Calling All C.onfessional A.grarian R.eformers

When I began this little diary it was meant to be a journal of efforts toward stewardship and agrarian themes from a distinctively Christian perspective. I have been encouraged and enlightened by the writings of many others who have seen a need for the Church to re-think her role in the modern age of Industrialism and Consumerism. The many voices of this movement have caused some within the Church to look again at the political-social-environmental-economic models that we have followed and consider anew where, if at all, these areas fit in to Holy Scripture. Along the way, there has been a wide array of folks that espoused varying reasons and doctrines as the only 'real' basis of underlying philosophy for a lasting movement. Some see Agrarianism as the only real national security system that a country has. For them, it is a duty to revitalize the small family farm and establish locally grown co-ops, to ensure that individual communities are able to stave off the effects of an ever growing Federalism of local governments. Others have prefaced their belief in Agrarianism by the duty to protect the limited natural resources of the Earth, they see a 'dominion' mandate that is closely linked to the soil and our care for it. If we surveyed the whole of the movement, we would find quite a diversity in motivational causes for choosing a 'more deliberate' existence. From those who simply want to slow down the pace of things in remembrance of simpler times, to some who feel that time has run out, and that the apocalyptic days of the Bible are upon us. People from every walk of life are quitting their jobs and trading their patch of concrete for a 'hobby farm' in the most remote places they can find. There are even groups out there that have begun to build 'intentional communities' for like-minded travelers to get out of the decaying behemoth that they see around them!

The Agrarian Age has come!

Well, O.K. , ...that may be a little hopeful, not to mention a little revisionist historically, but it is easy to see that this thing is catching on again in many circles of Christendom. People are waking up to the fact that there is something wrong with the modern world and the unrelenting push that reduces the meaning of life to a measurable unit of production. Much good is coming from the renewed affections of men who want more 'meaning' to their daily existence than the god of this world has given to them. I am one of those men who have seen that there is more to life than riches, or the pursuit of worldly gain and I am thankful to the Lord that he has shown me this truth. I am also grateful for the writings of many others who have helped to shed more light on the movement of agrarianism. These people have shared their knowledge of hard-earned skills, and opened their methods of living to those greenhorns like myself. Most have done it freely, and with good intentions to see others grow and realize life's potential more. They are well versed in this area and have strong opinions brought about by the hard realities that they have accepted along with this lifestyle. They are rugged, and intelligent folk who aren't afraid to engage in defending the 'agrarian model'. I am trying to find my way among them as I contemplate their presuppositions. With all the variance of ideas and philosophies, it is difficult to establish a systematized 'theology of agrarianism'. I am not even sure if it is possible. I know that there are some who are attempting this. I know of one who shall remain nameless. ( Hint: his name rhymes with Dunker, and his theology does too ;).Primarily, because to challenge him, would be the death knell of a would be agrarian fledgling like myself. Secondly, because even though I am in much disagreement with the presuppositional view that he holds of scripture, and therefore of agrarianism itself, I find him to be a very good source of knowledge. he has written much and he is an elder, therefore he deserves the respect of both accomplishment and rank. And for those who are devoted disciples, please don't misinterpret what I am saying to be a challenge! He has a discussion forum for theological debate that I plan on joining soon to discuss these things in a Christ-like manner. It is just that I am concerned about having a solid exegesis of the scriptures and a good creedal position to help gauge heresy by. There are a lot of ideas being flung out there concerning the scriptures, ( not necessarily by the brother mentioned), and there are folks like me moving into the discussion daily. In my short term as a follower of various christian 'homesteader' blogs, I have encountered some statements of questionable doctrine. I am hoping to better understand some of these statements before simply accepting them. My eventual goal would be to work along side of someone to write a 'confessional' view of the agrarian lifestyle. I am hoping that someone else is seeing the need for this. While, there are some opposing views out there, I think that the example of the 3 Forms of Unity produced during the Reformation is a good model that would allow some level of unity while limiting the tendency to develop heretical teaching. I know this is a little to 'institutional', or denominational for some. But surely, there is someone else out there that believes agrarianism is a valid way of life and also grasps the need to make sure that it is understood through the lens of the reformed faith. Maybe there is some great writing on agrarianism from an orthodox, reformed perspective out there and I am just missing it. Maybe we need one before we miss out... Not all of us 'reformers' believe that we can wait and hope the 'post-mil' crowd is right. It just ain't confessional;/