Are there any moderates left? Should there be? Is such a rare creatures even allowed to live? Or is it immediately squashed under the scorn of perpetuating “what-about-ism” and “both/and-ism” and “false equivalencies.”

Should Christians even be moderate about anything, whishy-washy, watering-down whimps? Or should we take a stand?

So, What do I mean when I talk about getting beyond the right and the left?

We need to get clear about what the “radical middle” is in our polarized political world, so that when people like me make talk about getting beyond the right and the left, at least people can disagree with us with a bit of common understanding.

I believe we need to be more radical as the church, integrating a forgotten union between spiritual revival and social reform.

Option #1: Holding the Tension

This kind of middle holds together what most people think are opposites, irreconcilable differences. This is the practical view that comes from understanding that Jesus is fully God and fully human (not just 50/50 of each), or the reality that we “already” live in God’s new kingdom, while it is “not yet” fully realized.

This kind of middle affirms the values truth of both sides.

Option #2: Via Media (Middle Way)

This options finds the middle between two extreme, values moderation over excess. Truth be told, this way does seem to perpetuate false moderation, let’s ignore our differences by watering things down a bit.

This kind of middle tries to find the best in both sides (and gets rid of the worst).

Option #3: Break the Framework

This options says that the two sides often hold something fundament in agreement— ignored by both. The “radical middle” is to actually break free from these assumptions (break the framework) and move into a new space, a space which is misunderstood and criticized by both sides in the old framework. The framework thinks it is position “A” fighting position “B”. Those who break with the framework see that position “A” is fight with its opposite, (“not-A”), and that only by moving on from both do we get to position “B”.

This is more of a radical middle which is really moving beyond either side—stepping off the continuum…getting off the pendulum.

Option #4: See the Humanity

This options affirms that all people should be treated as humans — humanely. It understands that the world and people are complex. This option believes you can hold strong convictions and share compassion for others.

This last options can be watered down as cover for the status quo, a false moderation, and calls to “be nice” in the via media approach (option #2). Or it can be part of the revolution of breaking the frame (option #3).

This more radical way is quickly being lost these days.

Way of Jesus

I firmly believe option #3 and #4 are the revolutionary way of Jesus in his earthly ministry given the social and political options he had before him.

And it should be the way of the church on mission as it engages various cultural, political, and social contexts.

When it comes to issues of power, identity, sexuality, wealth, and other issues, the kingdom of God and the gospel (who is Jesus) breaks the given frameworks and charts a new course, a course that should humanize us, restoring what sin has stolen from us.

As I keep saying a pointing out, it know the Christians on the right and the left feel they are on the revolutionary side (warring against the corruption of the other side).

But both—evangelical-fundamentalist and progressive-liberal Christians—are locked in an all too modern approach to politics, theology, and the church.