RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?!

RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Dude?!??!?!?!?!?!

Offensive.

54% (41)

Makes no difference to me.

28% (21)

Not offensive.

17% (13)

Total Votes : 75

(last vote on : 9/2/2008 12:31:49 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Message

Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 9:15:10 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way Some of my prayers have gone, "Dude. . . .Jesus. . . I'm not doing so well." Or maybe, "Hey man. . . I really need you right now." I guess if that is disrespectful. . . then I guess I'm just a disrespectful guy. That's how I pray, because that's how I talk. shrug It's not disrepectful...it's just how I am.

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 9:19:32 AM)
OK Tinkerbell_- I'll ask you the same question I asked 1love.... Would you pray like that in front of your Bible study knowing that some of them might be offended?

stellaluna -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:00:44 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva OK Tinkerbell_- I'll ask you the same question I asked 1love.... Would you pray like that in front of your Bible study knowing that some of them might be offended? I've prayed similarly, so I'll try to answer. Regarding the bible study...how would I know some members might be offended? I don't often pray in front of others, but when I do, yes...I use common everyday language. No one has ever seemed offended. Of course, I don't recall the last time I had prayer or bible study with anyone over 40. (in a small group setting) When I cry out to God...I CRY OUT TO GOD. I don't use flowery language, I don't worry about what the words would sound like to anyone else.

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:08:09 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: stellaluna quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva OK Tinkerbell_- I'll ask you the same question I asked 1love.... Would you pray like that in front of your Bible study knowing that some of them might be offended? I've prayed similarly, so I'll try to answer. Regarding the bible study...how would I know some members might be offended? I don't often pray in front of others, but when I do, yes...I use common everyday language. No one has ever seemed offended. Of course, I don't recall the last time I had prayer or bible study with anyone over 40. (in a small group setting) When I cry out to God...I CRY OUT TO GOD. I don't use flowery language, I don't worry about what the words would sound like to anyone else. Well, the person who was first offended was his mother! He's known her for 54 years or so. I've only known her a few months and knew that she'd be offended. You'd think he'd have known!

Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:15:58 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva OK Tinkerbell_- I'll ask you the same question I asked 1love.... Would you pray like that in front of your Bible study knowing that some of them might be offended? To be honest, I don't care if I offend someone when I'm talking to God. I'm not talking to that person. I'm talking to God. If I'm sitting and worrying about offending other people, then I'm not fully concentrating on what I'm doing. Their comfort level is not of importance in that situation. I've been to prayer meetings where people have been rolling on the floor, screaming, wailing, dancing, carrying on. I was uncomfortable but that was my cross to bear. So I prayed for comfort and was able to communicate with Him in my own way while blocking out the others. Should those people have stopped what they were doing because I was uncomfortable? Oh I hope not.

hellohellohi -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:39:40 AM)
crankius, Great post back there! It sounds like we all have a consensus that Jesus was God coming to "our level," which represents the measure of his amazing love. It leads me to wonder, during that time that He was here to dine with sinners and call the wayward, were they inclined at that time to call Him "dude" (the Aramaic, of course)? I'm not sure that they did. -- But I think that is what we are trying to decide on this thread. Perhaps those who met Him found that He represented a more profound way to understand "friend" then they had ever known. Still, they might have still used the word "friend," lacking a "new word," though something greater was in their hearts than had been for any previous usage. (Heck, "friend" can be as insulting and condescending as "dude" can when used by the wrong person!) This is the meaning of seeking to be made contemporary with Christ rather than making Christ contemporary with us -- which crankius expressed differently but very well! ALso, I copied this as I was reading all those new posts, but I forgot who said it. quote: It's my belief that once a movement has a name, it's already dead spiritually. Great quote!

stellaluna -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:42:30 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva quote: ORIGINAL: stellaluna quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva OK Tinkerbell_- I'll ask you the same question I asked 1love.... Would you pray like that in front of your Bible study knowing that some of them might be offended? I've prayed similarly, so I'll try to answer. Regarding the bible study...how would I know some members might be offended? I don't often pray in front of others, but when I do, yes...I use common everyday language. No one has ever seemed offended. Of course, I don't recall the last time I had prayer or bible study with anyone over 40. (in a small group setting) When I cry out to God...I CRY OUT TO GOD. I don't use flowery language, I don't worry about what the words would sound like to anyone else. Well, the person who was first offended was his mother! He's known her for 54 years or so. I've only known her a few months and knew that she'd be offended. You'd think he'd have known! Yes, you'd think. And I'll be he got an earful from her later! [:D]

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 10:44:03 AM)
She didn't wait 'til later. [:D]

bzirk -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 11:21:28 AM)
LOL! When you're that age, I guess there's no point in waiting 'til later. LOL!

