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Is Missional Living the ‘New Legalism’?

Jake at gospelinchina.com is worth reading all the time. Here in "Is Missional Living the ‘New Legalism’?", he responds to those arguing that Christian commitment need not be so radical:

Christians may certainly live in the suburbs, but they may not live suburban lives. Because, like any other social context, the suburban lifestyle is driven by a mad pantheon of subtle idols. Any suburbanite whose life has been shaped by the Gospel will seem… well… radical! His flourishing does not look like the flourishing of his neighbors. He’s not striving to keep up with the Jones’, but to follow the One who gave all for him. He doesn’t buck suburban ease because he is trying to earn God’s favor, but because God’s unmerited favor has set him free from the idol of ease. While Bradley exhibits a great deal of concern over missional legalism – the idea that Christians are struggling to measure up to a standard of radical living – he seems to ignore the far more evident realities of suburban legalism – the idea that Christians are struggling to measure up to a standard set by the Jones’. Both are wrong; one is endemic.

This is his conclusion. You ought read the whole article.