New Directions Philippians 3:12-14 Over the course of my life to this point, I have moved away from some of those things which had been the primary focus in the churches in which I have been a part in the past, and am moving toward some other understandings of the Gospel which have emerged for me as central to the Christian faith. That being a Christian means committing one’s life to follow Jesus, not having all the right answers or holding to a certain set of doctrines and beliefs. That to be a genuine follower of Jesus people need to be free from coercion and pressure and rigid theological structures. That there can be unity in a church based not on a common belief, but based on a common respect for each person’s freedom before God. That Christian faith is primarily a way to live one’s life, not just a preparation one should make before dying. That attending and supporting the church is not the only, nor even the most important, way to express one’s Christian faith. That the church is here primarily to help us all better express our faith out there in the world where we live and work. That the members of a church have a call from God equal to that of the Pastor’s, and that the Pastor is not the sole authority, nor sometimes even the best authority, on God’s Will for the church and people’s lives. That the Bible, which we accept as God’s word and the final authority for our faith and practice as Baptists, is not a book to be understood simply and literally, but can best reveal its truth through other approaches to its interpretation. And perhaps most significantly, I have continued to move toward the belief that in the one word “love” – “agape” – is where you find most of what the Christian faith is all about. From my book: “Some Things I Said While Trying to Preach the Gospel” (Daily Thoughts for Thoughtful Christians) csabooks
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 10:01:25 +0000
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