This is very intereting. Is this now the Great Commission (as long as it is sensitive to local concerns)? What a sham and a shame. On that glorious day when we all stand before our Lord, I don't think they'll be thinking, "you know, I sure am glad those Christians were sensitive to local concerns." I pray for the Gospel to be carried to the ends of the earth and yes, even if, it isn't sensitive to local concerns. Good analysis, keep up the work.
bryanm | Homepage | 01.13.05 - 5:33 pm | #

From what I know of Franklin Graham, and of Samaritan's Purse, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Being "sensitive to local concerns" is not the same as witholding the Gospel, and may be the only way to get Christian aid into these countries.

David might be right, though, that given the situation, we as Christians might be more effective in giving aid through the Red Cross.
Alexander Scott | 01.14.05 - 10:49 am | #

SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED TO SPEAK THE GOSPEL EVEN WHEN USING FOUL LANGUAGE AND OR QUESTIONABLE TACTICS?
Anonymous | 01.14.05 - 11:03 am | #

My church has been very selective about where to send the funds raised for the tsunami victims. We opted to send it to the missionary we help sponser, through the International Missions Board, because spreading the Gospel is a priority.
Susan L. Prince | Homepage | 01.15.05 - 12:02 am | #

David,
I think Franklin Graham is taking exactly the right approach and I trust him in this. I think you would agree that Paul was sensitive to cultural concerns. "I will be all things to all men in order that I might save some". I assume your disgust is for the Post and for some Christian organizations that try too hard to not offend to the point where they are no longer a gospel organization. PS: We at trinity give to the CRWRC and to our missionaries. The CRC being orginally Dutch works a great deal in the former Dutch colony of Indonesia.
God Bless,
brad
brad | Homepage | 01.15.05 - 1:56 pm | #

the gospel is an offense to people who have put themselves up in opposition to it.
i agree with your comments. it is in my opinion almost mercenary for these organsiations to soft peddle (so as to attract more dollars) instead of saying outright - yes we are christian and proud of it!
tim | Homepage | 01.25.05 - 8:02 am | #

hey, i really enjoy reading your entries... if you would like to contribute.. you should consider contirbuting to pioneers organization... a friend of mine is a "worker" there and you can be darn sure that the gospel and the food will be distributed...
sue | Homepage | 01.26.05 - 3:11 am | #

also... the approach to ministering to muslims need to be contextual.. ( refer to phill parshall's book) sometimes we go in with good intentions and exacerbate the work that has been already been done there... it's a touchy subject which i can't digress in detail...

the most effective way to minister to muslims is through life/friendship evangelism... and TIME... something these "relief" organization can not offer...

there's also an african saying something that goes: empty stomaches have no ears... we need to go with the gospel on one hand and resources on the other... but in a contextual setting... like that of paul.. "to be a greek to reach out to the greek"
sue | 01.26.05 - 3:19 am | #

You sir are well on your way to be a 100% religious nut.
gr | 02.26.05 - 12:39 am | #