Good as usual. Except toward the end of your autobiography. I was so surprised to see you casually use these words: “Lucky”? “Fortunate”? I am often tempted to use these terms. Then I am reminded that they are statements of disbelief in a sovereign God. We need to strongly resist them as profanity.
Thanks Bob. I understand the concern there, for sure. My only pushback would be that the New Testament word "blessed" (as in, the beatitudes) is a word Jesus uses to describe God's favor toward us, even though the word "makarios" had the connotation of being "lucky" or "fortunate" in the Greco-Roman world. I do see all of these things as blessing from God for sure!
I was saved during the popularity of Calvinism, and it was probably the height of the radical movement, or whatever you call it. Looking back, I have always felt like I was living in a bubble, but it felt so safe I didn't want to leave it. I stopped engaging with the world and everything that entered my world had to have the Reformed or Biblical label attached to it, it was strange. I don't blame my friends who left the church altogether. I remember the election in 2016, and as a Christian still in my bubble, I didn't see any glaring problems with it, until I slowly discovered the law/gospel distinction, common grace, and not everything is so black and white. In addition, one charismatic leader after another fell into some sort of scandal. I started to see the abuse of women happening a lot in more conservative circles. Looking back, I now see how I was was using fundamentalism as a way to bypass my trauma and emotions.
I also notice evangelicals blaming of feminism and women in general for all the problems in society while ignoring abuse in the church, even to the point of not believing there is abuse in the church. It's crazy. Some want to take nostalgia back further, either going back to being puritans or back to a time where women can't vote.
My comment is a bit rambly, but it is a lot to digest. I am thankful for your sane voice in the Reformed space.
Thanks so much for sharing part of your story. I think there are LOTS of people in this space (not to diminish your experience but affirm it). Your point about using fundamentalism to escape hard emotions is really profound and serious.
I agree with your thoughts on nostalgia! I believe Brené Brown, explains it well in her definition, “We define nostalgia as a yearning for the way things used to be in our often idealized and self-protective version of the past.” Living with a false reality of how things were, can be crippling. I loved your example of the Israelites after they left their captivity. Also, especially loved being called a “maverick”
What a journey you’ve been on!
Good as usual. Except toward the end of your autobiography. I was so surprised to see you casually use these words: “Lucky”? “Fortunate”? I am often tempted to use these terms. Then I am reminded that they are statements of disbelief in a sovereign God. We need to strongly resist them as profanity.
Thanks Bob. I understand the concern there, for sure. My only pushback would be that the New Testament word "blessed" (as in, the beatitudes) is a word Jesus uses to describe God's favor toward us, even though the word "makarios" had the connotation of being "lucky" or "fortunate" in the Greco-Roman world. I do see all of these things as blessing from God for sure!
Rutabaga!?
Lol I don't even know what that is.
I was saved during the popularity of Calvinism, and it was probably the height of the radical movement, or whatever you call it. Looking back, I have always felt like I was living in a bubble, but it felt so safe I didn't want to leave it. I stopped engaging with the world and everything that entered my world had to have the Reformed or Biblical label attached to it, it was strange. I don't blame my friends who left the church altogether. I remember the election in 2016, and as a Christian still in my bubble, I didn't see any glaring problems with it, until I slowly discovered the law/gospel distinction, common grace, and not everything is so black and white. In addition, one charismatic leader after another fell into some sort of scandal. I started to see the abuse of women happening a lot in more conservative circles. Looking back, I now see how I was was using fundamentalism as a way to bypass my trauma and emotions.
I also notice evangelicals blaming of feminism and women in general for all the problems in society while ignoring abuse in the church, even to the point of not believing there is abuse in the church. It's crazy. Some want to take nostalgia back further, either going back to being puritans or back to a time where women can't vote.
My comment is a bit rambly, but it is a lot to digest. I am thankful for your sane voice in the Reformed space.
Thanks so much for sharing part of your story. I think there are LOTS of people in this space (not to diminish your experience but affirm it). Your point about using fundamentalism to escape hard emotions is really profound and serious.
I agree with your thoughts on nostalgia! I believe Brené Brown, explains it well in her definition, “We define nostalgia as a yearning for the way things used to be in our often idealized and self-protective version of the past.” Living with a false reality of how things were, can be crippling. I loved your example of the Israelites after they left their captivity. Also, especially loved being called a “maverick”
You ARE a Maverick. One of my best descriptions of you.
That Brene' Brown quote is fantastic.
If you don't mind me asking, which 5,000 member presbyterian church did you attend at the time? I can really only think of a few
It's an EPC church in Brighton Michigan called "Cornerstone", and it's a fantastic church!
Don's expect the world to live to Christian standards of behavior.
And don't dumb down Christianity in order to get more people into the building.
The Gate has always been narrow.
https://holisticpolitics.org/NarrowGate/
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