Western society at large is at this interesting place regarding psychotherapy and mental health. On the one hand, there are a whole lot of people who still pejoratively and dismissively refer to licensed therapists as "shrinks." They're often in positions of power, too. For them the stigma against mental health issues is self-evident and nearly as professionally disastrous as … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Destigmatizes Therapy and Values Deep Conversations with Friends
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Beatnik Christianity Accepts Only Authentic Apologies
The small group leader erupted in rage and publicly threw you out of his home. All because you asked a sincere question about an unsightly passage in the Old Testament. His action damaged a number of relationships. A month later, he begrudgingly says, "Fine. If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, OK?" If?! The pastor's wife gossiped about you in the guise of forming a prayer … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Accepts Only Authentic Apologies
Beatnik Christianity Disavows the American Legacy of Puritanical Erotic Suppression
American society has officially accomplished the impossible. Against all odds, we've somehow managed to become both prudish and licentious, stoic and hedonistic, stifled and boisterous in our sexual expression. I don't know whether to be impressed or annoyed. Personally, I wish we didn't have to worry about Victoria's Secret commercials that teach little boys to objectify women … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Disavows the American Legacy of Puritanical Erotic Suppression
Beatnik Christianity Supports An Unapologetically Positive Theology of Pleasure
After 2,000 years of avoidance, it's high time that Jesus followers develop a holistic, nuanced, and overtly positive theology of pleasure. This whole time Christian culture has been, at best, dubious because of the precedents established by Stoicism's ethical influence upon the emerging Christian community in the Greco-Roman world. There's a reason we've got a word for the … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Supports An Unapologetically Positive Theology of Pleasure
Beatnik Christianity Repudiates Honor-Guilt And Honor-Shame Cultural Paradigms
One of the insights I most appreciate from the field of cultural anthropology is the identification of the sister paradigms of honor-guilt cultures and honor-shame cultures. In guilt societies, control is maintained by continually reinforcing individual themes of inward guilt for condemned behaviors. The moral order is preserved through law, punishment, and forgiveness. In … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Repudiates Honor-Guilt And Honor-Shame Cultural Paradigms