As my time here in Nyagatare is winding down and the possibility of continuing to teach at my school has been eliminated, I’m trying to look to the future. For numerous reasons, I have felt pushed to look for a position with a Christ affiliated organization. As I have started to apply for various NGO’s, I have realized that I don’t really adhere to many of the views that they simply want me to click and agree or disagree in a box to a specific version of Christianity.
I’m going to go down the list for you.
I don’t believe the Bible is infallible. I do believe it is the inspired word of God and shows in the way it’s been able to move communities for generations. I don’t see it as a constitution of laws but a beautiful collection of stories about a growing community of people and thier interaction with God for many years dealing the growing pains of grappling with a God that bigger than we can imagine even when he was sent in human form.
I’m not sure if Jesus is the only way to heaven. Actually, I’m not sure if there is a definitive heaven after life period. I certainly don’t believe in hell. Well, hell in the form of eternal suffering in flames. Honestly let be real here. Those who have read some of the Bible or at least some of the Gospels can you really imagine Jesus having this conversation? ‘Here’s the deal, the reason I’m here is to start a new religion and yeah I’m want to name it after me. Oh also, if anyone doesn’t accept this new religion named after me, they’re going to be tortured for eternity. Cool? Good talk.’ I think heaven and hell are both here and now on this earth. I think if you ask some of the women living in eastern Congo, they would tell you that hell is knocking on their back door. And if you asked me as I vacationed in Tofo I would tell you that heaven is at hand. The contrasts are stark and are dually present right now. This is where I feel called, renewing the Eden that once was this world. Helping heaven spread past the edges of humanity and reach the inner caldrons of hell and fill them with hope, love, justice and peace; to be part of creating the new peaceful Kingdom of God. Everything comes from God, everything is spiritual. Regardless of what religion someone is part of, they can have part of the restorative power of God with them. I believe in liberation for salvation.
I don’t believe that I or we are fallen unwanted people. Of course there is sin but I don’t think it’s the definitive factor between us and God. Were missing the picture, it’s about life and heaven here and now not a collection of exact beliefs to make it in the club when we die. I believe that we are called to leave the destructive ways of this world and be reborn into the restorative Kingdom of God. Please, liberate yourself from the ideals of this world and join me in thinking up and looking out to stand alongside God helping to bring his Kingdom here and now. I think this is the only way true salvation will be delivered.
I love liberation theology, the emergent conversation and being ok with the unknowns of an infinite God but will these organizations with large segments of strictly evangelical supporters accept me? I think the family is big enough for a person like me but I couldn’t check yes to the beliefs of the World Evangelical Alliance box. We shall see.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment