Disqus - Latest Comments for ryanbrymer

Re: Why is our Christian President so Violent?

ryanbrymer — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:13:13 -0000

This is a heart-breakingly accurate concern. It's also why I can't take any politician seriously who campaigns on the backs of men and women of faith while raising his rifle in the air. Yet I always hear:
"But Ryan, he's a strong Christian who stands against abortion and same-sex marriage. (?!?!)"
Morality is not Christianity.
"Some trust in chariots..."

At the end of the day, I'm not upset by the politicians. As you say, Caesar will be Caesar. What I'm upset by is how few Christians will call out the double standard of murder in the name of the empire. I'm upset by how many Christians accept this as part and parcel and defend their own right to participate.

I don't even have the will-power to debate it. I'm just so broken by it.

Re: Resurrection is Not a Happy Ending

ryanbrymer — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 10:20:24 -0000

Micah, good words as usual. I've felt bad for thinking it, but I've been very put off in recent years by the triumphalism and pageantry of our Easter celebrations. While there was certainly great joy among the forgotten few when Christ appeared in the upper room, their state was certainly not triumphant in the eyes of the world.

Re: The Great Evangelical Break-Up

ryanbrymer — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:52:03 -0000

Now that I vented. I will admit: one of the hardest things for me - living in the South (Texas to be specific) - is finding kindred spirits. I've been fortunate to discover a few over the last year and a half, but most everyone here is either still steeped in religious life or has abandoned it and God completely. It's a place where it seems safer to be godless than to be God-ambiguous (or something along those lines). This is a place where answers are precise and absolute. To find the braves souls willing to question and converse is a serious task.

Re: The Great Evangelical Break-Up

ryanbrymer — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:30:51 -0000

Micah, I love what you're saying here and I love what your parents modeled for you. Would that that were the story for more of us. I'm nervous, however, about how there is so much labeling going on within our faith. What was once short-hand to explain our beliefs and practices has become dividing lines that readily connote an us/them mentality.

Personally, I'm in a really weird place of feeling alienated from the Church I've always loved (which I no-longer have much desire to participate in) while wanting my kids to have that base of faith community experience. But in a way I'm glad for that because it keeps me from abandoning the Church out of my own frustration.

There's a lot of talk (at least I see a lot of Facebook re-posts) regarding those who have left the church - i.e. what the church can do to change, how the deserters need to get over themselves, how the church can bring them back. While I identify with much of this, its ubiquity is nauseating. It appears that there is more concern over fortifying the organization than there is for the hearts and lives around us.

Until we can abandon labeling, siloing, and defending our own kingdoms, we will fail in bringing the true kingdom down to earth. I'm conflicted. I don't know what to call myself. I'm just a guy who wants to love like Jesus loved and teach my kids to do the same. Sometimes the Church helps to enable that and sometimes it doesn't. I'm not post- whatever, I'm just striving to be beyond that mattering.

Love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for bringing the conversation.

Re: Why Does a Good God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

ryanbrymer — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:55:06 -0000

Solid post, Mike. I would add that this question inappropriately puts us in the driver's seat of defining "bad" and "good". When we ask "why do 'bad' things happen," we are interpreting bad from a very limited perspective. If we believe that God is sovereign and that "all things work together for good," then claiming something as bad is a really short-sighted view.
Further, a lot of folks are quick to "claim the promise" of "I know the plans I have for you," without realizing that the circumstances for the original hearers was the very definition of "bad." And, they weren't promised that they (personally) were going to see the end of it.
If we want to believe in a sovereign, just, and righteous God, we MUST be willing to accept everything from His hand.

Re: Martin Luther actually said this. No joke.

ryanbrymer — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:36:14 -0000

Nathan, I don't really know how I found your site, but this series was quite insightful. Thanks for your work here.

Re: Skillshare • Ask Seth anything (well, almost anything). To kick...

ryanbrymer — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:17:39 -0000

As a younger, low level member of an aging marketing department, how can I turn my leadership team on to more "modern" marketing practices such as those espoused by yourself and the likes of Gary Vaynerchuk? How can I convince them of the importance of "tribe building" vs. mass media - even though they know the old model is dying? #ROI

Re: The Paradox of Loneliness in the Midst of Community

ryanbrymer — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 13:47:46 -0000

First off, Chad, great post!

Beyond that, I think that the words from Bonhoeffer are quite prophetic not only in his time and today, but for the generation in between.

What the first video says about our interactions via online social networks could also be said of any social network of the past. Consider the church of the last 50 years (disclosure: I'm a Southern Baptist in Texas, so my experience may be skewed). Just as people "fabricate experiences" and post them on Facebook, look back at how many families masked abuse, infidelity, alcohol and drug use by putting on their coats, ties, bows and bonnets every Sunday morning.

As the individualism of modernity has reshaped our views of community, so has it affected the church. However, how much more does the Bible speak of God's "people" rather than God's "persons". As Christians we are called to individuality, not individualism. In my opinion, for the church to thrive and be a safe-haven for the community that is rising up around us, it (we) must cast aside the lie of self.

The New York Times has a great article today about this generations search for meaning. As you read it, many will see that what is described is not something found in our churches. Even where you see "missional", "service", and "community-centered" ideas in churches, these efforts are merely an attempt to offer something appealing to a certain demographic - the same way electric guitars and V-neck t-shirts were a decade ago.

I'm rambling, I'm sure, but I wanted to affirm your point, while placing it into a much bigger context. Here's that NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013...

Re: Why Quality Matters In Christian Movies

ryanbrymer — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:04:26 -0000

I'm genuinely honored by your feedback. Glad to get things right for once.

Re: Why Quality Matters In Christian Movies

ryanbrymer — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 17:29:24 -0000

I think that faith-based films have a hard life. They are essentially preaching to the choir because no one outside the church wants to watch them – and, typically, the production value is so poor that they can’t survive without the church funding them. The only way to get Christian artists (in any medium) to make better art, is to stop buying poor quality product from them. As long as there is a revenue stream, then there’s no initiative to raise the quality.

FURTHER – many of the people (not all, but many) involved in “Christian entertainment” are those who could never make it in the mainstream, due to a lack of talent in some regard. (honestly, I have the same feeling about many in “leadership” roles of Christian organization – that is, they probably couldn’t obtain the same level of authority in the business world, but that’s something else entirely.)

Finally… if the purpose of Christian media is to spread the Word or to evangelize then Christian artists should refuse to work within a homogenous industry and refuse to placate those who already in agreement with them. I’m reminded of a scene in the wonderful movie Dave (and I think I referenced this elsewhere recently): The president and his cabinet are trying to find money in the budget to fund some homeless shelters for kids.

Dave: You’re spending $47 million on an ad campaign to boost consumer confidence in the automobile industry?

Commerce Secretary: Well, you see, it’s designed to bolster consumer confidence in a previous domestic automotive purchase.

Dave: So we’re spending $47 million so someone can feel better about a car they’ve already bought?

Commerce Secretary: Yes sir. But I wouldn’t characterize it like that…

Dave: No, no. I’m sure that’s important, but I don’t want to tell some 8 year old kid that he has to sleep in the street because we want people to feel better about their car… Do you want to tell them that?

And I’m a guy who consumes, reviews, and supports Christian media – and I believe there’s a place for that – but at some point we have to say “stop giving the comfortable masses a nice day at the spa.”

Don’t make quality Christian media. Make quality media. And use that platform to speak to real people.

That’s all I’m saying.

Re: Jars of Clay, 'Inland': Exclusive Album Premiere

ryanbrymer — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:24:45 -0000

Absolutely one of the best records I've heard this year - and I've heard a lot.

