Definitely Not a Lifeboat Christian

7/30/2022

For many Christians, Christianity amounts to little more than the sort of thing Mihály Zichy (1826 -1906) depicts in the painting below.

Though understandable, this view does not reflect my primary Christian beliefs.

Simply put -- I'm not a "lifeboat" Christian, and I have no desire to be one.

Lifeboat - Mihály Zichy - 1827-1906

6 Comments

Luke

7/30/2022 23:06:30

I reread Berdyaev's article on Huysmans yesterday, and I would apply his explanation for the division of the Roman Catholic church into clergy and laity to the recent comments and articles. There are those who are aware of their own freedom and bear upon themselves the responsibility for their own souls, and there are those who wish to renounce their own will and flee their sense of responsibility. For a little while longer the latter may be possible, but I do not think the future will belong to them.

Francis Berger

7/31/2022 14:33:46

@ Luke - I am of the conviction that you are right.

Francis Berger

7/31/2022 14:39:05

@ Bruce - Sorry. The post is intentionally opaque because it is more a note to self than anything.

Anyway, think Barque of St. Peter and extend that to include all barques. Clinging to boats and cowering in "fear and trembling". Seeing Creation as nothing but an ocean of danger and sin. That sort of thing . . .

bruce charlton

7/31/2022 11:22:35

I am presumably being obtuse, but I don't get the intent of this post at all - nor do I understand Lifeboat Christian (Google suggested a few possible meanings, none of which seemed quite right).

Ingemar

8/1/2022 19:16:20

I would suggest that "Lifeboat Christianity" is the notion that the world is a hopeless, unmitigated disaster and that the only way through is clinging to the Ark of Salvation, the Church.

A lot of Trad discourse focuses on the fact that, sure, the institutional Church is packed at the highest levels with predators and functional unbelievers, but we have have no other choice because the only other option is drowning. John 6:68.

Francis Berger

8/1/2022 22:48:36

@ Ingemar - That's all good. I get it and accept what you're saying, but I am more inclined to the bit that comes a little earlier in John 6:

17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

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Definitely Not a Lifeboat Christian

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