The Burden of Proof

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TheGrungeDiva

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ANOTHER BLOG I came upon, and as I have with many other articles I've read which refer to some discussions we've had in here, I wanted to post it here, both as a "this is what I'm talking about" post (because many of those here seem to think I'm the only Christian in the world who thinks as I do, so this kind of thing shows that there are other Christians out there who share my views, or I theirs), and as fodder for discussion.

Again, I am not trying to be all "I'm right and you're wrong." I simply seek lively yet polite discussion. I honestly believe two Christians can agree to disagree, and I think it's good when ideas are shared and debated; both sides are stronger for it.

So, with that in mind, any comments on this?
 
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Very interesting article.

Here is what I was thinking before you posted it. There are conservatives who conflate being conservative with being Christian, and as such cling to their political assumptions as if they will lead us into a better world. Perhaps I should think a "conservative first" format, but the people who put forward such prepositions are not really conservatives. I still see this more among liberals, but when I see a self-described conservative do it, it ruffles my feathers even more.

Conservatism is, in its proper place, a temperament against ideology (in the older sense). As such, we do not believe there is a panacea in the form of a party platform. Emphasis is place on practicality and the needs of the polity, remembering through it all that politics is dealing with people and all their faults and virtues. So yes, my contention is that many self-described conservative Christians have adopted another quality entirely, but I have already written on this in recent posts.

What I find interesting about this article in particular is that the writer is upset with Ross Douthat. Ross Douthat would agree with him in I would say a good half the points made, particularly about Christianity's true place being that of a prophetic voice, not a nationalistic dogma. In his most recent book, Bad Religion ,Glenn Beck's theology (if you want to call it that) is taken to task every bit as much as, say, Borg's more liberal reading of scripture. He is a fair mind. He even mourns the drop in attendance of the Churches this writer mentions. That is the entire point of Bad Religion.

In my case, I cannot answer the questions he posits. Some of them are unanswerable. I'll admit I am more conservative in my theology like I am in my politics, but let's face it: the burden of proof rests on everyone. I'd say it rests with me first. Who am I to demand clarity if those I cannot at least give a fair attempt at doing the same?

As for liberal Christianity, I cannot say anything in its favor or disfavor yet. Catch me a few months ago and I would have said otherwise.
 
Since i do respect your opinion ritter9probably with both of us being fairly political) what was your opinion on liberal christianity a few months ago?
 
Thanks man.

My opinion was that it is essentially Christian heresy that imposes a Jesus-like face on secular-humanist beliefs. A "make it up as you go along" sort of Christianity. I'm not altogether convinced that it doesn't have these qualities, but Grunge's posts of late indicate that there are central tenants that they attempt to justify with biblical support and do so quite effectively.

Time to lay off the Burke and delve a bit more into Hebrews if I want to hold my own in these discussions and gain a better understanding.
 
TheGrungeDiva said:
ANOTHER BLOG I came upon, and as I have with many other articles I've read which refer to some discussions we've had in here, I wanted to post it here, both as a "this is what I'm talking about" post (because many of those here seem to think I'm the only Christian in the world who thinks as I do, so this kind of thing shows that there are other Christians out there who share my views, or I theirs), and as fodder for discussion.

Again, I am not trying to be all "I'm right and you're wrong." I simply seek lively yet polite discussion. I honestly believe two Christians can agree to disagree, and I think it's good when ideas are shared and debated; both sides are stronger for it.

So, with that in mind, any comments on this?
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Grunge......the writer uses fundamentalist as a pegorative term but fundamentalist rightly refers to creedal.....a belief in the essentials as expressed in the historic creeds. It is innaccurate if not downright preposterous to
suggest that this is a recent phenomenom. Fundamentalism is a defensive response to liberalism. I do agree that the literalism of certain forms of this fundamentalism such as the dispensationalist version are an embarresment but to put John Piper in the same bracket as Pat Robinson is absurd andindeed shows a woeful lack of knowledge regarding current mainstream theological currents....what seems to unite themainstream liberal movement is the promotion of all things gay.......as if acceptance was the new orthodoxy we are all supposed to champion.
 
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