Crucible of Thought

It's taken a couple years, but I realized this week that I'm completely done with being called an Evangelical and a Republican. I simply cannot abide the toxicity inherent in both labels. Here's some thoughts about why.

Faith perhaps, should be something like a basket of Easter eggs: each one colorful and unique and ornate in its own way, each containing something different and surprising, but all together comprising the totality of Christianity, in the promise offered by Easter Sunday.

Do we as Christians have the moral right to preemptively use deadly force? And do we as Christians have the moral right to kill to defend ourselves or our property? Some thoughts.

Lately I've participated in several discussions about the fundamental nature of the Bible. A frequent refrain is the all-encompassing, totally sufficient, utterly complete, perfect nature of the Bible. But is the Bible truly everything we need to know about God and the universe and history and our lives?

Recently a friend asked me what it felt like to lose so much of my faith. I don't think I lost anything: instead, I feel like I've shed things that weren't mine to begin with. Let me tell you about my own encounter with Aslan.

I've always believed that Christians go to heaven when we die. It's a staple of many people's faith. Where did that doctrine come from, and what does the Bible say about heaven? Join me as I survey the various verses that talk about heaven.

What's more important? Evangelicalism, or Christianity? Lately I've seen a lot of people defending the former at the expense of what I believe is Jesus' example of how we should live as a community of faith.

Jesus said we'd know a tree by its fruit, and perhaps we can also know a doctrine the same way. I grew up with an end-times doctrine that is widespread in the church, but which I now recognize is bearing a lot of bad fruit. Maybe it's time to recognize the harm.

I'm intrigued that for an institution so absolutely central to human life, the Bible has shockingly little information about the ideal marriage. Hardly any of the examples about marriage fit our modern Christian definition of "one man, one woman, for life, with the blessing of the church and the state."

Too many Christians seem obsessed with power and control. But being oppressed was the very thing that helped the early church grow explosively. Are we pursing the wrong thing?

Today's media systems use outrage as a currency to drive engagement. But is outrage a poison pill that is tearing us apart? I suggest there's a better way to exist in this modern social media world.

It's really hard when trusted people change dramatically. For the sake of our faith, often we don't really want to know why they changed. It might require us to change too.

I've seen a lot of conservative Christians recently argue that gays cannot be saved, or cannot be Christian, specifically because of 1 Cor 6:9-10. What does that verse say, and is it relevant?

A Jewish pastor read a sermon written by AI to his congregation, and they thought it was human-written. Can a robot or AI ever replace a human pastor? Perhaps that's the wrong question. Do most Christians today even understand what a pastor is supposed to be?

"Which takes precedence - the Bible or Jesus?" On Twitter, this question has blown up into a rather ugly argument in the last couple days. 

I've watched the dispute, occasionally chipping in here and there myself, but mostly learning from the various viewpoints thrown into the fight. There's a lot to be learned from it. Here are some thoughts about the Bible, and how it relates to Jesus, and who or what we worship.

The point of the gospel is not to get the work done. The point is accurately represent the Father. Jesus' charge in Matt 28:19-20 wasn't colonial; it was to be ambassadors in the fullest sense of the word - to personally BE an extension of the Kingdom and to fully embody Jesus to those around us. That looks a lot different than many approaches to the gospel.

The origins of the Bible are fascinatingly complex, much more than I had understood as a younger believer. Why would God let it be so complex?

Jonah was so opposed to the people of Nineveh that he couldn't abide God's forgiveness of them. There are parallels with evangelical Christians' insistence that God punish people in a fiery hell for all eternity. Is that insistence righteous?

Treating fellow believers with contempt is a sure way to shut down any ability of the Holy Spirit to use each other to grow us up into one Body, one Bride of Christ.

The younger generation of Christians are looking a lot more like Caleb and Joshua than like Moses. They're willing to go at risk with the Lord into a dangerous but bountiful new land. And it's stirring up a lot of anger among the elders.

It's fascinating to look at the topic of "doubt" in Christian publications and web posts. In article after article, there are calls to recognize the incalculable cost of doubting, and the need for unquestioning belief at all costs.

But "doubt" and "unbelief" are most certainly not the same.

So here's my question: How often do we cling to something not because we believe it, but because we can't risk not believing it?

Two websites referenced in this episode:

If America is a Christian nation, and since “Christian” means “little Christs,” then it seems we Christians should be well-known for doing ALL the things that Jesus did and that He commanded His followers to do. And we should accept the corrections that come with being imperfect representatives of a holy and righteous and just God.

"This IS the revival that you were praying for. And you're calling it heresy." What if revival looks nothing like we think?

The following links are referenced:

“I’m  coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative  Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than  “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th  2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ  community as “National Coming Out Day.”

And I’m coming out.

Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is  affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’  LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.

