"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
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Beatnik Christianity Harmonizes Eastern Ancestral Sin with Sacred Humanism
Western Christianity has had a troublesome guilt-shame complex ever since Augustine of Hippo. In his dualistic schema, human anthropology and God's grace are framed as being in conflict, which creates the need for a theological seesaw effect. The former must go down for the latter to go up. Humanity's sinful nature is cold, filthy, and wretched so that God's righteous grace is … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Harmonizes Eastern Ancestral Sin with Sacred Humanism