Comments on: 2008 graduates: My apologies http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:28:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Herb http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306564 Herb Fri, 30 May 2008 02:37:22 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306564 You're absolutely right Anthony. Positively Biblical. I remember Paul writing something about how feet smell and we should all be eyeballs, or something like that. Didn't I? Those missionaries don't need any money for plane tickets and Bibles and stuff. Jehovah Gyra. God provides. Silly Paul. taking up collections for those poor churches. They obviously weren't praying right. Creflo Dollar told me so. You’re absolutely right Anthony. Positively Biblical. I remember Paul writing something about how feet smell and we should all be eyeballs, or something like that. Didn’t I?

Those missionaries don’t need any money for plane tickets and Bibles and stuff. Jehovah Gyra. God provides.

Silly Paul. taking up collections for those poor churches. They obviously weren’t praying right. Creflo Dollar told me so.

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]]> By: Night Train http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306511 Night Train Thu, 29 May 2008 22:29:15 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306511 Make that "he never apologizeS for his own actions". Make that “he never apologizeS for his own actions”.

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]]> By: Night Train http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306510 Night Train Thu, 29 May 2008 22:28:38 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306510 <i>C’mon guys. Bradley is apologising to these kids, not criticizing them.</i> Maybe you should learn to read. Saying that a kid "nauseates" him is not an apology. And his "apology" is nothing of the kind. It's simply disguised attack on others. Bradley's always offering up these lame "apologies" for others, which is what he thinks is a cute way of attacking others. I guess you've never noticed that all of his "apologies" are merely attacks on others. He never apologized for his own actions. C’mon guys. Bradley is apologising to these kids, not criticizing them.

Maybe you should learn to read. Saying that a kid “nauseates” him is not an apology.

And his “apology” is nothing of the kind. It’s simply disguised attack on others. Bradley’s always offering up these lame “apologies” for others, which is what he thinks is a cute way of attacking others. I guess you’ve never noticed that all of his “apologies” are merely attacks on others. He never apologized for his own actions.

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]]> By: pmarie http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306416 pmarie Thu, 29 May 2008 18:02:32 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306416 C'mon guys. Bradley is apologising to these kids, not criticizing them. He's saddened that the church they've been raised in is a mere shadow of the one that turned the world upside-down two millenia ago. It's not about having or not having. It's about the "Seek first" factor: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It's an affront to God to say that seeking him automatically means a life of penury. He can provide quite nicely, thank you. The issue is whether we pusue the dead end of "gaining the whole world" or go for the life-giving and life-sharing adventure of seeking him and his kingdom. A goal of "personal peace and affluence" is a tragedy when God offers so much more to those who trust in him. C’mon guys. Bradley is apologising to these kids, not criticizing them. He’s saddened that the church they’ve been raised in is a mere shadow of the one that turned the world upside-down two millenia ago.

It’s not about having or not having. It’s about the “Seek first” factor: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” It’s an affront to God to say that seeking him automatically means a life of penury. He can provide quite nicely, thank you. The issue is whether we pusue the dead end of “gaining the whole world” or go for the life-giving and life-sharing adventure of seeking him and his kingdom. A goal of “personal peace and affluence” is a tragedy when God offers so much more to those who trust in him.

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]]> By: Night Train http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306317 Night Train Thu, 29 May 2008 15:05:18 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306317 <i>Whenever I pay close attention to my parents and our family budget, I never fail to be amazed at how we scrape by. As a family of seven on a single income, Dad’s check is often spent before it arrives. Sometimes that makes me worry. Because it seems like life would be so much easier without a constant concern about finances. And that makes me think that perhaps I should abandon my foolish notions of doing big things for God.</i> Don't do that! Why doesn't your family just move in with Bradley? He's got plenty of room. And he's all about "sacrificing material comfort" Whenever I pay close attention to my parents and our family budget, I never fail to be amazed at how we scrape by. As a family of seven on a single income, Dad’s check is often spent before it arrives. Sometimes that makes me worry. Because it seems like life would be so much easier without a constant concern about finances. And that makes me think that perhaps I should abandon my foolish notions of doing big things for God.

Don’t do that!

Why doesn’t your family just move in with Bradley? He’s got plenty of room. And he’s all about “sacrificing material comfort”

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]]> By: JacquelineG http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306246 JacquelineG Thu, 29 May 2008 08:36:26 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306246 Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Whenever I pay close attention to my parents and our family budget, I never fail to be amazed at how we scrape by. As a family of seven on a single income, Dad's check is often spent before it arrives. Sometimes that makes me worry. Because it seems like life would be so much easier without a constant concern about finances. And that makes me think that perhaps I should abandon my foolish notions of doing big things for God. It certainly isn't very pragmatic. But our family always has everything we need and more. God always provides. Always. It's little reminders like this that encourage me to keep chasing what is not always practical. Everyone dreams different things...but in the midst of them, it is important to remember that God is not obligated to give us physical safety or material wealth or even what we consider the most basic of needs. My best friend, Emily, is living in Kenya where she sleeps in filth, lives where she is still only learning the language, and experiences poverty day after day...yet she is the happiest I have ever seen her. She is living out the Creator's call for her life. And sometimes that means being uncomfortable. Lewis calls us, "half-hearted creatures" who are "far too easily pleased." My God is a big God who still answers big requests and big dreams when I am willing to step out of my security. He is not safe, but He IS good. I needed to hear this today :) Thank you, Mr. Bradley.

