Biblical Freedom

I have been challenged in my thinking today by a post I have read, based on a post from Steven Furtick. What I have determined is that there are different schools of thought that stem from interpretation of the Bible.

One thought is --if the Sacred Scriptures doesn't allow it then it shouldn't be done.
The other is "if the Scriptures are silent we are silent". The difference is huge. One requires specific scripture to grant permission, the second says if the Scriptures don't condemn it or speak against it then it is permissible. The first is very much restrictive while the second gives freedom. Now it is important to note that if a specific act is condemned in Scripture then there is no freedom.

Now, in terms of worship, this gives us a lot of room to be creative and follow God's leading as to the specifics in a Sunday service. There are things that the Bible says must be a part of our gatherings, teaching, prayer, the breaking of bread. In addition we are encouraged to give our tithes and offerings. But from there the Bible is silent on musical content, the use of drama and video clips, the use of instruments, and even liturgical dance. I believe that we have the Biblical freedom to craft things in accordance to our local culture. Jesus was a person who was very much in tune with the Jewish culture...He was Jewish. He adhered to Jewish customs, knew the ins and outs of the Religious leaders of the day. He worshiped in the temple.

If Jesus had chosen to come as the Messiah in 2007 instead of 33 B.C. I believe he would have been much different because the culture would have been different. Not everything we do has to be given up to be culturally relevant, we can't ignore it or the church will continue to become irrelevant.