Archives for September 2023

If we're going to take Scripture seriously, then we can't pick and choose biblical texts. Instead we have to engage the wisdom of the entire corpus. One of the best examples of this cherry-picking happens with alcohol. As an adolescent, fundamentalism of the Holiness Movement variety had me convinced that alcohol merely passing your lips was a sin. Imagine my surprise when I … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Has No Scruples About Using Natural Substances

The same historical evolution of the Christian faith has been described by various writers. First it was a community of Jesus followers in first century Israel, then it moved into Ancient Greece and became a philosophy. After a few centuries, it spread throughout the Roman Empire and became an institution. Over the next 1,500-odd years, Christianity settled into every nook and … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Is A Countercultural Lifestyle Above All Else

Theologically speaking, water is thicker than blood. Baptism spiritually grafts believers into the covenant community and transforms their identities, including who they see as their ultimate family. Down deep I'll always affirm that perspective. However, I'm overriding those convictions. Sorry, Reason, but I'm deprioritizing the spiritual ruminations, lofty biblical metaphors, … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Deprioritizes Principles in Favor of a Pragmatic Ecclesiology