Comments on: The Box Effect http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/ Version 3.0 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:34:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Tony Jones and Steve Brown on the Radio | Reformergent http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Tony Jones and Steve Brown on the Radio | Reformergent Wed, 07 May 2008 06:14:46 +0000 http://www.reformergent.org/?p=11#comment-104 [...] I once talked about Christian doctrine being like an open box, where you are surrounded on four sides by the stead and supportive wall, but to allow for doctrine [...] [...] I once talked about Christian doctrine being like an open box, where you are surrounded on four sides by the stead and supportive wall, but to allow for doctrine [...]

]]> By: Sarah Lynne http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Sarah Lynne Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:31:03 +0000 http://www.reformergent.org/?p=11#comment-49 I agree with Dan... There is definitely a foundation, and I have very specific beliefs about what they are, but the open top part of the box, and my understanding of my own limitations means that I must be willing to consider other people's viewpoints. Some I will reject completely (and have), but others continue to inform and cause me to reconsider my foundations. I understand that for "box" people this is a bit scary... but I don't think understanding God will ever be simple, easy, or definite. He reminds us that we only see in the mirror dimly, and my realization of that was so incredably important to my faith, that I would never want to lose it for the sake of perfect stability. We seek to build our house on the rock, but our humanness means that there will always be the possibility of sand. I agree with Dan… There is definitely a foundation, and I have very specific beliefs about what they are, but the open top part of the box, and my understanding of my own limitations means that I must be willing to consider other people’s viewpoints. Some I will reject completely (and have), but others continue to inform and cause me to reconsider my foundations. I understand that for “box” people this is a bit scary… but I don’t think understanding God will ever be simple, easy, or definite. He reminds us that we only see in the mirror dimly, and my realization of that was so incredably important to my faith, that I would never want to lose it for the sake of perfect stability. We seek to build our house on the rock, but our humanness means that there will always be the possibility of sand.

]]> By: Dan Ra http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Dan Ra Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:20:15 +0000 http://www.reformergent.org/?p=11#comment-21 I dare not say that we leave Scriptural interpretation up to God and then live our lives "how we please." The very fact that emergents care about justice, church forms, missional living, etc., are based upon, at the least, some Scriptural study and hermeneutics. But reformed folks also care. As Joanna mentioned above about modernism/postmodernism, I think that's a natural progression. We should be careful about our modernistically constructed language and attitude about how to approach scripture. I'm with you on having a firm base. But we need to define what that base means, because reformed christians, eastern orthodox christians, coptic christians, emergents, etc., will all differ on what the nuances of the base might be. I dare not say that we leave Scriptural interpretation up to God and then live our lives “how we please.” The very fact that emergents care about justice, church forms, missional living, etc., are based upon, at the least, some Scriptural study and hermeneutics. But reformed folks also care.

As Joanna mentioned above about modernism/postmodernism, I think that’s a natural progression. We should be careful about our modernistically constructed language and attitude about how to approach scripture.

I’m with you on having a firm base. But we need to define what that base means, because reformed christians, eastern orthodox christians, coptic christians, emergents, etc., will all differ on what the nuances of the base might be.

]]> By: Out Da Box http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Out Da Box Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:43:52 +0000 http://www.reformergent.org/?p=11#comment-20 [...] Case suggests there are box Christians and unbox Christians. I’m not quite sure what I think about his recommendation: an open top box, with a bottom to [...] [...] Case suggests there are box Christians and unbox Christians. I’m not quite sure what I think about his recommendation: an open top box, with a bottom to [...]

]]> By: joanna http://www.reformergent.org/2007/10/16/the-box-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-19 joanna Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:34:02 +0000 http://www.reformergent.org/?p=11#comment-19 Is it possible that the box/non-box people are another way of describing modern/postmodern thinking? The modern way of thinking includes finding definitive answers through logic and considering the evidence/facts. Postmodern thinking includes living in a gray area, and being skeptical of absolutely-sure answers. Or do the box/non-box people just tend toward the modern/postmodern views? And, I agree with your conclusion- an open-topped box, a foundation with room to grow and explore. Is it possible that the box/non-box people are another way of describing modern/postmodern thinking? The modern way of thinking includes finding definitive answers through logic and considering the evidence/facts. Postmodern thinking includes living in a gray area, and being skeptical of absolutely-sure answers. Or do the box/non-box people just tend toward the modern/postmodern views?

And, I agree with your conclusion- an open-topped box, a foundation with room to grow and explore.

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