Comments on: On Being a Troublemaker (for Jesus)

By: Ray Robinson

Ray Robinson — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:09:19 +0000

Righteousness is always at enmity with self or un – righteousness. The spiritual warfare motive of Yahweh and Y’shua appears to be a valid and consistent theme across all scripture. See G.A. Boyd, ‘God @ War’, 1997.

Social issues mentioned by all of the above are generally crafted into law in houses of parliament.

Strategically that is where we should have a few division on red alert.

Ray Robinson

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:41:18 +0000

Thanks Stephen

Yes, quite right. It is not that Christians go out of their way looking for trouble: it just seems that it follows from being a committed Christian in a non-Christian world. To stand up for the exclusive truth claims of Christ in an age of ‘tolerance’ and relativism will cause a bit of friction. Sure, we must try to be winsome and gracious, but waves will inevitably be created when we follow Jesus. He and his disciples caused waves, and we can expect no less.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Stephen Frost

Stephen Frost — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:37:17 +0000

Methinks the “trouble” is an unfortunate by-product, rather than an objective (as some fringe folk seem to think). When one holds courageously to one’s convictions, the chips fall where they may. Like Jeremiah, sometimes we have to stand against the whole land, which puts us in the firing line. That’s where wisdom plays its part. Wise as serpents, harmless as doves.
Stephen Frost

By: Darilyn

Darilyn — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:35:34 +0000

Good on you, Bill – very encouraging.
Darilyn Adams, Australia.

By: Isaac

Isaac — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:43:23 +0000

Thanks Bill,
I look forward to reading those links! It’s just an issue i’ve been thinking a lot about recently – as i’m soon to become an employee in the Australian Public Service. It’s definetely important to be clear on where we
stand and why we stand there as christians, and I think we all agree that we should be doing all we can to share Jesus with others – it just takes a bit of prayerful thinking and searching of the scriptures to know how to do that in the way we should.
Blessings,
Isaac Overton.

By: Joel Kontinen

Joel Kontinen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:10:54 +0000

Thanks Bill,
The reason I mentioned the importance of, should I say, contending “for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3) in a Christian spirit, is that at I find that it is easier to “contend” than to do it in love. But, after all, Jesus did (literally) turn a few tables. Just imagine what the tabloids would write on their front page if Jesus were to do it in our time. As C. S. Lewis put it, “Aslan is not a tame lion”. But since we are not omniscient, we really do need to pray for wisdom and discernment, as you said.
Joel Kontinen, Finland

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:04:30 +0000

Thanks Frank

Great to have you back and many thanks for your kind words.

Thanks also to Michelle. Given how much trouble Canada has been causing Christianity and the free world, we need more Canadian Christian troublemakers!
Blessings,

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Frank Norros

Frank Norros — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:39:21 +0000

Bill, I agree fully with your sentiment. Working in the public service I see resistance everyday to any reference to God, the Bible or even to “morals”. The expectation is that we must be secular, but this is taken to the extreme point where any judgement (an opinion of right or wrong) is condemned. Just try mentioning a biblical truth, moral or value and see the eyes roll… Interestingly, mentioning some new age nonsense or practice seems to be acceptable.

PS. It’s great to read your postings again after a long stint overseas where I had only irregular access to a computer.

Frank Norros

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:08:46 +0000

Thanks Isaac

I have written elsewhere on the case for Christian social involvement, so it might be best simply to provide a few links here:

www.billmuehlenberg.com/1997/10/10/the-case-for-christian-social-involvement/
www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/07/11/why-bother/
www.billmuehlenberg.com/2007/11/27/salt-and-light-business/

I think we have an obligation to reach the whole man with the whole gospel, not just get disembodied spirits into an ethereal heaven. I believe the Lordship of Christ should extend to every area of life, not just to “spiritual” matters. But the articles linked to above will lay out my reasons for all this.

Thanks for the comment.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Isaac

Isaac — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:42:26 +0000

Hello Bill,
Good stuff! definetely some good thoughts on Matt 5 v 9. Just out of interest, I believe A. W. Pink provided the insight that the most important aspect of being a ‘peacemaker’ is in sharing the gospel itself so that men might have peace with God. And as you talked of in your article, sharing the gospel definetely is not always a peaceful process (i experienced this myself yesterday!) being an absolute pacifist is definetely a misunderstanding of what Jesus was saying.

I do have one question for you however, you said: “Promoting biblical values in a secular world will always create division, resentment and persecution.” I can only presume that, based upon your other comments, that you believe that promoting biblical values in our secular world is an important aspect of preaching the gospel. I was wondering if you could expound on how you believe the promotion of biblical values as fitting into the broader picture of gospel preaching?

I’m not arguing against promoting biblical values in our society, but to me the sharing of the gospel and say, promoting biblical values within our culture (which may include such activity as lobbying against pro-abortion legislation) seem to be two distinct activities. So if you have any thoughts to share, I would be most appreciative – as well as any other posts that you may have done on the topic?

Thanks again,
Your brother in Christ,
Isaac Overton, Tasmania