I’m discovering that I haven’t had a very healthy image of myself. I’m realizing that I grew up nurturing and being nurtured in a very negative self-view as well as of all humanity together.
I fell in love with Reformed Theology in my seminary days. I passionately studied John Calvin, Luther and all the others that followed in their wake. I still have a deep appreciation for Calvin and all that theology. My library is full of books in that vein. I felt it came to me as a gift.
But I’m just starting to see that we actually choose our theology. Our theology rarely chooses us. I am convinced that we always choose ideas that support what we already believe. We find proofs to buttress our worldview.
Like this tree struck by lightning, forever damaging its life, I can now see that much of what I have believed has only deepened my own pre-existent self-deprecation. There’s all kinds of theology out there that will reinforce our self-hatred and keep us down.
I’ve also discovered that we have no idea how dangerous this is to our health and wellbeing. Theology that supports a low view of humanity is a self-fulfilling prophesy. It actually creates the milieu for the complete defeat, destruction and death of the human spirit. Which is what it desires.
Own the original drawing.
My name is David Hayward, and I am the nakedpastor. I am a graffiti artist on the walls of religion.
@Joe: I was responding to this:
“Christine: Rather than try to paraphrase further what Tullian Tchividjian was trying to say, let me suggest you do a web search for his name with “total depravity” and let him speak for himself.”
Didn’t mean to come off as rude. I just don’t care at the moment what Tullian Tchividjian was saying, so I didn’t get why you would suggest I look him up.
I didn’t mean it was a private discussion, either. I’m just here because I’m interested in the views of people here. (If I’m interesting in certain authors, I will look them up.) I would be interested in your personal view as well.
On a completely separate note, the “I read this as” part was meant to imply that I don’t think there are any “creeds or confessions [that Scripture makes clear”. You want to provide an example of what you think qualifies?