It would be interesting to me to see how this person uses scripture to differentiate between "American Christianity" and "Biblical Christianity," or if "Biblical Christianity" is his ideal (as opposed to some other form of the faith).
It would be interesting to me to see how this person uses scripture to differentiate between "American Christianity" and "Biblical Christianity," or if "Biblical Christianity" is his ideal (as opposed to some other form of the faith).
My hunch is that among his concerns is the growing trend toward Dominionism in US churches. I took a brief look at his website. I don't see him emphasizing anything that would link to a fundamentalist perspective.
I see this person saying what he's had enough of; not saying where he thinks he's going or what he's looking for.
I wonder if his perspective might be different if he were a black person (I do get the impression he's white, but I might be wrong).
It seems to me (from this side of the pond) that a lot of American Christianity is "prosperity gospel" and that's certain a lot of what TWI propounded. There is very much more in the Bible about suffering, persecution, and persevering through difficulties. And there is a significant amount about compassion leading to open-handed help and service.
I live in a different country, and have lived in other countries, and the fear-bashing and money-oriented culture of the American mega-church or of the cultish TWI does not prevail in those other countries. This person needs to explore outside of the USA. Go on mission to Africa or India or Albania or somewhere else, for a little while.
I think calling it "American Christianity" is painting with an over-broad brush. "Fundamentalist/Evangelical Protestantism in America"? That would be closer to the truth.
There are plenty of good Christians in every denomination in America, even some good fundamentalist/evangelical protestants, but the groups who joined in the fundamentalist movement of the early 1900s seem particularly prone to certain cognitive distortions.
I find myself being drawn to identify more with folks who came out of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement of the late 1800s, particularly those who recognize the workings of the Holy Spirit.
Sounds more like a loosely disguised political diatribe to me. I bounced around quite a bit during my years after TheWay and don't recall ever coming across the kind of hate he's claiming permeates Christianity in America. An isolated pocket here and there but that's about it.
Now, if he wants to discuss the emptiness of the practices as opposed to the promises. I'd be all in.
I didn't think about it that way, JJ, but you're right. This article is nearly as political in nature as it is doctrinal.
Considering that it didn't spark a fight or anything, I'll leave it be. But thanks for pointing it out. We'll be careful to monitor that line between faith and politics to make sure Greasespot's rules are followed. I don't think they were broken here, but the potential was far more obvious than I recognized when it was originally posted.
Edited by Raf Corrected error in describing the article.
I'm not exactly sure what "American Christianity" is. What is he leaving? Is it some form of nationalism?
I do know politics and religion were for a long time worked together in human history. If in the past few centuries we've tried to separate them, is there something lost that is not understood, yet? Those are two major way humans group together or make associations with each other. Wouldn't they continue to try to merge or overlap?
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Raf
It would be interesting to me to see how this person uses scripture to differentiate between "American Christianity" and "Biblical Christianity," or if "Biblical Christianity" is his ideal (as opposed to some other form of the faith).
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Rocky
My hunch is that among his concerns is the growing trend toward Dominionism in US churches. I took a brief look at his website. I don't see him emphasizing anything that would link to a fundamentalist perspective.
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Twinky
I see this person saying what he's had enough of; not saying where he thinks he's going or what he's looking for.
I wonder if his perspective might be different if he were a black person (I do get the impression he's white, but I might be wrong).
It seems to me (from this side of the pond) that a lot of American Christianity is "prosperity gospel" and that's certain a lot of what TWI propounded. There is very much more in the Bible about suffering, persecution, and persevering through difficulties. And there is a significant amount about compassion leading to open-handed help and service.
I live in a different country, and have lived in other countries, and the fear-bashing and money-oriented culture of the American mega-church or of the cultish TWI does not prevail in those other countries. This person needs to explore outside of the USA. Go on mission to Africa or India or Albania or somewhere else, for a little while.
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Steve Lortz
I think calling it "American Christianity" is painting with an over-broad brush. "Fundamentalist/Evangelical Protestantism in America"? That would be closer to the truth.
There are plenty of good Christians in every denomination in America, even some good fundamentalist/evangelical protestants, but the groups who joined in the fundamentalist movement of the early 1900s seem particularly prone to certain cognitive distortions.
I find myself being drawn to identify more with folks who came out of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement of the late 1800s, particularly those who recognize the workings of the Holy Spirit.
Love,
Steve
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Tzaia
I read a bunch of Brian McLaren books back in 2008, which essentially said the same thing as this guy.
Douglas Murray has an interesting take on American Christianity when he talks to Sam Harris
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Tzaia
I think that it's telling that only in the US do people take "it is written" so seriously.
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Rocky
I wish I could take two hours to listen to that podcast. But after just a few minutes of Sam Harris, I don't think I could get all the way through it.
But I'll see if I can find something more succinct with Mr. Murray.
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JumpinJive
Sounds more like a loosely disguised political diatribe to me. I bounced around quite a bit during my years after TheWay and don't recall ever coming across the kind of hate he's claiming permeates Christianity in America. An isolated pocket here and there but that's about it.
Now, if he wants to discuss the emptiness of the practices as opposed to the promises. I'd be all in.
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Raf
I didn't think about it that way, JJ, but you're right. This article is nearly as political in nature as it is doctrinal.
Considering that it didn't spark a fight or anything, I'll leave it be. But thanks for pointing it out. We'll be careful to monitor that line between faith and politics to make sure Greasespot's rules are followed. I don't think they were broken here, but the potential was far more obvious than I recognized when it was originally posted.
Edited by RafCorrected error in describing the article.
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JumpinJive
Thanks, Raf! I didn't even think of it in terms of Greasespot's rules. It was just quick observation.
Thanks for staying on top of it!!
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Bolshevik
I'm not exactly sure what "American Christianity" is. What is he leaving? Is it some form of nationalism?
I do know politics and religion were for a long time worked together in human history. If in the past few centuries we've tried to separate them, is there something lost that is not understood, yet? Those are two major way humans group together or make associations with each other. Wouldn't they continue to try to merge or overlap?
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