Pingback by Jungle Pop » Are You a Good Christian?

May 8, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

[...] Great post by Brian over on A Small Faith on what makes a “good and proper Christian.” Excerpts from the list: [...]

Comment by Rong

May 8, 2007 @ 6:18 pm

I guess I’m being a bit dense on this one Brian. Can you elaborate on what you mean by the “marks of spirituality”?

I am assuming that you are trying to point out that these “actions” in and by themselves make us no more spiritual than spinning around like a bunch of Whirling Dervishes.

I would however like to propose (to this discussion) that disciplines do help us in our endeavor to become more Christ like.

I look forward to seeing where this and your last post go.

Comment by Bob

May 9, 2007 @ 9:21 pm

Sorry if my level of sarcasm is a bit high right now…

Lives in the suburbs (to protect their kids, of course);
sends teens on a short term missions trip;
practices NIMBY

Comment by reon

May 11, 2007 @ 8:25 am

Ignorance Alert:

What’s NIMBY?

Comment by Brian

May 11, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

JP - Thanks for the trackback!

Reon - NIMBY is an acronym for “Not In My Back Yard” (I had to look it up). I assume Bob means the tendency of some Christians to “circle the wagon” and try to keep all those unpleasant, worldly influences away from them so they’ll be “safe”.

Bob - Was that close? In any case thanks for expanding our vocabulary and playing along. Stop back by anytime.

Rong - I’ll get to your question. Promise!

Comment by thisgirl

May 11, 2007 @ 6:17 pm

Immediately think Harry Potter is evil without reading it.
Thinks there are no Christians in Hollywood.
If you question beliefs, think that you hate God.
Must have a ministry
Must have a “heart” for something (God, children, youth, the homeless)

Comment by Brian

May 12, 2007 @ 12:05 am

Reon - Aren’t you guys supposed to be on vacation?

Comment by reon

May 12, 2007 @ 1:27 pm

Brian - Exactly. Thus the reason I have time to get online for pleasure!

We’re in Bar Harbor (Bah Habah) today, BTW, enjoying our last day here. 60-something degrees, not a cloud in the sky. We may not leave!

Comment by Brian

May 13, 2007 @ 7:28 pm

Coolness. Have some lobstah for us while you’re up that way. I can almost track where you guys are at by the sitemeter visits. Looking forward to seeing all your pictures.

BTW, It’s clear and 71 here now. It’s been a beautiful Mother’s Day.

Comment by Brian

May 15, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

ThisGirl - Missed your comment before. The Harry Potter one is a good one. I’ve also seen the Tolkien’s LOTR trilogy and the Narnia Chronicles similarly maligned because of the “supernatural” elements within them.

Comment by Brian

May 15, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

Rong - I would agree that certain disciplines can help us in our spiritual journey. I immediately think of prayer, meditation, communion, reading the Word and other stuff along those lines. That is not to say that maturing as a Christian is guaranteed because you do those things - and I think you would agree on that point.

The “marks of spirituality” I listed are ones that I think we assume will be present if someone is spiritually mature. Or at least acknowledged as the goal to be met - even if we’re not there yet. On a couple I might agree but on most I think we’re off the mark.