Britannica defines authoritarianism as the "principle of blind submission to authority." Spiritual authoritarianism demands rank and file submission to religious leaders who've ascended to positions of institutional power. It's a centralized structure that functions through a chain-of-command mentality like the military. Christian culture justifies this with nesting set of … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Overthrows Spiritual Authoritarianism
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Beatnik Christianity Trusts Spiritual Directors More Than Pastors
I revere excellent pastors. Unfortunately, they're few and far between. Not only that, they're getting harder to find as American Christian culture's implicit expectations are shifting to more of a "Church CEO" model. These days pastors are chiefly responsible for overseeing programs, increasing attendance, maximizing participation, managing the board, and serving as the … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Trusts Spiritual Directors More Than Pastors
Beatnik Christianity Doesn’t Kick People When They’re Down with Divorce
It's often been said that nobody shoots their wounded like Christians. In no area is that more true than divorce. Yup, I can personally vouch for that. I could've easily cranked out a seminary paper on the biblical doctrine of grace before my legal divorce and ecclesiastical annulment, but this understanding was theoretical. It wasn't until I experienced the juxtaposition … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Doesn’t Kick People When They’re Down with Divorce
Beatnik Christianity Is Sex-Positive
Christian culture has long taught an unhealthy, unnatural, androcentic, and repressive view of human sexuality that appears blissfully unaware of Song of Songs. I'm not denying that Christians ever say positive things about sex, but even when they do the ratio is usually all wrong. The enculturated formula tends to prescribe two-thirds negativity to one-third positivity. If … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Is Sex-Positive
Yeah, But Is Christian Culture Any Worse?
The feedback to Monday's piece entitled "Wrong from the Start: How Christian Culture Keeps Pulling Us Away from Jesus" has been largely curious and receptive. There's one good-natured question that keeps being asked, though: yeah, but is Christian culture any worse? They're wondering if these problems are unique to Christian culture or systemic to all of humanity. It brings me … [Read more...] about Yeah, But Is Christian Culture Any Worse?
