Before I really begin, I'd like to say that this whole concept of "ransacking" is wonderful and efficient--I just don't quite have it mastered yet. For a detail-oriented person, it's very difficult to just skim through headings, subheadings, a few sentences here and there and feel like I actually got something from the chapter. Nevertheless, I think what I have ransacked has sparked some thought.
Oh, and one more thing: it is insanely difficult for me to concentrate on my reading on the computer screen. I know I've always preferred hardcopies to digital files, but I never knew it would make this significant of a difference!
All that to say, the idea of anonymous Christians I think is fascinating. Taking a look at insider movements, anonymous Christians, and the practice of contextualization has really stripped down the gospel to the bare essentials for me. That's not saying I have a list of doctrinal points which I consider to be the "bare essentials" of being a gospel believer. However, it's just a clear reminder that the gospel we practice here in the States does come with a huge amount of cultural baggage. We've turned so many cultural moors into doctrinal tenets. However, the gospel, like a mustard seed, is something so small and simple that grows into something so powerful. It is so simple and so pure that such things as "anonymous Christians" and "insider movements exist." In some respects, I feel like those involved in Insider Movements must be careful that they don't slip into syncretism--but who's to say we haven't either? The gospel in its pure unadulterated form is simply the transforming faith in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's when this faith pours out into our life actions that we begin to struggle with what is acceptable and what isn't.
I love the fact that anonymous Christians exist. It's such a powerful (and humbling) reminder to me that the gospel is faith. It is neither a system nor a label.
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