Easy Believism

Hi friends,

I've been "off-line" for a few days...the result of some rather busy things in life...some very enjoyable, like our 40th wedding anniversary, and some just plain busy in work - like pastoring a church and teaching a college class.

I'm still reading through the scriptures...but I am in the prophets - today it was Micah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. One has to have perseverance to continue to read the Prophets. There's not much good news, and when you find one (like today's Micah 5:2) you find it as a gem in the midst of a lot of weeds. I admit, it's not a section of scripture that I "just love to read".

I'm reading a couple of books right now: "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" is a well written biography of his life, and as well, his thoughts on Christ in life. The other book is some collected works of Bonhoeffer's writings - "A Testament to Freedom: The Essential Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" - which I decided to get because the biographer refers to a number of his writings, but doesn't always get deeply into what he had to say.

What I appreciate about Dietrich Bonhoeffer was his capacity for honesty and faithfulness to Christ, no matter what the cost. It is counter the "easy believism" that pervades much of christian culture today.
All of us face this difficulty. We are people surrounded by the temptation to relegate Jesus to a 2 hour slot on Sundays. Then we go on the rest of the time being pragmatic and doing what works - which regardless if it is good or not, is not for the sake of Christ, but just because it works for each of us in our own way. I'm no different than anyone else in this, and yet I deplore a spirituality that is "easy", as if to say, there really isn't a cost for following Jesus afterall.

There is...if for no other person than Christ...there is.

Peace