Why are there no extremist Christians?

[Nihilist Virus]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

 

[Soyeong]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

Why in the world would you think that no one in the world is doing this?

 

[Nihilist Virus]

Why in the world would you think that no one in the world is doing this?

If you would like to prove me wrong, I am interested in what you have to say.

 

[Soyeong]

If you would like to prove me wrong, I am interested in what you have to say.

You need to at least attempt to prove yourself right first.

 

[Jahrooshshalom]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

For there to be extremist Christians they'd have to comport with the same extremism that is exampled by so called extremist Muslims being that we all worship the same god that in a different inspired text than that of the Bible commands extremism and Jihad.

 

[Locutus]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

I believe some Jesuits do this - or used to - minus the proselytizing.

 

[Eudaimonist]

You need to at least attempt to prove yourself right first.

How is he supposed to prove that there are no examples of something, especially when it has to do with the entire world? That's why he is asking for counter-examples.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[SkyWriting]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

The Bible is a historical book about how God has influenced lives and how
we can have a relationship with God. It's not a guide book or rule book.

Mother Theresa qualifies, though she felt that caring for poor was her calling.
Other notable Christians: (I don't know their financial situations )
Gladys Aylward (1902 - 1970)
Jackie Pullinger
General Eva Burrows
Peter & Miranda Harris
Isabel Carter

 

[Willie T]

Even the Apostles did not sell everything they had. How do you think they were able to return to the fairly costly boats and nets they still owned a week after Jesus was crucified?

 

[SkyWriting]

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

Lack of TV coverage - would be why you are unaware of such people.
They don't post here - would be why they are not responding themselves.
They "disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian" could be reason #3.
I propose that once you start wandering yourself, you may find similar people.

 

[englishantebellum]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

I think with regards to your definition of extremist Christians, monks and nuns could apply. They give up everything to do the work of god, after all.

 

[keith99]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

Go down to skid row in any city in the U.S. and sooner or later you will pass a crazy man preaching on the corner. How can you tell he is not exactly what you are asking for?

 

[zippy2006]

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

What, like Benedictines, Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, Jesuits, Missionaries of Charity, etc.?

(From the linked compendium: "Note: The above lists are substantially incomplete. They currently only include orders with members who are/were bishops.")

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

Peace Pilgrim is an excellent example, I would think. Got to hear her speak once.

 

[Armoured]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works. This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

You can disagree that such a thing is what constitutes an extremist Christian, but my question still stands: why is there no one on earth doing this?

There's plenty. You basically described monks, for a start.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

Peace Pilgrim
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Pilgrim
After she passed, a group of people who followed in her footsteps came to another church I happened to be attending, so I figure her path is still being followed.

 

[Soyeong]

How is he supposed to prove that there are no examples of something, especially when it has to do with the entire world? That's why he is asking for counter-examples.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Which only highlights the absurdity of him asking the question in the first place.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Which only highlights the absurdity of him asking the question in the first place.

Well, no. All you had to do is provide counter-examples. There's nothing absurd about that. It was your demand that he prove a negative that was absurd.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[South Bound]

I would think of an extremist Christian as one who sells all that he owns, gives his money to the poor, and wanders the world to preach the gospel and do good works.

I don't do it because I don't want to

This was not an impossible task for John the Baptist, and he didn't even have the gospel to work with.

Actually, John the Baptist was a prolific preacher of the Gospel. Where on Earth did you ever get the idea that "he didn't have the Gospel to work with"?

 

[Soyeong]

Well, no. All you had to do is provide counter-examples. There's nothing absurd about that. It was your demand that he prove a negative that was absurd.


eudaimonia,

Mark

He asked why no one was doing something, which implies that he thinks no one was doing something, which implies that he has reason to think that no one is doing something. I want to know what that reason is. If asking to prove a negative is absurd, then asking a question that requires assuming the a negative without it being proved is even more absurd.