還基督教本來面目

Subversive Christianity的網主早前宣布，在5月19日貼出最後一篇文章之後，
將會關門大吉告別blog壇，並把所有曾經出現的貼文刪除。

Blog壇豪傑，言出必行。
果然，他昨天把數月前開網時寫的
《回復基督教本來面目的八條綱領》再貼一次，作為結語，就走了。
今天，空餘『這個』。

Subversive Christianity當然並非篇篇精采，
而且主要是以美國為處境，但其基本取向跟我頗為類近。
既然正中下懷，自然看得過癮。

網誌關了，
特此轉貼他的八條綱領，
以為歷史見證：

8 Theses for the Recovery of Christianity

1. Christianity isn't the same as patriotism or civil religion. God doesn't love or protect the United States more than God loves or protects any other nation. The Cross always trumps the flag.

2. Genuine followers of Christ don't read the Bible either selectively or literally.

3. Genuine followers of Christ don't pretend that God blesses participation in warfare or any other form of institutional or personal violence.

4. If the Bible is any standard, God is a lot more worried about poverty, injustice, oppression, hatred, violence, and arrogance than about sex. We should follow God's example.

5. The Bible is a thoroughly political document (in addition to being many other things). The New Testament spells out a clear model (the Kingdom) for how people should live in community with one another. People who deny the Bible's political message generally do so because they disagree with it, not because it's not there.

6. Authentic Christianity is a scandal to the wealthy, powerful, complacent, comfortable, and privileged, because Christ teaches that riches, influence, and security corrupt. The moment Christianity becomes a faith associated with the wealthy, powerful, complacent, comfortable, and privileged, it ceases to live and takes on the character of an idol.

7. Christ was--Christ is--the Great Subverter, the Overthrower, the Cosmic Rebel, Creative Iconoclast, Countercultural Hero, and Gracious Restorer. Those of us who pledge loyalty to Him are likewise called to lives of radical subversion, holy anarchy, and gracious reconciliation.

8. The Church as the Body of Christ is also called to radical subversion, holy anarchy, and gracious reconciliation. But the Church as an institution is continuously tempted, as are all institutions, to strive for status and security. The ensuing tension is symptomatic of the ambiguity of the human condition.

阿們。