Returning to theology

[axver]

Over the last few days, during trips of nostalgia, I have noticed a pattern of increasingly infrequent theologically themed entries on my LJ. Back in the days when my journal had a decent readership, I wrote such entries regularly, but now? I haven't written such an entry in months. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact I now believe in

Comments

[augustine]

I know this reply is a few days late....I didn't think of it until just today. So please forgive me. But I did want to comment on one of your observations. (Indeed, your whole comment deserves commentary, but I am not the one to give it).

Anyway, it seems to me that your criticisms are directed to conservatives, and especially fundamentalists, right? (though perhaps I'm misunderstanding you).

If so, then first let me point out that I am particularly fond of fundamentalists, and find them, on the whole (with a few very vocal exceptions) to be absoultely wonderful people. (Even though, no doubt, many of them probably think I'm going to Hell.)

That said, I think you make a very good point when you write:

There seems to be this idea spreading around in churches that the secular world is absolutely corrupt and vile and can offer nothing good whatsoever,

That is one of the problems I do find with fundamentalism in particular. I am reminded of a quote by G.K. Chesterton, that it seems fundamentalists would do well to remember (and, indeed, all Christians, since we seem to forget sometimes):

Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice

(Illustrated London News, September 11, 1909)

One can substitute "war or alcohol, or economic law" with more modern day examples, but the point stilll remains. We need to make sure we don't make "false devils" of the things that are, in spiritual matters, relatively small concerns at worst, and especially we need to make sure not to make "false devils" of things which are in fact, in a great many cases, not wrong at all but are actually positive goods, being God's gracious gifts to man (such as beer, as Chesterton would point out, or, as your comment points out, much of secular culture).

Now, I'll be the first to admit that there is plenty of secular culture which it is hard to reconcile with a Christian worldview. (I think that statement should be pretty non-controversial, if for no other reason than that secular culture offers plenty to offend everybody, no matter what worldview they hold, Christian or non-Christian of every stripe). Yet we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We should not reject secular culture just because it is secular culture, as if al secular culture is bad.

That is certainly not how Christianity has historically approached the matter. And, I don't think all our ancestors were fools (if anyone thinks theirs were, I can only say it appears to be a hereditary disease, as Chesterton would quip). So, let me just say that I completely agree with your comment there.

Sorry for posting the obvious, but I did wish to comment real quick on where I think you really nailed it.