November  9,  2022

Reflection

SELECTIVE  CHRISTIANITY

AND

GRADUAL  CHRISTIANITY

There is a difference between Selective Christianity and Gradual Christianity.

Selective Christianity is accepting an awareness of various teachings and practices of Christianity - but choosing to deliberately not practice certain teachings - at least not yet.

Gradual Christianity is getting on the path - slowly discovering Christians truths and teachings - and slowly putting them into one's life - and not rejecting any of them out right.

Wait a minute.

That needs clarification.

There are the so called, "Hard teachings of Jesus."

Here's one: "If a person wants to come after me, he or she must deny their very self, take up their cross, and follow in my footsteps." [Matthew 16:14; Mark 8:34]

Do we add: 

• "Go the extra mile."
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• "Give the shirt off your back."
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• "Visit Christ in prison."
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• "Decrease - so Christ can increase in you."
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• "Trust in providence.
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• "Give what you have to the poor."
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• "Come follow me."
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• "No judging."
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• "No stone throwing."
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• "Realize the other person is not an object to make me feel better."
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• "Every person has an inner room. Visit Christ there."
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• "Make sure every person gets our respect - our love -care, health, and honor."

Did Martin Buber get his I-Thou versus I-It - from Christ - or from the Hebrew Scriptures - or from somewhere else?

Do I agree that "Life is difficult" - as M. Scott Peck puts it?

Do I agree with Dietric Bonhoeffer when he talks about The Cost of Discipleship?

Life takes time: both Chronos and Kairos.