Attended a Basic Youth Conflicts seminar in the early 70s. But because of something I didn't know about myself at that time I didn't "buy into" following the man or every teaching, but seeking to know what Scripture said. The same with the Bible college I attended, my way of thinking didn't "go with the flow". But oh, I want to know Him more. In it all I am learning I don't need to know the doctrines, I need to know the Scriptures. I don't need to know what the Bible teaches, I need to know Him.
Search the Scriptures, for in them you THINK you have eternal life; and they, yes those same Scriptures, are they that testify of Me. Said Jesus. (John 5)
I had a similar upbringing, not in the IBLP but an independent group that taught many of the same type of things. And currently I am on a very similar path of thinking through things, so a lot of this rang true for me. Thank you!
Christy this was such a great read. I feel like I’m in No Persons land. I’m not progressive enough for progressives and I’m not conservative enough for fundamentalist. I’ve moved away from dualistic all or nothing thinking. As a retired Pastor I’ve found blind spots in every form of systematic theology. My fear right now (lack of control over) are people who believe in Christian Nationalism. The ways of Jesus are always humility based power under that seeks to love and care for the marginalized with compassion and mercy. I appreciate your journey of Christ like faith Christy.
I'm right there with you, Steve. Christian Nationalism makes me nervous too, mostly because I've been there and know what it is like to live under that kind of religious oppression AND that it doesn't work. But that's also what kind of gives me hope--it doesn't work. And also Jesus gives me hope because he's always made a way out for true believers over the past 2,000 years and why should now be any different? Maybe we are on the brink of a new awakening when this junk pretending to be Christianity is exposed for that it truly is?! I can only hope and pray.
"Nobody joins a cult. Nobody joins something that they think is going to hurt them. You join a religious organization; you join a political movement, and you join with people that you really like,"
-Deborah Layton, surviving member of Peoples Temple (Jonestown).
Fear is a driver. Until people can name their fears, specifically not in vague broad brushstrokes, they will be driven by them in ways they can’t see or admit.
But fear can also be reality of how one operates depending on their choices of what pond to swim in. Some of us made a living on ministry and had quite comfortable lives based on mutual agreements or at least what we thought we all agreed to. A switch was flipped in 2016 which escalated in 2020 that I don’t think we will be able to unpack still for years to come… and mostly because some people won’t be honest about what they’re really afraid of. Some of them are afraid they’ll be treated the way they treated others. Some are afraid of losing everything they worked for or realizing what they’ve worked so hard for was actually wrong headed. They’re afraid of deconstruction because they know something really heartbreaking could happen to them. It’s all fear.
Yeah, honestly naming fears is huge. I think many of us have vague fears that we don’t even know how to name. But I’ve found that naming them gives them less power and allows us to begin healing. Thanks for your comment!
“Fear filled people also cling to formulaic thinking to feel safe.” 🔥
To me the irony is that the fear filled thinking created an environment for children where instead of feeling safe some of us felt constant anxiety and stress because in the extremism we were just one bad decision away from falling off the cliff.
This was really beautifully written and I’ve enjoyed your work.
This is a point I talk about fairly frequently with people—that for a people that are told to fear not and trust in the Lord, Christians seem to be some of the most fearful people I know. If we truly trust that God is bigger than anything else, why do we act so afraid of [people with different lifestyles, the government, Hollywood…insert favorite talking point here…]?
Oh yes, being told "fear not" constantly yet at the same time being warned of so many things you *should* be afraid of was quite the formula for my severe childhood anxiety (undiagnosed and untreated for decades, of course, because science is another thing to be afraid of).
When we’re afraid we’re vulnerable- that’s so true! I also agree with you that the problem of fundamentalism is deeper than we think, and we see this in some people who become liberal or progressive but have the same fundamentalist mindset that they carried over from their conservative fundamentalist upbringing. The same rigid thinking, the same proof texting, fear of loss, and scarcity-based solutions.
Attended a Basic Youth Conflicts seminar in the early 70s. But because of something I didn't know about myself at that time I didn't "buy into" following the man or every teaching, but seeking to know what Scripture said. The same with the Bible college I attended, my way of thinking didn't "go with the flow". But oh, I want to know Him more. In it all I am learning I don't need to know the doctrines, I need to know the Scriptures. I don't need to know what the Bible teaches, I need to know Him.
