Missing the Divine Dance!

Say No to Fundamentalism! I'm going to attempt something here that I've rarely been able to accomplish. I'm going to speak about fundamentalism without using the words conservative or liberal. I believe that fundamentalism can be an error in both camps so my goal will be to keep things civil. Sounds whimpy I know...but I believe it can be done.

J. Jacob Jenkins in his book, Buried Alive, writes about the first time he danced with a girl. He's not sure that anyone would describe it as dancing but his first attempt at it came with sweaty hands and shortness of breath. But everyone knows when the girl that you have a crush on wants you to dance...you dance. But Jenkins figured out a method. It was a formula to help him get through his very first dance with someone he really didn't know. Due to his fear of screwing up and making a fool of himself, he decided to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. This way nobody's toes would get squashed and the superficial crush could continue.

I took some liberties with Jenkins' account but you see where I am going with this. John Michael Montgomery once said, "Don't worry about what you don't know. Life's a dance. You learn as you go."

There is no real danger and no true risk of injury if we all just keep our feet on the ground. Just sway our hips back and forth, play church, and be nice. We all are guilty of making Jesus out who we want to be. But one thing is undeniably true: Christianity is intended to be life-giving and free. It offers a unique opportunity for purpose of existence and it provides special lenses in which to see and appreciate beauty. By playing it safe and not lifting our feet off of the fundamentalist foundation, we completely miss the joy of the dance. Fundamentalism demands ALL of our time and fossilizes the true nature of the gospel. Do you sense that I have an opinion on this?

I marvel at the way that people, myself included, have decided to come up with personalized (or institutionalized) formulas for living as a Christ follower. Usually, as Jenkins writes, this formula is nothing more than walking through life with a stiff neck and held breath. "Above all, love each other deeply" and "Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us" should make us ponder about our motives for living.

May we never forget: Christ is the end of the Law!

More on this to come.