I don't think he put this very eloquently at all, he is a believer in Jesus, the Bible and sin. What has he actually subtracted from religion that he hates?
I think what he hates is self-righteousness that masquerades as Christianity. "Try harder, follow these rules, observe these rituals, fit in with our little sub-culture and God will accept you." Its a kind of 'elder-brother' legalism, an external religiosity, that is what he's tackling when he speaks of religion.
I do, however, have some reservations about religion being defined this way. Kevin DeYoung offers a good critique and shares his subsequent interaction with Bethke (who comes across as very humble and teachable) here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/14/following-up-on-the-jesusreligion-video/
I also commend DeYoung's book "Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion"
All that said- I'll have to disagree about his eloquence, I think the poems show talent, hard-work and a belief in the power of words. All of which, in this visual and slothful age, I find really refreshing!
Hate animals, love dogs?
ReplyDeleteI don't think he put this very eloquently at all, he is a believer in Jesus, the Bible and sin. What has he actually subtracted from religion that he hates?
Thanks for your comment..
ReplyDeleteI think what he hates is self-righteousness that masquerades as Christianity. "Try harder, follow these rules, observe these rituals, fit in with our little sub-culture and God will accept you." Its a kind of 'elder-brother' legalism, an external religiosity, that is what he's tackling when he speaks of religion.
I do, however, have some reservations about religion being defined this way. Kevin DeYoung offers a good critique and shares his subsequent interaction with Bethke (who comes across as very humble and teachable) here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/14/following-up-on-the-jesusreligion-video/
I also commend DeYoung's book "Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion"
All that said- I'll have to disagree about his eloquence, I think the poems show talent, hard-work and a belief in the power of words. All of which, in this visual and slothful age, I find really refreshing!