#Rethink - March 2021
#Rethink - March 2021
Hey March! This month we are wondering how we got here, pondering an old Christian book, and exploring growth from this past year.
How Did We Get Here?
It was a short documentary on the dark side of the Christian Music Industry that pushed me over the edge. It was frustrating to find out that the industry publishes music using formulas directed at fake people in specific demographics (although it kind of makes sense). But it was devastating to hear how people have been burned and pushed out when they asked the wrong questions.
The music industry, the publishing industry, mega church pastors and well-known Christian leaders getting caught in sin, organizations with toxic environments, spiritual abuse in youth groups, Christian colleges, regular churches...
The bodies left in the wake of the Evangelical Christian machine -- the Christianese bubble world that tries to paint itself so perfect and pretty -- are stacking up and it's not okay. How did we get here? And how did we get so far away from the Person and example of Jesus Christ?
Was it when we decided to try and make this world into a spiritual utopia?
When we choose morality over individuals?
Was it when we started following people instead of Jesus?
When we chose the easiest interpretation of Scripture over the accurate one?
Where do we go from here? I can see why Progressive Christianity is an attractive alternative with its focus on love and inclusiveness. But I want true truth and not just something that feels nice. After spending a decade in a cult, I'm really hesitant about beliefs based on human reasoning. And so here we are again in the awkward middle way trying to reconcile grace and truth, trying to embrace the paradox that is Jesus.
I'm going to be unpacking this question of how did we get here for the next few weeks on my podcast Looking for the Real God. You can listen to it at SoundCloud or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.
"Poets do not go mad; but chess players do."
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
It's a good thing that I was homeschooled and read a ton of old-fashioned books growing up because I need every bit of those reading and language skills to decipher this fascinating book written in 1908. I was thoroughly sucked in by the introduction where Chesterton wrote this about himself,
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"I did try to found a heresy of my own; and when I had put the last touches to it,
I discovered that it was orthodoxy."
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Although separated by at least a century, I have a feeling that G.K. and I will be good friends in heaven. He writes about the necessity of embracing mystery and paradox if we are going to be healthy human beings and yet he writes in a way that is thought-out and logical. I find myself rereading and underlining just to make sure that I am catching the wisdom of his words. Yet even as I am astounded at his thought processes, I am also entertained by his dry British humor. I'll leave you with one last favorite quote of brilliance.
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"But the cross, though it has at its heart a collision and a contradiction, can extend its arms forever without altering its shape. Because it has a paradox at its center it can grow without changing. The circle returns upon itself and is bound. The cross opens its arms to the four winds; it is a sign post for free travelers."
A Look Back on 2020
Who knew that you could be traumatized by toilet paper (or the lack of it) but apparently I have been. I worked as a personal shopper with Shipt all through the early stages of the pandemic last year. During a time with empty shelves and paper shortages of all kinds. Back when I had hidey holes through out the store where I would stash hard to find items for later customers. For real. 😆 As the one year anniversary hit, I started having flashbacks and feeling the panic all over again even though things are decently stocked these days.
I've found memories surfacing on Facebook of the early days when I tried to assure myself and others, preached faith over fear, and told people not to panic. I think I was more desperate for answers back then. But 2020 has taken away my certainty and given me the ability to rest in the unknown. This world seems less important and eternity is more real. I see our clear need for the gospel like never before, but I am also more aware of the deep brokenness within cultural Christianity.
I feel like I'm less confident and more confident at the same time as I move into life. There have been so many personal changes in this last year and so much that is still in limbo and I am way more chill about it all.
How has the past year changed, broken, and healed you? I'd love to know!
Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
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