A Must Read

This post is a "must read" for anyone involved with the church. It connects the dots of effective communication and the disconnect with churches.

A Light Came On

I had the opportunity to have a couple of discussions this weekend that left me in a weird state of mind. Over the last year, I have made quite the effort to rid myself of the incessant need to analyze and rationalize everything that has to do with God and spirituality. I have a tendency to swing to extremes (not a surprise for anyone who knows me) and lately I've been wondering why I spent so much time studying philosophy and theology, if I wasn't able to apply any of it in my life. Things such as being a dad, a husband, a friend, and a follower of Christ seemed to not mesh well with a consistent need to filter my ideas and thoughts through the lens of philosophy and theology.

However, this seemed to be a bit extreme to me. I have a lot of things that brew inside my head. Ideas that are just begging to come out, but I don't seem to have the same audience here to bounce them off of. For this reason, I've pushed them aside and only focused on the here and the now. The "existential" side of life. My experience and feelings.

This weekend was a breath of fresh air. I got to ask questions that I haven't asked in a while... but had been brewing for a long time. No, I didn't receive any answers for these questions, but that's okay. I also got great answers for other questions I had and was able to tie together some thoughts I had with my experiences and feelings.

I'm not sure yet why this is significant. But deep down I know it is. Have you ever felt that way? You know something big is going on inside, but you can't put your finger on it? Sometimes it comes to light in a "moment", and other times you look back over months or years and then see the significance. I love that about life. You never know what you're going to get.

Taking A Stand

I have spent some time over the past couple of posts being a bit critical of the self-indulgent arguing that tends to happen around points of theology, spirituality, etc. In the same vein, I'd like to ask one more question.

Why do we feel the need to take a stand on any and every issue? What is with people's discomfort of "grey" areas or the unknown? Do we value our opinions so much that to think leaving a conclusion up to the individual is a bad thing? Even worse, someone might not agree with us.(sarcasm)

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absolute Truth?

What does this phrase mean? Notice the capitalization in the title. There is debate and discussion amongst scholars on the differences between (T)ruth and (t)ruth. It's like the difference between macro and micro-evolution. Many people claim that there is no "absolute" truth. Just as people claim there is no such thing as "macro" evolution (evolution from one species to another). Without digressing into this discussion, I often wonder what the fuss is all about. I get very tired of arguing for the sake of arguing. It becomes self-indulgent and fruitless on many levels. More than that.. don't you think this is a "huge" turn-off for those on the outside looking in? Why do we continue tarnishing an already tarnished image of Christianity?

Warning: If you stop reading after this next paragraph... you may think I'm a heretic. Is it good practice to disregard someone before finishing what they've written? (we can be so quick to judge right?)

A new trend in theology debates is a tactic called "minimal facts approach" to theology. What they do is take the bare essential of what secular and Christian scholars agree as "facts" about things like the resurrection of Christ. This eliminates the bible as a source, among other highly debated sources. What they are left with are the minimal facts as accepted by the majority of scholars and then an argument is built out of these facts. It is incredibly effective and I highly encourage you to read Dr. Habermas' book. So what does this have to do with my post, right? I think we need to take the same approach with absolute Truth. We need to acknowledge that although we do believe in these things (absolute Truths), we can't prove they exist.

Now if you stop reading here... I'm sure the word "heretic" has come to mind. (or maybe because I just put it there) Let me explain. The fact is, we can't prove this statement one way or another. We would need omniscience to know if absolute truths were possible. I realize that our faith rests upon the bedrock of absolute truth. And I'm not denying that there are absolute Truths. What I'm saying is that if anyone asks me to prove it.. I'm stumped. I can't do it. I can't cover all of history, or eternity, or cover every corner case, or explore every possible scenario, option, or possibility that could lend itself to being wrong. I'm human. I don't have the capacity.

Understand... there is a huge difference between "there are no absolute Truths" and "I can't prove that absolute Truths exist." So why do we try so hard to rail against these things when everyone else has come to this conclusion? I think it makes us look a little dumb. I think it makes us look a little arrogant. Who are we to think we have knowledge of the infinite. Why do we feel the need to argue things we can't prove? Why not approach these things with humility and understanding?

Yes, I believe in absolute Truth. Yes, I believe it is a critical part of my faith. But no, I can't show you the existence of these things. That is where faith comes in. As I stated in my last post, it's far time to stop making our "voice" the priority and start approaching these conversations with an open ear and a humble heart. Earn your voice and don't just think that yelling louder will get you an audience or influence. Who is this all about anyways? Do we rail and argue to convince someone else... or is it "us" who still needs convincing?

Problem of Evil (not again!)

In the last several years, I have spent a lot of time thinking about and studying this issue that rears it's ugly head from time to time. For those who don't know what this problem is, it's a difficulty in reconciling the love of God with evil and suffering in this world. Whether that's through a natural disaster, or a tyrant, or just bad things that happen to people, there are many that wonder why a "good" and "loving" God would allow these things to happen.

As a renewed Christian, I have a hope and trust in God that his plans and purposes are bigger than mine. When I was an agnostic, this disappeared and in that frame of mind, faith and hope were not options I was willing to consider.

The true difficulty of this problem is that you can't convince someone who doesn't recognize God as we do, that God has a plan and purpose that far outweighs the pain and suffering in this world. It's not an acceptable argument to them because your foundation of truth is not the same as theirs. You're speaking French to an Englishman. And vice versa. No amount of "proof" will sway one person over the other.

Does anyone see my point here? Why do we think repetition and turning up the volume will some how lead to conversion or agreement? Sure, there are cases where people have changed their mind, but when it comes to matters of God and spirituality, isn't it best to let our actions be our words. And let the truth we speak come from the mind of God, scripture (and not our version of what it says), rather than from a clever argument we found in a book? People on both sides are tired of arguing. Next time you are in a discussion around a topic like this, make sure to take more time to "listen" to the other side, then making sure your voice is heard. This has a greater impact than anything you could "argue".

Marketing in Churches?

We often think of "marketing" as synonymous with "advertising". A lot of churches have a subversive reaction to the term "marketing". As if God needed to market/advertise Himself or His church. Right? Wrong. Marketing is how people view you, your church, your business. From how someone is treated walking into your doors, to the person who answers your phones; all are involved in marketing. And if I have taken away anything over my journey to agnosticism and back, it's that Christianity has an image problem. How do people view your church?

We, as Christians, are the marketing arm for Jesus. We represent him in all that we do. From the way we speak to people, to the way we drive on the freeway (i just prayed for forgiveness for this morning's commute). What message am I sending to those who are "window shopping" for religion?