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unthink
A disturbing trend has caused me many a sleepless nights in recent months, and I'm not refering to the over the top magazine articles that actually think people care if Jen and Brad are going to make it in their marriage. (my prediction...no.. but I prophecy that when it comes down they will be quick to say they're still good friends, still love each other and have great respect for each other as people and artists blah blah blah, which will at least get them even more publicity as we follow there pain in hopes that they CAN love again.). No the trend I'm refering to is the fact that many Christian kids, always late teens to early twenties, have no idea how to think like a Christian. Of all the "heat" I have taken with my show and my style, I have actually been given MORE respect from mainstream non-believers than these Christian kids I speak of. Now let me say that they MEAN well, and they are in fact followers of Jesus, but what they don't see in themselves is that they have grown up in secular schools, watching MTV, and are not aware that they have been brainwashed to THINK like secular relativists. In their desire to prove how enlightened and loving Christians should be they have learned to unthink the fact that if Jesus is who he said he was then there are times when the truth of an idea is going to offend people. This is the key element because there is a chasm of difference between being offended by a malicious personal attack, and being offended because you don't like what you hear. The truth is supposed to offend because truth is a wedge that will supplant ego when it comes to deciding what we are allowed to indulge in, and if you've ever had your ego supplanted, you know how painful THAT can be! Jesus promised this because relativism teaches that all beliefs are equal, meaning we get to set our own rules about life. Fun if you want to indulge the flesh, not fun if there is a God that is saying "NO NO children....ouchy!". Problem is, even if you allow someone to not believe in gravity for the sake of not offending their sincerely held belief, you are soon going to have the pleasure of scooping their remains off the pavement with a shovel as these sincere believers go to prove their theory by flying off the closest building in the vicinity. Christians believe in absolute truth so they have be prepared to redefine the secularly imposed definitions that the relativist believes when it comes to certain observations about society. For example, what the relativist defines as hatemongering, the Christian defines as the right to dissent, because we believe in God imposed moral borders.(also an American idea found in the 1st amendment). What the relativist sees as judgmentalism, the Christian is SUPPOSED to see as discernment.What the relativist defines as anger, the Christian is supposed to see righteous indignation. What is tiresome for the performance artist is the myriad of those who have never walked in our shoes to constantly believe it is their duty to point out how badly the artist is doing in pursuing his or her call. I know many Christian artists who have similar experiences in being hurt by those in society who are quick to judge w/o sufficient information, who self appoint themselves as the guardians of what package Christians may come in, but these critics all have one thing in common....they have never ventured out to become artists/communicators themselves.They see those who are on journey as some kind of robots that have no feelings or emotions but simply are available to be attacked on a whim and THEN be expected to respond with Christian dignity, humbleness, and repentence. Unfortunately I'm the wrong guy to experiment on. My first response as a Christian who also studies martial arts is to lovingly greet these brothers with a holy roundhouse kick to the head, followed with a continuation of grace as I proceed to beat the snot out of them. I looked this concept up in the Bible and as of yet have found no loophole that allows this technique to fall in the category of "..be angry (yeah!)...but sin not!( ahhh, CMON!!) No I'm afraid God has lessons for me which consist apparently of, suck it up, try to enlighten, be open to seeing if a grain of truth resides in the critique, and yes, love your neighbor as yourself. I believe in courageous Christians that accept the fact that true love will take some heat from secular society since we are commanded to be the lone carriers of the message of Jesus "THE" truth. Much to my chagrin that applies to me as well. As a Christian, I pretty much suck, I admit, but I'm trying and greatly appreciate the encouragement I have received from the thousands of fellow pilgrims who actually are proud to call themselves my fans. No my friends, maturity often times does in fact demand turning the other cheek and avoiding violent confrontation whether it be in dialogue or especially in physicality, but trust me, I'm still searching for loopholes!! brad vanished
Comments
Re: unthink
by
FullquivORR
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 02:35 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
It's truly sad that our culture, like the pharisees of Jesus' day, has decided that we are too smart for 'religion'. When you take a fresh look at the heart of the Gospel message, outward conduct has little to do with it! Even from the OT, God (who I like to call "Dad") tells us that while we (man) looks at the outward appearance, He looks at the heart. What strikes me is that people can look so good on the outside and be just as lost as someone who has never heard the Gospel inside.
