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
Politics
Beatnik Christianity Refuses to Participate in Conservatism vs. Progressivism
N.T. Wright once observed, "From where many of us in the UK sit, American politics is hopelessly polarized. All kinds of issues get bundled up into two great heaps. The rest of the world, today and across the centuries, simply doesn’t see things in this horribly oversimplified way." Totally agree, but it's worse than that. It's this all-encompassing hodgepodge of politics, … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Refuses to Participate in Conservatism vs. Progressivism
Beatnik Christianity Engages in Vigorous Good Faith Dialogue
The New York Times columnist David Brookes has noticed Western society's pivot away from "eulogy virtues" to "résumé virtues." Sadly, Christian culture has followed the secular lead on this one. Church tradition contains a wealth of insight about character formation, but few talk about that anymore. All we seem to care about anymore is the immediate and the practical. I've … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Engages in Vigorous Good Faith Dialogue
Beatnik Christianity Recognizes That Little of “Traditional Marriage” Is Traditional
Christian culture loves talking about traditional marriage. Sometimes this involves waxing poetically about God's perfect intentions for the complementary union of man and woman, but more often than not these days it's a diatribe crossed with a jeremiad. Traditional marriage has taken on apocalyptic significance. It's presented to us as divine retribution being invoked by … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Recognizes That Little of “Traditional Marriage” Is Traditional
