Comments for DanWilt.com http://www.danwilt.com spiritual storytelling, keeping faith Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:20:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on One Story, Two Streams by Dave Killebrew http://www.danwilt.com/one-story-two-streams/#comment-946055 Dave Killebrew Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:20:38 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=2936#comment-946055 This is an intriguing blog. I am reflecting on the following section. Choosing Sides Bono of U2 sang in one of his songs “Choose your enemies carefully, ’cause they will define you.” He goes on to suggest that when we fear a “monster,” we become a similar monster on the other side of any debate to conquer the monster we fear. When I was in high school, I was required to participate on the debate team for extra credit in my speech class. While I did this under protest, it was one of the best experiences for my development. In our state competion, we were given a topic with supporting information on both sides of the issue. While I consider myself conservative, the debate experience gave me a perspective on how my opponent felt. I was also required to understand my opponent's side so I would be able to defend my stance and their's as well. For some reason, the Bono quote allowed me to reflect on my debating experience. How relative is this to our ability to share our faith with others. Not just those that are like us, rather those that have a a differing point of view. This is an intriguing blog. I am reflecting on the following section. Choosing Sides Bono of U2 sang in one of his songs “Choose your enemies carefully, ’cause they will define you.” He goes on to suggest that when we fear a “monster,” we become a similar monster on the other side of any debate to conquer the monster we fear.

When I was in high school, I was required to participate on the debate team for extra credit in my speech class. While I did this under protest, it was one of the best experiences for my development. In our state competion, we were given a topic with supporting information on both sides of the issue. While I consider myself conservative, the debate experience gave me a perspective on how my opponent felt. I was also required to understand my opponent’s side so I would be able to defend my stance and their’s as well.

For some reason, the Bono quote allowed me to reflect on my debating experience. How relative is this to our ability to share our faith with others. Not just those that are like us, rather those that have a a differing point of view.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Do You Hate Religion But Love Jesus? | Rob Still http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-945671 Do You Hate Religion But Love Jesus? | Rob Still Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:27:13 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-945671 [...] first encountered the buzz on Dan Wilt’s blog which also included an excellent counterpoint video by Catholic priest Fr. Claude (Dusty) [...] [...] first encountered the buzz on Dan Wilt’s blog which also included an excellent counterpoint video by Catholic priest Fr. Claude (Dusty) [...]

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Scott Taylor http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944490 Scott Taylor Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:34:22 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944490 Thank Dan for you clear and to the point message here. We can't have one without the other and you do a perfect job of explaining why this true. I really enjoy you way of explaining it like being apart of a family. There are always ups and downs but you can't change the fact they are your family. Great Job again your insight is always challenging and thoughtful Thank Dan for you clear and to the point message here. We can’t have one without the other and you do a perfect job of explaining why this true. I really enjoy you way of explaining it like being apart of a family. There are always ups and downs but you can’t change the fact they are your family. Great Job again your insight is always challenging and thoughtful

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Dan Wilt http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944332 Dan Wilt Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:16:44 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944332 16 million views = an itch was scratched. Clearly "religion" is an issue in the minds of many. This would be a wonderful time, with so much attention, for Jeff to redefine it, nuance it, clarify it. Religion as a system of supports for the perpetuating of faith is the good guy, the protagonist, the bridge to a Jesus worldview, in my story. For others, it is the bad guy, the antagonist, a wall to a Jesus worldview. I'm saying - "Change your bad guy to our human frailty as we use and abuse the tools in our hands. Redefine Religion." I'm tired of what my friend Jeremy calls the "constant need to ReBoot" - to hit delete on what was or is, demonize it in the process, and then re-invent the wheel over and over and over again. 16 million views = an itch was scratched.

Clearly “religion” is an issue in the minds of many.

This would be a wonderful time, with so much attention, for Jeff to redefine it, nuance it, clarify it.

Religion as a system of supports for the perpetuating of faith is the good guy, the protagonist, the bridge to a Jesus worldview, in my story.

For others, it is the bad guy, the antagonist, a wall to a Jesus worldview.

I’m saying – “Change your bad guy to our human frailty as we use and abuse the tools in our hands. Redefine Religion.”

