i clarified this with him. he says he WAS being exclusive. not that you have to be christian, but that you have to be searching through christ.
and i CAN blame him for this. not for seeking to make disciples for christ or even believing that christ is the only way to salvation (i myself believe these things/want these things), but for using language that pushes people away instead of bringing them in at one of the most important parts of our service. i firmly believe that people who don't know what they want/believe should be welcome. confused christians like i was who didn't give a flying fuck about christ but WAS interested in God should be welcome, and Hindu's, Buddhists, Jews and everyone else should be welcome at God's table. We know that it is Christ who saves, but we shoot ourselves in the foot if we say, "sure come in, but only so far." YES we want them to become christian. but i think a truly open Eucharist is absolutely central to bringing people to Christ. I agree, he probably would have let me come to the table as a confused youth, but there is a big difference between hoping and demanding. as for myself, i am HOPING to convince him. if not, i don't know what i'll do. for myself, i can get past this and work from the inside to change the things that bother me. but i am married now, and i need to find a church that won't make ross feel unwelcome.
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actually....
Date: 2005-12-04 11:05 am (UTC)and i CAN blame him for this. not for seeking to make disciples for christ or even believing that christ is the only way to salvation (i myself believe these things/want these things), but for using language that pushes people away instead of bringing them in at one of the most important parts of our service. i firmly believe that people who don't know what they want/believe should be welcome. confused christians like i was who didn't give a flying fuck about christ but WAS interested in God should be welcome, and Hindu's, Buddhists, Jews and everyone else should be welcome at God's table. We know that it is Christ who saves, but we shoot ourselves in the foot if we say, "sure come in, but only so far." YES we want them to become christian. but i think a truly open Eucharist is absolutely central to bringing people to Christ.
I agree, he probably would have let me come to the table as a confused youth, but there is a big difference between hoping and demanding.
as for myself, i am HOPING to convince him.
if not, i don't know what i'll do.
for myself, i can get past this and work from the inside to change the things that bother me. but i am married now, and i need to find a church that won't make ross feel unwelcome.