Just a warning again for those three of you who actually read this blog; I’m not sure today really has much excitement or coherence… Just a few thoughts.
You know how some words kind of hang around for a while and become, in a sense, the word of the month? Maybe this is just something odd that happens in my head that no one else has ever experienced… Anyway, by my observation, one of the “words of the month,” or even words of the quarter, has been radical. Let me offer a bit of context. I’ve been hearning this word in the context of being radical disciples of Christ, living radical lifestyles for Christ.
I have been known to be wrong every once in a while, so I’ll just throw my thoughts out as a form of thinking out loud… My feelings on “radical” are somewhat few, but pointed. Radical in the context of following Christ seems to me to be typically watered down, either on purpose or without knowing. Here’s what I mean. I think that “radical” by it’s very nature is in a way, unfamiliar, totally other, something not recognized by the majority of society.
So, with that in mind, what does a radical life in Christ really look like? Especially since there has been a call or challenge to radical living. Is radical doing what we’ve always done while inserting token conversations of Christ? Is radical making decisions and living a life that is outside the boundaries of comfort and familiarity? Does radical mean quitting my job to begin releasing myself from the empire? Does radical mean practicing a completely different form of economics that what we know now, such as jubilee? What does living radically for Christ really mean? And if and when we can nail that down, or at least have some semblence of a definition, do we have the courage to follow the convictions God has placed on our hearts. Or, will we turn a deaf ear to James when he says, “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (emphasis added)
September 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm
What does it mean to you, Logan? That passage from James is pretty scary. I think part of the difficulty is sorting out what is something that I am called to do and what is just some crazy impulse that I have? Maybe it’s just me, but I’m always wishing for that burning bush experience that crystallizes what I’m supposed to be doing. The sad reality is that if I did come upon a bush that wouldn’t burn, i’d probably go ‘huh, a bush on fire’ and hurry on to all the other things i have to do, missing the miracle altogether.
It scares me to look at the life that Jesus lived (and Paul and Peter and James) and look at the watered down, spare time version I practice and wonder i’m even on tract. many will call ‘lord, lord’ and be told ‘depart, you never knew me’…..
September 27, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I love this post, bro. I think this is the challenge before us. Are we merely paying lip service to a now POP term or do we seriously understand the gospel in this way. The tough part is that the word radical is not in scripture nor are many of it’s synonyms. The closest we have is zealot, which is almost never seen in a positive light in the New Testament.
However, I think it might be better termed with respect to an understanding of faithfulness, hopefulness and lovefulness (???), radical living is not about changing your situation in life rather it is about changing your response to the situations of life. Does the root of love drive radical living or is it simply another god of self glorification that we raise up. It seems that Jesus understanding of kingdom life was pretty simple and it focused on social justice. To live the kingdom life is to care for widows, orphans…to love the poor, not simply to feed them…to see all people as something other than black, white, poor, smelly, pretty, handsome, sexy or insert any other derogatory or flattering term but instead to see them as God’s children/people.
However, I think it is a large misconception to see radical as a move away from responsibility. Sometimes we forget that we serve a God who loves the things he has created. Everything that God did to keep chaos under control was material in nature but also spiritual. What does scripture say about the worship of God but “Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.” We serve a material God who expects not only His people to worship but all things. It seems to me that kingdom life is a life where all things serve the glory and will of God. If we are not careful radical can become something that cuts off the blessings of God in exchange for a denial of His blessings. We were called to have dominion over the whole earth not to deny it. We were called to share the creation and care for it but in our abuse of God’s gifts we have not come to equalize but to horde. So the idea of giving it all up seems contrary to equalizing. To sell all ones possessions, which is not really what is behind the idea of the Rich Young Ruler but instead the revelation of his horde of material possessions that are his God.
So the question for me is can I like Paul live my life lovingly (or radically) as apart of this kingdom community. Can I live like Paul according to his statement in Philippians; “Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4.11-13.
Here we see that whether poor or rich we need God to strengthen us by his Son.
Perhaps, radical living is in line with what he says in 2 Corinthians 8.15; “As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” Seems to be built on a foundation of love. Interesting that foundation is a synonym for radical.
But in my opinion the most profound definition of radical is essentially and wholly inseparable from LOVE which is its foundation. 1 Corinthians 13.1-3; “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
So I guess the questions we ask must be asked in light of, is any decision I make motivated by love of God, His people and His creation? Or is it motivated by gaining self worth, self-righteousness or my own self ambition. Because even to seek the attainment of God as a reward can be self serving (i.e. the Tower of Babel). God is to be glorified in all circumstances, that is radical in my small mind.
Lest we forget the disciples who after the encounter of the Rich Young Ruler ask, Well who can enter the kingdom of heaven and Jesus says, with man this is impossible. But with God
September 27, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Sorry for the length, this is a hot topic in my mind right now. I will likely post something of this nature on my blog as well. However, I think I will approach it practically speaking. In other words, what are the implications of living radically OR lovingly in light of Christ’s display of love on a cross for…
…Christmas
…Birthdays
…Toys
…Feasting
…Addiction
…etc.
So whenever that shows up, please come contribute as well.
October 9, 2008 at 5:59 pm
just so you know i used your blog in my speech today. thanks.