Binding and Loosing

The Challenge.... In my reading of the first two chapters, a reoccuring thought has continued to resonate: challenging beliefs. I guess this is Rob Bell's approach to breaking down the reader's barriers prior to leading them into his view of Christianity....good approach.

For me, these chapters have both reaffirmed my comfort in my spiritualness and also caused me to question what it is I REALLY DO BELIEVE.

To explain the first affirmation:

What I mean by "comfort in my spiritualness" is my early and sometimes unsure walk with God. I feel that my active relationship (active as in me playing an active role) with God, which only began a few years ago, is still very young and undeveloped. I definately believe God exists and is playing an active role in my life. I personally attest to this belief with reflections of blessings in my life that can't be explained with anything short of an "Act of God" (ie. meeting my wife after my first engagement fell through or watching my mom miraculously fight cancer three times). However, many a time I'm faced with inner struggles which make me feel like I need to understand God completely to REALLY consider myself a Christian.

I felt a lot of solice in reading Bell's statements: 1) "As a Christian, I'm simply trying to orient myself around living a particular kind of way, the kind of way Jesus taught is possible."
2)"Some wait to follow God when all their questions are answered...Instead, we should follow God with our doubts and questions.

These two statements REALLY helped put my spirtualness and faith in God/Christ in perspective. It frees me from the pressure to know everything with relation to God and allows me to concentrate on the way I'd like to lead my life.

My second affirmation: I really don't know what I believe...or maybe better put: I don't know if I have any specific "Doctrines" which I'm tied to?

In growing up with a "mixed bag" type of religion (catholic church with family and attending other denominations with friends), I never really took hold of any foundational doctrines. All that reoccurrs in my head is my mother telling me to always believe in God and talk to him when I need him or need to thank him for blessings. I don't remember actively doing that, but I guess it stuck.

With regards to doctrines, I'm guessing that's a good thing? I only hope that as I grow closer to God and learn more through life experiences, I don't develop doctrines that may blind my faith.

Thanks for reading....

Springs

why do some christians hold on so tightly to doctrine? Should doctrine define our faith? Or should actions, results, and relationships define our faith?

After reading Rob's commentary on springs vs. bricks I easily identified with it. I grew up with bricks. If someone questioned my (or my parent's really) doctrine I became defensive. Now over time with my love for debate I enjoyed others that challenged my beliefs. However how many times did I "defend" something that i was told because thats the way I grew up. Not because I truly believed the topic of discussion. I think those of us who have grown up in the church and were constantly being "fed" have a tendancy to take doctrine for fact without challenging why we believe what we believe. I can debate with you all day that the sky is green and have a pretty good shot at ending up in a stale mate possibly even being convincing. Of course that doesn't really mean I believe it.

I guess the real point in my ramblings is that are we ready to have our beliefs challenged, not are we ready to defend our beliefs. Are we flexible enough to take that doctrine that we have accepted for 20 years and rethink our entire position. Can we debate and discuss and not fall into being defensive. Can we strive to find the truth and tear apart all those pre concieved notions we have. Am I ready? I guess I'll find out...

the blogging begins

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