_____

“Taylor, as always you’re real good at denying what you, “said” (as with our many past debates) after I call you, on it…

The only actual claim I made in my first response to you was to note, that I never said, don’t sing? What denial are you referring?

I’ve saved a couple of our past conversations, and I don’t recall me making other denials. Had you not blocked me I suppose I could have reviewed more closely.

______

All I know is you judged an entire group with this broad statement;”

I am questioning a system for sure. But, it’s no different than rethinking public education, election process, or the effectiveness of a national diet plan.

Curious, do you do this to liberal and Muslims?

______

“When did Christians decide church is good music followed by a 6th-grade lecture?”

Which I don’t and didn’t deny. You might have opened with this in your first rant. 🙂

Also, I followed up with the clarifier, “Seeker Sensitive” this, of course, precludes non-Seeker Sensitive churches.

______

…a 6th-grade lecture?

We know from both Hebrews 5:11-14 – 6 1-2 and 1 Cor 3:2 that my sentiment is not new. In both verses, the authors are irritated that the congregation is still drinking theological milk when they should be teachers.

Google the Dumbing Down of the Church, Bible, Worship, or Evangelicals. I’m not alone nor did I invent this line of thinking.

Let’s look at this outside of the church. When a restaurant grows beyond their local roots becoming a regional or national chain one of the first thing to go is the original “flavor.” A mediocre subdued profile is often used to create larger mass appeal. (Is our Mexican or Chinese food actually Mexican or Chinese food?) I can’t even eat “real” Thai food, and I like spicy stuff.

How about music. When a band makes it leaving their local venues and cult following they are often coerced or forced by the record label to be more mainstream for broader appeal and are ridiculed by their original fans as sellouts.

Even sport’s rules are altered to fit better media and advertiser schedules.

The above is the epitome of “Seeker Sensitive” and I believe the larger the church, the more likely this happens.

Ask your pastor or associates if they’ve ever been told to “tone it down” or “you’ll lose half the congregation” if you teach this. I called a pastor friend, today and he confirmed this has happened to him.

______

…it insinuates something “wrong” with the churches outline…

Let’s look at it another way.

In your Sunday morning service do you have in attendance people who are attending for the first time and people attending for the thousandth time?

If so, what is being offered to both participants?

Is it new and easy to understand for the new person, or it is stimulating and maturing for the veteran? In either scenario, the other is left out. Finding something to appeal to both might sound good, but it is effective?

I don’t see this outline as functional in say, taking karate, learning the guitar, snowboarding. A first karate class is considerably different than the 100th.

I’d love a church that separated services via Bunny Slope, Blue Squares, and Black Diamonds instead of which music you like or time you’ll roll out of bed.

The “outline” as you called it, doesn’t work at school either. The newly entered and the long time educated each has their specified curriculums.

How strong can someone get if all the weights at the gym are 10lbs? I don’t see how maturity can happen when “entry level” teaching is constant and the same for all and through the years.

______

“encourages inspires and motivates countless millions on a weekly basis.”

So does Oprah.

______

“you have apparently been to every single one”

I think this is the All or Nothing Fallacy

______

I’d continue with my examples but you just pull out some big words and articulations to show me what you didn’t say

I’ve read your claims, what were your examples?

Again what have I denied?

______

I never said YOU didnt go to church….

Since you used the word insinuates, I will too.

(The truth is, I didn’t go to church for a while. I thought I’d told you about that. I needed to disconnect for a bit, see it from the outside, unlearn a few things. Then come back in with better clarity.)

______

“but people who dont (go to church) often use the same excuse you are using…”

What did I excuse or need an excuse for? I don’t recall trying to justify anything.

______

same with camping — I never accused you of

You did end the camping thought with “Good for you.”

I’m sorry I assumed your use of “you” in a post directed at me wasn’t about me. My bad.

______

CNN style spin — political distraction tactic

This is becoming a theme for us. 🙂

I do my best to stay logical, civil, and biblical as well as respond to each of your contentions, in order, answering the best I can. As to political distraction tactics, I’m not sure what you mean by this. I try to create clarity not distraction and rarely use tactics other than logic.