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Jumpstarter 6 of 10

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Question 6

Finny’s list of “ordinances” that aren’t derivable by reason—foot washing, holy kiss, raising holy hands, anointing oil, head covering, Lord’s Supper, baptism—was meant to expose how “very, very, very few groups” practice them in aggregate; which of these practices do you instinctively minimize or explain away, and what might your selectivity reveal about what you believe God is like and what you believe the church is for?

Another way to ask: Which practices on that list do you tend to downplay or explain away? What might that pick-and-choose habit show about what you think God is like and what church is supposed to be?

Direct Answer Based on Finny’s teaching, minimizing parts of this list often reveals that we prefer a “generic religion” that feels natural and culturally safe, rather than a church that bears supernatural revelation. Selectivity may show we believe church is mainly for what is reasonable and respectable, not for obeying countercultural ordinances delivered by Christ and the apostles.

Support from Transcript:

Finny’s list: “foot washing… raising holy hands… the holy kiss… head covering… the Lord’s Supper… baptism… anointing of oil.”
He says these are “things that you can’t figure out just by sitting around reasoning… It’s revelation.”
He contrasts them with commands like “Don’t lie, don’t steal,” which are broadly “derivable conclusions” and found in many religions.
He challenges churches: “very, very, very, very few groups actually do well on all of those in aggregate.”
He says the list is “countercultural,” so a “generic religion… whatever you want to do” won’t naturally practice them.
He argues the church should be “the bear[er] of revelation… conveying mystery… revelation… that supplements reason.”

Discussion Follow-ups Finny briefly critiques his own church too (“We need to do better at raising holy hands”). Which ordinances feel “especially unnatural” to you, and what does that suggest you expect Christianity to fit comfortably inside your culture?

Jumpstarter 6 of 10