Blog post by Bob Bixby

[Mommy2Kids]

http://msbcstuff.com/2011/06/03/why-were-not-cool/

Bob posted a video clip from King of the Hill.





"Perhaps a non-Christian show can say what I have tried to say about the cool churches and why we’re not cool. As Hank says at the end of this show, “I just don’t want the Lord to end up on the box.”

Watch the video. It’s satire. It’s a rebuke to American Christianity. It’s an encouragement to me to stay uncool."

(The comment section was turned off.)

Umm, Bob, I think you missed something. The beer-belly father was giving the "good" advice? It is a rebuke to American IFBs, in my opinion. The dad lives like the world in the privacy of his own home and judges others based on their outward appearance. Yeah. Those "cool" kids and their pastor may have been a bit lacking in deep theology, but their worship was coming from their heart, and they didn't care who was watching. They weren't worried what others would think, and they weren't putting on a show to appear godly.

I remember Bob from college. He was a nice guy who married a nice girl. He pastors a church in IL now, and everything I hear about his ministry is positive. And this is going to sound way more mean than it's supposed to, but his coolness factor (or lack of it) isn't a result of being a Christian.

I don't think every level of Christian culture is appropriate for church. But there are people out there who will never give the time of day to a BoJo in a suit, or even in a polo and khakis. That pastor or musician who is more relatable to them may be the only one who can reach them. I have a cousin who has been in prison in CA twice. He has tattoos over most of his body. Some of them are scary. He's not interested in what IFBs have to offer. He did read the book I sent him written by the former Korn musician. I was able to have a dialogue with him about spiritual things.

What makes me mad is buttoned up, buttoned down Christians making fun of the ones who are out there where the publicans and sinners are - actually being salt and light. Jesus didn't look different than - better dressed than - cleaner than - holier than the ones to whom He ministered! They didn't know He was God because of His outward appearance!

Maybe when we stop worrying about not looking like the world, and concentrate on not behaving like the Pharisees, God will actually bless our ministries.

[greg]

(06-03-2011 11:12 AM)Mommy2Kids Wrote:  http://msbcstuff.com/2011/06/03/why-were-not-cool/

Bob posted a video clip from King of the Hill.

"Perhaps a non-Christian show can say what I have tried to say about the cool churches and why we’re not cool. As Hank says at the end of this show, “I just don’t want the Lord to end up on the box.”

Watch the video. It’s satire. It’s a rebuke to American Christianity. It’s an encouragement to me to stay uncool."

(The comment section was turned off.)

Umm, Bob, I think you missed something. The beer-belly father was giving the "good" advice? It is a rebuke to American IFBs, in my opinion. The dad lives like the world in the privacy of his own home and judges others based on their outward appearance. Yeah. Those "cool" kids and their pastor may have been a bit lacking in deep theology, but their worship was coming from their heart, and they didn't care who was watching. They weren't worried what others would think, and they weren't putting on a show to appear godly.

I remember Bob from college. He was a nice guy who married a nice girl. He pastors a church in IL now, and everything I hear about his ministry is positive. And this is going to sound way more mean than it's supposed to, but his coolness factor (or lack of it) isn't a result of being a Christian.

I don't think every level of Christian culture is appropriate for church. But there are people out there who will never give the time of day to a BoJo in a suit, or even in a polo and khakis. That pastor or musician who is more relatable to them may be the only one who can reach them. I have a cousin who has been in prison in CA twice. He has tattoos over most of his body. Some of them are scary. He's not interested in what IFBs have to offer. He did read the book I sent him written by the former Korn musician. I was able to have a dialogue with him about spiritual things.

What makes me mad is buttoned up, buttoned down Christians making fun of the ones who are out there where the publicans and sinners are - actually being salt and light. Jesus didn't look different than - better dressed than - cleaner than - holier than the ones to whom He ministered! They didn't know He was God because of His outward appearance!

Maybe when we stop worrying about not looking like the world, and concentrate on not behaving like the Pharisees, God will actually bless our ministries.

**They didn't know He was God because of His outward appearance**

If every IFB, or for that matter all christian churches would take this comment and contemplate it this Sunday, wouldn't that be great!!

Maybe when we stop worrying about not looking like the world, and concentrate on not behaving like the pharisees, God will actually bless our ministries.

I have a few "nuggets" if you will, that I have written down on a piece of paper that I actually carry in my bible. Yep, I copied this one. Tks!
This is what is missing in many of our lives and churches and not just the IFB's.

[Mommy2Kids]

(06-03-2011 11:39 AM)greg Wrote:  **They didn't know He was God because of His outward appearance**

If every IFB, or for that matter all christian churches would take this comment and contemplate it this Sunday, wouldn't that be great!!

Maybe when we stop worrying about not looking like the world, and concentrate on not behaving like the pharisees, God will actually bless our ministries.

I have a few "nuggets" if you will, that I have written down on a piece of paper that I actually carry in my bible. Yep, I copied this one. Tks!
This is what is missing in many of our lives and churches and not just the IFB's.

I need to write down some of the great things people write on here, too. A survivalist's handbook, if you will.

[Jenni]

I absolutely agree. Fundies have turned the gospel into a "clean up and become acceptable to Jesus and then maybe you can get saved" or "if you ever do anything different from us or look the least bit worldly you can't possibly be saved." Jesus didn't do that. He didn't push the world away. He came into the world - He walked among the sinners, he touched the untouchables, he spent time with those who had been rejected.

Maybe instead of making sure my skirt covers my knees, I could spend time talking to the homeless guy who sits near my bus stop, or make sure to smile at the brand-new cashier at the grocery store who is taking a bit longer to ring up my groceries. There are so many people who need to see God's love and not just hear about his judment of their sin. Chances are, they already know about their sin anyway.

[captain_solo]

Quote:Maybe when we stop worrying about not looking like the world, and concentrate on not behaving like the Pharisees, God will actually bless our ministries.

Very well put!

Hank is a satirical portrayal of Texas Christianity. But its too real to be completely satirical. It is an indictment of the ignorant introverted judgementalism of much of conservative evangelical culture in America more than a thoughtful expose of the secularization of the church