I just saw this movie. I am constantly looking for ways to point out perceived injustice within the Church. Here are a few thoughts about how I am Jason Bourne. If you haven
t seen the movie and want to, (I highly recomend the moovie by the way) then stop reading. I am going to give away the whole thing.
Remember near the end when he finds out that he "chose" his position as spy and unquestioning patriot? Well, anytime I hear the word choice, I don't start thinking about abortion, I start to think about intellectual evangelism and a bastardized version of the gospel. So... here is an unfair critique of modern evangelism and how I believe it has been misused and how heavy handed the Church has been with it's new believers.
The doctor in the movie reveals to Jason Bourne that he was the one who chose his life. He "signed on for this". The doctor readily admits that the new recruit (Bourne) was trained to not think but to simply follow orders. But Bourne was never really given the full story. I have 2 points about this:
1. I think that Fundamentalism is a lot like the doctor in terms of following orders. Once a new Christian "signs on", the culture does not allow for the questioning of it's beliefs and practices. Any perceived questioning or doubt is chalked up to the believers lack of faith and ineptitude. This creates a culture of needing to know you are right (and saved). This is what cause many to "learn" the gospel presentation and find a way that nobody can argue with. A way to rationalize God and to understand him logically. This arrogance is not only bad theology, but a foul odor that taints the air and keeps many from the pleasant aroma of the full gospel. It actually repels people from Christ. Bourne starts out wanting to serve his country at all costs: a noble act. He ends up doing much more harm and actually taking the lives of those he has promised to serve and protect.
2. An intellectual understanding of the gospel is no good news. When we present an easy to explain and easy to understand gospel we erase years of Christs' teachings. The gospel took Jesus 33 (give or take) years to explain and those closest never fully understood him. It is presumptuous for us to think we can explain it in a booklet or over a coke and french fries. A gospel that so many died for should not be delivered in snip-its or bullet points. It must be chewed and digested and vomitted and re-ingested, and deficated and studied and handled and stomped on and burned and used as fertilizer and experimented with and grown and then eaten again. It must be experienced on a daly basis in community and it must be desecrated and made to be displayed beautifully and...
I am not happy with this post. I am pretty scatter brained right now. Let me know if you can ore something good from this mess eh.
10 comments:
Hi,
I could say I stumbled on this site, okay I did, or did'nt, but I loved it anyhow I got here. My husband and I are going through the pains of the "christian' things and one of them are learning just what you have said. How can you live life with God unless you get to know him, and i agree with you when you explained thiings. The people we have meat, don't talk like us or you, it's refreshing that God is revealing others that are like minded like us and we are'nt alone:)
Thanks for your post
krissy
abq. nm
Christian,
Speaking purely as a fundamentalist here, I must say that you must lack faith or be inept, otherwise you wouldn't be talking like this.
Now get in line and stop questioning things!
(Obviously I'm kidding, but seriously, why'd you have to go and make me think on a deeper level about Bourne?)
Christian,
I agree for the most part with with your thoughts on Fundamentalism. And I like your organic analogy of the gospel. But what does that look like? What is the substance of a lived gospel? You make clear it will be a painstaking life long process but in the words of faith no more "what is it?"
I am really struggling with this. I wrote a post on that very subject tonight. I would appreciate your input if you get a chance.
I hope we can hang out and drink a beer again sometime soon.
Blessings,
Wayne
Krissy. Welcome. Thanks for your thoughts. What are you reading lately? I'd love to hear books your reading for recovering fundies like myself. Hope you stop back in.
Steve- I like when you read my posts. You always have helpful and constructive things to say about my posts. Keep up the good work.
Wayne- I'll check your blog tonight. I'll have to do a search for it thgouh because I took it off my favorites. I thought you had given up posting. Just kidding. I didn't delete it. In fact I check it every night at work.
Living the gospel. Well, I'll tell you vaguely what it looks like for me. I need to work out salvation daily for a number of things. The biggest thing I need to be saved form is from myself. When I refuse to be involved in what the King is doing here, I need salvation. When I live, not for the Kingdom, but for myself, I reject Messiah and re-crucify him. I know it's vague, but then we need to have the discussion of a relative gospel. Must I live out the gospel the same way as you or my wife? In some ways yes! In others, it is between me and my local community and my God.
I'm better at deconstructing than constructing. Can you tell?
Let's find that 12-step program for recovering Fundamentals:)
Jodi,
That really would be helpful.
Whenever I start getting a little "liberal" in my theological thinking, there's this image in the back of my mind of a preacher pounding on a pulpit, spit flying, and telling me that I'm going to go to Hell if I do or think (fill in the blank).
One thing fundamentalism has succeeded at is creating fear. Not only fear of Hell, but also fear of not being a fundamentalist.
If you're a fundamentalist, everything is black and white. You know who stands for what and who is going where in the end.
Stepping outside of that box is scarey because you have to admit that not only do you not have all the answers, but also that you may never be able to.
Christian,
I was reading Matthew 25 this morning. Take a look at it and ask yourself, "Is Christianity about how you think or about how you live?"
I'm still wrestling with what this means for someone still somewhat rooted in evangelicalism.
I don't think "Evangelicalism" is bad. The *word* "Evangelicalism" isn't what people have issues with, right? Don't they/we/I have issues with Fundamentalism? We want others to know the Jesus we know and serve just not in the way that some Fundamental Christians would say we need to go about telling them. All Christian denominations are evangelical in roots but some are more in the way that St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." Right?
IMO, I would venture to guess that the *Gospel* is meant to be both thought about and acted upon. James talks about this, doesn't he? My critique is that Fundamentals have gone too far in the intellectual gospel. Don't you think? I mean, I remember *talking* a lot about Jesus' words of healing, feeding, clothing, visiting...but rarely did I ever know anyone who actually did those things. I surmised that you had to be a *missionary* to actually carry our that part of the gospel. My real-everyday-part was to tell my conversion experience in order to emotionally manipulate other "non-believers" into accepting Jesus as their personal savior thus saving them from eternal damnation in the fiery pits of HELL. (side bar: isn't that funny how fire completely changes structure when it becomes fiery?) Hmm...
I suppose you're right about evangelicalism. I debated whether or not I should say that or fundamentalism. It does seem like conservative Christians have dominated the use of the term "evangelical." Although the phrase should be used to describe any Christian who wants others to experience the love of Christ, it tends to mean Christian's who are right-wing-leaning.
Yup. I wonder if/how we can try to restore the reputation of fundis in our circles...b/c i think the critique is pretty much out there now. I wonder if it can be or if the damage is too deep. Just some thoughts.
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