I’m tired of what my friend Jeremy calls the “constant need to ReBoot” – to hit delete on what was or is, demonize it in the process, and then re-invent the wheel over and over and over again.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Dan Wilt http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944308 Dan Wilt Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:11:57 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944308 16 million views. My error. 16 million views. My error.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by elman http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944275 elman Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:50:52 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944275 Wow, 19 million views. I had no idea rap could be so popular. 'sarcasm intended :)' I read something recently from an interview with church leaders including Mark Driscoll, Jack Graham and James McDonald and several others. The discussion is called "The Elephant Room" The discussion was about the future of denominations. The comment was made, "We have to decide if we’re going to be Kingdom or empire builders. The elephant in the room is not denominations or networks. It’s leaderships. If leaders are good, the denomination is good. If bad, the denomination is bad. Don’t shoot at the framework." Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is Dan's argument or at least some of it. Even the religious system that was reponsible for killing Jesus was instituted by God himself. It's what men did with it that made it bad. Wow, 19 million views. I had no idea rap could be so popular. ’sarcasm intended :) ’
I read something recently from an interview with church leaders including Mark Driscoll, Jack Graham and James McDonald and several others. The discussion is called “The Elephant Room” The discussion was about the future of denominations.
The comment was made, “We have to decide if we’re going to be Kingdom or empire builders. The elephant in the room is not denominations or networks. It’s leaderships. If leaders are good, the denomination is good. If bad, the denomination is bad. Don’t shoot at the framework.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is Dan’s argument or at least some of it. Even the religious system that was reponsible for killing Jesus was instituted by God himself. It’s what men did with it that made it bad.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Dan Wilt http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944264 Dan Wilt Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:02:52 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944264 Elman, all good. Mike, good thoughts. "I Hate False Religion..." would be a good title edit, but then again, "True" and "False" mean many things to many people. How about "I Hate What People Do With Religion, But I Love Jesus." Then again, "provocative" was his goal, and it won him 16 million views. Good on him. Elman, all good. Mike, good thoughts.

“I Hate False Religion…” would be a good title edit, but then again, “True” and “False” mean many things to many people.

How about “I Hate What People Do With Religion, But I Love Jesus.”

Then again, “provocative” was his goal, and it won him 16 million views. Good on him.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by elman http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944261 elman Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:25:35 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944261 Or maybe it could have been title, "Why I Hate False Religion, But I Love Jesus". Rich, Jeff did not fail to mention about taking care of orphans and widows. One of the verses he wrote was, "If religion is so great why has it started so many wars, why does it build huge churches but fails to feed the poor". Yea he didn't expound much on it but it's there. I agree Dan, that this young man probably doesn't have much knowledge of the history of the church and might see much of church history from a negative perspective. He probably only studied the negative history and not the positive side that you know so well. He probably thinks the century old Hymns are out dated and useless. I say probably because I'm categorizing him with many of the other youth I know. Geez, my own worship team used to cringe when I picked a song like Blessed Assurance. I told them I felt God wanted us to do this. Their reply was "I beg to differ." Then when we played the song, the power of God fell and this one dear, sweet old lady began weeping and crying out to God. When they approached her, she kept saying, "It's that song, it's that song!" I often wondered, did God do that to vindicate me because of their attack, or was it... the song? We are sloppy with words. That is true. I've probably been most guilty of this in my responses. Hope you don't think I'm trying to divide. I read all of your blogs and appreciate your depth of knowledge, sang all of your Vineyard songs... and love what you do. Keep sharing your heart. Or maybe it could have been title, “Why I Hate False Religion, But I Love Jesus”.
Rich, Jeff did not fail to mention about taking care of orphans and widows. One of the verses he wrote was, “If religion is so great why has it started so many wars, why does it build huge churches but fails to feed the poor”. Yea he didn’t expound much on it but it’s there.
I agree Dan, that this young man probably doesn’t have much knowledge of the history of the church and might see much of church history from a negative perspective. He probably only studied the negative history and not the positive side that you know so well. He probably thinks the century old Hymns are out dated and useless. I say probably because I’m categorizing him with many of the other youth I know. Geez, my own worship team used to cringe when I picked a song like Blessed Assurance. I told them I felt God wanted us to do this. Their reply was “I beg to differ.” Then when we played the song, the power of God fell and this one dear, sweet old lady began weeping and crying out to God. When they approached her, she kept saying, “It’s that song, it’s that song!” I often wondered, did God do that to vindicate me because of their attack, or was it… the song?
We are sloppy with words. That is true. I’ve probably been most guilty of this in my responses. Hope you don’t think I’m trying to divide. I read all of your blogs and appreciate your depth of knowledge, sang all of your Vineyard songs… and love what you do. Keep sharing your heart.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Mike Mahoney http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944260 Mike Mahoney Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:58:38 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944260 Nice response, Dan. As always, you are eloquent and cut to the heart. I agree with you and Evelyn that the dialogue is needed; however when a conversation starts from a place of divisiveness, it is inherently difficult to find a common ground. The artist paints all faith-based institutions with the same brush, and that is blatantly unfair. There are many "religious" organizations and denominations that are doing the work of Christ every day, and this video completely neglects that. I find this kind of counter-culture rant disingenuous. The artist is criticizing "religion" (whatever that is) for saying, essentially, "You have to think like we do." when he is actually saying TO "religion" that they should think more like he does. So "they" say "Do this or you're not a true Christian." and he says "Don't do it and you are a true Christian." How about saying "Love Jesus." and let Him place you where he wants you? And by the way, I actually belong to the kind of church he is looking for. But that doesn't make him right. Nice response, Dan. As always, you are eloquent and cut to the heart.

