tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13729569.post116882455869205642..comments2024-03-23T05:42:07.516-04:00Comments on The Deliberate Agrarian: What is Agrarianism? What is Christian Agrarianism?Herrick Kimballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17116051416696885647noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13729569.post-22026310262933129182009-03-17T13:16:00.000-04:002009-03-17T13:16:00.000-04:00I am a Pennsylvania Dutchman (aka. "Pennsylvania G...I am a Pennsylvania Dutchman (aka. "Pennsylvania German"). Our culture and heritage is very firmly based upon Christianity, farming, self-sufficiency, family, and community.<BR/><BR/>Now, I didn't click on any of your links because I believe I've a good grasp upon the basics of Christian agrarianism, and I'm not much into the politics of it.<BR/><BR/>Agrarian practice was a very important way of life for the PA Dutch farming family, and not just in the way in which one planted their fields or cared for their livestock. If a family of a neighboring farm had a bad crop, or if an injury or death in the family left them in a bad way, food and workers were sent to help until the family got back onto their feet. No questions asked. No thanks needed. Appreciation was shown through the way in which that family served their own community when they were able.<BR/><BR/>And God was never far away from the thoughts and actions of these families, who raised their children to honor Christ through their self-sufficiency and caring for others selflessly.<BR/><BR/>So, as it is in the modern age for me, on .012 acres, we have vegetable gardens, chickens, 3 ponds, flower gardens, herb gardens, and even an outhouse. :) (No, we don't use it. It's a tool shed, now.)<BR/><BR/>Every day I am out in our little eutopia, I honor my heritage and I honor my Savior by noticing the little details in large mountainsides, and the big details in emerging crocus, and by making sure our three children understand and honor their place in this world through the ability of self-sufficiency and their duty to the community and God.<BR/><BR/>Too simplistic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13729569.post-87715227753808523532008-12-01T15:55:00.000-05:002008-12-01T15:55:00.000-05:00I equate Christian agrarianism with minimalism and...I equate Christian agrarianism with minimalism and self sustainability. It is more a dropping out of society and society's race to get yet a bigger house, a better car, more clothes, etc. etc. - a lack of the pursuit of material, worldly possessions. How many square feet do you really need? How many coats can one person really wear? How many starving people can you feed with the difference between a Jag and a Toyota? "The love of money is the root of all evil." Do you really watch over 100 TV stations?Sheryl at Providence Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07127223943390691667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13729569.post-1168897898370139632007-01-15T16:51:00.000-05:002007-01-15T16:51:00.000-05:00WOW! I am impressed, Herrick! Very, very well ar...WOW! I am impressed, Herrick! Very, very well articulated explanation...<BR/><BR/>I am going to link to this article instead of 're-inventing the wheel'... I get asked this alot and think you did a fine job explaining it.<BR/><BR/>Enjoying your writings,<BR/>Carla LynneCarla Lynne Klimukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13755078904557802428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13729569.post-1168886041092780552007-01-15T13:34:00.000-05:002007-01-15T13:34:00.000-05:00Hi Patti,Okay, here are some thoughts regarding yo...Hi Patti,<BR/><BR/>Okay, here are some thoughts regarding your comments...<BR/><BR/><B>Quite a few people throw the word agrarian around and make it fit into what THEY believe, their paradigm if you will.</B><BR/><BR/>Yes they do. And the same thing happens to the word, "Christian."<BR/><BR/><B>I do understand and mostly agree with the paradigm behind the Christian agrarian movement but I think that it has flaws,in my opinion.From what I have read it adds to the gospel and makes it complicated,it moves us away from a salvation based gospel to a,"God will convict you if you don't adopt an agrarian life view gospel."</B><BR/><BR/>Funny, I see just the opposite. I think the agrarian paradigm simplifies the gospel and brings everything into alignment. Agrarianism is about simplicity, humility, loving your neighbor and Christian charity. It is contrary to industrialism which is complicated, proud, self-centered, and against Christianity. Agrarianism is the outworking of the gospel. Jesus Christ and His redemptive work is central to Christian agrarianism.<BR/><BR/><B>"To me and once again this is just my opinion, it looks like someone took the liberal back to the land movement and slapped a Christian label on it.</B><BR/><BR/>The liberal back to the land movement had some things right. But, as a movement, it was not Christ-centered. There was no Biblical worldview, no cultural-changing mission to such a movement. It’s purpose was not to glorify God.<BR/><BR/><B>Quite a few eastern religions and the wiccan movement also preach agrarianism</B><BR/><BR/>That is true. As in all things of God, the enemy offers a counterfeit. Christian agrarians do not worship creation, they worship the soverign Creator, the God of Abraham, God the Father, who sent his son Jesus Christ to live and die as propitiation for our sin. <BR/><BR/>Unlike the godless, Christians care for environmental issues because they see it as a God-given responsibility. Unfortunately, that is often interpreted as "liberal." Fact is, Christians should be leading the charge for environmental responsibility, and many are now awaking to their need and responsibility to do so.<BR/><BR/>In the final analysis, it is impossible to pigeonhole Christian agrarianism based on commonly understood divisions within our society.Herrick Kimballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116051416696885647noreply@blogger.com