The strange thing is that I grew up in the church. When I was a sr. in high school, I was pretty much the only "church-going" kid in my whole class. I was a good kid and I didn't really get in trouble.
I ended up going to Bible college. Why? I look back now, and I think I just went because I didn't know what else to do. In some ways, I can see how that experience contributed to my formation; not least of which would be the fact that's where I found Holly. And I will be the first and loudest to say that I am blessed beyond reason for her.
If I had it to do all over again, I might not have gone to college at all and definately not right after graduation and probably not to a Bible college.
I know a lot of people that spend all of their time reading about, discussing, debating, contemplating theology. Theology- The study of the nature of God and religious truth. I don't see the point. I'm getting to the place where the nature of God is simply love and that truth was truth whether it wears a religious tag or not. I mean really, does all this theological debate and study engender "faith like a child"?
There used to be a time when I would argue to death a theological belief that I held strongly with somebody else who thought differently. Now, it seems to me that an argument like that is not only unknowable and completely un-winnable, but completely worthless in terms any thing of real value. If anything, that kind of argument causes outsiders to shake their heads in disgust at the futility and irrelevance of our pursuits.
Just another reason, that if it weren't for New Springs (now) I think I'd be taking a long, complete break from christendom.
Feel free to respond to this, but I reserve the right to not respond to your response.
2 comments:
I understand exactly what you mean, Dirko. It really stood out to me when we were going through 1 Timothy, when Paul warns Timothy about false teachers by saying that a false teacher is one who "has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind." It seems to me, that's exactly what most of our doctrinal disputes are, controversies and quarrels about words, and what good works have resulted from it? Decades, centuries of Christians quarreling about words has done exactly as Paul warned, leading to "envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction." You've seen it even on your blog, with helpful "Christians" who want to quarrel with you over your words.
I've come to realize that James really did mean it when he wrote, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." If it doesn't lead to a life of good works, it isn't worth anything. James does us the favor of defining what the "good works" of Ephesians 2:10 are. Good works are not Christians acting super churchy, but actually taking care of people, helping those in need, rising above all the evil garbage that fills our worlds and actually ministering, caring for, loving other people. If our faith doesn't lead us there, then we are led astray and wasting our time. That goes for all of our religious teaching, learning, debating, and all the other activities that the church environment promotes.
--jeff
What is New Spring?
Post a Comment