Fundamentalism In a Hipster's Clothes

One of the biggest challenges to my faith journey has been caused by exposure to the non-denominational, charismatic reformed movement.  You might have run across this group.  They're self-described as socially liberal but theologically conservative.  The New Calvinism Movement (sometimes called The Emerging Church)  is essentially concerned with correct doctrine, but it's very difficult to manage a conservative belief system with a socially liberal conscience.

The end result is a mis-mash of contradiction. Consider that they're Young Earth Creationists. They do not believe in evolution, but they're highly educated, college graduates.  They believe that women are subservient (now they'll tell you it's separate but equal roles (complementarianism) for men or women, but you won't see a woman be named an Elder in the Church--why? Because it's in the Bible).  They are certain that homosexuality is a sin.  But they all have cool clothes, tricky hair styles, and they all use Macs.  You might see them walking around with a lot of piercings, listening to Coldplay on their iPods, drinking coffee at Starbucks while dissecting the Sopranos or Lost for spiritual truths or amusing teaching moments that can be worked into their sermons or become part of their "witness."

I could respect all of the above and even admire someone for so strictly toeing the line on what the Bible says while still being able to appreciate good rock music or fun TV.   

Where my issues start is a relatively innocuous issue, but when one is looking me in the eye and telling me the earth is 6,000 years old, Created by God in 6, 24 days because it says that in Genesis 1, and because the Bible tells me so, I need to believe. Well, at that moment,  I don't want to be seeing your Jesus tattoo because I cannot get past Leviticus 19:28 (which says "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.")  to concentrate on your discussion of Creationism. 

Now I can ignore Leviticus 19:28 because I don't see Evolution and Genesis 1-2 to be contradictory (Evolution is science; Genesis is a theological narrative not meant to explain the how, but the why), but Mr. Creationist surely can't, can he?

Likewise, Mr. Reformed Theology Man cannot in the same breath tell me that I can't be a preacher because Paul wrote "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." (Timothy 2:12) and then turn around and tell me that Paul's admonitions on proper slave behavior no longer pertain to our societal norms.  

Finally, the reformed church (and especially one of its most well-known spoke persons) takes a very hard line on homosexuality. It is a sin. It is a choice; it is to be prayed away.  But the Reformed Church is very silent on divorce. 

So, it's the picking and choosing of the scriptures that give pause.  It's fundamentalism in a hipster's cool clothes.  It might be all dressed up, but the end game is the same: fundamentalist men seek to control women and the expression of sex.  The Emerging Church falls right into place. 

My mom tells me not to worry about this stuff.  She says that some people who have found Jesus later in life, maybe after a bout with addiction or mental illness need the structure that fundamentalism provides.  I can see her point.  And I want to be able to say that if it works for them and it's what they need then I'm good with it because it's not hurting me or anyone else and it's providing comfort to that particular believer. But then I read a quote like this:

Without blushing, Paul is simply stating that when it comes to leading in the church, women are unfit because they are more gullible and easier to deceive than men. While many irate women have disagreed with his assessment through the years, it does appear from this that such women who fail to trust his instruction and follow his teaching are much like their mother Eve and are well-intended but ill-informed. . . Before you get all emotional like a woman in hearing this, please consider the content of the women’s magazines at your local grocery store that encourages liberated women in our day to watch porno with their boyfriends, master oral sex for men who have no intention of marrying them, pay for their own dates in the name of equality, spend an average of three-fourths of their childbearing years having sex but trying not to get pregnant, and abort 1/3 of all babies – and ask yourself if it doesn’t look like the Serpent is still trolling the garden and that the daughters of Eve aren’t gullible in pronouncing progress, liberation, and equality

and I realize that it is hurting not only me, but every other woman of faith. Especially those women who follow the teachings of Mark Driscoll.  But more on the Bad Boy of Reformed Theology later.  Much more. I promise. 

Comments

[Beth W.]

Years ago, as a newlywed 22 year old in Tallahassee, Florida, a neighbor told me that her husband had decided that the family (they had 2 small children) was going to convert to Mormonism. "Why?" I asked. "What's the appeal?"

She seemed a little nervous, and looked over her shoulder before telling me that her husband had "investigated" lots of different religions, and he wanted to become a Mormon because his authority in the family couldn't be questioned; that the man is in charge.

I think many people (aware or not) "shop" for their religions, or, like these new types you describe, create a hybrid that floats their boat.

[Melissa]

I think that's a really interesting point. So many come to religion and then form it to their needs rather than conforming to the tenants of what God actually says. Thanks for giving me food for thought.

