Post a Comment On: Bruce Charlton's Notions

Romantic Christianity is the explicit acknowledgment that we live in an age - indeed, the first such in history - of bespoke Christian spirituality: in other words, each Man's religion must be "made-to-measure", because all of the "off-the-peg" spiritualties are unfit for purpose. "Explicit" is the key; because even the most traditional-minded and self-consciously "orthodox" and traditional Christians are, in-fact and in-deed, even when not acknowledged - arrived at by an unique path, with distinctive discernments, and containing unique elements. Traditional Christianity should therefore be defined in terms of what it aims-at; rather than what it actually is. It aims-at the kind of externally-defined and regulated religion of the past - it aims-at a Christianity rooted in subordination of the individual to the faith group, and obedience of the individual to legitimate authority. 
However; this aim is not achieved; because individual discernment must be, and is, deployed with a high frequency. This; partly because of the innate consciousness of modern Men; and partly due to the overall, deep and pervasive corruption (and trend towards more corruption) of all actual modern "Christian" churches.  Beyond that - the aim is not good; because it is an attempt to become less conscious and less free. It is - in spiritual terms - the false and impossible attempt to become a spiritual child from a condition of spiritual adolescence. 
The proper aim of the spiritual adolescent ought to be spiritual adulthood; and that is to freely and consciously discern and choose our fundamental Christian assumptions - as well as to navigate a true path among the chaos and competition of institutional and personal life-style and organization.  
So; this just-is the age of bespoke Christianity - by duty as well as necessity. Christianity has-changed its nature. What was an off-the-peg warehouse for mass consumption of finished articles for broad categories of Men...Is now an individual business; where each Christian must meet with the Holy Ghost in a personal relationship; to embark on a two-sided dialogue - a series of personal measurements and individual fittings; in order to develop a spiritual garb that is integrated, functional, beautiful, hard-wearing - and therefore unique.