tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post7625211682439110339..comments2023-05-25T03:26:44.894-05:00Comments on converse christian: Style, Content, and ContextAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14615930544912982404noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-37997387802747698652009-01-03T14:04:00.000-06:002009-01-03T14:04:00.000-06:00I was talking to a friend about this concept just ...I was talking to a friend about this concept just the other day. She was feeling guilty because the way she converses w/ some people about her faith is very different from the way she converses with others.<BR/><BR/>Is she a fraud? Is she not standing firm in how God designed her?<BR/><BR/>I think context (and Holy Spirit) is the key to the entire situation. The best example I can think of from the Bible is Paul. He presented things very differently to the Jewish leaders than he did with the Gentiles. He shaped himself into a better image of himself that would more effectively influence those with whom he was reaching for the Gospel.<BR/><BR/>Was he a fraud? No, he was simply the most effective minister for Christ in all of history. <BR/><BR/>Context is extremely important, though, it takes a lot of work. Thank you for the term "context." You've simplified the concept into a nice digestible nugget.DA Wagnershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17098172047531144621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-56441864440530943622009-01-03T13:43:00.000-06:002009-01-03T13:43:00.000-06:00I agree with Nick. I've reached the point of sayin...I agree with Nick. I've reached the point of saying that there is a difference between the Gospel message and the methods used to communicate that message. The message should never change, but we should adapt our communication methods to the medium we find ourselves in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-3517169644263961502009-01-03T12:36:00.000-06:002009-01-03T12:36:00.000-06:00Hello Dave,I found you through Twitter. Yes, the ...Hello Dave,<BR/>I found you through Twitter. <BR/><BR/>Yes, the style/substance question is a tricky one. Substance is what ultimately matters, but the world is a very cluttered place. I make assumptions about the type of food and atmosphere I'll get at a restaurant based on its outward style. I look at the covers of books, CDs, and movie posters for hints about the substance of those pieces. <BR/><BR/>I do the same in regards to matters of faith and philosophy. When churches insist on doing things in the same way they did 200 years ago, I assume that they haven't thought much about making the timeless message of faith relevant for the particulars of today's world. St. Augustine, Martin Luther, and CS Lewis all sought to make their faith relevant to the times they inhabited. They are interesting to me. Dogmatic people who insist on preserving the old-time religion are not as interesting. <BR/><BR/>Still, there is the danger of going too far with style that you no longer have anything substantial to offer. Having these kinds of style/substance discussions helps to maintain a balance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-78213544132663050042008-12-18T23:33:00.000-06:002008-12-18T23:33:00.000-06:00As I think on this more...Jesus used style.. parab...As I think on this more...Jesus used style.. parables... to make his points. God used style.. met us where we were..had to become us to enter our lives in a meaningful way and impact it...but still the content was what we needed too. Doyle is right on..Artiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16451165085535360574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-87898664217024014922008-12-18T14:03:00.000-06:002008-12-18T14:03:00.000-06:00I use "cool" as a phatic message, which puts it in...I use "cool" as a phatic message, which puts it in the same category as "How're you doing?" It just means I heard what someone said, and I acknowledge in a positive way that they said it. Other than that, it's entirely meaningless.<BR/><BR/>One of my earliest debate coaches was fond of saying "Style and substance are inseparable," and Marshall McLuhan is up to the same thing when he says "The medium is the message." And something I've taught in public speaking since the very beginning is, "Your message has needs, and your audience has needs, and you can't abandon one to pursue the other." Instead, you've got to work out a way to align those needs so that one strategy lets you fulfill them both. That requires studying them, knowing more and more about them, and as a result spotting the angles when they present themselves.Doyle Sraderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950686553702402082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-75652010029495886152008-12-18T14:02:00.000-06:002008-12-18T14:02:00.000-06:00I tend to agree with what you say in that we tend ...I tend to agree with what you say in that we tend to be one or the other.. one more reason we are all part of the same body. Some people are experts on the content but maybe can't develope the environment for effective delivery..step in someone who is good at that part. The hand cannot be the foot..etc...etc.. I do think it's important that content lead the charge..there has to be a Holy Spirit led design to whatever there is or it turns in to a bunch flashy junk grasping at ways to tell some story that is uncertain...or that is not authentic it is development. The heart is content but no doubt there are those with the gift of style that can help with presenting that content in such a way that reaches more people who are unsure of these "followers of Jesus"..Artiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16451165085535360574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919335991020083759.post-4782441816994471612008-12-18T13:36:00.000-06:002008-12-18T13:36:00.000-06:00great post with great thoughts. I agree with what ...great post with great thoughts. I agree with what you're saying - I need depth in content first and foremost. However, there are some speakers that may be amazing in that respect but their delivery style is completely distracting and I miss it. It definitely has to be a fusion of the two, and that can be hard to find.<BR/><BR/>When I look at Jesus, I see context being incredibly important - who he was speaking to shaped how he worded His message, but not the content. This cannot be overlooked.<BR/><BR/>I think our bottom line should always be staying true to the Word and constantly striving to bring it into our respective worlds: our families, our churches, our coworkers, and our communities.adrienne.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08303366796840241563noreply@blogger.com