The phrase "wrong side of history" gets a lot of usage these days. It means wrong, disapproved, unenlightened, out-of-date, or irrelevant from the presumed perspective of the future. I couldn't disagree more with everything about that sentiment. At best it's a thought-terminating cliché that kills important conversation; at worst it's moralistic virtue signaling used to … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Never Appeals to the “Wrong Side of History”
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Beatnik Christianity Takes A Nuanced, Historical Approach to Church-State Issues
The dynamic relationship between church and state is one of irresolvable complexity. There is no one systematic paradigm or "biblical" formulation that defines what Christians' political activity should look like, neatly ties off all the loose ends, and is conveniently applicable to all geo-politcal and socio-economic contexts. An approach that met the needs of one century … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Takes A Nuanced, Historical Approach to Church-State Issues
Beatnik Christianity Restores the Tension Between the Individual and the Community
Not only is contemporary Western society the most radically individualistic in all of human history, but American society is at the apex of that hyper-individualism by a long shot. It'd be like building the Burj Khalifa skyscraper atop Mount Everest. Our lifestyle of relentless self-interest is truly unprecedented. Yet any call for the restoration of a healthy balance or … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Restores the Tension Between the Individual and the Community
Beatnik Christianity Leaves Room for Stability and Wildness in Marriage
Christian culture's vision for marriage endlessly drives home the messages of dependability and responsibility. The cultural paradigm for this lifelong relationship is expressed as being all about the "Big S"s: Sacrifice, Safety, Security, Stability, Support, Surrender, and Sustainability. One gives up the autonomy of single life to gain lifelong partnership "to have and to … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Leaves Room for Stability and Wildness in Marriage
Friendship, Pursuing Your Dreams, Cross-Cultural Music, and Masks During Worship
This video caused seven thoughts: I'm proud of my friend, Karl Utz. After getting a Master's degree in Church Music and not quite knowing what to do next, we lived together for a year while I recovered from divorce and he reimagined his path forward. We met as part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and then he became my partner in leading University Abbey, which was a … [Read more...] about Friendship, Pursuing Your Dreams, Cross-Cultural Music, and Masks During Worship
