Piety and what comes first

The Reedemer Neo Calvinist crowd is asking "can a priority on cultural engagement cause a deficiency in personal piety." Here is a thought that hopefully advances the conversation... I think we need to exapand the notion of piety beyond the traditional evangelical models. 1. Piety does not only mean: "avoiding the more flagrant and scandalous sin." We have to recognize the meaning of IS 58: 6-8. Piety has a social and justice component that must be recognized if we "expect our voice to be heard on high" 2. Piety is not only limited to doing "christian things" but also must include "doing well simply what you do". My artist friend Ed Kellogg (Who apparently doesnt' have any images online - which is a shame!) spoke of a time with a group of Dutch artists who said "We don't want to talk anymore about integrating Art and faith - we just want to do good art" and they went off and painted. We cannot reserve the approval of piety to "the sacred callings" and not remember that living well includes all walks of life. 3. Piety can not be defined only as a rich emotional experience of intimacy with the Holy Spirit. I am convinced that God created us all different for a reason. Some respond deeply to his spirit in emotional connection - others respond in a more intellectual fashion - others in a aesthetic fashion. If I were to think piety only was viable with emotional expression - my life would simply be emotional constipation. Like Dr Koizis I love the Daily Prayers and cycles of psalms. I am getting over the notion that I am less pious because I don't well up in prayer, or intuitively move to the word God has for me. This expanded definition of piety puts it in a realm of the impossible - exactly where God's calling should be. Without faith - the pious life is impossible - and without faith none of these callings and expanded definitions are impossible. And this is the message of the Gospel - you are more screwed up than you could ever immagine (which includes the piety of all neo-calvinists), but God's grace is more amazing than you could ever imagine. When I can start to explain how to live a pious life - than I worry that it actually might be feasible on my own terms. It is when my significant limitations and his outrageous demands force me to his cross - that is when Gospel happens. More thoughts later....