I would like to clarify something after my post from yesterday, Trapped or Free. Lisa pointed out that it might sound like I was anti-Presbyterian or generally anti-mainline. She also pointed out, quite correctly, that we have been treated far worse in the church since then. And she’s right. So here’ s my clarification:
The issue isn’t where we are, but how we are where we are. The struggle for me wasn’t with the Presbyterian church per se (although at that time I might have thought it was), but with the fact that I felt trapped, without choices, without options, held there against my will. I do not have a hate on for all the traditions and denominations, theologies and schools, cultures and groups. The issue isn’t that you might feel trapped in a dead and decaying tradition, and that you need to make the leap into the Vineyard movement or some other charismatic, post-modern or emergent group. I’ve discovered a remarkable but simple truth in my many years of pastoral experience, and that is that no matter where I go, there I am! I could’ve carried my delusion of bondage and slavery with me for the rest of my life. Rather, I had a revelation of my enslavement that I was somehow complicit in, fully supported, nurtured and sustained by my own willful blindness, naivete, and the super-spiritual idea that I was somehow an obedient martyr by staying in the land of slavery that my own mind had created for myself. Of course, the powers-that-be fully validated, supported and succored my unconscious decision to be a slave, but that was no excuse.
I learned then, with that short sentence, “It’s time!“, that I was a free man and nothing could change that, no matter where I found myself. I woke up in the same bed I fell asleep in, but I was a completely transformed man. I still struggle night and day against the powers that would reduce me to a slave with a slavery mentality. And this struggle is largely the content of this blog. But so far I have triumphed. I’m still free. And I know that I would still be free if I went back into a mainline church. Believe me, it is no better here than there. And it is no better there than here. The only thing that is better is that I have claimed the freedom that was always mine. And I continue to endeavor to live in that reality from moment to moment.
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David Hayward is an artist trapped in a pastor's body, stripping to the essential.
I wonder if all religious traditions don’t suffer from this “believe because we have the truth” mentality. Even the Catholic Church, which claimed in Vatican II, the primacy of the individual’s conscience burdens its members with dogma. As you have discovered, we can choose to remain enslaved. Or we can step out of the shackles. We have the key for this release within us.
Wow, I’ll have to go re-read that post, I thought it was anti-baptist, not sure how I messed that up…
Wow, Beryl,
Just the opposite for me. I have the “know the truth mentality,” and it has set me. free. If I was any more free, I couldn’t stand it.
I find it interesting that those who find issue with dogma, in general, are those who are appear most lost and searching. Those who claim no particular dogma seem to me to be those who are enslaved to the misery of doubts about everything.
Beryl, MAKE IT a great day, tomorrow.
fishon [jerry]
I too am TOTALLY FREE !!! (I’m not going to get in trouble for saying that…am I?)
Somehow I have trouble with the phrasing of “know the truth mentality”. The Bible speaks in one place of it being possible to “sear our conscience”, in another of our heart being “deceitful above all things”, and in another of a time when God will send “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”. For me, “truth” and “freedom” comes out of a well much deeper than my cranial cavity; and, even in that, I find the journey to be a stumble where, along the way, I meet Him at the oasis, finding a confirmation of both terms….
Steve:
I’m sorry if my comment on your comment the other day motivated you to say this. I found your comment interesting because of how I reacted to it. I was more interested in my reaction than what you actually said. I went through bible college and seminary and grad school and have lots of theological training under my belt. reformed no less. i am not against theology. i’m not against what you have to say. i appreciate your input and comments. i reacted to how much of a disconnect there was for me between what i was trying to say in the cartoon and what you said in your comment. theologically, i agree with what you wrote. but i think i’ve grown an aversion to propositions. and that’s my problem, not yours. so keep commenting!!! the world still needs good lutherans
oh, and as luther would say, if you’re going to comment, comment boldly!
Stevoo
How free are you, if youre worried about getting in trouble on a blog?
Jim,
My statement “know the truth mentality†is based upon who Jesus is [based on the Bible] and primarily John 14:6. The statement also incorporates John 8:31-32.
fishon
Fishon: I’m familiar with the Scriptures, even as I’m sure you are with the few I quoted, but I meant no judgment on you or Beryl and apologize if it sounded that way. Just trying to put my own journey out there. Actually, I just posted and tied it together with reads from two other sites.
Link to me- http://brain-waves.blogspot.com
Jim,
I didn’t feel any judgement from you. Maybe a difference of opinion or thoughts, but that’s ok.
I did check your link before I replied. I will spend more time looking into the site.
fishon