So, my earlier post begs the question...why don't I feel comfortable about detailing my faith journey on my main blog?
Well, while I recognise that many orthodox Churches believe that there is a mandate to spread the Word and to encourage people to follow the Christian faith, I personally feel that everybody should be able to make up their own minds without having other faiths thrust in their faces.
According to the BBC website (I'd have to check this out for myself) what St. Paul said was that each of us should be ready to give witness to the faith that is within us, St. Paul apparently saw no need to seek to convert but to simply be clear on the origins and dimensions of one's own faith.
So, although I do want to talk about my own faith and get some conversation going, I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. So my plan is that although I will occasionally direct people to this blog from my main one, I wont post about my faith in any great detail on the Life and Times of Me. That way I will feel freer to say what I want about Christianity on this blog, otherwise I think that I would deny myself a voice at all! (or at least be far more hesitant about saying what I really want to say!)
2 comments:
Wow! This is great! I've had the same thoughts about blogging, faith, how to study the Bible, etc... It's nice to see that others can relate. I look forward to reading more!
~Maren
This is an interesting idea... I find that blogging is very helpful to me in clarifying my own thoughts. I realize other people do read those thoughts sometimes, but I write mostly for myself as I'm thinking through things, whether they be small daily details that need "wrapping up" in my mind, or bigger issues that are tumbling around and need structuring.
In response to your question on my post from yesterday about the news piece...I'll be honest with you, I hope you don't mind.
No, I really do not mean to say that God is Allah... or anyone else. That is often called Christianity, but it's not biblical. Over and over in Scripture God says, "I am God, and there is none other." Jesus Christ Himself said, "I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life... no one comes to the Father but by Me."
You really have to do some somersaults to get past that... and I want to come at Scripture prepared to take it for what it is and what it says, not what I want it to say. Admittedly, that is not entirely possible, it takes a lot of prayer and consideration, and there have been numerous times when I have realized that I have, indeed, managed to construct a God much to my own liking. But that would technically be called an idol, not the timeless "I Am Who I Am."
The question is, am I willing to accept God for who HE says He is, and not who I feel comfortable with? Well, that is what I want to do, what I'm daily seeking to do.
(and about the Paul thing... I'd have to say that actually he WAS very concerned with conversions... His whole mission given to him by the Lord was to convert the Gentiles to Christianity... but it is true that many of his letters were written to disciple those young churches once they were established in that Christianity... but I digress!)
The God of the Bible is surprising and never predictable... beyond comprehension, above us and outside of us... and without Christ that would be frightening and confusing. He has to be the center and starting point for any of it to make sense.
I believe Jesus was very real, existing in human time, entering into humanity, and yet also retaining divinity. There was - and is - no one like Him.
IF you're interested, which is a big assumption (!), I have a great book to suggest to you! G.K. Chesterton wrote a FANTASTIC book called "Orthodoxy" that you may find entertaining and enlightening. He is very witty, smart - and insightful. Just a thought.
As far as how to approach Scripture, the most important issue to remember is that it is a cohesive book of progressive revelation; meaning that the Old Testament points forward to Christ, while the New reveals Him. What I'm saying is, it's a whole lot bigger than a bunch of morality tales in there... It's a sweeping story of God redeeming His people. It's one story, and it ought to be read that way. I would suggest reading through the Bible along with a good commentary - something like Tabletalk (ligonier.org) would be GREAT. And sometimes you do feel like it's rote - but it has a life of its own that comes back to haunt you, even on the dullest days. :)
I agree, it is hard to say "Here I stand, I can do no other," and have it sound anything like humility. :) The last thing I want to do is sound arrogant - I hope you will understand I point to something not inside but over me and above me... but still I feel it necessary to clarify.
You are on a good path here, and I'm sure you will find much to study and think about along your way! I look forward to reading about it, if you don't mind the comments...
discussion never bothers me, it's angry arguments that I stay away from, which I'm sure you have no liking to, either! I welcome dissenting opinions, as long as they are "thinking ones." :) So feel free to comment away - and I'll look forward to it.
Wow, I'm sorry for the length of my comment! Forgive me if I've crossed a line in trying to clarify and answer questions and offer discussion... I'm quite wordy anyway, and once I get started, just watch out! :)
Thanks and God bless,
Jen
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