Culture, Paradigm, and Willow

as i've been following the continuous threads regardig REVEAL (Willow's study of it's own church and others), it still amazes me! i read comments from some who say it is just another program to sell itself more, etc. i find the arguments less than convincing. understanding that some from the emerging generations cohort may not like the "slickness" of the willow model, i am reminded even as they write how culture continues to inform and express our faith.

people do not like large churches for various reasons. our family has a friend who is a member of willow. it would seem if willow really want to sell themselves, they head into the television market, something they have resisted doing. critiques of willow (saddleback, etc) also arise from a particular framework, a particular paradigm--both with cultural components throughout.

scripture was written within the context of certain cultural components which informed and shaped the contours of its composition (and collection into one bound book). we then attempt to read this sacred text from our own context back into the biblical context. yet, how often do we stop and reflect what those components may be and how they may be informing our reading, our interpretation?

more to follow... have a great thanksgiving!