Between Love and Orthodoxy
"Between Love and Orthodoxy" is a reflective series that examines the profound tension within American Christianity between steadfast doctrinal commitment and the call to compassionate, transformative love. Drawing from personal seminary experiences and the influential insights of thinkers like Chesterton and Francis Schaeffer, the series traces the conservative takeover of American Christian institutions—from the Southern Baptist underground to modern evangelical power—and explores how a rigid adherence to orthodoxy has often come at the expense of genuine ethical action and public witness. Through a historical, theological, and personal lens, these posts challenge readers to consider the difficult choices believers face: whether to pursue a faith defined by uncompromising doctrine or one that embraces the messy, yet vital, reality of love in action.
03/02/2025
between love and orthodoxy: part 1 - a reflection on the conservative takeover of American christianityG.K. Chesterton’s renowned quote—“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting…”—resonates through the conservative takeover of American Christianity, particularly within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This post dives into Francis Schaeffer’s influence on evangelical thought, examining how orthodoxy, literal interpretations of Scripture, and fear of cultural liberalism shaped a politically charged faith that often prioritizes right belief over compassion. Discover the historical currents that propelled the SBC’s “conservative resurgence,” how these movements intersect with broader American politics, and what it means to choose between rigid orthodoxy and love in modern Christianity.
Category: Between Love and Orthodoxy