In the church tradition in which I was raised, everything was overtly spiritual. We believed in the everyday occurrence of spiritually hearing God's voice. We practiced spiritual Bible study and spiritual preaching. There was spiritual prayer languages, spiritual healing, spiritual deliverance, spiritual prophecy, spiritual anointing, spiritual offering, spiritual dancing, … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Believes Everything Is Spiritual
Baptism
Beatnik Christianity Creates Room for Both Analytical and Holistic Cognition
The field of cultural anthropology makes a fascinating distinction between "analytical cognition" and "holistic cognition." Reflecting the values of Western culture, analytical thinkers separate out ideas into black and white. They value compartmentalization, individualism, independence, and quantifiable research. Reflecting the values of Eastern culture, holistic thinkers … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Creates Room for Both Analytical and Holistic Cognition
Beatnik Christianity Won’t Budge on A Second Baptism Or Two-Tier Condescension
Non-Pentecostals commonly criticize the movement by saying it teaches that those who don't speak in tongues also don't have the Holy Spirit, but I've encountered few Pentecostals who deny the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in other sincere Christians. That accusation is false. What Pentecostal theology does attempt is a retcon of Scripture's teachings regarding baptism. The … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Won’t Budge on A Second Baptism Or Two-Tier Condescension
Beatnik Christianity Laments the Existence of American Civil Religion
When it comes to church-state dynamics, Paul showed us the way by appealing to his citizenship in the Roman Empire while reserving his allegiance for Christ and His Kingdom. Sadly, Christian culture in the U.S. has taken another path. We suffer from a chronic condition of adjective-noun confusion. An adjective is a description. A noun is a source of identity. That distinction … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Laments the Existence of American Civil Religion
Beatnik Christianity Renounces the Cosmic Bellhop View of God As Blasphemous
In every religious expression throughout history there has been a disconnect between the official tenets and expectations of the powers that be and the actual beliefs and practices of the everyday people. Christianity is no exception, so it's probably best to be charitable between the espoused ideal and the actual reality. At the same time, it's worth asking, "At what point … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Renounces the Cosmic Bellhop View of God As Blasphemous
