Strange … in politics, the word “radical” is a derogatory term. It’s bad to be radical.
If you’re a politician, you can abide being called progressive, extreme, or just about anything else. But you don’t want to be labeled “radical.”
Yet the word comes from the Latin radix, which means “root.”
The word radical really means going to or proceeding from the root.
As a Christian, it’s good to be radical. It means you’re going to the root of the matter instead dealing with and living on the surface.
If you are a radical ecclesiologist, it means you view church life as coming out of the root, which is God’s life. And as far as solutions go, you don’t settle for patch-work or Band-Aid jobs. You know that the only hope for change is to dig deep down to the roots and deal with them on the foundational level.
Some years back Arthur Wallis wrote a prophetic book called The Radical Christian. In it, Wallis redeemed the word “radical” for Christians.
To be radical means to return to the way God would have things.
The prophets in the Old Testament were radical. Their whole occupation was to return to the roots. The “ancient paths,” as it were.
John the Baptist declared that the time had come for the axe to be laid to the root.
John was a radical.
I find it interesting, however, that many who are considered to be radical in the political sense are ultra conservative in the ecclesiological sense. They not only accept the ecclesiastical status quo — but they fiercely defend it, even if it has no roots in Jesus, the apostles, or the New Testament.
In addition, some pop-Christian leaders are using the word “radical” to resurrect a discipleship movement from the 1970s that was tried and found wanting. There seems to be no knowledge about the seeds of destruction that were present in that movement and some of those seeds are present in the contemporary analog. Regrettably, the people I’ve spoken to who are enthralled with the current movement (mostly 20-somethings) are completely ignorant of the past movement. So history is repeating itself.
Let’s reserve the word “radical” for what truly goes to the root. Just sayin . . .
Very, very interesting!
The depth of the root is farreaching indeed. Jesus is radical.
Love returning to the way God would have it.
@George- LOL
Yes, indeed, evidently we are labeled as such! People around me just think I’ve lost my mind. Well, maybe so, since I gave myself to Christ, that would include my mind then, wouldn’t it!
Living Christ
“I find it interesting, however, that many who are considered to be radical in the political sense are ultra conservative in the ecclesiological sense. Meaning, they not only accept the ecclestical status quo — but they fiercely defend it, even if it has no root in Jesus, the apostles, or the New Testament.”
Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up. -George Saunders
This was excellent Frank. Thanks for the exhortation.
Hi Frank. Radical Christians, in the sense you´re using it, are people who have seen the difference between the root and what is organicly produced from its Life on one hand and what is glued on the tree to make it look good fast on the other hand. The problem with abandoning the gluing method is that the radical way takes patience, time, sunshine and water and there is no shortcut. Therefore, only those who have seen the difference can become radical cause for them there hardly is an option.
On that note, I want to thank you for your invaluble contribution to helping people see. It´s hard to convey to people what church-life/body-life lived out of the vision of God´s eternal plan is and while you´ve done an incredible job of it, I wonder if you have ever thought of this:
Have you ever thought of suggesting to churches you work with/know are experiencing authentic church-life to podcast some of or part of their meetings? Not every meeting, but once in a while making an podcast of their meeting. I know the meetings themselves are only a small part of the experience, but when people hear how people who have been built together interact and share the Lord together, they may get a sense of church-life that ,short of being a part of such a community themselves, they may not get otherwise.
I remember when the Tv show “Friends” was at its peak, somebody I knew said: “Oh, I wish I could be part of something like that” Besides being a funny show, I think what drew people to it was the sense of belonging and being able to be yourself around people you trust that made it such a hit. We are born to be part of the extended community of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the holy ones, unbelievable as it is, and if podcasts of meetings could convey this sense, I think a lot of people who otherwise wouldn´t “get it” would see…and become radical. What do you think?
Birkir, good observation. This is why we encourage people to visit one of the churches that is having genuine body life to “come and see” as well as to attend some of our events where they can get a taste of it also. Just watching something on video doesn’t do justice; far better to visit, meet the people, and get a taste of what organic church life looks like, as it’s more than a corporate meeting.
I like Webster’s definition in 1d:
d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue
and 3 a and b:
3 a : marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional : extreme b : tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions
Radical is a good word. May we continue removing the diseases that have kept Christians from their Root.
I’m thinking I’ll start using the term “Radishal” in its place.
Also slang from the early nineties meaning ‘awesome’
Thank you, I’m not sure I knew the root of radical…ha ha ha! But I love it! It makes so much sense! To live according to the way of Jesus looks insane, “radical”, to the status quo. I understand why the word has taken on negative connotations…you are upsetting the apple cart, young lady! Stop being so radical!
But I don’t even want to be ON the apple cart! I want to radically be tending radishes in a vibrant garden…figuratively AND literally. I love radishes.
Maybe my next tattoo will be a radish? To remind me to return to the roots? To live radically?