The Radical Christian

In 1981, Arthur Wallis published “The Radical Christian”. The book was a clarion call to those in the “charismatic renewal” to embrace radical Christianity. As a new Christian I remember reading and re-reading the book, and recently while preparing a message on 1 Corinthians 12, I went back to the book and found it as fresh and relevant as it was a quarter of a century ago.

Radical Christianity is not about being different for it’s own sake. The word radical comes from the Latin “radix” which means “root”. So to be radical means to get back to the roots, to get back to what really matters.

So being radical is not about re-arranging the chairs on Sunday, having evening services instead of Sunday mornings or starting with preaching rather than worship. They may all be valid, but they are not of themselves radical. Being radical is to do those things at the expense of familiarity or tradition, because the Holy Spirit has led us to. It is the being led by the Spirit that is radical, not the externals.

Being radical means standing up to our culture and the worldview that it seeks to impose on us as well as traditions and legalism that seek to ensnare us. Here are just a few suggestions of how we might think radically:

Understanding that God’s love is not sentimental. In his love he is angry with sin.

Holding to biblical thinking as to the complementary roles of men and women, rather than the worldview that men and women are essentially the same.

Being aware that we still sin and need to seek forgiveness and seek to live a holy life rather than breezing through life blaming our failures on others.

Caring for the needy by choosing to sacrificially help them ourselves rather than blaming the state for failing them.

Being thorough in our preaching of the gospel so that those who get born again have thoroughly understood their need for forgiveness, their need to put God first in their life and the need for water and spirit baptism

Recognition that we can’t make ourselves nore acceptable to god by our efforts to do good.

Radical christianity is exciting as it ensures that we stay connected with God, doing things because we are led by the Spirit and convinced by his Word!