This is the final part of a 4-part series. In this final episode, I spend a few minutes talking about grooming, then discussing the charge that affirming LGBTQ behavior and identity will lead to a breakdown in society. I previously discussed whether LGBTQ people can represent the image of God, but this time I talk about how the church's current behavior towards LGBTQ individuals doesn't appear to represent God's character to a watching world. Then I wrap it all up with some thoughts about where we go from here, and I'll summarize my thoughts on the matter.

“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”

And I’m coming out.

Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.

This is part 3 of a series. In this episode we discuss homosexual identity versus behavior, transgender identity, cultural expectations, and pronouns.

The following links are mentioned in this episode:

Self-appointed gatekeepers over our religious and moral systems are destroying the people's ability to connect with the Lord's Kingdom. What is our response supposed to be?

“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of  conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably  even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is  October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the  LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”

And I’m coming out.

Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is  affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’  LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.

This is part 2 of a series. In this episode we discuss my hermeneutics, why this topic matters today, about taking the easy way out, and about the fact that certainly not everything happening in LGBTQ acceptance these days is good and righteous.

“I’m coming out.” Few phrases strike dread into the heart of conservative Christian parents and pastors as that one. It’s probably even worse than “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore.” Well, today is October 11th 2022, and since 1998, this day has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community as “National Coming Out Day.”

And I’m coming out.

Not as gay or queer, myself, but as explicitly an ally, as one who is affirming of the acceptability to the Lord and to myself of others’ LGBTQ identity and/or lifestyle.

The books mentioned in this episode include: 

The 4th commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." uses the Hebrew words nasah, shem, and shav, and might equally be translated "Your life shall not demonstrate an inaccurate representation of the reputation and renown and fame of the Lord your God."

As with so many of my long-held evangelical beliefs, I’ve been carefully thinking about the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment. I grew up understanding it as an absolute certainty, and something that orthodox Christians had believed since Jesus apparently taught the doctrine in the Gospels.

But, I’m not so convinced any more.

Come along for a story that helped me reframe my beliefs.

Some useful links:

Peter's dream of unclean food challenged his world view about who was acceptable to God. I find that God is repeating that in my life, challenging me to reconsider who the Lord accepts today.

Top Secret classified documents are held under incredibly strict control. Every page of every copy is logged. It's laughable to assert that the FBI didn't know exactly what they were looking for.

On this occasion of my 30th anniversary, I am finding that the most famous pair of Bible verses about marriage means far more to me than I ever thought possible, and it's not just about marriage. I am called to leave many things, not just my father and mother, as I pursue the Lord and His calling on my life.

Political power... at what cost? A dark and dying world needs to see a tangible representation of a holy and righteous and just God. That's the role given to the Body of Christ. But it seems as if the goal of too many Christians these days is grabbing political power by any means necessary. Is it worth it?

I wonder, would it change us if we truly believed that God's provision for us wasn't dependent upon our righteousness? And how would it change us if we truly believed that God intended us to be the conduit of that exact provision for others of every station in life?

There's a big difference between spiritual milk and solid food. As spiritual newborns, we were instructed to desire pure spiritual milk that we might grow. But later on, we're expected to desire solid food - spiritual meat, as it were. But I wonder, can we always tell the difference?

For almost 250 years, our annual national birthday party has celebrated a splitting apart of people. And perhaps that legacy has unfortunate fruit.

Boundaries are a good thing. I'm adjusting my boundaries on social media, so I have better chances to learn from others, and to minimize the emotional arguments that so often pop up.

What if the very time we're supposed to mourn with those who mourn is when we're rejoicing over the very thing they're mourning? Or the very time we're supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice is exactly when we're mourning the very thing they're rejoicing?

A friend asked a simple question during a recent Bible study - how do I know I'm saved? - and it was so fundamental that it took me aback for a moment – because it’s not something that my church ever directly addressed, perhaps assuming it was well-understood already. But when I thought about it for a moment, I realized it’s a question with widely varying answers across the Christian faith. Since our Bible study group has been delving deeply into “what do we really believe,” it seemed like a really good question which deserves a solid answer.

Faith isn't just carrying around someone else's bucket of old dusty relics; faith is doing the hard work of examining each one carefully to see which are worth keeping.

For Pride Month, I was wrong about LGBTQ grooming. I'm not proud of my particular Christian heritage: it's been revealed as unloving. But I am deeply proud of my Savior who challenged His culture in how He loved the unlovely, the outcast, the sinner, and the oppressed.

Taking Native American land and life to secure European refugees the ability to worship God freely is deeply enshrined in the Christian Nationalism view of American history. But that seems to run counter to the nature and actions of God described throughout the Bible.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for me in this season of my life is that faith itself is not static. We're being called to go "further up and further in" - as God reveals more to us, our understanding of faith and doctrine must be free to expand and grow.

It's Palm Sunday, and I've been thinking about what happened on that day when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The symbolism was clear to many of the Jews who saw what happened, but it wasn't what they were expecting. Do we think like the Jews of Jesus' day, hoping that our King would ride into Jerusalem on a war horse instead of a humble donkey?

