Why A Creative God with a Stale Church?
When we think of creativity, do we think of the church or the Bible? Why is it that the Church of the God of Creation is not associated with "Creativity"? The great artists and scientists of the last few centuries were Christians. What has happened that the Church has lost its creativity in Arts and Science?
Religion - Forms Taking Over Substance
Religion - Forms Taking Over Substance
I think the key reason is "Religion". The Church has swapped the intimate relationship with Jesus for a set of Rules. We are more concerned with sticking to a set of religious rules and practices than with the Person of Jesus. This is exactly what the Ephesians Church fell into... so good at discerning the false doctrines and false prophets and lost their first love for Jesus. To them, correct doctrines were more important than Love-Relationship with Jesus. Not that correct doctrine is not important but that there is a more important thing - one key principle - love Jesus. Loving Jesus can be expressed in many forms. But religion will insist on the particular form - usually the one that is decided by those in power that suits themselves. It is outward form more than inward content. It is insisting on following the forms rather than letting the inward content express itself freely outward. No wonder the Church is not creative. It is bound by the forms.
Insisting On Past Methods than Sensing the Spirit
Insisting On Past Methods than Sensing the Spirit
As an example, let's look at the area of Healing. The Church is after the methods that will result in healing. Is it laying of hands? Or speaking the Word? Maybe we should use spitting like Jesus. Maybe we need more faith. If we study the healing incidences, we will realize that Jesus used all kinds of methods. Or to put it another way, Jesus use only one kind of method - the ONE that works. The ONE method that works has many variations depending on the person and the situation.
Situational Ethics Need No Creativity
Situational Ethics Need No Creativity
I am not talking about situation ethics where we bend the ethics to suit the situations. You don't need creativity here where you bend the rules to suit the situations. It is when you stick with principle and come out with solutions in seemingly impossible situations that needs creativity. Jesus' answer to the need to pay taxes is one such example. Mat 22:19-21.
Break Free with Grace
Rest in the peace and love of God. Let us live with the security that God loves us and delights in the things that we do. Know that God has reborn us a new creation with righteousness, ability, and creativity. Rooted and grounded in the love of God will keep us living right and free us to break with traditions and mental blocks to create new paths, new forms, new knowledge, and new expressions to engage the new generations. Let the Church not only stay relevant but also set the trend in fashion, thinking, movies, music, arts, and other means to bring forth the true gospels of Jesus Christ. When Christians have given up on the media the devil will step into it to misuse and abuse it and deceive many people. It is time now that Christians take back the creative media and science to show the glory of God.
Does that mean we throw away the Laws (as represented by the Ten Commandments)? No, the Ten Commandments are a mirror for our reflection. After we are saved, we have no fear of the commandments as their requirements are fulfilled by Christ and there is no more condemnation. We use them as a minimum checklist. We follow after a higher standard, the new commandment of love and life empowered by the grace of Christ within us. God is glorified through us - His grace is shown forth through us through good and creative work.
Does that mean we throw away the Laws (as represented by the Ten Commandments)? No, the Ten Commandments are a mirror for our reflection. After we are saved, we have no fear of the commandments as their requirements are fulfilled by Christ and there is no more condemnation. We use them as a minimum checklist. We follow after a higher standard, the new commandment of love and life empowered by the grace of Christ within us. God is glorified through us - His grace is shown forth through us through good and creative work.
Updated 29 Jun 2024
With the availability of Generative AI, I asked ChatGPT to summarize the passage (and hence bring up the key points). Here is from ChatGPT:
With the availability of Generative AI, I asked ChatGPT to summarize the passage (and hence bring up the key points). Here is from ChatGPT:
The passage argues that the modern church has lost its creativity by prioritizing rigid religious rules over a personal relationship with Jesus. It suggests that the church should move beyond traditional forms and embrace creativity in expressing faith, as Jesus did through various methods of healing. The passage emphasizes that true creativity comes from adhering to principles while finding innovative solutions, and it calls for Christians to reclaim and lead in cultural domains like media, arts, and sciences. Finally, it advocates for living out faith through grace and love, surpassing mere adherence to the Ten Commandments.
The Chinese AI doubao makes a key point:
Overall, the passage encourages a reevaluation of the Church's approach to faith and ministry, emphasizing the importance of creativity, a genuine relationship with Jesus, and a flexible response to the needs of the world.
Based on the love relationship with Christ, empowered by His grace, let us find new ways of expressing the gospels to engage this ever-changing world and be relevant and attractive to the present generation.
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