Sacred Tribes Journal
Volume 1 Number 1 (2002):255-262 ISSN: 1941-8167
THE X-TRIBE: SOME CHRISTIAN TRIBAL MARKINGS Jon Trott Jesus People USA We Christians are one of many "sacred tribes" of peoples throughout the world. I define a sacred tribe as a tribe or group of people whose selfprofessed primary identity both as individuals and as a group center on meanings, beliefs, and practices derived from their perception of the Divine. I am relieved to use 'sacred tribe' rather than that overused and abusive word 'cult.' I have written elsewhere at length on that topic, but here I simply cite J. I. Packer who in writing about the word "fundamentalist" underscores a problem all pejorative labelling words have: In the first place, it [fundamentalism] is a word that combines the vaguest conceptual meaning with the strongest emotional flavour. "Fundamentalist" has long been a term of ecclesiastical abuse, a theological swearword; and the important thing about a swear-word, of course, is not what it means but the feelings it expresses.... [Packer then cites a number of historical illustrations.] There is no need to quote other examples; the point is clear. The verdict of history is that the use of vague prejudicial labels (and the more they are the one, the more they are the other) rules out the very possibility of charitable and constructive discussion. The interests of truth and love seem to demand that such labels be rigorously eschewed.[1]
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