You might envision by the blog of this entry someone on a riverbank tossing a Christian back into the water...though some may feel that way in our culture, that's not the purpose of the title. Occasionally in sports circles teams will do a "throwback" game or series. Basically when they do this, they wear old uniforms from previous decades of their teams history, and celebrate the heritage of their program. (As a side note, I'd love to see the PGA do a throwback event and make the pros play with the clubs and balls Nicklaus, Palmer and others played with...let's see how far Tiger hits it with a persimmon wood driver :) )
The throwback observances of the sporting world are pretty neat in actuality. It's cool to see how the success of programs today owe much to the programs of the past. In the same way, it may be time for Christians to begin observing "throwback" lifestyles...not to pay attention to the traditions past of denominations per se, but to observe the practices and lifestyles of the early church. Additionally it is not best for Christians to observe this occasionally, but instead to make it an active part of life. There is quite a bit of movement on this issue raising to the forefront of Christian living.
I'm getting ready to start a new book titled Finding Our Way Again: The Return of Ancient Practices by Brian McLaren. It is a book built around the concept of "throwback" Christianity. I've already been consuming writings in this area as of late. I'm reading a book on fasting by Scot McKnight. I've been reading some of the "Ancient-Future" series by Robert Webber (who died this past April)...his series includes thoughts on evangelism, worship, and faith. I'm particularly excited about this new book by McLaren. As I flipped through the pages of Finding Our Way I saw the topics McLaren is addressing...contemplative practices such as prayer journaling, prayer focused on listening/receiving instead of speaking/expressing...serving and giving to others 'secretly' by way of Matthew 6:3...feasting and celebration accompanied by fasting and self-denial. He additionally speaks of 3 practices which all the ancient practices fall under. Via purgativa is the practice of purging...not purging of food, but purging of sin and filth in life. This can work through small groups, or "vulnerability groups" (which are accountability groups where you don't confess to shame, but to brothers/sisters who join in to help). Spiritual purging is done through journaling, or through spiritual practices such as fasting. The second practice is Via Illuminativa, that is the practice of learning to let God's light shine in dark places. We welcome His light through study of His word...through fellowship with believers...through all manner of praise. When we develop this practice, suddenly we begin to see His light in places we might not have before. We watch movies and are not simply 'entertained', but see His truth. We encounter seemingly meaningless activities (shopping, housework, family responsibilities) and they begin to have tremendous meaning due to His light. Third we have Via Unitiva, or the increased unification of our souls/lives/bodies with God. This is after all, what Christ came to do. He said we would be in Him, and He in us. Just as if we get too close to a person with a cold or flu we get infected with their germs, the closer we are to God the more we get 'infected' with who He is. We receive His love, compassion, kindness...His justice, peace, and patience. We join God in all that He is and all that He feels. He is a God who suffers for His creation, who weeps for His people, and who rejoices over their success. The major difference here from what most Christians perceive as unity with God is this; we seek to become more unified with Him not to further separate ourselves from unbelievers, but instead to strengthen our link to Him so they may know Him.
I'm overwhelmingly excited about the process of becoming a "throwback" Christian. If you'd like, I invite you along on the journey...