Betsy and I took Willa and Isla on a train trip to Chicago earlier this year. We had a really special time.
We were playing games and keeping Truett occupied when I noticed an elderly, stately-looking gentleman sneaking peaks at us. I struck up a conversation (he looked familiar to me, too) and learned he was Jim Nolan of Princeton, but I retorted, I think you were from Toulon, were you not?! Sure enough, he is the Jim Nolan–respected journalist throughout the state. I’m sure we’ve crossed paths at some point!
We enjoyed visiting but one question he asked is the topic of today’s writing. “How do we get more families to be like Apostolic Christian families?”
My quick response was, ‘we align ourselves to One greater than us that we desire to stay in relationship with, and that is the source of our strength. We also have a social culture component but we are losing that, it seems. Do you think we can maintain the one if we lose the other?’
Now, maybe I’ll start dividing my readers here, but stick with me a moment. If you argue that “Christ alone”, “just live compelling lives,” Shorts #3 then answer me this: Why didn’t Jim instead ask, “How do we get more families to be like Christian families?” He’s not a dumb man, that’s for sure. And, he’s not one to carelessly word a question. He is, after all, a very good listening, kind citizen and careful journalist.
We all agree, you can’t take Christ out of AC and have anything remaining. Can you take AC out of me and I still have Christ remaining? If you say “Yes”, as many of my friends have chosen, why isn’t Jim wishing there were more families like that?! I have a sneaking suspicion I know his reasons, but I’m just going to leave this here and let you mull it over a while.
Agree, need clarification, or want to poke holes? I welcome them all 🙂