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Re: Denomination Caves To Concerned Nazarenes

begermain82 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:06:52 -0000

I do apologize for my lack of heart when commenting. I was angry when I wrote it and should have demonstrated better character. Anger doesn't justify treating others like crap, so I apologize.

At any rate, what I hear you saying about Concerned Nazarenes is that they see something to be concerned about, and I get that. I'm okay with people believing in different things and caring about what they believe in. I admire that passion.

While I suspect we are both part of the Nazarene denomination and the church universally, we see things differently. Our theological differences only further substantiate the fact there is diversity in Nazarenedom and the Church universally, both of which is quite alright.

The cool thing is: the Church is big enough for different opinions, which can be discussed through healthy dialogue. And while you and I have different views in this dialogue, we may find that we have a lot more in common than we think. Even if we disagree about the nature of Scripture, I think we can both agree that God calls us to treat each other as children of God and to live and communicate peacefully.

Instead of creating DVD's and websites that condemn individuals for their beliefs and making sharp jabs at a fellow blogger's mental capacity (which I might add is not a very Christ-like thing to do), how about we recognize we're both in this together and truly are children of God, and even if we don't see eye to eye about the nature of Scripture, we can still make a positive impact in the world by committing to feed the hungry and care for the sick.

Re: An Open Letter To Legitimately Concerned Nazarenes

begermain82 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:21:32 -0000

A Note to Concerned Nazarenes

You are right to be concerned! Many people in the Nazarene church do not believe what you believe. Nazarenes hold diverse views concerning the nature of God, creation, evolution, revelation, Holy Scripture, salvation, sanctification, eschatology, and whatever else you want to add to this list. For a brief moment in time, I thought the Nazarene church was capable of existing as an open-minded institution promoting diversity in thought and opinion, but clearly, the Nazarene church has not progressed to that point. Blame it on Brian McLaren, prayer walks, and Trevecca Nazarene University (these characters have no interest in God and righteousness and are definitely headed straight to hell). I suppose you could fix the Nazarene denomination by pushing your agenda and inviting others to jump on the bandwagon of fundamentalism, rebuke the so-called fallen generation, and retaliate against the emerging church, but I’ve got news for you! “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Nazarenedom is much bigger, and better, than your finite bubble. You see, the Nazarenes I like and know are open-minded about theology, the Bible, glad to be part of a church that affirms diversity, value the offering of grace to others, and instead of pretending they know it all, the Nazarenes I like and know display humility, and are not prideful and/or insecure in what they believe. My fear is that the Concerned Nazarenes Movement is only interested in tearing down the church and its people. The Concerned Nazarenes Movement has demonstrated nothing but distasteful fundamentalism and militant radicalism. There is nothing good in this.

Brent Germain

Re: Denomination Caves To Concerned Nazarenes

begermain82 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:09:38 -0000

A Note to Concerned Nazarenes

You are right to be concerned! Many people in the Nazarene church do not believe what you believe. Nazarenes hold diverse views concerning the nature of God, creation, evolution, revelation, Holy Scripture, salvation, sanctification, eschatology, and whatever else you want to add to this list. For a brief moment in time, I thought the Nazarene church was capable of existing as an open-minded institution promoting diversity in thought and opinion, but clearly, the Nazarene church has not progressed to that point. Blame it on Brian McLaren, prayer walks, and Trevecca Nazarene University (these characters have no interest in God and righteousness and are definitely headed straight to hell). I suppose you could fix the Nazarene denomination by pushing your agenda and inviting others to jump on the bandwagon of fundamentalism, rebuke the so-called fallen generation, and retaliate against the emerging church, but I’ve got news for you! “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Nazarenedom is much bigger, and better, than your finite bubble. You see, the Nazarenes I like and know are open-minded about theology, the Bible, glad to be part of a church that affirms diversity, value the offering of grace to others, and instead of pretending they know it all, the Nazarenes I like and know display humility, and are not prideful and/or insecure in what they believe. My fear is that the Concerned Nazarenes Movement is only concerned with tearing down the church and its people. The Concerned Nazarenes Movement has demonstrated nothing but distasteful fundamentalism and militant radicalism. There is nothing good in this.

Brent Germain