view point. But I can be ok with not having all the answers. I also realize that prior to the last 400 years or so, almost none of the theology we ascribe to today had be articulated. And anyone that would have articulated this kind of theology [Wesleyan, Arminian, Calvinist, Reformed, whatever] would have been hung, or burned at the stake as a heretic.
I have almost always at very least liked everything from the house. I will say that the one exception was a couple of the experiments from the Mosaic Experiment. Comparing to the KE they felt slightly off target and aimed at a "green" agenda rather than spiritual formation. I wasn't offended, I just didn't think they "fit." With that said, I am glad you publish books that challenge my notions of what "fits" as spiritual formation. I don't think I want materials that simply confirm my exact calculations of how it is to be a Christ follower.
I would just note that the first comment last week suggested that EVERYONE at the House and Barefoot resign or be removed. I don't know how that could be viewed any other way but an attack.
I think about this too. The idea that it's all (or most of it) is just noise. But I too have experienced added value to my life through relationships that are continued because of Facebook, relationships that are deepened and to me it has in some ways brought our disconnected society back together. 2 examples: Our pastor had become friends with a guy on FB because he was engaged to a regular attender. Through that FB relationship they had become acquainted. The first time the guy was actually at church they had a nice conversation for 5 minutes or and then realized that they had never met in person before. FB was a comfortable place to connect. Example 2: We have some friends that live in Iowa, we have hung out in person maybe 4-5 time in the last 4 years. But via FB we have had meaningful connections, and I would say we are almost better friends now then when we lived close by. [ok now one could ask: why do I feel the need to respond in such length to defend social media, My name is James and I'm a social media addict :) ]
Thinking about Shane's statement, "Christian art doesn't have to be a mediocre counterfeit of the original." I have always been moved by classic art and music, back when ALL of the best art was "Christian." Almost every great piece of music was written with sacred purpose. I was reminded of this as I listened to the Kansas City Symphony's performance of Handel's Messiah. God inspires the BEST art [movies included] I think we just need to recognize that the best artists don't feel obligated to label their work as "Christian," it just is.
Maybe I am sadly in the minority that gets excited for election day. While I too get annoyed / discouraged by the way some of us Christians approach political debate. It does not make me dislike political debate. I have several Christian friends who debate with me the issues of our day. We get very intense sometimes, but the important aspect is that our "membership" in God's kingdom isn't on the table for debate. While I would like to say it was easy to have deep opinions about the issues [it is not] I embrace election day. I know that I have made no less than a dozen comments on facebook alone that would get me arrested or worse in many countries. So I say YES to Election day and our honor to be able to vote, and NO to de-Christianizing / de-humanizing others for the sake of politics.
people are awesome was awesome. that's all.
I have seen this some with people who have been turned on to "social justice" and how they write off any people who are more traditional like they are "less than" Christian. Also what happens if something else becomes "hip" for Christians? I guess we all tend to focus more on fulfilling our own definition of hip than fulfilling God's definition of Holy.
did you hear about the answer at a poetry reading in Westport?
oh and btw: it's "S Warehouse"