Eric's thoughts

Brilliant and timely Stephanie! Thanks!

I was reading up on past Grace blogs, and have been thinking a lot about our current sermon series of Romans. Today on www.cnn.com I came across an article entitled, "Vatican Lists New Sinful Behaviors". I have always found it interesting how the catholic church lists sins and separates them into deadly sins & venial sins (considered minor and forgivable) as if one is more acceptable than the other, though neither kind bring any glory to God.

With the comments on Pipers article, I thought this was a classic example of "avoidance ethics" and providing Christians with lists of "actions to avoid" rather than addressing heart issues, and how we can glorify God.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/03/10/vatican.updates.sins.ap/index.html

Hey there Tom---you must be checking this out at my favorite internet Cafe, somewhere in Merida about now. :)

Yes this gets at it, maybe even hits the bullseye.

It seems as though we make the "Christian" life more about behaving, or a "do this don't do that" mentality. But as Dan Wallace's article points out, Jesus gave an "appearance" of wrong doing in interactions with others and Paul at the very least, hints at it when he says that he becomes all things to all people.

Jon Piper's questions are certainly better questions than the ones we regularly ask.

Hey, Eric –

You asked for discussion re: Dan Wallace’s article about freedom in Christ. I noticed he quoted from John Piper in the article. If I understand the question right, here’s what John Piper has to say about this topic:

“People who are content with the avoidance ethic generally ask the wrong question about behavior. They ask, What’s wrong with it? What’s wrong with this movie? Or this music? Or this game?....companions?.....way of relaxing?...investment?...This kind of question will rarely yield a lifestyle that commends Christ as all-satisfying and makes people glad in God. It simply results in a list of don’ts. It feeds the avoidance ethic.

“The better questions to ask about possible behaviors is: How will this help me treasure Christ more? How will it help me show that I do treasure Christ? How will it help me know Christ or display Christ? The Bible says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). So the question is mainly positive, not negative. How can I portray God as glorious in this action? How can I enjoy making much of him in this behavior?” Don’t Waste Your Life, pp 118-119. (He has so much more to say – this is a great book!)

So does this get at the question you’re asking?

Tom B.