CherishedbyGod -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 12:59:46 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Ps103 quote: Would you like me to edit my post, to remove references to this particular word(s)? Yes--you and the other poster that used a similar reference. That is a TOS, but if you edit it, yourself, I won't write you up...dude. LOL[:D]

CherishedbyGod -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 1:03:20 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: crankius quote: What do you think about ever referring to the Lord as "The Man?" I'm not sure in what way you mean, but it makes me think of the Sprint commercial here--Sticking it to the Man. [:D] Probably context matters in this one. Referring to Christ, it could mean that He is The Man, the one and only perfect man who could be our atonement. But if it's used as a type of degrading slang, then it's probably not pleasing to God. When I was growing up "The Man" was the police[8D]

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 1:07:19 PM)
Yup! The Man was the police. Who wants God to be a cop, just waiting to bust them? [;)]

WesP -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:05:17 PM)
I keep pondering this thread, and I can't get this out of my head. The bible says: "Our Father Who art in heaven...." I am having serious difficulty in accepting "Dude Who's in heaven." The passage also says hallowed be Thy name. I can't see "dude" in relation to hallowed at all. It just seems to me that people feel a need to colloquialize things in an ever-increasing pace to allow others to relate. I cannot get over the feeling that things like this are a progressive acceptance of the world and its views.

Apaise -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:07:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: crankius I've read the thread. I don't know if I can explain my thoughts well, but I'll try. Christ showed a great condescension when becoming our brother and our friend. By condescension, I refer to the old meaning of a higher person bending down to speak with one below them, like when a king is on friendly terms with those below him. Christ literally descended to humanity for us. The term "friend" for Christ is at great sacrificial cost. I cannot degrade that friendship with the Creator by referring to Him with such human terms of condescension from me to Him. If I call Him friend, it is with great reverence and recognition that He gave His life for me while I was yet a sinner. While He has condescended to me, it is not my place to condescend to Him by calling Him "dude" or "buddy" or "old man in the sky". Now, if a drunk on the street is praying to God for the first time and in ignorance of God's greatness refers to Him as "dude", I think God is gracious and merciful. But for those who have heard, seen, and known of God's greatness, referring to Him as "dude" is purposefully condescending from man to God. While He can descend to us, it is not right for us to place Him into lowliness. We are not high--it is not our place to condescend to God. When we speak to Him knowingly with such base terminology, it is us condescending to Him as if we are superior and He is inferior, or even as if we are equals--which we are clearly not. [sm=thumbsup.gif][sm=thumbsup.gif][sm=thumbsup.gif][sm=thumbsup.gif] My thoughts exactly.

WesP -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:10:03 PM)
Another point: the path to forgiveness is given as follows. 1) humble yourself (not God) 2) seek His face 3) pray 4) turn from your evil ways It just seems to me that changing the relationship into a colloquial friendship is undermining the purpose and strength in it. He is WAY beyond what we are and deserves to be held up in our prayers as much more than a comrade.

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:35:13 PM)
I agree Wes!

hellohellohi -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:39:29 PM)
hmm, this is kinda on the subject [;)] Does anyone else think that the Paul McCartney (Wings?) song that goes "You better listen what the man says..." is talking about God? :)

doinkdom -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:50:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hellohellohi hmm, this is kinda on the subject [;)] Does anyone else think that the Paul McCartney (Wings?) song that goes "You better listen what the man says..." is talking about God? :) Hmmm...interesting [8\|] I'm not feeling that he is, but who knows

Roberta_ -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 2:51:54 PM)
I don't know if he was either. Never was a Beatles fan.

hellohellohi -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 3:29:34 PM)
What do y'all think of this thesis: One cannot offend God. The worst one can do is to take offense AT God. I ask this because my inclination is to laugh at the preacher who said "dude," and applaud when his momma boxed his ears! I understand how it could be related to the more sinister aspects of adopting Christianity (and Jesus) to contemporary culture -- but I think that also is a form of "taking offense at God" and shirking what He really is. That is, perhaps one might want to call God dude becuase they resent authority and they think its passe, but, in doing so, they are avoiding a crucial aspect of His nature. However, it also seems to be a crucial aspect of His nature that He came to earth as a SERVANT!! He came as not only a servant to men but to the lowest of men and women -- prostitutes and tex collectors. In that, it is easy to see that He came calling us "friend," in some sense. (I'm trying to work this idea out for myself, you see.) And if we are OFFENDED at the idea, and recoil from the use of teh word "friend" (or "dude," since the are synonymous to some people, truly) perhaps it is because we cannot imagine ourselves or anyone else using ther term without self-interest at heart to some extent. Jesus -- grant this -- did not come with self-interest at heart (but rather the will of the Father, paradoxically -- in order to model what our relationship with the Father can be!!) -- and thus, if he used the word, did not mean "friend" in the offensive sense. Thus, perhaps we ought to accept Jesus as a servant -- lower than a friend! since He did NOT act out of the exigency of reciprocity -- and relate to Him out of a gratitude in that way. I still don't know if this includes calling Jesus "friend." But I am worried that this is only because I am secretly OFFENDED by the idea!! Perhaps we can pray that we can accept Jesus as He came to us, as a servant, without wishing to flee from Him and place Him again at the distance reserved for earthly kings and authorities because we are offended at a servant-king and, perhaps, at the notion that our use of the word "friend" is hard-hearted, selfish, and shameful, while His is not.

