I am not a theologian,
but have been thinking for many years about the things I have been taught and
have experienced. For some background, I was:
- Raised in the Assemblies of God (Pentecostal (charismatic) and Arminian (can lose salvation)) until about age 18.
- For the next 14 years, part of a group I now call a cult. Heavy on us v them view of other Christians. A personality cult but not to the extreme of watching out for igloos filled with KoolAid.
- Since then (32 years), part of two different Bible churches (independent churches generally following the theology found at Dallas Theological Seminary — dispensational theology, mostly Calvinist.)
There are
parts of each that are much the same and the rest is very diverse. All are/were
evangelical. Al closely taught from the Bible. I could say a lot about the
cult, but will refrain because it is pointless at this part of my journey.
The purpose
of this blog is to write about the things that I see week by week at the
assembly to hich I am connected, and in my reading of numerous Christian blogs.
My primary blog diet consists of:
- The Internet Monk (started by Michael Spencer (deceased) and continued by Chaplain Mike Mercer)
- Jesus Creed (Scot McKnight, professor and Anglican priest)
- Keith Giles (progressive Christian. Sometimes controversial, always thought provoking)
- Roger E.Olson (Arminian evangelical, professor at Baylor University)
- Ponder Anew (Jonathan Ponder — worship and music related)
- Worship Evaluation (David Manner, director of Worship, Leadership, and Administration for a region of Southern Baptists)
There are
others I read less frequently. But these, and the books they point to are
affecting my view of where I am, where we are together, and just a little of
where we might should be.
The goal is
to bring out some of the questions and issues that arise as I travel along my
Christian journey. I expect that the present will always keep me supplied with ideas.
While I admit that my phrasing of the issues will often reveal my starting
position (if I actually have one), I do not pretend that I have the right
answer or way, and do not necessarily expect that “the” answer will be found. In
fact, finding the answers is not the goal. It is the development of the
question and the start of dialog (with or without me) that is my initial quest.
Feel free to
comment. But as a blog is not necessarily the best format for discussion, if
more discussion on any issue is desired, I would suggest a discussion
forum. I used to belong to one that
could be used, but it has closed due to changes in the direction of the owners
of the site. I would love to find a reason to create or find a new discussion
site.
I do not
know how often I will post. I would rather be somewhat regular instead of
running periods of flood followed by drought, but need to consider both the
cycle of ideas and my own time restraints.
I will to
avoid confusing theological terms like orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and exegesis. This
is not a seminary class, so I will try to speak the language of the common
people. You know who we are — the ones in the Cheap Seats.
