My mom bought me this CD for Christmas: Vincent Price in "The Pit and the Pendulum." It is really scary... ...and so is the way Christians in each generation swing back and forth from conservative to progressive. Your father is a right-wing zealot, he sees politics as a weapon of power - - and without meaning it, he also perceives it having potential as a path to salvation. "We can bring God's kingdom to earth through electing the right candidate." Children can't live off of their parents political zealotry, there is no life in it. The moral majority of the 80's are not akin to the apostles. Joining in "Focus on the Family" boycotts will not persuade the masses to turn and repent. Political salvation is nothing more than Christian heresy and hypocrisy; which in turn breeds contempt. The children see in their parent's love of Fox News and Ronald Reagan as a betrayal of Christ. So the pendulum swings, and their contempt turns into arrogance. Hatred of the "right" breeds a new-bright hope and a superior feeling towards the ideas of the "left"; progressive politics is adopted as the new savior. In an attempt to save the gospel from the "right's" poison; the next generation's naive arrogance leaves them open to allowing the gospel to be kidnapped by the "left". The pendulum swings! Loyalty to Christ really becomes loyalty to progressive ideas. It is the other side of the political tug-o-war. But there often is a tinge more arrogance and self-righteousness included with each successive swing. "You hypocrites," is another way of saying, "Me righteous!" And boy, discussing ideas with arrogant people is a tough go. Just try to tell a progressive that you think it not scriptural to accept the practice of homosexuality with open arms, and they will instantly accuse you of being a "Fox News" watcher. That is worse than being called a Nazi in some circles. (To defend yourself just admit you listened to NPR in the last week and they may let you off the hook?) The pendulum swings...right, left, conservative, progressive, hatred, arrogance...WILL SOME ONE JUST STOP THE PENDULUM FROM SWINGING? How? One word of advice, Philippians 2:3, "in humility value others better than yourselves."
12 Comments
Jake Manne
1/8/2014 01:49:17 am
I think there are a lot of people like me who are considered progressive by extreme conservatives and conservative by extreme progressives that make it hard to stomach being lumped in with either extreme. I think that there is a progressive theology that is not tied to full out progressive liberalism the same way that you are probably one of the most conservative thinkers I know, yet I wouldn't even consider aligning you with the Civil Religion of American Christianity.
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chris
1/8/2014 02:10:29 am
And that is why I like to learn from you...only when you aren't wearing maize and blue.
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Sara Fisher
1/8/2014 02:30:34 am
I was with you, and agreed with what you were saying, up until the last couple sentences. I agree that what you described is a common reaction, though - like any issue - I'd posit that the most extreme views are often the loudest ones (whether on TV, the radio, the internet, or even people you know on Facebook). I know a lot of progressive-leaning people who would NOT respond like that - me being one of them.
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chris
1/8/2014 02:55:22 am
Sara, I appreciate the tone of your comment, it was very kind. Yes, I have had many people discuss the inclusion perspective. The only problem, and I think this is true for both sides of the argument; when I disagree with their stance they treat me as if I am not "enlightened" or still "caught up the fallacies of the past's ignorance." Let me assure you, my views are not based on hatred, bigotry, nor phobia - but to my sincere convictions. My final point of Philippians 2:3 is that maybe someday both sides can talk honestly and hope for a fair hearing. Sadly, in our culture that possibility is fading away. I believe inclusion has real hidden dangers, but to even think that or to try to share them honestly with the other side only incurs laughter and mockery these days, and I am treated as a relic from the ancient past.
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Sara Fisher
1/9/2014 03:46:18 am
I absolutely agree that some people respond that way. In a similar way, I have had people assume that I will respond to them the way you've described, and treat me like "another one of the bleeding hearts" before we even begin a conversation. I have felt more judged by conservative Christians since I changed my stance than I ever did in conversations with progressives before I did. And this has happened on a plethora of issues, not just homosexuality.
Sara Fisher
1/9/2014 03:49:23 am
I absolutely agree that some people respond that way. In a similar way, I have had people assume that I will respond to them the way you've described, and treat me like "another one of the bleeding hearts" before we even begin a conversation. I have felt more judged by conservative Christians since I changed my stance than I ever did in conversations with progressives before I did. And this has happened on a plethora of issues, not just homosexuality.
chris
1/9/2014 04:09:19 am
thanks Sara, those are honest and understandable sentiments. 1/8/2014 04:33:51 am
I'm with you all the way......Sadly America has lost the art of civil discourse over the past 20 years. Its almost impossible to have a conversation without one side demonizing the other. Here is an example from the "Red Letter Christians" website. http://www.redletterchristians.org/priming-pump-eliminate-unlike-us/
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chris
1/8/2014 05:00:54 am
that's a great word Joel!
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Mike Hughes
1/8/2014 04:34:50 am
"Every man is my superior....in at least one thing"
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chris
1/8/2014 05:00:25 am
Love it!
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Christopher Weeks
1/11/2014 12:43:49 am
Here is whey the progressive pendulum drives me crazy...people becomes fools just to be on the other sided! Check out this article.
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