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”
Us vs. Them
Beatnik Christianity Embraces Nonviolence
The process of discipleship is supposed to be about being remade in the likeness of our rabbi, but that's a tall order. Instead Christians tend to recast Jesus in their own image and declare Him good. That's exactly what happened with the Christianization of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, and even more so as the empire's western half disintegrated in Augustine's lifetime. … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Embraces Nonviolence
Beatnik Christianity Habitually Questions the Unquestionable
Living in Christian culture is like walking through an unmarked minefield. You might blissfully stroll through just fine, but if you do encounter a problem you'll never know about it until after the explosion. You see, Christians are supposed to anticipate the idiosyncratic and tribalist expectations of what's off-limits, especially regarding what questions are and aren't … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Habitually Questions the Unquestionable