WesP -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 3:46:45 PM)
quote: And if we are OFFENDED at the idea, and recoil from the use of teh word "friend" (or "dude," since the are synonymous to some people, truly) perhaps it is because we cannot imagine ourselves or anyone else using ther term without self-interest at heart to some extent. Jesus -- grant this -- did not come with self-interest at heart (but rather the will of the Father, paradoxically -- in order to model what our relationship with the Father can be!!) -- and thus, if he used the word, did not mean "friend" in the offensive sense. Thus, perhaps we ought to accept Jesus as a servant -- lower than a friend! since He did NOT act out of the exigency of reciprocity -- and relate to Him out of a gratitude in that way. I still don't know if this includes calling Jesus "friend." But I am worried that this is only because I am secretly OFFENDED by the idea!! Perhaps we can pray that we can accept Jesus as He came to us, as a servant, without wishing to flee from Him and place Him again at the distance reserved for earthly kings and authorities because we are offended at a servant-king and, perhaps, at the notion that our use of the word "friend" is hard-hearted, selfish, and shameful, while His is not. Sup, hello?!! For a bit o' clarification, I offer this consideration. God/Jesus = sinless perfection. Man = sinful, fallen creature awaiting the return of Christ so that we can be perfected to reside in heaven with Our Father for eternity. I never even thought of self-interest. I thought of the nature of God and how superior He is. Why should I not extall Him and humble myself as much as possible? The gap between us is so wide that it is immeasurable! I would be unable to enter into conversation with God considering Him my "buddy". I love my children dearly. I am the best friend they have. Whether or not they realize it is inconsequential. However, they will not call me dude. Ever! It is about respect for authority in this case. In the case of us speaking with God, it becomes much more than respect. It becomes worship and awe and thanksgiving for His mercy.

WesP -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 3:54:15 PM)
quote: What do y'all think of this thesis: One cannot offend God. The worst one can do is to take offense AT God. Also, I would like to offer up this passage to assist you in examining your thesis statement. Hosea 13 (King James Version) 1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Who was offended in this verse?

hellohellohi -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 3:57:14 PM)
yes, I agree, but the question of whether Jesus is a friend gets nuanced by the idea that He is King, but also came as a servant. I am wondering whether I am not fleeing from His true message and the nature of His love if I am uncomfortable calling Him friend. Why else would calling Him friend be disrespectful if it wasn't that we were supposing that we were on an equal, that is, reciprocal, footing with Him? I agree that we are not equal, but to the extent that we think He is distant, perhaps He is reaching to pull us toward Him, and to the extent that we try to make too much of ourselves, He might either "put us in our place" or do it by shownig us true love and coming as a servant as He did. Either way would be effective -- but I feel like it is harder to stomach that He came as a servant! That is amazing, and offensive to human sensibility. I'm not saying that that's why YOU are disinclined to say "friend," but I feel like if I say "I am not worthy," (and thereby try to flee) then I am simply denying His most profound Word to me. While it is true that we are not worthy, the point is that He is calling us to Him anyway, and I am afraid that the cause of my reticence to call him friend is the denial that He has dispensed with notions of power and propriety, coming as a servant, and has shown us that though WE are sinful and thereby cannot be trusted as "friends," He is calling us as such anyway -- or perhaps even greater than friends, since He wishes to serve humanities need -- the need of the Father!

WesP -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 4:12:40 PM)
quote: but I feel like if I say "I am not worthy," then I am simply denying His most profound Word to me Even the apostles acknowledged that they were dirt beneath His feet. It is not a denial of your eternal future with Christ; rather, it is an acknowledgement that we have not yet been perfected. We still sin, deserve death, but receive life everlasting! [:)]

hellohellohi -> RE: Dude?!??!?!?!?!?! (6/18/2008 4:13:42 PM)
Hey, thanks for the verse, quote: 1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Who was offended in this verse? I am not sure. No doubt it could be God who was offended by our Baal-worship. It is interesting to consider the seeming contradiction that "trembling" led to "exaltation." Certainly not typical human wisdom. (Thus the more apparent it comes from God!) It might be a too creative bit of reading for me to say that being "offended in Baal" represents the shame with which one flees to idols. One is ashamed of God and thus retreats to images that one can more readily accept and that don't threaten our way of things by saying things like, "trembling brings exaltation." I am not trying to be logical here, but that is how it feels to me. The shame of idol-worship comes not from God's shame over US, but our shame of Him. I can still picture a demanding deity who can say things that sound harsh, like, "I never knew you," but I think this separation is due to our shame and offense at Him rather than Him at us. If trembling leads to exaltation, I agree that assertiveness and rebellion leads to shame. But perhaps it is that shame leads to our rebellion -- We are offended by the Word and turn from it! Sin is a lie. One aspect of that lie could be that God is offended at us rather than we at him. You see, hasn't God already admitted that He left some things unstated because of our hard-heartedness? Was it not gracious to first come with thunder and lightning as we DEMANDED from an all powerful Lord, and then wait until due time to show us that He comes to us with open arms rather than fire and brimstone?

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