Imitators not admirers

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What is the Bruderhof?

More info is at:

[andrewdewitt]

So, we finish our 52 studies with a challenge thrown to us by Kierkegaard 'The imitator....aspires to BE (my capitals) what is admired' - taking into account all the challenges that following Jesus brings.
Additionally, the reflection that Matthew brings us is that Jesus taught with authority. This is the hallmark, the signature at the bottom of the letter, the monogram on the painting, the proof of authorship that mankind needs to be convinced that Jesus, our Immanuel is the way, the truth and the life.
I'd just like to thank Rich and Doreen for the quality and consistency of this video podcast. It's given me something to put my mind in the right place over a Sunday morning cup of coffee before starting my own preparations for Sunday duties. I hope to be able to join you for further explorations in faith in the future. ADW

[JamieSantos]

I have just recently been pondering this. When I was 18 I was called to be a gardener and a mother when I was 19. I followed the society and went through many depravations and loss of children. Then I was called again to live outside of society in earnest so set about following this call and my husband and I bought a farm. I did not start reading the words of Christ until I was 52. I was astounded that my calling was a Spiritual compelling by Christ himself and that I must do as He instructs. If only I could convince my husband that Christ is alive and well then perhaps he would follow too. As it is now I live on a small farm in Kentucky and rarely leave my home except with my husband to run errands. We do not socialize or partake of society. There is no one who shares our values of a simple and frugal life.
It is not enough to "admire", as you stated, Christ. It rings false when friends and relatives say they are a follower yet partake of the sin in this world. It is painful to watch.
Thank you for sharing your studies on this matter. I feel I am not alone now in my convictions.

[sassy]

The Bruderhof are living examples of how to imitate Christ. How many of us in the world who profess to be Christ's followers are true imitators? Didn't Paul say to imitate me as I imitate Christ? Paul was not a philosopher merely espousing Christ's teachings, but actually took up his cross and lived out the gospel while enduring persecution. At first I thought it impossible to be an imitator of Christ the way Paul was because Paul had supernatural powers like Christ, which many of us don't have. But then I thought about Richard Wurmbrand who was a true imitator because he lived the life knowing he could be arrested and tortured for his faith. After 14 years in a communist prison witnessing untold sufferings and horrors, Wurmbrand was finally released, but told God that he would be willing to go back to prison if there was even one more who needed to hear the gospel. Now that's an imitator of Christ! Another young imitator of Christ is Titus Morris, a Kentucky preacher of the gospel who lives out his faith. He is self-disciplined and has sacrificed the comforts of the modern world in order to steer clear of its entrapment. The women also dress modestly wearing skirts and headscarves like Doreen. I would love if he and his community of believers could one day set up a Bruderhof arrangement of living so that they could demonstrate an Acts 2, 4 lifestyle to their part of the world like the Bruderhof do. In the meantime, we should be encouraged by all of these living examples of "imitators of Christ."

[hollandgreen]

Forgive me for splitting hairs but Jesus probably wasn't miserable. He was the prince of peace. So the question is how do we find peace and tranquility for ourselves when the world is filled with pain and suffering and despair for so many people? I have not mastered this, but I am sure it's not through the prosperity gospel. That is surely a neverending road of disatisfaction. Through history there are countless examples of wealthy people that found fulfillment through philanthropy--not through acquiring stuff. People work and toil their whole lives to accumulate stuff, and die unfulfilled and leave their stuff behind. Can we give our stuff away while we are living and be not attached to it. We would be much happier to live in the moment and be not attached. We would not fear or angst. And we would be free to love and experience love even through hardships.

[edwardsolecki]

What is our final authority? Such important but overlooked question.
Is it an opinion or scripture interpretation of a philosopher, or Catholic leader with the blood of the Inquisition ideology on his/her hands? Or perhaps opinion of Calvin’s follower who never repent for the Servetus murder? Or poet, or corrupted Christian leader?
You read that “the tree is being recognised by its fruits” but you don’t know how to apply this knowledge.
Consequently your interpretation of the Scriptural Truth is far away from The Truth presented by Jesus.
I hope that the next book you will share on line will be called The Bible.