The Acorns

The Bible teaches “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)  In keeping with scriptural truth and the traditions of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s group at Oxford University in the 1940’s, The Inklings, the Carolina Study Center is launching a group called The Acorns. It will be comprised of Christian thinkers and a few agnostics who meet regularly around a hearth, and over food, to discuss Christ and culture. Each session will focus on a pre-agreed topic. The purpose is fellowship, growth, wisdom, and a better understanding of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

We’ll seek to unleash the gift of Christ, and His talents in each member.

Our first session is on civil discourse and what the Bible has to teach about it.

Think. After Adam sinned, God came inquiring in the cool of the evening, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8 and 9) Do you read there how God approached them at a humane time: after work, after supper in the evening’s cool? He came in the flesh, face-to-face, NOT on Facebook! He came asking questions and listening, not hurling judgment, not name-calling, not leaping to hurried conclusions.

So much to learn! And a Bible and wise friends along with the Holy Spirit to teach it to us.

Indeed, couldn’t you use such a group? Our civilization is so fragmented, so lost in the throes of every spasm of anger, bitterness, peevishness, and hysteria. Why, it’s a demon’s holiday!

We Christians need to lead the way back to civil dialog by showing how.

“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.” (Colossians 3:8)

The Reverend Stephen Crotts is the director of the Carolina Study Center, Inc., a campus ministry, located in Chapel Hill, NC. Pastor Crotts may be reached at carolinastudycenter@msn.com.