Whenever I pay close attention to my parents and our family budget, I never fail to be amazed at how we scrape by. As a family of seven on a single income, Dad’s check is often spent before it arrives. Sometimes that makes me worry. Because it seems like life would be so much easier without a constant concern about finances. And that makes me think that perhaps I should abandon my foolish notions of doing big things for God. It certainly isn’t very pragmatic.

But our family always has everything we need and more. God always provides. Always. It’s little reminders like this that encourage me to keep chasing what is not always practical. Everyone dreams different things…but in the midst of them, it is important to remember that God is not obligated to give us physical safety or material wealth or even what we consider the most basic of needs.

My best friend, Emily, is living in Kenya where she sleeps in filth, lives where she is still only learning the language, and experiences poverty day after day…yet she is the happiest I have ever seen her. She is living out the Creator’s call for her life. And sometimes that means being uncomfortable.

Lewis calls us, “half-hearted creatures” who are “far too easily pleased.” My God is a big God who still answers big requests and big dreams when I am willing to step out of my security. He is not safe, but He IS good.

I needed to hear this today :)

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]]> By: Cheryl D. http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306219 Cheryl D. Thu, 29 May 2008 01:23:04 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306219 Quotes in #27, wow. Heavy stuff! Quotes in #27, wow. Heavy stuff!

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]]> By: REG http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306205 REG Thu, 29 May 2008 00:06:59 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306205 JBH, well, you came close enough with your description of him. Thanks for letting us in on it. And if you used actual details of what was said, it would be more telling, I am sure. JBH,
well, you came close enough with your description of him. Thanks for letting us in on it. And if you used actual details of what was said, it would be more telling, I am sure.

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]]> By: JBH http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306195 JBH Wed, 28 May 2008 23:27:31 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306195 Reg #25 - While I cannot account for your friend's impression, from my own experience of hearing Piper preach for the past 6 years (and longer, if you want to count when I was a kid), I have never found sufficient reason to label him as impersonal, arrogant, or unfeeling. Controversial, blunt, and often in-your-face - yes. But not arrogant. Reg #25 –
While I cannot account for your friend’s impression, from my own experience of hearing Piper preach for the past 6 years (and longer, if you want to count when I was a kid), I have never found sufficient reason to label him as impersonal, arrogant, or unfeeling. Controversial, blunt, and often in-your-face – yes. But not arrogant.

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]]> By: Anthony Bradley http://online.worldmag.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/comment-page-1/#comment-306156 Anthony Bradley Wed, 28 May 2008 20:46:59 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/05/28/2008-graduates-my-apologies/#comment-306156 Jack said, "While I agree that we don’t always prepare young people for the real mission we’re called to as Christians, I disagree with a lot of the connections in the post. I reject the notion that some degrees are more godly or more suited to the collective Christian mission than others." Jack GREAT points. I couldn't agree with you more. There are lots of frustrated college students trying to figure this out as well. I was sent this message by a, then, college student when I published a similar apology to high school guys back in 2006. He writes: <blockquote>As for college I believe we as a society have turned it into this glorified vo-tech, where people are no longer educated but trained for there jobs. College is this ticket into the great comfort of the American Middle class. We as men are no longer allowed to think big for advancing God's kingdom, we are told to raise families, to work hard for ourselves and our families, but god forbid helping or sacrificing for others. They should work harder and they will be like us. We believe God is small so we do not ask him for the redemption of our great cities, instead we ask to help us find a job, wife, or stop sexually sinning. This is total crap the devil has pulled a fast one on us. I look at myself and do I see one radically transformed by the gospel or do I see myself like the lemmings at the mall happy with their stuff, sadly I am more like them then I care to admit.</blockquote> Lots of good stuff to consider. . .I would recommend Piper's book, <i>Don't Waste Your Life</i>, be given to any high school student as well. Jack said, “While I agree that we don’t always prepare young people for the real mission we’re called to as Christians, I disagree with a lot of the connections in the post. I reject the notion that some degrees are more godly or more suited to the collective Christian mission than others.”

Jack GREAT points. I couldn’t agree with you more. There are lots of frustrated college students trying to figure this out as well.

I was sent this message by a, then, college student when I published a similar apology to high school guys back in 2006. He writes:

As for college I believe we as a society have turned it into this glorified vo-tech, where people are no longer educated but trained for there jobs. College is this ticket into the great comfort of the American Middle class.

We as men are no longer allowed to think big for advancing God’s kingdom, we are told to raise families, to work hard for ourselves and our families, but god forbid helping or sacrificing for others. They should work harder and they will be like us.

We believe God is small so we do not ask him for the redemption of our great cities, instead we ask to help us find a job, wife, or stop sexually sinning. This is total crap the devil has pulled a fast one on us. I look at myself and do I see one radically transformed by the gospel or do I see myself like the lemmings at the mall happy with their stuff, sadly I am more like them then I care to admit.

Lots of good stuff to consider. . .I would recommend Piper’s book, Don’t Waste Your Life, be given to any high school student as well.

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