tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post2344051096019200936..comments2024-03-10T10:54:59.776-07:00Comments on Ben Witherington: AN AMERICAN'S PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEARBen Witheringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-61935053392710402112008-01-14T06:53:00.000-08:002008-01-14T06:53:00.000-08:00Dr. Ben,Blessings from Fort Lauderdale-I always en...Dr. Ben,<BR/><BR/>Blessings from Fort Lauderdale-I always enjoy your blogs, and a hearty Amen here to your prayer. Would you mind if I reposted your prayer? I would love to share this with the readers of my blog.<BR/><BR/>In Christ,<BR/><BR/>Andrew<BR/>worshipdevotional.blogspot.comAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01842931168323411863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-91291465683054469132008-01-14T02:45:00.000-08:002008-01-14T02:45:00.000-08:00By all means translate it Ben W.By all means translate it <BR/><BR/>Ben W.Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-75008192143922223342008-01-13T01:32:00.000-08:002008-01-13T01:32:00.000-08:00Greetings from Hong Kong!May I ask for your permis...Greetings from Hong Kong!<BR/><BR/>May I ask for your permission to translate the prayer into Chinese? Much in it I believe also speaks to the churches in my city, esp. their narcissism.<BR/><BR/>In His Peace,<BR/>CTChestnut Treehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08258025777795140703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-46363267290277634582008-01-09T23:53:00.000-08:002008-01-09T23:53:00.000-08:00Chesterton also wrote that the true patriot loves ...Chesterton also wrote that the true patriot loves his country for no reason. If he loved it for a reason then he might be inclined to preserve that part.<BR/><BR/>The one who loves his country for no reason will burn it to the ground in order to build something better, higher, more ideal.<BR/><BR/>Gilbert was engaged in exaggeration to illustrate a point of course.Duke of Earlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14891442161634560912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-26886169349084699952008-01-05T07:21:00.000-08:002008-01-05T07:21:00.000-08:00Another big AMEN. I do get the sense, from my litt...Another big AMEN. <BR/>I do get the sense, from my little corner of the world, that we in this country have settled for a grossly immature Christianity. We have emphasized the careless and easy use of grace instead of the careful and difficult work of discipleship. We must begin at the personal and individual level (I like GK Chesterton's quote here in response to "What is wrong with the world?" and he simply wrote in saying, "Me.") We use grace to excuse but not improve ourselves. But you are so right in that we must look beyond ourselves and that is where the social gospel certainly picks up. <BR/>Great thoughts and dialogue, keep up the good work, and many blessings to you and your readers for this new year.AverageKevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15599710027897962556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-50751674825693333752008-01-03T14:23:00.000-08:002008-01-03T14:23:00.000-08:00Amen!! As always, love your blogAmen!! As always, love your blogjohn hoddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05074919121350646699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-24636220258831883022008-01-03T09:32:00.000-08:002008-01-03T09:32:00.000-08:00Ben,I agree 1000% with what you are saying, I woul...Ben,<BR/><BR/>I agree 1000% with what you are saying, I would just use different vocabulary for it. I was speaking of "country" in a political sense. <BR/><BR/>One of our first responsibilities as people dwelling in the new Adam is the responsibility assigned to the old Adam: responsible, loving, Godly stewardship of creation.<BR/><BR/>However, if I think of that in country-terms, or state-terms, I might not care what happens to the rain forests, or I might not have concern for the topsoil in Iowa, because I live in Kentucky, USA.<BR/><BR/>When I hear "country" (as opposed to countryside, for example), I think of the idea of America. A beautiful and evanescent idea, but that part of my love is due to the kingdom of God.<BR/><BR/>Is that clearer?<BR/><BR/>in HIS love,<BR/>NickFalantedioshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142960942087875045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-46136123589606511242008-01-03T09:16:00.000-08:002008-01-03T09:16:00.000-08:00Amen!It is very encouraging to read your prayer, D...Amen!<BR/><BR/>It is very encouraging to read your prayer, Dr. Ben. More so encouraging to learn that there is a follower of Jesus Christ like you... in America. <BR/><BR/>Keep going!<BR/><BR/>Jeremiah,<BR/>Delhi,IndiaJeremiah A V Dumaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13597405520110507096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-8702244417846130032008-01-03T08:38:00.000-08:002008-01-03T08:38:00.000-08:00Ben,Excellent prayer brother.Amen and AmenBen,<BR/>Excellent prayer brother.<BR/>Amen and Amenpreachermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922837614859997243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-2712026082795085242008-01-03T08:16:00.000-08:002008-01-03T08:16:00.000-08:00Nick Here I must disagree with you. Loving one's c...Nick <BR/><BR/>Here I must disagree with you. Loving one's country comes under the heading of creation care, of caring about the world God created and not just the individuals who live in it. When I speak of loving my country, or more specifically loving my homeland of North Carolina I mean more than just loving the people who live there. I mean I love its mountains and trees, its forests and rivers, its oceans and beaches, and so on. And you are wrong that it does not need love and care, and also wrong that it does not love you back. Everyday, the trees in my backyard are breathing out oxygen I need and as the psalmist says clapping their hands and praising God. We need to have a clear sense that all living things are good gifts of God, and all need love and care, and frankly in their own way, all do indeed love us back. This becomes obvious when you have animals, who are more capable of affection. But when we lose that psalmist's sense of awe, wonder, and appreciation for all of creation, and lose a recognition we are dependent on the rest of creation for life, and health, and food etc. and that all things praise God in one way or another, then we have too truncated a view of life in this land. <BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/><BR/>Ben W.Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-60550677415580292472008-01-03T07:07:00.000-08:002008-01-03T07:07:00.000-08:00Thank you Ben...The prayer was very humble and ver...Thank you Ben...The prayer was very humble and very challenging. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for blessing my day!<BR/><BR/>chillChill Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212005192512899199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-14762934155902001852008-01-03T06:13:00.000-08:002008-01-03T06:13:00.000-08:00"Loving your country" is not a legitimate and nece..."Loving your country" is not a legitimate and necessary point, period.<BR/><BR/>Your country is not a person and does not need love.<BR/><BR/>Loving your fellow citizen? Much more important and foundational.<BR/><BR/>Nick Gill<BR/>Frankfort, KYFalantedioshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142960942087875045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-90030887963342944102008-01-03T01:08:00.000-08:002008-01-03T01:08:00.000-08:00AmenAmenJourneymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10932277367641181192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-45771142348591961162008-01-02T20:21:00.000-08:002008-01-02T20:21:00.000-08:00Thanks Ben.SCFThanks Ben.<BR/><BR/>SCFAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11522322647759389420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-7569572347577839922008-01-02T18:18:00.000-08:002008-01-02T18:18:00.000-08:00It is just a little sad to read this prayer and th...It is just a little sad to read this prayer and think I can only but echo it for my home of Australia.<BR/><BR/>So much of what we do and say is far away from the gracious mercy of our Lord Jesus, and his law. So much based around what we will get, or achieve or be remembered for. <BR/><BR/>Let me just add my amen from Australia, and the hope that we also will embrace this ideal within our own churches and communities.<BR/><BR/>Bless you.Ashley Biermannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15803750641484381868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-21949834081848397432008-01-02T15:35:00.000-08:002008-01-02T15:35:00.000-08:00Amen.Indeed God has blessed America...and we don't...Amen.<BR/><BR/>Indeed God has blessed America...and we don't even see it.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Dr. Ben for your humility and honesty.<BR/><BR/>J.Jason Garwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16761611366784000898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-59173383557732077542008-01-02T13:45:00.000-08:002008-01-02T13:45:00.000-08:00Hi Peter:I quite agree about the issue of personal...Hi Peter:<BR/><BR/>I quite agree about the issue of personal morality being important, as well as social justice. I also agree that we learn how to love the other by beginning with the nearest ones. True enough. But if we end there, we are guilty of myopia at best and sin at worst. <BR/><BR/>BW#Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-52268572922840396112008-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:002008-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00Ben,Thanks. May it be so!Ben,<BR/>Thanks. May it be so!Michael F. Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09713482855679578651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-79162801846375862802008-01-02T12:30:00.000-08:002008-01-02T12:30:00.000-08:00Yes, kind of. So far as it goes. But more than a b...Yes, kind of. So far as it goes. But more than a bit of a straw man, here. A few specific items:<BR/><BR/>As a former evangelical myself, I have been finding it critical to my own sanctification to try to extend grace to the benighted evangelicals whom God also loves. <BR/><BR/>Loving your country is a legitimate and necessary starting point. You can really only love the world if you love where you are first -- neighbors, etc. etc. The world is too big to love as a whole.<BR/><BR/>Re social gospel, could it be that so many of those elements of the church who have embraced it have at the same time abandoned personal morality? Who would want to embrace the vapid smugness of the religious left? Those who publicly pat themselves on the back for feeling sorry over the right things are no more pleasant than the occasional shrill voices you hear on the religious right.<BR/><BR/>But the Family Research Council and its ilk should go back to researching rather than politics. Or at least try persuading rather than declaiming.<BR/><BR/>Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151291756298604846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-34345463071021270232008-01-02T12:08:00.000-08:002008-01-02T12:08:00.000-08:00Thank you for this prayer, brother. May this praye...Thank you for this prayer, brother. May this prayer of a righteous man indeed be powerful and effective.<BR/><BR/>in HIS love,<BR/>NickFalantedioshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142960942087875045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-29801740331479889492008-01-02T12:03:00.000-08:002008-01-02T12:03:00.000-08:00Great prayer Dr. Ben. It's right on with what we ...Great prayer Dr. Ben. It's right on with what we Americans should be praying.<BR/><BR/>Have a blessed 2008 as you continue to make a difference in our day.<BR/><BR/>Know that you are loved,<BR/>gajGreg Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03553811487994404494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-64888410197425357312008-01-02T11:35:00.000-08:002008-01-02T11:35:00.000-08:00Amen!Amen!C.P.O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16880429004171251097noreply@blogger.com