So far I am finding Velvet Elvis to be a dense book- the language is simple enough but you have to dig into the concepts and as he says, wrestle with them. Some of the concepts are somewhat difficult for someone like me who is from a rather rigid/traditional/conservative background, especially when he questions core Christian doctrines such as the virgin birth and even Jesus' own teaching of salvation through Christ alone (John 14:6.) I was really uncomfortable with those suggestions, especially as they brought up two kinds of blasphemy in my mind- no I certainly don't believe Jesus had an earthly father, (really disturbing thought- I was raised Catholic you know) whether it was a Roman soldier (as some historians have ventured to say) or some guy named Larry, and I certainly don't believe in universalism (that all people are saved no matter what) or in works based salvation (earning enough brownie points, being a "good guy" or doing enough penance.)
Yet we do have to be brave enough to confront these ideas and tackle our doubts, otherwise how do we know what we believe? A faith unchallenged is no faith at all. The question asked here is when does orthodoxy (the definition for Christian orthodoxy I would use here is what Christians profess in the Apostles' Creed) become rigidity, exclusivity or legalism? Are we shutting people out (building walls) instead of inviting them to come and jump on the trampoline? But openness is not without its pitfalls as well. The danger I see to being open and inclusive is we can become so inclusive that we start to espouse ideology that is clearly outside of Christian faith and fail to preach and teach the full Gospel. Yes we should be inviting, but not to the point of betraying the Jesus we claim to profess. We have to offer the whole truth. We cannot sell a feel good "prosperity gospel" or simply offer entertainment to put hineys in the seats. We have been entrusted with sharing ! the Gospel of Jesus, which is far more than simply giving people a warm fuzzy once or twice a week. We have to actually live out all the hard things Jesus commands us to do and to be light and salt.
Then again, who has to defend a trampoline? The image of inviting others to come jump on the trampoline is a wonderful image of faith by example, of living a warm, inviting, lively faith as opposed to being a stodgy old codger defending a brick wall. I've been to many churches that felt more like ethnic preservation societies- graveyards, actually- instead of communities where God is living and active. Maybe this is why I am so drawn to Peace- I'm continually being encouraged and challenged to learn and grow in faith instead of being permitted to fall into complacency and stodgy codgerdom. *Balance* seems to be a key concept here.
