I’m hesitant to direct any to another blog for fear that those thus directed will assume that I am somehow an avid supporter of the author’s every view. So, first, the disclaimer: I’m not.
That said, I read a post this morning that reflects helpfully on a pattern that I see too much in my own life, and which I would like to change. That is, I spend all my time with Christians, and primarily with Christians with whom I am in substantial agreement. According to Scot McKnight, this is not at all a healthy thing.
What happens when we sit at table all the time with those who are just like us? What happens when we are at church, at breakfast and lunch, in committees and at work with folks just like us? Christians and social justice workers and business folks each have this tendency — it is natural and easy for this to happen. But what happens to us when we spend all our time with the same kinds of people?
MagistraCarminae
While this is an excellent reminder, I think perhaps he undervalues the dimension of fellowship and accountability that comes from committed, like-minded relationships where the gospel does reign. I simply don’t think it is impossible to have friendships which continue to challenge us in gospel ways that involve like-minded people. Yes, we run the risk of being self-insulating. But we are to have real fellowship with one another as members of the body, and that includes sitting “at table” together!
Randy Greenwald
Chris, the key word in my statement and the author of the blog in question is ‘all’. No one is suggesting we abandon Christian relationships and friendships. But as we say about so many things, when a good thing becomes the only thing it becomes a bad thing. Most Christians I know are not in danger of abandoning their Christians friends for non-Christians friends. It is the opposite problem we confront. Jesus was known as a friend of sinners. I am not sure too many of the people I know (me included) could be convicted on such a charge.
MagistraCarminae
Point well taken. Excuse the knee-jerk-type reaction! 😉 I think I respond out of my own frustration with believers for whom fellowship is seeing each other once a week at worship, and otherwise have little to no fellowship or opportunity for body life.