If one considers the root words of religion to be re-ligio, in essence to re-bind, the static nature of fundamentalism should be no surprise.
Yet, if we look at scripture from a big picture perspective, God appears much more progressive. For instance, Acts 13.16-25:
"Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. [17] The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. [18] And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. [19] And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. [20] And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. [21] And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. [22] And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. [23] Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: [24] when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. [25] And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose."
About every 500 years or so, the Spirit stretches the box of religion, with a grander revelation of God's love for humanity. A kind of "How's that working for you" wakeup call! Perhaps we are slow learners?
It seems we are there again, and right on time!
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