03 February 2010

WWJSD - Who would Jesus “smack down”?

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Call me cynical, but I think using violence, pain and intentional conflict as a means of Christian evangelism makes about as much sense as using “Hustler” as a marriage manual.

I guess everybody draws lines somewhere.

One of the big influences in my life has been rock and roll music. I have finally reached the age where I can honestly confess that rock and roll has not done me any good. God help me…I still like it a whole, whole lot…but…I don’t want it in my Church.

I’ve also been a martial artist. Those who know me now may find this humorous, but there was a time when my consuming passion was “the fight” – and like anything else – what we practice at – we get better at. I’m sure there was some value to the bodily exercise (1 Timothy 4:8) but, in retrospect, I sure wasted a lot of passion on “the fight.”

Jesus was a peacemaker. He is called the “Prince of Peace.” He has “made peace by the blood of His cross.”

Am I missing the boat here? Does this make sense at all? Could hosting “beat downs” at a “Christian” Church be a good thing?

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:31-32).”