tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994557199947756534.post5568097596140787428..comments2015-10-30T08:44:35.019-04:00Comments on Lakeshore Bible Study: George CarlinJohn Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18212162438307044259noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994557199947756534.post-73519492236489928552015-09-13T21:58:37.306-04:002015-09-13T21:58:37.306-04:00Excellent reply. I especially like your thoughts o...Excellent reply. I especially like your thoughts on 1 Peter and agree wholeheartedly. Sorry it took months for me to see your comment?John Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212162438307044259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994557199947756534.post-2013039965831161742015-06-06T00:00:57.912-04:002015-06-06T00:00:57.912-04:00You bring up some great questions John! Carlin ce...You bring up some great questions John! Carlin certainly had some fun, thought provoking, and challenging routines! Number 6 and number 9 stood out to me. I can't answer all of Carlin's criticism perfectly, but John 8:31-38 speaks to his criticism of the church a bit with the truth of what a follower of Christ/The Body of Christ message should be. I think the church in centuries past and even today has been guilty of making it seem like there are only certain things that will send you to hell, and God has a giant list of do's and don'ts. The reality is, that if our doctrine is sound "All have sinned, and fall short of God's glory." Romans 3:23 and none of us is perfect enough to throw the first stone(John 8:7-8), yet historically and even today we (the Church) still do because we are broken and saved by Grace. Jesus died for us because there was no way we would ever be able to earn our Salvation following the Fall, and even before the Fall we couldn't earn our Salvation because it was by grace that man was even created! <br /><br />The money issue is slightly separate, but if we are honest as Christians we should realize that God doesn't need our money! It is difficult to say this(because I am a doubter at times and a psychology major), but He could build the Church in other ways and even without tithing all together. He gives us the opportunity to give as a response to what He has done, giving us freedom through a relationship with Jesus Christ! If we are not giving with the right motives, then it may not be appropriate to give at all (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). From there how our tithes are used is a whole different issue. The truth to his criticism is that the Church messes up because people are broken and the devil is prowling around! <br /><br />1 Peter is an excellent book to study to discuss and work at the last question. Specifically 1 Peter 3:8-18 has always stood out. Prayer is where I would start, praying continually for that person and for God to work in their heart and soften it. I have experience this heavily more recently, and I think that living a life worthy of the Gospel in Christ's strength is key. The practical breakdown of that is complex, but Ephesians 4 is a good place to start. Ultimately, I think through honesty and openness about our failures and our brokenness and living in God's grace and forgiveness is a great place to shine for Christ and encourage someone set against Christ by shining light into their lives through God's work in our own life. Throughout waiting for the Holy Spirit to give the nudge to share more directly. If God is not at work in a hardened person's heart our service and love maybe fruitless that is why prayer is so vital. I am by no means an expert on these subjects and have been a contributor to these challenges at times, but I know and am convinced that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose... (Romans 8:28-30) Thanks for posting! And hearing out a broken sinner and a feeble, but growing Christ follower! I always enjoy your insights and awesome questions! My big question lately is how to best be a steward of what God has given me?<br /><br /><br /> K4https://www.blogger.com/profile/07945522281014826345noreply@blogger.com