Pluralism does not mean all opinions are created equally. Pluralism does not mean all religious belief systems are different paths to the same ultimate destination. Pluralism does not mean a postmodern morass of factual irrelevancy and feeling supremacy. Pluralism does not mean it's inappropriate to say, "I disagree." Jesus followers have been enculturated to immediately think … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Appreciates Pluralism
humanity
Beatnik Christianity Creates Room for the Eastern Orthodox View of Theosis
Protestant theology dating all the way back to the 16th century contains a strong, unnatural break between justification and sanctification. Paul writes about salvation in the past, present, and future tense. You were saved. You're being saved. You will be saved. It's a salvific process, not a salvific moment. The Reformers were right that the process begins … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Creates Room for the Eastern Orthodox View of Theosis
Beatnik Christianity Accepts Genesis’ Imperative for Creation Care
In 1999's The Matrix Agent Smith menacingly comments, "A revelation... came to me when I tried to classify your species. I've realized that you are not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Accepts Genesis’ Imperative for Creation Care
Beatnik Christianity Values the Honesty and Vulnerability of Authentic Artistic Expression
"Why do we need art? ... Because the only way we can approach God is if we're honest through metaphor, through symbol. So art becomes essential, not decorative." That wise reflection came from U2's Bono during a discussion with Eugene Peterson about the role of the psalms in Christian faith. I'm completely sold on that perspective and am convinced God is, too. So much of … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Values the Honesty and Vulnerability of Authentic Artistic Expression
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