Search the Scriptures, for in them you THINK you have eternal life; and they, yes those same Scriptures, are they that testify of Me. Said Jesus. (John 5)
I love this and am so grateful for the “free thinkers” in my life like you!
I love “truth soaked in love.”
I had a similar upbringing, not in the IBLP but an independent group that taught many of the same type of things. And currently I am on a very similar path of thinking through things, so a lot of this rang true for me. Thank you!
You are very welcome. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. It’s a lot to unpack and I’m glad you are working through it all.
Christy this was such a great read. I feel like I’m in No Persons land. I’m not progressive enough for progressives and I’m not conservative enough for fundamentalist. I’ve moved away from dualistic all or nothing thinking. As a retired Pastor I’ve found blind spots in every form of systematic theology. My fear right now (lack of control over) are people who believe in Christian Nationalism. The ways of Jesus are always humility based power under that seeks to love and care for the marginalized with compassion and mercy. I appreciate your journey of Christ like faith Christy.
I'm right there with you, Steve. Christian Nationalism makes me nervous too, mostly because I've been there and know what it is like to live under that kind of religious oppression AND that it doesn't work. But that's also what kind of gives me hope--it doesn't work. And also Jesus gives me hope because he's always made a way out for true believers over the past 2,000 years and why should now be any different? Maybe we are on the brink of a new awakening when this junk pretending to be Christianity is exposed for that it truly is?! I can only hope and pray.
Thank you for this reminder. Living in the awkward middle with Jesus. Courage in the midst of fear.
That’s right!
Fear is the opposite of love. Love your neighbours.
God says ‘do not fear’ over 400 times. That means it’s important.
God says love your neighbour .
Let’s do this.
Let’s do this!
"Nobody joins a cult. Nobody joins something that they think is going to hurt them. You join a religious organization; you join a political movement, and you join with people that you really like,"
-Deborah Layton, surviving member of Peoples Temple (Jonestown).
So true!
Well written, Friend: Hoping this provides peace and validation for those who read it.
Aw, thank you! 💕
Fear is a driver. Until people can name their fears, specifically not in vague broad brushstrokes, they will be driven by them in ways they can’t see or admit.
But fear can also be reality of how one operates depending on their choices of what pond to swim in. Some of us made a living on ministry and had quite comfortable lives based on mutual agreements or at least what we thought we all agreed to. A switch was flipped in 2016 which escalated in 2020 that I don’t think we will be able to unpack still for years to come… and mostly because some people won’t be honest about what they’re really afraid of. Some of them are afraid they’ll be treated the way they treated others. Some are afraid of losing everything they worked for or realizing what they’ve worked so hard for was actually wrong headed. They’re afraid of deconstruction because they know something really heartbreaking could happen to them. It’s all fear.
Yeah, honestly naming fears is huge. I think many of us have vague fears that we don’t even know how to name. But I’ve found that naming them gives them less power and allows us to begin healing. Thanks for your comment!
I’m encouraged by the choices you are making, away from fear and formulas (I call them templates) designed to control and influence the insecure.
Your journey is very similar to mine!
Thanks for the encouragement!
“Fear filled people also cling to formulaic thinking to feel safe.” 🔥
To me the irony is that the fear filled thinking created an environment for children where instead of feeling safe some of us felt constant anxiety and stress because in the extremism we were just one bad decision away from falling off the cliff.
This was really beautifully written and I’ve enjoyed your work.
This is a point I talk about fairly frequently with people—that for a people that are told to fear not and trust in the Lord, Christians seem to be some of the most fearful people I know. If we truly trust that God is bigger than anything else, why do we act so afraid of [people with different lifestyles, the government, Hollywood…insert favorite talking point here…]?
It’s so true! I wonder what’s at the root of it?
Oh yes, being told "fear not" constantly yet at the same time being warned of so many things you *should* be afraid of was quite the formula for my severe childhood anxiety (undiagnosed and untreated for decades, of course, because science is another thing to be afraid of).
😭 I’m so sorry. It’s all very confusing isn’t it?!
Yes, so ironic and sad. 😭
When we’re afraid we’re vulnerable- that’s so true! I also agree with you that the problem of fundamentalism is deeper than we think, and we see this in some people who become liberal or progressive but have the same fundamentalist mindset that they carried over from their conservative fundamentalist upbringing. The same rigid thinking, the same proof texting, fear of loss, and scarcity-based solutions.
Exactly. You can be a fundamentalist about anything. And then you miss out on SO much!