Christy, it's so great to find you (via KSP's Substack). Goodness, we have much in common--I'm an indie (self-published) author and also a former almost-cult community member from the 70's. I am still in an Evangelical congregation ( my brother was the founding pastor, he's now retired; long story) and in the last few years have become more and more aware of the false beliefs and Christianese like mindset that has permeated their thinking.
I push back when I can and have many of my closest friends outside my denomination/church. Staying close to Jesus is the only way.
P.S. I'm also a retired teacher and spent the last five years of my career in a program with Special Needs kids.... you are offering a miraculous support to the kids you serve.
Oh gosh, this whole piece has just been such a breath of fresh air. YOU are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I absolutely resonate with the concept of sanctification as a process—not something we can wrap up in a neat and tidy salvation testimony. And what a very good thing!
And the idea that it’s not about having all the right answers—it’s about our communion with Christ, how we draw ever and ever nearer to our Beloved.
That the arc of the gospel is restoration to who we were always meant to be.
There is just so much richness here to ponder. My cup feels a little fuller just having read this ❤️
I’m so glad that you were encouraged! And yes, I totally agree with the arc of the gospel being our restoration (and creations restoration) to what we and it were supposed to be. 😊💕
This has been my life statement for the past decade: God isn't threatened by my humanity. Jesus is the guaranteeror (is that a word?) but that doesn't mean it's once and done. All of Scripture points to us walking out our salvation, being changed here on earth, before eternity. "Faith with our works is dead" - meaning if your works do not back up your faith, what are you believing? You can't earn salvation, but you should prove it. We've been studying Matthew for 2 years in my Sunday school, and more and more it's clear how much of our theological doctrine is based upon a Western, American, 21st century outlook. Cultural context. Historical context. Linguistic context. These matter. They don't change the truth: they enhance it, removing all the garnishes.
I have this same argument with New Earthers who are adamant in 6 days. Well, a day was from sunup to sundown. How do we know it was exactly 24hrs? Genesis says there was morning and evening every day - it does NOT say that morning and evening were the beginning and end of each day. Middle Eastern cultures see time in terms of loops, and infinity. Moses would have never thought to written Genesis according to a Gregorian calendar with carefully delineated dates. (Assuming he did write it, which is open to debate.) We like to read America into the Bible, instead of reading the Bible into America.
That is exactly what I felt God was doing/saying when I went through my meltdown/anger period. I felt like he told me there is grace for the space I needed, and that he was still there when I was ready and we didn't have to talk about it until I was ready. He let me have my meltdown, because I just needed to get it out of my system. And because of that, I encountered the most non-controlling Person there is, the real Father, not the one I had imagined him to be. My view of God grew so much because of that encounter. I'm so thankful that he sits with us and helps us regulate! He is soooo kind, and He is peace itself. Your picture of the child you were working with was such a perfect picture of what happened for me spiritually!
It is interesting how “generosity” is linked with “righteous” in Hebrew. I had always thought more about “right standing before God” which it also is in terms of restoration, but that alone can have a connotation of God making us “acceptable to him”. Generosity added to that connotes a feeling that God desires to restore us to who he originally created us to be, beautiful humans made in his image, so that we would be and live in wholeness and peace.
Thank you for that added perspective. A book that I really appreciated a few years ago was “The Forgotten Way” by Tedd Dekker. There are some unique and thoughtful insights presented there as well.
I feel the same way about how knowing the connection to generosity gives me a different perspective on God and His heart towards me. Thanks for the book recommendation!
You have so many good thoughts in this post that it's hard to pick what I want to focus on and think about. Openness is one theme I heard. Acceptance of others, another. And a life-long learning about God.
I, too, believe our lives are in a process. A process of growing closer to God. If we don't question, we won't learn. My search for God started with questioning. I still ask Him questions every day.
"The divine energies of God are at work within us, recreating us into the beautiful beings we were made to be. That resonates with me! I also loved that salvation is not seen as a one time action (as we are quick to declare in evangelical land) but is an ongoing process—a process that begins by faith and continues by grace."
Since I don't a lot about evangelicals - can you tell me which ones are staunchly "do it this way" type of people? I don't want to steer my group in the wrong direction. I've read many theologians, both past and present.
Any of them can be. It depends on the heart. But I’d say people who get fully invested in reformed theology are my biggest concerns. But the same thing can happen anywhere honestly.
Christy, it's so great to find you (via KSP's Substack). Goodness, we have much in common--I'm an indie (self-published) author and also a former almost-cult community member from the 70's. I am still in an Evangelical congregation ( my brother was the founding pastor, he's now retired; long story) and in the last few years have become more and more aware of the false beliefs and Christianese like mindset that has permeated their thinking.
