Radicalism, in its loosest sense, can be defined as not doing what "everyone else" is doing. It is being apart from (not a part of) the crowd. It is independence, free-thinking, self-existing - in the sense that any gratification comes from within, and is not reliant on general approval from others. Now, it must also be stated that there is "good" radicalism, and there is "bad" radicalism.
James 4:4 says "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Colossians 2:8 says "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
Colossians 2:20 says "Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–"
Colossians 3:2 says "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
So, in the context of the above mentioned verses, radicalism can be determined to be based on either "worldly" or "heavenly" values.
Christians are called to be RADICAL in their thoughts, deeds and actions! Indeed, the very thought of "democracy" stems from this foundation.
I will shortly post more to this particualr blog, but in the meantime, digest what's here so far...
True!
ReplyDeleteBeing a radical isn't an automatic weirdieness.
We have to define "radical" first, and then decide if it's weird or not.
Although, in my case, I'm both the good kind of radical *and* quite weird.
What? No review of Star Trek?
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the song "Fanatic."
ReplyDelete"I'm an ef eh en eh tee ai seh"
I get annoyed at people who think that we need to accept the cultural veiw.
I'm a Radical dooda.