Rick Steves on Travel and Faith

[Xpycoctomos]

For those of you who don't know, Rick Steves is the popular host of the PBS travel documentary series "Rick Steves' Europe". I LOVE his program.

I believe Rick Steve's is a Lutheran (ELCA), my reason for posting this here. I found this interview with him to be very thought-provoking and have even more respect for him than I already had. It really gives him a lot more depth than I had ever known of before.

Just thought you might enjoy it.

http://visiteurope.compulsivetraveler.tv/videos/463-Faithful-Travel-with-Rick-Steves

[Xpycoctomos]

bumpity-bump

Anyone watch it? I was just curious on reactions or thoughts. Well, no need to comment at all. The main reason I' bumping it is so others who weren't here when I post it might notice it and have a chance to see it.

God bless you!

Xpy

[LilLamb219]

He admits that during their "fellowship" that he has while on his tours, that he discourages the usage of Jesus, but instead just uses God so it's inclusive. What does that type of thing say to you?

[Xpycoctomos]

I don't know... that not everyone that goes is a Christian. But I'm not going to judge his faith in Christ since he repetedly speaks of Chrsitianity. That's my personal take.

[LilLamb219]

I didn't say anything about judging his faith.

What I mean is that people who are so intent on being "inclusive" sometimes evict Jesus Christ while doing so and thus, bypass good opportunities to witness. Not everyone who says they believe in "god" worship the one true God.

[Xpycoctomos]

oKay. Fortunately it seems evident that he personally does.

[DaRev]

oKay. Fortunately it seems evident that he personally does.

Then why is he ashamed to proclaim Christ?

[seajoy]

I was once on a tour bus, where the travel planning company is owned by a WELS couple. Every morning we had devotions on the bus by one of the men...Christ was freely talked about. Nothing vague about it. I was sitting in the front, as I was one of the leaders of the group. One morning, we had something to do early, so devotions were pushed back that day. The bus driver, who told me he was of the Mennonite Bretheran, and hadn't been to church since he was a child, asked when we were going to have devotions for that day. They really meant a lot to him, and he realized he had let God slip out of his life.

What if we had never talked of Jesus on that trip??? :confused:

[Xpycoctomos]

Then why is he ashamed to proclaim Christ?
I don't believe he evr said he was. maybe I missed something.

[RadMan]

Wonder if he has saint Jude metal hanging from his rearview mirror or maybe even a plastic Mary on the dash? Maybe not since he isn't singling out any particular personage.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I was watching the show one time and heard him state that he's Lutheran...

I rather like the positive things he says about churches, the focus on religious art, etc. I strongly suspected he was a Christian or at least one very sensitive to our Christian heritage even before he mentioned his Lutheranness (word?).

He has one of those "jobs" I'd love to have - although I've seen a couple of his "making" shows and it IS hard work to which he is very, very focused and dedicated. Still..... Either that or a 'job' as a food and film critic, or maybe commenter on beautiful women. People actually get paid for such stuff. They do!

Seriously, I like the show. And now that I know, I can "see" that Lutheran aspect in him at times.



Pax!


- Josiah




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[Xpycoctomos]

Wonder if he has saint Jude metal hanging from his rearview mirror or maybe even a plastic Mary on the dash? Maybe not since he isn't singling out any particular personage.

??? I don't get it. :sorry:

[BabyLutheran]

??? I don't get it. :sorry:

I think he was body slamming Rick because he doesn't say Jesus every time he talks about God.

[Xpycoctomos]

Oh... I don't get how that relates to St. Jude or Mary.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I can sympathize with people's concerns. The only reason I am not jumping on the bandwagon is because we're talking about an actual person and his soul. It's very possible taht there is a lot we don't understand about why he does what he does and he really doesn't get into that much. It's just difficult for me to assume he may not believe in Christ alone but is, rather, pantheistic/universalist. He may be, but that's serious business and I could easily see him being extremely devout in his Christian faith and in the Creed and Scriptures of the Church.

I prefer to assume the latter unless otherwise proven so.

Xpy

[LilLamb219]

We aren't saying we doubt his Christianity...we're saying that he's not helping much by merely mentioning God without giving a hint of Gospel which deals with Christ and the cross for our sins.

[LutheranMafia]

There is an old saying that the quickest way to start an argument is to bring up the topic of either politics or religion. There is often someone that will get hot under the collar unless you are in an extremely homogeneous environment where everyone thinks the same. It is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of things, since his "job" is to look like he is on holiday, not to start arguments.

[BabyLutheran]

We aren't saying we doubt his Christianity...we're saying that he's not helping much by merely mentioning God without giving a hint of Gospel which deals with Christ and the cross for our sins.


It's pretty obvious to me by how he emphasizes visiting the beautiful cathedrals of Europe during his shows that he is practicing guerrilla witnessing tactics! lol

I haven't seen him pushing synagogues and mosques on any of the shows, but I haven't seen all of them either, so I do not want to say he never has.