I ended up on an friend's Facebook page, kind of wasting time and browsing when I saw something she wrote entitled "Are you sure you're a Christian?". I clicked it and uncharacteristically made a comment.
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Julie wrote
Are you sure you're a Christian?
Today at 4:02pm
I recently had a conversation with a guy who said that he was a Christian. He went on to say that he believes in reincarnation, karma, and that after our souls "grow up," they go to become a part of God. I asked him if he had ever studied Buddhism, and he said he had not. I asked him if he knew that most Christians don't believe in those things, he said that there was "some priest in some ecumenical council who had the power to change the religion." I asked him if he really thought of himself as a Christian, and he said he did, but that he thought that Jesus, Buddha and Allah are all one and the same. I asked how one should made the distinction between right and wrong, and he said that you have to use your heart and not your brain. I asked if he thought it was wrong to use your brain, and he said it was not. I was confused.
Clearly, everyone is different, and some value certain things more than others. This guy admittedly hadn't spent time studying any religion or philosophy because he didn't see the faults in his personal philosphy. I couldn't help but think about the verse in 1 Corinthians: "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." While there are some elements of mystery in Christianity, the core of it is (thankfully) simple and not a mind-numbing puzzle.
Still, I thought it was so amazing that he defended his title of "Christian" although he didn't have any orthodox Christian beliefs!
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Mikael wrote
at 4:41pm
'Cultural Christians' are prevalent in our society. I am reminded of a sermon I heard long ago in Yakima (WA) Presbyterian Church entitled: "God Has No Grandchildren".
The theme of the sermon was that Christianity is based upon there being a rift between God and Mankind due to our inherent tendency to "miss the mark" and stray from the perfect Will of God.
The way that chasm is bridged is by an individual (re)establishing his or her direct relationship with God through prayer. As this bridge was (re)built from God's side rather than ours, the bridge back to God has been by his plan rather than any construct of our own.
Thus, the path to a restored parent/child relationship with God is the only one available to us - not as a 'grandchild' getting the relationship from parents or friends.
I John 4:9: "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."
It is my understanding that although there are many roads that lead to Jesus Christ, Jesus claims for himself to be the only road to God:
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
John 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
What is most beautiful to me is that God has done everything possible to restore this relationship but has not taken away our free will to wander or return.
But Jesus makes clear that once He is found by us, being in relationship to Him is the only perfect solution for us.
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John Common wrote
at 10:03pm
This is probably an inappropriate reply to this string. I hope I'm not viewed as being disrespectful-because I would NEVER disrespect someone's religious or philosophical views -- especially ones that are the result of study and thoughtfulness and earnest emotions. That said...
"Christianity is based upon there being a rift between God and Mankind due to our inherent tendency to "miss the mark" and stray from the perfect Will of God."
THAT is my central problem with Christianity. That is where Christianity has always rung kind of false to me, personally. (This is coming from a person who tried to believe and obey, by the way -- years and years of trying.) The first "given" in Christianity's argument is: "You are flawed, lost, doomed, predisposed to evil and eternally screwed without Me. Hope you liked the apple. Enjoy the rest of the movie."
I don't buy it. And in my more cynical moments, when I think a large percentage of religion is just a way of trading people's fear (of dying/loneliness) and/or hope ( that "this" isn't all there is) for their compliance, that central, first "given" makes me want to check my wallet -- like I'm being taken.
The Daddy-In-The-Sky metaphor just doesn't resonate. What if this really IS all there is? Is that really so bad? What if we are supposed to be focusing on THIS life. What if this life isn't the appetizer-but the main course? I feel pretty good about that. It definitely sweetens things. And when those existential terrors hit... well, I just ride it out... talk to a friend... calm myself down a bit and realize that there's a lot out there that I don't know. And in the meantime, I need to work my practices-those things that "work for me" at making me feel connected, alive, useful, loving, kind.
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad there is Christianity, most of the time. I'm just dealing with my fear and/or hope differently.
Hope I didn't come off as acidic! I'm really not! I appreciate the conversation.
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2 comments:
Hi friend,
The position that Christianity is a crutch against the fear of death/emptiness has certainly been around for a while. However, I think it is a false assertion that all Xians (or even many of them) have any more of a fear of death than the garden-variety pagan. And while a relationship with the creator of the universe can be a good salve against cosmic loneliness, I don't think that's the central motivation of the faith.
You don't come across as disrespectful or acidic at all. But you assume too much.
Hey John,
I've spent the better part of 30+ years involved in Christianity... and there's much you said that I do agree with. Having grown up "a Christian", studying at a Christian University, my ex having been a seminary student (2 masters) and him being a youth pastor for 12 yrs of our marriage... being involved (deeply) in the "Praise and Worship" aspect
... i think you get my point -
I didn't fully understand / believe that what everyone is saying about Christianity/Religion simply isn't accurate.
Leaving the church and all the politics that are added to an institution that begs for your $ so that they (the administrators) can drive cars that are better/live in houses that are bigger, than the congregation they are preaching to... well, made me understand... they are the ones "missing the mark".
- Christianity is not about doing or being a certain way so that God will accept you.
- Christianity is not about Religion.
-Christianity is not about telling other people about Christ.
**Christianity is about developing a relationship with the God that created us in his image and already does accept and love us unconditionally . He created us for fellowship with Him. To understand Him, as he understands us. Giving us the ultimate connection.
and isn't that what we are all seeking?
A connection?
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