Jesus seemed to go out of His way to challenge His culture's expectations about the role of women. A couple events on Passover weeks during His ministry caught my attention this week as we approach Easter.

One of the most fundamental characteristics of a company is its brand - its very corporate identity. Companies work really hard to protect their brand. It seems that the church is very similar. But when Christians respond to critiques with such tactics of "brand protection", they block the possibility of repentance, and risk speaking against correction brought by the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps the truest test of a relationship is what happens when one of the people changes. At some level, change is inevitable. Small changes and slow, steady changes are easy. But when the change is significant, it will stress a relationship. But change is also the best chance to learn and grow.

“They will know we are Christians by our love.” This line ends each verse of a popular Christian hymn from the 1960s.

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love

Can 330 million Americans actually agree on anything? Did the Founders expect us to solve problems at a national level? Are those problems even solvable, or is our trust in a political solution misplaced?

Deconstruction is causing a sharp reaction in church circles. It's as if faith has become a form of works. It's paradoxical that not being unquestioningly faithful to what we were taught reveals a works-like tendency, among those who otherwise believe in justification by faith and not works. In those circles, apparently one must be "faithful enough" to remain saved.

Our sense of individualism has become toxic, both politically and religiously. We organize ourselves into collective groups ever more strongly. And those groups actively oppose other groups that we perceive as infringing on our own collective's individuality.

On the final Sunday of Black History Month, I attended a local Black church. I learned something valuable about today as I heard about history.

Sometimes, the best-qualified candidate isn't the best choice for a job. Actually, that's kind of an aphorism which serves my purpose, but isn't really what I mean to say. More precisely, sometimes the individual with the best technical qualifications isn't the best qualified candidate, because of non-technical qualifications.

How should we think about the current meteoric rise in gender-fluid thinking and self-expression in today’s culture? Can LGBTQ+ people represent the Imago Dei, the Image of God? It's a pressing question for the church.

I ran across a fascinating image today. It's a picture of a wall-mounted gun cabinet disguised to look just like a rugged wooden cross, advertised as a great way to share your faith while simultaneously protecting yourself with those firearms.

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I'm struck by two things: a peace that God has the entire world in His hands, even those who haven't heard about Jesus yet, and a determination that showing agape love to my immediate neighbors ought to be a primary focus. And I think Dr. King had a handle on how to show agape love.

Roller coasters are really popular entertainment in amusement parks. But when life itself becomes a roller coaster, how will my heart and mind and soul respond to the sudden ups and downs and shaking? Here are some thoughts on finding joy, not just fun.

It's long intrigued me that many doctrinal positions are not universally held, and I started thinking about why we lock hard into clearly debatable positions. I think humans tend to latch onto an idea that comforts us, and then we build walls of doctrine around that idea. Let's explore that tendency.

As I've been thinking about the topic of spiritual sonship, and wondering about how to practically live it out, I realized that the Jewish model of rabbis and disciples had some wisdom to offer our Christian understanding.

I've been thinking about how to make an impact on the world. I think we all want to affect our world. For most of us, it's what drives our choices, maybe not day-by-day but at least over time. Naturally I want to have a large impact as quickly as possible. But I've begun to wonder if my impatience itself is keeping me from truly having an impact.

What if your life mission was to walk the streets of your city, visiting the street corners next to each church, and to cry "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand" - and what if the ones you were calling to repent were the church people who were actually faithfully and diligently living out what they'd been taught were the religious commands from holy scriptures? 

This ought to sound familiar. If you did that you'd be following Jesus' example.

Do small groups support Sunday services, or do Sunday services support small groups? That question is very relevant to the current concerns of many believers about American Christianity’s practices. To find an answer, it's instructive to consider the Jewish religious practices familiar to the New Testament authors.

It's hard to imagine a more precise illustration of "the ends justify the means" - and a more ironic one - than a Christian reverting to very anti-Christian behavior in order to obtain or preserve political power for the church.

There are many things I feared would happen if I questioned what I believed. And all those fears came to pass. But from the other side of it, I'm so glad it happened, because I am finding out how wrong I had been.

The wilderness can seem deeply uncomfortable - but it's also a womb, a place of preparation and growth, bringing about what the Lord intends for us.

Episode 6: "We cannot live in fear." It's been said over and over by pastors and prophets and pundits and politicians across America. And it's been said we're in a spiritual battle. Yes, it's a spiritual battle. But it's not a spiritual battle against COVID, and it's not against fear. And it's absolutely not against each other. 1 Corinthians 8 applies to this situation.

When the church does not provide a "safe place" for the hurting and confused, it effectively eliminates itself as a source of counsel and wisdom, not to mention a place of sanctuary and healing. But "safe places" and a shame-based discipline system are incompatible with each other.