I admire your often wise and intelligent insights so much that I was initially a bit reticent in critiquing you. But then again I know you’re more than man enough to handle it.
I have to quibble with your interpretation of winsome : “....winsome (which is by the way just a fancy word for ‘gentle’, which is a literal fruit of the Spirit of God)....”.
Winsome is appealing character which would mean it is a reference to all of the fruits of the spirit, not just gentleness.
You're right, Bob. I think there's a bit of an online conversation I'm responding to here that contrasts a "winsome" approach to culture with a "courageous" approach, which is more brash. So the gentle side of winsomeness is what I had in mind in particular.
I remember a time when I thought spiritual maturity was adding the word "biblical" to your google searches. I also remember a time when I thought discernment meant only reading books with the keyword "reformed" in the title or description. 😅 And why would you read fiction when you could attend bible studies? I could go on. I would say re-engaging the world was a shock. Music helped. I started listening to bands I listened to before I became a Christian. And the further away I move myself from Fundamentalism, the more I see the gracelessness some parts of the church are heading towards. I honestly have a hard time fitting in right now, but I am there every Sunday for the gospel, Christ's blood and body and the people I need to learn to love and not resent. Maybe I am in the teenager/early adult phase of my Christian walk. 😆 But the church is going through growing pains. I am here for it. But most importantly, Jesus is.
Also, thank you for your encouraging words and linking to my newsletter!
This names really well the kinds of things I'm thinking about. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences...I get not fitting in! I appreciate you putting in the reps.
I admire your often wise and intelligent insights so much that I was initially a bit reticent in critiquing you. But then again I know you’re more than man enough to handle it.
I have to quibble with your interpretation of winsome : “....winsome (which is by the way just a fancy word for ‘gentle’, which is a literal fruit of the Spirit of God)....”.
Winsome is appealing character which would mean it is a reference to all of the fruits of the spirit, not just gentleness.
You're right, Bob. I think there's a bit of an online conversation I'm responding to here that contrasts a "winsome" approach to culture with a "courageous" approach, which is more brash. So the gentle side of winsomeness is what I had in mind in particular.
I remember a time when I thought spiritual maturity was adding the word "biblical" to your google searches. I also remember a time when I thought discernment meant only reading books with the keyword "reformed" in the title or description. 😅 And why would you read fiction when you could attend bible studies? I could go on. I would say re-engaging the world was a shock. Music helped. I started listening to bands I listened to before I became a Christian. And the further away I move myself from Fundamentalism, the more I see the gracelessness some parts of the church are heading towards. I honestly have a hard time fitting in right now, but I am there every Sunday for the gospel, Christ's blood and body and the people I need to learn to love and not resent. Maybe I am in the teenager/early adult phase of my Christian walk. 😆 But the church is going through growing pains. I am here for it. But most importantly, Jesus is.
Also, thank you for your encouraging words and linking to my newsletter!
This names really well the kinds of things I'm thinking about. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences...I get not fitting in! I appreciate you putting in the reps.
I LOVED your poem! Thank you for sharing the beauty of the Gospel in such a powerful and real way