In Search of Vintage Christianity
Ancient faith for the contemporary world
2,000 Years Is a Long Time
When it comes to world religions, Christianity isn’t exactly a spring chicken. It’s been nearly two millennia since the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s a lot of time in which to develop traditions, customs, habits, and rituals. Not that that’s bad, mind you—it often turns out that such things help us connect to God in authentic, meaningful ways. At the same time, though, traditions can become rigid; customs can become empty; rituals can become rote.
Maybe we need something fresh.
Maybe we should rediscover vintage Christianity.
Authentic Christianity for a Postmodern World
I say “rediscover” because vintage Christianity isn’t something the world has never seen before. At various times, in different places, among different people, vintage Christianity has thrived. When it does, the good news of God’s kingdom is powerfully present in hearts, lives, and communities. It’s there, waiting for us.
I don’t claim to be any sort of special genius, innovative trailblazer, or latter-day prophet. I’m equipped with the same thing all of us are: a mind to discern truth, a heart to love God and neighbor, and a life to live in pursuit of the Way. I want to use those things to read and apply the Bible afresh, in today’s context.
We are living in uncertain times. Old solutions aren’t working. There is too much upheaval, too much change, too much uncertainty to simply fall back on time-worn answers. But God is still sovereign. Jesus is still lord.
I’m convinced that the principles that Jesus lived for are every bit as applicable today as they have ever been. I’m convinced that his church is every bit as relevant as it ever was. But I’m also convinced that the forms, solutions, and practices of modernity are not going to suffice in a postmodern world.
Searching for Truth Together
My desire is to create a space—a digital space, but also a mental space—to explore new ideas together. We don’t need to fear change—after all, Christianity has survived 2,000 years of change. God is big enough to encompass whatever shape the world happens to be in. Christianity is flexible enough to express its truth to any cultural context.
So, come, let us reason together. Let’s imagine together. Let’s dream together, explore together, search together. No one of us is as smart as all of us, so I hope that you will engage with me in a pursuit of vintage Christianity.
Thoughts Happen When They Want
I’d love to be able to give you a schedule. “Posts drop every Tuesday and Thursday,” or some such. I regret to say that my brain just doesn’t work like that. And, for the time being, my life just doesn’t allow for regularity.
My intention, then, is to capture thoughts as they occur. Some will be short and sweet; just little observations here and there. Sometimes maybe just questions. Other times, thoughts will require more time and space—and more words! I might have to put some time into those, so they might be less common. Whatever the case, I’m going to make every effort to produce content for you to engage with. I hope you will subscribe, share this page with your friends, and, best of all, start a dialogue with me as we explore these ideas together.