[Lisa K]

You know, i think of myself as a live-and-let-live type until I read fundamentalist garbage like that and then I'm enraged and intolerant all over again.

Besides, it's pretty well acknowledged that most of the misogynist crap in the Epistles was written by a Pauline impersonator threatened by the rise of women in the early church, not by the wanderer himself.

[MaineMom]

Another great post. I love when one Christian will say another so-called Christian isn't a "true" Christian. They get all "Christian-Catty."

Live and let live is right. But I want to go back to the times when women were Goddesses....

[Amanda]

Hi there ~ I found your blog through another I follow and am intrigued by the premise. I'm also sad that it sounds like your heart and faith have been deeply hurt by folks calling themselves followers of Christ...I get that. I grew up in the Baptist Church, and our little congregation had some tumultuous times that even I as a kid picked up on - my dad was a deacon and hooo-wee would he come home grumpy after some of those meetings, esp. during the period of one particular preacher who probably should've stayed in the business world. It is amazing that people who profess to follow a way of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness can be so cruel, deceitful and selfish. No wonder people looking for spiritual direction get turned off. The Church (sweeping generalization) can be its own worst enemy.

Anyway, I've been a Christian since I was 7 (43 now) and my walk with the Lord has been a very up and down, in and out, funhouse maze at times journey. I think what finally settled it for me was realizing that the world's gonna do what it's gonna do, and people are going to, as they have done throughout the ages, many attrocious things in the name of God and Jesus. What I'm responsible for is MY interaction with God. Working out my faith, and following as best I can in His strength the commands to Love Him and Love others, and leave the sorting out of the world in His hands. The best way I can make a difference is one person at a time.

It is maddening when people professing Christ say stupid misleading things. And I believe one day, they will be held accountable. But in the meantime, I gotta be responsible for my relationships with God and with others.

I recommend checking out a blog by John Fischer, one of the original "Jesus Movement" folk artists of the 70s. He's got some thought provoking points, some right in line with what you are calling out. http://www.fischtank.com/ft/inthetank.cfm

He posts daily "catches" that are like devotionals, and some are really chewy, and you may like. He's a thinker, that John. His May 8, 2009 post and reader comments are quite thought-provoking. Anyway, I do like your blog :) Looking forward to your next post :)

[Melissa]

Amanda-
Thanks for the comment, the link and for visiting the blog.
I'm glad your own faith journey hasn't been derailed like mine. I hope you'll return and comment again...you've given me food for thought.

[Amanda]

Hey Melissa --

You know what's kinda funny, one of the writers who's helped me figure things out is CS Lewis. And what amazes me is that it's been through his Narnia series the most. In one of the books, there is a scene between Aslan and Lucy that I had read plenty of times in multiple readings of the series. But for some reason, one particular time, this scene pierced me to the heart, and I stopped, thought about it, considered it, and it was as if that particular scene, those words, had been written to meet me just where I was at that moment...for that moment, the child-like faith we're called to have was in full force, and I got it. What other people do and say is between them and Him, it's not my business.

My faith isn't and can't be dependent upon what man says or does, or it will be useless and constantly let down and crushed. My faith must be in what God says and does and in His relationship with me. At the end of the day, each person must answer for their own choices, and there's really not much I can do about that. Thus, live simply, trust God and leave the consequences to Him has become, I guess, the way I've decided to live, filtering decisions, choices, etc. through that.

I heard it said once that religion is man's way of attempting to reach God; Jesus is God's way of attempting to reach man. Religion, in my opinion, doesn't work. Too many flippin' rules, judgement and hypocracy, as can be easily seen anywhere we look. But God's reaching out to me? With grace and mercy? Now, I can get on board with that...it's been an immensely rewarding and interesting dialogue and relationship to enter in to :) And try as I've tried over the years, I just can't seem to screw it up beyond repair - He's always patiently waiting for me to come on back, hand Him the mess I've made, and work it out with me. Yes, THAT is something I can get on board with...

Sure, the destination is important, but man, the journey -- wow. Keep asking the questions, Melissa...I truly believe God loves it when we do that (I get a mental picture of Him rubbing His hands together and saying YES! NOW we are going to make some progress!) and He is totally up to the challenge ~ you and He will figure it out :)

PS: Great book recommendation: The Grace Awakening: Believing in Grace is One Thing. Living it is Another: Charles R. Swindoll

A good review of the book can be found at: http://www.christianodyssey.com/books/swindoll.htm

Reading this book helped me a great deal in my own faith journey.