Friday, July 21, 2006
still not dead
but going through such a revolution in my beliefs that I do not feel confident blogging about anything.
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In what way?
For the last two years, I have been going through tremendous changes in my beliefs that have so shaken my worldview as to make me question whether I should be a Christian anymore. I was formerly almost a "civil religion" Christian, a conservative among my Christian age cohort within the Church of Christ (my heritage)--there was, I confess, a tendency towards legalistic pattern theology.
The changes came as I began to move towards graciousness as a manner of being. Soon I began to embrace pacifism as a matter of adherence to Christ's teaching. At the same time, I was moving towards openness theology (though I could never have been described as Calvinistic or Augustinian) and discovering the importance of the kingdom of God as a present reality and as that to which I should be "pledging allegiance" (as far as kingdoms, states, and empires go). Then I began to embrace the importance of ethical reflection in the life of the disciple. All these are now important aspects of the direction of my life path--but obviously I really just want to follow Christ.
I was impressed with some of your comments on Ben Witherington's blog and decided to check out your blog. Your words caught my attention because due to the fundamental and incredible shifts in personal beliefs I was experiencing (and still am, in some ways), there were at least 6 months (maybe even a full year) in which I was constantly depressed and could not summon the courage to let anybody know what I was thinking or learning, except in a very general way. So whether you have been going through any similar shifts in beliefs yourself or not, just know that there are those of us out here who have shared in the kind of faith struggles you seem to be expressing.
For the last two years, I have been going through tremendous changes in my beliefs that have so shaken my worldview as to make me question whether I should be a Christian anymore. I was formerly almost a "civil religion" Christian, a conservative among my Christian age cohort within the Church of Christ (my heritage)--there was, I confess, a tendency towards legalistic pattern theology.
The changes came as I began to move towards graciousness as a manner of being. Soon I began to embrace pacifism as a matter of adherence to Christ's teaching. At the same time, I was moving towards openness theology (though I could never have been described as Calvinistic or Augustinian) and discovering the importance of the kingdom of God as a present reality and as that to which I should be "pledging allegiance" (as far as kingdoms, states, and empires go). Then I began to embrace the importance of ethical reflection in the life of the disciple. All these are now important aspects of the direction of my life path--but obviously I really just want to follow Christ.
I was impressed with some of your comments on Ben Witherington's blog and decided to check out your blog. Your words caught my attention because due to the fundamental and incredible shifts in personal beliefs I was experiencing (and still am, in some ways), there were at least 6 months (maybe even a full year) in which I was constantly depressed and could not summon the courage to let anybody know what I was thinking or learning, except in a very general way. So whether you have been going through any similar shifts in beliefs yourself or not, just know that there are those of us out here who have shared in the kind of faith struggles you seem to be expressing.
I was just about to add you to my blogroll because of your comments on Ben's site. Then I come here and you seem to be throwing in the towel, what gives?
Hmmm. I think our dissimilar paths have converged. I appreciate your thoughts here and on Ben's blog.
Would love to hear more of your revolution.
Would love to hear more of your revolution.
Howdy...
I've enjoyed reading your responses on BW3's blog. I read in your recent reply at his blog that you're a former RC. Me too. At what age did you change, and for what reasons?
How do you view the RC now?
Does that conversion have anything to do with your recent turmoil?
Just curious, I went through some interesting things lately..
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I've enjoyed reading your responses on BW3's blog. I read in your recent reply at his blog that you're a former RC. Me too. At what age did you change, and for what reasons?
How do you view the RC now?
Does that conversion have anything to do with your recent turmoil?
Just curious, I went through some interesting things lately..
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