One blog I read is really more of a comic strip. It’s ASBO Jesus.
Sometimes the comic is not really even a comic. Here is a post from a few years ago that I thought was insightful. It assumes that God does not attend church, and records the reasons He gives…
What do you think? Anybody in agreement with God here? Do you think God “attends church”?
You asked, “What do you think?”
I can’t imagine God getting tired of hearing His own words, or reading Harry Potter for a change of pace.
Also, the author and a couple of others said in the comments on that website, [quote] “i feel very uncomfortable putting words in gods mouth” [unquote].
And they should! God describes Himself as Holy, not Hip. We need to be very careful about being irreverent for the sake of trying to be cool. That’s what I think.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. You are right that we need to careful about putting words into God’s mouth.
There were times when I attended worship that I felt the same way. How come the “service” can not be once a month? Or when you are driving in you car? I find no where does Jesus say to worship in the temple. I totally agree with this.
Great questions! I wish more people asked those sorts of questions. As soon as we begin to ask such questions, we then begin to open up to the possibility that “church” can be done differently than a weekly Sunday morning “service” in a building with singing and a sermon.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25);….. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47).
Good verses. I believe them too. What was your point in quoting them?
How it must grieve God to see people trying to “one-up” someone with Bible verses!!!!! His point was to reprimand you and show his superiority I guess. And that grieves God, it’s using the Word of God as a weapon. Jeremy, you are a breath of fresh air! Thank you!!
Thanks, Ty! I know I don’t know everything, but I do try to encourage others with what I think I know.
Phillip, within the unpolluted context the day that was approaching referred to their immediate future – “…as you (the original readers) see the Day approaching…”. And meeting together did not refer to an institution as we know it – or am I missing something?
I don’t attend ‘church’, but me and God are still cool! In fact, we have a great time out here. Never better since we decided to move out into the community. Introduced Him to some really great people who had never met Him before. It’s worked out cheaper as well. In fact, Jesus and me have really moved on in our friendship; I never realised how much He enjoyed stuff I did and liked! He’s been a really good support as well, had some rough times, but He was there the whole time nothing was too much trouble. Heard the same from some of my friends. Nothing I seem to do phases him or puts him off meeting me or my friends or coming along with us on our boring daily lives. (He actually said it was some of the best times he’d had!). Helped me understand some of the things He said better, put some meaning and life behind the words. I was surprised at how little that was written about what He said He quoted at me! He even inroduced me to people I would never have met in a million years if He had’nt taken me along. He knows me well enough to correct me when needed and I’ve kinda accepted that, particularly as He is always right and it’s always done with my best interests at heart. Totally agree Jeremy, another great post.
Thanks, Ian. You get it! Attending church is not the same thing as being the church or following Jesus daily into the world. It is sad that many think that simply by sitting in a pew every Sunday and reading their Bible, they are doing what God wants. They miss out on so much of the faith and excitement of following Jesus.
Thanks Jeremy, enjoy your work and appreciate your commitment to the gospel. It’s good to follow a bible scholar who gets it and asks all the best questions. You came highly recommended!! 😉
Amen! Many people for various reasons can not get to church. Handicapped people, people in hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, missionaries in remote locations, elderly people, folks with no transportation (like me) just to name a few instances. Jesus did say that wherever two or more are gathered He is in the midst of them. But He didn’t specify that they rigidly must meet in an enclosure of four walls. We, as His body “are” the temple. When I meet with Jesus I’m also meeting with the Father, Abba, Daddy, the Holy Spirit…and that, including me, makes 4!! 🙂 I pray that God would free people from legalism. Jesus was dissed for meeting with the homeless, the drunkards and prostitutes, and even accused of being a drunkard Himself!! So what are the people who are SO QUICK to judge and show off their Biblical ‘knowledge’ accused of? I and my late husband both went to Bible school. He was ordained, I was called by God (as was he!!) and I”m still so grateful I found Him and was set free from SO MANY THINGS! It’s been 33 years now since I gave my life to Him. In those years I’ve had so many miracles and answered prayers and blessings. Jeremy I look forward to reading more from God through your heart 🙂 †
Difficult this one. I don’t know if I can agree because I can’t believe some of them to be true.
But I get it that you want us to rethink church and church practice.
Yeah, I don’t know if everything he said is true either. I am with you that I think God wants us to rethink church and church practice.
Our God is compassionate and full of grace and therefore will attend church at sit through our show-off righteous acts, even as He attends to those that need, Him more; the perishing.
Yes, of course. I was just making a point…
Harry Potter indeed. I think not. “Love not the world nor the things in the world” 1 John 2:15