Sacrifice is an essential component of The Way of Jesus. In Luke 9 our Lord said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it." Likewise, in Philippians 2 Paul writes, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Insists Upon Actually Making Sacrifices to Serve Others
The Way of Jesus
Beatnik Christianity Appreciates Pluralism
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
Beatnik Christianity Refrains from Using the Word “Biblical” As A Divine Rubber Stamp
The comedian, Mike Birbiglia, has a hilarious bit about how everyone tries to get you to dance at clubs. With an intonation reflecting a complete lack of self-confidence he says, "They come up to you and say 'You gotta dance! you gotta dance!' And then I dance, and they're like, 'Not like that!'" That's precisely how I feel about the Bible. I grew up in churches that revered … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Refrains from Using the Word “Biblical” As A Divine Rubber Stamp
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 Affirms the Mystical Interconnectedness of All Things
Have you ever heard of the Overview Effect? It's a cognitive shift reported by astronauts while looking at the Earth. It's a state of awe infused with a sense of self-transcendence. Astronaunt Mae Jemison reflected, "When you look at the Earth from space, you realize that our planet is a beautiful, interconnected system. We are all in this together." That's a powerful … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Affirms the Mystical Interconnectedness of All Things
