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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/15/2008 3:08:59 PM
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ffbruce
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It might be worth noting that, not only does Acts 2 not indicate that the early believers lived communally, the use of the word "homes" (plural), in verse 46, would indicate that they did not.
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/15/2008 3:18:02 PM
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Mark328
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
It might be worth noting that, not only does Acts 2 not indicate that the early believers lived communally, the use of the word "homes" (plural), in verse 46, would indicate that they did not.
Very true. The early believers did share meals, etc, since many of them were ostracized by their own families for becoming Christians. In doing this (sharing of meals, etc.), they were able to make sure that all basic needs were taken care of. What started off as a way of survival for early Christians helped them bond in a very unique way that you don't see these days.
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/15/2008 6:04:56 PM
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RJR_fan
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From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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quote:
What started off as a way of survival for early Christians helped them bond in a very unique way that you don't see these days.
Over the last three years, I've dined with Turkish Muslims more frequently than I have with American Christians, unless you count lunch at work. Folks, our hospitality muscles have atrophied! What will it take (other than renewed obedience) to get us back up to speed? The floor is open for suggestions! My ears are on!
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The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/15/2008 9:45:57 PM
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colliefan
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quote:
The floor is open for suggestions! My ears are on!
Time is one commodity that rises and falls in value dending on how its owner spends it; one cannot fit "quality time" into a few hours in a day-timer as "quality time" is a product of "quanity time." A change of a few letters moves one into another dimension in terms of relationships.
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/15/2008 10:40:33 PM
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ffbruce
Posts: 271
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
quote:
What started off as a way of survival for early Christians helped them bond in a very unique way that you don't see these days.
Over the last three years, I've dined with Turkish Muslims more frequently than I have with American Christians, unless you count lunch at work. Folks, our hospitality muscles have atrophied! What will it take (other than renewed obedience) to get us back up to speed? The floor is open for suggestions! My ears are on!
This would probably be a GREAT topic for another thread. Perhaps you, or the mods, can turn it into one.
That said, I think one of the issues is simply cultural. Mid-East Culture is very hospitality-based, regardless of their religion. American culture tends to be aggressively time-driven.
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/16/2008 2:56:44 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
American culture tends to be aggressively time-driven.
I hadn't thought of it that way. On the one hand, our dedicated stewardship of our time honors the command to "redeem the time." We enjoy a progress, a dynamic, that is not found in more hospitable cultures, where "Manana" and "Inshallah" attitudes keep stuff from happening.
OTOH ...
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: The early Church and American Ideals - 10/16/2008 8:11:59 AM
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ffbruce
Posts: 271
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
quote:
American culture tends to be aggressively time-driven.
I hadn't thought of it that way. On the one hand, our dedicated stewardship of our time honors the command to "redeem the time." We enjoy a progress, a dynamic, that is not found in more hospitable cultures, where "Manana" and "Inshallah" attitudes keep stuff from happening.
OTOH ...
Personally, I tend to be very very time oriented. I mean, if something is supposed to start at 10:00 AM, there is NO reason not to be there at 9:55!
So... guess what kind of person I married, 25 years ago?!? Mehh, you already know. 
Anywhooo. Over the years I've really had to stretch myself as I've worked with both Hispanics and Sudanese Refugees.
I remember one Hispanic wedding I officiated. The wedding was to start at 3:00 PM. Finally, at 3:45 PM I told the bride & groom, "This is it. We ARE going to start, and we are going to start NOW. Every one of your friends knows what time we're supposed to start, and it's their fault if they're not here yet." I thought I was being flat out rude, but neither of them was even remotely offended. They just smiled and said, "Sure, okay." Go figure.
I've also done some cross-cultural short-term mission work in some Hispanic/Latino areas. VERY hospitable and friendly people! But also very NON time conscious.
I suppose there are pros and cons to just about everything.
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