Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Jesus Cropped from the Picture

“sacred” or “secular.” By contrast, an EPIC view seeks to integrate life into a whole. Since Jesus is Lord of all life, Kingdom living is not limited to “religious activities,” but encompasses any activity conducted as his representative. So relaxing with friends is Kingdom living. Appreciating God’s gift of a good cup of coffee is Kingdom living. Bringing a meal to a neighbor is Kingdom living. The Kingdom is about living life under his reign , validating his good pleasure in joy, peace, and right relationships (Rom. 14.17). Christians can live life together as though the Kingdom were present! Orthodoxy Versus Orthopraxy The primary virtues of SLIM are to know (Rationalism) the right doctrine and apply it in one’s personal (Individualism) life, often with limited regard to the impact of interpersonal relationships. However, an EPIC understanding seeks to apply doctrine in order to be in right relationship with God and others. Being rightly related is the goal, and doctrine is a means toward that end. In other words, right belief (orthodoxy) is for the purpose of right relationship (orthopraxy). Defensive Bible Reading In a SLIM world, Christians must be good at apologetics, having logical answers to every question, from evolution to Postmodern thought. When I was in college, I believed this so strongly that I thought the best thing I could do for God was to get a Master’s Degree in Apologetics.

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