ATSS: Reinder Bruinsma, “Guarding God’s Reputation”
28 August 2024 |
You and I are concerned about our personal reputation. What do people think of us? Are we making a good impression? Are we thought trustworthy, wise, and likable by others?
But we should also be be concerned about God’s reputation, as reflected in us and our church.
It’s not hard to see times in history when people who called themselves believers in Jesus have, by their words and actions, made God and the church look foolish, cruel, or corrupt. Traditions, ideas, heresies, and church politics have sometimes hurt the reputation of the Christian church, and that reflects on God.
Surveys show that today a significant number of people, particularly in America and Europe, have become cynical about religion; when asked what faith they are, they reply “none.”
This is a concern in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, too. What do our rules, doctrines and eschatological teachings say to others about God? Could understanding how people see us explain why so many of our young people leave, and why our evangelism seems ineffective?
You have heard it said that a Christian is a “sermon in shoes.” What are you and I, and our church, communicating about God?
Teacher:
Reinder Bruinsma lives in the Netherlands with his wife, Aafje. He has served the Adventist Church in various assignments in publishing, education, and church administration on three continents. He still maintains a busy schedule of preaching, teaching, and writing. He writes at http://reinderbruinsma.com/.
Moderator:
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Coming up:
- Sigve Tonstad
- Bryan Ness
- Frederick Pöhler
- Courtney Ray
