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Picture Painters

Picture Painters

The 15th century father of modern political science, Niccolo Machiavelli, penned these dangerous and astounding words, expressing the high cost of championing new ideas, or wooing a new generation back to ancient ones.

“…There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from the fear of opponents, who have the laws on their side and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in the new things until they have long experienced them.”

Carriers of the Original Good News, of our righteousness in Christ, of living out of who Christ says we are on our worst day, we are very familiar with these sentiments. It caused us to write a piece that was recently put to film. We sincerely hope you find yourself and many others standing near you, in reading these 21st century words:

“Here’s to the dreamers, the zealots, the picture painters of the barely yet visible. The trouble makers, who disturb normalcy, who stand in the street calling out the opening stanzas of a new Reformation. Who refuse to allow the Church to wither into smug and smothering irrelevance. You can call them heretics, rebels, lawless, or antinomians. You can quote them, misquote them, misunderstand them, hide from them or violently disagree with them. The only thing you can no longer do is stop them. For they are now beginning to articulate a Cure. And the upwardly weary, the cynical, the self-imprisoned and dogma imprisoned are beginning to find their voice through them. And a restoration of grace, of living out of new identity for the purpose of love, it is moving unyieldingly forward. You may call them disturbing or alarming, even unbiblical. But we call them heroic lovers. For daring to push against what is, they may actually be drawing us back to our first love, the Original Good News.”

Posted on Tue, March 13, 2012 by John Lynch

6 comments (Add your own)

1. Bob Lentz wrote:: Yes! That's what I'm discovering. Thanks John for articulating what so many of us are experiencing and loving.
Tue, March 13, 2012 @ 4:42 AM
2. J Gregory wrote:: Thanks John, Appreciate your heart and your heroic love for Jesus. Keeps me focused on who I am and what I was restored to do..... join the fray!
Tue, March 13, 2012 @ 5:44 AM
3. David Kirkpatrick wrote:: Hi John! Nice work. It is challenge to find new words and new pictures that speak to the hope that we have. So much language has been corrupted, so it is wonderful to see a new language emerging for the Good News that we share. Keep on doing! Blessings! David
Tue, March 13, 2012 @ 9:23 AM
4. Shana wrote:: Thanks! Yes! and some of us in our 40's feel this way too! Not just 20's or 30-something people. We have a history that we have come out of. Things we are shedding off in order to accomplish even more!
Tue, March 13, 2012 @ 10:10 AM
5. Omar wrote:: That isnihgt's perfect for what I need. Thanks!
Wed, November 21, 2012 @ 4:51 PM
6. mknxbpg wrote:: X9jeKG blyboeqewdyh
Thu, November 22, 2012 @ 9:21 PM

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