The CBC News (a Canadian News agency) recently did a story on a reporter who “embedded” himself with the “Christian Army”. Yeeks. The two videos take about 25 minutes to watch in total…but it is well worth it. It’s important for us as the church to listen to and understand the questions posed by those who try to understand us. In fact, the reporters questions form some of the most insightful stuff about the issues at hand.
Go take a look at them, and share what you think in the comments. I think the most damning statement made comes as he summarizes his perplexity that we (Christians) want to change the world “from a compound out in the middle of nowhere”. He concludes he has nothing to fear concerning their influence on the world at large.
It could even be an example of what I said in an earlier post…salt shaking out on salt.
Christians….mostly harmless.
*sigh*
WONDERWHAT 
heavy. i need to go and think now.
Wow…some pretty interesting insights there. I just wish someone had made the distinction that some of what Christians do, really is for other Chrisitans (I’m thinking of the rock band), not necessarily aimed at “unbelievers”. I liked the reporter though, and felt like he was trying to be as non-biased as possible.
I like his description of Christians as “more scared than scary.”
Did anyone hear the question/comment from the reporter about these Christians trying to change the world? The one where he says, “One person at a time?”
That spoke volumes to me. I don’t think he could grasp folks (in spite of all their flaws…like us, eh?) that would put so much energy, dedication, planning into trying to change just one person. Or to change things ‘one person at a time’.
Where was the huge program, the continent-wide revival, the mass conversions…?
One person at a time…
Hmmm… it makes me think, too…
I’ve been thinking more and more lately about the scripture that says that we should always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within us…
And I think I should know God’s Word… I know some scripture and it’s references like Ps 119:11 “I’ve hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you…” but often times I think I know there’s a scripture that says something about one thing or another but I can’t tell exactly where it is or exactly what it says…
I think, I should “study to show myself approved…” doesn’t it say that somewhere… and that’s just one example that comes to mind right now… I think this report just remind me how important it is to hide God’s word in our hearts or maybe it’s just the Holy Spirit convicting me/calling me to join Him for some more hearty spiritual food.
Most of the time I heard this reporter talking to Christians I kept thinking can’t anyone give him something more concise… something that would hit the mark more… and then I thought, “I wonder if I could have done any better?”
And I read Rob’s conclusion about Christians being mostly harmless and I think, “Come on, now… we’ve got to do better than that.” Maybe that’s why we aren’t persecuted in this country… (not that I’m searching for persecution, mind you; I don’t know maybe I should be???) But why should anyone persecute us if we don’t offend anyone… if we don’t push any buttons… if we’re harmless as Rob says… why should anyone be bothered to persecute us if we aren’t bothering anyone?”
Well those are my immediate thoughts… I wonder if anyone’s still reading this September Blog entry… I’d love to hear/read some more discussion on the subject. Rob, do you have any more thoughts on the matter?