A Stake in the Ground

We live in an amazing time in some ways. Some day soon enough, I can picture my grand- and great-grandkids sitting on my lap asking me, “What was it like before we had cell phones and internet, Grandpa?”

The internet has really leveled the playing field as far as theology and religious thought goes. In most of my past, what I learned about theology was primarily from my pastor. He (I attended mostly conservative churches in my past) had the benefit of knowing the broad landscape of theology, biblical hermeneutics (how to read and understand the scriptures), and ecclesiology (church stuff). He had the benefit of wrestling with biblical criticism. Unfortunately, most of what I had taught to me was nice and tidy, wrapped up nicely in a box with a cute little bow on it. I say unfortunately, because I have since learned that the bible is a messy book. The truth and transformation to be had from it does not come without some asking, searching, and knocking. In dumbing it down, it loses some of its power.

Why do pastors do this? They are not doing us any favors. It may be a good way to control the masses, but it is a horrible way to spiritually form your congregation. You know it is messy, tell it to us straight. “You can’t handle the truth!” Yes we can, Jack.

Anyway, the blogs and podcasts I listen to have really opened up the world of all the –ologies and –ics out there that once were only available in the seminaries.

I am beginning to see that I am an Anabaptist, semi-pelagian, preterist, with Armenianist leanings, and have a process, mytho-historical, creative transformation hermeneutic (I think). I have concluded that the authors that resonate most within me can be considered moderate on the theological spectrum. At this point in time, I wear that badge proudly. I seek out moderate thought and am becoming less interested in the conservative, fundamental approach, which characterized most of my Christian life.

You can pray for me if you feel the need, but I am less interested in the dualism of who is in and who is out, who is winning the culture wars, or spending lots of time building fences along the theological and doctrinal boundaries. I want to be set on the center, where Jesus sits. From there, I want to contemplate and act.

How far will doctine and tradition get you? The reformed church in Germany had centuries to indoctrinate and establish their traditions before Hitler entered the scene. Under his rule, the church not only completely collapsed, it was complicite in the horrors that transpired.

I hope that this will be my last post of bitching about the church and the frustrations of imbalanced spirituality (if I can help myself, I am so practiced at this). I want to move past dualism. That seems to inevitably lead to hate and violence. I am going to focus on the center and not worry about where the boundaries need to be drawn out in the periphery.

I am going to focus on contemplation and action and join up with others that do the same.