Living Radically?

A popular book (Radical) written by a now popular evangelical (David Platt) has started a popular concept (radical Christianity) further promulgated on a nice looking website (Radical).

Let me say first that I thoroughly enjoyed his book.  But as powerful as it was, it was not his book that gave my family a new perspective on our service to Jesus.  His book directed me back to Scripture and the amazingly difficult statements Jesus said to his followers.  Here's a good video that advertises the book:

The message here is spot on!  But my problem with "radical Christianity," "radical obedience to Jesus," & "radical living" is that the Bible never uses the term "radical" in such a way.  Granted, Jesus' words to his disciples to give up everything, take up their cross, love Jesus more than anything else (a seeming hatred for family and friends almost), and follow Jesus are quite radical.  But the Bible simply calls this obedience not "radical obedience." 

To add the adjective "radical" is more or less a statement on American Evangelical Christianity.  In other words, how we have perceived and practiced the faith has very little to parallel it with the command of Jesus for his disciples to follow him.  Thus, when we are given these truths, we are shocked into a reality (many never "counted the cost" to follow Jesus in the first place) that says, "Wow!  I didn't know this.  My obedience to Jesus needs to be more... radical!"  All along, however, obedience to Jesus has always been the same.  Platt (and others like Chan, Washer, and Black) are not rediscovering truths from the Bible.  They are simply pointing out what has been lacking in American Evangelicalism - a gospel of repentance and discipleship: Jesus' gospel.

Christianity is only "radical" when we practice a soft form of it, which is not really the Christianity Jesus professed to begin with.  Following Jesus is simply obedience.  It is radical in terms of what it costs and the way the world will perceive it.  But within the realm of the Way, there is not multiple levels of obedience - bad, good, and radically great.  There is simply obedience.  You either obey Jesus by giving him yourself, your family, your friends, your life, your possession, and follow him.  Or you reject him out right or through reservation (a "comfortable christian").  Yes... live radically!  But understand the Bible calls that obedience.  Anything less is not the gospel.

Church in Honduras

Honduras does not lack for churches (protestant or evangelical).  I thought I would write a blog post on my church here, Union Christian Church, and say why it has been refreshing and encouraging.

First, it is just nice to be a part of a fellowship of believers.  Liz and I started attending a Spanish-speaking church within walking distance.  But we lacked the ability to say much more than "Good morning.  How are you?"  We felt the common bond of fellow disciples, but it is was hard.  Plus, not understanding the teaching of God's Word was very hard.  So we decided to try other venues.  We went to Union, and the search was over.  There was no language barrier.  And we felt a warm spirit there. 

The church had just experienced a transition as well, bringing in Stephen Jenks and family in as the new pastor.  He is very knowledgeable of Scripture and articulate in his talks.  With my recent theological transition, being under his teaching has been very helpful.  And any pastor that opens his library to me is always going to be in my good graces!  Plus Stephen's is quite good.

This church is very unique in that it is an English speaking church in Honduras (there are a few).  It is probably one of the few churches in Honduras that will admit to being somewhat reformed as well (there is a large contingent in the charismatic and arminian tradition).  The families we have had the privilege to meet and know are wonderful.  We receive a new blessing every week we attend.  We even joined w/ a dual membership (gotta keep those SBC ties ;-) ).  To God be all the glory for bringing Liz and me to a place where we can worship the Lord with other believers and learn from God's Word with practical yet extremely textual sermons.

I could talk about the music or the fact that I get to wear my 'bows when attending.  But those are tertiary for me.  Solid preaching/teaching, elder-led congregation, and a heart to help other churches and ministries in the area; I love UCC!