So this week I’m wondering if it is possible to go deeper. A conversation about an amendment or some other current issue is good, I think. But is it possible for people who have honest questions about spirituality, theology, the Bible and contemporary culture to find a safe place to expand the conversation?
Many people feel like they are outside the traditional religious establishment. Some have great respect for the teachings of Jesus but just don’t think of themselves as “religious” people. Some are followers of Jesus but disagree with the direction of the contemporary church, or they’ve been “burned” by the church. Some, who have questions and contributions to the dialogue don’t feel like they have a voice, or even a place to talk. Maybe that’s how you feel. If so, I hope you will keep reading.
What would it look like if our generation recaptured what has largely been lost; respectful, honest, open, vulnerable, non-judgmental, even (in the best sense of the word) loving dialogue? Is that possible in our world? I would argue that it is not only possible, it is already happening in many places.
What I’m suggesting is that this could be one of those places!
If I may, let me propose a couple options for those of you who, like me, have questions and opinions about the journey and the destination.
One option is to keep using this forum. I would really like to hear and respond to your questions. (I don’t have answers, just responses.) Please believe me when I say that I want to offer an opportunity for sincere people of all faith traditions and no faith tradition to talk.
Here’s another option. If you’re more of a “face to face” kind of person, this may interest you. What if a small group (or groups) of people just got together to discuss current topics, to address questions about spirituality, to seek guidance from the Bible, in a “neutral” location? Would that interest you? If so, I would be happy to participate.
I think it is significant that in the first few centuries of the church’s existence followers of Jesus met almost exclusively in one another’s homes. Maybe we could do something similar in the 21st century.
If you’re interested, let me know!
I have a few questions.. Why do you believe in God? Why do you believe everything that is wrote in the bible? and do you believe that god has control over everything that happens?
ReplyDeleteObviously we could talk forever about these really deep kinds of questions. Thank you for asking them. In this context I'll try to be brief. Hopefully we will have more chances to talk.
DeleteWhy do I believe in God? I guess I could give you all the text book answers and "proofs" of the existence of God. I'm not discounting them. Some are actually pretty thought provoking like the argument from scientists who tell us that the Universe is so intricate and balanced that it simply couldn't have happened without a designer and creator. Of course we refer to that designer and creator as "God."
But when all is said and done it really does come down to faith. We use the word "faith" for a reason. Faith is not the same as certainty. I think you can have faith and at the same time have really strong doubts. I would argue that faith and doubt live together. Where you find one you find the other. The Jewish people believe that faith is something that you do not so much with your head as with your feet. Faith is about trusting and walking with God in the face of our doubts. I hope that you can embrace that for yourself.
Why do I believe everything written in the Bible? Again, there are lots of arguments that the Bible is a reliable historical document. Some of them are good.
But there are lots of different understandings about biblical interpretation. Can the Bible be "true" and some parts of it not intended to be "literal." For example, a lot of the Bible is poetry. While I beleive that the Bible is true I think that the Bible must be taken seriously, which means that we attempt to understand the Bible in its original historical context and in the literary genre of each passage. I hope that helps.
Do I beleive that God has control of everything that happens? That is a really deep question. For me the short answer is yes and no. God is "sovereign" which means that God is in control. But I believe that in his sovereign control God has given human beings the ability to be in control too. In a real sense we're in the drivers seat, making choices and living with those choices. I believe that is what the story in Genesis 3 is about. God doesn't move people around like men on a chess board.
I hope this is helpful. Again, I would really appreciate the chance to continue the conversation.
I'm sending this to all you have responded to this posting. If you would be willing to be part of a group of people with questions and concerns like yours (on a trial basis) send me an email at rob@zoarchurch.com
DeleteAs an agnostic, I enjoyed this and your amendment one topic. I became agnostic because of a lot of the issues that religion has on man's thinking. I believe that if a creator exists, it doesn't work in the realm of hate- but love. I think our interpretation of what/who our creator is creates the hate within man's heart and mind. Man has a need to control, so he uses religion as a way to carry out what he wants... Looking at history proves that theory... Crusades, holocaust, all wars, witch burnings in Salem, ect.
ReplyDeleteId like to know the same answers to the above poster as well, for discussion really. I'd like to add one, what/who created God?
Thanks for your comment. I hope that some of the responses to the other comment are helpful.
DeleteThe question you've asked delves into the realm of "epistemology" which is the science of the nature and extent and limitations of knowledge.
I'm afraid that the question "who created God" falls into the realm of knowledge outside of the scope of human capability. We can't really, intelectually, process the statement, "God has no creator because God exists eternally." However, there is more than one kind of "knowing." Is it possible, I think, for human beings to embrace a kind of knowing beyond our intellectual faculties? If so, we can say that we "know" God and "understand" him with a totally different part of our being. This is where the concept of human beings as "souls" enters the picture. It is the acknowledgment that there must be understanding beyond our limited intellectual ability and there must be life beyond our limited human existence.
I hope this is at least somewhat helpful. I would appreciate the chance to talk more.
I'm sending this to all you have responded to this posting. If you would be willing to be part of a group of people with questions and concerns like yours (on a trial basis) send me an email at rob@zoarchurch.com
DeleteThank you for your comment. I would be happy to interact in any forum in which you would be comfortable. If you have ideas I would love to hear them?
ReplyDeleteI'm sending this to all you have responded to this posting. If you would be willing to be part of a group of people with questions and concerns like yours (on a trial basis) send me an email at rob@zoarchurch.com
ReplyDelete"What would it look like if our generation recaptured what has largely been lost; respectful, honest, open, vulnerable, non-judgmental, even (in the best sense of the word) loving dialogue? Is that possible in our world? I would argue that it is not only possible, it is already happening in many places.
ReplyDeleteWhat I’m suggesting is that this could be one of those places!"
Amen! to what you said above that I've quoted. I think that so many people are afraid or unwilling to talk to Christians about so many issues and questions because they feel like they are not really being heard or respected, but rather judged or ignored. I think as Christians we are sometimes guilty of "preparing our response/argument" if you will, rather than truly listening to where the person is coming from and trying to better understand them. I just think that sometimes, like in this whole Amendment One ordeal, that the concept of love and grace can be quickly lost sight of and replaced with the notion of being right or wrong from an argument standpoint. We can hate the sin while still loving the sinner. We all have sin and sin is sin is God's eyes, no little sin or big sin, just sin. We all have it. Same as there is no little love or big love from God, just love. Thank God we all have access to that love through Jesus Christ.
I pray that God will continue to guide us closer to Him and keep our hearts and minds centered on His truth as we seek to lovingly share that truth with the world.