I got exposed to stuff like The Choir, the 77s, The Prayer Chain, etc and discovered that Christian music could be really good and not mention Jesus every other line.

I’m so happy to find another person who knows of The Prayer Chain! Those guys were too good for the Christian market, and were so under-appreciated. I would still put Mercury up there as one of the best albums I’ve heard, period.

I tell the college students I work with that they don’t know what good Christian music is anymore. The Christian bands that are presented as “alternative” nowadays are mostly sad imitations of standard MTV-fare.

I read a lot of stuff that isn’t necessarily in line with what I believe. When I was in high school, I thought that the Republican Party was going to save America. I read a book by a Christian that really challenged that viewpoint and it changed me (for the life of me, I can’t remember the title). But it has changed my view of how Christians interact politically and whether we just swallow hook, line, and sinker whatever the religious right throws at us.

I also grew up listening to some crappy Christian music like Petra. In college, before it was cool for Christians to do alternative rock, I got exposed to stuff like The Choir, the 77s, The Prayer Chain, etc and discovered that Christian music could be really good and not mention Jesus every other line.

Not sure if that answered your question. I guess what I’m saying is that, yes, I have looked at other things from other perspectives and it has changed my viewpoint. However, the “Jesus believes in you” thing still doesn’t sit well with me or what I think scripture says.

I am CM&A

I’m just annoyed by it. I’m not burning RB at the stake.

Yeah, I guess I am reformed. And I did read the whole book. That was one part that just annoyed me. Seemed a little too “feel good, let’s get pumped up people, ra ra, cheerleadery.”

That being said, I have honestly tried to read Rob’s books through with a non critical eye, however, I really cannot understand the way he writes or how he draws his conclusions. Honestly, it is unattractive stylistically to me. That being said, I might be wrong in the way I interpret what he says, but to my reading, he has some very unorthodox views and, as stated, I have chosen to disallow his books or videos for use in our studies or from our pulpit.

Am I trustworthy in and of myself?
NO! NO! A HUNDRED TIMES NO!

But the redemption that Christ ushered into my life thru His life, His death and His resurrection has done more than rescue me from hell. That redemption has restored me to my relationship with my God. You are right, Matt, that it is the Holy Spirit that Jesus believes in (entrusts). And thru my redemption, the entrusted Holy Spirit dwells in me. So there has to be a point in my walk where I stop and say, “Wow, I’m an ass! I’ve been living this life for myself, forgetting the huge responsibility I have to let the Holy Spirit of the living God govern my conduct. I’ve been entrusted with this crazy gift!”
(or something like that).

It is not that Christ trusts me in and of myself. He trusts the redeemed, forgiven, Spirit-filled me to carry out His will and usher in His kingdom everywhere I go.

Believe me, this is a new concept for me as well. I grew up with an understanding of God as a disciplinarian who stood over me with a stick to whack me every time I goofed up. Total depravity, even in the life of believers, was emphasized more than a righteous standing before God in Christ.

Just a few thoughts…