THE "REVEAL" RADIO INTERVIEW For Those Who Are Interested
Friday, December 14, 2007
After I posted the previous post, in which I was frustrated with the morning interview, we were invited back on for a full hour in the afternoon. I was thankful for a fuller exploration of the issues that was facilitated by the hour Scot McKnight and I had to discuss REVEAL. For those who are interested, here's a link where you can download yesterday's afternoon radio interview with Scot McKnight and myself on discipleship and Willowcreek's REVEAL report. Thanks to Bill Kinnon for this link. Also, Dan Brennan's commentary on yesterday's radio interview was excellent writing, as always. And thanks to Scot McKnight for seeking to serve Christ's church in such an even handed way.
Let us pray God uses the REVEAL hoopla to spur on a renewal of missional discipleship in the N. American church.
Posted by David Fitch | 7:48 AM
COMMENTS:
Didn't hear the AM conversation on WMBI, but just listened to the Prime Time Chicago discussion. It's worth your time to download them and listen to these two great guys respond to REVEAL and to one another.
7:52 AM
Thanks David for the heads-up (via Kinnon) on where to listen to the discussion. I for one think real spiritual formation happens outside the stain glass experience. We need to radically rethink why we assemble.
See:
http://lchouinard.blogspot.com/2007/08/when-missional-church-gathers-revisited.html
Scot just seemed not to get that "the medium is the message" and the mega model breeds consumerism. Thanks for the discussion.
Larry
12:00 PM
Thanks Michelle,
Thanks Larry, and I think Scot agreed with more of what I and you are saying than I at first thought... he's becoming an important bridge builder on this issue.
12:13 PM
Hi David,
I want to begin by saying I appreciate your analysis and critique of REVEAL; it's one of the best I've read.
Just listened to the afternoon portion of the interview and found that the time limitations didn't really permit the sustained and substantial engagement that the topic deserves.
I appreciated the irenic tone of the exchange, and while I respect Scot as a NT scholar, I came away with this nagging feeling that he didn't quite "get it". I would love to see this conversation extended, either via blog or e-mail or whatever other avenue is available.
While we're on the topic of church, from a totally different angle, I've just seen the promo. for a new book (well, revised edition actually) by Frank Viola and George Barna, Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices (Tyndale House). I'd be curious to read your review if you should ever decide to read it. While not directly related to the topic at hand, from what I've gleaned, some of what it covers may be in fact germane to the present discussion.
Loved your book, The Great Giveaway and look forward to your current book-in-progress.
Blessings,
Paul
11:25 PM
David,
Thanks for link, David. I do agree that there is more agreement than disagreement between the two of you.
I loved your points in your previous post.
5:49 AM
David,
I have to say that I am puzzled by Scot's general attitude about Willow Creek. I agree with most everything I read in his books and on his blog. He does seem to "get it."
But I think he lets his respect for Hybels and the people at Willow Creek cloud his thinking. (I noticed this even before the Reveal study was announced.) There is certainly much to respect there. They have done many positive things for the kingdom.
But there are unavoidable difficulties with their underlying philosophy. I'm not sure whether Scot's position is that the philosophy is not consumerist or that it doesn't matter all that much.
I agree with you that this analysis is done with consumerist assumptions. And what is worse, the “fix” is simply more of the same.
I applaud Hybels for his honesty. But if this truly is his “biggest wakeup call” of his adult life, I think he’s just hitting the snooze alarm.
It is important for people like you and Scot to talk about this. There are too many at the extremes who are just confusing the issue. And I do think this is an important issue.
Keep up the good work.
Rod
10:38 AM
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