2006/08/20

Fundy vs Pomo... next on UFC!!!

Over the last few months, I've been brought to question my behaviour several times in the light of seeming somewhat heretical to some. Are they just getting over zealous with their fundamentalist weapons of mass judgment? or am I throwing my call to holiness to the wind in favor of some postmodern idealistic sentiments? And contrary to popular belief, this isn't something that I pretend to have completely figured out yet.

In typical Reid fashion though, I will call to a quote I read recently that sheds some light to my internal conflict.
While the holiness movement has put a great emphasis on the Christian’s need to live an righteous life—a life worthy of the calling they have received--I think perhaps we need to remind ourselves that our only true righteousness comes from Christ. If we’re really serious about doing the things Jesus did, then maybe we need to focus more on the incarnation, and less on its imitation.
Two words stick out to me here, and those are imitation and incarnation. How often do we simply try to imitate Christ by acting out holiness in our actions? How different is that from what the Pharisees did? They did everything right and then felt challenged when the possibility arose that there was more to it than being "right." Do you act like the Pharisees did when you are confronted with someone who acts according to a different set of standards than you? Is imitation of Christ or the incarnation of Christ our end goal?

10 comments:

Markimus said...

Great post... taking the pressure of being accused as a heretic ... simply means you are willing to grow and establish your faith in a real way... on another note ... fundamentalism has its own heresy.

Lauren said...

I think how you're breaking out of the typical, and checking out stuff outside the boundaries is really good. It was sweet seeing you.

Jeffrey said...

yah. man. its a interesting walk.
a good one though.
keep sharing your insight man. you have so much to offer.
jef.

Anonymous said...

Spirituality vs. Religion.
God doesn't want the empty ritual, God wants our hearts.
This verse may be way off to what your thinking about, but I like it anyways:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ..... For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.
(Romans 8:5-16)

PS. this is ali! :)

Anonymous said...

you inspire me.

Rob Petkau said...

When you follow Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you find little need to defend yourself.

Coffee? When?!

spencer said...

Graham,

Great questions and it looks like you are willing to seek after answers no matter where you might find yourself during your journey. That is a faith adventure and I am glad we can travel together...

jeremy postal said...

Incarnation or imitation?
It think it is a both/and situation and not an either/or. IMHO.

-Jer

Delbert said...

but i would equally say that incarnation results in imitation by default, but the reverse does not necessarily apply.

jeremy postal said...

Why wouldn't it?