Posted on Jun 14, 2019
When Christianity Becomes an Angry and Fearful Faith
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"At its best, faith is the overflow of gratitude, the attempt to live as if we are loved, the fragile hope for something better on the other side of pain and death. And this feather of grace weighs more in the balance than any political gain. Michael Gerson
One of the great liberating moments of my life was when I was given the opportunity as an undergraduate at a secular liberal arts college to read, analyze, critique, and appreciate the Bible as literature. I had spent the first eighteen years of my life with this book looming over me, forced to read it in its entirety every year and to memorize significant portions of it, not as perhaps the most influential book ever assembled, but rather as the inspired and literal Word of God. Studying it as literature in college turned what had been a lifelong burden into a voyage of discovery".
One of the great liberating moments of my life was when I was given the opportunity as an undergraduate at a secular liberal arts college to read, analyze, critique, and appreciate the Bible as literature. I had spent the first eighteen years of my life with this book looming over me, forced to read it in its entirety every year and to memorize significant portions of it, not as perhaps the most influential book ever assembled, but rather as the inspired and literal Word of God. Studying it as literature in college turned what had been a lifelong burden into a voyage of discovery".
When Christianity Becomes an Angry and Fearful Faith
Posted from patheos.com
Religion
Christianity
Fear
Love
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 3
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Most people look at the bible as a guide;
B Basic
I information
B before
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E earth
The word of God as written by man has many interpretations to suit their individual needs. My learning of the bible is a guide for me to try and be a better man, husband, father and leader of my family for our christian salvation. As the only living God Jesus Christ is my Savior.
B Basic
I information
B before
L leaving
E earth
The word of God as written by man has many interpretations to suit their individual needs. My learning of the bible is a guide for me to try and be a better man, husband, father and leader of my family for our christian salvation. As the only living God Jesus Christ is my Savior.
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We seem to discuss religion a lot on RP. This post seems a perfect opportunity to post some thoughts I've had for a long time, and just haven't found the right forum for. I apologize for being long-winded (the Cliff Notes version is yet to be published).
I believe God's as real and tangible as gravity. I won't be so arrogant as to state I understand everything involved, but I take it for granted that upon my death...I'll go somewhere and begin another, eternal existence. For me, what little can be known about either comes from the Judeo-Christian theology, so it's safe to suggest that for me-that's the most important thing in the universe.
I've never felt "burdened" by this faith. The fact that I believe in a literal "heaven" and "hell", that repentance goes hand in hand with belief, and that the very condition of being born human is a struggle against one's own sinful nature...have never made me feel "repressed" or "controlled". Frankly, it makes perfect sense-life is a struggle; it is logical that this life is all about preparation for the life to come. Neither has anything within that belief taught me to believe that God isn't willing to extend second, third, and even seventieth chances to get things right...which is good, since I often miss the mark, and have to come back to the altar asking for mercy, and the strength to do better the next time. I believe God offers that to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
What is "angry and fearful"? To me, anger comes when someone won't accept it when the world around them disagrees with their beliefs...and fear comes when they believe the world around them is committed to changing what they believe. The two often coincide when fear has reached the point someone feels compelled to act in their own defense. The Bible speaks about being "angry", but "sinning not". To me, that's always been quite clear; you can be upset, frustrated, and furious about something...and still not slip into hatred, resentment, or vengeance. I'm personally very "angry" that the world is so committed to perversion, corruption, filth, violence, intemperance, exploitation, denigration, etc. However, I don't feel that it is my responsibility, let alone right, to self-appoint myself as judge and jury...nor would it be possible without indicting myself. God speaks to those who will listen, and I pray often for those who seem to have their ears shut.
Still, I am human.
What do I feel when I see hundreds of people in a city near me marching with rubber genitalia on their heads, spewing profane slogans, and championing lifestyles Scripture condemns, or the killing of the unborn? You'd think I'd feel even more anger...surprisingly, it's heartbreak; both for them, and the society that has changed so fast, and so dramatically in the wrong direction. There's also a bit of fear-not the panicked, cold-chills variety, but a pervading sense of dread, as if someone has suddenly painted an enormous target on my back with a sign that says, "This guy right here...he's the enemy". When I encounter the middle-aged man in the grocery line wearing women's clothing, but showing five-o-clock shadow, I wish I could find the words talk to them about a better way...but when I see screeching crowds castigating everything I believe in as "hate"... I worry about what steps they may take to achieve their goals.
I wish people would talk more, and shout less.
I believe God's as real and tangible as gravity. I won't be so arrogant as to state I understand everything involved, but I take it for granted that upon my death...I'll go somewhere and begin another, eternal existence. For me, what little can be known about either comes from the Judeo-Christian theology, so it's safe to suggest that for me-that's the most important thing in the universe.
I've never felt "burdened" by this faith. The fact that I believe in a literal "heaven" and "hell", that repentance goes hand in hand with belief, and that the very condition of being born human is a struggle against one's own sinful nature...have never made me feel "repressed" or "controlled". Frankly, it makes perfect sense-life is a struggle; it is logical that this life is all about preparation for the life to come. Neither has anything within that belief taught me to believe that God isn't willing to extend second, third, and even seventieth chances to get things right...which is good, since I often miss the mark, and have to come back to the altar asking for mercy, and the strength to do better the next time. I believe God offers that to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
What is "angry and fearful"? To me, anger comes when someone won't accept it when the world around them disagrees with their beliefs...and fear comes when they believe the world around them is committed to changing what they believe. The two often coincide when fear has reached the point someone feels compelled to act in their own defense. The Bible speaks about being "angry", but "sinning not". To me, that's always been quite clear; you can be upset, frustrated, and furious about something...and still not slip into hatred, resentment, or vengeance. I'm personally very "angry" that the world is so committed to perversion, corruption, filth, violence, intemperance, exploitation, denigration, etc. However, I don't feel that it is my responsibility, let alone right, to self-appoint myself as judge and jury...nor would it be possible without indicting myself. God speaks to those who will listen, and I pray often for those who seem to have their ears shut.
Still, I am human.
What do I feel when I see hundreds of people in a city near me marching with rubber genitalia on their heads, spewing profane slogans, and championing lifestyles Scripture condemns, or the killing of the unborn? You'd think I'd feel even more anger...surprisingly, it's heartbreak; both for them, and the society that has changed so fast, and so dramatically in the wrong direction. There's also a bit of fear-not the panicked, cold-chills variety, but a pervading sense of dread, as if someone has suddenly painted an enormous target on my back with a sign that says, "This guy right here...he's the enemy". When I encounter the middle-aged man in the grocery line wearing women's clothing, but showing five-o-clock shadow, I wish I could find the words talk to them about a better way...but when I see screeching crowds castigating everything I believe in as "hate"... I worry about what steps they may take to achieve their goals.
I wish people would talk more, and shout less.
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