What the Heck Does this Sound Like to Someone Outside the Church?

Tonight at The Gathering we discussed Paul's manner of dealing with the Pagan population in Athens, and noticed his supreme control over his emotions. We read that he was distressed, or 'provoked in his spirit' by the idolatry in Athens, and yet his response was to reason with the people daily. Can you read between the lines, and see dialogues occurring in the marketplace?

In considering this issue, we wondered out loud, "What does it sound like to someone who is not an evangelical Christian when they hear the words 'Hate the sin, but love the sinner?'" We generally agreed that it was a pretty condescending statement.

What do you think? Is this a helpful way to communicate what our attitude should be toward those outside the little circle of our church life?

Why Another Blog Why Man?

This blog was specifically started to speak to the questions I have about the nature of the church, and its relevance in today's world. I've spent quite a few years in a group which I believed had a high degree of relevance, but now I am looking at it from the outside.

It don't look the same from the outside as it does from the inside. The church looks pretty square to me, and I am saying that as a pastor in two denominations (on evangelical, one pentecostal) over the last 21 years.

Blogateers and non-blogateers alike are welcome to add their two cents in on this question as I pursue it mercilessly.

I will leave no sharp corners unassailed in asking hard questions, and offering brutal evaluations. I want to be SQUARE NO MORE! Yep, I just yelled in type.