tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post8754937855028479159..comments2024-03-04T00:50:02.182-08:00Comments on KeithGiles.com: Our Cultural Blind SpotsKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post-35163337793262082522017-01-09T10:27:50.582-08:002017-01-09T10:27:50.582-08:00I think I need to buy that book.I think I need to buy that book.Taco Verhoefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08134560092046951197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post-89647636151765893402017-01-07T15:29:43.793-08:002017-01-07T15:29:43.793-08:00I think it's more accurate, when speaking abou...I think it's more accurate, when speaking about believers, to call this blind spots of the flesh. No doubt there are many elements of normalized behaviors (culture) are against the pleasure or character of God. There are also elements of culture that are admirable and in harmony with God's character. Believers who are indwelt by the Spirit, are at war with the flesh, not the culture. Seeking to get positions of status and influence of power over other believers is what Jesus is rebuking because this practice rejects the humility of the Spirit. Our identity is that we are all slaves, servants, who have no position or status above any other follower of Jesus. It is in this identity that believers can hear the Spirit direct. God can only resist those who systematize as "godly", patterns of leadership that claim elevating titles, full pay checks, and dominating gatherings in one way communication, completely dismissing God's design to pour his wisdom through every believer, even children. What a sinful mess abounds in the current normalized form of church life. We should not make this a cultural interpretation. This is a sinful nature- flesh issue that is at war with the Spirit and our new nature. Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06869272176391202061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post-15488052946933531652017-01-07T04:35:02.995-08:002017-01-07T04:35:02.995-08:00It is so true that we need to understand he cultur...It is so true that we need to understand he culture of the day to really see how radical Jesus' teachings were. His honouring and engaging with women is another practice that totally went against the culture around Him. He was a real political revolutionary and everything He preached was contrary to political and social norms of that time. The challenge is how do we live like that today!!Mick Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636245370093200819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post-2708643895561548482017-01-06T06:06:16.539-08:002017-01-06T06:06:16.539-08:00not exactly 'honor & shame' as we may ...not exactly 'honor & shame' as we may understand these today. from Mark 10:41, the '10' responded in displeasure/grief hearing of the request for James and John to sit alongside Jesus in the Kingdom. What the sons of Zebedee requested, though honorable, was not virtuous in context. rather than a presiding culture of 'honor and shame' (as is today common especially among cultures far-Eastern), functions in what was to be regarded as 'virtue or vile' formed a cultural framework --- a 'fence' governing attitudes and behaviors. Pharisees using the Precepts/Law of Moses to define what is becoming of virtue, but also admixing their select traditions of the elders --- traditions actually sometimes in conflict with God. Jesus, the true Reality, stepped up to reveal what is truly of virtue, and the people were fascinated and adoring... until He came to calling them to be following Him on to the crucifixion. Who could believe there ever would be such great virtue found in a most horrific death?Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504426822748951069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9926207.post-23025643647235472202017-01-06T04:46:55.190-08:002017-01-06T04:46:55.190-08:00This is fantastic and fits in with the Joy of Bein...This is fantastic and fits in with the Joy of Being Wrong book by James Alison I mentioned to you.<br /><br />To your point about James and John asking to sit at Jesus' right and left, Alison discusses that story and points out that Jesus did not rebuke James and John for wanting to sit at his right and left. Actually, he rebuked the other 10 for getting indignant. The 10 were the ones that told about how the Gentiles ruled by lording it over. The 10 were presuming that is what James and John wanted because that was what was in their heart.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04860975094512693470noreply@blogger.com