tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post6898845172667863398..comments2023-08-10T05:13:10.024-07:00Comments on The Ekklesia Project: What Are You Afraid Of?Zach Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893369435666365181noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-29821821223835667582010-08-08T20:33:31.796-07:002010-08-08T20:33:31.796-07:00Barry,
Different understandings of fear, I think,...Barry,<br /><br />Different understandings of fear, I think, would be the short answer. But I wouldn't want to minimize your point. Definitely too much of a "nice" God mentality out there.Debra Dean Murphyhttp://www.debradeanmurphy.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-88511009820100660802010-08-08T12:15:56.150-07:002010-08-08T12:15:56.150-07:00What y'all say is true, to be sure, but we als...What y'all say is true, to be sure, but we also see numerous admonitions in the New Testament (including from Jesus) that we are to fear God. How do you deal with the apparent contradiction?Barry Harveynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-82737451846420984332010-08-04T21:56:57.203-07:002010-08-04T21:56:57.203-07:00Thanks, Mike and Janice - you're right to poin...Thanks, Mike and Janice - you're right to point out that Luke doesn't have a monopoly on "Do not be afraid." It's good to be reminded that the command (and its accompanying promise) are central to our story from beginning to end.Debra Dean Murphyhttp://www.debradeanmurphy.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-83398269837562672862010-08-04T20:59:56.686-07:002010-08-04T20:59:56.686-07:00Thanks, Debra. "Do not be afraid." is a...Thanks, Debra. "Do not be afraid." is actually the most frequent command in the Bible - which says a lot about us and about how well God knows us!Janice Lovenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-51239169179206051122010-08-04T11:06:14.486-07:002010-08-04T11:06:14.486-07:00I would also add that the little phrase "Do n...I would also add that the little phrase "Do not be afraid" holds great freight in God's story with his people. At significant points in the story of Scripture, it is the phrase we find whenever God approaches to make or restate covenant (Abraham, Moses, Israel, David) partnerships with his people and other times when his promise keeping is being brought to fruition (i.e., to both Zechariah and Mary in Luke 1). I think of it as God's covenantal calling card. "Do not be afraid, for though I ask you to give up all your self-made securities and to follow me I will be with you to the end. I promise."Michael Munknoreply@blogger.com