tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430311074920331065.post1540894519695466244..comments2024-03-17T13:35:47.463+00:00Comments on Sacred Wrightings: What’s Essential for Healthy Life in the Church? A Quotation from Frances YoungTerry Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430311074920331065.post-43842804763564229432015-12-11T14:45:51.348+00:002015-12-11T14:45:51.348+00:00As far as I'm aware, social psychologists hold...As far as I'm aware, social psychologists hold that it's only natural that we value those who are more like us. But I assume the gospel moves us beyond such naturalistic relations, which is why the Church <i>has</i> to be a diverse body with room for different gifts, skills, callings, etc.Terry Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430311074920331065.post-52613309471836301832015-12-11T14:21:18.454+00:002015-12-11T14:21:18.454+00:00Interesting stuff... as someone who tends towards ...Interesting stuff... as someone who tends towards the introverted, academic, thought-rather-than-action end of the spectrum, I can identify with the author's sentiments. On the other hand though, I can see that if the church were overly research-focused, that probably wouldn't be very helpful either. And there are times when I feel that my own (admittedly rather shallow) intellectual approach to faith does miss out some crucial elements...<br /><br />So, great (in theory) that we're a diverse body of introverts and extroverts, thinkers and activists, academics and people-lovers. Just a shame that much of the time we (including me) only value those who are more like us, and that church leadership often doesn't have much space for giftings and callings that don't fit their desired profile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430311074920331065.post-90151175945615093412015-12-08T11:43:46.476+00:002015-12-08T11:43:46.476+00:00Yes, I think you're right regarding the three ...Yes, I think you're right regarding the three responses - though others might find others as well. And I think the tendency is for a particular local church to manifest but one response as its 'public face'. So, for example, my church is (rightly) pretty heavy on the social response - we have a food bank, a weekly meal for the socially excluded, and so on. Spirituality comes next, I'd say, but an acceptance of the worth of theology seems to depend on how well it can be practically applied. Other churches, though, I dare say are the complete opposite!Terry Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430311074920331065.post-43985410547760259002015-12-08T11:30:50.265+00:002015-12-08T11:30:50.265+00:00This is true. I think the problems arise when we c...This is true. I think the problems arise when we come to think that our own gifts or interests or perspectives are the only ones worth considering and that anything else is 'less than'. <br />My husband has spoken of his intense frustration growing up as a very intellectually-minded person in a non-intellectual, wishy-washy church. I am not drawn to the deep theological arguments in the same way. My searching for God has been more of a spiritual searching for truth. <br />It strikes me that there are three ways of responding to God, just as there are the three parts of the Trinity: there's the intellectual side in the form of theology. the spiritual side in the form of understanding God and oneself from a spiritual perspective (in the manner of St. John of the Cross, etc.) and there's the social side, the practical application of 'love one another'. <br />I am reminded of the Church of England's words "for though we are many we are one body". The Trinity is not the Trinity without each of the three. All three are needed for GOD to be manifest.<br />There's a sermon in here, somewhere, I reckon, but my brain is a bit foggy. I hope I've made some sense. You've made a very important point.Sandyhttp://multicolouredsmartypants.comnoreply@blogger.com