What we need is a wake-up call; and Mr. Stine (if I may call you that) is providing that call. I first encountered the 'Put a Helmet On' presentation at a PK event in Baltimore MD, and the main message was that we must take back our personal responsibility! Simply put, heart issues can NOT be regulated or monitored by the government (nor should they be!). I recieved 'A Conservative Unleashed' for my birthday (evidence my family loves me) and I thought the message was spot-on as to our present culture. We as a people have forgotten our history (although I howled at the line "if Jefferson were alive today, he'd be really.....old" - because so many folks are trying to second guess the founding fathers' intentions to advance their own agenda). It's time for Christians to stop arguing about the color of the carpet in the kids wing and start dealing with real issues in front of our faces (sexuality, maturity, responsibiloty, HEAVEN and HELL to name but a few). As a homeschooling father, I try to produce Godly thinkers with a Christ-centered worldview. I am blessed that my children have not been indoctrinated into this PC culture. I have to EXPLAIN racism to them because we are members of a multi-cultural church; I let them see how fortunate we are to have the political and religious freedom by staying informed about world events; they are quick-witted, intelligent, polite and loving (qualities rare in our elementary schools). I take no credit for their condition, however, because I know that it is truly up to Dad who cares enough about us to be involved in our everyday lives - as well as our life to come. So, Mr. Stine, keep giving us believers pause, and cause to think things through because we have a strong culture of 'UnThinkers' all around us! Sorry for the lengthy post; it's hard to stop once on a roll! Blessings to all of you readers and your families! Re: unthink
by
bradstine
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 03:07 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
bro, you can call me Mr. Stine any time. I've been called worse trust me. brad grateful
Re: Re: unthink
by
FullquivORR
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 03:19 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
Thanks, it's my honor.
BTW, when I was growing up, I played with the Creepy Crawler set (open hotplate - sometimes we would get the 'gobbledy goop' and eat our creations! - yuk!) and Lawn Darts too! Amazingly, I survived to adulthood! There may be hope for my kids yet. Blessings to you! Re: unthink
by
PScotty
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 04:35 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
'FREE EXERCISE'
Today, the 'morning after' the Inauguration ceremonies and parties - our president and vice president, the cabinet, much of the diplomatic corps, leaders of the military and their families - all gathered in worship at the 'National' Cathedral in Washington DC. Readings, prayers, a homily - were offered by Protestant Preachers, Catholic Bishops, Jewish Rabbi, and a Muslim Mullah. A moving prayer was offered by the Rev. Billy Graham. Hymns were sung. Our God was praised - and prayerfully entreated to bless our nation. This was the National Prayer Service - and it happens every year. Too bad it will never be on the news. It might incite the 'separation of church & state' crowd to protest. At least that protest might get folks thinking about the concept. Because if they think about it, there is glimmer of hope we all can have conversations about what that means with those who wonder. Who are 'unencumbered by knowledge.' It gets back to the 'dare not offend' believers who parrot secular relativism (as a sort of defense mechanism, if you ask me). We have got to engage on this issue, and help our young believers see that the 'separation of church & state' hokum is just a smokescreen device used to misinterpret this country's Constitution (and values). A good roundhouse kick is a great way to get someone's attention - not to mention their respect - and that's what this is about. Christians simply must be better able to self-identify with regard to their belief system. We can't risk becoming like the mealy-mouthed Europeans. 'Church & State' mumbo jumbo is prior restraint on our free speech rights. Christians have got to be 'armed & equipped' to come back with a meaningful invititation to dialogue, like saying: "The issue is this. the constitution says: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' - let's talk some more and maybe we can get into agreement on that. The First Amendment is more than just 'settled law' my friend, it is a most cherished value. With me on that?" And if that doesn't work, bam! Give 'em a spin kick. Re: unthink
by
beowolf
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 05:52 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
I have always taught my boy not to take anyones word for anything but to find out for himself.
