Where is Christanity Headed?

[BluejayWay]

I have always asked God's forgiveness. I will add that I do not ask this because I am afraid of God's wrath, but rather because I am sad in God's disappointment.

Thank you for that, path of one. That hits home to me, because I've had a hard time ever asking forgiveness from God--just one of my many failings--

I've been reading The Secret Life of God, by Rabbi David Aaron, and his message is close in spirit to what you said--God suffers through us, experiences our joy, and we work out his intent here on Earth. If I've let myself down, I've let God down as well--

So where is Christianity heading? I don't ever see the Church, as Christ's body here on Earth, becoming a monolithic belief system. God created so many different people, and the capable minds that go along with them, for anyone ever to completely agree on matters of theology that have tortured far finer intelligences than mine for some two millenia.

I would hope, however, that all those who feel called by Christ can come to accept anyone who answers Christ's call in love and humility as a fellow person of faith--even if that anyone cannot put the name "Christ" to that Power to which they have surrendered themselves.

OK, that's asking a lot, I know, but since we're letting our hopes extend to the future....

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by BluejayWay

Thank you for that, path of one. That hits home to me, because I've had a hard time ever asking forgiveness from God--just one of my many failings--

I've been reading The Secret Life of God, by Rabbi David Aaron, and his message is close in spirit to what you said--God suffers through us, experiences our joy, and we work out his intent here on Earth. If I've let myself down, I've let God down as well--

So where is Christianity heading? I don't ever see the Church, as Christ's body here on Earth, becoming a monolithic belief system. God created so many different people, and the capable minds that go along with them, for anyone ever to completely agree on matters of theology that have tortured far finer intelligences than mine for some two millenia.

I would hope, however, that all those who feel called by Christ can come to accept anyone who answers Christ's call in love and humility as a fellow person of faith--even if that anyone cannot put the name "Christ" to that Power to which they have surrendered themselves.

OK, that's asking a lot, I know, but since we're letting our hopes extend to the future....

I don't know where tomorrow leads, but Christianity is here and now. I suspect tomorrow it will be here and now again.

I Don't think your Rabbi friend can be much good on telling you were Christians are going. No more better than the Pope could tell your Rabbi where he is going.

Only a Christian can tell themself where they are going...one at a time.

I'm certain that is not what you expected to read.

Fine mine minds...simple answer...unacceptable...that seems to be the problem with intelligent people nowadays.

Personally, not this "fine mind". Simple is good. Lets me gear up for complex later.

v/r

Q

[BluejayWay]

I don't know where tomorrow leads, but Christianity is here and now.

Only a Christian can tell themself where they are going...one at a time.

You've hit the nail on the head, my friend--I'm not sure whether that's what I expected to read or not, but thank you for those thoughts--

(I'm in a particularly receptive frame of mind right now, I think--and I'm hearing many things i need to hear--ok, carry on )

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by BluejayWay

You've hit the nail on the head, my friend--I'm not sure whether that's what I expected to read or not, but thank you for those thoughts--

(I'm in a particularly receptive frame of mind right now, I think--and I'm hearing many things i need to hear--ok, carry on )

Not me friend. You ask, I answer. I only expound at the writer's request...and then only gingerly.

v/r

Q

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regareds, all!

Might I say, I am impressed with the level of conversation! There are some fine quotes here over the last day from everybody.

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Fine mine minds...simple answer...unacceptable...that seems to be the problem with intelligent people nowadays.

Touche! Ouch! I can't help but wonder if I deserve that?

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Kindest Regareds, all!

Might I say, I am impressed with the level of conversation! There are some fine quotes here over the last day from everybody.



Touche! Ouch! I can't help but wonder if I deserve that?

Nope. It was me and Mr. Blue Bird...it's actual, everything is satisfactual. Zippedi doo dah...

v/r

Q

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

I am a person who has accepted Jesus. I really don't worry what I am called. I really don't worry where others think I am going. I know what I must do, and I know how I should act. I know it does not matter if I fail in these goals, but I must try to continuously succeed. I know I answer to one and only one Savior.

Only because I chose to accept that Savior...

This is what I teach my children...and this is where Christianity is heading...because I'm not alone. It's a simple truth behind all the complexities of this faith.

