Is Radical Living the New Legalism?

Marvin Olasky recently asked the question: “Is Paul’s urging to live quietly, mind your own affairs, and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11) only for losers? Do you feel that you’re wasting your gifts if you “settle” into an ordinary job, get married early and start a family, or live in a small town or suburb?”

Marvin’s comments were a result of a blog post made by Anthony Bradley on the Acton Institute Blog. There Bradley explains that his original thoughts and comments on this subject came out of a “long conversation with a student who was wrestling with what to do with his life given all of the opportunities he had available to him.”

After that conversation Bradley tweeted: Being a “radical,” “missional,” Christian is slowly becoming the “new legalism.” We need more ordinary God and people lovers (Matt 22:36-40).

Well that tweet went viral on social media and started a conversation about the downside of “radical” and “missional” messages. The critique begs the question “Is the push for radical and missional living a new form of legalism?”

Bradley recently wrote an article expounding upon his brief comment. In that article he states: “For too many millennials their greatest fear in this life is being an ordinary person with a non-glamorous job, living in the suburbs, and having nothing spectacular to boast about.”

On the program today, that will be the topic of conversation. When I interview David Platt about his book Radical, I asked him that very question. During the program today, I will air his response.

The “Knowing The Truth” Radio Program, originates in Greenville, SC on a 50,000 watt station covering all of South Carolina as well as parts of North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. The program airs live on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00am – 12 noon EST on Christian Talk 660AM and 92.9FM. Additionally, the program is broadcast live nationally via video webcast on SermonAudio.com.

The host, Pastor Kevin Boling, has conducted over 500 interviews with some of today’s foremost Christian authors and leaders. His guests have also included presidential candidates, ambassadors, senators, congressmen, governors and other political and social leaders.

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