Re: What About The Person Who Has Never Heard The Gospel?

ryanbrymer — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:32:27 -0000

These are merely considerations - not answers. food for thought...
We must begin with the orthodox view that we'll agree on, namely, that the work of Christ on the cross is the means by which we are saved.
Beyond that, here are some potential arguments:
A) There's a contingent that would say that in the act of seeking, we affirm our own salvation. They might cite the passage that "Those who seek will find, to those who ask it will be given, to those who knock the door will be opened". You may not need to know the explicit source of your salvation (Christ's work) to receive the benefits of it (salvation).
B) Some would say that even knowing the specifics, we'll never be able to truly comprehend the work of Christ. So, at what point does that revelation become salvific? The isolated person may never hear the story of Jesus, or even be given a vision of his work on the cross. Moreover, many may respond to the emotionally charged act of the cross, without recognizing its meaning.
I've probably got more thoughts, but I'm out of time. These aren't answers or even arguments. Just considerations.

Re: Scripture on Homosexuality

ryanbrymer — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:13:12 -0000

Mike, I appreciate you taking the time to find and share The Word. As
Jeff Potts told us yesterday, however, if we forsake application then
we've failed in our study. I wonder why you're leaving us here with only
information and no application?

As you consider that, would you also consider the following? Does the affirmation or condemnation by the Bible of any particular behavior (sin) speak to the non-believer? Or are its directives only relevant to those who are in Christ? (That is to say, is there any relevance in speaking to an unbeliever about their sin in the first place?)

faithfully argumentative,
rb

Re: Before The Throne: A Tribute to Shane & Shane

ryanbrymer — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:56:43 -0000

Since you did ask... here's my epic Shane story with a few brief comments on the new record. http://ryanbrymer.com/2013/...

Re: Weekend Rock Question: What Is the Best Black Sabbath Song?

ryanbrymer — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:14:10 -0000

Falling Off the Edge of the World

Re: The Church: Are We Accidentally Racist?

ryanbrymer — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:47:22 -0000

once dcTalk broke up, it was all downhill...
(sorry, I couldn't resist)

Re: Jesus Died For Me

ryanbrymer — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:47:54 -0000

Mike, thanks for sharing this. It's great to know more about who you are and where you've come from. A good word, too.

Re: Forgotten Film: Oscar

ryanbrymer — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:51:54 -0000

had to do a little edit there as the date was a decade later than it should have been. oops.

Re: http://www.truthoncinema.com/post/29173250242

ryanbrymer — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 10:12:51 -0000

Hi, I'm DDL and I only accept roles that might win me an award. Awkward ensemble rom-com to make a few bucks this year? No thanks, think I'll hold out for another 3 years 'til Spielburg or Scorcese call.

Re: Keira Knightley Will Be The Female Lead in Jack Ryan Prequel

ryanbrymer — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 10:10:57 -0000

The one with Ben Affleck was great.

Re: Walmart Has Frozen Bread - Things Learned At Lunch

ryanbrymer — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:39:51 -0000

Buy One Get One.

Re: Walmart Has Frozen Bread - Things Learned At Lunch

ryanbrymer — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:06:33 -0000

If you're paying $3.50 for that Nature's Own Honey Wheat - you're going to have a bad time. Hit that on BOGO at Kroger - usually once a month. Or the Sarah Lee White Wheat. My worry with your Rhodes above is the health value rather than our aforementioned Wheats.

Re: Best BBQ - Things Learned At Lunch

ryanbrymer — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:49:50 -0000

so, in terms of Joe's and Oklahoma - a few weeks ago I was instructed to visit Oklahoma Joe's BBQ when next I visited Kansas City. Apparently it's a Food Network favorite or some such. I went, and I have to say it was quite good. The sliced beef was more thinly cut than I had ever seen and was not at all "stringy" like the stuff you find here in TX.
All in all, I don't know that it was the best ever - but they definitely had the best onion rings I've ever had. And there was a line out the door at 4:00 on Saturday afternoon so do what you want with that.
Just my two cents.

Re: http://www.truthoncinema.com/post/20177901989

ryanbrymer — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:17:04 -0000

Afraid the logo will be better than the film

Re: Providing Security For Your Wife

ryanbrymer — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:21:22 -0000

Define "security". (As Dan D. would harass me for saying) what does it look like?