Head Scratcher

[Zinjanthropos]

Another head scratcher....Refereed basketball game at a local Christian high school couple days ago and they had this sign on the wall that I can't figure out..... IGNITE: ABLAZE WITH CHRIST. I don't think it's about self-immolation, just one of those quirky religious messages only the guy who wrote it understands, I think. See stuff like this now and then and can't help but wonder what the point is. IMHO, it's so ridiculous that a Christian might think it has profound meaning.

[C C]

The "80 million people across the world" United Methodist Church has some kind of annual youth(?) conference and community(?) activity called IGNITE. Tied to something called "Next Generation Ministries". Maybe they're operating in Canada, too. Booking an event might not require the locals to be church affiliated, or the school to be such.

Here are some videos related to 2019: http://www.ignitenj.org/videos/

[Syne]

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. - Revelation 3:16

Ablaze is not lukewarm.

[Leigha]

I'm not a fan of catchy ''slogans'' when it comes to expressing one's faith. Jesus was a modest, humble man who didn't use any catch phrases. He spoke plainly, and sometimes, held his tongue if he felt that his time would be wasted or better served elsewhere. I've been reading the Bible again, and so much is taken out of context by non-believers and believers, alike...it's no wonder there are so many denominations that disagree with one another. You really have to read the text in its entirety to understand its full meaning, and best to get a trustworthy ''study Bible.'' Just my opinion.

Many people have never read the Bible in its entirety, yet scoff at it, and regard it as an outdated useless book. I mean, to each their own, but your opinion is built on hearsay, not your own experience. If you read it, and come away feeling that it's a useless, outdated book that has no value - so be it. At least it will be an opinion you formed on your own.

[Magical Realist]

Many people have never read the Bible in its entirety, yet scoff at it, and regard it as an outdated useless book. I mean, to each their own, but your opinion is built on hearsay, not your own experience. If you read it, and come away feeling that it's a useless, outdated book that has no value - so be it. At least it will be an opinion you formed on your own.

I never read thru the Bible but I did live by its words for most my teen years. Every word especially from the New Testament was like words of life for me in my daily spiritual practice, and never in my life did I believe anything more than the God who spoke to me thru it. But the day came in my early twenties when my eyes were opened and I realized it just wasn't true. It was all an emotional and intellectual enslavement of myself to dogmas and stories that I had been brainwashed with since a child. None of it was true. The ideas of sin and redemption and righteousness and heavenly reward and hellfire and even Jesus were all part of a sick game to keep me a bleating and helpless sheep to the church. And so that was it. I had been a fool for falling for all those lies. So I left Christianity forever. And I am proud to say that not once have I turned back to that book of lies since joyously leaving it those many years ago.

[Leigha]

I hear you. For me, when I left Christianity, I realized it was largely due to poor church experiences. I had blamed God or stopped believing in a god altogether for a time, because my experience with how faith was presented in different churches, skewed my perception of faith, in a broader sense.

Not saying this was your case MR, but I know that this happens so often.

[Anu]

Let me say straight off the bat, I got no idea who "Topsy Gift" is, but with a moniker like that, it's probably safe to say she is representative of trickle down ideas. If you want to take such people as archetypes for dismantling orthodoxy, it just comes across as so much strawmanning.

[Zinjanthropos]

Went for a drive this morning to see if anything new in the area and found a sign containing a strange message within full view of passersby in front of a Niagara Falls Christian church.  It reads:

FEAR GOD
HUMOR CHRIST

Head scratcher for sure. What it means exactly, I can't say. What it says to me is 'Stay Away, these guys are nuts.' Anyone want to give true meaning a try?

[C C]

Went for a drive this morning to see if anything new in the area and found a sign containing a strange message within full view of passersby in front of a Niagara Falls Christian church.  It reads:

FEAR GOD
HUMOR CHRIST

Head scratcher for sure. What it means exactly, I can't say. What it says to me is 'Stay Away, these guys are nuts.' Anyone want to give true meaning a try?

The applicable definition of "humor" there would seem to be: "Go along with someone's wishes to keep them content or avoid a disagreement".

So it would be an odd stance for a traditional Christian to be entertaining: To just be pretending to conform to whatever the New Testament advocates, introduces, and refines... To avoid trouble.

Although in hypocrite or superficial public behavior context, many of them have arguably been doing something along that line for centuries.

Alternatively, it might be hinting that the deeper or more successful reason a Christian is adhering is because he/she is afraid of the OT God's potential punishments. Rather than Christ's love, philosophy, and other supplementary components being sufficient motivation in themselves.

[Zinjanthropos]

Went for a drive this morning to see if anything new in the area and found a sign containing a strange message within full view of passersby in front of a Niagara Falls Christian church.  It reads:

FEAR GOD
HUMOR CHRIST

Head scratcher for sure. What it means exactly, I can't say. What it says to me is 'Stay Away, these guys are nuts.' Anyone want to give true meaning a try?

The applicable definition of "humor" there would seem to be: "Go along with someone's wishes to keep them content or avoid a disagreement".

So it would be an odd stance for a traditional Christian to be entertaining: To just be pretending to conform to whatever the New Testament advocates, introduces, and refines... To avoid trouble.

Although in hypocrite or superficial public behavior context, many of them have arguably been doing something along that line for centuries.

Alternatively, it might be hinting that the deeper or more successful reason a Christian is adhering is because he/she is afraid of the OT God's potential punishments. Rather than Christ's love, philosophy, and other supplementary components being sufficient motivation in themselves.

I think you're right on the last one. As I examine this closer I am convinced it's two commands.. So there's no humouring God which suggests He isn't happy, that plus He's ready to waterboard us if we don't behave. So humour Christ instead and avoid God at all costs. Suggests that Christ has some influence over the Big Guy or that he understands God's psyche, a bit on the touchy side these days. That may also suggest Christ knows how to manipulate God or that he's ready to absorb more punishment for our misdeeds. Cant be an easy time in Heaven right now.