Pretty basic don't you think?

v/r

Q

Nicely put, Q.
lunamoth

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

I am a person who has accepted Jesus. I really don't worry what I am called. I really don't worry where others think I am going. I know what I must do, and I know how I should act. I know it does not matter if I fail in these goals, but I must try to continuously succeed. I know I answer to one and only one Savior.

Only because I chose to accept that Savior...

This is what I teach my children...and this is where Christianity is heading...because I'm not alone. It's a simple truth behind all the complexities of this faith.

Pretty basic don't you think?

v/r

Q

I love it... and I agree.

I also dont care what I am called.. I have confidence through Christ that Im saved.. My only concern is that I do what I was called to do and that is to spread the gospel.. and raise my children to be lovers of the truth.

[Conscience]

Amen!

[path_of_one]

Thanks for that, Q (others have quoted, so I won't). That is how I feel. For me, all the theological debate is interesting intellectually, but my take on truth is very simple spiritually. It is the fulfillment of two different drives I have- scholarly study (both in religion and in the sciences) fulfills my intellectual drive, whereas experience of God fulfills my spiritual drive. That's why I'm really interested in careful study of texts and whatnot from an intellectual standpoint, but at the end of the day I just don't think it matters spiritually.

I have an uncle who is severely handicapped mentally and physically, and he loves God and Jesus. He can't understand or debate on the Trinity, he could care less about the virgin birth, and he can't even read the Bible, let alone study why certain books were included and others are not. But it doesn't matter. It is his love of God and Jesus that will bring him into the Kingdom. I believe it is so for all of us. From this sincere love comes a change in us as God works in and through us.

And, Conscience, as I have responded to you before (not sure if you overlook it or just can't believe it)... yes, I have taken Jesus as my Savior. Yes, I pray to God to forgive my sins, and have no doubt that he does, as I also forgive others (as Jesus commanded). And yes, what Jesus means to me as Savior is quite different from what he means to you from what I've gathered.

I know it may be difficult to understand, but I do not need a label, so I do not call myself a Christian. In my experience, many other Christians refuse to acknowledge me as one because I do not share their doctrine, but only their Savior. Furthermore, it furthers people's understanding of my beliefs little to call myself Christian, because people have a stereotype in their heads of what Christianity is and I don't fit that stereotype very well. So, I avoid labels. If asked, I say that I am a Christ-follower on a mystical spiritual path. My beliefs and practices are closest to a cross between liberal Quaker and modern druid (which, by the way, doesn't help a lot as most people do not know what liberal Quakerism or modern druidry is).

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I have an uncle who is severely handicapped mentally and physically, and he loves God and Jesus. He can't understand or debate on the Trinity, he could care less about the virgin birth, and he can't even read the Bible, let alone study why certain books were included and others are not. But it doesn't matter. It is his love of God and Jesus that will bring him into the Kingdom. I believe it is so for all of us. From this sincere love comes a change in us as God works in and through us...

Perhaps dear Path, your Uncle is better off then all of us (in the big picture). No baggage to carry...

vv/r

Q

[Conscience]

"And, Conscience, as I have responded to you before (not sure if you overlook it or just can't believe it)... yes, I have taken Jesus as my Savior. Yes, I pray to God to forgive my sins, and have no doubt that he does, as I also forgive others (as Jesus commanded). And yes, what Jesus means to me as Savior is quite different from what he means to you from what I've gathered."

Sorry Path of One, I didnt see when you said that before. I guess I assumed wrong because I think that I saw you say something about all religions lead to the same God. Was that you?

[path_of_one]

I don't believe any religion leads to God. I believe people sincerely seeking for God will find Him, because He is right there for everybody, just waiting for them to turn towards Him. I believe that God is infinite and we are finite, so we express our experience of God in ways that fit with our cultural, linguistic, and historical context. But God is God, however you describe Him.

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Perhaps dear Path, your Uncle is better off then all of us (in the big picture). No baggage to carry...

Yes. "The kingdom of heaven belongs to little children such as these." His faith has always been an inspiration to me.

[Bandit]

it is the ones who walked by faith who are the ones who got it to us for today. i believe those who walk by faith in the scriptures and in the power of His might are indeed better off than those who spend there entire lives trying to prove & disprove it.