When most people think of fundamentalism their minds often go straight to the vitriolic outbursts, behavioral control, restrictive thinking, literalistic interpretations, and all the rest. What's helpful to realize is that these things are merely the symptoms, not the underlying disease. At the core of any expression of fundamentalism is a mindset that fears being wrong and … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Deplores “Fundamentalisms Swapping”
systematic theology
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 Asks, “WHO is God?”
Rainn Wilson of The Office fame is not a Jesus follower but wrote an excellent book based on his Baháʼí Faith. While promoting it on The Holy Post Podcast he mused, "Bottom line: the #1 most important question anyone can ask themselves is, is there a god?... We're either a random assemblage of molecules that happened to have developed this incredible consciousness or there is … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Asks, “WHO is God?”
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 Demythologizes Marriage & Sex
For years I invested an obscene amount of time studying the biblical texts on marriage and sex. I sincerely hoped to emerge with a novel insight, crisp perspective, or strong conviction. No such luck, I'm afraid. To be clear, I didn't deconstruct these biblical texts into progressive oblivion. It's not that there's nothing there, it's just not there in the way we might wish. … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Demythologizes Marriage & Sex