I push back when I can and have many of my closest friends outside my denomination/church. Staying close to Jesus is the only way.
P.S. I'm also a retired teacher and spent the last five years of my career in a program with Special Needs kids.... you are offering a miraculous support to the kids you serve.
So wonderful to meet you!!
This was beautiful. I love the flow of it, moving from one thought to the other but all in such a beautiful and heartfelt way. Thank you for this.
You are welcome! So glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Oh gosh, this whole piece has just been such a breath of fresh air. YOU are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I absolutely resonate with the concept of sanctification as a process—not something we can wrap up in a neat and tidy salvation testimony. And what a very good thing!
And the idea that it’s not about having all the right answers—it’s about our communion with Christ, how we draw ever and ever nearer to our Beloved.
That the arc of the gospel is restoration to who we were always meant to be.
There is just so much richness here to ponder. My cup feels a little fuller just having read this ❤️
I’m so glad that you were encouraged! And yes, I totally agree with the arc of the gospel being our restoration (and creations restoration) to what we and it were supposed to be. 😊💕
This has been my life statement for the past decade: God isn't threatened by my humanity. Jesus is the guaranteeror (is that a word?) but that doesn't mean it's once and done. All of Scripture points to us walking out our salvation, being changed here on earth, before eternity. "Faith with our works is dead" - meaning if your works do not back up your faith, what are you believing? You can't earn salvation, but you should prove it. We've been studying Matthew for 2 years in my Sunday school, and more and more it's clear how much of our theological doctrine is based upon a Western, American, 21st century outlook. Cultural context. Historical context. Linguistic context. These matter. They don't change the truth: they enhance it, removing all the garnishes.
I have this same argument with New Earthers who are adamant in 6 days. Well, a day was from sunup to sundown. How do we know it was exactly 24hrs? Genesis says there was morning and evening every day - it does NOT say that morning and evening were the beginning and end of each day. Middle Eastern cultures see time in terms of loops, and infinity. Moses would have never thought to written Genesis according to a Gregorian calendar with carefully delineated dates. (Assuming he did write it, which is open to debate.) We like to read America into the Bible, instead of reading the Bible into America.
So many good thoughts!! 😁
The things you say in this post help me breathe deeper.
Yes to this: "I take comfort in the fact that I am never going to get it exactly right. God is far too amazing and complex. But that’s okay."
Aw, I’m so glad!!
That is exactly what I felt God was doing/saying when I went through my meltdown/anger period. I felt like he told me there is grace for the space I needed, and that he was still there when I was ready and we didn't have to talk about it until I was ready. He let me have my meltdown, because I just needed to get it out of my system. And because of that, I encountered the most non-controlling Person there is, the real Father, not the one I had imagined him to be. My view of God grew so much because of that encounter. I'm so thankful that he sits with us and helps us regulate! He is soooo kind, and He is peace itself. Your picture of the child you were working with was such a perfect picture of what happened for me spiritually!
Oh, I love this!!! 💕 The real Father is SO good and patient and kind.
It is interesting how “generosity” is linked with “righteous” in Hebrew. I had always thought more about “right standing before God” which it also is in terms of restoration, but that alone can have a connotation of God making us “acceptable to him”. Generosity added to that connotes a feeling that God desires to restore us to who he originally created us to be, beautiful humans made in his image, so that we would be and live in wholeness and peace.
Thank you for that added perspective. A book that I really appreciated a few years ago was “The Forgotten Way” by Tedd Dekker. There are some unique and thoughtful insights presented there as well.
I feel the same way about how knowing the connection to generosity gives me a different perspective on God and His heart towards me. Thanks for the book recommendation!
Christy,
You have so many good thoughts in this post that it's hard to pick what I want to focus on and think about. Openness is one theme I heard. Acceptance of others, another. And a life-long learning about God.
I, too, believe our lives are in a process. A process of growing closer to God. If we don't question, we won't learn. My search for God started with questioning. I still ask Him questions every day.
"The divine energies of God are at work within us, recreating us into the beautiful beings we were made to be. That resonates with me! I also loved that salvation is not seen as a one time action (as we are quick to declare in evangelical land) but is an ongoing process—a process that begins by faith and continues by grace."
So glad you enjoyed today’s letter!
Since I don't a lot about evangelicals - can you tell me which ones are staunchly "do it this way" type of people? I don't want to steer my group in the wrong direction. I've read many theologians, both past and present.
Any of them can be. It depends on the heart. But I’d say people who get fully invested in reformed theology are my biggest concerns. But the same thing can happen anywhere honestly.
So listening to their words. Are they biblically sound? Do they allow questions? Do they push the “should” word?
Exactly! Do they sound like Jesus? Is the fruit like Jesus?