martyduren.com was launched in November 2009. It is the third site launched by Marty Duren, a Christ follower, husband, father, writer, social media strategist and general provocateur living in Hermitage, TN, just east of Nashville.
After more than 20 years in the active pastorate, I wanted to take conversations about life, news, movies, and books into a more open area of access, a truer marketplace of ideas. Since Christianity in the United States seems to have become somewhat “ghettoized,” meaning that believers have created a sub-culture with its own language, customs and secret handshakes leaving too much of the conversation in the wider culture non-biblical influence, this is an attempt to engage the wider culture in conversation. For this reason, comments from all will be welcome, even if, and perhaps especially if, I disagree with them. While I do not believe that all roads lead to God, I do believe that there are often nuggets of truth that can be found on intersecting paths. If you are a believer, it might be a good thing to forward articles or links to unbelieving friends, especially those who are seekers.
Thanks for stopping by and checking things out.
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Hey Marty,
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You said:
Since Christianity in the United States seems to have become somewhat “ghettoized,” meaning that believers have created a sub-culture with its own language, customs and secret handshakes leaving too much of the conversation in the wider culture non-biblical influence, this is an attempt to engage the wider culture in conversation
I agree. “Believers have created a sub-culture.” I know so many people who have felt shunned by the sub-culture. The sub-culture “aura” spreads the message
we think you’re trash
come on in–but watch your step
don’t even ask questions before 1st preparing youself to be disregarded
And I could go on…
Thanks for your post. You got me thinking…
CC: Marty Duren
Dick: The problem with the leftist “evangelicals” is that they have been thoroughly co-opted by a Marxist world view that denigrates
the role of the U.S. and its exceptionalism, and don’t seem to realize it. If they considered how much less religious freedom they would enjoy under a regime like North Korea’s, Burma’s or even Venezuela’s, they might have second thoughts about embracing the 5th Gospel according to Marx. I think Beck sees the difference even if he isn’t anyone’s biblical scholar. He commands a far wider audience than any of the pastors connected with Sojourners. Please keep in mind I have a lot of respect for that group and know one of their members as a close friend. yfs, Bill