Thursday, December 13, 2007

"The Consumptive Church: The Medium Is The Message"


Josh Brown is writing a series on the consumptive church that has generated some fantastic discussion. I have enjoyed his analysis of the modern Church and it has given me pause. He has very eloquently put into words thoughts that I and others have discussed, and then fleshed out some new ideas as well!
A brief intro/synopsis: Everything is theological. The Medium is the message. What does this say about the current state of the Church? What kind of legacy is the Church leaving?
This is a great blog, and Josh and his friend, Nick, also have a podcast that is usually really good with a plethora of guests!

Here's the link to his entry in the "Consumptive Church" Series entitled: The Consumptive Church: The Medium Is The Message

The whole series is worth the read, and is very thought-provoking.

I am now going to reflect on what the legacy of the modern Church will be to future generations. Then ask myself, "as a minister, what kind of legacy do I want to be a part of forming right now?"!!!!!

What do you think of his thoughts? Do you agree or no? I'd love to hear some feedback on this!

5 comments:

  1. Just wanted to cut and paste a couple of responses from another blog that this article is being discussed on...think Christian's blog:

    Jeff Barrett Says:
    December 12th, 2007 at 3:46 pm

    Josh is making a popular categorical error when he says, “Everything that we do and how we do it are just as theological as our doctrines and treatises.”

    While this seems like freedom from old, dry theology, it is actually an excuse for people to start telling other people that they are not “christian” if they spend money at Wal-Mart. It is a veiled shift from dogmatic principles to dogmatic practices. The former is absolutely necessary according to Scripture. The Latter is absolutely deadly.

    “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:1-5

    josh Says:
    December 12th, 2007 at 4:48 pm

    and for what it’s worth . . . i’d like to respond to jeff.

    i hope you’re not implying that what i wrote was lofty speech. or even carried with it any wisdom. i’ll be the first to tell you that either one isn’t the case. i’m a rambling fool who is dumb enough to dream and imagine. and if anything the verse you used it is out of context. and would fit better contextually in my proposal . . . that fancy powerful light shows, great oratory sermons, and million dollar sound systems are the wisdom of men. and paul led change with fear, trembling, and humility. there is not much humility in your typical megachurch on sunday morning with sermons, music, lights, and sound systems. not to mention the salaries and mortgages. this translates into the “audience” who instead of practicing humility on a weakly basis, continue to perpetuate lifestyles that lack it. big houses with extra rooms. cars with poor gas mileage. clothes made by 14 year old girls. surely, you can see the disconnect of using paul’s words against my proposal when in all likelihood they fit much better in support of these thoughts.

    and i’m not trying to make you feel guilty for shopping at wal-mart. we shop at target for crying out loud. but at some point, if we don’t see that what we do with our wallets and where we go with our wallets are theological decisions and acts that we are making . . . then we’re in bad shape.

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  2. justin. thanks for the kind words and link. where in NC are you?

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  3. Hey Josh,
    Wow! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my humble blog! I'm currently in Apex, NC (right ourstide of raleigh).

    I've really enjoyed your and Nick's podcasts as well as blogs. I found you guys at a time when I had been ejected from a Church (long story you can find if you click on my "The Church Saga" tag.."In Repair Series") I love your raw, authenticity about Church. It has been great to see what you and Josh have accomplished, and how many PoMo people you are reaching...myself included. I've sent the "Exodus Papers" to many a people who are frustrated with their churches because of the dissonance between their way of viewing the world/ Christ/ Community and that of their church. It's a great way for people like that to see that they aren't alone in what they are feeling!
    I would love to link both you and Nick's blogs in my blogger buddies if that's ok!

    Thanks for your dicourse on this topic. I think that what you have said needs to be said so that others may think critically and respond (no matter their reaction/response...at least they are thinking critically about their faith and how that is lived out in thier daily lives and their church community... a commodity that is lacking in so many church-goers these days!)

    Thanks again for finding and responding to this! Thanks also for adding your voice to the dialog of questions and thougts reguarding faith, the Church, and culture in our world!

    peace
    j

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  4. thanks dude. again, you are way too kind with your words. feel free to add us. and thanks for circulating the exodus papers. that was the goal.

    i added you to my rss reader so hopefully i won't be a stranger on here anymore. i'll add you to my blog roll to next time i get around to it.

    i'm in atlanta. next time i'm in NC we'll have to get together.

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  5. Def. look me up, let me know if you're around. I would love to get together with you! I think that would be great!

    thanks again for your response!
    peace man,
    j

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