Willow Creek Arts Conference 2007 - Donald Miller

[jsharp1701]

Jesus commanded the church to make converts, offensive as that idea may sound. But it was based out of love, not control. He set the example by meeting people's needs as well as preaching - healing them, loving them, feeding them, encouraging them. It's not a trick to lure people; it's two sides of the same love coin. Christians must meet the practical AND spiritual needs of their neighbors. Not just one or the other. By definition, in Christianity, everyone's spiritual need is Christ.

[jukorama]

He looks like a white Forrest Whitaker, just look at his hand movement lol

[Kayjacka]

I like Donald. He's a groovy cat.

[TheGlassPriest]

I was an agnostic who hated the idea of a Jesus Christ; I read Searching for God Knows what and Blue Like Jazz, now I'm a Christian. I don't think that's "blather"; not for me anyway. There's meaning in anything that's constructive and moral; I'm usually "dumbed down" when I'm stuck in a hateful and judgmental mind set.

[phillippace]

An entire generation dumbed down to listen to blather and believe that it has meaning...

[dnovanpooper]

So many haters... So much hate...

[bill666gates]

If he were a real christian, he'd shave that mustache. Wait, i have no point just like the rest of you fuckers.

[boomac62]

Thanks, you hit it on the head.

[yeffug]

If you read ANY book written by a man, and you agree with everything, you are either easily swayed or you wrote the book yourself. Having said that, Blue Like Jazz is an awesome, thought provoking book. I highly recommend you read it. The counterfeit of the Word of God is always the traditions of men.

God bless you Donald!

[jeycannon]

DONT READ BLUE LIKE JAZZ

[shamrokk220]

I don't suppose you have read it yourself. I don't know any critics who have read it. Neither do I know of any readers who are still critics. Miller is exactly what the Church needs.

[jeycannon]

Yes I have read it- twice- I'd rather a faith thats clear like glass- sure there is tons of mystery that accompanies our faith- our misunderstandings of Scripture are due to our sinful nature - NOT God's sloppy writing-

[DacianKonig]

A faith clear like glass? This is coming from a guy who believes in God- an inconcrete concept within itself.

[jeycannon]

it sounds like you just vomited on YouTube

[boomac62]

Too late. and my wife and son read it to. And I thought is was OK....but why would you ever tell anybody let alone everybody not to read a book? Don't live in fear.

[keepthebills]

READ BLUE LIKE JAZZ

[rachLshort]

If Jesus is enough for us...we don't need gardening. He is everything...

[jesusisnowheredotcom]

you garden cause portland gardens? so you are manipulating them so you can convert them to your beliefs? sweet. communicating 5 points and creating ministries to covertly convert is bad religion. nice motives.

[restonseven1]

who said anything about manipulation?

[jesusisnowheredotcom]

it is what he is proposing. it sounds nice and christ like. but he has alterior motives. maybe i should start gardening so i can win them back.

[MarkXVIMinistries]

He never said anything baout alterior movtives or converting, he just talked about being involved, it's helping the community and whowing support without "converting" anyone.

[shamrokk220]

"Reaching the whole person with the whole gospel," is exactly a response against proselytizing and fundamentalism. To merely show up at a person's doorstep and communicate "5 points" is inadequate. This is exactly the type of thing that that Imago Dei (Don's church in Portland) is trying to get away from. By the way, you don't know Don, his writings, or his church, or you would notice his rant against the same things you are against. Nothing you are saying is relevant.

[shamrokk220]

If you want to attack foolish things that Christians do, attack mega-church kingdom-building and tel-evangelists. You won't see in Don what you don't like about "fundamentalists." You've simply got the wrong guy.

[MissMediator]

who said anything about converting? get a life!

[joesuzz]

you must understand all truth claims are narrow, and just because a church uses propostional truth,does not make them narrow minded. It simply means that they are presenting the truth. I know some are in the habit of throwing others into confusion about what the gospel is about. well, read what Jesus says in John 3:16-18, God's purpose was to save man from his sins. and It's okay to be involved with the community, but to take the focus off the sacrificial atonement of

[d1cky]

people can bash his writings and everything, but I think he's expanding the such narrow view that's been created in RELIGIOUS churches. God's creation is so big and wide, and religion is so narrow and small. I think they're encouraging an expansion of the Faith, instead of just siting inside churches condemning those outside!

[phillippace]

I think you need to read the bible closely for yourself.

Go to a few websites like: sliceoflaodicea

Think for yourself...

[LaneCh]

Delwood, it's supposed to be fruits of the Spirit, not the same kind that Dole makes.

[delwoodworks]

I think he is teaching God's Word more purely than most people out there. The result is the fruit that he and his church bears

[phillippace]

He's not my brother. He's making a mockery of God's word.

[BRunk84]

actually Donald Miller is awesome, he knows how to relate to todays culture.

[greenoregon]

Jesus made a mockery of the religious leaders in his day, the most pious of people...the hands that wrote the Old Testament. Jesus even called them sons of the devil....pretty intense stuff.

[Kayjacka]

If you're a professing believer in the grace of God through Jesus Christ then, technically, he is your brother, since he is also under the grace of God through Jesus Christ and is a child of God.

[phillippace]

Good point. If he is, then we are...

[phillippace]

What a complete goofball...

[caspergh0st]

I don't understand what you all are trying to get across...and posting underneath all his videos...there's pretty much no need to do that bro. Community, growing our own food? Tell me what's so goofball about that? It's better than buying your tomatoes from some super store that gets there tomatoes from farms where immigrants work their fingers bloody...

So, I try to say this in love..but apparently that's what makes you uncomfortable..

and uh, way to love your brother, brother.. ; )

[MissMediator]

then don't watch his videos!!

[phillippace]

But then who would tell you and others that you are listening to blather?

[MissMediator]

Nobody, because we have brains just like you do. If thats your opinion about him you can express it through a discussion, not through meaningless comments.

[phillippace]

Fair enough. But Jesus, Paul, the early church didn't look anything like or do anything like what he is describing or his church is doing. They presented the Gospel straight up and you accepted or they moved on and shook the dust off their feet.

[TheGlassPriest]

Who would you use as an example of someone that actually uses Jesus Christ for Jesus Christ's sake? Think of the alternative; The "Christian Right"... no thank you. I was an atheist then agnostic (I didn't feel humans were capable of understanding the truth) but I was also using self-serving a-holes as an example of Christianity like G. Bush, Hagge, Wright, so on so forth. I read Blue Like Jazz and God Knows What; now I'm a Christian; just have to have an open mind my friend.

[phillippace]

No, I have no respect for any of those people you listed. What I do believe is that if we sincerely seek the truth, we will find it. I completely understand why people can be atheist, because they want nothing to do with the Christianity they see in the mainstream and on TV, but that's all they see, so they say, "No way"! -- Can't blame them...

[InfiniteInertia]

well said friend

[83th4nn]

@phillippace Yes, they did present it then move on. However, the churches that were started by them coming through and teaching them did do these things. You should read Acts. They spent time together doing even seemingly meaningless things.