I listened to a radio program on 1210 am today where Mike Horton, a professor from Westminster, was complaining how the church doesn’t teach enough doctrine and theology. People don’t know what propitiation, justification, sanctification or atonement mean anymore. Instead we are always trying to translate the bible into everyday “real life” when the bible, doctrine and theology actually define real life.

I’m also reading this book Redeeming the Routines by Robert Banks where he says, “Doctrinal topics or broader social and political questions… tend to squeeze out more everyday concerns in study groups.” He also says, “Most Bible studies are of little help here. They tend to concentrate on the exposition of biblical books or on the discussion of theological themes.”  He goes on to talk about how pulpits have lost touch with the everyday lives and concerns of people… i.e. “real life.”

Not only does it seem like the two guys have totally different points of view, they also seem to have totally different ideas of what is actually taught in churches. But perhaps their points of view color what they think is actually taught in churches.

By reading this really good book–No More Christian Nice Guy–I’ve found a lot of interesting points that add to the “Wild At Heart Conversation.”

One of the points is that men don’t get angry enough at injustice.  This made me appreciate Nick’s reaction to terrorists following 911–something to the effect of “We should NUKE them!!”

Another point is that sex is to men as hugs, kisses, flowers, nice notes, romantic dinners, etc. are to women.

Another thing is the way he used the word “man.”  We usually use the word “guy” to refer to males these days and I wonder why.  I think it has something to do with the fact that it’s less formal and less intense.  Yet I think the word carries a lot of responsibility, and perhaps that is part of the reason we avoid the word also.

Anyway, this guy advocates fighting back if you’re a kid and you’ve gotten punched down too.  The more and more I think about it, someone has to fight back and defend himself.  Anyway, I read a lot of interpretations of the “turn the other cheek” passage.  Some say that Jesus was only referring to religious persecution.  Some say that turn the other cheek has to do with being insulted rather than physically attacked.  Still other say that defending yourself is a form of revenge.  I don’t know, but I am leaning towards the “insult” interpretation.  What do you think?

Currently Reading No More Christian Nice Guy: When Being Nice–Instead of Good–Hurts Men, Women And Children By Paul T. Coughlin see related