Chapter 1 of the book:
The Failure of the Great Amish and Conservative Mennonite Dress Experiment
Why Christian Conservatism Isn’t the Answer and What to Do
Many committed Christians view being conservative as an important part of what it means to be a true Christian and to be a true follower of Christ. Being conservative is perceived to be safe, right, Godly, and a superior way of life. However, Christian conservatism is not the answer. It is not as safe, right, and Godly as what it appears. We will be using the Great Amish and Conservative Mennonite Dress Experiment as a case study as we look at the failures of Christian conservatism and the type of mistakes that we as Christians need to avoid. We will also be looking at what we need to do to truly follow Jesus.
Are you looking for something more than just the same old concepts, interpretations, explanations, and perspectives you have heard regurgitated over and over again? This website will give you some new insights and things to think about. You may not agree with everything you read, but Biblical Research Reports will stimulate your thinking. Our goal is to help you to formulate in your own mind what is Jesus’ truth as you look at the research we share on the various subjects facing the Church.
This book is not actually written for Amish and Mennonites, but for Christians all around the world. It uses the Amish and Conservative Mennonite denominations to show real-life examples of what happens when seemingly innocent traditions, rules, and standards of the church are added to God’s Word. The answer is not Christian conservatism, but to be a 100% follower of Christ. It is important that we don’t add to His Word or subtract from it.
While we will focus on the Amish and Conservative Mennonites, there are many parallels to the conservative mindset, doctrines, standards, applications, and failures in other conservative Christian denominations, conservative churches, and conservative Christian homeschool groups. There is a pattern of sin and failure that is similar across most conservative religious groups including those of other religions!
The purpose of the book is to show you these failures and consequences so that you do not make the same mistakes we did, and so those of us who have followed religious conservatism can repent of our mistakes and not continue to repeat the same mistakes.
We all make mistakes, thinking we are doing the right thing when we aren’t. We as conservatives thought we had things right when we didn’t. It is important that we learn from these errors and mistakes and use them as stepping stones to move the Church to greater obedience to Christ and a closer relationship with Him.
We Americans often think that we have things figured out and have a superior way of life that needs to be taught to others around the world. Unfortunately some aspects of our lives should not be imitated and conservative Christianity is one of them. It is important that the mistakes we have made be shared with our brothers and sisters around the world so that you do not make the same errors that we have made. It is important too that you do not place us as American Christians on a pedestal as a role model of someone to follow. As Christians we need to follow Jesus Christ, NOT other people.
This book is like a lighthouse, and its purpose is to help guide Christian travelers in life away from the rocks that lay hidden below the surface, where the water appears safe. The false teachings of conservative Christianity with their damaging hidden consequences have wrecked the lives of many people as they have tried to follow Christ. Many people do not realize how spiritually dangerous these seemingly safe conservative religious teachings really are. It is way past time for a lighthouse to shine its light through the darkness to prevent more precious lives from needlessly being shattered, both physically and spiritually…
To read more of this chapter, you can purchase the book on Amazon.