I agree with you and Evelyn that the dialogue is needed; however when a conversation starts from a place of divisiveness, it is inherently difficult to find a common ground. The artist paints all faith-based institutions with the same brush, and that is blatantly unfair. There are many “religious” organizations and denominations that are doing the work of Christ every day, and this video completely neglects that.

I find this kind of counter-culture rant disingenuous. The artist is criticizing “religion” (whatever that is) for saying, essentially, “You have to think like we do.” when he is actually saying TO “religion” that they should think more like he does.

So “they” say “Do this or you’re not a true Christian.” and he says “Don’t do it and you are a true Christian.” How about saying “Love Jesus.” and let Him place you where he wants you?

And by the way, I actually belong to the kind of church he is looking for. But that doesn’t make him right.

]]> Comment on Why The “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” Video Is Shortsighted by Dan Wilt http://www.danwilt.com/my-commentary-the-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/#comment-944256 Dan Wilt Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:41:09 +0000 http://www.danwilt.com/?p=3026#comment-944256 Elman, Yes, of course. He is attacking the spirit of religion, of being religious, of displacing faith with religion. Yes, yes, yes. But he is demonizing the word, saying "our efforts" are "the infection." No. No. No. Liturgy is not the infection. Systems are not the infection. Carrying truth in fragile human traditions across generations is not the infection. Misguided Love, sin, is the infection. Our hearts are infected, and we do silly things with traditions. His title could have been "I Hate A Religious Attitude/Spirit, But I Love Jesus." Religion is a big word, and since 1970 (ask me), it's been given a narrow, negative spin by evangelicalism. I'm just tired of the lack of nuance. Ask @jeffuhsonbethke why they filmed in front of a monolithic building. Good heart; clearly. Elman,

Yes, of course. He is attacking the spirit of religion, of being religious, of displacing faith with religion.

Yes, yes, yes.

But he is demonizing the word, saying “our efforts” are “the infection.”

No. No. No.

Liturgy is not the infection. Systems are not the infection. Carrying truth in fragile human traditions across generations is not the infection.

Misguided Love, sin, is the infection. Our hearts are infected, and we do silly things with traditions.

His title could have been “I Hate A Religious Attitude/Spirit, But I Love Jesus.”

Religion is a big word, and since 1970 (ask me), it’s been given a narrow, negative spin by evangelicalism. I’m just tired of the lack of nuance.

Ask @jeffuhsonbethke why they filmed in front of a monolithic building.

Good heart; clearly.

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