Fundamentalism, The "Church" and the 300

"No man, Persian or Greek, no man threatens a messenger!' says the man with a sword to his throat. "You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I've chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same!"says the King,"This is blasphemy! This is madness!"the messenger responds "Madness...? THIS IS SPARTA" says King Leonidas to the messenger.

This was one of the greatest movies in cinematic history. I nearly wanted to start living the life of a spartan right after the movie, leather underwear and all. For those unfortunate souls who didn't see the movie (stop reading and go see it, or here is a very brief description) the 300 depicts the rebellion of a small Greek nation against the tyrant King Xerxes, the "Super Power"of the world at this time. These Spartans knew what they stood for, they knew what was important, and for other Greeks they looked like outsiders, they were Freaks, scary people. Sometime though, I feel like certain groups in Christendom are being attacked by these overwhelming nations of tyrants and there seems to be a select few who will stand up for what we truly believe in, the 300.
The Spartans stood for something, they knew what was important, they would not let someone come in and tell them that they were going to be told what to believe and how to live. In this postmodern world we very seldom see anyone stand up for what they believe in, because what you believe is good for you. Yet there are many things that I do think are essential to life, the deity of Christ, doctrine of the Trinity, sola Christus (in Christ alone) and basic obedience to God etc. Yet I think that so many times especially in a more conservative, fundamental, worldview we miss out more on some essentials and focus in more on what to do and what not to do. We make everything tabbo and we don't enjoy some thing that have been placed here for our enjoyment. So what do we tell others, what is it that really matters? Because I see people who have a skewed view of God, who are partaker of a unorthodox view of Christ, yet live a good christian" life and they think that as long as they are doing the right thing, or more commonly not doing the "wrong" thing, that they are all good! I also see those who would be looked at as committing a "sin"(such as drinking or smoking etc.) and those people have a great relationship with Christ. They put more importance on the act than the actual relationship. So who is right? IS there a right or wrong? So what do we do? What do we say? Do we let them in to our land risking the head of our "kings" OR Do we protect this "orthodoxy" like King Leonidas or do we kick them in the chest and tell them "THIS IS CHRISTENDOM"!!?

Grace & Peace,

JON

Compromise??

I have found it to be in my life that there are many things that I have compromised on, daily things that I want to do (and should do), yet due to either my own laziness or just by the influence of others I compromise. Where do we draw the line? Where is it, is there a line? On a personal level where do we draw the line? Yet on a more spiritual level where do we draw the line? There are many things that I "think" I hold to theologically, now and here at this point but I believe that my world is being shaken up. I'm finding that there are very few things that are truly necessary to stand up and fight for. These things I would stand up for are the essentials of our faith. The deity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity, the sovereignty of God and the Holy Scriptures (on this I hope to discuss). Where do we as a "church" stand in this whole state of compromise? DO we compromise?

Yet when it comes to other things I'm struggling with their importance. There are things from the Bible that we take as hard cold fact, yet some of these aspects (debatable issues such as eschatology, epistemology, free will/election etc.) become more of a fall point rather than something that strengthens our faith.

In the Beginning....

There are a lot of things in life that we can think about, some important, some not so important. I don't know how paramount the things that I will say are going to be, but in all of this I want to discuss life, theology and current events. I would like to discuss things with other people and get some ideas rolling. I promise nothing, neither the regularity of my post nor the value of them. Like my title says it's merely a conversation, a struggle, and my hope i will learn and others who read this to learn that there is a life out there that is worth living. For those of you who know me please know that I am not to a point of breaking although an act like this is extremely unorthodox, this is merely an attempt to write down my thoughts and get some more feedback, your feedback I will value the most!

Grace & Peace

Jon