In Answer to My Question....

This morning's entry was entitled "Is There Historical Christianity". In postmodernity, there has been an attempt to "actualize" Jesus' life, as radicalism of the text does. This is called "incarnation" in theological terms. It is bringing faith into action. This concern in scholarly and piestic circles has been the "disconnect" between faith and "works". As traditional Reformed formulas of understanding are based on faith "alone", disconnecting faith from 'real life", as piestic faith likes to "see" faith in action. Other believers have bought the "social gospel" as there is not holiness without social holiness in John Wesley's understanding. And still others think that the public and private domains need to connect because of the 'moral degeneracy that has affected Western culture.

The problem with historicizing the text into another's life, or legislating a narrow viewpoint is that it over-rides the value of that specific life for a 'worldview" or a specific moral example, which entails specific convictions and values. These cannot be universalized without doing injustice to another human life. So, where is faith and historicity in post-modernity?

Wherever faith resides it will be known by the life that is led. The problem is' another's life may differ from yours, because they are different people, with a different perspective, and different values. Such is cultural diversity. And faith is not about cultural distinctives, as faith accomodates to the culture itself. But, some suggest that faith should transform culture, as this is what faith is called to do and is what the "social gospel" is about.

That being said, Americans most of all need to lighten up on issues that drive some to ideological extremes. Moderation is a virtue. But, some think moderation is compromise, luke-warmness, and half-heartedness. But, I think that moderation shows respect and humility to reason, faith and others, as it values first and foremost freedom of the individual to have difference, and freedom of the individual before God.