Hyper Politicized, Hyper Calvinism, and Hyper Individualism

When people asked me, “If you weren’t Methodist, what would you be?” my usual answer was, “Ashamed!” After offending a few folks with that, I changed my answer to “Lonely.” It’s not quite as blunt.

However, in this hyper-politicized culture we live in now, when someone asks me why I’m not a Democrat or a Republican, I have no problem saying, “Because I am ashamed.” And I am. Folks that argue about false equivalencies miss the point: the lesser of two evils is still evil. I can’t reconcile or rationalize that. I’m glad that others are able to. To me, the extremes are destroying everyone between them. Conversations are becoming toxic, and as a result no one has them.

Many of my Southern Baptist friends wrestle with hyper Calvinism in their denomination and churches. I’d define it for you, but I would get attacked for my definition because there’s no agreement upon the definition - even among Calvinist and Reformed circles. Some use it as a label for “I don’t like you/your beliefs.” Others say it is emphasizing the doctrine of election above prayer for conversions, acts of evangelism, and preaching/witnessing. It’s another case of the extremes trying to destroy each other and everyone between them.

Which leads to hyper individualism. We don’t like to be told what to do (regardless of whether we’re progressive or conservative). The problems: If you’re a strict American conservative, you find yourself lodged between individual rights and personal responsibility, and the phrase “provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare.” If you’re a strict inclusivist arguing for tolerance, you have to allow for (i.e., tolerate) EVERYONE… *even* those you don’t agree with.

What do these all have in common? EXTREMES. And extremes can cause harm to everyone between them and the other extreme. The argument is often made, “The only thing in the middle of the road are dead animals.” My response to that is, “They’re dead because they got hit by someone on the left or on the right who didn’t get stopped in time… if they tried to stop at all.”

Jesus was clear in the Gospels: anyone or anything that does not take into account living for others, loving their neighbors, and acting on their behalf is immoral. The Great Commandment and Great Commission are non-negotiable. Taking up your cross and following Jesus isn’t conservative or progressive: it’s radical and scandalous. Jesus didn’t make friends of the institutions of the day – neither will today’s Christians. 

Proclaiming the crucified and risen Christ – as the Apostle Paul said – is offensive to those on BOTH sides. If you're gonna lean on a side, lean on the Lord's side.

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