I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity, but because there were people willing to be nuts and bolts.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the importance of genuine actions over theoretical understanding in faith.
Rich Mullins suggests that true belief in Christianity is not solely based on comprehension of its doctrines, but rather on the demonstration of faith through the actions of its followers. The 'nuts and bolts' represent the foundational elements of Christianity, with individuals embodying these principles through their lives, thus inspiring others to embrace faith. It's a call to recognize the impact of lived experiences in shaping belief.
In practice
In a sermon about community service, you might quote Rich Mullins to emphasize the importance of living out your faith.
Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken.
I think I would rather live on the verge of falling and let my security be in the all-sufficiency of the grace of God than to live in some pietistic illusion of moral excellence. Not that I don't want to be morally excellent but my faith isn't in the idea that I'm more moral than anybody else. My faith is in the idea that God and His love are greater than whatever sins any of us commit.
So go out and live real good and I promise you'll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you're dead, you'll be rotted away anyway. It's not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn't live.
Forged in the fires of human passion, choking on the fumes of human rage, with these out hells and our heavens, so few inches apart, we must be awfully small, and not as strong as we think we are.
The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God...and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him, all creatures here below! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by Godβs grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible.
One might pray and not be a Christian, but one cannot be a Christian and not pray.
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