Now He is going to wear an anti abortion shirt that says "Abortion is homicide"... I asked him if he is ready for the grief people in and out of the church are going to give him. Brad, We are reading your book as a family. A chapter a night and having a great time. Thanks for the fresh insight. I have nipples too! Re: unthink
by
bradstine
on Fri 21 Jan 2005 06:04 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
excellent retorts from all you people. I didn't realize this would strike such a cord but it is this type of presupposition difference between the mostly liberal mind of relativism and the mostly conservative mind of theism (specifically judeo/Christian) that I am writing my next book about to be published by Penguin soon. BEWARE relativists were on to you! brad not alone
Re: Re: unthink
by
ziobuck
on Wed 30 Mar 2005 01:45 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
Agree about the excellent retorts. My comment today is where is the debate? Why the hyper-sensitivity in our culture today? Our culture is teaching our kids to be SO tolerant of others that we cannot "offend" anyone. Well, as a brilliant comedian I admire once said, "PUT A HELMET ON"! I work at an AF command center and must keep an eye on the news (not a curse when you are a political junkie like me). Well, during President Reagan's funeral, many eulogists, commentators, etc., were talking about Christianity. A co-worker overheard (eavesdropped?) some discussions I had with a bro'-in-the-Lord and wrote me a scathing email about how offended she was (didn't I know she was an atheist?). She had heard that I had bad-mouthed atheists in the past (heresay? No one ever confronted me. Must have been some snide remark I made about Mr. Ludow trying to take God out of the pledge) and that if I continued she would go to the next level of managment (Funny, the guy I was talking to WAS the next level of managment). She signed off her email with a Buddhist proverb (Hmm. Wonder if that might have offended ME?). Well, after I read the email I literally looked over my shoulder at the person who wrote it (No kidding! She didn't even have the courage to talk to me face-to-face or heart-to-heart, as I pointedly mentioned when we had a closed-door, open-mind discussion). I admire you, Brad, for telling the truth in a very provocative and funny way at the risk of offending. Gosh, thinking can require a lot of energy. And YOU have a gift for making us think through our laughter. God bless you and yours.
Re: unthink
by
pepefan
on Wed 09 Feb 2005 10:30 PM CST | Profile | Permanent Link
OK now from my point of view! I'm only 16 and I really see where your are coming from! I have gone to a public school for most of my life (Although I'm in private school now) and we were always taught that we should accept everyones beliefs and that staring @ Abu while he lit candles and prayed to Buddah was wrong. I guess I must have missed the rule, though, that said it was ok for the other kids to point and laugh when I prayed over my lunch @ the lunch table. I think its like this preconcieved idea that because we are Christians, we are used to the dirty looks and jokes, but everyone else might get their feeling hurt. Hmm well MTV can keep washing out my generations minds but luckily there are people like you, Mr. Stine, that give us hope that true humor (other than watching a dumb singer and her husband try to live daily life) is still out there!
-Jeremy Re: Re: unthink
by
shortstopjpc
on Fri 20 May 2005 07:02 PM CDT | Profile | Permanent Link
Zio jogged my mind on something I never really pondered. I work with so many people who have different beliefs and they are constantly practicing, stating, chanting, hummming, and other RELIGIOUS stuff that you would think, might offend me for my beliefs. However, I never feel offended,,,,,,,,, I only feel concerned for them. Could it be that the feeling I get is no accident. Could it be that by following my heart, I may have stumbled upon a true relationship, with a real GOD, whom I happen to call Jesus. Just the other day I had witnessed to a trans gender. I had used the law to point out that he and I were both not doing to well on the sin scale. He stared at me as if he could tell what I was saying was TRUE, AND REAL. He was eating it up. I had felt as if he would probably ask if there was a possibility that he might pray, and invite this Jesus into his life. He paused, and stated after pondering for a moment, "You know what I think?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I think the Devil told you to say that. Did you know the devil might be in this room right now?. I answered, "yeah, he just might be. Thanks for listening to me". jC
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